The Salt of the Earth

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Sugar and I took a little trip to the car wash this weekend. (So did everyone else in Utah Valley!)  After a couple of afternoon tries, only to discover that the lines were horrendous everywhere we went, we finally gave up and made it a midnight rendezvous. (I’m lucky I live next door to a car wash!)  Sugar was pretty filthy from a winter’s worth of driving me just being too busy (lazy) to care for her properly.  Still, as I watched weeks of salt a grime slide right off, I felt a little guilty.  You hear it all the time: “Salt eats car paint!” And I suppose I hoped it was just a car wash marketing racket or an old wives’ tale like your eyes sticking “like that” when you crossed them too much as a kid.   But I’ve done my homework lately and discovered that while it’s a huge factor in road safety (like decreasing the number of auto accidents by about 80% in winter conditions), salt really is sort of a monster to your paint job.  

Here are four easy ways to prevent any permanent damage to your car during these long, salty, winter months:

1. An Ounce of Prevention…

… is worth a pound of cure.  One of the best things you can do to protect your car from rust and other road salt damage is to give it a good wax in the late fall before the snow starts to fall.  Waxing helps prevent the road salt from corroding the paint.  You should also have a sealant applied to the undercarriage of the car.  This part of your car is bombarded with road salt all winter long and things like brake lines are very susceptible to rust damage.  So next Thanksgiving add “wax the car” to your to-do list!  

2. Weekly Washing

Really?  Every week?  Yep. If you are in an area where rock salt is used to keep the roads safe (and we are!), even if it is mixed with sand, you need to wash your car every 7 to 10 days regardless of the weather.  I’m totally guilty of the old, “but it’s just going to snow again tomorrow” excuse!   That’s how I wound up going a few weeks without tidying Sugar up. But  really, I should wash her again directly following any heavy snowstorms.  This routine will remove the salt residue from the car before it can cause any damage.  Make sure you are thoroughly washing the underside of the car or using a car wash that includes this service.  For best results, try and wash your car when the temperature is above 40 degrees (that’s not always very practical around here, so find a good car wash with a drying cycle).  After you wash the car, open all doors, hatches, and trunks and allow them to dry or dry them by hand to keep them from freezing shut.     

3. It’s Not Just About the Paint

Even though that obvious, crusty, white coating is cringe-worthy, make sure to clean out snow and ice that has become compacted into wheel wells and under or against the fenders, too.  These areas are very susceptible to rust damage and leaving snow and ice filled with road salt increases the likelihood of damage.  Wheel wells packed with snow can also impact the way the car handles and make braking, turning, and maneuvering difficult.  I make a regular habit of kicking the daylights of that snow-pack.  I’m pretty sure my neighbors think I’m strange, but it’s weirdly satisfying.

4. An Inside Job

The outside of the car isn’t the only part that can be affected by road salt.  Every time you step in the car with snowy shoes you are bring salt and dirt with you.  You wouldn’t leave snow and salt all over the carpet in your house, would you? No way.  Make it a habit to vacuum the carpets in your car every time you wash it to prevent long term damage to the carpet and interior of the car. 

Pretty easy, right?  If you want something even easier, let Ken Garff Honda of Orem handle the car washing for you!  Their super sweet Advantage Care plans include car washes, oil changes, and tire rotations!

Good Sense and GarffCare

by Andrea Harris

Photo Credit: marshallbatteries.com.au

Can I tell you a secret?  I haven’t always driven a Honda.  I know, I know.... the HORROR!  But it’s true. So before my carefree Honda days, I sometimes had a little trouble getting from point A to B without incident. Like the time I was bee-bopping up the freeway at normal Utah fast lane speeds... You know, somewhere between the posted limit and what hopefully won’t get you a ticket... and my car began to shudder like I was having a personal earthquake. I managed to white knuckle it to safety, but there really wasn’t much of a shoulder.  I didn’t dare get out of the car because I was so close to oncoming traffic in the right lane.  So I sat there, hoping my car wasn’t about to explode.  I didn’t see or smell any smoke, so I figured I was safe for the moment.  

Then, I started making phone calls.  First, I called my mom.  You should always call your mom and freak her out but good when you’re stranded on the side of the freeway.  Moms REALLY love that.  Of course she told me to call a tow truck and then suggested maybe my dad should just come and rescue me.  I didn’t think my car was drivable... but I also didn’t to be stuck with potentially-terrifying-tow-truck-guy all alone.  (I might have been feeling a little panicky and vulnerable at the moment.)  We hashed it out for a few minutes before deciding to send my dad immediately and THEN call for a tow truck.  Better safe than sorry, right?  What I wouldn’t have given at that moment to just have someone I knew who could come deal with it all. Fix the car, give me ride home...

Maybe someone like these guys: http://www.kengarffhondaoforem.com/garffcare.htm

That’s right. GarffCare.  BEST. IDEA. EVER.  

So, when only a few short months later, my non-Honda and I parted ways and got my first Accord, Luna,  I knew that if I was ever stranded again, my Ken Garff guys were only a phone call away!  

I also knew that I needed to be a more emergency prepared driver.  I felt totally helpless because I hadn’t really ever planned on anything bad happening to me. Foolish me!   Even with GarffCare, there are a few common sense tips every driver should follow, especially as we head into summer vacation time:

Move to Safety

Never get out of the vehicle to make a repair or examine damage on a busy highway. Get the vehicle to a safe, out-of-the-way spot, and then get out of the car. If you've been in an accident, motion for the other driver to do the same.

