April Anniversaries: 25 Years of Superior Service in Yakima

April 10, 2014 Oil Can Henrys Leave a comment

Where does the time go? It’s hard to believe a quarter century has passed since Oil Can Henry’s introduced its unique service to the wonderful people of Washington’s Yakima Valley.\n\nWhen Oil Can Henry’s opened its first Yakima service center, way back in April, 1989, George H.W. Bush was president, Batman was cleaning up at the box office and a gallon of gas cost about 97 cents.\n\nA lot’s changed since then, but Oil Can Henry’s commitment to quick, convenient and thorough service you can trust has remained the same. As a result, Oil Can Henry’s has flourished and expanded.\n\nToday, local owners Tom and Jenny Elwood operate seven central Washington service centers:\n

East Wenatchee: 159 Valley Mall Parkway

Ellensburg: 101 S. Main Street

Moses Lake: 770 N. Stratford Road

Wenatchee: 142 Easy Street

Yakima: 2501 W. Nob Hill Boulevard

Yakima: 3805 River Road

Yakima: 414 S. 72nd Avenue

\nCongratulations to Tom, Jenny and the entire hard-working Yakima team on an incredible 25 years of superior service! And, bravo to the eight other Oil Can Henry’s centers celebrating April anniversaries:\n

Arlington, WA – 8 years (4/18/06)

Grants Pass, OR – 14 years (4/12/00)

Longmont-17th Avenue, CO – 6 years (4/23/08)

Portland-Capitol Highway, OR – 18 years (4/2/96)

Roseburg, OR – 17 years (4/25/97)

Salem-Edgewater Street NW, OR – 7 years (4/27/07)

San Francisco, CA – 6 years (4/2/08)

Tualatin, OR – 28 years (4/19/86)

Vehicle Maintenance

10 Tips to Spend Less at the Gas Pump

March 13, 2014 Oil Can Henrys Leave a comment

Updated: March 13, 2014\n\nAccording to AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report, the average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. is $3.50. That’s 20 cents higher than this time last month, but 20 cents lower than one year ago.\n\nFuel is a significant, yet necessary, expense for most of us. That’s why we’re sharing these 10 tips from the experts at the U.S. Department of Energy and AAA to help improve your gas mileage and vehicle performance.\n\nMAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE\nKeeping your vehicle in shape with routine preventive maintenance, including oil changes at the mileage interval recommended by your vehicle manufacturer, will help your vehicle last longer and run better. It could also improve gas mileage and save you money. Most manufacturers provide two service schedules, one for “normal” driving and one for “severe”. Most drivers mistakenly believe they meet the “normal” schedule.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Energy’s fuel economy website provides these valuable tips to improve gas mileage:\n\n• Use the Correct Motor Oil. You can improve gas mileage by up to 2% by using the motor oil grade recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Your vehicle may also benefit from using a specially- formulated high mileage or synthetic motor oil.\n\n• Maintain Proper Tire Pressure. Underinflated tires are unsafe and can reduce gas mileage. You can improve gas mileage by up to 3% by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Don’t use the maximum pressure printed on the tire’s sidewall; use the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (usually listed on a sticker on your driver’s side door jamb and/or in the owner’s manual).\n\n• Replace a Clogged Air Filter. Replacing a clogged air filter in a vehicle with a fuel-injected, computer controlled gasoline engine won’t increase gas mileage but it could increase acceleration time by up to 11%. On older vehicles – primarily those built before the early 1980s – replacing a clogged air filter could improve gas mileage by up to 14%\n\n• Keep Your Engine in Tune. If your vehicle is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test, a tune-up could improve gas mileage by up to 4%.\n\nDRIVE EFFICIENTLY\nThe U.S. Department of Energy and Federal Trade Commission provided these handy driving tips to improve gas mileage:\n\n• Observe the Speed Limit. Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds over 60 mph. Each 5 mph over 60 mph is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon.\n\n• Don’t Drive Aggressively. In addition to being unsafe, aggressive driving (including quick starts and stops) can reduce gas mileage by 5% in town and 33% on the highway.\n\n• Avoid Excessive Idling. Sitting idle burns gasoline and gets zero miles per gallon.\n\n• Lighten Your Load. An additional 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce gas mileage by up to 2%.\n\n• Avoid Packing Items on Top of Your Car. A loaded roof rack or carrier creates wind resistance and can reduce gas mileage by up to 5%.\n\nKEEP AN EYE ON GAS PRICES\nPut technology to work for you, finding the lowest gas prices near you or a future destination.\n\nBefore you depart on a road trip, check out AAA’s TripTik, which enables you to map your route and view recent prices at gas stations along the way.\n\nLooking for prices around town? Try GasBuddy.com, which provides a thorough listing of recent gas prices in your area.\n\nOn the road and need to fill up? There are more than 470,000 apps available for Android and iPhone. So, we appreciate that technology website Mashable. com took the time to research apps that promise to help drivers find the lowest gas prices. The website rated the GasBuddy app, which has versions for Android and iPhone, as the best.

