A Women’s Point of View: Cars vs. Computers

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

Here’s a thought. What has had the bigger impact for life on earth? Cars or Computers?

Mankind lived for thousands of years without either, and then within 125 years we have both. Which says a lot about our adaptability and survival.

I personally think cars have the bigger impact. It takes about 10 minutes to walk a mile. It takes about 60 seconds, or less, to drive a mile. Sitting down! Automobiles feed our egos, save us time and satisfy our need for speed. They transport the food that feeds the nation, the goods that keep us working and the toys that we play with. We have cars that entertain us with movies and music from all over the world. We can make and receive phone calls. We have cars that keep us from getting lost, unlock our doors and start our cars for us. We have cars that comfort us by locating and contacting us when we have an accident, sending help and keep us from panic by talking to us.

Sometimes our cars are the only place where we can be alone, free and in control. They keep us warm in the winter, cool in the summer and we can have the wind blowing through our hair. Someone, somewhere, will come up with something that will make us tan, give us a physical and cut and style our hair while we are driving. Our cars give us so much and all they ask for in return is a little gas, a little oil and a little regular maintenance.

We at Cars For Keeps can make that a fun and relaxing experience for you.

A Women’s Point of View: Shoes for Cars

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

We finally had our first snowfall. How do you all feel about that? I will remain (yuck) neutral (ugh) about the subject. Anyway, one of the special things we all get to think about in the winter is, “How are the tires on my car?”

Now if you spent last summer “sandblasting” on the beach and did not get stuck, sunk or shucked*, you are probably okay for the snow this winter. However, most of us in the real world consider carefully our high expectations of safety and comfort and dependability for our cars in dangerous driving conditions. Tires. There are three facts that we can’t escape. Every car has to have them. They are not cheap. And, very few of us know which ones to get for our car. At Cars For Keeps you can be sure of three things.

Every car has to have tires. Dennis, our service manager, will get the best price that he can find for you. Yes, he price shops. And, he is knowledgeable about which tires are best for your car. Your safety is our main concern. Have you ever wondered why tires are always black?

Let us look at this area of concern for women by comparing tires to shoes. Are they always dressed for dinner? Black is beautiful, but sometimes you just need pink. Wouldn’t red and white strips be eye-catching? Or perhaps purple polka dots on a yellow background? Or…............. Neon!

*Shucked is the term used when you get your car stuck up to it’s (ummm)……trunk, and the tires are spinning out of control, and you had to crawl out the window because the door won’t open and it is sinking like a stone in quicksand and you are standing beside the car saying, “Aw, Shucks”.

Thanks, Colette. I enjoyed my 30 mile commute in the blizzard belt as well. It wasn't as much "fun" (no white knuckles) because I had snow tires. Stay warm, everybody!

A Women's Point of View: Pieces and Parts

by Colette Cooley Cars For Keeps Office Manager

I work with car parts every day. All these funny-shaped pieces made of metal, plastic, rubber, glass and even material. For a non-mechanic, there is something magical about a tiny piece of plastic or a thin bit of wire that can mean the difference between a great big automobile that runs and one that does not run. Take a gasket for example. How can this thin piece of what looks like paper, be so essential to your car? Yes, I know, it keeps oil from leaking out so you won’t have a geyser under the hood, but wouldn’t Gorilla Glue work just as well? And what is it with all that wiring? We are talking a mile or more of wiring running throughout your car. It’s like a Gordian Knot*.

It seems to me that since we are well into the 21st Century, cars ought to be wireless. Everything else is wireless. We have the technology to make a wireless mouse. Need I say more? Until these little inconveniences are overcome, we have knowledgeable mechanics at Cars For Keeps who will help you keep your car in good running condition.

*Greek legend is of a knot tied by King Gordius of Phrygia which could only be undone by the future master of Asia. Alexander the Great, failing to untie it, cuts the knot with his sword. A bold solution for a perplexing problem.

Nice reference, Colette!

