So you thought that this winter was tough on your car, you better be prepared for the summer. Although the winter can be very taxing on your vehicle, you should never underestimate the damage and wear and tear to your vehicle that the summer heat can cause.  And with the warmer weather you are likely to do more driving too. It is strongly recommended that you have your care serviced right before the summer gets going. Consider it spring cleaning for your car. Have your oil changed and top off all the fluids. Take a good look at your radiator fluids and the condition of your cooling system. Over heating a car can cause major damage to your engine.

At Reedman Toll, we have some service specials available to help you get this routine maintenance done and our service department is open 7 days a week.

Check them out on the web

http://www.reedmantoll.com/specials/service.htm

or stop in for service. Have a safe and fun summer

Winter is on the way, so the time is now to make sure your have your vehicle prepared for the cold weather and slippery road conditions. The first step is to make sure your car is in top shape. Have a mechanic check all fluid levels in the car the following items on your car such as antifreeze levels – to ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing, and oil. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well. The battery and ignition system should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean. Brakes should be checked for wear and fluid levels. The heater and defroster should be tested to ensure they work properly. Lights and flashing hazard lights should be checked as well. Windshield wiper equipment should be in top working order, and make sure there is plenty of windshield fluid. Tires are also very important, and in areas where the roads do get slippery, winter tires are the best option. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. Also, a good rule of thumb is to maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.

Once you know your vehicle is in top shape and all aspects of it are in working order and ready to go, you should have one last backup in case of a break down or other emergency. A winter emergency kit is easy to put together, and could be crucial in a winter situation.
Place a winter emergency kit in each car that includes: a shovel, windshield scraper and small broom, a flashlight, a battery powered radio, water, snack food, matches, extra hats, socks and mittens, a First aid kit with pocket knife, Necessary medications, blankets, a tow chain or rope, road salt and sand, booster cables, and emergency flares and/or a fluorescent distress flag. It may seem like a lot, but when you are stranded or stuck in your vehicle in the cold of winter, you will be glad you took the time to be prepared.

Whether you are headed out on a family vacation, to a long awaited fishing trip, or on the road for work, towing safety is very important for those who need to tow behind their vehicle. Whether you are driving a truck, wagon, or SUV, there are some steps you can take before you hitch up to aid in a safe trip. Just follow these tips:

1. Load must be balanced from side to side, while 60 percent of the load should be in the front half and 40 percent in the rear half for a slight weight-forward bias

2.  If the trailer/load exceeds 1,000 pounds, the trailer should have its own brake system

3. Keep trailer load as low as possible for a low center of gravity

4. Never overload a trailer – trailers have a gross vehicle or trailer weight rating which is usually found on a manufacturer’s plate on the tongue. The total weight of trailer and load should be about 13 percent less than the gross vehicle or trailer weight rating for the trailer

5.  Make sure the tow vehicle’s hitch, hitch receiver, and ball are in proper working order and fastened tightly

6. Tongue weight, the amount of weight the trailer and its load will put on the hitch, should be at least 10 percent and less than 15 percent of the gross trailer weight

7. King pin weight, the amount of weight the trailer and its load will put on a fifth wheel hitch, should be at least 15 percent and less than 25 percent of the gross trailer weight

8. Correct trailer and tow vehicle tire pressures are vital. Make sure trailer tire pressures conform to the manufacturer’s recommendation on the plate located on the trailer tongue. Tow vehicle tire pressure recommendations are found on the tire inflation pressure chart in the information package with your Owner’s Manual, or ask your dealer

9. Make sure your tow vehicle mirrors meet legal requirements and provide you with as much rearward vision as possible

Once you have found the perfect car, whether new or used, it can be an exciting time. Nothing feels better than driving a shiny, nice smelling car around, with new features to use, and a proud sense of accomplishment. But there is always the question of car insurance. Deciding which carrier to use, or which plan to get can be confusing. Talking to an insurance agent you maybe notice there are all types of coverage they are trying to sell you, and it is hard to know what you really need. Read below and you may better understand what these type of coverage includes, and thus know what you need. Some of the major categories of auto insurance include:

Personal injury protection:  Personal injury protection insurance, which is similar to medical payments coverage, pays the medical expenses that you incur in an accident. PIP also pays for your expenses in a hit-and-run accident. If you die in the accident, it pays a death benefit. PIP also pays for lost wages and other expenses related to the accident. About 15 states require PIP coverage.

Liability: Liability insurance is also called bodily injury insurance. Liability insurance reimburses the other driver for damages sustained in an accident that is your fault. This coverage includes amounts for bodily injury, property damage and pain-and-suffering damages. Liability coverage is usually stated in your policy as a dollar limit. Liability limits are generally stated on a per-person and per-accident basis. For example, liability coverage of “15/30/25″ means the insurer pays $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.

Comprehensive: Comprehensive insurance provides coverage for theft or loss from accidents other than collision. Coverage pays for property damage sustained from such natural events as flood, fire, hail or vandalism.

No-fault: This insurance coverage pays for injuries or damages incurred by either you or the other party in an accident. It does not matter which party is responsible. No-fault pays for your medical expenses while the insurers figure out which side is at fault.

Collision: Collision insurance pays for medical expenses and property damage that you sustain in an accident in which you are at fault. You may also elect to buy collision insurance coverage when you rent a vehicle.

Uninsured Motorist: Uninsured motorist insurance pays you if the other driver does not have insurance. Underinsured motorist insurance pays you if the other driver does not have adequate insurance. These types of coverage are not required in all states.

Winter is far from over, and there will be plenty more day of icy roads and dangerous conditions. While it is best to stay off the road during a storm, follow these tips if you find you self in a precarious situation, from ice on the road, to your car skidding without control.

FOR ICY ROADS

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

FOR REAR WHEEL SKIDS

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

FOR FRONT WHEEL SKIDS

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.