Summer or Winter, your battery can be your biggest foe!

There is a common misconception that your car’s battery is more likely to fail in winter than in summer. But, in fact, exactly the opposite is true! Extreme heat takes an enormous toll on your battery, and when a battery fails, it fails completely.

So, it is very important to have your battery checked in the summertime, particularly as we move into the “dog days” of July & August. Duxler’s technicians routinely check your battery as part of our free safety inspection, which is always performed when you have an oil change or any other service.

However, even if you are between oil changes, you should still have your battery checked in the extreme heat. If the battery is in good shape and does not need to be replaced, we will still clean and reseal the cable ends to keep you going all summer.

Full Service Makes A Comeback!

Frank Mathie of ABC7 Chicago was so impressed with the full-service treatment (at self-serve prices) that he got at Forrest's Duxler in Wilmette, he did a story about it! Take a look!

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7500030

See for yourself by visiting us at 1201 Green Bay Rd. in Wilmette.

Proper Vehicle Maintenance Makes Cents!

We all know the expression “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It’s true for your health and it’s true for your vehicle as well. Keeping your car well-maintained will save you money in the long run, both in fuel economy and by helping to prevent major repairs.

One of the most important things you can do is have your oil changed every three months or 3000 miles. (or as recommended by your car’s manufacturer). The reason oil changes are so vital is that fresh oil has a high viscosity, enabling your engine and all of its metal moving parts to be lubricated properly. As time goes by, oil becomes dirty, reducing its viscosity. If your engine continues to run on dirty oil, friction will build up and cause the metal parts to rub against each other because there is no oil to lubricate them properly. This could cause significant damage to the engine, and even turn into a major repair.

There is another benefit to having your oil changed regularly. The occasion provides a great opportunity for your technician to check your car for safety concerns, as well as inspect the parts of your vehicle that may require routine maintenance. Some of these items include tires, air filter, fuel filter, coolant, hoses, transmission, axles, battery and timing belt. This check enables your technician to catch and attend to any concerns before they become major problems.

As you can see, it’s a great idea to follow the maintenance schedule recommended by your car’s manufacturer. You’ll be doing your vehicle – and your wallet – a favor!

It All Began

Here is some information about Duxler Complete Auto Care.

Women, take charge of your cars!

You take care of your home and your family, and make important decisions about your business every day, so there is absolutely no reason that you should be intimidated by your car!

Yet women often tell us that they dislike taking their cars in for maintenance or repair because they feel they are going to be “taken advantage of,” or “treated as if they are stupid females.”

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!
If you want to feel more in control of your car’s maintenance and repair, “knowledge is power!” And one of the best ways to gain that knowledge is to ask your service advisor questions, and ask to be shown the repairs that need to be made, while you are in the shop. As a consumer, you’re entitled to this information – and you should be wary if you are ever in an auto repair shop where they refuse to answer your questions, explain things more thoroughly, or take you into the garage to show what they are recommending.

YOU GO GIRL!
Recent studies have shown that many women feel less intimated when interacting with female service advisors and technicians. Because of this, many repair shops are realizing that the presence of female professionals helps to create a more user friendly environment for female customers. Fittingly, an increasing number of women are entering the repair profession. As a female customer, you might even consider seeking out auto repair facilities that employ female service advisors and technicians!

START YOUNG
It is also important to empower the next generation (male and female) about car care. Make sure your kids learn about proper car maintenance when they are of driving age. Ask your service advisor to give your daughter or son a quick “tour” under the hood, show her or him the spare tire, and explain the importance of regular oil changes.

EMPOWERED
Once you are better informed and in an environment where you feel comfortable asking questions, you will feel more empowered when making decisions about your vehicle’s maintenance and repair. You will also build a more trusting relationship with your car care provider. So, go ahead and ask questions – it’s good for everyone involved!

Time To Get Ready For Summer

When is the best time to prepare your car for the summer? In the spring, when the weather is just getting warm and winter is over. Preparing your car for the summer can help to eliminate costly repairs and keep you from worrying as the temperature climbs.

Experts say that simple preventive measures like having the oil changed, properly inflating tires, and checking the cooling system can prevent unnecessary breakdowns that spoil summer fun. And, vehicles that are well maintained are more fuel-efficient, which can also help to keep vacation expenses down.

