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Spring...
Spring
Wapakoneta Daily News & The Evening Leader
Friday, March 20, 2015
CAR CARE
on the Road
Spring
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2015
CAR
CARE
A SPECIAL SECTION from
Evening
The
LEADER
Safely navigate
wet roadways
REFINANCE YOUR AUTO LOAN FROM ANOTHER
LENDER WITH US, AND RECEIVE $200* CASH BACK.
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DAILY NEWS
pring showers certainly may bring flower
laters on, but they also contribute to challenging driving conditions. Early spring
weather can be fickle, vacillating between dry, wet
and even icy conditions. Drivers need to remain on
their toes to safely traverse roadways near and far.
YOU DO THE DRIVING,
WE'LL HANDLE THE SAVINGS.
*Terms & Conditions Apply. Loan must be funded by March 31, 2015.
S
&
W A P A K O N E T A
SEE WET ROADS, PG 2
Main Office
1511 N Main St
Lima, OH 45801
419-223-5886
Shawnee Office
3800 S Dixie Hwy
Lima, OH 45806
419-224-2941
Spring
Wapakoneta Daily News & The Evening Leader
Friday, March 20, 2015
CAR CARE
BUY
WET ROADS FROM PG 1
4 GET
7O
$
via MasterCard® Reward Card after submission*
when you buy a set of four new BFGoodrich®
passenger or light truck tires.
(Excludes BFGoodrich® Advantage T/A®, Radial T/A®, Traction T/A®
and Winter Slalom® KSI tires, which qualify for $50 Reward Card.)
Offer valid March 16 – April 12, 2015.
Miller Brothers
Tire Service Inc
Hours of Operation:
of OperationSAT
M-F 8-5:30
SAT 8-12
SUN CLOSED
OUR SVS.
M-FHours8-5:30
8-12
SUN
CLOSED
INCLUDE:
ALIGNMENT-BRAKES-SHOCKS&STRUTS-COMPLETE
ON
OUR
SERVICES
INCLUDE:
ROAD & IN THE FIELD SVCS, CUSTOM WHEELS
ALIGNMENT-BRAKES-SHOCKS
& STRUTS COMPLETE ON ROAD & IN THE FIELD SVCS,
CUSTOM WHEELS
2
366 S. MAIN ST. UNIOPOLIS,OH
419-568-4693LIMA
366 S. MAIN ST. UNIOPOLIS,OH
419-738-8424WAPAKONETA
QUALITY
LIMA
PRODUCTS &419-568-4693
SERVICE SINCE 1954
419-738-8424 WAPAKONETA QUALITY
PRODUCTS & SERVICE SINCE 1954
www.millerbrostire.com
www.millerbrostire.com
* See redemption form for qualifying tires eligible for either the $50 or $70 Reward Card offer. Offer expires
* See
redemption
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eitherbethe
$50 orwith
$70additional
Reward funds,
Card offer.
04/12/2015.
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Cardforcannot
reloaded
nor canOffer
it beexpires
04/12/2015. Void where prohibited. The Reward Card cannot be reloaded with additional funds, nor can it be
used at an ATM. Reward Card expires 6 months after issuance. For complete terms, conditions and fees, see the
used at an ATM. Reward Card expires 6 months after issuance. For complete terms, conditions and fees, see the
Cardholder Agreement
Reward
CardCard
issuedissued
by U.S.byBank
Association
pursuantpursuant
Cardholder
Agreementininyour
yourcard
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Copyright ©
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rightsreserved.
reserved.
International Incorporated.
Incorporated. Copyright
Wet roadways and poor driving conditions contribute
to thousands of road accidents each and every year. As
roads get wet, oil and other substances rise to the surface
of the pavement, which can quickly become slippery and
compromise the traction offered by tires. According to the
United States Department of Transportation, there are
around 707,000 automobile crashes each year due to rain.
Heavy rains also may lead to puddles, which can obscure hazards on the roadway. Cars may stall out in puddles or hydroplane, which occurs when cars coast along
the surface of the water. Puddles also can be splashed by
oncoming cars, leading to visibility issues.
It is in every driver’s best interest to use caution when
driving on wet roads. The following tips can help prevent
accidents, injuries and even fatalities during the rainy
season.
