Is Your Car Ready for Winter Tip 3

Maintain the Coolant System

Our most important tip is to take the time to get your car’s coolant system checked. Extreme temperatures and harsh conditions can knock it out easily if it’s not up to snuff. If any part of the system comes up with a shaky bill of health, swap the parts for new ones. That means having your car’s radiator pressure tested and the hoses examined for cracks or bulges. Riverton Chevy can quickly test radiators without the hassle of having to remove them from the vehicle.

“Cooling system failure is the leading cause of engine-related breakdowns, which can cost thousands of dollars and leave you and your family stranded at the worst possible time.” – Rich White, Car Care Council (Carcare.org)

If you can’t remember the last time your water pump was replaced, or if your pump has more miles on it than what the manufacturer recommends, it’s time for a new one. While everything is apart, go for a new thermostat as well because you’ll save money on labor getting these two done at once.

Even if everything comes up good to go under the hood, replacing your engines coolant is cheap insurance against extreme temperatures. Over time, antifreeze can actually generate a weak electrical current, which can then cause oxidation and eventually failure inside of your coolant system. You’ll want at least a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water to provide protection against below-zero temperatures. Keeping everything fresh inside will put less stress on your vehicle’s hardware and save you serious money in the long run.

TIP 1:  Coolant levels and dilution are of paramount importance when temperatures drop. You should be able to pick up a hydrometer or refractometer for measuring the ratio of coolant:water at most auto parts stores, and by making sure the ratio is correct for the temperatures you will encounter you can prevent the coolant from freezing in your system and causing problems. If you have any questions about how to measure the coolant mixture or what mixture to use in your area, don’t be afraid to ask the folks at your auto parts store, look up charts online, or visit us our service department.

TIP 2:  Inspect your antifreeze while your engine is cold.  Opening a hot radiator, coolant reservoir or overflow tank can cause severe burns.

Winter is right around the corner here in Salt Lake. It’s a good idea to have your cooling system inspected to ensure it’s operating properly. Feel free to give us a call at 801-576-4660 to schedule an appointment for your cooling system inspection. Not only will we test your anti-freeze, but we’ll also check all of your hoses, clamps, heater core, thermostats, and the rest of the entire system to ensure it’s all working properly and efficiently.

 

Is Your Vehicle Ready for Winter Tip 2

Make sure you can see!

When’s the last time you replaced your windshield wiper blades? They usually work effectively for about one year, so be sure to invest in some new ones if you’re due. Here’s another important step to take before you find yourself struggling to see in a blinding storm: Fill up your windshield washer reservoir with windshield washer fluid. (Plain water won’t do the trick at this time of year because it freezes.) Also check to see that your heater and defroster are working properly so you can keep the windshield nice and clear.

Also, never be tempted to drive off without fully clearing your windows of ice and condensation.

Here are some easy helpful hints to make the sideeffects of winter a little more bearable.

Are you tired of squeaky and streaky windshield wipers? By taking a cloth saturated in rubbing alcohol or ammonia and wiping the wipers will stop this from happening.

Do you find your windows full of frost and ice in the morning? Take a mixture of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water and spritz the outsides of your windows at night before you settle in for the night. The vinegar contains acetic acid which raises the melting point of water, not allowing it to freeze.

I just hate when my windows fog up. Here's an easy solution. Take some shaving cream and spray the inside of your windows and wipe them down with paper towels. (Commercial defoggers contain some of the same ingredients.)

Have you ever had frozen car door locks? Did you know hand sanitizer works? Just put some of the hand sanitizer on both the key and the lock and voila....no more frozen door lock.

Another problem I have had in the past is when the actual door has frozen closed. You can take regular cooking spray (like Pam) and spray it on the rubber seal of the door and wipe off the excess with a paper towel and the cooking oil prevents the water from melting into the rubber.

These helpful tips will help you save some time in the morning from the elements of the previous coming cold and snowy evenings, even if you park outside.

 

What helpful tips do you have to assist with your windshield wipers and glass? 

Happy Motoring from Riverton Chevy

Join Riverton Chevy in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Pink is popping up everywhere! Its almost October, you know, its time to makes Strides!

The following steps can help you stay well and improve your odds against breast cancer.

• The earlier breast cancer is found, the better. Sign up for our breast cancer screening reminder and we’ll remind you when it’s based on our early detection guidelines. If you are 40 or older, get a mammogram and breast exam every year and report any breast changes to your doctor right away.

People should be afraid of the cancer, not the mammogram. ~ Nancy Reagan

• You can help reduce your breast cancer risk by maintaining a healthy weight throughout life, being physically active on a regular basis (at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week) and limiting alcohol intake to less than 1 drink each day for women (2 drinks for men).

Learn more ways you can fight breast cancer


Why Riverton Chevy is Making Strides
Almost everyone has been touched by breast cancer in some way, and our Making Strides walk empowers us to make a difference and fight back. This is your opportunity to honor breast cancer survivors, remember those we have lost to this disease, and raise funds and awareness to help end it forever. 

An individual doesn’t get cancer, a family does. ~ Terry Tempest Williams

Today 1 of every 2 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer reaches out to the American Cancer Society for help and support. The donations our team raises will enable investment in groundbreaking breast cancer research, free information and services for women diagnosed with the disease, and access to mammograms for women who need them. Our donations will help more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors celebrate another birthday this year!

Why Riverton Chevy is Supporting the American Cancer SocietySaving lives from breast cancer starts one team, one walker, and one dollar at a time. We know that the American Cancer Society is the leader in the fight to end breast cancer. We know that supporting them will ensure that if you need someone to talk to anytime of the day or night, they’ll be there. If your friend is losing her hair from chemo, your mother needs a ride to treatment, or a loved one needs a place to stay when treatment is far from home, they will be there to help.

Join us Saturday October 13, 2012 and together we will walk for a world without breast cancer.  The event is located at Liberty Park from 8 A.M. until 1 P.M.

For more details visit: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY13GW?team_id=1239692&pg=team&fr_id=47444

Share your Story:

 Why are you Making Strides?

Who are you Making Strides for?

Why do you support the American Cancer Society?

Is Your Car Ready For Winter

There's nothing worse than being stranded -- except being stranded in bad winter weather. Colder months are tougher on cars, and a little preventive care now will go a long way toward keeping your car running smoothly in the face of snow, sleet and freezing temperatures. We know it can be tempting to skip a service if your car is running OK. After all, if it isn't squeaking at you, there's no problem, right? Wrong. Neglecting to give your car a pre-winter checkup is penny-wise and pound-foolish. It may seem like you're saving precious time and money, but in the long run, you're doing neither. The good news is that getting your car winter-ready doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.

Over the next fews days Rivertons 15 Minute Service Center will provide you with 15 things you should do to get your car ready for the winter months ahead:

#1  Get Your Tires Ready
Snowy, sleety roads are hard enough to drive on when you have perfect tires. If you have under-inflated tires, your ability to handle and brake will be compromised to an even greater (and scarier) degree. Under-inflated tires also wear out faster and reduce fuel economy. Plus, they run much hotter, which can lead to tire failure. Check tires with a tire gauge and inflate if they are low. Make an appointment to have your alignment checked. While you're here, you may also want to have us put NITRO in your tires.

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