Does your car smell a little?

We just removed this cabin air filter from a car. If you can't tell, the dark spots are baby mice, not so recently expired. Now we understand the multiple air fresheners hanging from the mirror. And the vents. And the cupholder. Maybe you should get yours checked, soon.

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This is how NOT to add oil to your car!!!

We Will Never Forget 9-11-01

Never forget those that paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

Happy 4th of July!!! Happy 4th of July!!! Happy 4th of July!!! Happy 4th of July!!!

 

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!!!

Six Tips to a Healthy Car!!

For many of us, a car is essential to keeping daily life running smoothly. So, nothing throws a wrench in the routine like an unexpected problem and subsequent repair.
Sure, some issues are inevitable—maybe you hit a pothole and wreck your rim and tire. But the truth is, many are easily preventable. And we can be our own worst enemies when it comes to those preventable issues.
It’s easier than you think to keep your car healthy and on the road. Here are six simple things you can do to ward off unexpected trips to the repair shop.
~1 Oil changes: Find your frequency—The old adage of changing oil every three months or 3,000 miles still holds true for many a used car, but a lot of newer vehicles are engineered to go even longer than that. Bottom line: Stick to the frequency suggested in your owners’ manual to keep your car running ... well, like a well-oiled machine.
~2 Regular maintenance: Stay on schedule—Nearly all owners’ manuals include a recommended maintenance schedule. You’ll typically see suggestions for specific services at 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, and 90,000 miles. Bottom line: Review your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and follow it.
~3 Warning lights: When in doubt, get it checked out—If a warning light appears on your dash, have it diagnosed right away. It might be something minor that can wait, but it could also be the first sign of a bigger problem that you could nip in the bud, saving yourself a major hassle and price tag. Bottom line: Get any warning lights checked immediately; it can be the difference between a minor fix and major repair.
~4 Unusual noises: Listen up—Once a week, turn your phone off and radio down. Listen for any new or unusual noises. They might be challenging to discern at first, but over time, you’ll get used to how your vehicle sounds and will notice anything out of the ordinary. Bottom line: Familiarizing yourself with your car’s sounds will help you know when something is amiss, and you could prevent a small problem from becoming a big one.
~5 Tires: Make a full rotation—Rotating your tires extends their life and gives your auto technician a chance to check your brakes, struts, tie rods, etc. Bottom line: You’ll get better performance and more miles out of your tires. Plus, you could learn about potential maintenance needs before they become a problem.
~6 Peace-of-mind: Ask for a once-over—Finally, every so often, ask your auto technician to give your vehicle a thorough once-over (they’ll check things like your air filters, fluid levels, brake and fuel lines, exhaust system, and more). Bottom line: Most techs will let you know what needs to be addressed now and what can wait a while longer, so you get the peace-of-mind of knowing where things stand.
You don’t need to be a master technician—like my husband—to keep your car healthy. Smart maintenance means following a few simple tips.

FRIDAY!! FRIDAY!! FRIDAY!! FRIDAY!! FRIDAY!! FRIDAY!! FRIDAY!! FRIDAY!! FRIDAY!!

Check this out!!!

Slowly we are making progress next door!!  We got the office area carpet laid last week.  Looks GREAT!!!!

The office area before carpet...

And after carpet!!!

Spring Driving Tips!!

Spring driving safety tips -

Check your lights. Since spring rain hinders driving visibility, make sure all your lights work, including headlights, taillights, backup lights, turn signals, parking lights, and brake lights.

Replace your wiper blades. Worn-out wiper blades may not be up to the task of clearing water away from your windshield. Check your wiper blades and replace them if necessary (usually once a year).

Check your tire pressure. Harsh winter weather can deflate your tires. Make sure you have enough air in them once spring rolls around. (As a bonus, proper tire pressure can also help you increase your mpg.)

Slow down and drive carefully. The first few rainy days of spring can produce exceptionally slippery roads due to oil and other leaked fluids mixing with rainwater, so slow down and increase your stopping distance when it's raining.

Keep your eyes peeled for bad road conditions. Remember that harsh winter weather breeds potholes and other driving obstacles.

Watch out for animals. This is especially important during the early morning and evening when animals are most active.

Winter Driving Tips -

Winter Driving Tips --

• Always be cautious. Even a seemingly clear road can have ice. If you see the headlights or taillights of a car ahead of you reflect off the road, chances are it's ice.
• Make sure you turn on the engine and heater and scrape the snow from the car before setting out.
• Carry a set of jumper cables with you in case your battery dies. Most people will offer a jump but few people will actually carry the cables. Your chances of getting a jump-start increase 10-fold when you have your own cables.
• Test the road. When first starting out, briefly accelerate firmly, then firmly brake. This will give you a better feel for the road conditions. If you notice the road conditions change, repeat the process in a safe manner (at a stop sign or empty side street). Being aware of road conditions will help you make better driving decisions.
• Try not to have to stop completely, especially if on an incline.This means very gradual stops on snow and maintaining momentum before getting to a hill.
• Keep your gas tank full for 2 reasons: if you do get stuck somewhere and you're completely isolated for a period of time, you can use your car for warmth. It also prevents water condensation from forming in your gas tank. (some fuel additives are available on the market that "remove" the water mixed in your fuel.) Carrying a thick old blanket, coat or sleeping bag in the trunk is wise, too.
• Every time you approach a bridge or overpass - do your best just to coast over, without any acceleration or braking. Because air can travel underneath the road surface, as well as over it, any moisture on the road will freeze well before it would off of the road. As well, the shape of the bridge can increase wind velocities, cooling the road surface further and affecting handling.
• Unpacked snow in either the passing-lane, the shoulders, or in-between tire-tracks offer much better traction for steering or stopping than packed snow or ice in the right lane. Iced over lanes is a good place to be the meat in a metal-and-meat sandwich. Firmly grip the wheel, and slowly make your move to a safer place to drive.
• Carry a small plastic bucket with a good fitting lid full of a sand/ salt mixture in your trunk along with a small shovel. If you find yourself stuck and alone sometimes putting a little sand/salt mix under your tires can really help give you some traction and allow you to get yourself unstuck. Kitty litter also works but not quite as well.
• If there is a lot of slush between lanes, and you do have to change lanes - plan this ahead of time and do it at very low angle of approach, holding steering wheel steady. slush has a tendency to work almost as a suction strip that may cause sudden change of direction.