Category Archives: Woody’s Tech Tips

Woody’s Tech Tips

New Cars, New Coupes, New Sedans, New Suvs, New Trucks, Woody's Tech Tips, woodys automotive group

How long do your brakes last? That’s up to you.

#TechTuesday Tip: Braking

How long will the brakes in your car last? Well, that’s really up to you, how you drive your car, and where you drive your car. Flat, easy terrain will mean longer lasting brakes. You live in the mountains? All bets are off… The way you drive your car also plays a huge role in the lifespan of your brakes. Here’s a few tips to help your brakes live a little longer

  • Stops from high speeds are your brake’s #1 enemy. Brakes sacrifice themselves by turning energy into heat. By stopping from a slower speed, a lot less brake material will be burned off. By coasting up to a known stop will significantly increase your brake’s lifespan
  • Only use your right foot to drive. Ever see cars that are driving down the road with their brake lights on? That driver is probably driving with both feet, pushing the gas pedal and (inadvertently) pushing the brake at the same time.
  • Brake fluid needs to be changed from time to time. It’s what mechanics call flushing and bleeding the system. If you have an older vehicle, renew the brake fluid. You don’t gain a thing if you’re saving the brakepads and the system is rotting from the inside out. Brake fluid naturally attracts moisture which can promote internal corrosion, and really limit the effectiveness of your brakes.

If your driving habits are sensible but your brakes are still wearing rapidly, the problem may be with the car. The Service Department at the Woody’s Automotive Group is a full service shop that works on all makes and models- Just give Matt a call today! 888-869-0963

Woody's Tech Tips, woodys automotive group

My blinker doesn’t blink! Arrrgh!

fix a burned out blinker

So you turned on your blinker, but the turn signal light on your dashboard isn’t blinking. It’s just on. It’s solid. Just staring at you… Now what? The bulb for your blinker just might be burned out. The solid light is your car’s way of telling you that either the front or the rear blinker isn’t working anymore. Relax, this is an easy fix! First, determine whether the front blinker or the rear blinker is burned out. When your car is on (and in park of course), just turn on the blinker so you can get out and check the front and the back of the car. Once you’ve determined which bulb it is, the next step is to figure out how to access it. Older cars may still have screws on the plastic lens cover that you can unscrew from the outside, but most newer vehicles will allow you to access the socket from the backside. Usually the back lights are easier to access, because the assemblies can be accessed from inside the trunk. In some vehicles, there is a protective plastic cover that might be held in place with plastic screws or fasteners. Once these are out of the way, you should be able to see the socket assembly and remove it. If you’re dealing with the front blinkers, you may have to do some reaching from underneath. Once you get the bulb out, replace it with the correct replacement. If you don’t know what type you need, you may need to remove it and take it to the auto parts store or big box store and buy one just like it. When your new bulb is installed, just put everything back together and test everything out. This is easy to do if you have a friend to watch the lights for you. It’s just as easy to test the lights by yourself- by backing up to the garage door and turning on the blinkers and pressing the brake pedal- you can easily see the lights shining back at you from the flat, smooth garage door. If you have LED tail lights and blinkers, you’ll probably never need to worry about this. What if both your blinkers or tail lights went out at the same time? You may have blown a fuse, but that’s a story for another day…

The Service Department at the Woody’s Automotive Group works on nearly every make and model. If your car needs a little extra attention, contact the service professionals today! |http://www.wowwoodys.com/service-center

Jeep, mopar, New Suvs, Woody's Tech Tips, woodys automotive group

2015 Jeep Renegade Is Coming!

See the family resemblance? From the iconic seven-slot grille to the strong stance, the All-New Renegade is definitely a Jeep® brand vehicle. Whether you’re exploring new trails or heading out on the town, the All-New 2015 Jeep Renegade is ready, willing and able.

With room for up to five to ride comfortably, a generous cargo area in the back and lots of ingenious storage spaces, the All-New 2015 Jeep® Renegade has everything you need to amplify your adventures.

The All-New 2015 Jeep® Renegade Trailhawk offers Trail Rated capability with the standard Jeep Active Drive Low 4×4 system with 20:1 crawl ratio, a 0.8-inch factory lift, distinctive front and rear fascias, skid plates, 17-inch off-road aluminum wheels, aggressive tires and red tow hooks.

New Cars, New Coupes, New Sedans, New Suvs, New Trucks, travel, Woody's Tech Tips, woodys automotive group

A headlight is just a headlight, right? Not anymore!

Woody's Automotive Group Headlight Service

A headlight is just a headlight, right? At one time this may have been true, but today there are three main options for manufacturers and auto buyers to choose from. Headlamp technology has evolved over the years, but does newer always mean better? I guess it depends on what you’re looking for in a headlight.

