Wisconsin Winters; Service for your Vehicle

The average snowfall in Wisconsin ranges from about 40 inches in the southern part of the state, to over 100 inches in the snow belt regions near Superior.   This year, we got a late start but in Wisconsin, winter can last all the way up through April!  It’s not too late to think about winter specific car maintenance and necessary service to ensure you’re not left out in the cold.  Below are some winter car maintenance tips to consider:

• TIRES

“All-season” tires are not designed for winter driving, especially in colder states such as Wisconsin.  They are generally are not made of cold weather rubber compounds, they lack channeling tread patterns and come with less tread stripes than winter or snow tires.  Even with front-wheel-drive and anti-skid systems, “all-season” tires are not going to provide the performance that a snow tire can offer.  As a matter of fact, the single component responsible with how a car performs in cold weather and/or on icy or snowy roads is the tire itself.  If you are driving in very severe weather — especially if you have to be on the  roads before  the highway crews — it makes sense to spend more to get the higher-end snow tires.  Lastly, don’t forget to have your tire pressure checked regularly, especially in cold weather conditions.  Local service specials.

• BATTERIES

Winter puts more stress on your battery, particularly if you park your car outdoors.  If you notice your headlights dimming, if it’s been 3-6 years since you got a new battery and especially if your car needs a jump-start, it may be time for a change.  Repair shops don’t  usually charge very much to load-test your battery, and some car-parts stores will do it for free.  Don’t try to change the battery yourself;  a battery can weigh as much as 40 lbs. and are often times very tricky to remove.   There are electrical and chemical dangers associated with changing a batter, not to mention that the old battery will need to be disposed of properly.  If your battery is not under warranty, it’s not too late to replace it, before it leaves you and your family stranded.  Find Local service specials.

• WIPERS

Obviously, you’ll need to see the road to drive safely.  The build-up of winter precipitation, dirt and salt on your windshield can greatly reduce visibility. Working windshield wipers and a solid supply of wiper fluid will ensure that you have a clear line of sight even in the nastiest snowstorm.  Dedicated winter blades feature a rubber boot that prevents snow and sleet from jamming things up.  Consumer Reports (CR) tested 15 wiper models, both silicone and rubber, and found that most did a very good to excellent job for the first 6 to 9 months but then performance fell off.  Therefore, it’s best to replace your blades at least once per year.  It’s not too late to have your wiper fluid reservoir topped off with a brand that has a lower freezing temperature.  Local Service Specials.

• OIL & ANTIFREEZE FLUIDS

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed a rating system for oil viscosity, which is often called weight. It’s expressed by four or five characters, such as 10W-30. The lower the number before the W (which stands for “winter”), the better the oil flows in cold temperatures.  Therefore, your oil should be either multi-viscosity or 5W if you are in severe cold climate.  Anti-freeze is designed to prevent summer boil-overs and winter freeze-ups.  Waiting too long to remove coolant can harm your system and not perform the way you expect.  Find a team of highly qualified ASE Certified technicians focused on providing exceptional service in a timely manner.  If you’re interested in the best new-vehicle warranties, see Volvo’s Service for Life Warranty!

Buy or lease; best new car deals at Jenkins

Compared to last year, sales of new vehicles are stronger this summer.  However, finding a good promotion to save some money may have you scrambling.  Don’t fret;  Jenkins Imports has vehicles fully stocked and a ‘Summer Sales Event’ that will make you smile.

The Summer Sales Event means you can buy a lease ANY 2012 Volvo, take it home… then enjoy taking the summer off because you’ll pay nothing for 2 months!

Summer Sales Event

• Buy or lease ANY 2012 Volvo and Volvo will make the first 2 payments for you

Not only that, but Volvo’s 5 Years of complimentary scheduled maintenance and wear & tear coverage still applies.   When purchasing a Volvo, the Safe + Secure Coverage Plan provides an additional year of New Car Limited Warranty coverage for a total of five years or 50,000 miles on model year 2013, 2012 or 2011 vehicles, whichever occurs first. Additional warranties cover corrosion, seat belts, the supplemental restraint system, emission systems, genuine Volvo replacement parts and genuine Volvo accessories.

Volvo’s Safe & Secure Coverage Plan

• 5 year warranty
• 5 year wear & tear
• 5 year scheduled maintenance
• 5 year wear & tear

Lease deals are also back in full swing.  You can take advantage of the ‘Summer Sales Event’ AND lease a Volvo S60  for as little as $299 per month for up to 36 months, or a Volvo XC60 for $399 up to 36 months.  (There is a small down payment required to lease, so keep that in mind.)  So, besides the low monthly cost to lease, there are some other benefits worth noting.  

Lease your new car

• Out of pocket costs usually lower than a purchase
• Still covered by manufacturers warranty
• You can drive a higher-priced, better-equipped vehicle than you might otherwise be able to afford to buy
• You’re always driving a late-model vehicle that’s covered by the manufacturer’s warranty

You obviously get the manufacturers warranty when buying your new car, and the monthly payments will be higher.  However, there are some good points to consider as well.

Buy your new car

• You own it once it’s paid off
• You can customize & sell at any time
• Insurance limits are typically lower
• No mileage limitations

To find out if leasing or buying is the best option for you, stop in to Jenkins Imports today at 4020 N. GreenBay Avenue in Milwaukee.  Easy on, easy off I-94 at Capitol Drive.

Written by Local Vocal, Leaning Tree Marketing, on behalf of Jenkins Imports

What Women Want found at Jenkins

In the  book, “Understanding the Increasing Affluence of Women,” Judith E. Nichols, Ph.D., CFRE says that in the majority of U.S. households, women bring in 1/2 or  more of the income and control about 80 percent of household spending, including new car purchases.  According to Michael Albano of GM’s global design group, “women’s influence in the automotive market has hit an all-time high, noting 85 percent of all vehicle sales decisions are influenced by women with women buying 45 percent of all vehicles.”   (This information is based on car registration numbers only and does not reflect households where vehicles are shared.)

So what DO women want?  Well, all the research shows that they are looking for EVEN MORE than the same things men want. For example, both want performance, package and design. However, the decision a women makes in a car purchase will have more to do with added bonuses such as more cargo space, safety features and ease of use for items such as car seats.  They want great interior and exterior designs;  paying special attention to trim, fabrics, compartments and color details.  However, they won’t compromise these things for safety and efficiency.

Watch this short YouTube video about “Marketing to Women” by Marti Barletta.  Marti explains that men and women may be 95% identical, but that 5% makes a big difference.  She also states in her book that women seek more advice from an auto authority (57 percent) before buying a new car; they spend more time in the purchasing process than men (17 weeks versus 15) and women shop at an average of three dealerships for best price and treatment.

Women are influential, even in the automotive world.  According to autoguide.com Volvo comes in #1 with the highest percentage of women buyers. So how can Jenkins Imports give women what they want?  First and foremost, Jenkins Imports has VOLVO;  a nicely designed, dependable and Safety focused brand which includes Safe & Secure.   Jenkins is conscious of the fact that women and men are looking for slightly different things.   Jenkins also has the most honest and well-meaning sales people who are going to provide the best treatment and price possible.  They earn the trust of woman buyers, guide them through the purchasing process and make them feel like family for years to come.

Volvo is the fastest growing luxury import in the country, so if you currently own or lease an Acura, Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus, Mercedes, Honda, Nissan, Saab, Toyota, or Volkswagen take advantage of a great offer running through May 31st.

 

Written by Local Vocal, Leaning Tree Marketing, on behalf of Jenkins Imports