Tires: What's In a Brand Name?

by Dennis, Cars for Keeps Customer Service Manager

Hi everyone,

I thought given the current weather condition, that tires would be a good subject to discuss.

So about the title, sound sort of silly? Not when you know the full details. So a friend of mine calls me and says hey my wife was at Sam Mart Club ( the names have been changed to protect the innocent) and they had a Michelin tire sale, buy 4 tires for $300.00. I said, "Wow! that sounds like a great price, but what are you looking for?" Michelin tires for a cheap price or good Michelin tires at the right price? He said What’s the difference? Which maybe what some of you are asking.

Here’s the difference…. It is true that Michelin or other big brand name tire manufactures make all different types (and quality) of tires. But just because that brand name is on the side doesn’t make it a great tire. Store brand tires are made to meet a certain price standard. The tires you buy at garages like Cars for Keeps are made to meet a quality standard.

So if price is the only issue then we can get tires that match that. If quality and a fair price is more for you, then we can differently solve that issue.

Anyway enough from me, I hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday season.

Your friendly neighborhood service manager,

Dennis

A Women’s Point of View: Yesterday’s Hero, Tomorrow’s Friend

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

About ten years ago, our service manager Dennis Sweet happened to be in the right place at the right time. He was in a parking lot when the battery blew up in one of the parked cars. There were a lady and a dog sitting in the car, very much in distress. She could not open the locked doors because there was no power to unlock them. Battery acid fumes were seeping into the car's interior. The occupants were in extreme danger. Dennis broke out the back window of the car and got both the lady and the dog out safely. In a matter of minutes, the car caught on fire.

Fast forward ten years. This same lady came into Cars For Keeps a few days ago. She was looking for a new repair facility to keep her car maintained properly and she heard some very good things about Cars For Keeps. She and Dennis recognized each other and had a happy reunion. She has made Cars For Keeps her new car maintenance facility “for keeps”. Doing good when the opportunity comes around is like a ripple. It is never forgotten and it keeps circling, coming back to a person in surprising ways. In this case, we welcomed a new customer and also acquired a new friend. I have worked at Cars For Keeps now for four years and have watched these guys consistently go out of their way to help people. Call it “Christmas nostalgia” but from a women’s point of view, this is a good thing.

Wiper Blades: Going Unnoticed Until It's Too Late!

by Robert, Cars for Keeps Technician

When it comes to driving, there are few things more important than visibility, and dull, cracked or bent wiper blades can mean the difference between a clear view and no view. With the snow season upon us wipers can really be abused. However, with proper care and maintenance your wipers can last several years. I’m here to show you how to do just that.

First things first: always turn your wipers off when you turn your car off. Not only does this help cold weather starting, but if they do freeze to the windshield overnight it can prevent many issues. For example, when the wiper blade motor is trying to work and the blades are stuck you can create extreme stress on the motor. Many have plastic gears inside that can easily strip out. Also many wiper arms are made out of soft aluminum. If the blades don’t move and the motor does you can run the risk of ruining both wiper arms, with costly repairs.

Secondly, when scraping your windshield you will want to lift your wipers off the windshield (carefully). If they do not come off right away continue scraping until the defrost kicks in more. Tearing them off when they are frozen runs the risk of tearing the blade from the frame and basically ruining your blade. Some customers have told me that they are using an anti-ice spray to melt away the ice formations. This is also a good way to help speed the process up (ITS COLD!). NEVER, ever, ever use hot water, coffee, tea, etc. on your windshield, you run the risk of cracking it beyond repair. So for those of you who like to take shortcuts in the morning, resist the temptation to use your hot coffee as a defroster!

Thirdly, clean your blades often. Rubbing alcohol on the blade surfaces applied with a cotton cloth or tissue works wonders. This eliminates any grime that may have built up. Also eliminating the ice will help improve visibility. With these easy steps you can have wiper blades that will last for seasons to come. In fact, my wife is on her fourth season on her blades, which we bought the first week we got the car. Oh and don’t forget about the washer fluid! BTW if your low stop by cars for keeps and we will top it off for you (free)! Until next time!

Thanks for the reminder and the great tips, Robert. I myself have not been taking care of my wiper blades this winter, and as a result I got stuck on the freeway with only a tiny patch on my windshield to see through. Drive safe!

Washing Away the Salt: A Michigan Winter Car Maintenance Essential

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

We've covered just about every aspect of effectively preparing your vehicle into reliable winter-weather transportation. But now that winter is here, what can we do to make sure our vehicles stay reliable and healthy?

For car owners, Michigan winter roads are not only infamous for black ice and snow drifts; they're also infamous for that special anti-ice additive: salt. It's the main reason that car owners living in "the car manufacturing state" have one of the poorest returns on their vehicles in the nation. The natural process of oxidation that happens over time to the steel components of your car are rapidly accelerated by salt, turning our beautiful, locally-manufactured vehicles into virtual rust buckets overnight.

You can read more about exactly why salt + the underside of your car = rust that would make Red Green proud, but understanding why this happens doesn't help us maintain healthy, rust-free cars. There's really only one solution to the problem of winter salt: go to the car wash frequently. Some of your car's most vulnerable metal parts and components are underneath your car, completely exposed to the road's salt spray, so be sure to include undercarriage washes each time you visit the car wash this winter.

Interior salt can erode from the inside as well - in addition to making car interiors dirty. Here's a brief YouTube clip with some tips on getting out those winter salt stains (I'll give you a hint: it involves vinegar, water and elbow grease!).

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by, and safe driving!

A Women’s Point of View: Shoes for Cars

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

We finally had our first snowfall. How do you all feel about that? I will remain (yuck) neutral (ugh) about the subject. Anyway, one of the special things we all get to think about in the winter is, “How are the tires on my car?”

Now if you spent last summer “sandblasting” on the beach and did not get stuck, sunk or shucked*, you are probably okay for the snow this winter. However, most of us in the real world consider carefully our high expectations of safety and comfort and dependability for our cars in dangerous driving conditions. Tires. There are three facts that we can’t escape. Every car has to have them. They are not cheap. And, very few of us know which ones to get for our car. At Cars For Keeps you can be sure of three things.

Every car has to have tires. Dennis, our service manager, will get the best price that he can find for you. Yes, he price shops. And, he is knowledgeable about which tires are best for your car. Your safety is our main concern. Have you ever wondered why tires are always black?

Let us look at this area of concern for women by comparing tires to shoes. Are they always dressed for dinner? Black is beautiful, but sometimes you just need pink. Wouldn’t red and white strips be eye-catching? Or perhaps purple polka dots on a yellow background? Or…............. Neon!

*Shucked is the term used when you get your car stuck up to it’s (ummm)……trunk, and the tires are spinning out of control, and you had to crawl out the window because the door won’t open and it is sinking like a stone in quicksand and you are standing beside the car saying, “Aw, Shucks”.

Thanks, Colette. I enjoyed my 30 mile commute in the blizzard belt as well. It wasn't as much "fun" (no white knuckles) because I had snow tires. Stay warm, everybody!

A Women's Point of View: Pieces and Parts

by Colette Cooley Cars For Keeps Office Manager

I work with car parts every day. All these funny-shaped pieces made of metal, plastic, rubber, glass and even material. For a non-mechanic, there is something magical about a tiny piece of plastic or a thin bit of wire that can mean the difference between a great big automobile that runs and one that does not run. Take a gasket for example. How can this thin piece of what looks like paper, be so essential to your car? Yes, I know, it keeps oil from leaking out so you won’t have a geyser under the hood, but wouldn’t Gorilla Glue work just as well? And what is it with all that wiring? We are talking a mile or more of wiring running throughout your car. It’s like a Gordian Knot*.

It seems to me that since we are well into the 21st Century, cars ought to be wireless. Everything else is wireless. We have the technology to make a wireless mouse. Need I say more? Until these little inconveniences are overcome, we have knowledgeable mechanics at Cars For Keeps who will help you keep your car in good running condition.

*Greek legend is of a knot tied by King Gordius of Phrygia which could only be undone by the future master of Asia. Alexander the Great, failing to untie it, cuts the knot with his sword. A bold solution for a perplexing problem.

Nice reference, Colette!

The Cars for Keeps Seasonal Pit Stop

by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner

Over the years of keeping up with automotive repair and maintenance advances, we have strived to help our clients stay up to date with their vehicles needs.

Many of our clients now choose to pre-set their next oil change or maintenance just like they do with dentist appointments. But what should we do if their individual driving habits call for less frequent oil changes? Many of our clients could go a year without needing to have their oil changed; a few of them roll up three thousand miles in just two or three weeks.

Engine oil was only capable of lasting three to four thousand miles up until 30 years ago. Improvements in oil formulas, oil filter and engine designs now allow most drivers to exceed five thousand miles easily today.

We recommend oil change intervals depending on your individual driving habits.

In racing, a “pit stop” is where quick, minor services are performed to get racers back in action as fast as possible with the best odds of making it the maximum distance before another pit stop is required. The “pits” are a spot just off the race track. (we’re not referring to a hole or dungeon here).

At Cars for Keeps, we use the term Pit Stop to explain our strategy of making sure your ride is ready for another round of safe, reliable driving with the unique challenges of the next season.

So in order to make sure you aren’t sacrificing your safety, reliability or budget, we offer our clients the Seasonal Pit Stop.

The Cars for Keeps Pit Stop simply allows us an opportunity to check your vehicles lights, tires, wipers, belts, hoses and fluids. We analyze all the fluids, including the engine oil to make sure they are fully capable of protecting their related systems.

The best part of the Cars for Keeps Pit Stop is that it’s absolutely FREE for our clients. All it takes is your participation in pre-scheduling your pit stop, allowing us to contact you via e-mail for your reminder and then coming in at the scheduled time or re-scheduling if the original time does not work out for you. Call us at 616-846-1989 to schedule your free pit stop.

Now with the Cars for Keeps Seasonal Pit Stop, there is no excuse for risking damage to your vehicle by not catching potential repairs needed, or simply making sure you are getting maximum life from your tires.

Safe Winter Weather Driving Tips

by Marjorie, Social Media Manager

Well, at last we have our first snow. I woke up this morning to 10 inches of snow, a beautiful but dangerous phenomenon so common to those of us living in the Great Lakes region. In honor of this winter's first major snowstorm, I thought we all could use some reminders on safe winter weather driving. If you are experienced with Michigan winter weather, you know that there are as many different types of road conditions as there are types of snow; we're rather like Eskimos with their 200 words for "snow" in that we have dozens of terms for different winter road conditions. Black ice, slush, powder, snow sand - they all behave differently and require us to adapt our driving in different ways. Here are a few tips to make sure you stay on the road in adverse conditions.

Drive slowly. It's basic, but it's surprising how many cars can be found plowing through a snowstorm on the freeway at 70 miles per hour. Even if you're driving a large, 4-wheel drive vehicle, excessive speed on slippery roads makes it much easier to lose control of the vehicle, especially in low-visibility conditions. Driving too fast can not only be a danger to yourself, but to other drivers on the road as well; during heavy snowfall, fast cars whizzing by drastically reduces visibility for the cars behind.

Don't use cruise control. Cruise control reduces a driver's ability to feel the car and road beneath him or her, and in bad driving conditions, keeping a steady pulse on your car's traction and direction is crucial. Additionally, cruise control elongates breaking time, making it much more difficult to respond quickly.

Don't slam on the breaks. Most cars on the road today are equipped with ABS, but this is not a license to slam on the breaks on slippery roads. Maintaining a slow speed and plenty of room in front of you can help reduce the need for heavy breaking, but remember: sudden breaking is more likely to cause your breaks to lock and your vehicle to spin out of control. If your car begins to slide, pump the break in short, hard bursts and keep the steering wheel straight.

Don't overcompensate with steering. A mistake many drivers make on slippery roads is to swerve around obstructions and attempt to steer out of a slide. If your car begins to slide, steer straight ahead and attempt to reduce sliding by pumping the brakes. Oversteering can cause your car to slide and spin into a ditch much more easily than straight, even steering.

Maintain a healthy distance between the cars in front of you. This is especially true for freeway driving. Always keep enough distance between your car and the car in front of you to adequately stop without slamming on the brakes. This, at least, will prevent you from slamming into the back of someone else's car.

Add weight. This is particularly helpful for rear-wheel drive vehicles, but even front wheel drive vehicles can benefit from some additional weight. Some old tires, pallets, bricks or encyclopedias in the trunk will give your vehicle more traction.

Prepare your vehicle! As Bobby emphasized last week, it's a good idea to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. In addition to outfitting your vehicle snow tires, new wiper blades and general maintenance, keep emergency equipment in the trunk. AAA recommends you keep a shovel, sand/kitty litter, food, water, flashlight, flares and a blanket in case of emergency, and we think that's pretty smart. And remember: well-maintained cars are safer.

Safe driving!