If you have a tire blowout or a flat, good roadside safety calls for moving your vehicle to a safer place out of harm's way before attempting a repair, even if it means destroying the wheel. The cost of a new tire, rim or wheel is well worth it when it means ensuring your safety.  That was totally true for me!  My tire, riddled with nail holes, had stripped off the rim. But my safety was way more important than worrying about the cost of a new wheel.  

Call for Help

If your car won't run or if it's so badly damaged that it can't be driven, stay in the vehicle and use a cell phone to call for help. Don't stand outside the vehicle in the flow of traffic.

If you break down in a dangerous area, call the police and stay in your car with the doors locked until help arrives.

Be Prepared

This is where I really let myself down. Carry flags, flares or reflective triangles in your vehicle so you can mark your location in the event of an emergency, even during the day. Remember to turn on your hazard lights so that other drivers have advanced warning of a problem ahead.

Be sure to always carry roadside safety kits for emergencies. Your kit should include:

• Jumper cables
• Canned instant tire inflator
• Heavy-duty rope
• Gloves and warm blanket for winter breakdowns
• First aid kit

NOW, I know what to do and I always have a small crate in my trunk with all the essentials. I additionally carry water and warm socks for the wide variety of weather Utah can sometimes dish out!   I also have GarffCare... and between the two, it’ll be easy to travel safely this summer! Happy road tripping, everyone!

Photo Credit: lightboxcollaborative.com

Welcome to the Honda Family: The New Car Clinic

Every two months, at Ken Garff Honda of Orem, every customer that has purchased a brand-new or like-new Honda is invited to The New Car Clinic.  The New Car Clinic is hosted by the Service Department and held in the Service Drive.

I spotted rows and rows of folding chairs when I arrived for the evening meeting.  I was handed a packet of information, as well as a notepad and a pencil for jotting down information.  Every customer who came was provided a catered dinner,  and families were welcome.  One ticket per family was entered into a drawing to win a 40" TV.

Ed Pasqule. the Service Manager, opened the evening, by introducing his team.  Then different team members took the time to walk all of these new customers different aspects of the service department and made sure they knew how to take care of their cars.

Kyle, a service writer, was first and began by saying, "How many of you just bought your first Honda?"  Several hands went up and he smiled and said, "Welcome to the family--the Honda family and the Ken Garff family."

Then he talked about Honda of Orem's amenities which include:

• Express Service for fast services with no appointment necessary.  
• Oil Change with hand car wash
• Air in your tires
• Tire rotations
• State Emissions
• Flat Tire repair
• Waiting Area
• fruit basket
• popcorn
• soda machine
• coffee and hot cocoa maker
• TV's
• Child's play area w/ movies
• Shuttle Service, so you can drop off your car and get back to work.

Matt, in parts, talked about the importance of not losing your key (in each key is a transponder chip that "talks" to the computer in your car allowing it to start), parts you can buy to protect your car (think trunk tray and floor mats) and why you should buy a Honda battery (not only is it cheaper than the after market replacements, Honda gives you a 100 month warranty).  Matt also mentioned that by clicking on "Parts" on the Honda of Orem web page, you're instantly connected to coupons for parts you may need.

Scott, one of the service managers, talked about the Garff Care program with it's free roadside assistance along the Wastach front, free jump, free gas rescue and free I-locked-my-keys-in-my-car rescue.  He also talked about the Maintenance Minders and how Hondas now average 5000 miles between oil changes. 

Scott also talked about how Honda built their seat belts to be able to keep carseats locked in and how Ken Garff cares for the community with their Keys to Success and Road to Success programs.  Ken Garff also supports military with a discount on service--just show your military ID.  

After all that, they opened it up for a question and answer session with Scott and Ed answering any questions customers had.  Then, finally, the drawing for the TV, with one lucky customer getting to take that TV home. 

Not only does she own a brand-new Honda, she's also got a giant TV!

Meanwhile, beautiful dessert trays had been brought out, and customers selected desserts and asked any further questions of the service team.  One customer had been having trouble syncing her blue tooth with her phone and a service tech headed out the door with her to help her get that connected right then.

The Package Deal

When my husband and I first bought a car from Ken Garff Honda of Orem, one of the first things we did is cancel our AAA membership.  Although, AAA provides a number of different services and benefits, we'd used it largely for roadside assistance.  Thanks to a special Ken Garff program, that assistance was no longer needed.

The program has morphed a bit over the years, but the spectacular service remains the same.  It's called GarffCare and let me tell you, the Garff's know how to care.

When you purchase a car at any Ken Garff dealership you get the GarffCare package as part of the deal.  It's an automatic add-on with no costs or paperwork.  GarffCare provides free towing to any Ken Garff location running from Odgen to Spanish Fork and also in the Park City Area.

They also provide roadside assistance including jumping a dead battery, unlocking your vehicle if you left your keys inside, and installing a spare tire for you if you have a flat.  In fact, they'll even bring you 2-3 gallons of gas if you've run out.  Something, that I'm embarrassed to admit that I've done.  And really, it's no body's fault but my own, still, they'll come right out to save the day!

The GarffCare program insures that you can get on-the-spot car registration, saving you a trip annually. They also provide a patch-and-go service for a flat tire repair at no charge.  Just imagine, you've got a flat tire.  Calling 1-877-222-5887 connects you to a tow truck who changes your tire for you. Then you drive to the nearest dealership and they patch your flat and get you back on the road. The total cost?  $0.  Nothing!  Nil.  Zip.  Zilch.  Nada.  It's just the Garff way of thanking you for your business.

And to sweeten the deal... every service you get at the dealership service department, even if it's just an oil change or tire patching, you get a GarffClean--an executive wash and vacuum every visit.