SouthBank Nation in the Community

SouthBank Nation participated in 

SouthKeys Greenboro's The Next Great Garage Sale on Saturday May 16.  

SouthBank staff members from all departments came together; braving the rainy weather, dressed in their finest, to barbeque hamburgers and hot dogs to support SouthBank's local community.  The event was held to raise donations for the Pavilion Food Bank.  

 The turn out was amazing and the event gave SouthBank staff members an opportunity to get to know their neighbors and to let everyone know that SouthBank cares!

The SouthBank volunteers take a selfie at the event!

Mario showing his SouthBank pride!

Winter Tires, Do I? Or Don't I?

Does anyone remember the lazy hazy days of summer?  They seem a million miles away to me.  Gone are the carefree days of long drives with the top down, wearing easy breezy shorts and tshirts and hello to snowsuits, galoshes and yes the great Canadian debate: snow tires.

Every winter season begins the same.  On Halloween, a sudden cold snap hits and we begin that great debate either with ourselves, or our loved ones: do we have winter tires installed?  To me, the answer is quite simply YES!  There should be no debate and no argument.  Just because we are Canadians and as a general population can not only bear sub zero temperatures, but rather embrace it does not mean our vehicles are just as eager to meet the task.

For those of you who are still on the fence of whether to have winter tires installed onto your vehicle, here are a few tips to consider:

1. Do not wait until the first snow fall to go out and have your winter tires installed.  Firstly, you will most definitely not be the only one who decided to wait, making install times longer and product availability less.
2. Just because it has not snowed does not mean you do not need winter tires!  Winter tires protect you and your vehicle from the sudden drop in temperature.  Once the outside temperature hits approximately 7 degrees Celsius, the rubber on your tires, whether summer or all seasons, become inflexible, which means that your vehicle will have no traction.
3. The main purpose of a winter tire is to move water.  Tires melt the snow and ice as they apply pressure.  This causes the creation of a small layer of water underneath your tires.  Winter tires are specifically designed to combat this water, with specially designed grooves and channels.  Without winter tires, your car will hydroplane due to the thin layer of water.
4. Do not let all-season tires provide you with a false sense of comfort. On snow, ice or cold pavement, the stopping distance of a car with winter tires can be up to 30 to 40 per cent shorter than one with all-seasons. 
5. Winter tires have come a long way.  Gone are the days of bulky tires that completely change the drive of your vehicle.  As technology has advanced, it has allowed companies to create new rubber compounds that have allowed companies to make the optimal winter tire, without sacrificing any other part of your vehicle.
6. Consider it an investment.  While there is a cost that comes along with installing winter tires, is it a proven fact that they do save lives and prevent accidents during the Canadian winter season.  Transport Canada highly recommends that all drivers have winter tires installed onto their vehicle.

There are a few things that we can count on in Ottawa.  One of them is that snow will come.  Along with it, ice, sleet and freezing rain.  So why waste any more time huffing and puffing and debating.  Go out and get your winter tires.  

It is the Canadian thing to do!

Keeping Your Investment Squeaky Clean

Whether you treat your car like your baby, or simply treat it as an investment, the fact of the matter is, you need to protect your vehicle.  One of the easiest and most overlooked ways of protecting your vehicle, whether it be a Jeep Wrangler or Dodge Caravan is to keep it squeaky clean!   

 

Most of us do not stop and think about the harsh elements that our vehicles are exposed to during only one week's worth of driving.  Whether it be salt and sand in the winter, or rain and bird droppings in the heat of summer, your vehicle's exterior is exposed to it all and more.  To protect your vehicle and its potential trade in value follow the tips listed below!  They are the easiest and quickest way to protect your baby!

1. Wash your vehicle at least once a week.  This may seem excessive, but if you stop and think about all the elements that your vehicle is exposed to in one week, it will make sense.
2. Always try to park in the shade.  The shade will prevent the sun from bonding any unwanted elements to the paint of your vehicle.
3. Do not forget about the tires and rims!  Most people think about detailing the exterior and interior of the vehicle, but tend to overlook the tires.  Ensure that you take the extra time to get your detailer to clean both the tires and rims, especially the front tires, as this is where the brake dust accumulates. 
4. Wax, wax, wax!  Your vehicle should be waxed at least three to four times a year.  Some vehicle owners believe that the standard factory clear coat will be enough protection for the life of the vehicle.  This is not true.  If you want to be nice to your vehicle and its potential dollar amount upon trade in, spring for a wax job!
5. The inside counts just as much as the outside!  What is the use of having a beautifully detailed exterior when the interior looks like a tornado just went through it?  Ensure that you ask your professional detailer to spruce up the interior of your vehicle.  From the carpets and mats, to the seats and windows.  This is will ensure your vehicle is beautiful from the inside out!

