All posts by dan.dsweb

February Anniversaries: 12 Years in Eugene

February 13, 2013 dan.dsweb Leave a comment

There are many good reasons Eugene is known as “Track Town USA”. Home to some of the most passionate running fans in the world, the city has served as the birthplace of Nike, witnessed the rise to fame of Coos Bay native Steve Prefontaine, and hosted five Olympic track and field trials.\n\nThis beautiful Willamette Valley community is also home to three Oil Can Henry’s service centers, all owned by local residents Jeff and Donna Christian.\n\nThe couple opened their first center in Springfield, just across I-5 from Eugene, and quickly gained a loyal following. It became common to find long lines of customers patiently waiting for their turn in the service bays.\n\nSo, three years later, on February 23, 2001, Jeff and Donna opened their first Eugene center at Barger Crossing, across from WinCo. Seven years later, they opened their third center in the area, next to Hampton Inn on W. 11th Avenue.\n\nCongratulations to Jeff, Donna and the superb, trained technicians at their three Eugene area centers, as well as the five other Oil Can Henry’s centers celebrating February anniversaries:\n

Brea, CA – 16 years (February 28)

Hood River, OR – 11 years (February 27)

Moses Lake, WA – 9 years (February 13)

Sumner, WA – 3 years (February 13)

The Dalles, OR – 14 years (February 13)

Vehicle Maintenance

A Cooling Flush in Winter? Here’s Why It Makes Sense

February 13, 2013 dan.dsweb Leave a comment

Here we are, smack dab in the middle of winter. So, why would your vehicle possibly need a Cooling System Flush now?\n\nThe Cooling System works year-round, in the cold and the heat, to keep the engine operating at a consistent temperature and ensure peak efficiency.\n\nAntifreeze is a critical fluid in the Cooling System. It circulates throughout the system to protect your engine from overheating, freezing, rust, and corrosion, and provides lubrication for the water pump.\n\nOver time, antifreeze will break down and lose its ability to provide the proper engine protection. So, it’s important to check the antifreeze often and replace it before it wears out and loses its protective qualities.\n\nReplacing the antifreeze at regular intervals, as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, can help prevent freezing, overheating, irreversible cooling system corrosion and water pump failure.\n\nOil Can Henry’s Cooling System Flush removes virtually 100% of the dirty, worn-out antifreeze and replaces it with fresh, new antifreeze. In comparison, most drain and fill services replace just a small percentage of the old antifreeze.\n\nOil Can Henry’s collects the used fluid from your service is collected and sends it out to be recycled.\n\nNot sure about the condition of your antifreeze? Drop by your neighborhood Oil Can Henry’s for a free test.\n\n

Vehicle Maintenance

Brrr… It’s Cold Out There! Is Your Vehicle Winterized?

January 17, 2013 dan.dsweb Leave a comment

\n\nThe recent cold snap – including a chilly 35 degrees in Los Angeles – is a good reminder to make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving conditions.\n\nDuring a recent television appearance, “The Car Coach” Lauren Fix shared valuable tips to help ensure you don’t find yourself stranded on the side of the road this winter.\n\nNoting that 9 out of 10 vehicles on the road have something wrong with them, Fix emphasized the importance of proactively maintaining your vehicle. She specifically recommends checking your vehicle’s:\n

Battery. It’s a good idea to carry jumper cables, but it makes a lot more sense to check the condition of your battery and replace it if needed.

Coolant. Over time, coolant breaks down and loses its ability to protect your engine against freezing and overheating.

Headlights. About 80% of driving decisions are based on visibility. So, make sure both headlights are operational and providing sufficient light. If a headlight is burned out, replace it.

Oil. Use the proper oil for your vehicle and follow the oil change schedule recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer.

Wiper Blades. Wiper blades wear out, so Fix recommends changing them every six months and, if you live in a cold climate, using winter blades this time of year.

Tires. Check the condition and pressure of your tires. Improperly inflated tires are unsafe and can reduce fuel economy.

\nYou can do all of this yourself, or you can visit your local Oil Can Henry’s, relax in the comfort of your vehicle and enjoy a complimentary newspaper as our trained technicians take care of it for you.\n\nMost Oil Can Henry’s centers now provide a free battery test as part of our service. Need a new battery? We proudly sell and install Interstate Batteries.\n\nOil Can Henry’s will also test the condition of your coolant to ensure it’s adequately protecting your engine. If it’s time for new coolant, ask about our Cooling System Flush, which replaces 100% of the old coolant. In comparison, a radiator drain and fill replaces just a fraction of the old coolant.\n\nIf your headlights look hazy, yellowed or faded, consider Headlight Restoration, which can greatly increase headlight output and visibility and improve the appearance of the vehicle.\n\nIt’s also advisable to make sure you’re prepared for winter driving, which often requires navigating snowy and icy roads. We wholeheartedly recommend that you visit the AAA website, a great source for automotive knowledge, to check out the tips for driving in the snow and download “How to Go on Ice and Snow”, an informative guide that helps drivers become safer and more efficient in adverse weather conditions.\n\n

