2011 spring car care guide

8/7/2019 2011 Spring Car Care Guide

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DELPHOS HERALDTHE

April 2011

Scenic Ohio ROAD TRIPS

Changes in

CAR CARE

Spring... On the Road


2/8

2 The Delphos Herald Spring Car Care April 2011

Flanagans Spring Car Care

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DELPHOS

Ph. 419-692-5801

Mon.-Fri. 8-5, Sat. 8-1

Plus Parts

See WIPER BLADES, page 7

ARA Drivers are holding on to their

cars longer in these tough economic timesso the nations leading auto parts retailer, isoffering tips to help motorists get the mostout of their investment.

Holding off on purchasing a newvehicle can be a smart financial decision,especially if drivers properly maintain theirvehicles to ensure theyre running safely andefficiently, said Steve Stoll, MerchandisingDirector of AutoZone. Maintaining andreplacing key components, such as brakesand batteries, can keep vehicles on theroad and help prevent costly repairs in the

future.The average length of time consum-

ers hold on to their vehicles is more thanfive years, according to a recent automo-tive industry study. Older cars can be safeand dependable, but need ongoing mainte-nance to keep them running at their best.According to the National Car Council, 80

percent of vehicles on the road are in need

of service or parts.Motorists who know the signs of impend-

ing failure and understand the impactextreme weather conditions can have onvarious car components, can plan ahead forrepairs and replacements instead of beinghit by an unexpected bill down the road,Stoll said.

The longer car maintenance is delayed,the more costly it can be, said Stoll.

Two key components in any vehicle arethe braking system and the battery. Expertsoffer the following tips to ensure these vital

parts are properly maintained. Give brakes a winter check-up.Excessive build-up of road salt and brine

solutions in the winter on brake componentsis one cause of brake failure. These solu-tions can create contamination of exposedbrake parts and can cause brake componentsto deteriorate prematurely. Hazardous road

conditions can also lead to increased use of

Antilock Braking Systems (ABS), whichcan cause premature wear of all brake sys -tem components.

As temperatures warm up, motoristsshould check their braking systems touncover any damage that may have occurredduring the winter months.

Check brakes quarterly to ensureproper performance.

In general, brakes are the most importantsafety feature on any vehicle and should bechecked quarterly to ensure proper perfor-mance. Brake pads and rotors should also

be checked any time the tires are removed,such as during a tire rotation. Other brakecomponents such as brake fluid should bechecked at every oil change.

Extreme temperatures can meanbattery failure.

A batterys biggest enemy is heat. Hightemperatures can cause the grids inside bat-

teries to corrode and break down. The effects

of the corrosion are usually seen when win-ter hits, when the car requires more elec-trical power to start. Drivers should havebatteries tested up to twice a year in normalclimates, and more frequently in extremelyhot or cold climates. Some retailers offerfree battery testing.

Replace the battery every three tofour years.

While batteries can last more than fiveyears in ideal driving conditions, factorssuch as temperature, the cars age and natureof usage can impact the life of a battery.

Many motorists are unaware that under thestress of normal city driving, the average lifeof a vehicle battery is about three years.

According to the National Car CareCouncil, drivers with batteries more thanthree years old should consider replacingthem, since batteries rarely give warningsigns that they are about to fail.

As drivers hold on to cars longer, small repairsnow can save money, time in the future

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ARA Clear vision is essential tosafe driving, especially in the winter-time. Neglect your wiper blades, and youmay find yourself in hazardous weathersituations with limited vision.

The most important aspect of drivingis being aware of your surroundings.When the weather takes a turn for theworse, a drivers best friend is a set of

wiper blades that leave your windshieldwith a consistent, clean, clear wipe.

Not only is a clean windshield a

necessity during rain, snow and sleet,but how many times have you experi-enced a windshield that is smeared withinsects, bird droppings, road tar or othermessy deposits? Removing such dirt withworn wiper blades is nearly impossible.Usually, you wind up smearing the messand obscuring your vision even more. Ifyou change your blades regularly, you

can avoid these problems and keep youreyes clearly on the road.

Dont wait until its too late

to change your wiper blades


3/8

April, 2011 The Delphos Herald Spring Car Care- 3

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Remember when$4 seemed likean outrageousamount to spendon a gallon ofgasoline? Nowthat numberdoesnt seemso far-fetched.While you cantdo anything tocontrol the unrest

in the MiddleEast or oil rigexplosions thatcould lead to gasprices spikingat a momentsnotice, there are a few things you can do tohelp ease the pain of high gas prices.

