Winter has arrived in the Fraser Valley! Each year, drivers in BC seem to be caught off guard when the roads get icy and covered in snow. Don’t let this happen to you this year!
Weather experts are predicting an extreme winter this year with low temperatures and lots of snow. The question is, “are you prepared?”.
TIRES:
Do you have snow tires, all-season, or chains? Many drivers aren’t even aware what kind of tires they have, or if they have enough tread. Don’t wait until the snow falls to find out… go look now and make sure you’re prepared.
WINDOWS:
When snow and ice sticks to your windshield, basic wiper blades may not be adequate. Make sure your blades are capable or keeping your window clean and clear while driving in snowy weather. Also, be sure that your windshield wiper fluid is not frozen. Be sure to fill your reservoir with the proper winter fluid so it doesn’t freeze when you need it.
BATTERY:
A battery that works fine in warm weather may be totally dead when the mercury drops below zero. Check the date on your battery, and make sure it is rated for cold temperatures. You don’t want to find yourself stranded in the cold with a dead battery!
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES:
It is recommended that you have some basic emergency supplies on-hand, especially in the winter. A first-aid kit is a good idea. But an automotive emergency kit is also a good idea. If you find yourself with a dead battery, having some quality jumper cables is always a good idea.
If you’re prepared for winter driving, you should have nothing to worry about! Be sure to visit your Langley Auto Mile dealership if you have questions about winterizing your car. To contact your dealer, or to schedule service, go to www.LangleyAutoMile.com
Getting To Know Your Local Dealers:
When most of us reach a certain age, we all own and drive vehicles on a daily basis. It’s just part of life. Some of us drive kids to and from school; many of us commute to work; others drive to college or university; and we all use our cars for leisure. We depend so much on these “four-wheeled chariots”, and yet many of us don’t take proper care of our cars, trucks, mini vans, SUVs, and more recently, the crossovers.
For all of us living and working in Langley, Surrey, and the Fraser Valley, it’s time we all get re-aquatinted with the experts that know our vehicles best… The Langley Auto Mile “Dealer Network”.
To learn more and to connect with a dealer that specializes in your make and model, click on one of the car manufactures below:
- Acura
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Ford/Lincoln
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Jeep
- Kia
- Mazda
- Mitsubishi
- Nissan
- Saab
- Subaru
- Toyota
- VW
Don’t forget, “Winter is Coming”!!! Contact your dealer to ensure your vehicle is safe for the winter roads and weather. Do you have the proper tires? Have you changed your oil lately? Is your car battery rated for cold weather?
Langley Auto Mile and the Social Web:
Are we on Facebook and Twitter? You bet we are!!! Be sure to Follow us on Facebook and “Like” our page. Also, we’d love you to Follow us on Twitter as well for special offers, specials, contests and give-aways!
Happy Driving!
Brad Dirks (Dealer Ambassador)
The Langley Auto Mile Dealer Network
“The Best Auto Resource in The Fraser Valley”
Tel: 604-513-8930
Fax: 604-513-8931
Toll Free: 1-888-701-0509
Email: autos@LangleyAutoMile.com
Website: http://www.LangleyAutoMile.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LangleyAutoMile
Blog: http://langleyautomile.tumblr.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/langleyautomile
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Langley-Auto-Mile/152036231496671
Langley Auto Mile goes “HD”…
Many years ago, computer screens were mostly 14” wide models, which didn’t leave a lot of viewing room. Over time, computer monitors became larger, flatter, higher resolution, and less expensive. These days, many computer screens average between 19” to 24” (and beyond).
When we launched The Langley Auto Mile website two weeks ago, we had designed the viewable portion of the site to be 750 pixels wide (a common width for websites). Well, many viewers shared feedback, including some of the dealership team members. “Why is the website width so narrow?” was a question we were asked by Springman’s Saab “sales manager” Jason Powell. Upon reviewing his comments, we went to work to make the revisions.
We spent the better part of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, re-designing the website in order to comply with the new width of 1000 pixels. I’m sure this will make many visitors to our website happy, especially those who have large displays.
We welcome you to visit www.LangleyAutoMile.com, now in “Hi Def”. We have literally edited and revised every single page and dealer profile. Please be sure to contact us if you notice any display issues.
