Keeping Your Car's Warranty Intact

Your car's warranty is a precious thing to lose, yet it is very common for individuals to unknowingly void with warranty.

Here are some common mistakes that people make:

• Not reading their warranty: I know what you are thinking. Warranties are long, boring, and confusing. However, it is important to be familiar with your warranty and the recommended maintenance for your car.
• Using the incorrect type of fluids
  • Follow the type of fluids that are specified in your owner's manual to ensure that your car runs efficiently.
• Not keeping records and receipts from maintenance or going to an unqualified mechanic
  • Many people have their car serviced at a quick lube location or change their own oil, but having a paper trail of receipts is important in documenting the services performed on your car. If you have to file a warranty claim, it is important to have all receipts and records of your car's service history.
  • This can also help maintain your car's value for resale by having a record of all maintenance and repairs performed.
• Modified tires or suspension
  • If you install a lift or lowering kit in your car's suspension and then have an issue with your car concerning the drive train or steering, your warranty claim could be denied.

While it is important to maintain your warranty, this does not prevent you from personalizing your car our making modifications. Just be aware that if there is a modification made to a specific part of your car and it fails, you may not be covered under your warranty. You can still be covered under your warranty as long as the parts you modified are not the cause of the problem. If you are considering modifying your car, contact us first for more information.

Learn More About Our Lifetime Warranty

3 Amazing Chase Scenes

The adrenaline pumping, wheel burning, and engine revving moments of chase scenes are some of the most memorable parts of the movies we love. No self respecting action movie can do without a good old fashioned 'pedal to the metal' chase through crowded city streets or careening off of mountain cliffs. Here are some amazing scenes that you might consider watching in the near future, or that you remember fondly watching with white knuckles and sweaty palms.

Warning: While a healthy appreciation of cinema is always encouraged, like most movies, reenacting them in real life is considered foolish and extremely dangerous.

The Bourne Identity

The recipe is simple: a tiny car, narrow streets, Paris, a staircase, and a gang of police officers on strangely acrobatic motorcycles. Combined you get one of the most thrilling chase scenes in movie history. The amnesia plagued spy Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon, finds himself being hunted by the local 'fuzz' and is forced to drive a less than pristine vintage Austin Mini Cooper down the winding streets of Paris. In one instance the tiny car even climbs and descends a small stairway to avoid authorities. The picturesque setting mixed with the unrelenting pace of the pursuit combine to serve a thrilling cocktail of narrow misses, driving against traffic, and generally giddy lawlessness.

Bullitt

Steve McQueen defined the art of the car chase with this iconic scene. Unlike the brash, wild, and teeth clenching speed of most action movies today, this movie approached the cliché with subtly and a masterful sense of tension. It starts slowly enough: the renegade cop Bullitt, played by the stoic McQueen, notices that two goons are following him. The speeds build as they wind their way up and down the hilly streets of San Francisco. Finally, when he fails to shake them off the gentle way, Bullitt revs up his 1968 Ford Mustang GT and the cars are rocketed into an all out race. Nearly flying over the steep roads of the city and out into countryside, the hitmen eventually meet their end in a fiery crash. One of the main elements of this scene that made it so 'cool' was the fact that no soundtrack played during most of the chase, allowing the sounds of the engines to come through clearly. Ford Mustang sales skyrocketed shortly after.

The Blues Brothers

In this classic lampoon of all chase scene stereotypes ever conjured on the silver screen, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi break every road law in their race to pay off taxes and save an orphanage. Driving a retired patrol Dodge Monaco affectionately named the “Bluesmobile” the brothers coolly incur the wrath of the most grand and destructive car chases on film. They are followed by a veritable army of state and federal police forces, a vengeful country band named “The Good Ol' Boys”, and a platoon of dimwitted Neo-Nazis. The scene involved they destruction of nearly 60 vehicles, and even the beloved Bluesmobile, which falls to pieces the moment the Blues Brothers step out of their trusty ride.

