Getting Your Car through A WI Winter
The average snowfall in Wisconsin ranges from about 40 inches in the southern part of the state, to over 100 inches in the snow belt regions near Superior. This year, we got a late start but in Wisconsin, winter can last all the way up through April! It’s not too late to think about winter specific car maintenance and necessary service to ensure you’re not left out in the cold. Below are some winter car maintenance tips to consider:
- TIRES
“All-season” tires are not designed for winter driving, especially in colder states such as Wisconsin. They are generally are not made of cold weather rubber compounds, they lack channeling tread patterns and come with less tread stripes than winter or snow tires. Even with front-wheel-drive and anti-skid systems, “all-season” tires are not going to provide the performance that a snow tire can offer. As a matter of fact, the single component responsible with how a car performs in cold weather and/or on icy or snowy roads is the tire itself. If you are driving in very severe weather — especially if you have to be on the roads before the highway crews — it makes sense to spend more to get the higher-end snow tires. Lastly, don’t forget to have your tire pressure checked regularly, especially in cold weather conditions. Local service specials.
- BATTERIES
Winter puts more stress on your battery, particularly if you park your car outdoors. If you notice your headlights dimming, if it’s been 3-6 years since you got a new battery and especially if your car needs a jump-start, it may be time for a change. Repair shops don’t usually charge very much to load-test your battery, and some car-parts stores will do it for free. Don’t try to change the battery yourself; a battery can weigh as much as 40 lbs. and are often times very tricky to remove. There are electrical and chemical dangers associated with changing a batter, not to mention that the old battery will need to be disposed of properly. If your battery is not under warranty, it’s not too late to replace it, before it leaves you and your family stranded. Find Local service specials.
- WIPERS
Obviously, you’ll need to see the road to drive safely. The build-up of winter precipitation, dirt and salt on your windshield can greatly reduce visibility. Working windshield wipers and a solid supply of wiper fluid will ensure that you have a clear line of sight even in the nastiest snowstorm. Dedicated winter blades feature a rubber boot that prevents snow and sleet from jamming things up. Consumer Reports (CR) tested 15 wiper models, both silicone and rubber, and found that most did a very good to excellent job for the first 6 to 9 months but then performance fell off. Therefore, it’s best to replace your blades at least once per year. It’s not too late to have your wiper fluid reservoir topped off with a brand that has a lower freezing temperature. Local Service Specials.
- OIL & ANTIFREEZE FLUIDS
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed a rating system for oil viscosity, which is often called weight. It’s expressed by four or five characters, such as 10W-30. The lower the number before the W (which stands for “winter”), the better the oil flows in cold temperatures. Therefore, your oil should be either multi-viscosity or 5W if you are in severe cold climate. Anti-freeze is designed to prevent summer boil-overs and winter freeze-ups. Waiting too long to remove coolant can harm your system and not perform the way you expect. Find a team of highly qualified ASE Certified technicians focused on providing exceptional service in a timely manner. If you’re interested in the best new-vehicle warranties, see Volvo’s Service for Life Warranty!
Randy Bedore
9:08 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
What is blatant advertising doing here?
Bob McBride
12:26 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
More of this to come, no doubt. The paid content model wasn't working to everyone's satisfaction.
Craig
1:36 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Hmm, do they even make low profile snow tires for the newer front wheel drive cars? I wonder why the owners manuals do not tell us to buy snow tires.
Leaning Tree Marketing
12:11 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
All Season Tires are fine for most climates, but not for cold and icy climates such as WI. (Did you know that It's actually a law in Germany to have snow tires?) You would have to contact the manufacturer directly to get their answer on why they do not mention it in the manuals. However, I would speculate that since not all areas of the country are in need of snow tires, and most cars are equipped with All Season Tires, they do not mention it.
Absolutelyfabulous
8:11 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
If you need wiper blades, go to O'Reilly's.
If you want honest, incredibly fair and trustworthy service AND SAVE serious $$$$, THEN YOU NEED TO GO TO HABHEGGER (102 E. Capitol Dr) for all your car needs, not just wheel & axle. Dennis, the owner, is ASE certified.The dealer and my "former" mechanic, whom I trusted, always charged me "Book Time". Habhegger does not charge for 1 hour of work when the job takes 30 minutes. I am grateful for that.
I had forgotten about Habhegger since I had purchased my new Passat a few years ago and then I needed new Outer Tie Rods, a CV Joint and an alignment. (3 sources confirmed)and I was reminded about Habhegger.
I am so happy I took my car in for repairs. Not only did I save good $$ and they used OEM-Original Equipment Manufacturer parts, (the same that my "previous mechanic" and the dealer would have used), but Dennis et al couldn't have been nicer and more straightforward.
They have Wifi or you can go across the street and get something to eat and use Outpost Natural Foods Wifi if you need to stick around.
Dennis told me he doesn't advertise because just by word of mouth people are coming, as was very evident by the steady stream of customers in & out last friday when I was having my car repaired/service at Habhegger.
He was servicing, USPS trucks, Cabs..both of which need to be reliable and take a beating as well as a BMW X5 SUV, Toyotas, a Saab, a Chrysler minivan and my Passat along w/ other cars coming and going.
Absolutelyfabulous
10:43 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
Oh & BTW..I will receive nothing for my little promo piece on Habhegger. Dennis, the owner of Habhegger ,doesn't even know I have done this. It's just so rare that I am completely blown away and grateful that I will take the time to let anyone/everyone who's possibly interested know about a great option and in this instance it is automotive service/repairs and very close by.