In addition, we have also made a navigation improvement… Check out the new Menu on the website. It allows viewers to gain immediate access to any department at all dealerships with a single click of the mouse. Just follow the drop menu to the dealer you’re interested in, and out pops the list of departments. It’s just that quick and easy!
The Langley Auto Mile Dealer Network
“The Best Auto Resource in The Fraser Valley”
Tel: 604-513-8930
Fax: 604-513-8931
Toll Free: 1-888-701-0509
Email: autos@LangleyAutoMile.com
Website: http://www.LangleyAutoMile.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LangleyAutoMile
Blog: http://langleyautomile.tumblr.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/langleyautomile
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Langley-Auto-Mile/152036231496671
Take a Look… What do you think?
The newly branded and designed “Langley Auto Mile” website is now online! Since we officially re-launched the website on October 1st, we soon realized that the “red” website header was not quite the direction we wanted to go in.
We quickly sought out talented graphic artists to work with, seeking a new “look and feel” to the site. The colours “blue, green and grey” were a natural choice for us, so we went in that direction without hesitation.
Please go to www.LangleyAutoMile.com to check out the new “theme”.
Are you into the “Web 2.0”, also known as The Social Web? If so, be sure to check out some of the social networks we’re on:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LangleyAutoMile
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/langleyautomile
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Langley-Auto-Mile/152036231496671
Happy Car Buying Everyone!
The Langley Auto Mile Dealer Network“The Best Auto Resource in The Fraser Valley”
Website: http://www.LangleyAutoMile.com
The World Vision “Facebook Challenge”
World Vision is an amazing organization. The Langley Auto Mile has started “The World Vision Facebook Challenge” in an effort to build awareness of this organization, as well as to give back.
As you may already be aware of, The Langley Auto Mile is active in many of the social networks, including Facebook. Our Facebook page was only launched 1 week ago os of today. Our goal is to reach 100 people to “Like” The Langley Auto Mile Facebook page. As soon as we reach 100, we are announcing that we will sponsor a child through World Vision.
World Vision Needs Our Help, We Need Your Help…
Be sure to visit The Langley Auto Mile Facebook Page and “Like” it the next time you’re logged into Facebook.
Tell Your Facebook Friends…
In an effort to help us reach 100 people, please be sure to invite your Facebook friends to “Like” this page as well. We can’t reach this mandate without your help.
World Vision…
Be sure to visit World Vision for more information at www.worldvision.ca
Thanks in advance!
The Langley Auto Mile Dealer Network
“The Best Auto Resource in The Fraser Valley”
Email: autos@LangleyAutoMile.com
Website: http://www.LangleyAutoMile.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LangleyAutoMile
Blog: http://langleyautomile.tumblr.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/langleyautomile
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Langley-Auto-Mile/152036231496671
Saab vehicles have returned to the Canadian market! A familiar face is back as the 9-3, available in sedan, SportCombi wagon and convertible body styles. A 9-3X wagon and a 9-4X crossover will appear, while the 9-7X has been dropped.
The big news for Saab is the arrival of an all-new Saab 9-5 mid-size sedan. In the summer of 2011, a 9-5 wagon is also scheduled to be produced.
The front end of the 9-5 is familiar with the previous-generation model and keeps the corporate face chrome trim around the headlamp clusters and grille. The blacked-out A-pillars makes the car’s greenhouse look like an aircraft canopy, a souvenir of the Swedish company’s past aviation background.
A very soft character line sweeps from the front to the back, resulting in clear-lens taillights. The overall shape is devoid of any tacked-on aerodynamic aids, and the car looks both elegant and gorgeous.
Inside, the instrument panel looks practically identical to the one you’ll find in a Cadillac SRX. That includes the trip computer with its circular LCD screen nestled in the speedometer.
Once again, the aircraft theme is apparent in the center stack design, with an embossed plane silhouette mixed in with the audio and climate controls.
Visit Springman’s Saab & Auto Centre to contact a Saab sales person, book auto services, buy auto parts and accessories, or have your body work completed.
Winterizing your Vehicle
Living in our B.C. climate, the following 10 tips should be informative and timely. Be sure to visit The Langley Auto Mile website and contact a dealer who knows your car best!
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Get the right kind of oil change. Oil tends to thicken as it gets colder, and if it’s too thick it won’t do the best job of keeping your engine lubricated. Check your owner’s manual for guidance about which oil to use in different climates and temperatures.
