tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34893830919935276282024-02-06T18:05:27.465-08:00The Dealership DecodedWhat really happens behind the doors at a car dealership? How much money do dealerships really make off their customers? What is a warranty anyway? How do I avoid being chased by car salesmen? If you've ever wanted the honest truth about the car business, you have come to the right spot. Welcome to The Dealership Decoded!Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-67750857575517611342014-03-24T06:32:00.003-07:002014-03-24T06:33:50.375-07:00How to tell if you need new tires <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://midtowntire.com/images/display/506/tires-atlanta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://midtowntire.com/images/display/506/tires-atlanta.jpg" height="158" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; line-height: 115%;">With pretty weather on the horizon and road trips coming up, this great article from "How Stuff Works" gives great info on how to tell when you need new tires. Keep your tires in great condition to better ensure your safety this Spring.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">"Just as your feet are sore
after a long walk, the <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">tires </a>on your car take a beating every time you drive.
This isn't a sign of bad driving --well, not usually -- but rather an
inevitable fact of life. Tires get old and worn down. And because a tire failure
while you're driving can be catastrophic, causing your car to go out of control
or leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere without any easy way to get
home, you want to<a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx"> know when your tires are in bad shape</a> so you can get new ones
before something goes wrong. Of course, if you <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">have a mechanic look at your carperiodically</a>, he or she will probably tell you if the tires need to be changed,
but there are several things you can do yourself short of a visit to <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">your localauto center</a> to make sure your tires are in good shape.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>#5: Tread Depth</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
tread on your tires should never fall below 1/16 of an inch (1.6 millimeters)
in depth. If you regularly drive on slick, wet surfaces, you'd be even better
off with twice that much. You can buy a gauge to measure the tread depth the
way the professionals do, but there's an old trick that will give you a rough
idea of how much tread depth you have left and it won't cost you more than a
penny. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15pt;">In
fact, it requires a penny. Take a Lincoln-head penny, the kind you find in your
change every day, and insert Abe's head (head-down) into the tread. If
Lincoln's entire head remains visible, you don't have enough tread. Take your
car into the mechanic and ask about getting a new set of tires.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: black;">#4: Tread Wear Indicator Bar</b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Newer tires have a
convenience that older tires lacked. They have tread wear indicator bars built
into the tires themselves. These bars, invisible or barely visible when the
tires are new, gradually begin to appear as the tread wears down. They appear
as flat rubber bars running perpendicular to the direction of the tread itself.
If more than one or two of these are visible on a tire, the tread is getting
low. This should be particularly obvious in the wet tracks that your tires
leave after you drive through a puddle. Use the penny test described on the
previous page to double check the depth, but if the bars are starting to appear
on any or all of your tires, it's once again time to <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">check with your mechanicor local tire dealer</a> to see about getting your current tires replaced.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>#3: Cracks in the Sidewall</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Not all problems with the
tires are going to be in the tread. They can also appear in the sidewall.
Fortunately, it's easy to do a visual check of sidewall problems. Look for
tracks or cuts in the sidewall -- grooves that are distinct enough to be
visible to the naked eye. This could be a sign that your tire is developing a
leak (or worse, that it's nearly ready to blow out). This is definitely
something you want to avoid. So if the cracks in the sidewall are starting to
look serious, <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">get that car to a repair shop</a> at the next opportunity and start
talking about getting them replaced. Better safe than sorry, as they say.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>#2: Bulges and Blisters on
the Tire</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sometimes the outer
surface of the tire begins to weaken. The result can be a bulge or blister that
extends outward from the rest of the surface. This is similar to an aneurysm in
one of your blood vessels and you know that if your doctor tells you that you
have an aneurysm, you'd better get to the hospital as quickly as you can before
you blow out an artery. It's the same with your tire. This weak spot can cause
a sudden blow out, and if you don't put the car in the hospital (or service
center, as the case may be) before this happens, it may end up putting you in
the hospital when the tire blows out on the freeway. So keep your eye on those
tire bulges and blisters.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>#1: Too Much Vibration</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A certain amount of vibration
is inevitable when driving, especially on poorly paved roads, but if you've
been driving for a while, you probably know how much vibration feels right and
how much means that something's going wrong. There can be any of a number of
causes for the vibration -- maybe your<a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx"> tires are misaligned or unbalanced</a>, or
your<a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx"> shock absorbers</a> are starting to go. But it could also indicate that
there's some sort of internal problem in the tire itself. Even if the tire
isn't the root cause of the vibration, the vibration could damage the tire and
pretty soon you'll have a problem. So if your car has a bad case of the
shimmy-shimmy shakes, especially if you notice this when you aren't driving on
bad roads, <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">take it to the mechanic right away to have it checked out</a>. Too much
vibration is almost always a sign that something is wrong."</span></span></div>
