Archive for the ‘Service Tips’ Category

We have insurance for our lives, our cars, our homes, hoping to never have to use them. But what about when something mechanical goes wrong, rendering our vehicle inoperable? Some car insurance policies include roadside assistance, for an added monthly fee, and AAA has been around for 110 years. But how many of us actually carry those riders or policies? The economy has us all stretching our budgets as far as possible, and the added yearly expense of roadside assistance may seem like too much to take on.

Stranded in the middle of nowhere with a van that keeps turning itself off is not the time to realize AAA membership is a good idea, added expense or not. Utilizing the service once, for yourself or a very worried neighbor, pays for the expense of towing the vehicle to the mechanic. If you’re far away from home, getting towed home could run into the thousands. The yearly membership fee for roadside assistance is much less than that.

Even if you never have to call a tow truck or a locksmith or get a jump start for your own vehicle, AAA membership confers discounts at hotels, partner theme parks and movie theaters, and you can use it if you’re with someone whose vehicle needs help. That single mom, stranded in the grocery store parking lot, will never forget your kindness. Hope for the best, plan for the worst, and carry roadside assistance insurance of some kind.

If you’re looking for a reliable, efficient vehicle, browse our new inventory, pre-owned inventory, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

You’ve been driving your car through the rain and muck all winter. The grit has built up in the wheel wells and your kids have taken to writing WASH ME on the back window. With everything else going on, who has the time to go to the car wash? Do you really want to get out the bucket and hose when it hasn’t broken 50ºF in months? What’s so important about washing the car, anyway? It may not seem important, but keeping the outside of the car clean is about more than just looks.

Dirt and road grime build up and chip away paint when they flake off, making the vehicle more prone to rust. This is especially true in coastal areas, where salt water increases the rate of deterioration. When the body of the vehicle starts rusting away, the life of the vehicle greatly decreases.

If you park under trees, chances are birds have left droppings on your vehicle. Bird excrement is acidic and will eat through the clear coat. If left on too long, it will eat through the paint, too. If you live in an area where rainwater has been found to have elevated levels of acidic chemicals like sulfur, washing after a heavy rain is also a good idea. Of course, in Oregon, that could mean washing every-other-day, and that’s overkill. Once per week or every-other-week is a good guideline, in general.

And while it may be cute and sweet and traditional to write messages in the vehicle’s grime, all those finger smudges grind dirt and grease particles into the finish, making the paint more prone to chipping. If you want to leave a message for your someone special, try leaving a note under the windshield wiper instead.

Looking for your own attractive, reliable family vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned vehicles, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

That zippy little sports car or powerful motorcycle was great when it was just the two of you, but now you’re expecting an addition to your family, and you need more room, more safety, more convenience. What features should every expecting family look for in a vehicle?

Locking seatbelts or LATCH system LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, has been standard in all new vehicles since 2003. If you’re looking for a pre-owned vehicle that doesn’t have LATCH, pull the seat belt all the way out, let it go back in a little, and pull again. Does it lock? That is the type of belt you want to use with a car seat.

Cupholders Water bottles, coffee cups, cups full of snacks, even toys for older kids; the list of stuff that can go in a cup holder is nearly infinite and the addition of young people to your cargo means a nearly exponential growth in the need for them.

Easy-to-clean seats Kids are messy. Enough said.

Seatback pockets Books, napkins, diapers, a change of clothes; just like cupholders, the list of items that can be carried in this little compartment is endless. It’s easier to be prepared for an impromptu trip if you have a place to put the magnadoodle and spare box of cheese crackers.

Plenty of storage space Whether it’s a proper trunk or the cargo compartment of a van or SUV, it needs to be able to hold the equipment associated with having children, from extra groceries to the pack-and-play so Junior has a safe place to nap at Grandma’s.

Looking for your own safe, reliable family vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned vehicles, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

When we think romance, we don’t usually think oil changes and brake checks. But when your loved ones are zipping down the highway, surrounded by thousands of other people zipping down the highway, you want to know that their vehicle is in the best condition possible. And with that in mind, what better way to show that special someone you care than a multi-point vehicle inspection this Valentine’s Day?

Wiper blades prevent rainy days from turning tragic. Check the wipers and replace them if they’re worn out. Remember the back window, too, if there is one!

Fluids, including oil, transmission, brake, washer, and engine coolant keep a vehicle running smoothly. Make sure everything looks and smells fresh, replace anything old, check for leaks, and be sure fluids are at optimal levels. And for that extra “I really care about you,” fill the gas tank, too.

Tires get dangerous if the tread is low. Do the penny test and if you can see Lincoln’s hairline, get that rubber replaced. If it’s getting near time for a rotation, do that, too.

Brakes start squealing when they need to be replaced. Take the vehicle down to the bakery for your sweetheart’s favorite treat and listen along the way. If you hear squealing when applying the brake, the metal reeds in the brake are hitting the plate, a surefire sign the vehicle needs new pads.

Looking for your own Suzuki Grand Vitara or other quality new or pre-owned vehicle? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned inventory, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.

Often, what starts out as a $25 oil change can quickly become a $225, all-day “fix this, replace that, flush that other thing” marathon. If you know the recommended intervals for changing the various fluids and filters in your vehicle, you may be able to save some money by doing those tasks yourself. Here’s what you should know before embarking on at-home vehicle maintenance.

Be Familiar with Your Vehicle Get the Chilton or Haines manual for your vehicle’s make and model. Open the hood and study what you see, compared to the book. Know the names of those parts, what they do, and how they interact. Peruse the troubleshooting section to get an idea of possible scenarios. That clanging noise could have three sources, all different from a clunking noise, which are different from a chug-chug-chug. Some of those problems are easy to fix, others require a professional’s expertise.

Check Your Rental Agreement or HOA Contract Many landlords and homeowners or neighborhood associations forbid doing any sort of car repair or maintenance in the driveway or garage of the residence. Check the legal paperwork you’ve signed, because that oil change may not be allowed unless you’ve parked in the street (and check city codes, too; on-street car repair may not be allowed in your municipality, either).

Are You Physically Able to Perform the Work? You may know, intellectually, how to change a tire or replace an air filter or install a new car battery. But if you can’t lift a tire or turn a wrench hard enough to loosen nuts and bolts, all the know-how in the world won’t fix the car. If you can’t get underneath the vehicle for whatever reason, changing your oil won’t be possible. Know your limits.

Looking for your own reliable new or pre-owned Suzuki? Browse our new inventory, pre-owned inventory, and internet specials 24/7 at gladstonesuzuki.com.