While buying a more fuel-efficient carmight be an option for some, new and usedcars that get more miles per gallon tend tobe more in demand and more expensive

when gas prices are high. If a new carisnt an option for you, implementing the

following changes can help ensure thatyou get the most from the fuel in your gastank:

Keep the gas you buy in your car.When gas prices are low, stealing gaswould likely be more trouble than itsworth, but when prices are high, its not

How to spend less on fuelwhen gas prices rise

See FUEL, page 7


4/8


SERVICE SPECIALSTransmission Flush --- The Way It Should Be DoneConventional Transmission Service is inefficient and leaves about two thirds of wornout oxidized fluid inside the transmission. Now, we can offer a dynamic new servicethat dissolves deposits from transmission components and flushes them harmlessly

away.Utilizing the Power Flush and Fluid Exchange System, our technicians willservice your automatic transmission the way it ought to be done. Transmissionefficiency is restored. You will have that like new feeling again, along withmany more miles of trouble-free operation.

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Spring 2011

THE FEELING IS GENUINE

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Service Hours:

Mon.-Tues.-Thurs.-Fri. 7:30-5:00

Wed. 7:30-7:00

1725 E. Fifth Street Delphos, Ohio(419) 692-3015 or Toll Free 1-888-692-3015

CHEVROLET BUICK

Get your carsparkling

408 N. Canal Street, Delphos, OH

Exploring the Ohio River Scenic Byway LETS TAKE A ROAD TRIPTravel beside the rolling waters of the

great Ohio River, stopping at many of thehistoric and scenic sites along the way. Learn

more about two U.S. presidents and the cre-ation of the classic novel, Uncle Toms Cab-in. Visit river communities and partake ofthe river life, riding on riverboats and learn-ing about the founding of the NorthwestTerritory. This can be a weekend getawayor, for those with less time, pick and choosewhat interests you most from the itinerary tomake it a long day trip.

Our starting point is The Harrison Tomblocated in North Bend, Ohio

The Harrison Tomb in North Bend is a

60-foot marble obelisk in a 14-acre park andpays tribute to William Henry Harrison, theninth president of the United States. Harri-son was sixty-eight years old when he waselected president. During his inaugural ad-dress, he caught pneumonia and died onemonth later on April 4, 1841. Harrison wasburied near his wifes home in North Bend.

Stop 2: Harriet Beecher Stowe HouseFrom previous stop: 15 mi (24.0 km)

Directions: Head east on Highway 50 toCincinnati. The house is at 2950 Gilbert Av-enue (State Route 3 and U.S. Route 22).

Harriet Beecher Stowe grew up in this

home. It was here that she learned of theinjustices of slavery and wrote her famousnovel, Uncle Toms Cabin. Stop 3: More sights in Cincinnati

Along with the Harriet Beecher StoweHouse, for those with extra time, visit theMuseum Center at Union Terminal (1301Western Ave.), the Carew Tower (West 5thand Fountain Square), and the Omni Neth-erland Plaza.

Stop 4: Ulysses S. Grants Birthplace

From previous stop: 30 minutes / 26mi (41.6 km)

Directions: Continue on Highway 50 (itbecomes Hwy. 52) to Pt. Pleasant. The Grant

home is at U.S. 52 and State Rt. 232.Ulysses S. Grant was born the 27th ofApril, 1822, in picturesque Point Pleasant,near the mouth of Big Indian Creek on theOhio River. His restored one-story, three-room home, built in 1817, is open for tours.

*Stop 5: GeorgetownFrom previous stop: 40 minutes / 26

mi (41.6 km)Directions: Leave the Byway just east

of Higginsport on U.S. Highway 52 and gonorth on State Route 221 to Georgetown.Grants home is at 219 East Grant Avenue.

Georgetown was the boyhood home of

Ulysses S. Grant, 18th president.*Stop 6: RipleyFrom previous stop: 18 minutes / 13

mi (20.8 km)

Directions: From Georgetown headsouth on State Route 68 to State Route 62which will take you back to the Byway, U.S.52, and the town of Ripley.

Stop in the town of Ripley and visit theRipley Museum (219 North Second Street).Call 513-392-4660 for group tours.

Visit the Rankin House (Rankin Street,off State Route 52). Abolitionists John andJean Rankin hid some 2,000 escaped slavesin this way-station on the Underground Rail-road. Harriet Beecher Stowe stopped hereto speak with Rankin about the problems

of slavery before writing her novel UncleToms Cabin. She used some of the storiesshe heard here in her book. . The Parker home, also in Ripley, wasanother home involved with the Under-ground Railroad. Parker was a former slave,inventor, and businessman. His home, lo-cated on 330 North Front Street, is in theprocess of being restored.