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Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-18176428948112257412014-01-28T10:57:00.004-08:002014-01-28T10:58:31.872-08:00Four Wheel Drive vs. All Wheel Drive -- What's the Difference?<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="background-color: black;">Well it's snowing like crazy here in Greeneville, and it got us to thinking "What would people want to know about driving in weather like this?" When you're on ice, it really doesn't matter what you are driving because ice is ice. Once you are goin', there's not much that can help. But in the snow, having an all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle can be very useful. Below is an explanation from onthesnow.com about what the differences are between the two options. Stay safe out there, friends!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">One of the biggest differences between all-wheel-drive vehicles and four-wheel-drive vehicles is in who decides when all four wheels get power. With all-wheel-drives, electronic sensors play this role; with four-wheel-drives, it's the driver who throws a lever or flips a switch to give power to all four wheels.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">AWD is always "on," meaning that the electronic sensors can send power to all four wheels anytime they decide it's necessary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">4WD is engaged manually, and usually has a high range for highway speeds, and a low range for driving off-road or in heavy snow.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Both systems work well in slippery conditions. Indeed, both are superb, especially when compared to the performance of rear-wheel-drdive vehicles on snow or ice. AWD may have the edge for suburban drivers who don't face snow and ice very often; 4WD may have the edge in places where winter comes early, stays long, and is fairly harsh. Both systems affect gas mileage because they add weight to the vehicles, and both mean more wear and tear on tires.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">With AWD, cars are generally designed for luxury and style as much as for rugged performance, ranging from the Subaru Impreza at the low end to the Bentley Continental and Lamborghini Murecielago at the high end. With 4WD, cars tend to be more utilitarian; think Jeep and<a href="http://www.gatewaydeal.com/"> Ford Explorer.</a></span></span></div>
Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-48165609940401005792014-01-20T11:21:00.001-08:002014-01-20T11:21:43.412-08:00Liquid Gold and How to Not Waste It<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc5555; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Paying too much at the pump is no fun. Unfortunately, when gas prices skyrocket, there is little that we can do about it.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">So what’s a driver to do? Obviously, an increase of even 25 cents
a gallon, while significant, is probably not high enough to justify trading in
Old Betsy on a new economy car unless you drive more than a couple of hundred
miles a week. Odds are that any <a href="http://www.gatewaydeal.com/">new car</a> you choose will require a cash outlay
that’s considerably higher than the increased costs for fuel you are currently
experiencing. It can take a long time to amortize the cost of the new vehicle
in fuel savings. Besides, it probably isn’t necessary to buy a new vehicle just
to get better gas mileage. Most of the gains associated with good fuel economy
happen because of driving habits and vehicle condition. In fact, just driving a
little more conservatively and giving your vehicle a tune-up can decrease fuel
consumption by as much as 50 percent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If you already drive with a light pedal foot and have a vehicle in
a good state of tune, don’t fret, there are plenty of other ways to lower your
driving costs. For starters, follow the tips below. Each is a sure-fired money
saver.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Make sure your vehicle
is in a good state of tune.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">If it’s
been more than a year since you’ve had your car in the shop for <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">generalmaintenance</a>, now’s the time to take it in and have it checked to make sure the
engine is running efficiently and economically. An engine tune up can improve
fuel economy by an average of one mile per gallon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Keep the tires properly
inflated.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The air
pressure in your tires has a big impact on fuel economy. Check the tire
pressure weekly. The correct tire pressures for your vehicle are posted in the
glove box, on the inside of the gas fill cover, or on the driver’s side door
post (depending on vehicle). Keep a tire pressure gauge in the vehicle; they
cost only a couple of dollars and are available at any auto parts store. Check
tire pressures when they are cold (when the vehicle has not been driven for at
least three hours or when it has been driven two miles or less). Having just
one tire under inflated by only a few pounds can affect fuel economy by as much
as 5 percent and severely shorten tread life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Avoid jackrabbit
starts.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Being
quick off the line may be fun, but it is hard on the vehicle and costs you in
fuel economy. A quick takeoff from a dead stop consumes almost 50 percent more
fuel as a gradual pull away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Watch your speed.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The higher the speed, the more fuel your car uses. Slow down and
save on fuel. Driving at 55 mph instead of 65 mph, for example, can increase
fuel economy by about two miles per gallon. Pacing your driving can also help.
Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns and stops in heavy traffic decrease fuel
economy by about two miles per gallon. Increase your following distance, and
drive steadily. On long trips use the cruise control to maintain steady speed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Avoid excessive idling.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Letting the car warm up in the driveway or idling at the curb
while the spouse runs into the store uses more fuel than you might think. Even
idling at long traffic lights costs you in fuel economy. An idling engine can
consume up to a gallon of gasoline an hour. Don’t let the vehicle idle longer
than a minute; it wastes more gas than you’ll use in restarting the engine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Plan your trips
carefully.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Don’t
make a bunch of short trips to run errands. Instead, tally up the errands you
need to run, plotting the most efficient route on a map. Then make one trip.
Combining trips can increase overall fuel economy by as much as 10 percent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Lighten the load.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Why haul extra weight? Emptying your trunk or cargo area of
unneeded items decrease fuel use by as much as 5 percent a week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Turn off the air
conditioner.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Using the
air conditioner in stop and go traffic can increase fuel consumption by as much
as 20 percent under certain conditions. Instead, use the flow-through ventilation
system and open the windows. At highway speeds, however, the increased drag
caused by the open windows can actually increase fuel consumption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Keep luggage off the
roof.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Unless
absolute necessary, carry luggage in the trunk or cargo storage area. A full
roof rack can increase fuel usage by as much as five percent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Pump it yourself.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Filling up at the self-service pump can save you 25 cents a gallon
over the cost of fuel at the full-service pump.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Burn regular instead of
premium.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Most
vehicles get the same fuel mileage on unleaded gasoline as they do on premium.
