Amy’s Garage

5 Perfect Gifts For Your Car 

AutoTex Pink Wiper Blades:
Now come in 2 styles / 2 colors!

Pink Wipers

and Traditional Black Wipers

a % of each sale goes to The National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Available here at my shop: Auto Craftsmen or online at Amazon.com

Snow Brum:
This is my all time favorite snow remover. At my shop we have to clean off five loaner cars, a shuttle van and customers cars first thing in the morning. The Snow Brum makes it so easy.
Works like a push broom to move snow away from you so you’ll stay warm and dry, but it won’t scratch the paint or glass.
Available at my shop: Auto Craftsmen or online at amazon.com

Car Emergency Kit:
We all know we need one, but do you ever get around to it? Most people have great intentions but don’t make the time. Why not be the hero and buy everyone you love one of the AAA Car Emergency Kits. They make four different kits to meet various wants and needs. Available at HomeDepot

Winter Driving School:
If you or a loved one has little experience or are afraid driving on Vermont’s winter roads, then a fabulous gift would be learning from the experts. If you are willing to travel down to Boston, you will have a safe, effective and fun learning environment. Go to http://www.cloud9living.com/boston/winter-driving-school or call 1-(866) 525-6839

Shticks:
Ever have something you want to say to driver in the car behind you, but they can’t hear you?, Shticks is a visual way to communicate when spoken words just aren’t enough. 10 uniquely designed and brightly colored hand held signs will ensure that you always make a statement. Available on www.amazon.com

Winterizing your car is essential to getting through a Vermont winter with no problems!

Here a the 8 Steps to Getting Your Car Ready for Winter.

1.  Clean your vehicle inside and out: Getting your vehicle washed and waxed helps protect the paint surfaces from snowy bombardments, and it will also make snow and ice easier to brush off.

Since you will be sitting in your car with the windows up for the next six months do yourself a favor and give your car a thorough cleaning ASAP. To prevent that stale air / locker room smell, consider replacing your cabin air filter. It’s also a great idea to take out your carpeted floor mats and replace them with a set of water-resistant rubber mats.

2. Make sure you can see: A winter storm is the worst possible time to run out of windshield washer fluid or to discover your blades aren’t clearing the windshield properly. Wiper blades usually last for about six months. Since visibility is a key ingredient to safety, so be sure to invest in some new ones if needed. Make sure the washer fluid is good to -20 F. Never use plain water. It will freeze all over your windshield.

3.  Ensure that your heating system is functioning properly: While a functioning heater and  defroster are necessary to keep the windshield nice and clear, they also offer you shelter from the cold. Trust me; you do not want to drive a cold car in the months to come. Also check that the rear window defroster is working.

4.  Tires: Need I remind you that the tire is the only part of your automobile that touches the ground? Having good winter tires on your car is the most  important thing you can do to insure the next six months of worry free winter driving. The condition of your car’s tires is critical during the winter. Braking, acceleration and handling are all impacted while driving on slippery roads. Give yourself an edge with great winter tires!

5.  Give your battery a little TLC: A battery gives little notice before it dies, and very cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle’s battery power by up to 50 percent.  PLUS you tend to load the battery in the winter having the defroster / lights / radio / phone or ipod all on at the same time. If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have the battery tested when you take your car in to get your winter tires put on.

6.  Belts and hoses: While they are testing your battery, make sure they inspect the belts and hoses for wear and tear — even if you’re driving a newer car. The belts and hoses in modern cars lead long lives, but that doesn’t mean they don’t die. Cold weather can do a number on belts and hoses, so they deserve attention too.

7.  Get the antifreeze mixture just right: The ideal mixture of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50/50.  Antifreeze is very important to your engine. It cools the car’s engine, protects it from freezing in the cold weather and is the key agent in providing heat inside the car that keeps your toes warm. ALSO: the coolant should be changed every three years because the alkaline PH will turn acidic over time and can do damage to the system.

