The days are getting shorter, temperatures are dipping and rain is in the forecast. There’s no denying it: Summer’s officially in the rear view mirror.
The change of seasons is a good time to ensure trouble-free fall driving by changing your vehicle’s oil and taking care of other basic maintenance.
At Oil Can Henry’s, it’s our mission to help you maintain your vehicle and ensure it’s operating safely and efficiently. With this in mind, we’re pleased to offer this fall vehicle maintenance checklist:
1) Check the fluids, including motor oil, coolant/antifreeze, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and brake fluid. These fluids break down and wear out over time, so it’s a good idea to check them regularly and replace them before there’s a problem. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual includes recommended service intervals. Don’t forget the windshield washer fluid!
2) Check the tires and have them rotated if you haven’t done so recently. Front and rear tires wear differently; rotating them helps extend tire life and ensure safe driving. Most owner’s manuals include tire rotation recommendations.
3) Check windshield wiper blades and replace them if they’re ineffective. Wiper blades often harden and crack during the summer heat. If you’ve noticed that your wipers aren’t providing a clear view of the road ahead, take advantage of Oil Can Henry’s convenient Wiper Blade Replacement service.
4) Check lights and turn signals to ensure all are operating correctly. As the days get shorter, it’s increasingly important that other drivers can easily see you. So, replace bulbs that are burned out or not functioning.
5) Check the battery to ensure there’s sufficient life remaining and clean off corrosion that can reduce battery life. (It’s never fun to be stranded by a dead battery, but it’s particularly troublesome in the rain or snow.)
While this may seem lot of work, you can complete a lot of it with a quick visit to your local Oil Can Henry’s.
Our trained technicians perform a thorough check of your vehicle as part of our Famous 18-Point Full-Service Oil Change. They check and fill coolant/antifreeze, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, battery, and windshield wiper fluid. They also check lights and turn signals. And they’ll inform you of the service recommendations provided by your vehicle’s manufacturer so you can make educated decisions about service for your vehicle.
To lean more about the wide variety of preventive maintenance services we provide, visit our website.
From Our Customers: Super Nice and Quick
Oil Can Henry’s – Lacey (Marvin Road), WA.
5 out of 5 stars on Yelp.
First time here. They were super nice and quick!!! That honestly was the best part.
They don’t pressure you and only do what you want to.
They make it so much fun to get your oil changed! So polite and just a great group of guys working on your car.
~ Stephanie C.
Spanaway, WA
Anniversaries: Growing a Loyal Following in Watsonville
Watsonville, Calif., is a foodie heaven. From apples, strawberries and blackberrries to cauliflower, broccoli and artichokes, something tasty is bound to be in season. As an added bonus, local restaurants are always serving up delectable dishes.
But food is just one reason this central California coast community is thriving. Residents also enjoy a pleasant climate and quick access to both scenic Monterey Bay and the rugged Santa Cruz mountains.
While Watsonville is best known for agriculture, it’s also home to a variety of entertaining events, including the Monterey Birding Festival, the Wings Over Watsonville air show and the Watsonville Strawberry Festival.
Oil Can Henry’s brought our trusted service to this wonderful community 15 years ago, when we opened our Watsonville service center next to Target in the Overlook Shopping Center on September 18, 2001.
The Watsonville center is owned and operated by brothers Chris and Scott Allen, whose family has deep roots in town. The pair also operate busy centers in Soquel, Salinas and San Francisco, and are quick to praise the friendly and hard-working trained technicians who make their Watsonville center the destination for quick, convenient and thorough vehicle maintenance you can trust.
Our Watsonville center is one of two centers celebrating a September anniversary. Congratulations also go to the team at West Linn – 8th Court, OR. They’re celebrating 18 years of service.
Keep up the great work!
Anniversaries: A Blooming Success in Woodland
Woodland, Wash., enjoys several claims to fame.
Incorporated 110 years ago, it’s one of the oldest communities in the state of Washington.