Prepping your car for summer should include the following:

• Have the oil changed to protect your engine against the stress created by long periods of idling in traffic and on short-distance trips.

• Check the air filters and replace them if necessary. Dirty air filters can cause your car to idle or run roughly.

• Test your car's battery. High heat can add strain, so if the battery is weak, it’s a good idea to replace it.

• Check your tire pressure and tread. Fluctuating temperatures can affect the air pressure inside your tires. Maintaining the correct tire pressure can also extend gas mileage. It’s a good idea to rotate your tires, too, if necessary.

• Check fluid levels. It’s very important to keep the correct levels of your car's coolant and transmission fluid to prevent overheating.

• Check the brakes! Winter’s wet and icy conditions mean more braking and stopping than usual, which can cause extra wear and tear on your brakes. It’s also a good idea to inspect the suspension system and replace worn shocks and struts to ensure a smoother ride.

• You might also think about having a fuel system treatment performed to clean the intake valve and combustion chamber (because dirt deposits can form faster under stop-and-go driving conditions). This treatment can help to eliminate rough idling, reduce emissions and restore maximum engine power and fuel efficiency.

• AIR CONDITIONING!!! No one wants to be stuck in high heat and humidity without air conditioning, so it’s wise to have a service technician check your refrigerant levels and perform basic maintenance to keep you cool and comfortable all summer long.

• The spring is also a good time to consider a tune-up. It’s in your car’s best interest to check periodically to make sure that your vehicle is working at maximum efficiency.

Duxler Days
Our May Duxler Days recipient will be New Foundation Center in Northfield. New Foundation Center partners with people with mental illness to recover and pursue lives of meaning and purpose. To help support this wonderful organization, download the special Duxler Days flier at http://wwwnewfoundationcenter.org/. Then, bring the flier to Duxler with you when you come for service in May, and we’ll donate $5 to New Foundation Center on your behalf.

Reading Tree
Don’t forget to bring your used children’s books to the ReadingTree bins at our Evanston, Skokie & Northbrook locations. Our literacy partner, ReadingTree, will make sure the books reach children in need.

Friday, September 4, 2009

A Seasonal Reminder From Duxler

Now that Fall is upon us, we wanted to remind you that now is a great time to have your vehicle inspected and to perform important maintenance work. Before we know it, the Winter cold will be here and your cars, vans, and small trucks will be taxed by the extreme weather conditions typically found in Chicagoland.

Among the most critical areas to check this Fall are your:

• Blades. Wiper blades that were installed new last spring may be ready for replacement this fall. Over time wiper blades develop cracks and tears. In addition, wipers tend to build up a thin layer of grime during the summer that keeps the rubber blade from contacting the glass, which could result in smeared windshields and poor visibility.

• Batteries. Battery cables and posts accumulate corrosion and require periodic cleaning. Extreme temperatures, battery age and cranking power are determinants as to whether a vehicle will start. Duxler’s technicians use professional equipment to determine if the battery is weak, while also checking the condition of the starter and alternator.

• Brakes. A thorough inspection at Duxler includes a “wheels-on” inspection – to help identify wheel alignment problems, sticking calipers or warped rotors – as well as a “wheels-off” inspection of the various brake parts. We also check the brake fluid. Low levels can cause a dangerous loss of braking performance.

• Belts and Hoses. Waiting until a belt or hose breaks is too late, leaving you stranded until it is replaced. To check the status of your engine belts yourself, inspect for cracking and pliability. If they are rigid, they should be replaced. Hoses deteriorate from the inside out. Have us test them for spongy, brittle or bulging areas.

In addition to inspecting the “4 Bs,” Duxler’s fall maintenance program includes:

• Changing the oil
• Checking the radiator fluid levels
• Inspecting or replacing the oil filter and the air and cabin filters
• Inspecting the heating and exhaust systems
• Balancing and aligning the wheels
• Topping off all fluids
• Examining lights to make sure they work and that headlights are properly aimed
• Rotating the tires, checking the tire pressure and inspecting the treads for wear

To learn more about any of the information in this article or to have your vehicle evaluated, please visit any one of Duxler's 5 locations along Chicago's North Shore. You can also visit us on the web at duxlertire.com. Please stay in touch with me on Facebook by becoming a friend of Duxy Duxler or a fan of Duxler Complete Auto Care.