8. Prepare an emergency kit: Even the most  meticulously maintained vehicle can get stuck in a snow bank. That’s when it pays to be prepared for an emergency with a well stocked emergency kit. Click Here to get my list of what you need in your emergency kit!

Be prepared for the next six months by winterizing your car. This will help you avoid the aggravation of breaking down on a snowy, frigid day and save you money in the long run. Check out the GREAT Special we are running at my shop Auto Craftsmen this month that will make sure your car is ready for winter & that saves you a ton of money!

DON’T BE THIS PERSON?

While driving to work – the timing belt broke… and because this vehicle has an interference engine, the engine is probably toast. The vehicle got towed to my shop – Auto Craftsmen.

Her auto technician told her 3xs that she should get the timing belt changed on her 2002 PT Cruiser.

But she kept putting it off – because she did not want to spend the money.

The only way to find out if the engine survived is to put a new timing belt on the engine (approx. a five hour job). It is will either be OK – or not Ok – It’s about a $500 gamble! So Sad!

It’s very important to know if your vehicle has an Interference Engine. If it does have an Interference Engine & the timing belt breaks, – the pistons and valves collide. This not only stops your car (dead on the side of the road), but damages the valves, pistons or head… and in most cases, completely ruins the engine.

If your car is not an Interference Engine and it has a timing belt – and the belt breaks… then your vehicle will stop running, and you will have to get towed to a repair shop to get a new timing belt installed in your vehicle.

Lots of vehicles now have Timing Chains. Much better design – in that you don’t have to worry about it breaking, nor having to replace it around somewhere between 60,000 to 105,000 miles, depending on the year, make & model.

The timing belt is located under the timing cover – which is not easily taken off & put back on, so you can’t see the timing belt to inspect the condition it is in.

This is too bad when you are looking to purchase a used car that has about 80,000 – 100,000 miles. So it is very important to do your homework ahead of time and know what type of engine & timing belt a used car has before you purchase it.

Getting a timing belt job is an investment in the vehicle. It can run anywhere from $500  to $1,500 depending on whether you have other components replaced while the technician has the cover off.

If you are looking to get 200,000 miles out of the vehicle, I recommend having the water pump, idler & tensioner pulleys replaced at the same time the timing belt is replaced. If the pump fails or and idler or pulley seizes -it will break the timing belt and you will be back at square one.

I hope you never have this experience. The owner of this vehicle still owes a couple of thousand on a loan… and it’s very likely that the engine is ruined. No matter what they decide to do now, they are going to loose money on this car. Very Sad Story!

Today’s cars are very complex. If the battery of your car dies – you want to be very careful how you get it started up. Here are 4 different ways you can charge the battery to get your car rolling down the road again.

1. Slowly charge the battery by using a battery charger.

2. Use a booster pack to jump the battery.

3. Call an expert mobile service to jump the battery.

4. If you must use jumper cables then I highly suggest you invest in MICHELIN’S Smart Jumper Cables™.

If you hook up ordinary jumper cables incorrectly it can result in sparking or shorting which could seriously hurt you. This could also produce a power surge that could kill your car’s expensive electrical system. I like to call modern cars – Computers on Wheels. And we all know that computers hate power surges.

This is why I highly recommend MICHELIN’S new Smart Jumper Cables ™. These idiot proof jumper cables eliminate the guesswork of how to hook them up the right way.

*They cost only $40.00 at auto supply retailers.

*The cable clamps can attach to either the positive or negative connections. How cool is that!

*They have these LED indicators that light up to tell you that the cables are hooked up right and you’re ready to start the cars and jump the battery.

*The textured grips make them easy to handle, especially in cold weather.

*The heavy-duty cable with insulated clamps stays flexible, tangle free, even in the winter’s cold.

Why does a battery die?

*You left something on or connected in the car that drained all the energy from your battery.

*The vehicle has a bad alternator.

*The serpentine belt is bad.

*The battery is old. They only last about 3-5 years.

*You got a defective battery and need to return it for a good one.