It’s home to the renowned Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, a National Historic Site that attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe every spring to enjoy its fields of beautiful lilacs, other flowers, shrubs, and exotic trees.
It has hosted Planters Days, the longest continuously running civic celebration in Washington state, every June since 1922. Residents and visitors gather to celebrate the completion of dikes along the Columbia and Lewis rivers that stopped what had been an annual flooding of the Woodland area. The fun includes a parade, Fireman’s Barbecue, bed races, frog jumping contests, and a car show.
And, it serves as the southern gateway to Mount St. Helens, the active volcano that erupted in 1980. When you’re in the area, be sure to set aside time for a visit to the spectacular Mount St. Helens Volcanic Monument.
Oil Can Henry’s in Woodland has bloomed into a community favorite since opening its doors 15 years ago, on August 6, 2001.
Owner Eli Fields and his team of friendly, trained technicians have built a thriving business by providing quick, convenient and thorough vehicle maintenance services that drivers trust. All of us at Oil Can Henry’s are proud of the superior service provided every day by the team in Woodland. Keep up the great work!
We’re also pleased to congratulate the ten other Oil Can Henry’s service centers also celebrating August anniversaries:
* Bend-N.E. 3rd St., OR. 2 years (8/15/14)
* Boise, ID. 6 years (8/19/10)
* Kingman, AZ. 21 years (8/1/95)
* Lincoln City, OR. 18 years (8/22/98)
* Oakley, CA. 13 years (8/8/03)
* Sammamish, WA. 24 years (8/11/92)
* Seaside, OR. 11 years (8/13/05)
* Tigard, OR. 22 years (8/22/94)
* Woodburn, OR. 19 years (8/18/97)
* Yakima-River Road, WA. 17 years (8/17/99)
From Our Customers: Love This Place!
Oil Can Henry’s – San Francisco, CA:
5 out of 5 stars on Yelp
Love this place!
Friendly, caring, efficient, knowledgeable, reasonably-priced, and modern in their customer care.
Services are done while (you sit) in your car monitoring progress on a video screen, their menu of services is clear and transparent. I wish all the oil changes are like this one. Unfortunately many haven’t changed a bit since 1999.
~ Lindsey O.
San Francisco, CA
Has Your Vehicle Been Recalled? Here’s How You Can Find Out
A record 51.26 million vehicle recalls were issued in 2015, led by notices for defective Takata airbags.
That number may continue to rise, as industry experts have forecast more frequent and larger auto recalls in the future due to increased scrutiny by federal regulators and an increase in the number of public complaints.
While manufacturers are required to report claims to the government and notify vehicle owners of recalls, that doesn’t always happen as quickly or thoroughly as many would like. The record $105 million fine levied on Fiat Chrylser by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proof of that.
This leaves vehicle owners asking the questions, How are recalls issued? and What’s the best way to learn if my vehicle has been affected?
Recalls can start one of two ways: They can be initiated by a vehicle company as the result of high warranty claims, customer complaints and/or a flaw found by engineers; or they can be ordered by the NHTSA. Learn more about the recall process with this interactive graphic from Automotive News.
While vehicle manufacturers are expected to inform the owners of affected vehicles, it’s in your best interest to be proactive and keep yourself informed. To that end, the NHTSA offers two resources you can use to learn about recalls and check if your vehicle(s) have been affected:
- The Recalls Look-up by VIN tool enables you to determine if your vehicle has a safety recall issue in the last 15 years that has not been repaired.
- The Recalls & Defects page on the NHTSA website helps you stay on top of recall news by searching recalls issued since the previous day or the start of month. You can also sign-up to receive email alerts for up to five vehicles and learn how to download an app that will notify you if safety issues related to your vehicle(s) are discovered.
Don’t Sweat It: 6 Tips to Protect Your Vehicle from the Summer Heat
Sweltering summer temperatures are tough on our vehicles. Batteries can lose strength or corrode, coolant/antifreeze may break down faster and lose its ability to protect your engine and, in rare cases, vehicles may catch fire.
