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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 2016)
local AUTO dealers | car CARE TIPS | MUCH MORE THE AUTO DEALER REVOLUTION CONTINUES FALL CAR CARE ✔ CHECKLIST We’ve all heard about the importance of winterizing your car. But when should you do so — and how? October is National Fall Car Care Month and offers the perfect opportunity for you to make sure your vehicle is ready to handle the snow, sleet and freezing temperatures to come. The following should be included in any “winterizing” package offered by your local repair shop, but you can also handle many of them yourself. Make a checklist to ensure you are covering all of your bases. BATTERY It is important totest your battery and charging system. A fully charged battery in good condition means you won’t be stuck with an engine that won’t start. DRIVE BELTS Inspect the underside of your drive belts for signs of wear. The American Automobile Association recommends replacing your belts every 60,000 miles. New 2016 Ford’s on the lot at the new location of Dane Gouge’s Astoria schedule to open this December. Left to right: 2016 Ford F-350, 2016 Ford Super Duty, 2016 Ford F-150, 2016 Frod Explorer and 2016 Ford Edge. While Paul Revere may not be available to make a The new location will include a large showroom and Revolutionary War style midnight ride to sound the cry, service center, with a separate building for auto detailing, the refrain “the new dealership is coming, the new car storage and parking on the remainder of the site. One dealership is coming” has been echoing around Dane of the biggest areas impacted will be the service side. The Gouge's Astoria Ford since it was announced in March new dealership will feature 17 service bays, up from the that a new state of the art facility is going to be current 8, and dedicated lanes just for oil changes so that constructed at 1809 Ensign Lane, right across from wait times will be minimized. Costco. The old location at 710 It has been a longer process W. Marine Drive has become THE NEW FACILITY, LOCATED ON than a single night to develop a challenge to maintain, and 6 ACRES OF PRIME REAL ESTATE, and construct the new Dane with limited space it doesn't Gouge’s Astoria Ford allow the opportunity for WILL ALLOW DANE GOUGE’S ASTORIA dealership. The facility, located expansion. Plus the new FORD TO PROVIDE THE BEST on 6 acres of prime real estate, location means that all four CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE. will allow Dane Gouge’s major auto dealers will be in Astoria Ford to provide the the same area. best customer experience possible in a location that will Gouge, who bought Astoria Ford in 2003, has been increase traffic flow 10 fold. working on this project since 2011 and is thrilled to see it “It is the retail area on the North Coast,” explained come to fruition. Gouge. “With Costco and Home Depot already there, and “It is very exciting to be able to own your own facility Walmart coming, the traffic thru the area is huge. Plus as opposed to rent,” said Gouge. “We will go from having there is room to expand. It provides great convenience for the worst auto dealership facility to the best facility.” the customer.” With the new Dane Gouge’s Astoria Ford location set The entrance to the new Dane Gouge’s Astoria Ford to be completed in December, the auto dealership location is across from the proposed exit for Wal-Mart. revolution on the North Coast continues. AVOIDING THE ENGINE HOSES Check your cooling system hoses for leaks or loose clamps. You can also feel and squeeze the hoses for brittleness or sponginess. TIRE PRESSURE Test your tire inflation pressure because falling temperatures in fall and winter may have lowered tire pressures. AIR FILTER The AAA recommends you check your car’s engine air filter by holding it up to a 60-watt light bulb. If light can be seen through much of the filter, it is still clean enough to work effectively. If the light is blocked, it is time to replace it. LIGHTS Properly working lights are crucial. Check the operation of all headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers and back-up lights. Replace any burned-out bulbs. WIPER BLADES HOLIDAY BREAKDOWN Every year, as tens of millions of travelers take the road for their holiday trips and vacations, at least one million people will be stranded. But many of them would be able to avoid these problems if they started planning in the fall. That figure is an estimation by the American Automobile Association, which is ready to deploy its assistance specialists to help with lockouts, battery replacements, jump starts, extricating vehicles from snow and towing cars for repair. Wiper blades should always be soft and pliable, but the best way to tell whether they need to be replaced is by using them. Your wipers are designed to clear the rain from your windshield so you can see safely. BRAKES Have your brakes checked and changed at the first indication of a problem, usually identified by a squeaking or grinding noise. BE PREPARED Drivers can avoid some roadside breakdowns by keeping their vehicles properly maintained. The AAA advises motorists to follow their recommended maintenance schedule and make sure their vehicle is ready for the holiday travel season. Have a certified technician check your vehicle’s fluid levels, lights, brakes, exhaust system and heater/defroster. you should continue to schedule regular services, including oil and filter changes, throughout the winter driving season at the intervals recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. COMMON ISSUES Every year during the holiday season, this is how AAA service calls are broken down: • Nearly 300,000 requests for help with a dead battery. • More than 80,000 failed batteries repaired on the spot. • Nearly 200,000 sets of keys retrieved from inside locked vehicles. • More than 166,000 tire changes. •About 21,000 vehicle extrications. EVERYTHING AUTO Service Directory BEING STRANDED The AAA projects its roadside technicians can fix the issues of more than three out of five stranded motorists and send them on their way. The remaining two travelers will still need a tow. Keeping you and your family safe while you’re stranded is important. This means pulling your car fully onto the shoulder of the road and keeping your hazard lights flashing. You could also benefit from having an emergency kit full of blankets, batteries, water, flashlights and other essential items to keep you safe and warm during long delays. AUTO SERVICE Mark’s Auto Service HUNTERS SPECIAL O IL C HANGE - ONLY $ 33 Includes 30 Point Inspection. Up To 5 Quarts Conventional Oil with Filter 503.738.4261 1570 Lewis & Clark Rd, Suite B, Seaside (Across from Clean Sweep Maintenance)