Oil Can Henry's Centers

March Anniversaries: Not-So-Secret in Gresham

March 13, 2014 Oil Can Henrys Leave a comment

Gresham leaders may have a point when they say their city is “Oregon’s Best Kept Secret”. After all, most people don’t know Gresham has 1,635 fire hydrants; 116.74 miles of bike lanes; and 7,500 street lights. And, the majority of Americans are likely unaware that the city (the fourth largest in Oregon) was named after the American Civil War general, and Postmaster General, Walter Quinton Gresham\n\nThat said, there’s one thing that’s definitely not a secret in Gresham: the popularity of the local Oil Can Henry’s service center, which is owned and operated by Charlie Schwab.\n\nOne of Oil Can Henry’s first employees, Charlie has more than 30 years of vehicle maintenance and customer service experience under his belt. He understands the importance of providing quick, convenient and thorough service that people can trust, and has developed a fantastic team of friendly, hard-working technicians that know their way around a vehicle. Together, the Gresham crew has earned the loyalty of drivers throughout the Gresham area.\n\nCongratulations to Charlie and his Gresham team on 13 years of superior service. And kudos to the five other Oil Can Henry’s service centers also celebrating March anniversaries:\n

Longmont – Pace Street, CO – 9 years (3/24/05)

Portland – NW 26th Avenue, OR – 6 years (3/29/08)

Salinas, CA – 24 years (3/17/90)

West Linn – Willamette Drive, OR – 23 years (3/07/91)

Yucaipa, CA – 10 years (3/19/04)

From Our Customers

Bend: Making an Oil Change Entertaining

March 13, 2014 Oil Can Henrys Leave a comment

Jason, Daniel, Joey, and Chris were the best!\n\nFun to watch, professional and knowledgeable. They showed me everything they were doing and why. Suggestions were made without making me feel pressured to buy. After checking everything, I was shown I would need a new battery sooner than later. Called my husband and he said the price was right and the battery had a 5 star rating.\n\nI was given a free donut for my husband (that was one of the best donuts we’ve had in a long time). The guys were so fun to watch and seemed to really enjoy their work. They went above and beyond what I expected and I will never go anywhere else but Oil Can Henry’s.\n\nThanks guys for making an oil change entertaining.\n\n~ Dawn M.\nBend, OR

Oil Can Henry's Centers

February Anniversaries: Making History in The Dalles

February 18, 2014 Oil Can Henrys Leave a comment

Life’s good in The Dalles, Ore.\n\nResidents of this Columbia River Gorge community — and the thousands of people who visit every year — enjoy unrivaled scenery, small-town charm, world-class recreational activities and an incredible sense of history.\n\nFor example: The area was a major Native American trading center for at least 10,000 years and later marked the point where travelers on the Oregon Trail packed their wagons onto rafts for an often perilous journey down the Columbia River to Oregon City.\n\nFifteen years ago this month, longtime residents Dave and Charlotte Link made some history of their own when they opened their Oil Can Henry’s service center at 1011 W. 8th Place. Since then, Dave and his hard-working team of trained technicians have earned the trust and loyalty of drivers from miles around.\n\nSo, the next time you find yourself enjoying the Columbia River Gorge, drop by Oil Can Henry’s in The Dalles and say, “Hi”. Dave and his crew will be happy to see you.\n\nOur congratulation also go to the five other Oil Can Henry’s service centers celebrating February anniversaries:\n