Here are six valuable tips to help ensure you and your vehicle don’t fall victim to the summer heat:
1. Check Hoses, Wires and Belts Regularly.
Proper maintenance of your vehicle should include regular, thorough inspections of the hoses that move flammable liquids — especially oil and transmission fluid — throughout your engine. At the same time, check wires and serpentine belts to ensure none are worn or frayed. If you discover a leaking or improperly connected hose, a frayed wire or a damaged or frayed belt, have it checked and repaired as soon as possible.
Oil Can Henry’s Famous 18-Point Full-Service Oil Change includes a complimentary visual inspection of the engine. During the inspection, your technician will inform you of any visible leaks, hose damage or safety concerns.
2. Keep Your Engine Clean.
Every once in a while, pop the hood and check for debris. Carefully remove or brush out old leaves and other “garbage” that could ignite or fuel a fire in the engine compartment.
3. Maintain Proper Oil and Coolant Levels.
Check your oil and coolant regularly to ensure both are at proper levels. To help you do that, Oil Can Henry’s Famous 18-Point Full-Service Oil Change includes Free Fluid Refills: Get one free oil top-up within 3 months or 5,000 miles of your last oil change. Come in anytime to top-up other fluids and tires.
4. Replace Worn-Out Coolant.
Coolant (also referred to as antifreeze) flows through your vehicle’s radiator and engine to protect from overheating, freezing, rust, and corrosion. Over time, lines can get clogged with deposits, rust and corrosion.
Replacing the coolant as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, helps:
- Protect your engine from overheating and freezing; and
- Restore the protection level for the entire cooling system.
Our Radiator Fluid Exchange service removes virtually 100% of the dirty, used coolant and replaces it with new coolant.
Unsure if your coolant is still protecting your engine? Oil Can Henry’s service centers offer a complimentary coolant check to gauge the strength of your engine’s coolant. Simply visit your neighborhood Oil Can Henry’s and ask for a free coolant check.
5. Check Your Tire Tread and Pressure.
It’s important to check your tires on a regular basis to ensure that they’re wearing evenly and are inflated to the proper level. This is particularly important in the summer because extreme heat causes the air inside your tires to expand and that can lead to blowouts on worn-out tires.
6. Check Your Battery.
According to Interstate Batteries, “summer heat can be even more damaging than winter’s cold temperatures when it comes to car batteries.” The heat can sap battery strength, cause water to evaporate out of battery fluid and, particularly in cases when temperatures exceed 95° F, accelerate corrosion.
Interstate Batteries recommends the following to keep your battery in shape this summer:
- Visually inspect the battery, looking for bulges, cracks or leaks. If you find any of these situations, replace the battery.
- Clean the battery connections by removing corrosion, lead oxidation or rust from the top of the battery with a scouring pad or brush. Be sure to brush away from you.
- If your battery has removable filler caps, open the caps and check the water level in each cell. If the water level is low, add distilled water until the plates are covered. Don’t use tap water and don’t overfill.
Time for a new battery? Most Oil Can Henry’s service centers sell and install Interstate Batteries.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
If your vehicle overheats while you’re driving, follow these safety tips:
- Pull off to a safe location on the side of the road as soon as possible;
- Leave your vehicle running and turn off the air conditioner to enable the radiator to cool down the engine;
- If you think you see flames, do not open the hood. You could be burned and the fire could spread rapidly.
- Don’t open the hood by hand or unscrew the radiator cap until you’re absolutely positive the engine has cooled. This could take 30 minutes or more. If you do unscrew the cap, cover the cap with a cloth to protect your hand. Open it slowly and tilt it away from you.
- Don’t drive your vehicle if the coolant tank is empty. That could cause significant damage. To be on the safe side, we recommend you call a tow truck or, if you have it, AAA Roadside Assistance.
Safe summer travels from all of us at Oil Can Henry’s!
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Anniversaries: Full Steam Ahead in Bremerton
The U.S. Navy has played a central role in the life of Bremerton, Wash., for the community’s entire history.