The Cars for Keeps Seasonal Pit Stop

by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner

Over the years of keeping up with automotive repair and maintenance advances, we have strived to help our clients stay up to date with their vehicles needs.

Many of our clients now choose to pre-set their next oil change or maintenance just like they do with dentist appointments. But what should we do if their individual driving habits call for less frequent oil changes? Many of our clients could go a year without needing to have their oil changed; a few of them roll up three thousand miles in just two or three weeks.

Engine oil was only capable of lasting three to four thousand miles up until 30 years ago. Improvements in oil formulas, oil filter and engine designs now allow most drivers to exceed five thousand miles easily today.

We recommend oil change intervals depending on your individual driving habits.

In racing, a “pit stop” is where quick, minor services are performed to get racers back in action as fast as possible with the best odds of making it the maximum distance before another pit stop is required. The “pits” are a spot just off the race track. (we’re not referring to a hole or dungeon here).

At Cars for Keeps, we use the term Pit Stop to explain our strategy of making sure your ride is ready for another round of safe, reliable driving with the unique challenges of the next season.

So in order to make sure you aren’t sacrificing your safety, reliability or budget, we offer our clients the Seasonal Pit Stop.

The Cars for Keeps Pit Stop simply allows us an opportunity to check your vehicles lights, tires, wipers, belts, hoses and fluids. We analyze all the fluids, including the engine oil to make sure they are fully capable of protecting their related systems.

The best part of the Cars for Keeps Pit Stop is that it’s absolutely FREE for our clients. All it takes is your participation in pre-scheduling your pit stop, allowing us to contact you via e-mail for your reminder and then coming in at the scheduled time or re-scheduling if the original time does not work out for you. Call us at 616-846-1989 to schedule your free pit stop.

Now with the Cars for Keeps Seasonal Pit Stop, there is no excuse for risking damage to your vehicle by not catching potential repairs needed, or simply making sure you are getting maximum life from your tires.

Safe Winter Weather Driving Tips

by Marjorie, Social Media Manager

Well, at last we have our first snow. I woke up this morning to 10 inches of snow, a beautiful but dangerous phenomenon so common to those of us living in the Great Lakes region. In honor of this winter's first major snowstorm, I thought we all could use some reminders on safe winter weather driving. If you are experienced with Michigan winter weather, you know that there are as many different types of road conditions as there are types of snow; we're rather like Eskimos with their 200 words for "snow" in that we have dozens of terms for different winter road conditions. Black ice, slush, powder, snow sand - they all behave differently and require us to adapt our driving in different ways. Here are a few tips to make sure you stay on the road in adverse conditions.

Drive slowly. It's basic, but it's surprising how many cars can be found plowing through a snowstorm on the freeway at 70 miles per hour. Even if you're driving a large, 4-wheel drive vehicle, excessive speed on slippery roads makes it much easier to lose control of the vehicle, especially in low-visibility conditions. Driving too fast can not only be a danger to yourself, but to other drivers on the road as well; during heavy snowfall, fast cars whizzing by drastically reduces visibility for the cars behind.

Don't use cruise control. Cruise control reduces a driver's ability to feel the car and road beneath him or her, and in bad driving conditions, keeping a steady pulse on your car's traction and direction is crucial. Additionally, cruise control elongates breaking time, making it much more difficult to respond quickly.

Don't slam on the breaks. Most cars on the road today are equipped with ABS, but this is not a license to slam on the breaks on slippery roads. Maintaining a slow speed and plenty of room in front of you can help reduce the need for heavy breaking, but remember: sudden breaking is more likely to cause your breaks to lock and your vehicle to spin out of control. If your car begins to slide, pump the break in short, hard bursts and keep the steering wheel straight.

Don't overcompensate with steering. A mistake many drivers make on slippery roads is to swerve around obstructions and attempt to steer out of a slide. If your car begins to slide, steer straight ahead and attempt to reduce sliding by pumping the brakes. Oversteering can cause your car to slide and spin into a ditch much more easily than straight, even steering.