*You leave the car idling all the time or you drive the car on short trips not allowing the battery to recharge – so you wore out the battery before its time.

*Your battery is not strong enough for all the add-ons like monster stereo systems etc. that you have had installed.

*The battery has dirty connector/terminals.

*The vehicle has a bad computer.

*The battery was damaged in an accident.

Getting Prepared to Use Jumper Cables!

*** Read your owners manual*** It will give you information you need, like – where the battery is located. Some vehicles have the battery under the hood, some behind the cab, under the seat or even in the trunk. ALSO, find out if there is an anti-theft system. Some alarms will activate whenever the battery is low or disconnected. That would be very annoying!

VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure that both the dead battery and the rescue battery have the “same” voltage. Car batteries are usually 12 Volts. Trucks may operate on a 24 volt system. Do not attach 12V to 24V.

DANGER! Never jump a battery that is frozen or has insufficient battery acid in it.

*Wear eye protection. Wear gloves.

*Make sure both cars are close enough for cables to reach BUT the cars are NOT touching.

*Set an auto transmission vehicle in “Park” position.

*Set a manual (5 speed) transmission in “neutral”.

*Set the emergency brake on both cars.

*Turn off the headlights, wipers, radios, and all accessories on both cars.

*Unplug anything that is connected to the cigarette lighter.

*Leave on the emergency flashers if needed.

*Turn off both cars’ engines.

*Open the hood of each of the cars and secure them.

Jumping a Battery using MICHELIN Smart Cables™

1.Connect one set of clamps to the assisting vehicle’s battery. Put one clamp to each battery terminal – polarity doesn’t matter

2. Then go to the disabled vehicle: Connect the first clamp to the Positive Battery Terminal (red). The other clamp is attached to some metal on the dead vehicle’s engine block or frame. Painted, oily, or rusted metal will not work. Nuts, bolts, or other protruding shiny metal is best.

3. Both green indicator lights should be lit on the MICHELIN Smart Cables Center Module. If not – re-adjust the clamps until they do. If the green LED lights still do not glow after you have firmly connected the clamps, then your battery is damaged, completely drained or has less than the 6 residual volts required for boosting. Don’t try to jump this battery – you could do damage to your car or the assisting vehicle. Time to call the tow truck!

4. Start the assisting vehicle and let it idle at least 1 minute.

5. Then start the disabled car’s engine. Chances are that if there aren’t any other problems, the car will start easily.

6. Once the disabled vehicle is running, disconnect the clamp attached to the engine block first, then disconnect the remaining clamps in any order.

How is that for EASY!

Please Note:

If the vehicle does not start after cranking for 30 seconds. STOP! Call a tow truck!

Once you get your car running, drive it somewhere safe and secure before shutting off the engine. You will want to get the battery tested to see its condition, starting and charging voltage. If it was really dead, then you should have it slowly and completely charged using a battery charger.

Safe and Happy Motoring,

Amy Mattinat

Owner: www.AutoCraftsmen.

Cars give us freedom, independence and a quick and easy way to get from point A to point B.  Along with the convenience and joy of driving a car come the risks of getting in an accident. Every time you get into a vehicle you are putting your life on the line.

High-end luxury cars ($50,000 and up) have the newest cutting edge technology where the car practically drives itself. These high tech safety features might include: Traction control, anti-lock braking, back up sensors, back-up cameras, night vision technology, run-flat tires, blind spot / lane departure / brake assist technology and 6 to 8 airbags per car. There are even cars that will parallel park at the flip of a switch.

Even though there is all this fancy safety technology available the most effective thing you can do to keep safe is to wear your seatbelt. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) estimates that about 10,000 lives are saved every year by wearing seatbelts.

If you combine wearing your seatbelt with the standard safety equipment in most cars: head restraints, padded dashboards, collapsible steering columns, crumple zones and front airbags you have a fighting chance to walk away from most accidents. Again, the key is to wear your seatbelt!