The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard was established in 1891, a full decade before Bremerton was incorporated, and has operated uninterrupted since.
The shipyard was a flurry of activity during World War I as workers built 25 subchasers, seven submarines, two minesweepers, seven seagoing tugs, two ammunition ships, and about 1,700 small boats.
During World War II, the shipyard supported U.S. and Allied fleets by repairing damaged battleships and returning them to action.
s the Pacific Northwest’s largest naval shore facility and provides the Navy with maintenance, modernization, and technical and logistics support.
Visitors to Bremerton can immerse themselves in naval history with visits to the Puget Sound Navy Museum and USS Turner Joy Museum Ship (a Naval Destroyer). They can also enjoy festivals such as the Bremerton Summer Brewfest (July15-16), Kitsap Wine Festival (August 13) and Bremerton Blackberry Festival (Sept. 3-5).
Bremerton also serves as a perfect home base for visits to Seattle (a scenic, 60-minute ferry ride across Puget Sound) and awe-inspiring Olympic National Park (just 54 miles to the north).
Oil Can Henry’s has proudly served the community for a decade. We opened our Bremerton service center on July 5, 2006, and truly enjoy the opportunity to provide quick, convenient vehicle maintenance that drivers trust.
Thank you — and great job! — to our hard-working team of friendly, trained technicians in Bremerton.
We’d also like to recognize the eight other Oil Can Henry’s service centers also celebrating July anniversaries. Congratulations to:
- Albany, OR. 13 years (7/21/03)
- Antioch, CA. 17 years (7/9/99)
- Graham, WA. 6 years (7/17/10)
- Keizer, OR. 27 years (7/5/89)
- McMinnville, OR. 19 years (7/12/97)
- Salem-Commercial Street SE, OR. 20 years (7/2/96)
- Spokane-Division Street, WA. 8 years (7/18/08)
- Vancouver-SE 1st Street, WA. 8 years (7/19/08)
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From Our Customers: The Most Pleasant Experience
Oil Can Henry’s – Sumner, WA:
5 out of 5 stars on Yelp
I just had the most pleasant experience having the oil changed in my vehicle. What professional, courteous and friendly people.
As they go through their oil change procedure, they shout out everything they’re doing. Then they show you your oil dipstick so you can be assured that they actually did fill it to the proper level.
This was just a very, very, very nice experience.
~ RaeAn C.
Kent, WA
Anniversaries: So Much to Choose from in Wenatchee
Washington’s Wenatchee Valley offers residents and visitors an abundance of choices.
Thirsty? Dozens of wineries, breweries and cideries provide exceptional locally-crafted beverages.
Hungering for tasty, fresh food? The Wenatchee Valley is home to a vast array of agriculture, including apple, pear, cherry, and produce farms. In June, farmers are busy harvesting asparagus, apricots and cherries.
Feeling the call of the wild? The Wenatchee Valley, which enjoys 300 days of sun every year and four distinct seasons, provides a smorgasboard of outdoor activities to keep you happy. With hiking, boating, biking, golfing, camping, and fishing, there’s something to enjoy any time of the year.
Oil Can Henry’s joined the Wentachee Valley community seven years ago, when we opened service centers in Wenatchee (May 20) and East Wenatchee (June 3).
While local drivers have a choice of vehicle maintenance providers, we’re proud that they continue to choose Oil Can Henry’s and our trusted service in ever-increasing numbers.
A tip of our Gatsby cap to the hard working teams of Oil Can Henry’s technicians in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Thank you for providing quick, convenient and thorough service that drivers trust!
Congratulations, too, to the fantastic teams at these five centers, which are also celebrating June anniversaries:
- Belfair, WA. 6 years (6/25/10)
- Lacey-Marvin Road, WA. 10 years (6/4/06)
- Lebanon, OR. 9 years (6/20/07)
- Shelton, WA. 10 years (6/19/06)
- Silverton, OR. 11 years (6/13/05)