Vehicle Maintenance

Get a Grip with These Wet Weather Driving Tips

October 17, 2012 dan.dsweb Leave a comment

Tips for Wet Weather Driving Fall is upon us and now — before the rainy season really sets in — is a great time to make sure you and your vehicle are prepared for the wet weather ahead.\n\nAlways an excellent resource for driving safety, our friends at AAA have produced Get a Grip: A Guide to Wet Weather Driving Techniques. We encourage you to download this valuable brochure, which is packed with useful information, including:\n

How to regain control in a skid (tip: steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go);

How to brake safely on a slippery surface (how you should react depends on the type of brake system your vehicle has); and

How to get “un-stuck” from the mud or a soft shoulder (tip: be sure to apply power slowly).

\nA little preparation is one of the best ways to avoid trouble. To ensure you’re ready for rainy season, AAA recommends a thorough vehicle check-up that includes your:\n

Battery. Get your battery checked and replace it, if needed.

Lights. Make sure your headlights, brake lights and turn signals work and are clean. Wipe them off for good measure.

Windshield Wipers and Washer Fluid. If your blades streak or “chatter”, they should be replaced. Check your washer reservoir frequently and make sure it’s full before a big trip.

Tires. Check the tread and make sure your tires are inflated to the pressure listed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on your driver’s side door frame.

Heating and Cooling System. Check your radiator and hoses for leaks and cracks.

Brake System. Check to make sure your brakes aren’t pulling. If you hear squealing or grinding, get the brakes checked right away.

Emergency Kit. Carry in your vehicle a kit that includes a flashlight, mats that can be placed under tires to improve traction, flares or a warning triangle, booster cables, and a blanket. See the Get a Grip brochure for a complete list of recommended emergency kit items.

\nLet Oil Can Henry’s Help\nOil Can Henry’s offers a wide variety of quick and convenient preventive maintenance services to help your vehicle run better and last longer.\n\nOur Famous 20-Point Full-Service Oil Change includes a complimentary safety inspection of your vehicle. We check a wide variety of items, including your lights and turn signals, tires, wipers, brake fluid, and serpentine belt.\n\nMany of our centers now provide a free battery test as part of our service. You’ll receive an informative printed report on your battery, including how much charge remains. Need to replace your battery? We sell quality Interstate Batteries.\n\nAre your headlights faded, yellowed or hazy? Consider Headlight Restoration. This quick and convenient service greatly increases headlight output and visibility, and improves vehicle appearance. Best of all, our service takes less than 20 minutes and costs a lot less than replacing the complete headlight housing, which runs $150 – $600 per headlight.\n\nWe also sell and install wiper blades.\n\nSo, before rainy season really sets in, drop by your neighborhood Oil Can Henry’s and make sure you and your vehicle are ready for the rain.

Henry's Hints

Drive with Care: The First Rain Can Make for Slippery Roads

October 12, 2012 dan.dsweb Leave a comment

Many communities will soon receive their first measurable rainfall after months of dry weather, a situation that often leads to an increase in auto accidents.\n\nAs Joseph Rose, The Oregonian‘s commuting reporter, recently explained, “During long periods of dry weather, oils and other fluids from automobiles dry and build up on roads. The so-called ‘first wet’ is indeed the most hazardous. That’s when rainwater loosens the surface oils, creating nasty, greasy driving surfaces that often catch drivers off guard.”\n\nWe wholeheartedly agree with his advice to “be cautious. Give yourself extra room to brake. And, for the love of Henry Ford, don’t tailgate.”

Vehicle Maintenance

The Rain is Coming. It’s Time to Check Your Wiper Blades.

October 11, 2012 dan.dsweb Leave a comment

Summer’s in the rearview mirror and the rainy days of Fall are upon us. So, now is a good time to check your vehicle’s windshield wipers and replace blades that are hard, inflexible and/or cracked.\n\nAccording to VehicleMD magazine, “the majority of wiper blades are constructed with a rubber wiping element, which provides optimum friction to clear glass of water.” Rubber is a natural compound and breaks down for a variety of reasons, including:\n\n• Heat. The summer sun can heat up your vehicle’s windshield and literally bake the wiper blades. This extreme heat can cause wiper blades to harden and crack.\n\n• Environment. Vehicles in high-traffic areas tend to be exposed to a higher concentration of ozone, which can oxidize the rubber blades and create cracks.\n\n• Cold. Frigid weather causes rubber blades to harden and lose flexibility. When this happens, water can leak underneath the blades and cause smearing.\n\nWhile most wiper manufacturers recommend changing your wiper blades every 6-12 months, we recommend that you check your wiper blades often and replace them when you notice that they’re hard or cracked.\n\nHow to Inspect Your Wiper Blades\nA simple test of your windshield washers will tell you if the wiper blades need to be replaced. If the wipers streak, chatter or fail to cleanly remove the wiper fluid, the wiper blades should be replaced. This test will also show you if the fluid nozzle is clogged or if the nozzle needs to be adjusted to ensure the fluid hits the windshield in the correct place.\n\nLeave It to Us\nEach Oil Can Henry’s service features a safety inspection, including a check of your wiper blades. If you need new blades, your neighborhood Oil Can Henry’s offers quality new wiper blades for purchase. We’ll install them, too!\n\nWe Recycle\nOil Can Henry’s is dedicated to reducing impact on the environment, and we recycle all the used wiper blades from services we perform.

Oil Can Henry's Centers

Oil Can Henry’s Employees Praised as Heroes for Quick Response to Fire

October 8, 2012 dan.dsweb Leave a comment

When they went to work at Oil Can Henry’s in Silverton, Ore., last Friday, Brian Baumann, Randy Tucker and Aaron Woods didn’t expect to end the day as heroes. But that’s exactly what happened as the trio acted quickly to help contain an apartment fire across the street from their service center. In the process, the three may have helped save a few lives.\n\nAccording to The Statesman-Journal newspaper, the three “saw a flaming bush about 1:30 p.m. and ran over with a fire extinguisher, but the flames jumped to nearby bushes.\n\nNo injuries were reported, and authorities are investigating the fire’s cause.\n\nSarah Mackie and her roommate Brooke Hall credited Tucker and Baumann for getting them out of the apartment before the fire spread, calling the men ‘heroes’.”\n\nAll of us Oil Can Henry’s are proud of Brian, Randy and Aaron and their quick and brave response to the fire.\n\nWe’re proud to count you as members of our team, guys!

Manufacturer Recalls / Updates

Honda Recalling 2002-2006 CR-V for Fire Risk

October 8, 2012 dan.dsweb Leave a comment

Honda is recalling certain model year 2002 – 2006 CR-V vehicles. In announcing the recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted that the “driver-side power window switch may fail or melt.”\n\nAccording to BloombergBusinessweek, “Honda said rain or other liquids could enter through a driver’s open window and damage the master power switch on the door. If that happens, the switch could overheat and melt, causing a fire.\n\nNHTSA said owners should park CR-Vs from those model years outside until the recall is performed to avoid any property damage from a fire. A fire could start even when the ignition is off and the CR-V is parked.”\n\nHonda spokesman Ed Miller said Honda will begin contacting vehicle owners next month and will repair the issue free of charge. Vehicle owners can contact Honda at (800) 999-1009.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nhttps://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-10-06/honda-recalls-2002-2006-cr-v-for-fire-risk

Oil Can Henry's Centers

Sweet! Oil Can Henry’s in College Place Honored for Exceptional Customer Service

September 21, 2012 dan.dsweb Leave a comment

We’re excited to announce that Oil Can Henry’s in College Place, WA, has been honored for its exceptional customer service!

\nOwner Sid West and his team of friendly, trained technicians were recognized at the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 6th Annual Business Awards Showcase on September 19. A story about the awards in the local Union-Bulletin newspaper included the following:\n\nSweet Service Awards, sponsored by Sykes: Oil Can Henry’s. The award recognizes a business or nonprofit organization with exceptional customer service through all aspects of sales. There are no waiting rooms at Oil Can Henry’s. As part of its business model, operators tend to customers in the comfort of their own vehicles with a free newspaper while technicians service vehicles with oil changes and other preventive maintenance. The College Place center, a franchise of the business formed in 1978, installed special air filling equipment so technicians can fill any spare tire to which they have access while servicing vehicles. This feature was added after technicians noticed customers’ spares were routinely low or flat. The service has since been adopted by other service centers.\n\nCongratulations to Sid and his hard-working team. You make all of us at Oil Can Henry’s proud!

Manufacturer Recalls / Updates

NHTSA Investigating Potential Nissan Versa Air Bag Problem

August 17, 2012 dan.dsweb Leave a comment

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating a potential problem with air bags in the 2012 Nissan Versa. According to reports, a damaged cable assembly cable could prevent the air bag from deploying in a crash.\n\n”Such investigations can lead to recalls,” CBS MoneyWatch notes. “The Versa has not been recalled so far.” The NHTSA says it has received no reports of failures.