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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)