• Slow down. Drivers should drive slower when roads
are wet and when rain compromises visibility. It can take
up to three times longer to stop on a wet road than a dry
one. By slowing down you will be able to stop or veer out
of the way of danger.
• Leave room. When driving on wet roads, leave more
room between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
Again, this plays into stopping distance. Tailgating
increases your risk of rear-ending a vehicle if you cannot
stop in time on a wet roadway.
• Stay alert. It can be easy to be lulled into complacency
while driving. But staying alert and conscious of every detail going on around you can reduce your risk of accident
when driving in less than ideal conditions.
• Skip cruise control. As a driver, you want to remain in
control of acceleration and speed, rather than leaving it up
to the cruise control system. If you begin to hydroplane on
cruise control, the car may actually speed up.
• Use your headlights. Headlights can light up the
road in front of you, helping illuminate potential hazards.
Lights on a car also make your vehicle more visible to others on the road. Always turn on the headlights in inclement weather.
• Avoid jerky movements. Keep a steady pace and the
vehicle in control. Jerking the wheel or accelerating and
braking in a erratic fashion can cause the vehicle to spin
out or skid on wet roads.
• Check your tires. Inspect your tires for tread wear
and air pressure. Tires should be rotated as part of routine
maintenance. Poorly performing tires are a significant
safety risk. If you live in an area known for a lot of rain,
invest in tires designed for wet road conditions.
Don’t let wet weather get the best of you. Slow down,
stay visible and be on the alert.
3
Spring
Wapakoneta Daily News & The Evening Leader
Friday, March 20, 2015
CAR CARE
Small engines may
have big futures
The move is on to produce
more fuel-efficient automobiles. Although alternative
fuels have garnered significant publicity in recent years,
some automakers are simply
shrinking the standard car
engine.
Automakers have been
producing three-cylinder
engines for some time, but
are just now starting to reveal
such engines to the public.
While these types of engines
have traditionally been associated with lawn mowers,
mopeds and snowmobiles, a
handful of cars are now being
equipped with three-cylinder
engines to increase fuel efficiency.
While three-cylinder
engines have had the unfortunate stereotype of being puny
next to vehicles touting more
under the hood, experts say
that advances in engine technology have made it possible
for three-cylinder engines
to produce more power with
less. Ford, Nissan and BMW
are just some of the automakers experimenting with
three-cylinder engines while
also promoting other innovations to boost efficiency.
SEE BIG FUTURES, PG 7
For All Your
Automotive Needs!
Everything in Automotive
Parts & Equipment
Axalta Coating Systems
1950 Haveman Rd.
1257 Bellefontaine Ave.
Celina, Ohio
Wapakoneta, Ohio
419-586-3777
419-738-0474
Spring
Wapakoneta Daily News & The Evening Leader
Friday, March 20, 2015
CAR CARE
4
Successfully
plan your
escape
M
illions of
travelers
take to the
roads, rails and sky in the
days surrounding major
holidays. While a large
percentage of people
travel miles and miles to
visit with friends and family members these times
of year, others use days off
from school and work as
prime times for vacations.
Holiday excursions can
be exciting, but they may
require some extra planning and patience. Larger
crowds at airports and
more cars on the roads
can make holiday-timed
travel challenging. Make
these trips memorable by
reducing travel-related
stressors.
RESEARCH THOROUGHLY
Study your travel op-
tions to determine the
best way to get from point
A to point B. Weigh the
cost of your trip as well as
the time involved in traveling. Driving may seem
like a good idea if you
don’t want to stretch your
budget, but it may eat up
too much of your vacation
time if you’re traveling
long distances.
If you will be flying,
learn the airline baggage
restrictions and the security measures in place at
your departing airports.
This makes navigating the
airport that much easier.
Planning well in advance also enables you to
get the best prices possible. A study by CheapAir.
com found that those who
booked tickets for domestic travel 49 days prior to
departure saved the most
money.
No Appointment Needed
OVER 165,000
Vehicles Serviced
PENNZOIL
FULL SERVICE
LUBE & upOIL
CHANGE
to 5 qts.
36
$
.45 + tax
DEVELOP A CONTINGENCY
PLAN
Even the best laid
plans can go awry. Know
what to do in the event
a particular rest stop or
scenic spot along the way
is closed or if travel plans
get delayed or rerouted.