Maintain a healthy distance between the cars in front of you. This is especially true for freeway driving. Always keep enough distance between your car and the car in front of you to adequately stop without slamming on the brakes. This, at least, will prevent you from slamming into the back of someone else's car.

Add weight. This is particularly helpful for rear-wheel drive vehicles, but even front wheel drive vehicles can benefit from some additional weight. Some old tires, pallets, bricks or encyclopedias in the trunk will give your vehicle more traction.

Prepare your vehicle! As Bobby emphasized last week, it's a good idea to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. In addition to outfitting your vehicle snow tires, new wiper blades and general maintenance, keep emergency equipment in the trunk. AAA recommends you keep a shovel, sand/kitty litter, food, water, flashlight, flares and a blanket in case of emergency, and we think that's pretty smart. And remember: well-maintained cars are safer.

Safe driving!

A Women’s Point of View; Take A Deep Breath

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

Thanksgiving is over and most of us are out shopping today. Hello Christmas! We are gearing up to think Silver Bells, Caroling and Presents Under the Tree. And, More Cooking! (Oh, Joy!) Take a deep breath. You actually have some time to pamper yourself a little bit. You deserve it. Get your nails done. Change your hair color. Get a facelift. You should be getting flowers and applause for yesterday’s extravaganza. If that has not happened, at least grab an hour soaking in the tub, surrounded by candles, a little aroma therapy and a strong Martini. AAAHHHHH! Life is good.

Your Christmas gift list is floating through your head and coming together quite nicely. Is everyone accounted for? Hmmmm. What about your car? (I’ll bet you were wondering how I was going to get your car into this blog, didn’t you?) Are you going to be taking another trip for Christmas? It will probably need an oil change and brake inspection before the trip. How about snow tires? Are they good for another winter or do they look “iffy”? Are all the lights working properly? Are there any noises that should be investigated? Are all the windows and doors working properly? Even if you are staying close to home for Christmas, you will be making more than average trips to the Mall and possibly out-of-the-way trips to ‘Marvin’s Machine Mega-Mercantile’ to get that special hinky-dink tool that hubby has been wanting all year, or to ‘Auntie Aroma’s All-Together Apothecary Annex’ for that extremely expensive bottle of perfume for your precious teenager who will “just die” if she doesn’t smell like all the rest of her friends. So. Here is a hint that will make your life just a little less complicated. Call Cars For Keeps now to make that appointment for you and your car’s health and welfare. That way you won’t panic three days before Christmas because you forgot. You deserve peace on earth.

8 Ways to Increase Gas Mileage - for Free!

by Robert, Cars for Keeps Mechanic

Want to save some money by getting better gas mileage? Sounds great right? What about being able to do it all for free?

There are many things you can do to increase your fuel economy, with little or not out-of-pocket expense. It's true that tune-ups and routine maintenance are great for your vehicle. They insure that your "machine" is properly oiled and functioning to its originally designed specifications. However, as you know, spark plugs and oil changes are NOT free. So what else can you do?

1. Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving, (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and by 5% around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money. That means saving up to 13-18 cents per gallon!

2. Observe the posted speed limits. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas. That equals 19-61 cents per gallon, enough to reconsider speeding.

3. Remove excess weight. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. The reduction is based on the percentage of extra weight relative to the vehicle's weight and affects smaller vehicles more than larger ones. So before leaving the house again, think: do you really need those dusty encyclopedias sitting in the trunk? This could add 3-5 cents per gallon.

4. Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets 0 miles per gallon, period. Cars with larger engines typically waste more gas at idle than cars with smaller engines. Turn the engine off if you will be waiting for more than 60 seconds, whether you're waiting for a friend, at a drive-thru bank or fast food restaurant. Idling your car for an average of 20 minutes per day could equal up to 50 hours of idling each year.

5. Use cruise control. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

6. Use overdrive gears. When you use overdrive gearing, your car's engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.