- 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.
- Give your battery a little TLC. This is an ideal time of year to make sure your battery’s posts and connections are corrosion-free and that your battery has all the water it needs. If your battery is more than three years old, have a certified repair shop test its ability to hold a charge. Granted, you might be able to find a Good Samaritan to help you jump-start your vehicle in the middle of a blizzard — but wouldn’t you rather avoid such a scenario altogether?
- Examine your belts and hoses. When you have that full service done on your vehicle, make sure the belts and hoses get checked for wear and tear — even if you’re driving a modern car. Cold weather can do a number on belts and hoses, so they deserve attention.
- Check your tire pressure. Your tires must be properly inflated to ensure you’ll have the best possible traction as you drive along — and traction is often severely jeopardized in wet, snowy or icy conditions. The air pressure in your tires has likely dropped as the weather has gotten colder, so it’s important to see where things stand now. (You can generally expect that you’ll lose 1 pound per square inch whenever the temperature drops by 10 degrees Fahrenheit.) Again, your trusty owner’s manual will tell you what your target tire pressure should be.
- Think about switching to snow tires. Do you live in a hilly place that gets its fair share of snow? Then you might want to improve traction even more by investing in winter tires and using them over the next few months instead of your usual all-season tires. When shopping around for snow tires, ask about all the fees that might come into play, such as fees for mounting and balancing. You can accomplish this easily and make accurate cost comparisons by asking each store for the “out the door charge.”
- Do you have four-wheel drive? If so, it’s important to check the status of your four-wheel-drive system and be sure it’s working correctly — especially because most drivers don’t use their 4WD systems in the pleasant summer months. Be sure that the system engages and disengages easily, and that all drivers in your household know how and when to activate the system.
- Get the antifreeze mixture just right. Aim for having a 50-50 mix of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your radiator. This will prevent the mixture from freezing even at ridiculously cold temperatures. It’s easy to check the status of the mixture with an inexpensive antifreeze tester, which you can pick up at any auto parts store. If the mixture is off, your cooling system should be drained and refilled or flushed. Be sure you’re equipped to dispose of your old antifreeze properly if you do this job yourself. It can’t just be poured down the drain.
- Know what to do if you get stranded. Don’t wander away from your car unless you’re completely sure about where you are and how far away help is. Light two flares and situate them at each end of your vehicle to call attention to your plight. Put on the extra clothes and use the blanket to stay warm. If you have enough gas in the tank, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes for each hour you’re waiting for help. Leave at least one window open a little bit so that snow and ice don’t seal the car shut. Suck on a hard candy to prevent your mouth from getting too dry.
- Prepare an emergency kit. Store this stuff in your trunk during the winter months, especially if a road trip is in your future:
- a blanket
- extra boots and gloves
- an extra set of warm clothes
- extra water and food, including hard candies
- an ice scraper
- a small shovel
- a flashlight
- windshield washer fluid
- windshield wipers
- flares
- jumper cables
- a tool kit
- tire chains
- a tire gauge
- a spare tire with air in it
- tire-changing equipment
- a first-aid kit
- paper towels
- a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow.
- Also, keep the gas tank as full as you can to prevent the gas lines from freezing.
Sources: Sources: Edmunds.com, eHow.com, National Safety Council
Time for an Oil Change
One of the quickest, cheapest and easiest ways to service for your car is the oil change! But many car owners neglect to change their oil long beyond the recommended time. Most professionals recommend changing conventional oil every 5000 km. Auto technicians usually suggest changing the oil filter with every oil change. Despite these recommendations, many people wait to get their oil changed in effort to save time or money. Oil changes are actually inexpensive, quick and easy. The benefits they provide make them an essential part of regular maintenance for your car, truck, van or SUV: Don’t let your vehicle(s) run on dirty oil; this is harmful to both your car and the environment. Take care of your car - Visit www.LangleyAutoMile.com to contact an oil change specialist and schedule a routine oil change.
Springman’s Saab
The Langley Auto Mile would like to formally welcome Springman’s Saab & Auto Centre to the network! Formally Springman’s Saturn, this established, reputable dealership is now an authorized Saab dealer, providing new and used vehicles, auto service, parts and accessories, and a full-service auto body shop.