The first up is the trusty, time-tested halogen headlamp. Most vehicles on the road today are using halogen lights. This is the oldest of the three options found on new vehicles, but it’s still widely used today because it’s primary advantage is longevity and cost. Under normal conditions, a halogen bulb will last about 1,000 hours and the replacement lamps are usually inexpensive to replace. So why not use them in everything? Halogen isn’t exactly the best example of efficiency. Lots of the energy used by a halogen lamp is turned into heat and is just wasted. If you’re driving an electric car or a hybrid, you can’t afford to be wasting your power in the form of throw-away heat. One thing to remember when changing a halogen bulb is to not touch the glass with your fingers. By wearing gloves, you can keep the salt from the moisture in your skin away from the glass. These salts can compromise the way the glass will resist the high temperatures created by the filament.

Halogen Advantages: – Long life – Bright illumination – Inexpensive replacements

Halogen Disadvantages: – Energy wasting – Extra care when handling

Next up is the Xenon headlight, or the HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamp. These are generally regarded as a more efficient solution because they generate more light and have a better color temperature (to the naked eye, they appear to have a blue tint). These lamps can generate more than twice the light of a traditional halogen lamp. More light is a good thing, right? If you’re driving with HID lamps, yes. If you’re the oncoming traffic, not so much. For all the light they generate, an HID lamp should last about 2000 hours under normal conditions. These lamps do cost a little more to produce, install, and replace. Another thing to consider is that some of the Xenon lamps may contain toxic substances like mercury.

HID Advantages: – A longer lifetime than halogen lamps – More efficient than halogen lamps – Better visibility for the driver

HID Disadvantages: – Lots of glare for other drivers – All around higher costs than halogen – Harmful materials MAY be found in the lamps

The third major type of headlight used today is the LED, or Light Emitting Diode. These lamps are certainly a leap forward in technology, but they still have a ways to go. Don’t get me wrong- this type of light still has plenty of advantages and it could take over the headlamp world in a few years. These lamps need very low power to work, which is why they are the lamp of choice in electric and hybrid vehicles where electricity is a premium commodity. Also, an LED lamp is usually pretty small compared to a traditional headlamp, allowing manufacturers to produce all kinds of shapes and configurations that wouldn’t have been possible with the older headlights. Although these don’t create the heat that the other lamps do, there is still a certain amount of heat created at the base of the emitter. This hot-spot does create a potential risk for nearby assemblies and cables. This is the primary reason that these lamps aren’t used more frequently. Currently, production costs are pretty high for LED’s, and they mostly offered as options.

LED Advantages: – Very low energy consumption – Small size allowing for different configurations

LED Disadvantages: – High production costs – Not the brightest – Could cause heat damage to nearby assemblies

So how well does your car see in the dark? Come see the experts at the Woody’s Automotive Group today!

New Trucks, Ram 1500 Trucks, Ram 2500 Trucks, Ram 3500 Trucks, Woody's Tech Tips

Back-up camera? Yeah, everybody’s got one. What the heck’s a CHMSL camera?

CHMSL Camera in action!

You tell people about the back-up camera on your truck and their reaction is usually something like “I’ve had one for years. So what?” Well, if your driving a RAM with a Center High Mounted Stopping Light Camera, now you can start a conversation! Everyone who’s hauled a load in the back of a truck has at one time or another thought to themselves “I wonder what’s going on back there. Have I lost anything?” With a CHMSL camera, those unsure feelings are over. This camera is part of the brake light assembly above the back window and it covers the bed of the truck as well as about 4-5 feet around the back of the truck. The best part about this type of camera is that it can be turned on while you’re driving. Hear a rattling noise while your gooseneck is attached? A quick flip of the switch and you’ll see exactly what’s going on back there. Is that noise a loose pop can or is one of the straps that’s supposed to be securing my load hitting the side of the truck? Just one glance & you’ll know for sure. Interested? Check it out with your favorite sales advisor at the Woody’s Automotive Group today | 888-869-0963

Woody's Tech Tips, woodys automotive group

How’s your truck breathing? It’s not just gulping in air, is it?

RAM Active Air System

Breathe in… Breathe out… Breathe in… No, you’re not in a yoga class- I’m talking about the way RAM trucks can actively manage the air around them to optimize cooling, low end torque and high end horsepower! The RAM Active Air system makes sure the engine is always breathing in nice cool, clean air. Why is cool air important? Well, race cars use a cool air intake to help with horsepower and torque, but the RAM truck also uses it to help cool it’s massive powerplant. RAM Active Air normally draws air in from under the front passenger wheel well where the air is cool and the intake is sheltered from outside debris. If you’re towing or it may just be hot outside, the RAM can also draw air in from the front of the vehicle for some additional breathing.

RAM’s Active Intake Manifold offers the best of both worlds when it comes to either low end torque or high end horsepower. Ever wonder why a drag racer has those long pipes coming out of the hood? Those long air intake runners help give the car lots of low end torque to get that load moving. How about a sports car? They usually have very short intake runners to help with high end horsepower. The RAM Active Intake Manifold is smart, so it can choose between a set of long or short runners. The RAM will always have the right amount of torque or horsepower, all without gulping for air!