If you have extra time stop by CarolynsHouse of Mini Rooms Museum, (on MainStreet and Ripley) to see doll-house sizedrooms dedicated to various themes.

Stop 7: Riverside Murals

Harrison Tomb

Stowe House


5/8


234 N. CANAL ST.,DELPHOS

PHONE419-692-1010

Spring Car Care!

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Geise Transmission, Inc.2 miles north of Ottoville

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Tenth Street Train Station Mural in Ports-mouth

From previous stop: 1 hour 25 min-utes / 72 mi (115.2 km)

Directions: Continue on U.S. 52 to thetown of Portsmouth.

Portsmouth is best known for its splendidriverside murals. Subjects include Ports-

mouths history, the towns settlement andthe growth of industry, and famous person-ages, such as Branch Rickey.

Stop 8: GallipolisFrom previous stop: 1 hour 40 minutes /

87 mi (139.2 km)Directions: Continue on Highway 52,

which becomes State Route 7, as it followsthe Ohio River, to Gallipolis.

Now its on to the French Art Colonyof Gallipolis. Here you can see Our HouseState Memorial, a well-known stop fortravelers along the river, as well as Marquis

de Lafayette. You can learn about the richhistory of the area and state here. While inGallipolis, note the French-styled homesalong the riverbanks.

Stop 9: PomeroyFrom previous stop: 30 minutes / 23

mi (36.8 km)Directions: Continue north on State

Route 7 to its junction with State Route833. Take Route 833 to Pomeroy.

Pomeroy has been featured on RipleysBelieve It Or Not list for its unusualcourthouse which is built into the side of

a cliff and is accessible on all three levelsfrom the outside.

Stop 10: MariettaFrom previous stop: 1 hour 30 min-

utes / 74 mi (118.4 km)Directions: Follow State Route 338,

as it trails the river. It will become StateRoute 124. Stay on 124 till it merges withState Route 7. Follow SR 7 east and northto Marietta.

Marietta is where Ohio began: it was thefirst city founded in the Northwest Terri-tory. The early days of Marietta are remem-bered at the Campus Martius Museum (601Second Street, 1-800-860-0145), which of-fers displays of riverboats and other antiq-uities (one hour stop). You can also stop atthe Ohio River Museum next to the MartiusMuseum. Be sure to tour the historic townitself; beautiful old buildings and antiquesare waiting to be discovered.

Stop 11: SteubenvilleOld Ft. Steuben on the Ohio River Sce-

nic BywayFrom previous stop: 2 hours 10 min-

utes / 107 mi (171.2 km)Directions: Stay on State Route 7 north

to Steubenville.In Steubenville you can see the recon-

structed Historic Fort Steuben (1787), (120South Third Street, 740-283-1787). Thisfort was under the command of CaptainJohn Francis Hamtramck for the protectionof the surveyors of the Northwest Territory.There are tours, exhibits, and a gift shop aswell as travelers information in the Visitors

Center.In downtown Steubenville you can see

murals depicting the 1850s and 1920s citylife of Steubenville. The murals are paintedon the sides of many of the buildings in thearea.

Stop 12: Wellsville River MuseumFrom previous stop: 25 minutes / 20

mi (32.0 km)Directions: Continue north on State

Route 7 to Wellsville. The museum is at1003 Riverside Avenue.

Constructed in 1870, the WellsvilleRiver Museum is a three-story buildingwith period furniture and paddle wheel dis-

plays. For information call: 330-532-3048.* Last stop: Museum of CeramicsFrom previous stop: 5 minutes / 4 mi

Directions: Head north out of Wellsvilleon State Route 7 four miles to East Liverpool.The museum is at 400 East Fifth Street

Housed in East Liverpools old post of-fice, the Museum of Ceramics brings tolife the role the ceramic industry played inOhio, and specifically East Liverpool, in

the mid-1800s to mid-1900s. East Liver-

pool was considered the Pottery Capital ofthe World.

Riverside Murals


6/8


Thomas M. Art

Clay E. Carnes

General Managers

Elida Auto Service612 E. Kiracofe Avenue, Elida, Ohio 45807

(419) 331-230124 Hour Towing Service

Stop in and see us for all your automotive repairs.

Formerly Elida 76

Many motorists bemoan the myriad costs associ-ated with owning a vehicle. According to the NationalAutomobile Dealers Association, the average price for a

new car in the United States is slightly more than $28,000.But as any vehicle owner knows, that sticker price is onlythe beginning. The cost of maintaining a vehicle andkeeping it on the road is not exactly insignificant.

As the economy begins to rebound, a good percent-age of motorists have resolved to keep their vehicles onthe road longer in an effort to stretch their automobiledollars. Thats a sound resolution, and one that is notnecessarily difficult to accomplish. Contrary to popularbelief, cars are built to last, and its often a drivers poorhabits that reduce a cars life expectancy as opposedto the vehicle manufacturers product. Drivers can

lengthen a vehicles lifespan by employing preventivemaintenance that should keep a car running strong foryears to come.

Air filterWhen examining the vehicles air filter (check the

vehicle manual for location), look for dirt or dust buildup.If the filter is filthy, simply replace it. Auto parts storessell air filters, and most drivers shouldnt have troublereplacing a filter by themselves. A dirty air filter can neg-atively effect fuel economy and make it seem as though avehicle is constantly going uphill in a stiff wind. When a

dirty air filter is replaced, drivers will notice an instantimpact in how the car drives and are likely to save a fewdollars at the filling station as well.

Belts and hosesIssues with belts or hoses are often recognizable to the

naked eye, regardless of a drivers automotive skill. Ahose in poor condition can appear bulging or brittle, andshould not feel too soft or too hard. If a hose exhibits anyof these symptoms, replace it. A belt thats worn or frayedshould also be replaced.

Brake fluidOne of the more expensive repair jobs on a vehicle is

to replace the brakes. Brakes will need to be replaced over

the course of a vehicles lifespan, but drivers should rou-

tinely check the vehicles brake fluid. Without sufficientbrake fluid, the brakes lifespan decreases dramatically.Checking the brake fluid is easy; simply look in the own-ers manual to find brake fluid reservoir and remove thelid (some vehicles might require the lid be unscrewed).The reservoir will likely have instructions on the insideadvising how much brake fluid should be added. If thefluid is below the line of demarcation, add fluid up to thatline. But be careful not to overfill. Check the brake fluidlevels on a monthly basis.

Motor oilOil change guidelines have changed dramatically

thanks to better cars and more reliable motor oils. But it

still helps to check motor oil levels after every fill up. Ifmotor oil levels are low, add more oil. If oil is signifi -cantly low after each fill up, consult a mechanic just tobe safe.

ExhaustOnce a year, be it at a routine tune up or should repair

work be necessary, ask your mechanic to check thevehicles emissions. Failing an emissions test might beagainst the law, and a failed test could be indicative of alarger problem.

In addition, inspect the muffler and exhaust pipe forholes, particularly after winter, when debris from snowtrucks may do significant damage. Replace any damagedor rusted parts.

Power steeringPower steering fluid should also be inspected on a

monthly basis. When checking power steering fluid, alsoinspect the pump for any leaks.

TiresKeeping tires properly inflated pays numerous divi-

dends. Properly inflated tires make it easier for the engineto operate, lowering fuel costs while also decreasing wear

and tear on the engine. The owners manual should list arecommended tire pressure, and the local filling stationlikely has an air pump.

Maintaining tires also involves checking for wear andtear. Uneven wear could indicate the tires are misaligned.Discuss this with your mechanic.

Transmission fluidWhen checking transmission fluid, do so while the car

is running and after the engine has warmed up. Always becertain to put the parking brake on when checking trans -mission fluid. If the vehicle needs transmission fluid, addthe recommended fluid but be careful not to overfill.

Prolonging a vehicles lifespan is not as difficult as itsounds. Oftentimes, all it takes is minor, yet routine, main-tenance to keep a car on the road for years and years.

Vehicle owners who practice easy, routine mainte-nance can often add years to their vehicles life.

Martin Auto Service

Tim Martin

MartinAuto

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Ph. 419-453-3858Located off 224 in downtown Ottoville

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Preventive maintenance to keep your car on the road

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Remember to ... KEEP IT GENUINE.

RAABEFORD-LINCOLN

Where You Come In A Customer And Leave A Friend.

SERVICE

HOURS:

Mon. 7:30-8

T-F 7:30-6 Sat. 9-2

11260 Elida Rd., Delphos

1-800-589-7876

419-692-0055www.raabeflm.com

Keep it Genuine at our

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Dealer-installed retail tire purchases only.Expires 5/31/11.

See service advisorfor details.

