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5 Car Fluids You Should Know: A Guide

Did you know that gas isn't the only fluid that goes in your vehicle? I’m sure you did, but do you know exactly what those fluids are and what they do for your vehicle? If you’re a newbie car owner like me, you probably didn’t know that some of the following fluids are very important. This week we are going over what those important fluids are and what their main job is within your vehicle. Brake Fluid: Brake fluid is one of the most straightforward fluids that your vehicle needs. In order to stop when you want to stop, you need brake fluid. This fluid should ALWAYS be kept at capacity and if your brakes are not on their best behavior, it may be time to re-up on the brake fluid. You can check the brake fluid level by looking through the reservoir on the driver side and it should be a golden color. Anything but a gold color should be changed or change the fluid every two years.Power Steering Fluid: We all like a smooth driving experience and power steering fluid ensures that. If you hear any creaking or have a tough steering wheel, you may need to fill up. You should be checking your power steering fluid monthly or at least every time you have your vehicle serviced. Maintaining this will prevent leak based issues that could leave you with a hefty bill. Coolant: This is one crucial fluid and if not properly filled, can lead to your engine overheating. This 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze keeps your engine at an optimal temperature that will prevent it from getting too cold or too hot. Checking your coolant reservoir can keep you from having numerous issues including a gasket leak. These levels should be checked at least every 6 months and coolant should be flushed and replaced every 2 years. Engine Oil: Your vehicle runs on oil - did ya know? Engine oil lubricates the engine and absorbs heat, without engine oil your vehicle wouldn’t go far before overheating and possibly blowing up. Checking the oil can be easy, pop open the hood, remove the oil cap, take the dipstick out, and wipe it off on a used towel. Reinsert the dipstick and where the oil hits, is your current engine oil level. The color of the oil will indicate whether or not it is time to change the oil. Give the vehicle ample time to cool down before you decide to work on the engine. Windshield Washer Fluid: We like to see, right? Well, I hope so. This fluid should be obvious as to why you need and want the proper amount in the reservoir and ready to go whenever you need to use it. This can oftentimes be filled when you have regular service or just stop by your local automotive store and pick some up!
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Road Trip + These Games = One Happy Ride! | Granville, NY

Summer is just heating up here in Upstate New York and that means you’re probably gearing up to hit the road for a road trip with the family! But what are you going to do to pass the time? Don’t stress - we have that one checked off on your list! Take a look at these family-friendly games listed out below that will surely get everyone in the car involved and keep them from asking, “are we there yet?” Take a look and if you’re ready to upgrade your ride before hitting the road - you know exactly where to find us! License Plate Map Grab a clipboard, a color-less printed out copy of the U.S. map, and some crayons! When you see a license plate from a certain state, color it in! This will keep kids occupied for hours as they race to be the first one to get all 50 states! Spot The Car This is a great game for older children who can differentiate the difference between vehicle models or brands. Instead of looking for different states like we did in the Licensee Plate Map game, you’re looking for different models. You can make a printable scavenger hunt list to check off when that model is found. The first one to check off all models wins! The Alphabet Race An adult picks a letter from the alphabet and whoever spots that letter out the window first (billboard, cows, tires, for example) gets to go next! This one is truly endless and can help pass the time, especially if you’re traveling with small children who are learning to expand their minds! I Spy Everyone knows this one! Start with saying “I spy with my little eye….” and give a clue as to what you are looking at. Everyone takes a turn guessing at what you could be seeing, the person who guesses correctly gets to start the next round. 20 Questions Another popular and easy option! Someone in the car thinks of a specific object and other passengers take turns guessing what the person, place or thing might be and each question must be answered with a simple yes or no. After every answer, the questioner gets to take one guess at what the ‘thing’ might be. The passenger who guesses correctly wins and gets to start the next round!

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Gear Up For Spring With These 5 Helpful Service Tips! | Granville, NY

Happy March! Can you believe that spring is finally here?! We sure can and we’re ready to celebrate the beginning of a new season full of warmer temperatures. But as you know, winter can cause issues for our vehicles and it’s important to get the green light from your service technicians to ensure that your vehicle is in proper working condition and you can explore freely this spring and summer. Check out a few of our tips to check for and be sure to schedule your service appointment with our team online today. And don’t forget to snag a coupon to save a little extra cash when you stop in to see us. Now, let’s talk about those spring service details! Wash Your Ride As temperatures are warming up, it’s important to visit the car wash and treat your vehicle to a little TLC. Make sure to wash the undercarriage of your vehicle to get rid of any winter buildup and debris. It’s also a great idea to have the interior of your vehicle detailed to ensure a fresh, clean start to spring. Check Your Battery Wintertime is known for making batteries weak and it’s important to have your battery tested to ensure its health. Also, if your battery is older than four years old, it’s a good rule of thumb to invest in a new one. Fill Up The Fluids During the winter, your vehicle’s fluids tend to drain easily and quickly. And with spring around the corner, you should be stopping in to have your fluids topped off and be sure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid too. Inspect & Align Your Tires Winter driving can be brutal on your tires and it’s important to ensure that there are no leaks, bulges, and lack of tread on your tires. Stop in and allow our team to inspect your tires, fill up to proper PSI levels, rotate and align them. Get Under The Hood While we’re at it, pop open the hood (when cold) and give everything underneath a good look over. Inspect hoses, belts, caps, air filters, and make sure they are not cracked or damaged. If they are, be sure to schedule an appointment and have them replaced as soon as possible. Also, make sure your air filters are replaced so your air conditioning is ready when warm weather is officially here.

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Turn Up The Cheer With Our Playlist! | Granville, NY

By golly! Christmas is nearly here and that means you’ll need to spread some holiday cheer! We want to help you accomplish that and this week we have our Christmas playlist to help! Whether you are hosting the party or traveling, we encourage you to turn up the volume and get the party started with the list below. Feel free to add some of your own for a twist! And if you’re thinking about upgrading your ride, come on in to see our team and let’s get the party started right here at Zappone CJDR in Granville! It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Michael Buble Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande Rockin Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Mariah Carey Santa Baby - Ariana Grande Let It, Snow! Let It, Snow! Let It, Snow! - Frank Sinatra What Christmas Means To Me  - Stevie Wonder Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer - Dean Martin Mistletoe - Justin Bieber Last Christmas - Ariana Grande Thank God It’s Christmas - Queen Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry Frosty The Snowman - Ella Fitzgerald Shake Up Christmas - Train Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley I Still Believe In Santa Clause - LeAnn Rimes All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey Last Christmas - Wham!