As winter approaches, it's crucial to consider the effects of oil viscosity on your vehicle's performance. Oil viscosity, or its thickness, plays a significant role in engine function, especially in colder temperatures. Understanding this factor can help car owners make informed decisions about the type of oil they use and the importance of routine maintenance.
In colder weather, traditional oils tend to thicken, creating challenges for engines during startup. Thickened oil struggles to flow efficiently, increasing friction and wear on engine components. This can result in poor fuel efficiency, reduced engine performance, and potential long-term damage.

Winter is upon us, and ensuring your vehicle is equipped to handle the challenging conditions is crucial for both safety and performance. Here are the top three things you need to check to winterize your ride:

1. Battery Condition:
As temperatures drop, your car's battery has to work harder. Cold weather can significantly reduce its efficiency. Make certain your battery is in optimal condition by checking the charge and inspecting for any signs of corrosion on the terminals. If your battery is more than three years old, it's wise to have it professionally tested or replaced to prevent any unexpected breakdowns in the freezing weather.

 You may be wondering how this chemistry lesson relates to our work on cars. The ideal gas theory is an equation that uses P for pressure and V for volume. This theory explains what happens to the air in your tires during cold weather. As the temperature drops, the pressure in your tires decreases due to a direct correlation. This is the reason why you may see your tire light come on every morning during the winter months.

The formula for the ideal gas theory is PV = NRT. This means that the pressure times volume equals the number of moles of air multiplied by the gas constant rate and temperature. Although we cannot control the weather, we can help you when your tire pressure is low and direct you on how to keep your tire pressure in a safe range so that you can travel safely.

As the temperature starts to drop and the winter months approach, it's time to start thinking about preparing your vehicle for the harsh weather ahead. Although it can be tempting to put off repairs or services and use your funds towards holiday shopping, ensuring that your vehicle is ready for winter can prevent accidents and breakdowns. 

We’d all like to think that there’s a little girl/boy scout within us, and what’s the first thing we’re taught?? Be Prepared. Emergencies can strike at any time, and it's crucial to be ready for them, particularly when you've become stranded in your vehicle.

As a car owner, you might have found yourself in a situation where you need a quick check-up on your vehicle. That's where our no-wrench inspection comes in. Our technician will take about 15 minutes to look over your vehicle either for a general overview or for a specialized or specific lookover. This inspection includes a checkover of the vehicle and pulling codes for specific concerns should there be an emergency or a specific dashboard light on.

Where has the summer gone? School has already started for some kids, while others will be starting in the coming weeks. This time of year always provides an opportunity to remind you that time doesn’t slow down or stop for anyone. Taking your kids to school and extracurricular activities make for busy mornings and evenings. But have you ever wondered what you’ll do if you have vehicle trouble? Most people haven’t, and when you take your vehicle to DeBoer’s Auto, you won’t need to.

Sending your child off to college can be difficult enough as a parent. But with all the other things you will be worrying about, you shouldn’t have to worry about the reliability of the vehicle your college student is driving. This quick vehicle maintenance checklist can have your child’s vehicle prepared for going away so they won’t be stranded.

DeBoer’s Auto is proud to have expanded our services with our new fleet and truck center. Anyone who has driven by our shop has likely noticed some activity going on, which is all to better serve our customers. We understand with any changes that occur come plenty of questions from existing and potential customers. We would like to answer some of the most common questions we have received over the past few weeks as it relates to our new fleet and truck center.

Anyone who has driven by DeBoer’s Auto recently may have noticed our new fleet and truck center is getting very close to being completed. We are thrilled to have additional space and equipment to provide even better service to our customers. However, one of the most common questions we have received is whether we are keeping our old shop. The answer is yes and here’s what you need to know about how we will operate going forward.