While a seatbelt helps keep you from being thrown

out of a vehicle during a crash, the airbag keeps you from being thrown about the vehicle. It helps slow you down and softens the blow by having you crash into a pillow-like bag instead of the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield.

Since 1998 the federal government required cars to have air bags in the front seats for the driver and passenger. NHTSA calculates that using seatbelts with airbags reduces the risk of death in a car accident by 61% and has saved over 28,000 lives. Some newer vehicles also have side-door airbags in the front and sometimes in the rear.

As in everything about automobiles, there is no standard when it comes to airbags. Some vehicles only have front airbags, others have side airbags only in the front, and some have airbags for the back seat passengers. As the technology advances the engineers keep adding more per vehicle.

When a car crashes into something at 8 to 14 mph, the front airbags will deploy. Various chemicals are mixed together to release a harmless nitrogen gas that blows up the airbag. It all happens at the blink of an eye – the bag literally explodes at 200 mph.  The airbags deflate rather quickly afterwards. The thought is it needs to get out of the way so you can get out of the vehicle. There is frequently a release of white powder made up of cornstarch or talcum powder that is released into the air once the bag has deflated.  This may cause some minor irritation to the throat and eyes, but once a window or door is opened it will go away.

Because the airbags explode out of their storage units, there are safety precautions you need to take so you won’t be injured from the exploding airbag.

The driver’s airbag is hidden in the steering column. Measure from your breast bone to the center of the steering wheel to make sure there is at least 10” between the two. If you fall short of the 10” try reclining the seat back slightly. If you still fall short, you should Google “pedal extensions” online and purchase a gas pedal & brake pedal extension for about $150.00.

Also, adjust your steering wheel so an exploding airbag will hit you in the chest and not your head or neck. If your steering wheel won’t adjust you can add a cushion to sit on.

The passenger’s airbag is located in the dashboard and in some cars the doors. Always have the seat set back as far as possible.

Regarding babies and children: If the front passenger seat has an airbag – then babies and kids up to 12 yrs old need to sit in the backseat. Exploding airbags have been known to kill a small baby. If there is no back seat in the vehicle and you child needs to sit in the front seat, then the airbag needs to be turned off! Some vehicles have an on/off switch; others need to have the switch installed. Go to www.safercar.gov or www.nhtsa.dot.gov for more detailed information.

If the SRS airbag warning light comes on in the dash of your vehicle, this means that the airbag will not work if you crash the vehicle until it has been repaired. NO, you can’t reuse an airbag. Once it has exploded, it needs to be replaced with a new on.

Whether you like them or not, airbags are here to stay. It’s important that you read your owners manual so you understand how many airbags your vehicle has and where they are located. Then you can make the adjustments necessary so you don’t get injured from the airbag if you get into an accident.

Safe and Happy Motoring,
Amy Mattinat
Owner: www.AutoCraftsmen.com
Automotive Expert Advisor on AskPatty.com
Join me: facebook.com/autocraftsmen

You’re driving to work, taking the kids to a ballgame, or running a routine errand… and then you see it – the Check Engine Light turns on. Ugh. For many people, the sight of a Check Engine Light triggers visions of a costly repair bill and a sense of worry, since most folks don’t really know what it means.

The Check Engine Light turns on when your vehicle’s computer (which monitors your vehicle’s performance) finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct. There are hundreds of sensors in your car, any of which can send a signal to your car’s computer telling it that something isn’t quite right.

In your owner’s manual, there will be a section with recommendations on what to do if the Check Engine Light comes on for your car that will give you a better idea of what to expect.

A common question I hear is:
How long can I wait to take my car in when that Check Engine light comes on?

My standard answer is:

• If there are no drivability problems then you can keep driving and bring it to your automotive service provider to get the computer scanned in the next couple of days.
• But, if the check engine light starts flashing or your vehicle is having drivability problems (stalling, hard to start, slow to accelerate, black smoke coming out the back, etc.) you should immediately pull off the road, turn off the engine & have the vehicle towed in for repairs.
• If you continue driving when the light is flashing or the vehicle is having drivability issues, you can do catastrophic damage which could require an expensive repair. The longer you drive, the more expensive it becomes.

