Alternative Auto Care

Congratulations to Stacey Hallock, service advisor and facilities manager. Stacey has been with Alternative Auto Care since 2012. She an important member of our service team members and is ASE certified in several areas. Our service team members are required to keep some Auto Repair certifications current. Stacey just pased her ASE recertification in Brakes. Alternative Auto Care is proud to be an ASE Blue Seal of Excellance Shop, which means that all of our technicians and service staff hold current ASE certificatons in their areas of expertice. Meeting the high standards of the Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition Program puts Alternative Auto Care among an elite class of businesses that savvy customers look for. Again Congrats to Stacey!

A few ways to avoid getting stranded in the cold is to make sure you have at least a half a tank of gas at all times, keep up with recommended maintenance, and keep your tires properly inflated. And sometimes you get stuck no matter what precautions you take. Taking meaningful action now can give you peace of mind if the unimaginable happens. Take some time now to put together some basic supplies and you'll be prepared no matter what.

Have you noticed that your vehicle is slow to start in the mornings? Next time try turning on your headlights for a few seconds, maybe long enough to fasten your seatbelt, and then turn them off before starting the car. Turning on the lights causes a chemical reaction in the battery that may make starting the engine easier. Corroded battery cables severely limit the transfer of electricity from the battery to the starter, particularly in cold weather. Excess corrosion is an indication of a problem and you may want to have your charging and starting system tested to determine the cause. The functional life of most batteries if 5 years. If your battery is more than 4 years old, you may want to consider replacing it. No need to wait until your stranded, especially in the cold. Another good tip on particularly frigid mornings is to BANG on your hood before getting in and starting up. Many outside critters are looking for a warm place, out of the wind, to shelter in winter. Don't take an unexpected passenger to work with you!

Turn off your windshield wipers when parking your car. In freezing weather, it is likely that the blades will freeze to the windshield. If you start the car with the wipers still on and the blades frozen to the windshield, the wiper motor or linkage can be damaged. If you can, position your wipers sticking up/out so that they don't freeze to the glass (not possible on all vehicles). Remember... wipers up!

ICE & SNOW - TAKE IT SLOW Allow yourself extra time to reach your destination. If you must drive, make sure your car is prepared and you know how to handle winter road conditions. INCREASE DISTANCE and SLOW your speed when following others. Apply the BRAKE GENTLY to avoid skidding. If your wheels lock, ease off the brakes. Keep your LIGHTS ON to increase your visibility to other motorists and pedestrians. Do not use cruise control on icy roads. Bridges, overpasses, shady areas, and lightly traveled roads freeze and ice over first, so be especially careful in these situations.

2025, The Year of Maintenance Your vehicle is one of the biggest investments you will likely make in your lifetime. Vehicle repairs are expensive, as well as inconvenient and stressful. Preventive maintenance keeps your ride in tip-top shape, can help minimize or even avoid costly and unexpected repairs, and keeps you from breaking down on the side of the road. Alternative Auto Care is committed to taking care of you AND your vehicle. We'll be talking a lot about maintenance this year to help you budget and manage whatever the economy brings, so that you can have safe and happy driving experiences. An Educated Consumer is a happy and safe vehicle owner. Happy New Year from all of us at Alternative Auto Care!!

Alternative Auto Care hosted a workshop on Saturday of Ohio State Vet School students. They were a fun group and we enjoyed teaching them some car care tips and we all enjoyed ourselves. Special thanks to Stacey Hallock for pitching in to help teach the workshop. Chris loves to talk cars, especially wth women consumers, eager to learn! If your group would like to schedule a workshop let us know!

Today is Election Day. Don't forget to vote, if you haven't already. It is your right and your responsibility.

If I could turn back time,... It is that time of year. Time to change your clock back one hour. If you are struggling with the clock in your car, stop by and we will be happy to help. We might even sing for you!

November is here and before you know it Thanksgiving will be here. If you're planning on a road trip to see family, whether a few hours away or a days drive, now is the time to make sure your vehicle is ready to go. Don't wait until the last minute to find out there is an issue - schedule a pre-trip inspection today. Our team of ASE certified technicians will be able to identify any issues and let you know if there is anything that needs to be addressed immediately.