Wrapping up the Chicago Auto Show

Detailing your vehicle for the Summer in Oswego, IL

• Wash the Undercarriage of your vehicle- Although our winter has not been too terrible this year, we all have accumulated salt on the undercarriage of our vehicles. It is a great idea to wash that out.  This will keep our vehicles running smoothly. Salt can cause rust and corrosion to our vehicle.  According to DMV.org, the main places that are affected by salt are:  the exhaust system, our Muffler, the Coil springs, sub-frame and Hydraulic brake system.

• Check your tire pressure- Making sure that your tires are aired up is essential to the upkeep of your vehicle. Remember that heat expands and cold deflates our tires.  So when it is hot, make sure that your PSI is 3-5 lower, and in the winter it should be 3-5 PSI higher.

• Check your fluids- make sure your windshield wiper fluid gets refilled immediately. The salt over the winter has depleted our fluids in our vehicle.   Also make sure that you check your brake fluid.  The winter takes a toll on our vehicles, and it is a good practice to check it when the weather gets nice.  Also take a look at your engine oil, coolant and the power steering fluid.

• Empty everything out of your vehicle-Over the winter, we accumulate a lot of trash, and extra stuff in our vehicles. We have extra clothes, ice scrapers, umbrellas, blankets, etc.   Take 5 minutes to empty everything out so you can have your vehicle detailed. Also add a small bag or trash can, so you can prevent the trash pile up in the future.

• Have your car detailed! We have a great detailer at AutoSmart.  He will hand wash your vehicle, remove contaminates from paint, recondition the paint, apply wax, clean and polish your wheels, clean the wheel wells, and clean the door and trunk jams.  The interior of your vehicle, and the mats and carpets, will be completely shampooed and deep cleaned. The seats will be treated, everything vacuumed, all vinyl protected and the glass will be cleaned.

Get rid of that dust and grime and give us a call for your detail appointment today! You will be blown away by how great your vehicle looks, it will look brand new!

AutoSmart, Inc.
39E Stone Hill Rd.
Oswego, IL 60543
630-554-2285
www.autosmartnetwork.com

Stop Stone Chips and Scratches On Your New Vehicle!

At AutoSmart, we use XPEL Ultimate, which is the best self-healing protection film on the market. XPEL protection films offer a wide selection of films to protect your vehicle from paint damage.

This film sheds contaminants like no other film. It combines the clarity of a clear film with the defense of an elastomeric polymer that self heals.  The film protects your vehicle from rocks, bug acids, salt, oils, gravel, tree sap, bird droppings and magnesium chloride.

The film will heal quickly and will continue to do so over time as long as scratches don’t penetrate the film. The average time for a scratch to heal is about an hour, but if the temperature is warmer the healing time will accelerate.

There are many kits for each vehicle. Whether you want a rocker panel or your whole vehicle covered, XPEL has a kit for your needs.

If you’re interested in vehicle paint protection, call AutoSmart for a quote. Our staff will discuss your options, go over any questions or concerns you may have, and schedule your appointment.

After your XPEL Ultimate Film is installed, wait 48 hours before washing it. After that setting time, any normal car soap can be used to wash it. However, in order to prolong the life of your film, we suggest regularly washing, waxing and sealing the vehicle. Unlike other films you can wax and seal your vehicle without causing any damage to this film.

XPEL is so confident that its product is the best paint protection film on the market that it comes with a 10 year warranty. This warranty covers peeling, cracking, yellowing, hazing and staining. If any of these occurs on the vehicle, XPEL will reimburse both the film and labor costs.

For more information, go to www.AutoSmartNetwork.com or call our office at (630) 554-2285.

In case of emergency, what do I put in an Auto Survival Kit?

The key to surviving an emergency is preparation.  You may not have been a Boy Scout, but that does not mean you are at the mercy of fate.  While watching episodes of Bear Grylls may give you some entertaining comfort, it is unlikely he will be there to hold your hand.  Imagine yourself on a trip to an unfamiliar location.  The car dies, or you’ve slipped into a ditch.  You pull out your cell phone and the battery is dead or there is no coverage.  When things start going wrong, the items we take for granted tend to fail us.  Having a simple plan allows us to adapt and move forward.  Our survival kit will be the key. 

Safe operation of vehicle.

• Window scraper to remove snow and ice.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full.
• Tell someone where you are going, the expected route, and idea of when you plan on being back.

Simple roadside breakdown. 

1. Safety Triangles and or flares.  This will allow other motorists to see you and avoid an accident.
2. Jumper cables.  The extreme cold weather can quickly run down a battery.  Having cables and have you back on the road in minutes.
3. Traction pads, old carpeting, cat litter.  If you can get some traction, skidding into a ditch might not require a tow.
4.  Shovel.  Removing snow will go more quickly.
5. Chain or tow cable.  A Good Samaritan may show up and be willing to give you a pull.
6. Flashlight.  Makes life much easier when the sun goes down.
7. Extra fuses, fan belts, duct tape

Extended breakdown, now what?

1. Florescent Flag to hang on the antenna or window allowing rescue crews to find you with greater ease.
2. First Aid Kit.
3. Prescription drugs
4. Water
5. Blankets and sleeping bags.
6. Winter clothing, hats, gloves, extra coat.
7. Non perishable food, granola bars, candy bars, instant soup.
8. Tin can or small cooking pot.
9. Lighter, waterproof matches.
10. Candles.  Lighting a candle can provide additional warmth to a car raising the temperature as much as 4.5 degrees.  The candle can also be a heat source for turning snow into water.

Other tips:  Stay with your car.  It provides shelter and it is easier for rescue crews to locate a stationary object.  To add visibility at night for the rescue crew, leave the dome light on.  In an effort to conserve your battery, only use hazard flashers when someone approaches.  The tail pipe must be free of snow to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.  Running the auto for ten minutes an hour and leaving the window cracked during operation of the engine should reduce exposure to exhaust fumes.  A hand held crank radio or a weather radio would give you an idea of future weather reports.  A cell phone adapter for your car would allow you to recharge and make that 911 call.   Once on the phone with 911, stay on the line.  Do not hang up!  If you absolutely need to abandon the car, leave a note with your contact information and your planned route of departure.  Leave the note on the windshield so it can be easily found.