7. Maintain proper tire pressure by checking them at least once a month. Tires that are low on air create more rolling resistance which in turn decreases fuel economy.

8. Tune-ups, oil changes, fluid flushes. Ok these are not free but you can improve fuel economy 5-30% by having your car properly tuned. Stop by Cars for Keeps and see what it will take to ensure an efficient automobile!

Until next time!

Lifetime Transmission Fluids: Who’s Lifetime?

by Dennis Sweet, Service Manager at Cars for Keeps

Hello everyone, If you have called or stopped into our shop, you have probably spoken with me. We may have even talked about maintenance. I have always felt that if I can help a client better understand the needs of their vehicle, they will better understand why we recommend it being performed.

I bring up this topic today, not only because it is important, but because I also had this exact conversation with one of our clients today. The topic was transmission fluid and why we had recommended the vehicles to be flushed out and replaced with new. Our client had responded, "but my owners manual states that my vehicle has 'Lifetime Transmission Fluid'". My response to this is, “Who’s lifetime, yours or your vehicles transmission?????" Transmission fluid, just as any other fluid a vehicle uses will wear out, get dirty, break down and even burn.

With this in mind, how long of a lifetime will the transmission have if it is trying to pump contaminated, broken down fluid through its system - or, to put in other terms, veins? I will let you think about for now, but will leave you with our perspective: it is in our best interest to think of your best interest. Our goal is to help you keep your vehicle in the best running condition it can be for as long as you want to own that vehicle. “No payments, just Maintenance.”

So long for now, Dennis

3 Ways to Prevent Winter Driving Emergnecies

by Robert, Cars for Keeps Mechanic

Winter time is coming sooner than you may think. That means salty slushy roads, ice on the windshield and brrrrrr…freezing temps. What can you do to ensure a safe and reliable vehicle during these harsh wintry months?

Have your vehicle inspected by a licensed mechanic. Quick lube places do not count. Although they are able to check basic things like your fluids and battery, they are not able to check more important things such as your suspension components and reliability items. Also, those techs are NOT required to be state or ASE certified to work on vehicles. So you may not get an adequately qualified tech working on your vehicle.

Maintain your tires. The tires are the ONLY thing between you and the road. Are your tires worn to the wear bars? Not only is it unsafe for you but could also be unsafe for other drivers on the road. Maintaining air pressure also ensures that your tires are working as they were designed. Speaking of tires, do you have a set of dedicated winter tires? If not you should consider it. The difference between an all-season year round tire and a tire used only for the snowy season is like night and day. For those of you who may not have the extra funds to do this, you may want to consider saving extra cash so in the future this becomes available to you.

Carry emergency items in your trunk. A flashlight (with working batteries please), blanket, fresh water, snacks, a cell phone, road hazard beacons such as flares or the reflective triangles and also make sure your factory equipped spare tire and jack are in place. Kitty litter not only provides extra weight but can also help provide traction if your ever stuck in a snow bank. If you have a small snow shovel that will also help dig your way out of a sticky situation.

Hopefully this season will be safe and accident free, but with a little planning you can make sure that if it does turn sour you are prepared. Like a wise man once told me in boy scouts once: it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Until next time!

Cars for Keeps' Waiting Room: a Spa Parlor or a Repair Shop?

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

The waiting room here at the shop is not your average auto garage waiting room. Most repair shops disregard this aspect of business - after all, what does a cleanly waiting room have to do with fixing your car? Many repair shops I've been don't even have a waiting area - just a little grungy corner for you to stand clutching your wallet while you wait.

Cars for Keeps Owner Rob Hopp has a different philosophy on auto repair service, emphasizing the service aspect and recognizing that the car and the customer are a package deal. Sure, the quality of the repair is most important, but where is it written that quality repairs have to come from cramped, dirty facilities?

Cars for Keeps goes out of its way to provide not only the best repair service in town, but the best customer service as well. That means a comfortable waiting area for moms, kids, professionals and anyone else who drops by. I happened to drop by the shop last week and was again impressed with the reception area's cleanliness and commodities. Here are a few pictures I snapped of some of the facility's highlights. You can tell Rob takes pride in his shop - and his customers.

