Hurricane Sandy Preparation Tips

 Scranton Motors has stocked up on ice and gasoline to help our customers in case this storm becomes hazardous.  Please call us if you have need of our assistance in any manner (860-872-9145).

We currently have openings on Saturday and Monday to have a PRE-STORM vehicle inspection done on your vehicle.  We will perform a Battery Test, 27 point vehicle inspection and give you $5.00 of FREE GAS to help you out before the storm hits us late Monday.  Don’t be caught with a stranded vehicle this coming week. Call our service department and book your appointment today.

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Here we go again!  At this time last year we were hit with a terrible winter storm and many of us lost power for weeks.  With Hurricane Sandy brewing we may be in for the same story one year later.  In the days before the big storm hits, now is the perfect time to stock up on necessary goods and prepare for the storm to come!  Here are our tips on how to protect yourself and be ready for when Sandy comes rolling through town:

Tips for your vehicle

• Keep your vehicle parked inside a covered area 
• (preferably your garage to keep your vehicle free from flying debris)
• DO NOT PARK UNDER TREES unless you have no other alternative 
• If you have to park outside, park on higher ground to avoid water entry in case of flooding
• Avoid driving in flooded areas where the water exceeds 6 inches deep; this could cause major electrical or engine damage
• Should you vehicle be flooded and under water, do not attempt to start the engine.  Call us for towing or after hours call Larry’s Towing (860-871-1790) to have the vehicle brought to Scranton Motors

Tips for your home

• Empty the ice from your freezer (if we lose power). THIS IS ESSENTIAL! Should the ice melt, it could ruin the kitchen floor and cause considerable damage.
• Move all loose items from your deck including deck furniture
• Keep your windows closed during the storm
• Turn on the pilot light for your gas fireplace if you have one,
• your gas fireplace will provide some heat in your home in the event that we lose power

If we are out of Power for several days, your smoke alarm may start beeping; this does not necessarily mean you have an emergency, but that you may need new batteries

Other Great Tips!

• Stock up on ice and make sure that you have enough coolers to hold food for a couple of days
• Keep your cell phones charged! 
• Consider purchasing a cell phone car charger if you don’t already have one
• Make sure that you have batteries for flash bulbs and lamps. Do not rely on candles if you can help it.
• Stock up on bottles of water
• Purchase batteries for a radio if you have one
• Fill Up your Gas Tank
• Make sure your gas BBQ propane tank is full (you will at least be able to cook some hot food)
• If the storm winds become strong, avoid going outside. Stay inside, warm and dry in a safe location within your home.
• Make sure you have a pre-planned escape route from your home in case of heavy damage, have a pre-arranged meet up area that all members of your household have agreed to meet in case you need to evacuate.
• In the event we have major lightning, unplug all non essential electrical components to protect them from electrical surges.

10 Annoying Things While Driving

Are you ever driving down the road and just happen to look over at the person in the car next to you? A lot of times you catch them doing something they're not supposed to be doing, or it is just an awkward situation, especially when they look back and make eye contact! Sometimes they are even doing things that just make you wonder, WHY?

I went around and asked my co-workers what people do that annoy them and make them wonder while driving!

1.) Nose Picking

     First of all, why would you do that anyways? Secondly, while driving! I mean come on, your car is full of windows, you are not invisible!

2.) Blinker
     If you are going to turn right, use the right blinker, not the left one. And if you are done turning, make sure your blinker is off before your driving 10 miles up a road and confusing everyone behind you!

3.) Putting Make-Up On

     How is this even really possible? It's hard enough to put it on at home, but while driving? Please ladies, put it on before you leave or when you get to your destination!

4.) Tailgating

     Following closely is dangerous as is, but it is also an annoying habit drivers have. Especially at night or in bad weather when they are so close you can not even see their headlights in your mirrors! Back off please!

5.) Texting

     Illegal as is, some guy in a big pick-up truck was in the middle of the road the other day pulling out of a gas station. He was blocking almost all of the road so I let him go and he gave me a wave, but I noticed that his hand had a glowing object in it. He was texting or on the phone! Maybe if he wasn't doing that, he would not have been blocking the road, he would have hopefully been paying attention.

6.) Right Turn

     They make road signs for a reason, to protect and organize people while driving. When the sign says no turn on red, don't go!

7.) The On-Ramp

     Speed Limit-65. Minimum-45. Why go 35 getting on the highway....

8.) Green Means Go!
     This has to be the worst when you are running late in the morning. People just sit at the light and don't even notice that it has turned green...

9.) Get There Alive!

     Sometimes people are in such a rush that they do not care about safety. They zip in and out of lanes on the highway thinking that they can get there before anyone else. I love when later on I see them either pulled over, or stuck in a slow lane of traffic. Just smile on the way by!!

10.) That is not a lane!

     Have you ever been stuck in traffic when a concert comes to town? Some people think that they are invisible and drive in the break down lane because obviously nobody is there...but that does not make it right! Everyone has to wait, you are no different!

Just remember out on the road that just because someone may annoy you with their bad driving habits, does not mean you have to. Control road rage, and just keep smiling!

Winterize Your Car!

As much as I hate to admit it, winter is going to be here sooner than we think! Now, I am sure all of us in CT remember that terrible storm at the end of October 2011. We had no power for almost 2 weeks, some places even longer! But the one thing I remember most about it was not being prepared and not having my car ready for the snow! Winterize your car sooner than later! Here are some helpful things to look over before the Winter!