Picture courtesy: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SPvnm5pvb2WWuTfQrgZScJwXxT8eGb6-MZL_GHU6enA67vNuPvDnEVEzE4Nlst4d1Y8GR7UE931tM9OMURxKf-_PtXx4CHZxEGVWiJNpf-X2nEIEnYntZjsKkbOEnaX_ezdn9AFl-KE/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg

Exciting news in the Hanlees Autogroup Family!

Temporary Sales Location

Due to state of the art remodeling construction of our current dealership located at 4202 Chiles Rd, our sales department is temporarily relocated. As a courteous gestures to our customers to avoid our construction zone we have moved down the street to 5000 Chiles Road Davis Ca, 95618.Our sales team will rejoin the service department in a new state-of-the-art building by the end of the year. Our telephone numbers will remain the same during our temporary relocation. Please feel free to call and we will help address any inquiries.

What about Service?

Our new Hanlees Davis Toyota Service Building IS UP AND RUNNING! It is still located at the familiar 4202 Chiles Rd location. However, there is a temporary service drive. The service drive can be entered from Ensenada Dr. off of Chiles Rd.  Just follow the arrows posted around the construction sight. They will direct you to the temporary service drive on Ensenada Dr.

What does this mean to you?

Because our new location has limited space and we cannot reduce the amount of new car deliveries, we must move cars out as fast as possible. As a result we are offering customers outstanding deals including 0% APR financing on select models.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

Sincerely,

The Hanlees Auto Group  

How to Safely Dispose of Motor Oil

Motor oil is a tricky thing to dispose of. Many people have heard horror stories of oil disposal gone bad. Motor oil is very toxic and damaging to the environment. Even a small quantity of oil in our water systems can cause a lot of damage.

It is important to abide by the law and dispose of your oil safely and legally.

So, where are how are you supposed to dispose of this stuff?

Here is a clue: It is not your drain or trash can!

Motor oil can actually be recycled and used again.

Place your oil in a sealed container and take it to a toxic waste disposal center. There are also Certified Collection Centers that can accept oil for recycling.

Make sure your oil is not contaminated with other materials like antifreeze, gasoline, or water. If you attempt to bring contaminated oil to a recycling center, it will be rejected.

Help the environment and those around you by safely disposing of your motor oil. 

Here is a quick video on how to check your oil!  

How to Get Better Mileage

Gas is expensive. Yes, there are ups and downs, but the only real way to save money with gas is to use it efficiently. Not all of us can afford a brand new super fuel efficient hybrid, so we will have to make do!

Here are some tips to get you started:

Drive more efficiently: Avoid rapid acceleration and deceleration. Your car is going to burn more fuel when accelerating so be as gentle as possible. Each car with reach its maximum fuel economy at a different speed or range or speeds. However, mileage can decrease rapidly at speeds greater than 55 mph. Remove unnecessary items from your car to reduce weight. Avoid idling your car. If you are parked, turn off your engine.

Keep your car in shape: Follow the maintenance guidelines for your car. Keep your tires properly inflated. They are safer and last longer that way!

Plan and combining trips: Combine your errands. Commute and carpool. When traveling, avoid heavy unnecessary items and avoid roof racks which can create drag and decrease fuel economy.

Don't top off your tank and make sure your gas cap is tight.

Choose a more efficient vehicle. While most of us can't just run out and buy a new car, we can keep these things in mind when we go to purchase our next vehicle. Choosing a car that is more fuel efficient can save you hundreds of dollars a year. There are many affordable options for fuel efficient cars!

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What to Keep in Your Glove Compartment

What is in your glove compartment? For most of us, our glove compartments are stuffed to the gills with old receipts, expired insurance and registration as well as a few odds and ends. But what happens when you actually need to locate your CURRENT registration and insurance in that mess? Let's go over some important things to keep in your glove compartment in tip top shape!

What should you keep in your glove compartment?

