Posted on 8/11/2014
When you drive in the wintertime, you probably want to stay as safe as possible. Volvo consistently manufactures vehicles with your safety in mind, so you already have the right car. However, winter can bring its own unique challenges to car owners, even if you are driving one of the best vehicles on the road. By being aware of some of the most common problems you might face on Abbotsford roads in the winter, you can be better prepared to deal with them. You may even be able to prevent some of them from happening. Lack of Heat If your heater stops working when Abbotsford temperatures are at their coldest, you and your passengers could be at risk of experiencing injury or illness. Driving with no heat can be difficult and possibly dangerous, so knowing what to look for is useful. If the heater in your vehicle stops working properly, you might need to ... read more
Posted on 8/4/2014
Winter weather can be tough on a vehicle, especially in a place like Abbotsford. Even if you have a car that can handle winter conditions well, such as a Volvo, you may find yourself driving as little as possible when the weather is forbidding. Whether you drive your Volvo every day or once a month in the winter, caring for it properly can help you to get the most out of every driving experience. Change Your Motor Oil and Use a Thinner Variety Be sure to change the oil in your car sometime before the coldest months. Your Volvo won’t run as well if it’s running on dirty oil, and dirty oil could cause damage to the engine. In the winter months, you’ll need to use motor oil that is thinner than the kind you’d use in warm weather. This will enable your motor to start and run more easily. Schedule a Winter Maintenance Visit One way to keep your Volvo running properly in the winter is to ... read more
Posted on 7/26/2014
Volvos are known for being safe and reliable vehicles, but emergencies sometimes arise. Therefore, it is always advisable to keep certain items in your Volvo, so you can be as prepared as possible for problems as they occur. This could be more important than ever during the cold and snowy winter months in Abbotsford. 1. Auto Emergency Basics Two of the top basic items you might need for winter include a repair kit for a flat tire (along with a spare tire) and starter cables. The repair tools for flat tires can be found at almost any automotive store, and they could save you from a long walk or wait. Starter cables will help you get your car started if the battery dies. Additionally, you might keep a set of snow chains in your trunk during the winter. 2. Snow and Ice Toolkit A few tools for combatting snow and ice can improve your overall visibility and decrease the likelihood of a collision. In a small box or bag, you can ... read more
Posted on 7/19/2014
Volvos have a reputation of being very reliable, and they make great winter vehicles. Most Volvos built after 2004 come equipped with all-wheel drive as well as electronic sensors that identify traction loss as soon as it occurs. A new Volvo is probably about as safe as a winter vehicle can be, but that doesn’t mean drivers shouldn’t be careful when they have to drive in the ice and snow. The winters in Abbotsford, BC can be rough, and you need to be careful even if you’re driving the most reliable Volvo on the market. Here are some things you can do to stay safe and get the most out of your Volvo this winter. Invest in Snow Tires Volvos may be better than most cars when driving on ice and snow, but even the most reliable vehicle will have almost zero traction on a slippery road. Even if you drive a Volvo that is equipped with all-wheel drive, you should invest in a set of snow tires if you plan to do a lot of driving this winter. The extra trac ... read more
Posted on 7/12/2014
Winter is here. And as a resident of Abbotsford, Canada, you want to make sure that your Volvo — which, coincidentally enough, was initially envisioned to withstand rough roads and cold temperatures—is in the very best of shape during this season. Here are five tips to keep your Volvo in tip-top shape: not only for the winter, but also for all seasons. Get Some Winter Tires With snowfall, it can get very difficult to achieve traction on the roads. And as a result, it is easier to lose control of the car while driving. So, tire manufacturers provide tires that are specifically made for the winter. Designed with a rubber compound that stays pliable in cold weather, winter tires enhances traction over regular tires, which take much more time to stop and usually skid during a quick maneuver. Check the Volvo’s Mechanics It’s not just the tires that go through a harder time during the winter. The vehicle’s battery has to work harder to s ... read more
Posted on 7/5/2014
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a good all-weather vehicle that should serve you well during Abbotsford’s harsh winter. It provides the security that a heavy diesel van is meant to provide, yet it has the luxury that has become synonymous with the Mercedes-Benz brand. However, all of this doesn’t mean that you don’t have to be careful when driving during the winter. Winter driving can be hard on even the most reliable vehicles, not to mention dangerous. If you plan to drive your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter throughout Abbotsford, Canada this winter, here are some tips that will help keep you safe. Get Your Vehicle Checked Out Before Driving The winters of Abbotsford can be especially harsh, so the last thing you want is to be driving a vehicle that isn’t ready for the road. Make sure you check out your headlights, windshield wipers, brakes and fluid levels before you drive anywhere. Remember that what might seem good enough for a clear summer ... read more
Posted on 6/28/2014
Although Abbotsford residents may not deal with the intensely frigid temperatures experienced in other parts of the country, the weather still gets cold. You still must drive on slippery roads. Moderate snowfall and freezing conditions can wreak havoc on your vehicle. If you want to stay safe and keep your MINI in great shape, you should do a few things to prepare it for the winter weather ahead. Check the Battery Cold weather can challenge your battery, so the best time to check it is before the temperatures turn to freezing. Ensuring that your car battery is in good shape can help you to avoid being late for work because your car won’t start. If you don’t know how to do this yourself, your local mechanic or dealer is not likely to charge much for this service. Check the Tires You can invest in an air pressure gauge and check the pressure in your tires regularly. This is especially important in winter because a sudden temperature drop can lead to lower ... read more
Posted on 6/21/2014
So, you, as a resident of Abbotsford, Canada, own a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter for your business. And with the weather getting colder and colder, it is obvious that winter will be here in a matter of weeks. Thus, you worry that your van might not be protected from the extremes of the cold, as it can adversely affect its performance. Ultimately, though, by following a few tips, you can keep your Sprinter for a long time, while surviving one winter after the other. Here’s how you can keep your van running in the winter: Evaluate the Car Battery The colder it is, the harder the Sprinter’s battery has to work to store the power that the engine requires to start the vehicle. Thus, it is easier for the battery to lose its charge and die. To keep the battery working at its optimal level, check it for any defects, most of all corrosion. Rust tends to accumulate around the terminals, which can be cleaned by using a toothbrush and a mixture of baking soda and ... read more
Posted on 6/14/2014
Mini Coopers are known for their superior handling and small size, both of which make them ideal for city driving. Not surprisingly, they also handle well during Abbotsford’s snowy winters, but that doesn’t mean that inexperienced drivers can expect to always be safe. It takes skill and diligence to drive any vehicle in the winter, and that includes Minis. Before you set out on the roads this winter with your new Mini, make sure you heed some of these tips. Practice in a Safe Setting Before you take your Mini on the highway after a snowfall, take it to a parking lot and practice your winter driving skills. Vehicles that have never been on a snowy or icy road may not perform in the way you expect. Drive it carefully around a deserted parking lot so you don’t have any surprises once you take it out on the road. Shift Carefully It’s easy to spin out of control in the snow if you shift to a higher gear too quickly. Shift as smoothly ... read more
Posted on 6/7/2014
Small and economical, the MINI is one of the most precious subcompact vehicles around, with a perfect blend of its British mini-car pedigree with modern-day German construction and engineering. And that’s why it’s strongly recommended that you maintain the car to the very best of your ability. One of the most essential maintenance tasks is winterizing the vehicle. As the months grow colder—especially in a place like Abbotsford—your MINI would need certain acts of care and attention to keep it performing well for a long time. Here are four tips for taking care of your MINI this winter: #1: Check the Tires During the winter, the MINI’s tires need to be in top shape, especially considering that you will be driving on roads covered with snow and ice. There must be a good amount of tread left on the tires. Also check the rim of the tires to note the recommended tire pressure; if they are not in accordance with the recommended PSI (pounds per square i ... read more