Coffee, tea or...Pepsi? The only things here that require change are the two gumball machines in the corner - which we think parents won't mind at all.

Yes, you're looking at a flat screen TV, comfy chairs and a squeaky clean floor. Catch up on the news, or a snooze while waiting for an oil change - your preference.

Kid's play area is conveniently adjacent to the adult play area. To clarify, those magazines are current within the last few months, not culled from decade old boxes.

The high speed internet-equipped computer is over in the corner to the left. Brought your own? Take advantage of the facility's free Wi-Fi.

Here's the crew crunching numbers behind the desk. This is where you can find Customer Service Manager Dennis' smiling face.

If you've been putting off routine maintenance because going to the shop is too inconvenient, try Cars for Keeps' accommodating facility. Catch up on work, play with your kids, surf the net or get caffeinated; we promise you won't have to stand in a corner while you wait.

Snow Tire FAQs: Michigan Winter Driving Essentials

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

If you've lived in Michigan your entire life, like me, you understand how easy it is to become helpless to the winter elements. If you're new to the area, then you're in for a treat; Michigan's legendary lake effect snow is beautiful, unpredictable and an absolute horror for unprepared winter travelers. While there's not much we can do about keeping our cars from being buried in snow drifts or coated in ice every morning, we can do something about making sure our cars remain on the road - once we've managed to get there.

Here are a few basic facts you should know about snow tires. Check out the YouTube video at the end of this post if you don't believe tread really makes a difference. Which car will you be?

Aren't all-weather tires good enough for winter?

No. Again, I refer you to the video in this post for proof. All-weather tires are designed for dry and wet conditions in warm weather, but they're in no way prepared to give tread on black ice, packed snow and sandy slush. Snow tires are specially made with softer rubber and carefully placed grooves which quickly wear down on dry pavement - which is why you should never leave your snow tires on past spring...unless you like buying new snow tires every year.

When should I put on my snow tires?

Well, how brave are you? If you're a daredevil like me, you may intentionally wait until after the first snowfall just to test your ice-racing skills. For the rest of you, who value your and your family's safety above thrill, it's best to have snow tires put on before the first snowfall, which, in Michigan, could be anytime between October 15th and December 30th. Typically, having snow tires put on a few weeks before Thanksgiving is plenty early enough, and it ensures safe holiday travel.

Should I get studded tires?

This question is best directed to your tire dealer or auto repair shop (I'm sure Dennis has a strong opinion), but there aren't very many situations where studded tires help you more than regular snow tires - in some environments, studded tires can actually give you less traction. Studs are only good for packed snow and ice, and they will hinder traction in thick snow, slush and dry pavement. So unless you're commuting across the tundra in Alaska, sticking to unstudded snow tires is a safe bet.

Should I get two snow tires or four?

Tire dealers and some mechanics have a strong opinion on this question, too. But for those of us who would prefer not to spend an extra $250 on two superfluous snow tires, here are the bare facts: front wheel drive cars should at least have both front wheels equipped with snow tires, and likewise, rear wheel drive cars should at least have snow tires on both rear wheels. All wheel drive automobiles, of course, should have four snow tires. It's true that having snow tires on all four wheels, even on front and rear wheel drive cars, provides ideal traction, but having only powered wheels fitted with snow tires will still provide far more traction than regular summer or all-weather tires.

For rear wheel drive owners, remember to throw some weight in the back. Keeping your summer tires or some bricks in the trunk - or bed - will give you an extra boost in traction.

Safe driving!

A Woman's Point of View: Cars for Keeps Turns 20

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

Remembering birthdates, wedding anniversary’s, other important anniversary dates such as: first kiss, first date, first time driving by yourself, first day you met “Him”. It is mostly a woman thing. On the other hand, men tend to remember important dates in the future. The date of the Super Bowl, the opening day of hunting season, and the date when his tax refund should arrive. In typical male fashion, Cars for Keeps' 20th anniversary whizzed right over Rob's head this year. Still, it's not too late to pause for a moment and think about what 20 years of quality repair service has meant.