Check the owner’s manual to see what grade fuel your vehicle requires. Buying
regular grade fuel instead of premium can save you as much as 35 cents a gallon
(depending upon area).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Take the bus.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Taking the bus to and from work generally costs less than the cost
of operating a vehicle, though it may take a little longer to get where you are
going.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Carpool.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Starting or joining a carpool can cut your fuel costs by as much
as 50 percent and it is a great way to make new friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Use pedal power.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Bicycling instead of driving whenever possible will save you wear
and tear on the car and reduce the amount of gasoline you use. You’ll also
improve your physical condition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Use your feet.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Instead of driving from store to store when you run errands, park
in a central location and walk to the places you have to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <b>Use your fingers.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Why drive when you can stay home? Use the telephone for
comparison-shopping and the computer to buy everyday items, such as groceries,
online.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">·</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tele-commute.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you have a computer at home,
consider tele-commuting a couple of days a week instead of driving to work.
You’ll save gas, time, wear-and-tear on the vehicle, be more relaxed and
probably more productive.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Article from <a href="http://www.icarumba.com/cobrands/contentmodules/resourcecenter/articles/icar_resourcecenter_articles_dontbefuelish.asp">iCarumba</a></div>
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Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-26896888113126900792014-01-14T14:02:00.002-08:002014-01-14T14:02:18.938-08:00It's amazing how many people don't know how to do this......<img src="http://www.buzzle.com/img/articleImages/355989-044-49.jpg" /><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 633px;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">In the world of
automotive emergencies, motorists need to learn certain procedures for
"safety's sake." Two of the most valuable lessons, changing a tire
and hooking up jumper cables are best learned before an emergency arises,
according to the Car Care Council.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
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The process of boosting a battery is especially important in cold weather.
Jumper cables or cables on a portable battery booster should be connected
properly to avoid sparks, which can cause an explosion of the hydrogen gas
emitting from a battery. Beyond this, an incorrect hook up can damage
critical, and expensive, electronic components.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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The procedure is simple:<br />
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Connect the positive (+) clamp to the positive terminal of the healthy
battery and the other positive clamp to the corresponding terminal of the
dead battery.<br />
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Next, the negative (-), or ground, terminal on the good battery and,
finally, the negative clamp to the engine block, frame or other grounded
metal as far as possible from the battery. You want to avoid sparks in the
vicinity of the explosive hydrogen gas that emits from the battery. Do not
connect it to the ground terminal (negative).<br />
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When using a portable battery booster, the process is much the same.<br />
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Connect the positive clamp of the booster cable to the positive clamp of
the dead battery. Then connect the negative cable to the engine block or
other grounded metal away from the battery.<br />
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The Council offers an additional suggestion: if you are buying jumper
cables or a portable battery booster, buy the best quality you can afford.
Look for well-insulated clamps and 8-gauge wire. (Note: the lower the wire
gauge number, the heavier the gauge.) Under the heavy electrical load of
boost starting, lightweight cables may not be able to deliver enough
current to start some engines. In fact, they have been known to melt in the
user's hand.<br />
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If your battery is three-years old or older and you haven't <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">had it checked</a>,
it's a good preventive measure to do so, suggests the Council. A battery's
power is reduced as the temperature drops. And that's when the engine's
starting demands are greatest.<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Come by <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">Gateway Ford Lincoln Mazda</a>'s Quicklane to get your battery tested and ready for winter!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Article from <a href="http://www.tuffy.com/car-care-tips/connecting-jumper-cables-2.html">Tuffy</a>.</span></div>
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Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-88993705070154812702014-01-13T10:52:00.001-08:002014-01-13T10:52:32.849-08:00Do All Dealers Pay the Same Price for New Cars?? Lennie weighs in.....<div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; min-height: 1em; padding: 0px; position: static !important;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">I have been asked this question a lot in my career---and the answer is Yes, most of the time. A long time ago, a group of powerful automotive executives got together (illegally of course) and made several big decisions that shaped the pricing model for new vehicles ever since. They decided that all dealers, regardless who they were, where they were located or how many vehicles they purchased at a time, would pay the same price for cars. So dealer "A", whose store was 1 mile from the factory paid the same freight bill as dealer "B", who was hundreds of miles away. I know what you're thinking--that is stupid! Right? It may be stupid, but it has worked, and it leveled the playing field for all dealers, regardless where they were located.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Many business folks cannot understand the fact that there are no "volume discounts" for dealers who sell 1000 cars vs. dealers who sell 100. Again, it has worked and it enabled small town dealers to survive in competition with the big dealers in major metro markets. But there is a caveat...there are volume sales incentives available to dealers whose volume exceeds established goals or objectives. They are called "Stair-step" bonuses, and they are designed to incentivize dealers to order more cars and increase their "Through-put" (inventory turn, or simply "Sales"). That's one way you could end up paying less for a car at one dealer than the other, all other factors being equal. The only problem is that you, as the consumer, have no idea who has hit the stairstep level and who has not! The fact remains that Auto dealer margins are miniscule compared to other durable and non-durable goods. Who knows, maybe all this discounting and back-and-forth negotiations will go the way of the Vega and the Pinto. It sure would make things easier for everyone involved.</span></div>
Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-66230803528546281952013-12-10T08:29:00.001-08:002013-12-10T08:29:05.095-08:00A Gateway Christmas<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">We wanted to post some of our Christmas </span><span style="color: lime;">decorations! We have decked out a 1966 Volkswagen</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> Bus in Gateway's </span><a href="http://www.gatewaydeal.com/" style="color: #cc0000;">showroom</a><span style="color: #cc0000;">, and it is loaded with </span><span style="color: lime;">gifts and ready to head to Grandma's house! Hope</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> everyone is making the best of this rainy day!</span></span></b><br />
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Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-46153209381898996892013-10-31T06:21:00.002-07:002013-12-10T08:29:49.809-08:00Things to Remember When Driving on Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: orange;">Help protect trick-or-treaters by following these driving safety tips on Halloween, or on the night your community hosts Halloween activities. Be especially careful between 4 and 8 p.m., when most severe vehicle/young pedestrian collisions happen.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Humanist777BT-RomanB, Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3em; line-height: 1.4615384615384615; padding: 0px 0px 1.5384615384615385em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Humanist777BT-BoldB, Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Drive slowly, and don't pass stopped vehicles.</span> The driver might be dropping off children.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Humanist777BT-RomanB, Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3em; line-height: 1.4615384615384615; padding: 0px 0px 1.5384615384615385em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Humanist777BT-BoldB, Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Park your mobile phone.</span> Avoid distractions by waiting until you've stopped to call, text, or surf. </span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Humanist777BT-RomanB, Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3em; line-height: 1.4615384615384615; padding: 0px 0px 1.5384615384615385em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Humanist777BT-BoldB, Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Watch for children darting into the street.</span> Kids can cross the street anywhere, and most young pedestrian deaths happen at spots other than intersections.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Humanist777BT-RomanB, Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3em; line-height: 1.4615384615384615; padding: 0px 0px 1.5384615384615385em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Humanist777BT-BoldB, Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Yield to young pedestrians.</span> Children might not stop, either because they don't see your vehicle approaching or don't know how to safely cross the street.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Humanist777BT-RomanB, Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 1.3em; line-height: 1.4615384615384615; padding: 0px 0px 1.5384615384615385em; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Humanist777BT-BoldB, Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Communicate with other drivers.</span> Always use your turn signals. And if you have to pull over to drop off or pick up your kids, turn on your hazard lights.</span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: xx-small;">From Progressive Insurance's website</span></div>
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Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-66077850919626862612013-10-29T08:28:00.000-07:002013-12-10T08:31:01.062-08:00How to Not Ruin Your Holiday Celebrations with a Car Accident <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">This is a great article to read in preparation of the upcoming season! Stay safe out there folks!</span></strong></div>
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<em><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Sure, it's lovely out -- but be aware of the dangers of driving in autumn's quick-changing conditions</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">By Nigel Knowlton, from iCARumba</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">When most drivers think of fall driving, they conjure up a near-idyllic driving experience complete with colorful fall foliage, empty highways and clear, cool days. Many fall days indeed live up to this classic description, but those picture-perfect days have a way of changing quickly during autumn. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Fall weather is often unpredictable and driving conditions can change from perfect to miserable within minutes. Additionally, during fall decreased daylight brought on by a return to Standard Time from Daylight Savings Time means that many of us will be commuting to and from work in darkness. Instead of being one of the better times of the year for driving, fall is actually one of the more treacherous times of the year to be on the highway. Vigilance is required if safety is to be maintained -- and the first place to start is in the driveway, before you hit the road.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Before starting on any trip, it is always a good idea to give your vehicle <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/Service.aspx">a pre-drive inspection</a>. Make sure the <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/Service.aspx">tires</a> are properly inflated and show plenty of tread, check to see all lights and turn indicators are working properly and make sure the engine has the correct fluid levels.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If you park your car outside, you’ve probably noticed that a warm body entering a cold car interior causes the windows to fog up. Clear all windows before you leave the driveway by running the defroster on high or wiping off the glass. Clean windows are essential for safety; even a small, fogged quarter window can severely limit visibility, especially when backing out into the street. Fog also tends to form on the exterior mirrors, so wipe those off while the other windows are clearing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Once out on the highway, it is imperative to pay attention to weather and road conditions. Frosty patches, fog, black ice, rain, hail, sleet and falling leaves all present hazards to the unwary. Here’s a checklist of fall driving hazards:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>Bridges freeze first – </strong>During fall and winter months, bridges can be very dangerous. Because they are exposed to weather on both top and bottom, they will freeze over before the rest of the road, and you may not be able to tell until it is too late. Use caution when transiting from the pavement to a bridge surface by steering smoothly, staying off the throttle and braking gingerly.