• Pen and paper
• Proof of car insurance
• Car registration
• Warranty paperwork/Roadside assistance numbers
• ICE card: In case of emergency card with info like emergency contacts, medications, allergies, etc
• Owners manual
• Flashlight
• Tire pressure gauge
• First aid kit
• Phone charger
• Paper map
• Emergency money: $10-20 in small bills

Helpful Tips

• Keep it clean: empty it out and wipe it down often. Throw out expired materials and irrelevant papers.
• Make it functional: keep a nylon bag for your emergency accessories and a small folder for your insurance, registration, and roadside assistance.

What to keep out of your glove compartment

• Shopping Receipts
• Make up
• Cds
• Expired registration and insurance
• The title to your car: this should be an no-brainer, but many make this mistake

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Photo c/o wikipedia

Do You Know How-To?

We all try to be handy on our own, but we are not always successful.  We rely heavily on Google and Youtube to solve life's problems these days.  

We at Hanlees want to make your lives easier.  We have taken some of our customer's most common issues and recorded a How-To series to help you with maintaining and fixing your car! Welcome to the Hanlees Family.  

Remember, if you ever have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us at http://hanlees.net and will do our best to help solve your problem.  

The Zen of Driving: How to avoid Road Rage

“Long conversations 

beside blooming irises –
joys of life on the road”

- Matsuo Basho

You're running late for work and someone cuts you off going 5 mph under the speed limit. You want to scream at them, rip your hair out, maybe even rear end them. But stop, take a moment, and reflect on the zen of driving. Life is about movement, whether inside a car or out, and sometimes it's all about what we do while moving, and not the speed or destination, that matters the most.

Take a deep breath, and let the world move around you. Trying to push something as big as the earth towards your end is a tiring endeavor. Relax.

Don't turn into this angry driver:

Here are some tips on chilling out, enjoying the ride, and avoiding temper tantrums while on the road:

Take it Easy

Just think of the Eagles' song and “...don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy.” (But listen to this song enough, and you're bound to go a little nuts.) Instead focus on the meaning behind the lyrics. Sometimes the sound of driving can be monotonous. Likewise, listening to repetitive music will also stress you out subconsciously. Try to vary it on long car rides. Sometimes switching the radio off will give you time to think, focus, and calm down. When that gets old, switch the music back on again. Think of your life in movement, your surroundings and motivations constantly changing, the need to wake up and fall asleep everyday – let this rhythm guide your radio choices.

Talk to Other Drivers (or Yourself)

Ok, this sounds a little schizophrenic, but talking releases stress much in the same way that listening to music does. When a fellow driver does something you don't like, try talking to them as if they are your friend. Instead of shouting and cursing, this form of empathy through conversation (although one-sided and a little insane) is a great way to put yourself behind their wheel and see the road as one big driving community instead of a rat race. We all share the road equally, and we rely on each other for safety, much like the way we live life. No driver's an island. You will find empathy is a great way to siphon stress out of your life, even if no one hears it. Think of it like chanting a mantra.

Enjoy the Scenery

But not too much. Keep your eyes on the road there, buddy. Still, you're out on a trip, no matter how short or long, so you might as well breath in the fresh air. Even if it's a route you've driven a hundred times, there are still new things to be discovered, and new reflections to unearth. There is a reason poets call the natural world the root of all inspiration, so be inspired. Driving is a great way to see nature, and the variation of light as you hasten down the freeway might just make an artist out of you. Moderately enjoying your surroundings will take away the monotony of the road, prevent tunnel vision, and make you a safer driver in general. It will also calm you for the journeys ahead.

Still Stressed? Let's See How We Can Help You

How to Deal with an Overheating Car

Most of us have probably witnessed a car overheating. It is usually a sweltering summer day and a person is pulled over with their hood up and frantically trying to cool down their car. While an overheating car is rare with modern vehicles, it can still occur. Remember to stay calm and focus on cooling down your car. People will often panic and try to drive to a gas station or reach their destination. If your temperature gauge is on high, it is important to immediately take measures to cool down your car.

What can cause your car to overheat?

• Low coolant level – Can be caused by evaporation through the overflow reservoir. This can happen over time or can be caused by being improperly filled. Consult your manual to find the radiator cap and check the fluid level. 
• A leak in the engine cooling system – Can be caused by old hoses, holes, old or broken gaskets. Leaks or pools of liquid on the ground can indicate a problem with your cooling system. 
• A bad thermostat – A bad thermostat can act as a plug thus restricting proper circulation. 
• Failing water pump – Failing water pumps can be indicated by high pitched squeaking. A failing water pump should be addressed as soon as possible because a failing water pump can quickly lead to serious car trouble. 
• Trapped air in the cooling system – Trapped air usually occurs if there is a problem shortly after a improperly addressed pump repair. 
• Radiator cooling fan is not working – When turning on the air conditioner while the car is on you should hear the cooling fan start. If you do not hear the fan this could indicate several problem with the the fan e.g. connection, fuse, bad fan. 
• Clogged radiator core – Oxidation and sludge can clog the radiator core possibly leading to a radiator replacement. 
• Your radiator cap needs to be replaced – This can be a difficult problem to diagnosed without a radiator cap pressure tester. If you notice fluid around the cap of your radiator try testing the pressure with a pressure tester. 
• A blown head gasket – This problem can be indicated by puddles of coolant under your car and in extreme cases the car may not even start. 

What to do if you're on the road:

• At the first sign of overheating, shut off your air conditioner and turn on your heater and fan. This can very effectively transfer heat from your engine to your passenger compartment. Opening your windows can help keep you cool if the heater is on during a hot day. 
• If you are in traffic resist riding your breaks. Break drag can increase work load on your engine. 
• If you are in traffic try shifting to neutral or park and rev the engine a little. This can increase water pump circulation and fan speed thus helping heat dissipation. 
• If the problem persists pull over and let the car cool off. Do not open the radiator cap or add water while the car is hot. If you must add water while the car is still warm add the water slowly while the engine is idling in neutral or park. 
• If for any reason you feel your car may be compromised from over heating contact a dealership as soon as you can to address the problem.

Picture courtesy: http://blog.esurance.com/wp-content/uploads/What-to-do-when-your-car-overheats.jpg

Common Car Maintenance Mistakes

With our busy lives, we often forget simple maintenance of our cars. This can result in costly repairs and breakdowns.

It is important to take the time to learn about your car so that you can get the most money and time out of it. Here are a few mistakes that many make:

• Parking your car outside: Why should one of your most valuable and necessary possessions sit outside where it can be damaged by the elements? Keeping your car in your garage can protect it from unnecessary damage.
• Not Changing Your Air Filter: Your air filter takes impurities out of the air, but it can become clogged and needs regular changing. A clogged air filter can hurt your fuel economy and end up costing you more in gas.
• Tire pressure: Check your tire pressure regularly. Tires with too little pressure can hurt your fuel economy and can affect your car's ability to stop quickly. Consult your manual for pressure levels.
• Oil Change: There are a lot of misconceptions concerning regular oil changes. The rule of thumb used to be 3 months or 3,000 miles, but in today's world of synthetic oil and more efficient cars, it is important to consult your manual or your service representative for further information.
• Wiper Blades: Often the rubber material on wiper blades deteriorates and can crumble. This can lead to a streaky windshield that is difficult to see through during rain. Check your wiper blades for cracking or loose pieces.
• Taking Care of Your Brakes: If your brakes are making sounds or feel “funny” it is essential to take them in. Don't risk putting off a funny sound with your brakes. Safety First!
• Headlights: People often drive around with a burnt out headlight or taillight. These lights are to allow others to see your car. They also allow you to see where you are going! When a light goes out, change it as soon as possible!
• Cracked Windshield: We have all been there. You are driving on the freeway and all-of-a-sudden a rock flies into your windshield and leaves a nasty star. Taking your car in as soon as possible can save you $. Often, stars that are smaller than an inch in diameter can be filled-in saving you a lot of money. If you wait too long and the star begins to spread into a crack, the entire windshield will need to be replaced.

How To Check Your Tire Pressure

How To Check Your Oil

Service Tips