On November 7, 1989, Rob Hopp took a giant step of faith and courage when he opened the doors of his new business, which was then called Automotive Advantage. There have been some changes since then; a new location and a new name, but the foundation the company was built upon remains the same. To serve the customer with integrity. To give every car a life of at least 250,000 miles, one car at a time. To always use sound business ethics. To give the customer all the information they need so they can make the decisions that are appropriate for them at the time. And my personal favorite: interacting with female customers by educating and informing them respectfully about automotive matters, so they feel comfortable dealing with Cars For Keeps.

We have the best customers in the world. Thank you for your continuous support over the years. Thank you Rob, for giving back to the community that means so much to you. Good Job!

Happy Birthday to Cars for Keeps: 20 Years of Quality Service

by Dennis Sweet, Service Manager at Cars for Keeps.

Happy Birthday sounds nice at any age. Some people would like to quit having birthdays once they've reached a certain age. Well, I say bring on the birthdays. In case any you are wondering what I am rambling about, I am not talking about myself; I am talking about Cars for Keeps.

As of November 1, 2009 we are 20 years old - hurray! For us, that means 20 years of helping people like yourselves keep your vehicles as long as you wanted to. Here’s to another 20 years of great clients and the satisfaction of being able to help people by keeping their cars healthy.

Thank you to all who have made these last years so rewarding. You have made saying happy birthday worth it.

Until next time,

Dennis

Car Personification: True Love

by Colette, Office Manager for Cars for Keeps

The Macho Machine is big, dark and dangerous looking. Exactly what attracts the female heart. He radiates so much power that he vibrates even when standing still. He hones his masculine skills by exercising his Hemi regularly. (Does anyone out there know what a Hemi* is exactly?) His chrome body armor shines to perfection, there are no dents in his big, beautiful body and every piece of his machinery works perfectly. He is the epitome of automobile perfection. He first sees the silver Driveway Diva when she drives - no, glides - into the driveway next to him looking like a drop of Mercury. She smells of expensive, new soft leather, she hums soft, low and throaty, and has the most flirty headlamps he has ever seen. She is small, compact and runs like a well oiled machine, the epitome of automobile perfection. One look from each of them, and they fall in love. (If cars could reproduce, can you imagine what their offspring would look like?)

OK, so we all know that a lot of women like to humanize their things. Well, so do a lot of men. They call their boats “she” and give them mermaid names. Right? Anyway, we have these two wonderful cars that want a long future together. Just like people, they want to stay healthy by keeping their fluids flushed and clean, their brakes reaction time on target, all their internal parts working together smoothly with clean oil, their transmission working with precision, and all their sensors alert. Keeping our cars performing well takes regular care and awareness of their needs. I predict this love affair will have a long and happy life.

*A Hemi is a type of engine. (Although all I remember are the human ‘hunks’ they used in the commercials.)

A Women's Point of View: Car Maintenance in a Perfect World

by Colette Cooley, Office Manager for Cars For Keeps

Car maintenance in a Perfect World would mean that our cars would need no maintenance to run perfectly at all times until we decide that we want a different car. Or a different color car. Or a different looking car. You know, like a pair of shoes.

Unfortunately, cars do need maintenance and they need it regularly. On a women's list of favorite things to do, this falls somewhere just above going to the dentist and cleaning the toilet. The oil needs to be changed. The fluids need to be checked. The brakes need to be looked at for wear. The oil filter needs to be changed. The air pressure in the tires need to be checked. The freon in the air conditioner needs to be checked. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Since we would rather clean spiders out of the garage then do these things ourselves, here are a few tips to make this regular chore a little more pleasant.