If you do have your vehicle towed, be sure to take it to your dealer if you’re under warranty. Engine work done by a shop other than your dealer can void your warranty.

In short, don’t panic if the Check Engine Light comes on. The Check Engine Light is really your friend. The car’s computer is working hard monitoring your car’s engine and making adjustments so you can jump in your car and rush off to where ever you need to be without a thought to your car’s performance. So, if that light comes on to tell you there is a problem, don’t ignore it.

Amy Mattinat is the owner of Auto Craftsmen, an independent full service dealership in Montpelier, Vermont, as well as the author of How to Buy a Great Used Car.

The Car Care Council has launched a digital version of its popular Car Care Guide. I think it’s a ‘Must Have’ for all drivers. Great information!

The Car Care Guide uses easy-to-understand everyday language, instead of technical automotive jargon, and fits easily in a glove box. The guide covers the most common preventive maintenance occasions and procedures that need to be performed to keep cars safe, dependable and efficient. It also includes descriptions of 12 major vehicle systems and parts, and a list of questions to ask when maintenance or repair procedures are being done on a car. A Car Care Checklist reminds motorists what vehicle systems need to be maintained and when service or repair should be performed.

We have hard copies of the booklet here at Auto Craftsmen that you can come in and pick up, or you can go online to www.carcare.org/car-care-guide and order a hard copy to be sent to your door.

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The lowly windshield wiper is easily forgotten and taken for granted until you really need it.

If it’s worn out and can’t keep up with the rain, sleet and snow, then it gets growled and cursed at when really it’s your own fault because you didn’t think about it beforehand.  

Seriously folks, worn wiper blades are downright dangerous. Your wiper blades are attacked daily by dust, bug juice, road grime, oil, sunlight, freezing temperatures and airborne contaminants. All this weakens and deteriorates the rubber blades.

Be pro=active. Change your wipers every spring and fall. That way you will have fabulous wipers for the spring rains and be prepared for winters - slush, mush and snow.

 Winter Weather Wiper Tip: Never turn on the wipers to try and clear ice and snow after your car has been sitting. This will not only rip the rubber blade, but can cause damage to the wiper linkage, and the wiper motor = big bucks to replace! 

If the wiper is frozen to the windshield, don’t go beating up your wipers with your plastic ice scraper. Slow Down, Be Patient!  Turn on the car and turn the defroster on high to start thawing the ice. Once you see some thawing action, then you can gently move the wiper arms up & away from the windshield. Now it’s safe to scrape off the ice and clear away the snow. Don’t forget to put the wiper arms back down so the wiper is back on the windshield before you drive away.

They make special wiper blades for winter. They have a protective rubber covering the blade that minimizes the chances of the wiper arm and blade freezing.

I find that most winter wipers are so heavy that their contact with the windshield is compromised when cruising at highway speeds. If you have that problem there are plastic weights you can put on your winter blades to eliminate this problem.  I just started stocking  ‘Storm Guard Wiper Blades’ at my shop Auto Craftsmen because they do a great job with clearing snow and ice, and are not heavy.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on the washer fluid. Have a look /see everytime you fill up with gas.  You don’t want to ever run out of washer fluid! AND remember straight water does not have anti-freeze properties and will make it impossible to see if you spray it on a cold winter day.

What Shape Are Your Windshield Wiper Blades In?

Auto Craftsmen had it’s 2nd Woman’s Car Care Clinic on Saturday March 14th.

With 16 women in attendance we covered the following topics:

How to Communicate Clearly so your Automotive Service provider understands exactly what you want and need done to your car.

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• Give Symptoms
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  : Accurate descriptions of the symptoms will save you dollars and time. Be as literal and precise as possible. NOT: My car is making a funny noise. BETTER: When I first start the car and pull out of the driveway the war makes a noise that sounds like (Make noise) but only when I turn right.