Certain travel apps provide real-time updates
on delays or provide gate
numbers prior to arriving at the airport. Other
apps indicate which gas
stations have the lowest
prices or which rest stops
offer the cleanest bathrooms.
TAKE YOUR CAR IN FOR A
TUNE-UP
Drivers should make
sure their vehicles are in
good working condition
prior to departure. More
cars are on the roads
Get ready for spring! We install Rain-X Wiper Blades
PACK LIGHT
Ship gifts or keepsakes
ahead of time so you do
not have much to lug
through airport terminals
or rail stations. If you
must take gifts with you,
wait until you arrive at
your destination before
wrapping them, as this
makes items easier to
inspect.
If you’re going on vacation instead of just a weekSEE ESCAPE, PG 7
Pro Shop Car Wash
Touchless Car Wash
Tri-Color Foam For Extra Protection
Gift Certificates
Also available...
complete car detailing
starting at
(most cars)
during holidays, and that
means a greater potential
for stop-and-go traffic,
which can put added
stress on the vehicle.
Make sure your tires are
properly inflated and in
good condition to avoid
flats or blowouts, which
can delay your trip.
24/7
$ 00
5
NO coupon
needed!
5900
$
1925 Celina Rd., St. Marys
419-394-3180 • 419-953-7230
5
Spring
Wapakoneta Daily News & The Evening Leader
Friday, March 20, 2015
CAR CARE
Great apps
drivers can use
S
martphones are
a convenient tool
that few people
can now imagine living
without. Smartphonetoting moms and dads
know they always have
a camera on hand to
take quick snaps of their
youngsters, while foodies
rely on their smartphones
to find nearby restaurants
or read reviews of eateries
while out on the town.
But drivers also can benefit from smartphones
thanks to the following
apps.
• Waze: Commuters
who download Waze
to their smartphones
may wonder how they
ever navigated their
daily treks to the office
without this useful app,
which allows drivers to
share real-time traffic
and road information
with their fellow motorists. Drivers can use
Waze to save time and
gas money and make
their commutes less
stressful. Drivers who use
Waze can actively report
accidents and find the
least expensive gas prices
posted by fellow drivers
in their community.
• GasBuddy: While
fuel prices dipped in late
2014 and stayed low into
2015, today’s drivers
are still conditioned to
find the most affordable
gas prices around. The
GasBuddy app makes it
easy to do just that, as users can share gas prices in
their community, which
fellow drivers can then
peruse to find the most
affordable filling stations along their driving
routes. Drivers can even
enter their city, ZIP code
or postal code to find
the cheapest gas in their
vicinity.
• AAA Mobile: AAA
SEE APPS, PG 7
KERNS CHEVY-BUICK-GMC
IS NOW IN THE
ALIGNMENT BUSINESS!
(419) 678-4530
1-800-441-0826
Kerns Chevrolet Buick GMC $
ALIGNMENT CHECK
9.99
Check steering, suspension and shocks. Check toe-in, camber and caster (where applicable).
Check tie-rods and ball joints. Check tire pressure and inspect tires for cuts, damage, and
uneven wear. This exclusive offer not valid for insurance work, warranty, other offers or service
specials. Plus tax. Present offer at time of service.
KERNS
421 N. Eastern Ave.
St. Henry, OH 45883
Joe Bruggeman • Owner
CHEVROLET BUICK GMS
218 W. Walnut St., Celina, OH
Contact: Kerns Chevrolet Buick GMC Service Team
419-586-2385 • www.kernschevy.com
Service Hours: Mon. 8-7 • Tues.-Fri. 8-5 • Sat. & Sun. Closed
Sale Hours: Mon. & Wed. 8-8 • Tues.-Fri. 9-6 • Sat. 9-3 • Sun. Closed
“Specializing in Truck Accessories
& Collision Repair”
Spring
CAR CARE
Wapakoneta Daily News & The Evening Leader
Friday, March 20, 2015
…a tire is
about to go flat
F
RABLE’S AUTO
SERVICE, INC.
COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR
1610 Celina Road St. Marys, OH 45885
419-394-1624
In Business Since 1993
6
ew drivers will be fortunate enough to go their
entire driving lives without encountering at least
one flat tire. Flat tires range from the inconvenient flats, which may interrupt a road trip or make drivers late for work or an appointment, to more dangerous
blowouts, which can compromise the safety of drivers,
their passengers and anyone else on the road when the
tire gives out.