First, find a car repair facility that is woman friendly. Like Cars For Keeps. A pleasant waiting area with coffee, tea, and soft drinks, internet to check your email, soft music, television with CD's to play, and most important of all - a clean restroom with a baby changing station. Coloring books and readers for kids, a service manager who thinks women are intelligent and shuttle service if you don't want to wait.

Second, if you are waiting, you can catch up on your reading, do business using our wireless internet, copy recipes out of our up-to-date magazines, return those phone calls that are stacking up, or if you have had a particularly stressful day, we will give you some crayons so you can color. Don't laugh, we have several adults who find this very therapeutic. In other words, come on in, relax, have a few laughs while you're attending to car maintenance in an imperfect world.

Automatic Transmission Failure: How to Check Fluid and Prevent Costly Breakdowns

by Marjorie, Social Media Marketing Manager for Cars for Keeps

No two words strike fear into the hearts of those of us who are not mechanically inclined like the words: transmission failure.

Checking my engine oil may be the extent of my automotive expertise, but I've learned that having a faulty automatic transmission can mean almost certain death for a vehicle. For most cars, particularly those that are getting on in life, the cost of replacing an automatic transmission exceeds the value of the entire vehicle - rather like totaling your car.

Fortunately, transmission failure does not happen randomly; indeed, catching the early signs of transmission trouble is easy if you know what to look for. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your automatic transmission doesn't cause premature car death.

1) Own cars with manual transmissions. Ok, so this isn't exactly a solution to maintaining an automatic transmission, but car owners should be aware of the differences between manual (standard) and automatic transmissions. Manual transmissions (or "stick shifts") are more energy efficient than automatics, but more importantly, they have far fewer moving parts - which means way less maintenance and risk of part failure. Sure, you can talk on your cell phone, keep the kids in the backseat from fighting and drink your coffee simultaneously while driving an automatic, but a manual transmission will never conk out like an automatic.

2) Check automatic transmission fluid (ATF) regularly. This is really not hard - no harder than checking your oil levels. If you're unsure exactly which dipstick is for the ATF or what to look for once you find it, watch this short video on how to check your car's ATF. If you're still unsure, there's a great little auto repair shop on Fulton Street where the mechanics would be happy to show you.

Keep in mind, you're looking for two things: level and color. The fluid mark needs to hit between the low and high marks, and it should be nice and red.

3) Change your ATF regularly! Although it may seem like this step would naturally follow the previous step, there are those of us (like me) who need the reminder. If your transmission fluid is dark, brown or muddy-colored, it's time for a professional to take a peek and probably perform a transmission fluid flush.

Please think twice before taking your car to a drive-through service for transmission fluid flushes. There are many reasons why these places don't always offer the best service for your money, but a certified AAA repair shop like Cars for Keeps will certainly give you a more thorough flush and overall checkup.

4) Listen to your car. As we've said here before, your car will usually tell you something is wrong before a major breakdown. Any out of the ordinary noises could be suspect, so bring your car in for inspection if you hear anything unusual. J.B. Herbert gives us a few pointers here:

Safe driving and healthy cars until next time!

A Woman’s Point of View: Sometimes Heroes Come in Greasey Shirts

Colette Cooley, Office Manager at Cars For Keeps

You have been looking towards your vacation for months. The snow is huffing and puffing outside, but you are lost in your “dream”. You are at the point where you don’t think you can make it through another day at the office, so you think about your dream to get through the day. Your vacation. Your Nirvana. Your soul’s restoration. Then, finally, your dream has come true. You are actually living your dream vacation. And your car breaks.

I am not talking a broken fingernail here. The car is close to being terminal. Loud noises, smoke, not steering, barely starts, coughing, choking, jerking, seizure, ge-the-de-fibulator-quick, sick. So many thoughts go through your head in that first 10 seconds. I can’t go to the world’s largest mall this afternoon. What a disaster! I will not yell at the kids. I will not kick my husband. I will not stomp my feet in a pique of frustration.

