Summer Car Maintence: Declare Independence from Costly Breakdowns!

by Dennis, Cars for Keeps Customer Service Manager

I hope all of you are having a great kick off to summer. I know that summer time is busy for people, especially for families; there are all the activities, children out of school, camping, trips to the beach & vacations. With hectic schedules to juggle, it can be a challenge to remember everything, and small to-do items - like getting your car maintained - often get pushed to the bottom of the list.

That is why your vehicle would like to send you a little reminder. All it asks that you you give it a little TLC from time to time.

Oil services at regular intervals will help keep the engine running correctly. Having the engine's coolant checked to be sure it is set for the correct anti boil level will prevent overheating. All fluids should be checked and topped off or changed to make sure your vehicle's vital parts are running smoothly. During hot summer months, air conditioning service and repair can be essential!

Summer vehicle maintenance will make sure you're able to vacation, visit family and travel without incident. (Ok may be not to Hawaii) Not only does auto maintenance save you and your family the inconvenience of roadside breakdowns, but it saves money in the long run by preventing costly damages.

With this all being said, let's not forget Independence Day is coming up this weekend. The team at Cars for Keeps hopes you have a great and safe summer and salutes our armed forces and our country.

Have a happy and safe summer & Independence Day.

Your friendly neighborhood Service Manager,

Dennis

A Women’s Point of View: The Latest Trend

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

Have you noticed, as you drive around in your dream car, how many vehicles have advertising on them? I am not talking about the big, commercial trucks. No, I mean your every day, ordinary pickups and passenger vehicles.

With a difficult economy comes creative ideas for new start-up businesses from average Joes and Joesettes. What heroes! Like cream rising to the top. It is the best of American Ingenuity, and we at Cars For Keep, salute you.

Anyway, back to this new trend of putting advertising on your car so the whole world can see who you are and what you do. It runs the gamut from a discreet company name and phone number on the door, on up to a complete “Wrap” of the car from bumper to bumper. It’s almost as good as watching television. I saw one the other day advertising ‘wings to go’ with a picture of a chicken strapped into a carseat with a look of panic on it’s face, wildly flapping it’s wings. There are some larger companies that will give anyone a car to use for free, that is completely wrapped with advertising. All you have to do is pay for the insurance and prove that you have had regular maintenance done.

Aaahhh yes, regular maintenance. It can mean the difference between a well running car with a long life and a car that always has problems and dies before the last payment is made. All companies that deal with cars, from fleet cars for private companies to professional car rental companies know the critical importance of regular maintenance. Cars For Keeps is always ready to help you with regular car maintenance.

Subaru Mechanics for Quality Subaru Repairs & Maintenance

At the beginning of 2010, Cars for Keeps welcomed a new auto technician to its team of experienced mechanics (we were so excited that we dedicated a blog post to him). Steve has brought invaluable experience in American and Asian car models to Cars for Keeps, with Subaru repair experience at the top of that list.

During my last visit to Cars for Keeps' shop, Steve was kind enough to give me a tour of some of the shop's most recent projects. During that tour, I asked him which vehicle brand was his favorite to work on, and he answered "Subaru" without hesitation. A big Subaru fan (he proudly showed me his own Subaru, pictured below), Steve understands that Subaru vehicles come equipped with many benefits - benefits which require Subaru expertise to repair and maintain.


As most Subaru owners know, Subarus offer two huge mechanical advantages:

Boxer engines. Boxer engines, unique to Subaru vehicles, are flatter than other engines, allowing them to take up less space and provide a lower center of gravity for improved handling. There's a laundry list of other mechanical benefits of the boxer engine, but the most noteworthy are that Subaru boxer engines are able to achieve a higher power-to-weight ratio and are, in general, easier to maintain.

Symmetrical all-wheel drive. All Subaru vehicles are equipped with built-in all wheel drive, but it's no ordinary AWD. Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive works together with Subaru's well-balanced boxer engines to create better stability, better balance and, ultimately, better handling.

These attributes have caused many Subaru owners to become loyalists of the brand. As with any car brand, however, quality maintenance is required for long-term quality performance, and not every mechanic is equipped to work with Subaru's unique design features. Asking an auto mechanic who specializes in Ford repairs to work on a Subaru would, for example, be like asking the Iron Chef to make a tiramisu layered cake. Could he do it? Probably. Would a french pastry chef do a better job? Um...let's hope so. A qualified Subaru mechanic understands how best to maintain Subaru's boxer engine, all-wheel drive and its many other unique features.