Pre-Winter Maintenance:

• Rotate Tires, or get snow tires. Make sure to keep the air in your tires a touch lower to gain more surface tire to road traction!
• Change Oil
• Check All Fluids
• Clean it up (wash and wax!), who knows when it will be warm enough out again!
• Make sure to always have enough gas, at least half a tank will ensure it doesn’t freeze!
• Check spark plugs, battery and thermostat, full engine diagnostics are always recommended

Mud Flaps:

• Save yourself, prevent things like rocks, mud, sticks, glass etc. from being shot at other cars or denting your car!
• Decrease the amount of water spray from the tires on wet roads

Floor Mats:

• Protect the carpet of your car
• This can help increase the re-sale value of your car
• Keep your car cleaner

·         Gives your wet feet traction underneath them!

Other Important Accessories:

• Windshield Wipers
• Windshield Washer Fluid
• Good Headlights
• Snow Scraper
• Small Shovel
• Spare Tire
• Bright Flashlight
• Small Tool Kit
• Extra blanket for any tough situation
• Kitty Litter, Great for traction if you find yourself in a slippery situation!

We never really know what the weather is going to throw at us, so be prepared for anything and everything! As always, drive careful and use your best judgement when you are out on the road! Like my parents always used to say when I was growing up, better be safe than sorry!

Come check out our inventory at Scranton Motors and get in a reliable vehicle for the upcoming winter!!  You can also purchase winter accessories from us and our parts department!

Protect Your Car!!

We all know Winter can be very harsh on the roads, ourselves, and especially our cars and trucks. Salts from the road can corrode the paint on a car and do serious damage. Want something that you can put on your car to protect it through the years? Well we have found a solution! Get Simoniz!

 

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Run out to your car right now, grab the owners manual, and flip to the section that says "What is not covered." Then under that section, find the one that talks about damage from the environment, chemical treatments, or aftermarket products. (It may not specifically say that in your manual). The warranty does not cover hardly anything to do with the appearance of your vehicle!

 These are the things that happen to every vehicle, unless you get it protected before hand. Simoniz is a clear glass coating that you can have put on you vehicle to help prevent wear and tear.

Simoniz protects your car from:

• Tree Sap
• Acid Rain
• Bird Waste
• Road Salt
• Insects
• UV Damage

Once the damage is done to your car, the only way to fix it is to re-paint it, and that can obviously be pretty expensive! Simoniz is an affordable product that will be worth every penny when you go to trade in your vehicle! Paint on newer vehicles has started to become softer and softer as the years go on, which makes imperfections easier to come across. This product will harden that paint and protect your car.

• Simoniz has a warranty also if for some reason it does not work!
• 7 years for new cars
• 6 years for used cars
• Warranty is only effective on cars from 2009 and newer

Simoniz also offers interior protection against:

• Food
• Drink
• Make-up
• Gum
• Blood
• Stains
• Cracks

Good for people with kids or animals!

Some Retail Products available:

• Simoniz Fixit
• Fixit Repair
• Brake Dust Buster
• Instant Shine
• Self-Drying Car Wash
• Perfect Finish Clay Kit
• Perfect Finish Clay Bar
• Nitro Tire Shine
• RestorZit

Here at Scranton Motors we offer Simoniz for new and used cars!
www.scrantonmotors.com

Check out a detailed video on Simoniz!

What Should You Look For In A Dealership?

    

Purchasing a new car can be a long, exhausting process, especially when it comes to visiting dealerships.  We all have heard dealership horror stories from friends, or experienced them ourselves; from poor customer service, to long waits, to turn downs, or worst of all, feeling pressured into a car that isn’t right for you!  At Scranton Motors we work hard to ensure your customer experience is easy and stress free.  We hope when you purchase your next vehicle you’ll come see us, but in case you don’t, here are our tips for finding the best dealership for you:

           

Check out our great customer reviews HERE!

The Greeting

You are about to make one of the largest purchases of your life!  If you are not greeted in a timely and friendly manner, you are likely to be treated the same way throughout your entire dealership experience.

ASK YOURSELF:

·  How long did it take to be greeted?

·  Was the greeting friendly and sincere?

Do You Feel Comfortable?

A trustworthy dealership will make you feel comfortable!  Make sure you are not feeling pressured or rushed! If you get a feeling of comfort, belonging, and excitement, then congratulations! You are off to a good start! Why would you stay at a place that made you feel uncomfortable or like a stranger? I certainly wouldn't.

ASK YOURSELF

·       Do I feel comfortable?

·       Are they treating me like they care?

·       Do I feel pressured or rushed?

Follow Up

When you ask a question, you want an answer, right? When somebody tells you that they will call you, do you expect a call? Absolutely!  A dealership that cares will follow up with you when they say they will.     

ASK YOURSELF:

·  Did they call you back when they said they would?

·  Did you have to call them?

·  Do you want to be spending your money at a place that is not getting back to you?

Do They Remember You

This is another form of good customer service.  This detail is not as important as some, but if a dealership remembers you, it means they care about you!

ASK YOURSELF:

·  How do the associates look when you walk in?

·   Do they remember your name?

Keep these tips in mind the next time you go look for a new or used car!  This will help you find a dealership that is perfect for you!

www.scrantonmotors.com

Check out some examples of the best and worst customer service here: