How to Winterize Your Car
Whether you like it or not, winter is right around the corner. That means you need to prepare your house and your vehicles for the upcoming weather. What are some tips for winterizing your car?
Stock Your Car with Emergency Supplies
Your car should be stocked with emergency supplies all year round, but especially in the winter. You never know when your car will break down or weather will prevent you from driving any further. If that were to happen, you want to be prepared, so stock your car with supplies. You will want to have a set of jumper cables, two flashlights, blankets, a first aid kit, a folding shovel, and extra water. Depending on the makeup of your family, you may want to add baby supplies as well.
Consider Snow Tires
Do you live somewhere that tends to be snow covered all winter? If so, you want to invest in snow tires. Snow-tires are created from a different type of rubber. This softer rubber lets the tired have more flexibility in the cold air. In addition, snow tires are designed with very specific patterns that allow the tires to grip into snow and ice.
Replace and Refill Fluids
When winter hits, you want all of the fluids in your car to be full. So while it is still Fall, go ahead and check the levels and then fill everything. The coolant in your car is necessary to keep your radiator from freezing with the low temperatures. You will want to check your oil as well and make sure it is full. Some mechanics do recommend switching to a thinner oil over the winter.
Lastly, you will want to check and fill your windshield washer fluid. You will need that to keep a clear and clean windshield. If you have any questions, refer to your car’s user manual or ask your mechanic.
Whether you love the winter or hate it, your car needs your attention in the colder months. Stock your car up with emergency supplies in the case that you get stranded in a blizzard. Consider putting snow tires on your car so you are better equipped to handle the icy and slippery roads. Lastly, make sure all your cars’ fluids are full. This includes coolant, windshield washer fluid, and oil.
2019 Jeep Lineup
Are you looking to purchase a new Jeep in 2019? The following models are some of the best and worst of the newest Jeeps coming to the market in 2018 and 2019.
2019 Jeep Wrangler Pickup
Many Jeep lovers are excited for the 2019 Jeep Wrangler pickup. Those who love both pickup trucks and Jeeps ar even more excited for this release! It is slated to come out before the year’s end. From what people have seen in photos, the Jeep Wrangler pickup truck comes with a fold-down windshield, four doors and a truck bed. In addition, it features LED headlights and fender-mounted turn signals. There has not been a lot of information released on the Jeep Wrangler Pickup, but there is no denying the excitement from Jeep fans!
2019 Jeep Cherokee
This is the fifth generation of Jeep Cherokees, and it was met with some criticism from die hard Jeep fans. The 2019 Cherokee comes equipped with a totally redesigned front end with larger headlights and a slightly revised grille. As far as the interior, it now comes with a touchscreen display equipped with Apple CarPlay. Detractors remind us that the 2019 Jeep Cherokee is still not as fuel-efficient as most of its competitors and it has less cargo room as well.
2019 Jeep Renegade
The Renegade is the smallest of all of the Jeep types. It is European inspired with its design and its subcompact crossover. The 2019 Jeep Renegade comes equipped with a brand new front and rear bumper. As far as the interior, the Renegade comes with a new dashboard with a wider screen and improved heating and air conditioning controls. There is also a rumor about the possibility of brand new interior colors, but that rumor has not been confirmed.
Whether you decide to go with the Jeep Renegade or the brand new Jeep Wrangler Pickup, buying a new Jeep always brings excitement! There have been mostly positive reviews for all of the 2019 Jeep releases. Interiors and exteriors have been redesigned to fit customer’s needs and address their feedback.
Common Car Maintenance Myths
Owning a vehicle can be a daunting task. There is monthly maintenance, yearly maintenance, and maintenance on anything that may go wrong. With such as important purchase and part of your daily life, you should understand what your car does and does not need. The following are some common maintenance myths that end up costing car owners unnecessary money every year. Let’s debunk them!
Engine Oil Needs Changed Every 3,000 Miles
Under normal driving conditions, most vehicles can travel 7,500 miles or more between oil changes. Cars that use synthetic oil can go up to 10,000 miles before needing an oil change. How do you know what’s best for your car? Read your owner’s manual. Changing your oil every 3,000 miles will not hurt your engine, but it is not necessary. This become the go to mileage change through quick change lube shops who are out to make money. The only reason you would need to change your oil that frequently is if you are towing things often, travel through mountainous areas or stop and go frequently.
Premium Gas is Best
Most vehicles run perfectly fine on regular-grade, 87 octane, gasoline. Using premium in these cars certainly won’t hurt, but it won’t improve performance, either. Higher octane gas is made for hotter running engines or high-compression engines. If your vehicle does not have this type of engine, there is no reason to pay extra for higher octane gas.
Engines Need Idled to Warm Up
This may have been the case fifty years ago, but today, engines are designed to warm up in about three seconds. They are also built to warm up as they go. Don’t waste your time sitting in your driveway every morning.
Use Tire Protectant
Aftermarket products are not needed to preserve tires. Tires are made with built-in preservents and the shine is merely cosmetic, so there is actually nothing you can do to keep it up.
Oftentimes, people feel overwhelmed by the amount of maintenance a car needs. This causes them to believe anything they hear and not do their own research. This is how myths continue. Instead, do your research and learn what is a myth and what is a fact.
About Alexis Khazzam
Alexis Khazzam is a dedicated entrepreneur based in Peoria, IL. He is the owner of Junction Ventures, AppsCo and Alpha Jeep & Motorsports.
Recognized both nationally and internationally a leading customization shop, Alexis Khazzam and the Alpha Jeep team provide unparalleled services. Their work has been featured at the 2015 F1 Grand Prix showcase in Montreal, Canada, as well as at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Some of their work has also been featured on the cover of Forza Magazine and the subject of a full article in Truckin’s annual “Ultimate Parts Guide” issue.
Alexis Khazzam passion for customizing his own vehicles was what initiated his car customization business. Over time, his weekend passion grew into a budding small business, and now Khazzam and the Alpha Jeep team are customizing Jeep vehicles, high-performance and luxury cars throughout central Illinois and the Midwest.
Alpha Jeep and Motorsports officially opened its doors in 2013. As a licensed Quadratec- and ARIES-sponsored dealer, the Alpha Jeep team performs many different Jeep customizations. Whether it’s upgrading your engine or installing bull bars or modular bumpers for your Wrangler, they are the best place to do the job. They also customize domestic and import vehicles of all makes and models. As a licensed dealer of APR products, they promise the highest quality products will be used to upgrade your vehicle’s ECU, motor, suspension, exterior lighting or interior style.
Today, Alexis Khazzam prides his business on their exclusive and interpersonal nature of customer service. The Alpha Jeep team goes above and beyond for every client, meeting with you personally and working with you on every step on the customization process. Their small size allows them to truly focus on your vehicle.
Apart from Alpha Jeep and Motorsports, Alexis Khazzam is also the owner of Junction City Shopping Center and AppsCo. Junction City Shopping Center opened in 1956 and is still based in Peoria, IL today. Junction City offers shoppers a collection of locally owned, premier retail boutiques in one beautiful and convenient setting. Another one of Alexis Khazzam’s business ventures is AppsCo, a not-for-profit organization providing a fully integrated business learning experience for public school students. AppsCo is a software application doubling as a learning tool to give students hands-on business experience and, potentially, a paycheck.