Bottom line: if you love your Subaru, hire a mechanic who specializes in Subarus to repair and maintain your vehicle. Here at Cars for Keeps, we just happen to have one on staff.

Safe driving!

A Woman's Point of View: The Odd Things

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

Some occurrences that help us cope with life with humor and catch our interest momentarily are the odd little things that happen around us. The unexpected that pops up when we least expect it, fills us with wonder, and puts the whole day into perspective.

Take the simple act of opening the hood of a car and finding a pair of sunglasses riding securely on the engine. Can’t you just picture the owner turning his house and car inside-out looking for those sunglasses? Or, the car owner that brought his car in because “something is just not quite right”. As it turned out, our mechanic found a whole mop head in the filter that, somehow, the car sucked up. Speculation was running rampant as to where you could possibly run over a mop head, and how could it get sucked into the car like that?

Then there are the times that a customer stops by to drop off the best banana bread you have ever eaten in your life. Some things happen that just make you feel good to be in a position where you can help complete strangers, like the vacationing couple from Wisconsin whose car broke down and they were stranded, knowing no one and having no place to stay. We were able to direct them to a good B & B where they were welcomed with open arms while our mechanics repaired their car and they were happily and gratefully on their way the next day to finish their long deserved vacation. Cars for Keeps is a business with plenty of knowledge and skill, but most importantly, with heart.

Summer Auto Maintenance Makes for Safe Grand Haven Vacations

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

Vacation season is officially here! With the countless vacation spots and activities available in the Grand Haven area, vacationers and Grand Haven locals alike will be hitting the beach, hauling the boat out to the bay for some long-awaited fishing and enjoying the countless rental cottages along the lakeshore.

The Grand Haven Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is a great resource for both Grand Haven locals and passersby to discover the wealth of attractions and events available during the summer.


Summer vacations mean travel, and travel means relying on your vehicle to get you from point A to point B. Whether you're traveling hundreds of miles or are just piddling around town, making sure your vehicle is in good working order is important to the longevity - and reliability - of the vehicle. Routine summer maintenance doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg; routine maintenance is the least expensive type of maintenance.

We've compiled a list of summer maintenance tasks that will help your vehicle run smoothly and safely well into next winter.

Summer Maintenance Checklist

Radiator Flush. As the coolant fluid within the radiator is used over time, it eventually begins to break down, leading to corrosion. Flushing and changing the radiator coolant fluid can save big time and money down the road.

Air Filter Replacement. Also a way to boost the energy efficiency of your vehicle, having air filters replaced twice each year ensures the engine is getting plenty of clean air. Ask us about our specialty reusable K&N Air Filters for even better performance in specialty vehicles.

Check Tires. Still haven't changed those winter tires? Driving on last summer's bald tires? Michigan rainshowers come heavily and often unexpected, and the last thing travelers need is to get caught on the freeway in a downpour with bald tires. Let a mechanic inspect the tread depth of your car's tires to make sure they're still safe for another summer.

Windshield Wiper Replacement. Again, Michigan rainstorms come unexpectedly, and faulty windshield wipers can cause a dangerous lack of visibility. Shell out the $20-30 bucks for a new set of wipers, and you'll be glad you did.

Brakes Inspection. Unless you pay close attention to the materials used to fix your car, your brake pads could be dangerously close to being worn down, even if they're relatively new. We can talk with you about using longer-lasting, quality brake pads, or at the least let you know if the ones you're using are still safe.

Battery Check. Wintertime freezing, snow and salt create prime conditions for corrosion, particularly on your vehicle's battery cables. A quick check of connection and battery level will save a big headache later on. Don't forget about this month's free battery check at Cars for Keeps.

Safe driving, and happy vacationing!

A Women’s Point of View: Need vs. Want = Having

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

I was talking with a customer the other day about blogs and I asked her to give me any three words and I would create a blog around them. She gave me ‘need’, ‘want’, and ‘having’. So, watch out, here it comes!

Every person who comes into our car repair facility has a need. Our business is to supply car repair and maintenance needs and we are very good at it. Simple. Right? Let’s go on to what people want.