We all take time for some much needed tlc for ourselves.  So book some time for your vehicle's tlc.  You won't just be getting the reward of driving around in a spotless vehicle, but it will payoff in dollars when it comes to trade your baby in and upgrade.   If you have any further detailing questions, do not hesitate to contact the professionals at the Southbank Auto Spa!  They will be glad to help you in any way. 

The "A Team" of the Southbank Auto Spa

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!

 

 

 



Should You Be Thinking About Winter Tires Already?

You may want to consider a new set or prepare for a long, tough winter drive.

Are you planning on getting through the winter on your car's all-season tires? Are your tires good enough to perform in winter driving conditions? Your life may depend on your answer. How much tread do they have left? If the tires have less than 4/32 tread depth left, you should consider a new set or prepare for a tough winter drive. Remember that with a two-ton vehicle, it is just four hand-sized contact patches that touch the road, provide the grip needed for accelerating, braking, and handling. That's not much keep you and your passengers safe, especially in the cold, with a glaze of ice.


If you want winter tires, don't wait — the retail season is in full swing right now. You might find yourself out of luck if you procrastinate until the first snow fall. We have great offers at Southbank Nation to help you find the right winter tires for your vehicle.

Here are some tips to guide you through the process:

All-season tires: all-season tires provide good all-around traction to handle dry, wet, and wintry conditions, but they tend not to be a master of any one condition. All-season tires are a good choice for modest winter conditions or when you can wait until the roads are plowed.

Winter tires: These tires are specially made for use in freezing temperatures and on snow and ice. Winter tires have a mountain and snowflake symbol on the sidewall indicating they meet challenging snow traction criteria. But like all-season tires, there is some compromise to consider, with so-so dry and wet grip and fast wear for many models. Consider winter tires if you have to drive in severe winter conditions.

Bottom line: Consider your winter tire needs now to be sure you can get the tires you want before the snow starts falling.

It's a SouthBank Nation Summer!

Tires are black and round. For most drivers, tires are an afterthought, taken for granted and often poorly maintained. That, in itself, is funny because no matter how proudly purchased and carefully maintained a car is, its only connection to the road is those four small patches of rubber. Without those, the rest of the mighty powertrain, electronics, safety systems, etc., just don’t matter.
A driver can save more than $100 at the pump if the tires are kept properly inflated (driving an average 20,000 km/year). In addition to saving money, you will also be doing your part in preventing the release of an additional 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Make sure your car’s tires are in good working condition and that they are properly inflated.
Remember to put safety first, oxygen breaks down the rubber in your tires, weakening their elasticity an strength. Southbank Dodge Chrysler Jeep offers 4 tire Nitrogen-fill for only $29.95 plus tax. Nitrogen maintains tire pressure longer. Because of its larger molecular size, nitrogen migrates through a tire three times slower than oxygen. Reduces tire oxidation and eliminates interior wheel corrosion extending your tire's life. Nitrogen is a dry gas, which means it is free of moisture; the moisture in oxygen causes damage to your tires. Nitrogen is not affected by temperature like oxygen is, giving you cooler running tires.

Springtime maintenance prepares your car for summer!

Winter is without a doubt tough on a lot of things, including your car. Low temperatures, snow and ice, road salt and potholes put your car to the test.

If you are like most of us, you try to take your car in for service before the cold hits to make sure it will make it to spring. Well, spring is here and there are a number of things you want to do to your car to avoid breakdowns and ensure its best performance for those summer trips.

Spring is the perfect time to get rid of old man winter's effects and get ready to enjoy the warmer weather.

Our service plans pay attention to the most important parts of you car, making sure it's always ready to go.

Batteries work harder when it's cold. Testing and replacing old or weak batteries, can be cheaper than a tow and replacement on the road.

Cold weather can reduce tire pressure. We will make sure that all tires, including the spare, are properly inflated. This practice, along with keeping your tires balanced and wheels properly aligned, will also help you save on gas.

We will inspect and replace worn or cracked belts, as well as radiator hoses that are blistered, brittle or too soft. Belts and hoses older than five years, even if they look intact, might need to be replaced.

There can't be enough said about how important your brakes are. A spring checkup can uncover any winter damage such as rust. The brake system inspection, includes checking lines, hoses, pads, brake fluid and parking brake.

Deep potholes aren't friendly to shocks and struts. A suspension check up will determine wear or leaks which can alleviate bigger issues down the road.

We will inspect the antifreeze/coolant level, the transmission fluid, power steering fluid making sure they meet the specifications listed in the vehicle owner's manual for top performance and longer engine life.

Check out our Recommended Maintenance Schedule page to see which package suits your needs, and get ready to enjoy the summer!