I will call AAA. They come and get the car and tow it to the recommended automotive repair shop where you find out the car is not terminal after-all, and can be repaired and back on the road today. You suddenly have new names to add to your little black book under the heading of; Heroes Who Will Come To Save The Day. Your vacation is saved. Your mind is restored. You are back in your dream. You are on your way to the mall. AAAHH! Life is good.

Preventative Maintenance: Listening to Your Car

by Rob, Cars for Keeps Owner

Mike the Librarian.

My buddy Mike gave me a ride home from the range last week. Being the car geek I am, I immediately asked him how long the back tires had been making that growling sound.

He said “What sound?” and once again proved that people often don’t hear or feel the gradual changes their vehicles go through. Until the noise was gone, he thought it was normal.

That’s another reason it’s so important to have a trusted, knowledgeable person give you an independent perspective of your cars safety and reliability.

I recommend a basic inspection at least every three months. Note that I didn’t recommend oil change that often, it's just that since we change our oil so much less often in modern vehicles, it is too easy to ignore an issue that could have a simple remedy if caught early enough, so, every change of season presents a vehicle with temperature and moisture changes that affect multiple parts of your mobility. At Cars for Keeps, we call this inspection our AAA Readiness Inspection. If we normally do your oil changes, we do it for you for free. This usually works out to be an oil change every other readiness inspection.

Our high tech road machines (Cars) adjust themselves with such precision, that most people don’t know any fault is happening until the computers cant compensate any further & the system “folds” in sometimes simple and sometimes dramatic ways.

Even if you choose the convenience (perceived convenience IMHO) of the drive through oil change place, having a qualified mechanic inspect it regularly is a key aspect of the long term reliability of your mobility machine.

More about Mike's Great Escape next time.

Watch for our Hot Apple Cider Specials this month…

Top 4 Reasons to Change the Oil in Your Car (Featuring Red Green)

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Marketing Consultant

Remember the Red Green Show? If Michigan's rednecks, bumpkins and "yoopers" had an icon (other than Ted Nugent), it would be Red, handyman extrodinaire.

Since Cars for Keeps is giving away a free oil change this month, today we'll focus on a few reasons why oil changes are important to your vehicle's health. Red Green will demonstrate a few of the many things NOT to do to keep your vehicle running.

Changing your oil at home to save money is a nice idea, but as Red so charmingly demonstrates, oil changes gone wrong can easily lead to far bigger expenses. Like Red says:

"If you get it done at a gas station or wherever, you're just not sure if they've done a bad job, where if you do it at home, you know."

We hate to gainsay Red Green, but you can be sure that an oil change performed by Cars for Keeps is done right.

To make sure I had my facts straight, I called our mechanics at the shop and had them list for me a few of the grittily-detailed benefits of regular oil changes. They listed the top 4 ways regular oil changes can prevent mechanical failure and increase your car's performance.

Regular oil changes:

1) Remove contaminants like dirt and metal shavings from the engine, removing risk of failure or part wearing

2) Prolong engine life by reducing friction and heat

3) Keep the engine cool which, if you remember my overheated engine confession from last Wednesday, is very important

4) Keep your car running efficiently. Old oil can bog down your vehicle's mileage.

Consult your owners manual to see how often the oil in your vehicle should be changed. If it's been more than a year, you can just assume it's time to change your oil now.

Quirky Clunkers Contest: Win a Free Oil Change & Full Diagnostic!

Cars for Keeps is offering a free oil change and diagnostic for the winner of this contest. It's fun. It's easy. It's a great opportunity to make sure your car is in tip-top shape.

Contest Details:

Prize: Free oil change & full diagnostic (There's also a secret prize for all contestants who enter. Find out what the prize is by entering the contest!)

Enter now!

Answer the following question:

If you could fix one thing about your vehicle, what would it be?

Tell us in 30 words or less using these steps:

1) Tweet, Facebook or email the URL to this page to your friends (http://tinyurl.com/yl6h2t4)

2) Post your answer as a comment here (so we can read it!)

3) Email us at cars4keeps@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!