Sometimes, this is more difficult, and sometimes it is impossible. The impossible only takes a little longer. When the impossible comes through our door, we immediately go into “this-is-a-challenge mode”. It keeps our job from becoming boring and mundane. Diagnoses are made and discussed. Faxes of questions and schematics start flying back and forth. Telephone calls go out to old-timers and young automotive geniuses. Creative heads huddle together. Plans are made. Assignments are carried out. The “can do” attitude is at its peak. High energy and excitement are bouncing off the walls.

Everything comes together and someone rings the cowbell. There are high fives and belly bouncing. Words like “Yes!” and “Sweet!” and “It Works!” are heard. And everyone is smiling. And for the customer this equals Having. Aaaahhh! Just another normal day at Cars For Keeps.

The principles in this blog can be applied to any need vs. want = having situation in life, and are not the exclusive property of Cars For Keeps. They are free to use for everyone.

Save driving!

Why Auto Repair Shops Need to be Friendlier to Women

by Marjorie Steele, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

According to various consumer surveys done over the past decade, women have gained more purchasing power in some very surprising industries, including - you guessed it - the auto industry.

Surveys have shown that between 65-74% of auto repair shop customers are women! Some studies have shown that woman make up as high as 80% of an average auto repair shop's customer base. While women are taking a much more active role in managing their household vehicle's repair and maintenance needs, many auto repair shops have ignored this trend, providing sub-par customer service and amenities to their female customers. According to a recent article by WomenCorp, 9 out of 10 women surveyed felt they are treated differently by their mechanics and auto technicians because they were female; for the most part, they felt they were being ripped off, scammed, spoken down to and overcharged.

With women taking the reins of their or their families' vehicle repair and maintenance, it seems like a no-brainer that auto repair shops would realize this and begin to cater to their female clientele more. While many auto repair shops across the county are still dragging their feet by offering dirty, bathroom-less waiting areas and inadequate, rude customer service, other repair shops - like Cars for Keeps - are stepping up to the plate.

Of course, women tend to have different priorities than men, and getting auto repair service is no exception. Men will often explain their auto repair needs by describing their diagnosis of the problem, while women tend to describe the symptoms their vehicle is exhibiting. A mechanic or technician needs to be able to address both types of inquiries in a clear, informative manner.

A few of the items which are most important to women when it comes to auto repair service include:

- A clean, welcoming waiting room. Preferably including a child's play area, large screen TV and internet access.

Cars for Keeps' waiting room children's play area

Cars for Keeps' waiting room computer with free high-speed internet access

- Clean, baby-friendly restrooms. Simple amenities like baby changing tables, air fresheners and toilets cleaned weekly may not mean much to men, but it makes a world of difference to women.

Cars for Keeps' restroom baby changing station

Cars for Keeps' clean, sanitary bathroom facility

- Clear, detailed estimates and diagnoses. Women feel better about their car service when they understand what problems their vehicle is having and and how it will be fixed. This also helps to prevent any surprises when she receives the bill.

Cars for Keeps' Auto Technician, Bobby, explaining to me that my Ford Focus' air filter can stand to go another 10,000 miles before needing to be replaced.

Cars for Keeps' Customer Service Manager, Dennis Sweet, giving a detailed explanation of how one one customer's faulty serpentine belt nearly caused its vehicle severe damage.

- Complimentary shuttle service. Auto repair shops that offer free shuttle service for customers whose vehicles will be out of commission demonstrate that they understand their customers are busy, too. Women - especially those with young children in tow - deeply appreciate the convenience of a shop going out of its way to provide this extra service.

Cars for Keeps' complimentary shuttle van

Are there any other features women feel are important for auto repair shops to offer? What negative experiences have you or a female you know had with auto repair shops in the past? Drop us a comment here or on our Facebook page and let us know. We'd also love to hear any ideas for how we can improve our facility and service to make it more female-friendly.

A Women’s Point of View: The Savvy Bargain Hunter

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

Sometimes, previously owned items are a better buy with better value. For example: that soft, leather handbag with the designer label and an original price tag that could put your child through college versus the house you drool over every time you drive past it which finally has a ‘For Sale’ sign in the front yard. You know the signs: your eyes get big, your heart rate triples and you’re breathing in happy little gasps.