But as inconvenient or dangerous as flats or blowouts
can be, they also can be prevented more often than not.
Tires often produce warning signs that a flat or blowout
is about to emerge, so drivers who want to avoid such
unfortunate developments can inspect their tires for the
following signs.
• Varying wear: Tires should exhibit the same type of
wear. The wear on front tires and back tires may differ,
but one front tire should have the same amount of wear
as the other and the same goes for the back tires. Uneven
tread on tires indicates that the tire with more wear could
be about to go out.
• Worn tread: Even drivers who know little about cars
can typically recognize when tire tread has worn down to
the point where the tire is a safety risk. But drivers who
are unsure can employ the quarter test. Insert a quarter
into the tread of the tire, with George Washington’s head
upright. If you can see the hairline of the United States’
first president, then you need to replace the tire. Perform
this test on each of your vehicle’s four tires.
• Low pressure: Drivers who do not routinely check
their tire pressure are more likely to endure a flat or blowout than those who regularly make sure their tires are at
the manufacturer-recommended pressure, which can be
found in a vehicle owner’s manual or by calling the tire
manufacturer or visiting their website. An underinflated
tire is under stress that can cause the tire to blowout.
In addition, poorly inflated tires force engines to work
harder, which negatively affects a car’s fuel efficiency.
• Vibration: A car that vibrates excessively may do so
because tires are damaged. Poor suspension is another
cause of excessive vibration. Whatever is behind a car
that is vibrating, drivers should immediately take the car
to their mechanic for an inspection.
• Physical damage to the tire: Sometimes tires exhibit
physical damage like bulges or cuts, and such signs could
mean a flat tire or blowout is just around the corner. Tires
SEE WARNING SIGNS, PG 7
7
Spring
Wapakoneta Daily News & The Evening Leader
Friday, March 20, 2015
BIG FUTURES FROM PG 3
Streamlined aerodynamics, carbon fiber and improved
horsepower can change public perceptions of cars with
engines that have fewer cylinders.
In addition to requiring less fuel, three-cylinder engines take up less space in engine compartments, freeing
up more room for interior passenger space. This can create more space in traditionally compact vehicles. Smaller
engines can improve safety because there is less risk that
the engine will penetrate the interior in a front-end collision.
While some three-cylinder vehicles have lackluster
responses with acceleration and road performance, others offer comparable horsepower to some larger engines.
According to the automotive website Jalopnik, many
modern three-cylinder engines offer power comparable
to that offered by V8 engines in the 1970s.
The three-cylinder offerings may be concentrated to a
few brands right now, but the advantages of these smaller
engines may make them more prevalent in the years to
come.
APPS FROM PG 5
members can use the AAA Mobile app to access AAA
services on their smartphones. Such services include trip
planning, member discounts and roadside assistance.
The app also includes a mobile version of the motor
club’s popular TripTik® Travel Planner, which makes it
easy for smartphone users to find club-approved hotels,
restaurants and attractions. Drivers can even create and
share trip itineraries between their desktop and mobile
devices.
• Insurance: Nearly every auto insurance provider
now offers its own mobile app to policy holders. Such
apps may allow drivers to pay their bills, view their
insurance identification cards, peruse their policies,
arrange for roadside assistance and report claims among
other things. These apps put your auto insurance provider at your fingertips and can make it much easier to
manage your policy.
CAR CARE
ESCAPE FROM PG 4
end getaway, you will probably return home with more
items than you brought because of gifts or souvenirs. Pack
an extra tote bag or an empty carry-on suitcase where you
can store extra items accumulated on the trip. Otherwise,
see if these things can be shipped home. It may be cheaper
to ship items than to pay airline baggage fees.
TRAVEL OFF-PEAK
It’s often quicker and less stressful to travel during
off-peak hours when roads and airports are less crowded.
Off-peak hours include overnight, early morning or late
evening. Red-eye flights or off-peak travel times also may
be less expensive.
Travelers looking to avoid crowded roadways or
airports may also want to avoid especially popular travel
days, such as the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Leave
a few days before a major holiday or arrive a few days after
to avoid the crowds.
