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

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!

Peter's Top 10 Summer Vehicle Maintenance Tips

The summer weather has finally come to Ottawa!  That means, patio season has arrived, time spent by the pool and Sens playoff hockey!  What summer time also means is, it is time to prep your vehicle for the gruelling temperatures that Ottawa can climb to during this beloved time. 

Peter Lafrance, Southbank Service Manager, has prepared his top ten list of recommended summer maintenance tips for your vehicle to follow before you hit the open road. Here they are:

1. Check your tires - Peter stresses that tires are one of the most overlooked parts of your vehicle.  Under or overinflated tires can pose a serious risk to you as driver, your passengers and fellow drivers on the road. 
2. Change your oil and oil filter - Peter recommends that you change your oil and oil filter every 5000kms.  The oil in your vehicle should appear to be a brownish yellow colour on the dipstick if it is clean.  If the oil is dark, with dirt and grime in it, Peter says it is definitely time for an oil change.  
3. De-Winterize your vehicle - Peter says first thing is first - remove your winter tires!  Second, book a detailing appointment with Southbank to make sure your vehicle is properly cleaned, including the very crucial area of the undercarriage of the vehicle.  Due to Ottawa's horrible winter season, the gunk, grime and salt of old man winter can get stuck in your under carriage and will eat away at the metal.  
4. Maintain the hoses and belts of your vehicle - Hoses and belts are crucial components to your vehicle.  If your vehicle's belts snap or its hoses crack, your radiator will soon over heat and that will mean that you will be stranded on the side of the road.
5. Change your vehicle's air filter - Peter says if you are looking for a quick way to increase your gas mileage, change your filter.  This can easily improve your gas mileage as much as ten percent.  Debris, salt and gravel from winter driving can become lodged in the filter, causing it to become inefficient, so if you are planning a road trip, make sure you check your filter.
   
6. Check your wind shield wipers - During the winter, your wind shield wipers battle snow, ice, freezing temperatures and salt.  Although they can come out of the winter season intact, they may be in bad shape.  Freezing temperatures can cause them to crack and the rubber to tear, making it impossible to protect you from those summer showers.  Peter says it is always a smart decision to change your wind shield wipers, as it is a cost effective way to enhance the safety of your vehicle. 
7. Maintain your brakes - Peter states that because of the huge importance brakes play to the safety of you and your passengers whilst in your vehicle, it is imperative that you regularly maintain them.  If your brakes are too soft, or too resistant, or creating a loud screeching noise, Peter says it is time for a check up.  
8. Check your coolant and radiator - Peter recommends that if you have not had your radiator flushed and new coolant added to your vehicle recently, this is time.  While we sit in our vehicles in the heat, during the endless Ottawa traffic that we all know and love, pressure is being put on our vehicle's radiator to maintain its optimal temperature.  By flushing the radiator and adding new coolant, Peter says you are reducing the strain the heat is putting on your vehicle.
   
9. Maintain your vehicle's air conditioning - It's a hot summer day and you and your loved ones have hit the road for a mini summer vacation.  Two hours in and your air conditioning stops working, leaving you exposed to the unbearable heat.  Peter recommends that if your vehicle is having a difficult maintaining a cool temperature, bring it in to Southbank to have us look at it, just to make sure you will not be left stuck in the heat.
10. Drive Safe! - Peter says that the most important thing to remember about your vehicle, whether it be in the summer or winter months is to drive safe.  Always maintain your vehicle, make sure all passengers wear their seatbelts and if you are planning on attending a summer get together, make sure you have a designated driver.  

From Peter Lafrance and the rest of the Southbank Family, we wish you and your loved ones a very happy summer season.  Drive safe and have fun!

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!

Rick's Tips: Preparing your vehicle for winter driving

Today Rick Cain is going to talk about preparing your vehicle for winter driving, where it is very important your vehicle is safe for your family and yourself.

