Blog

Winter is here and with it comes Pennsylvania’s notoriously unpredictable weather patterns. Winter blizzards, sleet and icy driving conditions are all part of what we put up with to live in this otherwise idyllic part of the country. As the mercury dips, there are concrete steps you should take to keep you and your import car safe in the PA winter.

The Fall season is one of the most pleasant times of the year in Pennsylvania. Summer’s blazing heat is long gone and winter’s chill and accompanying snow and ice hasn’t yet arrived. It is the ideal time to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. It’s also the ideal time to make sure your car is equipped to handle the extreme winter-driving conditions that are right around the corner. Be prepared before freezing temps hit and take advantage of the beautiful weather to prepare your vehicle for winter's more extreme conditions. 

Your Mini Cooper is fast, fun and exciting. The pure joy of cruising the streets in one of these powerful, BMW-engineered cars means you need great, specialized Mini Cooper service to keep your luxury vehicle reliable over the long haul. While your vehicle is distinctive, comfortable and eco-friendly, many technicians are not qualified to work on them due to a lack of familiarity.

Your check engine light is an important warning signal, but there is no need to panic if it comes on. There are a number of reasons a check engine light comes on. It can be something simple like a failure to correctly secure the fuel tank lid at your last visit to the gas station. However, because an import car check engine light is a warning of a potential mechanical problem, it should never be ignored.

If you equate vehicle battery failure with frigid winter temperatures, you’re not alone. Many people believe if their car’s battery is going to fail, it will probably happen on an extremely cold winter day. Batteries certainly do fail in cold weather, but you may be surprised to learn more car batteries fail in summer than they do in winter.

If you’ve ever hopped into your car, put your key into the ignition, turned the key and experienced silence rather than the roar of your engine, you know how frustrating and inconvenient that can be. Vehicle batteries don’t last forever; they will eventually fail. If you learn the signs that your battery may be failing, you can be proactive and hopefully avoid the hassle of being stranded.

You’ve heard the saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Ask any Saab owner who has neglected to follow his vehicle’s routine maintenance schedule and ended up with a hefty repair bill as a result. He or she will probably tell you, “Whatever you do, don’t make the mistake I did!” Prevention is usually less expensive and more convenient than repair.

Even with gas prices at record lows, many drivers still hesitate before hitting the “premium” button at the gas pump. Sure, gas prices are low, but you can still save a few dollars per fill up by choosing regular gasoline. Drivers of high-end vehicles, including Saabs, should think twice about the wisdom of saving a few dollars. If you fill your tank with regular gas and your engine was built for premium, that “savings” could cost you down the road.

When you hear the term “severe driver,” what images come to mind? You may envision a driver speeding down the highway, recklessly veering in and out of traffic. However, that’s not how the Care Care Council defines it. According to this well-respected nonprofit industry group, severe driving refers to the conditions you drive in, not your driving style. In other words, even if you are a careful, safe driver who abides by all traffic rules, odds are good that you fit into the severe driver category.