• Don’t Push for an On-The-Spot Diagnosis: Asking the Service Advisor or Technician to second-guess your vehicle’s problem only causes false expectations and creates confusion. You would not want a doctor to guess at what is making you sick.
• Leave Accurate Contract Information: It is very important that you that you leave phone numbers of where you will be that day, so you can be contacted “At A Moments Notice”. Your car is one of many vehicles in for repairs and service. If you can not be contacted to give approval for a job, your car will be pulled out and will have to wait it’s turn to get back in line for work. This could result in your car not being finished by the end of the day.
• Keep Asking Questions if you don’t Understand: Most problems between shops and consumers are a result of faulty communication. Don’t be embarrassed if you don’t understand right away… cars are a complex subject. If necessary, make a trip to the shop and have them show you what is wrong and have them give you an accurate estimate.
• Be Patient: Your repair facility is doing its best to keep every customer happy. They know that an unhappy customer won’t return, so they work very hard to please everyone. But wrong parts, sick employees, emergency repairs, small jobs that turn into bigger ones are major challenges that disrupt a shop’s schedule every day.
• Be Appreciative: The repairs and service on cars is not only hard work but takes a great deal of skill and knowledge. Contrary to belief, Technicians have feeling too! A little appreciation goes a long way, especially if it comes with a plate of cookies!

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The ladies found it very interesting being able to look under a vehicle and learn about all the Steering and Suspension parts.

They also learned about what’s under the hood, and how to check the important fluids in their vehicles.

Brakes and Tires were also covered in detail.

The ladies asked great questions and everyone had a lot of fun.

The last clinic we have scheduled is for April 18th. Call 229-2054 if you want to grab the last 2 seats available or email amy@autocraftsmen.com

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When a teenager gets behind the wheel of a car, they have entered a new chapter of their life and as a parent, you are going down that road with them whether you like it or not.

According to the

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:

• New drivers are more likely to have an accident in the first two years of driving then at any other time in their lives.
• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20 year olds. This accounts for 40% of all teen deaths.
• Only about 20% of 16 to 19 year olds drive at night, but 50% of the fatal accidents occur during these hours.
• 43% of teen motor vehicle deaths occur between the hours of 9:00 pm and 6:00 am.
• 54% of teen motor vehicle deaths occur on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• About 36% of crashes that kill young people involve alcohol.

Does this scare you?

Well it should. How the West Was Fun psp It’s the parents job to make sure their child learns the driving skills and awareness of sharing the road with others so they will not kill themselves or others when they get their driver’s license.

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Want some help?

My favorite automotive website www.askpatty.com has created a global PATTI Road Safety Program – Parents Actively Teaching T

eens Initiative and teamed up with The Survival Group to take the stress out of the whole process by showing you how to coach your teen drivers like professionals.

The “Coach A Rookie Guide” will give you the tools to actively teach your teen drivers vital road survival techniques. It will show you what to teach and how to teach it.

There are Three Main Sections in the CaR Guide

Section 1 – The Basic Coaching Kit

Section 1 gives you the practical tools necessary to teach your Learner when out on the road.  They will help you generate the road survival skills you must instill into the new driver (and yourself) until they automatically form part of your rookie’s driving regime.

Section 2 – The Advanced Coaching Kit

Spawn ipod This Section builds on the Basics and includes vital survival tips, strategies and techniques for Suburban Driving, Freeway Driving, Country Driving and driving in different weather conditions.

Section 3 – The Practical CaR Guide

This segment contains all that stuff that every one should know about how to change a wheel, how to check the oil and generally about how cars work.

The “Coach A Rookie Guide” comes to you as a downloadable PDF that is sent to your email for only $20. But because AskPatty.com is sooooo awesome Half the proceeds of sales of Coach a Rookie go directly to the United Spinal Association a group that supports victims of road crashes.

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YES I purchased it, and will print it out and have it at my shop Auto Craftsmen if you would like to check it out.

Do You Have Any Tips For Teenage Drivers or Their Parents?