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>Frost – </strong>When Jack Frost visits your living room window the effect can be magical. When he visits a shady patch of highway around a blind corner, the effects are often deadly. Use caution if your driving route takes you over bridges, down tree-lined streets, or anywhere else shadows cross dew-laden highways.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>Black ice – </strong>It’s called black ice because it is invisible, as the black pavement underneath shows through and looks as dry as the rest of the road. Black ice usually forms below overpasses, on bridges, in shaded areas and where there is water running across the pavement. Because black ice in invisible, it is exceptionally dangerous and a driver who has been driving on clear pavement will be caught unaware. If you live in an area where frost occurs, black ice is always a possibility. Use extreme caution when driving on cold mornings where there is evidence of frozen moisture on the roadway.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>Rain – </strong>Fall rainstorms often tend to be sudden and heavy. Early fall storms are the worst from a driving perspective because highways that have a summer’s worth of oil and rubber buildup from traffic become extremely slick when suddenly soaked. It usually takes a couple of really good downpours to wash this buildup away and in the interim the roadway is especially hazardous. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>Hydroplaning -- </strong>Hydroplaning happens when excessive water buildup on the highway causes a vehicle to "float" on a layer of water. It occurs because the water buildup on the road is greater than the amount of water the tread channels can clear at a given moment. Usually, the hydroplaning lasts only a second or two as the vehicle is passing through a shallow puddle, but during heavy downpours the condition can be endemic. Because a hydroplaning vehicle has no direct contact with the road surface, it is difficult to impossible to steer and brake. In such conditions, slow down and avoid sudden movements of the wheel and quick stabs of the brake that can make your vehicle spin out of control. If you feel a floating feeling while driving on wet roads, steer straight and gently back off the throttle until you feel the tires make contact with road surface. In an especially heavy downpour, pull off the road and wait it out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>Fog -- </strong>Usually found in low places or areas surrounded by trees, hills or mountains, fog is statistically the single most dangerous condition a driver can encounter. It can severely limit visibility and change your perception of distance. When encountering fog, even just a small foggy patch in a hollow, slow down. There may be a stalled or slow vehicle hidden behind that wall of white. It is also smart to turn on your headlamps (low beam) or fog lamps to increase your visibility and your chances of being seen by other motorists. Most accidents happen in fog because the driver was going too fast for conditions and rear-ended the vehicle ahead. Slow down to a crawl if necessary, keep your lights on and use extreme caution. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><strong>Leaves – </strong>As the fall season progresses, deciduous trees lose leaves that end up covering residential streets and country roads. While it is fun to blast through those colored leaves layering the highway, bear in mind that leaves can be slippery, especially when wet. Hard acceleration or braking, and sudden turns should be avoided when running over a pile of leaves, as they can lead to skidding. Additionally, like water, leaves often accumulate in low places. There may be a dip, pothole or other road hazard hiding under those leaves covering the roadway.</span></div>
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<em><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Nigel Knowlton has been writing on automotive topics for more than 20 years.</span></em></div>
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<em><b><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So stay safe out there friends! Also, look out for those little trick-or-treaters this week!</span></b></em></div>
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<b><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">If the unforeseen occurs and you do get in an accident, give us a call at <a href="https://plus.google.com/108445462385917135532/about?gl=us&hl=en">Lawson Collision Repair Center </a>for your body related repairs. Call Bryan at 423-783-7955 for your free estimate!</span></b></div>
Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0Greeneville, TN, USA36.1631574 -82.83098610000001836.0606139 -82.992347600000016 36.265700900000006 -82.66962460000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-37767203047226785472013-10-28T12:28:00.002-07:002013-10-28T12:28:46.085-07:00Blow up or blow out<span style="background-color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><span style="color: white;">Good gracious folks! Check the air in your tires!!!!! Do you not understand? Your <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/Parts.aspx">tires</a> are the only connection your car has to the road. Would you try to ski on a pair of two-by-fours? Would you try to play tennis with a baseball bat? Whatever contacts the road is the most important thing...everything else comes second. Your tires will lose 2-3 PSI (pounds per square inch) every month (unless they are filled with pure nitrogen--which I highly recommend). If you have a small leak, they lose even more. After 2 months, your <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/Parts.aspx">tires</a> start to wear out prematurely. After 4 months, you lose a considerable amount of control of your car--steering, brakes and power transfer is diminished. Heat build-up and excessive contact makes the car handle poorly, reducing your ability to avoid an accident. Need I say more....OK, just a little more. A <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/Parts.aspx">new set of tires</a> can cost from $700-1500. Keeping up with tire pressure and rotations can add YEARS to the life of your set. One of my favorite sayings: the only thing common about common sense is that it ain't very common. Now you have no excuse!! Go my friend, Share the wealth and educate someone you love about Air in the tires. </span></span>Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-89420219975364285632013-10-15T09:02:00.001-07:002013-10-15T09:02:28.309-07:00Autumn-izing your Car <span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The leaves are about to fall, and the football games are already on. Winter is just around the corner (yikes!) so it's a good idea to remember some tips for driving in these