Grand Prix Performance - Costa Mesa, CA

Check the engine antifreeze (coolant) level in the overflow tank – it’s visible from outside. The level should be between “Min” and “Max” marks. (Don’t open the radiator cap when the engine is hot!) If the antifreeze level is well below the minimum, look for possible leaks. Any leaks should be fixed before a trip – lack of coolant on the road may cause engine to overheat which may cause serious damage. If it’s lower just a bit, you can simply top it up using recommended for your car type of antifreeze mixed 50/50 with water.

When traveling behind other vehicles, there should be at least a 4 second space between your vehicles. When the car in front of you passes a stationary object, slowly count to yourself. If you pass the object before the allotted time, you should back off. When traveling at night or inclement weather, these times should be doubled.

Take a lesson from pilots. When leaving for an out of home trip, be sure to give an itinerary to someone back at home with the route of travel, approximate time of arrival and a contact number at your destination. Do not deviate from this plan without informing your at-home contact. If you are traveling a long distance, check in throughout the trip with a current location and any changes in your route or times. If something were to happen, this information may be used to narrow the search.

When you get into the car, adjust all mirrors and seats before placing the key in the ignition. To properly adjust the left mirror place your head against the left window and adjust the mirror so that you can just see the left side of the car. For the right, move your head towards the center of the vehicle and adjust the right mirror in the same way. When you are sitting correctly in the driver’s seat, you will not be able to see your vehicle, but your blind spots will be greatly reduced!

Michelin is currently working on their fifth generation of green tires and they have proved an improvement of at least 2 percent in improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions with each successive generation. This has been, in their own way a silent revolution, reducing global fuel consumption by more than 3 billion gallons and avoiding 30 million metric tons in CO2 emissions since 1992.

The lesson learned from the past decade and more critically the last 15 months is that together, we as an industry must commit to a new, more sustainable road mobility focused on new realities:

 * Must increase fuel efficiency and thereby reduce CO2 emissions.  The transportation industry is no exception and will not escape this necessity.
*We must improve road safety. This past November, the United Nations hosted the first global ministerial conference on road safety in Moscow. Michel Rollier, the CEO of the Michelin Group, was the only tire executive to participate. Michelin fully supports the roadmap that resulted from this global conference, which aims to curb the number of road fatalities (1.3 million today) and serious injuries (50 million today) by 2020. We know the crucial role that tires play in this fight, particularly in reducing stopping distances and improving vehicle handling.

 

Today we're going to go over a few MUST KNOW "How To's" for every savvy gal on the road.  As a matter of fact, this guide is good for anyone who has a set of wheels...

1.  How to Check the Oil

The first thing you need to know is where to find the oil. The cap on the oil tank may be a little tricky, it is more pull than twist, but you can get it off. It is also important to know which type of oil your car takes, and how to add some oil if you needed to do that on your own.

 

Also find out where the air filter is, if it is accessible. It is cheaper to change your own air filter before a serviced oil change than it is to purchase an air filter

 

2.  How to Check the Transmission Fluid

One important car maintenance task that women should definitely know how to do is to check their transmission fluid. Unless there is a problem, or your car is older, you may not actually have to ever add your own transmission fluid. It is still important to know where it is under the hood, and how to add transmission fluid. Also know which type of transmission fluid to use.

 

3. How to Check the Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is another one of those things we never think about. Have someone show you where it is and how to check it.

 

4. How to Change a Tire

Do you know how to change a tire? While you may never actually have to change your own tire, especially if you have Triple A or don't travel too far off the beaten path, it is still nice to know how to change a tire. Also find out the correct tire pressure for your tires, and how to check the pressure, and add air when needed.

Come by the shop and we'd be happy to show you how to do all of the above...
Knowing how to do basic tasks and car maintenance can make women feel more empowered, and secure when driving.

 

Have a look in your vehicle’s owners manual- It’s the best source of useful information. From how to use overdrive when towing a trailer to how to change the tire and where is the jack located – it’s all in there. Also, you may find out the proper tire pressure and how to change a headlight bulb, where is the transmission dipstick located, and a lot more.