$

100 REBATEWHEN YOU BUYFOUR TIRES

TIRE

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See Service Advisor for details.

ON MOTORCRAFT

COMPLETE BRAKE SERVICE

$

40 REBATE(most cars & light trucks) rebate is per axleAMERICANCAR RENTAL

CALL NOW: 419-238-5902 AFTER HOURS: 419-203-1142

SPECIAL DEALS & FREQUENT CUSTOMER DISCOUNTS

or visit us on the web at www.icancarrent.com

602 W. ERVIN ROAD VAN WERT, OH U.S.A.

AVAILABLE FOR RENT

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www.NAPAonline.com

202 W. Third St.

Ph. 419-692-7085

Delphos Auto Supply

NAPA OIL SALE$249While Supplies last

10W30 10W40 5W30 5W20

QT.

uncommon for thieves to siphon gas fromvehicles, especially those with larger tanks.Adding a locking gas cap can be done formuch less than the cost of a tank of gas. In

addition to preventing theft, locking fueltank caps can also prevent anyone fromtampering with your gas tank.

Keep your tank full. While yourelooking to reduce the amount of gasolineyou are using, constantly running yourcar with the tank close to empty can weardown your fuel pump. The gasoline inthe tank keeps the fuel pump cool. Takeaway the gas and the fuel pump runs hotand has a shorter life, says Tom Taylor,engineer and vice president of RockAuto.

com. If you have an older car that hasaccumulated dirt and rust at the bottom ofthe tank, keeping a full tank can help yourfuel burn cleaner.

Keep your car in shape. Keepingyour engine properly tuned improves fuelefficiency by an average of 4 percent andrepairing a major issue like a faulty oxygensensor could improve efficiency by up to40 percent, according the U.S. Departmentof Energy. If youre a do-it-yourselfer,you could quickly recoup the cost of anoxygen sensor or other repair after as littleas one tank of gas through improved fuel

economy. Keep your tires inflated properly.

Keeping your tires at the optimal levelnot only keeps you safer, but can improve

your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent,according to the Department of Energy.Your owners manual should tell you theproper psi (pounds per square inch) levelsfor your vehicle.

Drive for optimal gas mileage. Howyou drive can affect how much gas youuse. Most cars run at peak efficiencyat around 60 mph, with fuel economydecreasing sharply when traveling faster.Aggressive driving with rapid accelera-tion and slowing will also have a negative

effect on your fuel economy. Reduce weight and drag. Getting ridof items such as roof equipment whenthey arent being used can help your carbecome more aerodynamic and run moreefficiently. Keeping unnecessary items inyour car, especially if they are heavy, canalso make your car work harder and usemore fuel than it needs to.

By adding up the small savings gainedby each of these tips, you can really noticea difference on how much you are payingat the pump, especially over a long periodof time.

Fuel (Continued from page 3)Wiper blades (Continued from page 2)

Knowing when to change yourblades

So when should you change yourwiper blades? When a blade is past its

physical prime, it will show wear signslike cracking or discoloration. Anotherindicator that its time for new wiperblades is by the quality of the wipe.Streaking or unwiped areas are a deadgiveaway. If the blades make noise orchattering sounds, then they need to bereplaced. On some newer blades thereis a built-in wear indicator which recog-nizes diminished blade performance. Bytaking one glance at the indicator, youwill know when they need replacing.

How often should you replace your

blades?If your blades dont have a spe-

cial indicator, the National Highway

Transportation Board recommends thatdrivers change their wiper blades, atminimum, every year. However, theaverage vehicle owner replaces his/her

wiper blades only once every 2.5 years.Most people wait until they are in adownpour and nearly drive off the roadbefore they are convinced its time tochange blades, says Jenifer Maddox,product manager for PEAK AutomotiveProducts. Some blades even come withsimple connector systems that makeinstalling the blades on any vehicle asnap, so there is no excuse for not replac-ing worn out blades.

If youve been procrastinating aboutchanging your windshield wiper blades,

take a few minutes today to changethem. Youll be glad you did when yourwindows are clear and dry this winter.


8/8


Basic $800

Protection $900

Protection &Shine $1100

Hours:Monday-Saturday

8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Spring Special

SAVE$

3

00

OFFANYWASHNot valid with any other coupon or special offer.

Offer valid with coupon through 5/31/11

1190WestwoodDrive

VanWert,OH

419-238-1654

1001HavemannRd.

Celina,OH

419-586-1085

502TouringDrive

Auburn,IN

260-925-3741

2011 spring car care guide

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