Is your truck smart enough to breathe like this? Come see the RAM experts at the Woody’s Automotive Group get started today!

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Pre-Owned Vehicles, Woody's Tech Tips, woodys automotive group

Serpentine belt? Well, that sounds scary!

Woody's will replace your serpentine belt 01

Back in the day, auto mechanics had to replace multiple belts when they worked on a car. Today, one belt called a “serpentine belt” has replaced all these.

It also used to be, that to determine when to replace a serpentine belt, you checked for numerous cracks across the different “ribs” of the belt. This belt shows numerous cracks per inch:

Woody's will replace your serpentine belt 01

If you don’t address a problem belt, you risk the breaking that belt and being stranded on the side of the road. Most serpentine belts will need replacing once every 5 years, depending on the number of miles you’ve driven.

Times are changing- new polymers are used to make serpentine belts and it keeps them from developing the telltale cracks. These belts do wear out and need to be replaced, however. The material on the belt wears much like a tire does. Over time, the belt will loose rubber and the gaps between the “ribs” will deepen. The mechanics in the Woody’s Service Department use a depth gauge to measure the wear of the belt. Trusted repair shops, like Woody’s, will inform customers when their belt has too much wear and needs to be replaced. You’ll definitely be kept in the loop! (Did you see what I did there?)

Woody’s Service Department is a full service shop that works on all makes and models. If your vehicle is need of a little attention, contact Mike Hibner for a fast, honest appraisal today!

Jeep, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, mopar, New Cars, New Coupes, New Sedans, New Suvs, New Trucks, Ram 1500 Trucks, Ram 2500 Trucks, Ram 3500 Trucks, travel, Woody's Tech Tips, woodys automotive group

MOPAR ELECTRONIC VEHICLE TRACKING SYSTEM

Want to protect your vehicle? Check out this great device offered up by Mopar! They really do think of it all!

Protect your vehicle with Mopar’s Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS), a state-of-the-art GPS-enabled stolen vehicle recovery system. It features everything you need to recover your vehicle in the event of a theft, plus additional features that put other systems to shame.

EVTS includes nationwide tracking without a subscription, but you’ll want to add either the Silver or Gold Plan to get a wide variety of extra benefits, including 24/7 Emergency Service Dispatch, Security Fence, Arrival/Departure Notification, Excessive Speed Notification, Trace Maps of Past Locations, and much more. Keep your vehicle safe and sound with EVTS.

Woody's Tech Tips, woodys automotive group

Do your tires cost you at the gas pump?

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How does your choice of tires contribute to your bill at the gas pump? There’s much to consider when selecting a tire, including rolling resistance. As engines become more efficient and car body styles become more aerodynamic, tires play a larger and larger role in the fuel efficiency of any vehicle, especially in slow driving and stop & go traffic.

Much of the tire’s rolling resistance comes from the tire tread design and compound the tread is made from. A formula that includes silica or one that uses a blend of natural and synthetic rubber can reduce tire rolling resistance. Of course, the harder the tire tread is, the less it’s able to grip the road while turning and maneuvering. Interestingly enough, a worn tire is more efficient in terms of fuel efficiency. This is of course no reason to run a worn out tire- there are fuel efficient tread patterns out there. If your vehicle is due for a new set of tires, stop by the Woody’s Service Department and have a chat with Mike Hibner. Once he learns about your vehicle’s needs, he can give you a cost and completion time, no problem.

carbon footprint, co2, Jeep Wrangler, New Cars, New Coupes, New Sedans, New Suvs, New Trucks, north america, ozone, Pre-Owned Vehicles, Ram 1500 Trucks, Ram 2500 Trucks, Ram 3500 Trucks, Woody's Tech Tips, woodys automotive group

Carbon Foot? How is your vehicle?

co2_1

The carbon footprint of making a car is immensely complex. Ores have to be dug out of the ground and the metals extracted. These have to be turned into parts. Other components have to be brought together: rubber tires, plastic dashboards, paint, and so on. All of this involves transporting things around the world. The whole lot then has to be assembled, and every stage in the process requires energy. The companies that make cars have offices and other infrastructure with their own carbon footprints, which we need to somehow allocate proportionately to the cars that are made.

hybrid

With this in mind, unless you do very high mileage or have a real gas-guzzler, it generally makes sense to keep your old car for as long as it is reliable – and to look after it carefully to extend its life as long as possible. If you make a car last to 200,000 miles rather than 100,000, then the emissions for each mile the car does in its lifetime may drop by as much as 50%, as a result of getting more distance out of the initial manufacturing emissions.

Find out your vehicles carbon footprint right here! My 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer has made 49.45 metric tons of CO2..

If you are in need of a new car or want something more reliable that also gets amazing gas mileage, Woody’s Automotive Group can handle that! We have over 700 vehicles and each one is fantastic in its own right! Stop in and see us today!