The same thing happens when you go to buy a used car. Let’s face it ladies, we fall in love with a car first before we consider the practical side of the purchase. We are emotional creatures, which occasionally leads us into buying something we regret later. Mine was a used Cadillac that turned into a money pit.

At Cars For Keeps, we can help you keep yourself from making unwise purchases with objective, level-headed mechanical expertise. For $99 you can bring in the car you are considering buying to have a complete bumper to bumper inspection done. It is a small price to pay to know exactly what you are getting into when buying that car.

One customer brought in three cars for inspection. The first car turned out to be such as mess it was a mystery why it was even running. The second car needed a new transmission, which would cost more that the car was worth. After looking at the third car, which the customer actually liked the best, we were happy to announce, “You have a winner”! It cost him $300 but it saved him several thousand dollars in the long run. As a woman, I would call that being emotionally savvy.

Safe - and savvy - driving!

Auto Air Conditioning Repair Basics: Common Symptoms & Problems

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

A broken air conditioner in your automobile gets put at the bottom of the "to-do" list all winter long. As we move into another warm, humid Michigan summer, however, suddenly having a car air conditioner that works - and works WELL - is of the utmost importance. Who wants to arrive at a meeting, the mall, or a friend's house sweating and flushed by stale, hot car air?

Having an auto air conditioner that "kind of" works may get YOU by, but faulty air conditioners can cause bigger damage to your car down the road if left unattended. An air conditioner running low on coolant, on dirty coolant on faulty electrical wiring can end up ruining the entire air conditioning compressor. Car air conditioners are connected to the rest of the vehicle's electrical system, meaning a surge or problem with the air conditioner can cause problems with the rest of the car, causing poor idling, fuel inefficiencies or drained batteries.

Generallly, auto air conditioners are fast, easy and inexpensive to fix. Most car air conditioning problems are coolant-related, and may often be as simple as getting a coolant flush, refill or fixed leak.

With that said, your car's air conditioners is not one of those devices most technicians recommend fixing at home, unless you're a qualified mechanic. Most do-it-yourself instructions for fixing broken auto air conditioners contain scary phrases, like "it is illegal to release freon gas into the atmoshere" and "be sure to wear proper hand and eye protection". Plus, there are many different things that could be wrong with the car's air conditioning system.

Here are a few of the problems most commonly found in auto air conditioners:

1) Coolant and/or Refrigerant Leaks. This generally applies to older, less computerized vehicles. Refrigerant can run out on its own over the course of time, or leaks may have developed in the car's AC compressor or one of its hoses. If your vehicle has never had a coolant flush or refill and it's pushing 150,000 miles or more, it's probably time.

2) Noisy AC Compressor. Noises that occur when your car's AC is turned on can come from minor engine noises or hoses, but they could also be symptoms of problems with the compressor. If the problem is the AC compressor, it will likely have to be replaced.

3) Fluctuating Temperatures. When a car's AC blows out air with sporadic temperatures, it's often likely that moisture is building up in one of the hoses or assemblies, causing ice to accumulate and clog. Removing ice from a car's air conditioning assembly is a short and easy procedure.

4) Faulty Car Electrical System. A weak car battery can cause your auto air conditioner to function weakly or not at all. Car batteries need to have enough voltage to trigger the AC compressor, and while it may be strong enough to run the rest of your car, it may still be too weak to run your car's air conditioning.

5) Bacteria Buildup. Funky smells emanating from your car's air conditioning vents are likely caused by a bacteria buildup in the evaporator. Good auto mechanics (like Cars for Keeps!) will have the proper tools to flush the evaporator out quickly and without much cost.

So what are some basic ways to tell if any of these are a problem for your car's air conditioning unit? Here's a basic checklist of symptoms which indicate something is wrong with your auto AC:

- If the AC system doesn't produce cold air (duh)
- If the fan or blower doesn't work
- If the fan, blower or AC is noisy when turned on
- If one of the dashboard controls malfunctions
- If the vent, car heater or defroster are having problems working correctly
- If the air conditioning smells funky
- If the car has a tendency to overhead
- If the air filter or dryer have never been replaced, or if the AC has never been serviced before

If one of these symptoms applies to your car's air conditioning system, it's probably time to have it inspected by a mechanic. Caught early, most auto air conditioning problems are fairly easy and inexpensive to fix.

Stay cool!