TRAVEL WITH YOUR OWN SNACKS
Failure to eat or drink can do more than lead to hunger
pangs and dehydration. It can make the body sluggish and
may affect your ability to deal with minor (or major) irritations. Pack nutritious snacks and take breaks to refuel
your body.
REMEMBER YOUR DESTINATION
If you find holiday travel stressful, focus on the comforting thought that once you get to your destination you
can kick back and relax. Do not overbook your trip and
leave yourself time to unwind and decompress.
WARNING SIGNS FROM PG 6
that exhibit such physical damage need to be replaced
immediately.
Flat tires and blowouts can prove both scary and
inconvenient. Drivers who want to avoid such problems
should routinely inspect their tires for indicators that a
flat or blowout is likely to occur.
*Some restrictions apply. Coupon expires 6/30/15
Spring
Wapakoneta Daily News & The Evening Leader
Friday, March 20, 2015
CAR CARE
8
Why a clean air filter is important
M
otorists
routinely
check their
tires for proper inflation,
top off engine fluid levels
and maintain oil change
schedules. But some drivers do not understand the
importance of keeping
engine air filters clean.
Engine air filters are
a relatively inexpensive
vehicle part, but they
perform a very important
job. For every gallon of
gas a car burns, it uses
the equivalent of 12,000
gallons of air, and that air
must be filtered to help
keep an engine clean.
Air filters catch all of
the dust, grime, insects,
sap, leaves, and any other
debris that may get sucked
up past the air intake of the
vehicle’s grill and into the
engine itself. Without the
air filter, those contaminants may compromise the
engine, causing corrosion
and abrasion.
If the air filter
in the engine
becomes too
dirty and is not
changed regularly, the engine
is starved of air.
Clean air
filters allow
just the right
ratio of air to
fuel to enable
the engine to
function propPhoto
erly. Engines
provided
need adequate
air for the
combustion process to
take place. Without the
proper combustion levels,
vehicles cannot perform
properly or efficiently and
the engine may burn more
gas or get fewer miles to
the gallon. A dirty filter
also can rob an engine of
power. Drivers may notice
sluggish acceleration.
Air filters also can get
Air filters need to be changed regularly to maintain the right
flow of air into the engine and to protect the engine from
debris.
so dirty that the engine
stalls completely. But such
a problem only develops
after considerable neglect.
Air filters may not need
to be replaced at each and
every oil change service
call. Many technicians advise replacing the filter every 8,000 miles. However,
drivers who live in particularly dry and dusty regions
may need to replace filters
more frequently.
Mechanics can often
detect when an air filter
needs to be replaced. If
he or she notices the air
filter is particularly dirty,
then it’s probably time
to replace it. Replacing
the filter is a relatively
inexpensive repair for the
amount of performance
and peace of mind a new
filter provides.
sive driver. Drivers with
hectic schedules tend to be
more aggressive when behind the wheel. According
to the California Energy
Commission’s Consumer
Energy Center, driving 55
miles per hour instead of
75 miles per hour can reduce fuel costs by as much
as 75 percent.
• Remove unnecessary
weight. A car trunk might
seem like a great place to
keep your golf clubs, and it
may be tempting to leave
that roof rack on top of
your car. That forces the
car to consume more fuel.
Unless your immediate
plans include hitting the
links or hunkering down at
a nearby campsite, remove
unnecessary weight from
the car so your next trip
to the gas station is less
expensive.
The cost of fuel can
make trips to the filling
station into costly excursions. But drivers willing
to reconsider conventional
wisdom and change their
driving habits can save
substantial amounts of
money over time.
Simple ways to save at the pump
M
any drivers
are unable to
drive less, as
commitments to work and
family require them to get
behind the wheel more often than they might prefer.
Such drivers may be looking for ways to reduce their
fuel costs, and fortunately
there are several ways to do
just that.
• Reconsider your
choice of fuel. Many of
today’s auto manufacturers
now design their vehicles
so they can run smoothly
on regular unleaded gas,
which is typically listed
as “87 octane” at filling
stations. Many engines are
designed to run smoothly
and efficient on low-octane
fuel, meaning it’s unnecessary to choose premium
gas, even if you only do so
once in a blue moon.
• Buy when the time is
right. Prices at filling stations fluctuate on a daily
basis, so unless your car is
running on empty, avoid
filling up when the prices
seem especially high.
• Become a less aggres-