All too often drivers neglect to do maintenance before winter arrives which could end up with a low battery, bad tires, bad brakes, bad wiper blades, all causing hazardous driving during the winter. I want to go over a few items here to show you how to prepare your vehicle for good driving in the winter months.

One of the easiest things to check, and one of the most important is your wiper blades. A worn wiper blade will cause streaking which could blur your vision while driving. You must also check the tips to make sure they are still in good shape. Most vehicle come with all season wiper blades. In the winter time, you may opt to install winter blades which are covered in rubber to stop freezing and streaking on the windshield and promote safe driving.

The next item we want to check on your vehicle is your battery. You want to have a good reliable battery with long cranking time for the cold weather. Make sure your terminals are clean and the level checked if available or applicable. It would be a good idea to have your battery checked by your technician to ensure you have enough cranking hours when it gets cold.

Your engine coolant should be clean and also good for approximately 45 degrees below 0. There are various types of anti-freeze recommended depending on the make of the vehicle. Ensure you have the right type of coolant for your car or truck. We recommend a coolant flush every 2 years to make sure your anti-freeze is efficient.

All seasons tires are great in the rain, during the summer months and even in the fall months. But for winter driving in Canada, you need snow tires. Snow tires are made of a different composition of rubber and they help grip in the colder weather. At 14 degrees Celsius, all seasons tires become very hard and they don’t grip the road as well as snow tires do. All seasons tires have on average 4 to 5 millimeters of treads. On snow tires, you get around 10 to 11 millimeters. More traction means more safety.

Southbank Dodge Chrysler Jeep is ready to prepare your vehicle for winter driving. We have a special package that includes changing your oil and filter, checking all fluid levels, checking brakes and tire as well as a wheel alignment if necessary. Contact Southbank Dodge Chrysler Jeep Service Department today at 613-731-1970.

You can also watch the video on Preparing your vehicle for winter driving.

Rick Cain is a long time Service Manager at Southbank Dodge Chrysler Jeep.


Southbank Nation Blogs are part of the Southbank Nation Community with encompass Southbank Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Leisure Days Gatineau, and RMB Récréatif

Why Should You Change Your Oil Regularly?

The oil you put in your vehicle serves many purposes. Its main function is to lubricate the various engine internal parts that require so. Oil also contains additives that can neutralize acids. It can also absorb dust, water and various particles emanating from your internal engine. Over time, your oil loses his ability to effectively perform these tasks and undergo a thermal breakdown due to high temperatures which again lowers the effectiveness of your oil. The older your oil gets, the more chances you have to spend a lot more money on your next visit at the mechanic. The same thing happens when your oil level is low. Not enough oil means not enough lubricant; therefore your internal parts will wear out a lot faster.

Depending on how many people you are talking to, you will probably get as many different answers. Let’s try to demystify the concept of WHEN should I do an oil change.

Many factors will impact on the frequency of your oil change: The way you drive (Speedy Gonzales or Eeyore the donkey), the age of your vehicle, the environment (dirt, extreme heat and cold), the purpose of your vehicle (what you carry), etc. Most manufacturers will suggest an oil change anywhere from 3,000km to 10,000km. It is important to refer to your owner’s manual for an exact match. Try to be as accurate as possible as this will definitively increase the life of your engine and therefore save you a lot of money at the end. What is $50 spent on an oil change 3 or 4 times a year compared to a full engine rebuild? Asking the question is getting the answer! Remember; consider changing your oil more frequently if you drive in rough conditions, if you drive roughly, if temperatures are extreme, and if your vehicle is old.

Now this is all good but what type of oil should I put in my vehicle?

The type of oil you put in your vehicle will depend on many factors as well. The type of engine and the environmental conditions are the two main deciding factors for your oil selection. We will write another blog explaining all the different types of oil on the market and which one is good for you. In the mean time, refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended type of oil for your vehicle. The oil grade required might also be written on top of your oil cap.

Quick tip : If you are running low on oil, you can put any grade of motor oil for the time being, but try if possible to stick to the manufacturer’s recommendation next time you do a full oil change.