Feel free to go to Jenkin's Volvo or Concours or Andrew Toyota to get your quote and then humor yourself and stop in at Habheggers to get a quote. If you feel the need to throw your money away or unecessarily line someone else's pockets or just can't live w/out that shiny waiting room, then go ahead and pay double if not more at the dealer for the same if not better service at Habhegger.
Feel free to go to the dealer and pay $120 an hour for labor. Btw, they only pay their mechanics ~$20 an hour. The rest goes to pay for the shiny waiting rooms et al.
I made the mistake of having the Volkswagen dealer replace my windshield wipers. They charged me $20 per blade. I almost fell over. O'Reilly's has numerous types/brands of wiper blades that are always on sale and they will even install them for you.
BTW..Habhegger is only a couple of blocks down from Jenkins Volvo..What could be easier?
Leaning Tree Marketing
1:00 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
I appreciate your interest in the content of this blog. To clarify, Jenkins actually has a PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE coupon on their website www.jenkinsvolvo.com. In addition, dealership prices can’t be beat with VOLVO SERVICE FOR LIFE which includes: Two-year Parts Warranty, (including the labor when they're installed at an authorized Volvo dealer), complimentary software updates during a scheduled maintenance visit, complimentary vehicle diagnostics if your Volvo has a "check engine" lamp or other warning indicator illuminated, (up to an hour of computer diagnostics), and special discounted On Call® Advantage Roadside Assistance pricing.
Jenkins also has factory trained technicians, shuttle service, loaner cars and superior customer service. It’s a great place, great people. I’m taking my car in this month for a car detail, they do an excellent job!
Absolutelyfabulous
2:06 pm on Monday, January 14, 2013
Lean Tree Marketing/Author of this Paid Promotional Piece for Jenkins Volvo-
This "coupon" you mention is a limit of 1 per customer. I've had to have my car serviced more than one time. It also is a bit fuzzy as it states that it is for OEM parts, which Habhegger uses, but does not mention anything about the service charge.
So, you possibly get a "1 time" deal w/ a coupon at Jenkins Volvo or as I know I will always get the best deal at Habhegger and Dennis does more than any other dealer/mechanic I have patronized and for less.
Jenkins Volvo "coupon" also expires 3/31/2013.
For me it's simple..I'm done w/ gimmicks. I've found someone I wholeheartedly trust and the price blew away everyone else.
If anyone out there wants to possibly save $$ and potentially a boatload of $$ while getting a technician/mechanic that is ASE certified, as are Jenkins Volvo mechanics, then take a few minutes to do some price comparison and ask questions.
I'm not getting paid to push someones product or service. I just know a great deal when I find one.
Absolutelyfabulous
9:33 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I'll make it simple for people to decide if they want to consider patronizing Habhegger vs a dealer or their current mechanic.
Here is the link for the Yelp reviews (real people/real customers) for Habhegger. For whatever reason Yelp has reviews divided into the ones that show up automatically and then "filtered" which you have to click on another link. There's an explanation somewhere, but the filtered reviews for Habhegger are just as good, if not better, than the ones that show up when you initially visit the page. Here are both links.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/habhegger-wheel-and-axle-milwaukee
http://www.yelp.com/filtered_reviews/jreccXLU0CO3Tie4TBHiHw?fsid=sQzmmUsLJyr0QQIieU5yMw
Then..Here is the Yelp link for reviews for Jenkins Volvo.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jenkins-imports-inc-milwaukee
Bob McBride
10:43 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I appreciate your interest in the content of this blog. To clarify....
***********************
Yes, to "clarify", while the format is that of a blog and Patch elected to allow you to post under "Local Voices", clearly you're being paid to promote Jenkins Volvo.
Instead of intermingling this kind of stuff with the other, true "Local Voices" who do actually blog on things of interest to them, providing free content to Patch in the process, Patch should either set up a separate area for these types of promotional pieces, or place a disclaimer on them identifying them individuals promoting either their own businesses or that of others.
CowDung
12:58 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I agree with this Bob. Maybe it would be appropriate to have a banner across the top indicating that this is an advertisement rather than a true opinion blog.
I'm guessing that Patch isn't the one getting paid for this ad. It's probably just a deal between Jenkins and Leaning Tree, with Patch as the public forum.
I'd have more respect if Jenkins (and/or Leaning Tree) would just pony up and pay for their ads like all the other businesses on here.
Steve ®
11:55 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
I love my heated steering wheel, remote start, and heated wind shield washer fluid. Came in handy last night when it decided to rain ice.
Leaning Tree Marketing
12:37 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
More than 50 reviews on Jenkins at http://www.dealerrater.com/dealer/Jenkins-Imports-Inc-review-7213/ My blog is an opinion, information open for interpretation and NEVER intended to offend anyone. I'm fairly certain that there will be a response to this comment, but most of us have more important things that demand our time & I really must carry on. Thanks.
Bob McBride
12:43 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
So are you stating that you're not being paid to promote Jenkins? Surely you have time to answer that question honestly.
CowDung
1:02 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
One would think that Jenkins would pay her enough to keep responding to comments on the blog infomercial...
Bob McBride
1:09 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Personally, I'd not be inclined to do business with a company that uses such a sketchy method of promotion. Frankly, this plays right into the stereotypical feeling many hold about car dealerships. Less than upfront about everything, trying to pull a fast one on the consumer, etc. Like you said, CD, a straightforward advertisement with links to the specials they're offering would serve them a lot better.