Summer Time For You & Your Truck

Summer has finally arrived!  Hopefully for most of you, it will be more play than work.  However, whilst it might be all summer rays and lounging at the cottage for you, have you ever stopped and wonder about the effect summertime has on your truck?  If you are like me, the answer would be - No.  

When Ram released the official 2013 Ram Truck Super Bowl commercial - "Farmer", it highlighted all of the work that both farmers and Rams really do.  To see the commercial, click the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMpZ0TGjbWE

 While most of us do not work on a farm, we do put our trucks to the test when summer rolls around.  Whether it may be towing a trailer to the family camp site, or towing your fishing boat out to the lake, summer means work for your truck.

Due to the fact that more demand is put on your truck, proper summer maintenance curtailed to your truck should always be a priority.  
Here are some of Peter Lafrance's tips for proper summer maintenance of your truck:

• Keep your engine oil at the proper level.  If the oil is left too low, it will cause the oil to oxidize, which in turn will put more wear on your truck's engine.
• Stop idling!  Although people believe that idling will allow for your vehicle's engine to cool down, idling will also burn more fuel and in turn, will burn a hole in your pocket.
• For those of you (like me!) who love to add accessories to your truck, do not add anything that will reduce air flow through the grill.
• Ask your service adviser to make sure your air filter is clean.  If it isn't, have it replaced.  It will not only improve your engine's performance, but will also save you money on fuel.
• Ask your service adviser to check your tire pressure.  Tires that are both over or under inflated can pose a serious risk.  Please remember to check your trailer's tires as well!

For those of you planning on doing any travelling this weekend, or at any point during the summer season, we ask that you put these tips into practice to make sure that your summer travel plans remain what they should be: carefree and worry free time spent with loved ones.

• Buckle Up!: It should be like second nature to put your seat belt on once you get into a vehicle.  However, a reminder never hurt, so please make sure that all passengers, including those in car seats are safely buckled up.  It is the quickest and easiest way to reduce the risk of injury in case of an accident.
• Don't Over Pack: We know that camping trips require a lot of supplies.  Put please, when packing your vehicle up, make sure that your view of all angles of the road are left visible at all times.  
• Watch Out For Others: With the warm weather comes the need for drivers to share the roads with cyclists and motorcyclists.  Children playing outside, roller bladders and pedestrians are also out in full force and drivers need to pay attention.  
• Arrive Alive: Summer brings with it many family get togethers, nights spent on friend's patios and poolside weekends.  If your planned activity is going to involve enjoying an alcoholic beverage, please make sure you have made arrangements for a designated driver to bring you home.  
• Construction Season: Everyone knows that summer is construction season.  While this may cause traffic for commuters, please keep in mind that construction workers on exposed on the roads and to be weary of them.

On behalf of the entire Southbank Family, we wish you a safe and happy summer!  

And do not forget your sunscreen!

The Most Frequently Asked Questions of the Southbank Service Department

The Southbank Service Department has established itself as a leader in the city of Ottawa, providing the best care for our customer's vehicles.  Our trained technicians continually educate themselves to improve their knowledge and skills, so that Southbank customers can reap the benefits. 

 

To most people, taking your vehicle in for servicing can be a daunting task.  We the general population are not trained technicians, nor do we have any kind of knowledge on the inner workings of our vehicle.  That is why Southbank Nation asked Peter Lafrance,  a ten year Southbank employee and Shop Foreman of the Southbank Service Department to list the benefits of the top three services.

 

 

Wheel Alignment

1- Better gas mileage.  When the wheels are aligned there is less rolling resistance.
2- Better mileage out of your tires, misaligned wheels will wear tires prematurely.
3- Keeps your tire warranties.
4- Less wear on other part's (tie rods/ball joints).
5- Easier to drive, meaning your vehicle will not pull to one side or the other, or wander when driving.  This also maintains the safety of the driver and passengers in the vehicle.
Peter recommends wheel at least once a year, depending on your driving conditions.

 

Tire Rotation

1- Longer tire life, which in turn will save  you money on tires.

2- Better fuel economy, due to better handling and steering.
3- Better performance and a better driving experience. Your tires are worn evenly.
Peter recommends a tire rotation every 10,000 to 12,000 km's or roughly every second oil change.

Fuel System Cleaning Benefits                               
1-Better fuel economy
2-Starts easier
3-Better acceleration
4-All around smoother, cleaner running vehicle
Peter recommends a fuel system cleaning every 30 to 36,000 km's.  Peter also stresses that it also really does depend on your driving conditions; long idle times and city driving can change these intervals.

Peter Lafrance, being awarded the Bernard Frappier Southbank Service Award

 

So the next time you are in for service, make sure you say hi to Peter! 

He and the rest of the Southbank Service Team will be waiting for you!

 

 

 



2013 Ram Wins Motor Trend Truck of the Year



 

 

When you dedicate yourself to continually raising the bar, great things happen. The 2013 Ram was built on a legendary history of durability and capability.  The 2013 Ram 1500 sets a new standard for excellence, which in turn has earned the prestigious title of 2013 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. 

 

 

Judges from Motor Trend were impressed with not only the new engine and fuel economy of the 2013 Ram, but with the Ram's air suspension system, which allows Ram drivers to vary the truck's ride and handling and, with a setting that lowers the truck's ride height on the highway, contributes to additional gains in fuel efficiency.   

 

 

With best-in-class fuel efficiency of up to 36 mpg, class-leading, storage solutions like RamBox, and available segment-exclusive technologies including Active Grille Shutters, 4-corner Air Suspension, and 8-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, the 2013 Ram 1500 redefines what a consumer should expect in a pickup. The Ram is here to stay.