changing weather conditions. This great article by Peter duPre highlights some things to remember for the upcoming season. </span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br />"Shorter fall days and cooler weather may have brought relief from summer heat but they are also a signal that it is time for some extra driving caution. As we go through fall and head into winter, the days will get shorter yet, and many of us will start and end our commutes in total darkness. Visibility in the dark is never all that good, and when you throw in an autumn rain, sleet or snow storm, it can drop to almost nothing. </span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">All of which means that autumn requires a change in your driving habits. Follow these tips for safer driving this fall:</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>School's in session -- </b>With the fall semester in full swing, children are out on the streets earlier than during the summer. Some almost never look for traffic and have a bad habit of bolting out from between parked cars. Keep your eyes peeled and slow down. School zones have reduced speed limits and most police won't allow any speed leeway in these areas.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>Allow more travel time -- </b>You should always drive slower when it is dark and visibility is reduced. That means your traveling time is increased, especially during inclement weather. Leave a few minutes earlier in the morning and increase your following distance by about a second. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>Inclement weather -- </b>Indian summers, clear skies and cooler weather may lull you into a false sense of security but fall weather conditions can change abruptly. Thunder storms, sleet, hail and even snow are not that unusual. Roads covered with a summer's worth of grease become slick when wet or covered with early morning frost, so anticipate those conditions.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>Check the lights -- </b>In Sweden, Norway and Canada, where fall driving conditions are similar to much of the U.S., there are mandatory-lights laws -- and not coincidentally, a lower accident rate. See and be seen. Drive with your headlamps on, even if it's not dark. Before starting out on any trip, walk around the car and make sure your taillights, parking lights, stop lights, directionals, emergency flashers and headlights are all working properly. Have your mechanic aim and adjust your headlights. New cars are equipped with bright-burning halogen headlights that increase visibility. If you own an older vehicle with standard sealed-beam headlamps, consider converting to halogen lamps. The cost is more than offset by improved visibility and safety.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>Change the wiper blades -- </b>Safety experts say wiper blades should be changed every 5,000 to 6,000 miles, or twice a year. Most of us don't change the blades even once a year. Check front and rear wipers. Examine the rubber; it should be flexible, without any missing chunks and should clear the glass without leaving any streaks. If the blades aren't performing perfectly, replace them.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>Check the brakes and tires -- </b>If tires and brakes aren't in good condition, you won't be able to stop on slick roadways. Tires should have plenty of tread on them; if the wear bars are showing, it's time for new rubber. Most <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">tire and brake shops</a> will inspect your tires and brakes for free. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>Heater and defroster check -- </b>Fogged-up windows limit visibility and are a safety hazard. Make sure both front and rear defrosters are working properly. Front blower hoses sometimes get knocked off the defroster vents and the electric wire in the rear defogger can break. Most auto parts stores sell special kits to repair these breaks. While you are at it, have your heating system inspected. A cold car is uncomfortable, and a distraction to safe driving.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>Look under the hood -- </b>Don't get stranded in the dark. Have your mechanic check the condition of the coolant, belts and hoses. Get the chassis lubed, air filter replaced, oil and filter changed and battery inspected. A little work now can save a big towing bill later. You can make an appointment for a fall vehicle inspection right now with our <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">Quicklane</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>Wash and wax -- </b>A vehicle's first line of defense against the elements is a good wash and wax job to protect the metal surfaces from pitting and corroding, and keeps your car looking its best. Get rid of that summer grime and apply a thick coat of protective wax.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><b>Relax -- </b>This may seem like a lot to get done before the Monday morning commute, but it really adds up to just a few minutes for the self-inspection, and to make an appointment with your shop if needed. For safety sake, check lights first, then do the tires, brakes, and wiper blades. And in general, simply begin your day 10 minutes earlier, have that second cup of coffee (decaf, please!) and start your commute in a relaxed a state as possible -- good advice at any time of year."</span></li>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> By Peter D. duPre (<i style="font-family: verdana, arial, geneva; font-size: small;">Peter du Pre is<a href="http://www.icarumba.com/cobrands/contentmodules/resourcecenter/articles/icar_resourcecenter_articles_readyautumn.asp"> iCARumba</a> content editor.)</i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: verdana, arial, geneva; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"> Article from www.iCARumba.com </span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">So enjoy the tailgating, the football games, the falling leaves, and time spent with family. Remember to visit us at <a href="http://www.gatewaydeal.com/">Gateway Ford Lincoln Mazda</a> in Greeneville for all of your <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/Johnson-City-Knoxville/For-Sale/New/">new</a> and <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/Johnson-City-Knoxville/For-Sale/Used/">pre-owned</a> car shopping needs. Also, stop by our <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/Napa-Auto-Care/">Napa Auto Care Center </a>or <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/ExpressLube.aspx">Quicklane</a> for your vehicle servicing needs!</span></div>
Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-52042370494860803002013-10-08T13:26:00.000-07:002013-10-08T13:27:19.137-07:00Counting Idiots <span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;"> We've all been there. Some idiot pulls out in front of you, doesn't know how to use the median correctly, goes 20 in a 40 zone, or weaves in an out of traffic with blatant disregard to other drivers. Your blood starts to boil. Steam starts coming out of your ears. Your hands instinctively reach for the horn or attempt to expose a particular finger to the road terrorist that is ruining your commute. </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;"> It is unfortunate that in those instances, while you are yelling and blessing out the offender, you only look like an idiot yourself, screaming and losing your temper and possibly putting your own life in danger. Maybe times like those call for taking the scenic route instead. Copied below is a great article by Leonard Holmes about what he recommends you do in those moments of blind rage. Instead of screaming and cursing the other driver, write him off as an idiot and carry on. Herewith, Mr. Holmes' tips.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"Reports of road rage incidents are becoming more common as commutes become longer and highways become more congested. My own commute of 45 minutes to work each way can be stressful. I’ve reduced the stress that I experience in at least three ways:</b></span></span></span></span><br />
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<li style="font-style: inherit; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;">I carpool one day a week.</b></span></li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;">I listen to audiobooks (from audible.com and other sources).</b></span></li>
<li style="font-style: inherit; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit;"><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;">I count idiots.</b></span></li>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;">This article will focus on the third technique, since not much has been written about it.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;">I’m sure that you’ve encountered drivers whose driving puts others at risk. Drivers who tailgate or who speed and weave in and out of lanes are examples of this. Road rage sometimes gets out-of-hand when other drivers react to this behavior. I’ve worked with clients who have followed discourteous drivers to their destination and started a fist fight with them.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;"><a href="http://mentalhealth.about.com/cs/selfhelp/a/angermgmt603.htm" style="cursor: pointer; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Cognitive techniques for managing anger</a> and other emotions usually includes modifying one’s expectations of others. If I have the expectation that “Everyone should drive defensively” then I am likely to get upset when I encounter drivers who don’t drive defensively. If I can soften my expectation, then my reaction will also soften. A more reasonable expectation might be along the lines of "It’s good to drive defensively, but I know that there are some idiots out there."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;">This is where "counting idiots" comes in. If you have a problem with road rage, try this technique when you drive:</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Remind yourself of the expectation "It’s good to drive defensively, but I know that there are some idiots out there."</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Keep a running count in your head of how many idiots you encounter on that trip.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Once you’ve labeled a driver as an idiot (along the lines of “There goes idiot number four.”) switch gears mentally and focus on the road ahead, the book you are listening to, the radio, or your passenger.</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;">Labeling can be a powerful tool. Once we’ve labeled a thought we are no longer thinking it. We have stepped back a step. <a href="http://mentalhealth.about.com/cs/selfhelp/a/lettinggo.htm" style="cursor: pointer; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It’s much easier to let go at that point and to focus on other things.</a> Try this simple but powerful technique to make your commute less stressful."</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;">Stay safe out there, friends. Remember there are idiots everywhere, but that doesn't mean they have to ruin your commute. </b></span></div>
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Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-32316694416101282832013-10-01T14:40:00.003-07:002013-10-01T14:40:38.185-07:00Let's Take This Baby for a Spin<div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; min-height: 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"> Since <a href="http://www.gatewaydeal.com/">buying a car</a> is an expensive proposition and you live with that decision for at least a couple years, it is important to start right. That includes doing a proper evaluation of the car with a thorough feature review and a complete test-drive: Here is a list of things to check:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">1. Interior comfort: is the vehicle easy to get in and out of (front and back doors)? Do you bump into anything? Do the seat controls allow you to get comfortable? Is there a lumbar support? Is it adequate? Can you easily reach the pedals and still maintain a safe distance from the steering wheel (and air bag)? Sit in all seats--are they all comfortable?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">2. Storage space: will the cupholders hold what you want them to hold? If you haul around a lot of stuff, will your stuff fit? is there room to store the items you use (in the console, glovebox, etc.)? What about storage for golf clubs, strollers, pet carriers, etc? Remember, it's easier to buy the right car than it is to change your habits!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">3. Touch everything: are the materials on the dash, door panels and seats of high quality or cheap and flimsy? Does the console and charging ports work for your personal electronics habits? Turn the radio knobs or try out the touch screens--are you going to like the way they work?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">4. Take a test drive: go to a shopping center parking lot and park among other cars. When you try to get out, can you easily see oncoming cars? How are the blind spots? Are the mirrors adequate? If the vehicle has a back-up camera, check it for clarity and scope. Does it have a wide field of view and reference marks for showing approximate distances to objects? Make a u-turn. Is the turning radius acceptable? Accelerate hard and brake hard--make sure the <a href="http://gatewayfordlincolnmercury.com/Service.aspx">engine</a> power and the stopping power are acceptable to you and your family. Ride over hard bumps and speed breakers to see how well the vehicle absorbs impacts to the suspension. Get up to highway speeds to check for road and wind noise with the radio OFF. Then listen to the sound system to insure it meets your standards. Finally, check the lighting system (inside and outside the car). If you don't like orange, red or blue gauges, now is the time to find out. And headlights vary from car to car--test them at night to make sure they work for you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I realize that is a lot of things to check, but it is really only a partial list. The key is not to get in such a hurry that you skip important steps and abandon all reasoning ability due to your excitement. It has happened to all of us, but now that you know, you have no more excuses for buying the wrong car even if the price is great.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Call us at <a href="http://www.gatewaydeal.com/">Gateway Ford</a> to schedule a test drive and see what you think about what Ford, Lincoln, and Mazda have to offer!</span></span></div>
Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-10386097683389566352013-10-01T14:27:00.003-07:002013-10-01T14:28:47.976-07:00Protect Your Bed--- And Not from Bedbugs, Either<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Since so many people still buy <a href="http://www.gatewaydeal.com/">pick-up trucks</a>, the market for some form of bed protection is hot--plastic bed-liners, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GreeneCountyCustoms">spray-in liners</a> and bed mats are the choices. Some people don't care about scratching up a bed, but I'm not one of those people. We sold a new F150 to a man a few weeks ago and the first thing he did was unload a huge piece of metal (a rear end assembly) and slid it into the bed of his new truck. As the rusty metal ground into that freshly painted, pristine bed floor, I thought I was going to throw up! He just said "well @#*&, that won't be the last scratch it gits". I have no doubt about that. I used to be a plastic bed liner fan--simple installation and less than $150.00, but stuff tends to slide around too much on the slick plastic surface and moisture builds up between the liner and the bed. Bed mats are great but they don't protect the sides. <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/GreeneCountyCustoms">Spray-in liners are the way to go</a></b>. All spray-in liners are not equal. We have been very happy with the Toff installations we have seen. They are affordable and look and feel like they should. We just started spraying our own liners at my dealership, with the material coming from Ford. We did our research, received the required training and began spraying liners in October 2010. The key, just like in painting cars, is in the preparation. Prepare the surface right, and the product will outlast the truck. Do it wrong, and eventually you will be seeing black flakes of bedliner flying out of your bed. Is that a form of littering? I hope this helps all you truckers out there! We all have to stick together to protect our truck beds.....it's the American thing to do.</span></span>Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-23558818774243686342013-10-01T14:25:00.001-07:002013-10-01T14:29:17.131-07:00Backing Up a Trailer Doesn't Take a Genius<div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; min-height: 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">I can chew gum and walk at the same time. I can juggle three tennis balls. I used to be able to stand on my head, but now I pass out. But it took some practice to learn how to back up with a trailer attached to my truck. The shorter the trailer, the harder it was. Physics experts understand that stuff, but I sucked at Physics. The good news is that I am now an expert at backing a trailer and I was just a high "B" student in school. Here are the secrets:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">1. Make sure the trailer is properly attached to your truck (very basic, I know)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">2. Decide which way you want the trailer to go</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">3. Turn the steering wheel the opposite way you want the trailer to go and start to back up (slowly)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">4. Watch the trailer......as it starts to turn towards your target it is time to go against human nature......now turn the wheel in the same direction you want the trailer to go as you continue to back up (slowly). This is where most people screw up: they wait too long to turn in the same direction or they do it too soon and the trailer straightens up, causing you to miss your target and look like a fool to friends and family.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">That is really all there is to it. There are plenty of bent<a href="https://www.facebook.com/GreeneCountyCustoms"> trailer hitches</a>, trailer tongues and tailgates that could have been saved if the owners had just had this valuable advice from the guru before they tried to back up a trailer. Now they have no excuse.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: #cccccc;">Check out our great deals on all<a href="http://www.gatewaydeal.com/"> truck</a>, Jeep, and car accessories over at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GreeneCountyCustoms">Greene County Customs</a>!</span></div>
Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3489383091993527628.post-43947634239195282132013-10-01T11:01:00.001-07:002013-10-01T15:13:43.081-07:00Technician Terminology<b style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #eeeeee;">A friend just informed me that she watched one of my videos and I used a term she was unfamiliar with (I call it Tech-talk), but she is right. "Car Guys" and technicians use terminology that customers don't always understand. When it comes to communicating with a service advisor or technician, it helps when you speak the same language. Examples:</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: black;">Tech-talk: you have a "soft pedal"</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: black;">Consumer: my brake pedal vibrates or pulsates!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: black;">Tech-talk: you are getting "feedback" through the pedal</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: black;">Consumer: You guys have a crappy service department!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: black;">Tech-talk: Customer has a bad attitude.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: black;">That last one is a joke, but my main point is this. If an advisor, salesperson, mechanic...anybody uses terminology you don't understand. Politely tell them to stop and rephrase in terminology you do understand. A good, simple description (in laymans terms) of a mechanical problem is OK, but it should always be followed up with a test drive to insure that the technician is solving the issue you want solved. Also, keep in mind that some car issues, that may seem to be a problem, are actually a characteristic of that vehicle. But if the symptom is new and never occurred before, don't let the tech person pass it off as a "characteristic". If you have been driving your vehicle for months or years, you know when something isn't right--so trust your instincts. Finally, if the shop won't listen to you, go somewhere else. If they treat you like an idiot, take your money elsewhere. I guarantee there is someone out there who wants your business and will work hard to make you happy--which includes communicating with you on any level you need them to.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: black;">Read more at <a href="http://www.mycarguru.org/">My Car Guru</a> and visit The Guru at <a href="http://www.gatewaydeal.com/">Gateway Ford Lincoln Mazda</a> in Greeneville, Tennessee!</b></span></div>
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Gateway Dealhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15789765456665982683noreply@blogger.com0