Many engine problems are initially caused by simply lack of oil changes. If your next oil change is due soon, definitely do it before a trip.
To check the engine oil, place the car on a flat surface, warm up and stop the engine. Wait for a minute allowing the oil to pour down the oil pan. Locate the oil dipstick – usually it has some kind of bright color handle that indicates “ENGINE OIL”. Pull the dipstick out, wipe it with a clean rug or a paper towel and insert it back fully. Pull it out again and check the level – it should be close to the “FULL” mark on the dipstick. If the oil appears too black – it definitely needs to be changed. If the level is low, you can top it up using the same type of oil as you already have in the engine.

Ok, not every girl needs to know how to tune up her car's engine. Heck, some of us don't even know that we need to tune our car's engine. Nonetheless, here are three basic components of car maintenance that every girl SHOULD know before she hits the road.

This guide will help you know what things to keep an eye on. You won't be able to fix everything that can go wrong, but at least you'll know that something is wrong and will know when you need to seek help.  At Grand Prix, we're committed to being a place that a girl feels comfortable walking into.  You will be treated just as we would want our own mothers, sisters, daughters and wives to be treated- with respect!  Ok, now onto the good stuff...

1) First things first, a girl should know how to check her tire pressure. It's one of the easiest parts of car maintenance but can make a huge difference in how your car performs. Your tires will last longer, and function to their maximum potential, you will save gas and therefore help the environment, you will have less wear and tear on your engine (saving you money long term) and just be all around safer if your tires are aired up correctly.  Believe me; no girl wants to experience a tire blow out on a major interstate just because she drove on over or under inflated tires.

For a few dollars you can buy a basic tire pressure gauge.  Once you have your tire gauge in hand, unscrew the valve stem cap on your tire (it's the little short thing that sticks out by the wheel). Now press the end of the gauge over the end of your valve stem. As you do, you'll hear a little air escaping the tire. It's ok as long as you move quickly. When you have the gauge positioned right, the stick inside it will pop out indicating your tire pressure. The last number visible (the one closest to being hidden) is your pressure. Most car manufacturers have the recommended psi on the inside of the driver's side door jamb.  If you are having trouble, come by Grand Prix, and we'd be happy to do it for you.


2) Another important part of car maintenance every girl should know about is engine temperature. Some cars have a gauge in the dashboard. If your car does, look at it occasionally while you're driving around. Now you'll have an idea what the gauge normally shows. If it goes a lot closer to the hot side than normal, give us a call or just come by the shop so we can take a look for you.

If you don't have that temperature gauge, don't panic. Some cars have a light in the dash that only lights up when the temperature has gone too high. If that light comes on and doesn't turn off, you'll know that it's time to look for help. Don't drive an overheated car. It can cause expensive damage. Under no circumstance, should you raise the hood on a car that has overheated and has steam pouring out of it! That's just asking to get burned.

3) Finally, this would be a very sorry guide to car maintenance if we didn't tell you that every girl should know to take care of her normally scheduled car maintenance. That means, every 5,000 miles or so (every car is different so check your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation), you should plan on taking your car in for an oil change.  Did you know that we can do that for you at Grand Prix?  Anywho...Once you're in the shop, we can do a once over to make sure everything is in tip-top shape.

Following this guide won't guarantee that nothing ever goes wrong with your car. No one can make that promise. Taking care of these basic car maintenance issues will, however, go a long way towards guarding against surprise breakdowns. And every girl likes that!

Stay tuned for more helpful tips...

Since it seems the rain may never stop here in Southern California, we figured you might be up for some more safety tips while driving out there in these crazy conditions.  So here you go. 
Part Two of our Rainy Day Driving Tips:
1) Sloooooooow Dooooooown!  It takes longer to stop in wet weather.  Take your time so that you can avoid hydroplaning.  In the event that you do hydroplane, follow these steps-  first, take your foot off of the gas, and DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT stomp on the brakes. Instead, if you have a manual transmission, push in the clutch and let the car slow down on its own. If you drive an automatic, hold the steering wheel steady and lightly apply the brakes.
2) Avoid puddles whenever possible, but if you must drive slowly especially when you aren't sure how deep it is.
3) If you see moving water ahead of you, do not proceed if you aren't able to see the road beneath it.  You could easily get swept right off the road!
4) Drive in the tracks of a car ahead of you.
5) Replace old wiper blades.  It's an easy and inexpensive way to make your vehicle so much safer.  Also remember to keep your washer fluid topped off.
6) And please avoid splashing pedestrians!



Be cautious, be smart and take your time.  Give us a call if you have any concerns or questions about your vehicle's safety.  Be safe friends!!