Brea, CA – 17 years (2/28/97)

Eugene-Cubit Street, OR – 13 years (2/23/01)

Hood River, OR – 14 years (2/27/02)

Moses Lake, WA – 10 years (2/13/04)

Sumner, WA – 4 years (2/13/10)

From Our Customers

Soquel: Service, Service, Service

February 14, 2014 Oil Can Henrys Leave a comment

Trust your advisor at Oil Can Henry’s.\n\nI was presented with a report on my battery. It was a good battery but the advisor pointed out a concern about charging amps. I called AAA, which had installed the new battery 34 months ago. AAA came to my home and advised the battery will be replaced “under warranty”. Thanks to your staff for making me aware; it saved me from potential problems later and additional cost.\n\nThis is what keeps people coming back to Oil Can Henry’s. Service, Service, Service.\n\nMany thanks for job well done.\n\nBob H.\nSanta Cruz, CA

Henry's Hints

The Best Time to Buy Car Insurance? It Depends on Where You Are

January 31, 2014 Oil Can Henrys Leave a comment

Is there a “best” time to buy car insurance? In many states, there is.\n\nIn fact, nationwide, insurance rates vary by about 7.5% from the cheapest month to the most expensive month. Read more and get more info for your home state — including the best and worst month(s) to buy — here.

Henry's Hints

Subcompacts and Minicars Flunk Crash Test

January 23, 2014 Oil Can Henrys Leave a comment

Just one of the 11 subcompact and minicars recently subjected to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) small overlap front crash test achieved an Acceptable rating.\n\nNone of the vehicles tested earned the top rating of Good, and the Chevrolet Spark was the only vehicle to earn an Acceptable rating. Four vehicles — the Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris — received a Marginal rating and six — Fiat 500, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Mitsubishi Mirage, Nissan Versa, and Toyota Prius c — received a Poor, the lowest possible rating.\n\n”The small overlap test replicates what happens when the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an object such as a tree or utility pole,” explains the IIHS. “In the test, 25 percent of a vehicle’s front end on the driver’s side strikes a rigid barrier at 40 mph.”\n\n”Small, lightweight vehicles have an inherent safety disadvantage. That’s why it’s even more important to choose one with the best occupant protection,” says Joe Nolan, IIHS senior vice president for vehicle research. “Unfortunately, as a group, minicars aren’t performing as well as other vehicle categories in the small overlap crash.”\n\nVisit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website to learn more about the test results and find ratings for your vehicle.\n\n

Oil Can Henry's Centers

January Anniversaries: Loving Life in Sunny SoCal

January 16, 2014 Oil Can Henrys Leave a comment

Fountain Valley, Calif., touts itself as, “A nice place to live, work and play.” Having served the community since 2002, we couldn’t agree more.\n\nResidents and visitors enjoy moderate temperatures, a vibrant local economy, a plethora of recreational activities (including 640-acre Mile Square Regional Park), and quick access to the scenic and relaxing Pacific Ocean beaches.\n\nOur Fountain Valley service center, conveniently located off the I-405 freeway at the intersection of Warner Avenue and Bushard Street, is one of four in Southern California helping drivers ensure their vehicles run better and last longer.\n\nLocal resident John Christensen, who also owns and operates centers in nearby Brea and Whittier, and his crew of friendly, trained technicians make a point of delivering a superior, high-value service experience to each and every customer.\n\nSo, join us in sending a shout-out on 11 bright, successful years to everyone at Oil Can Henry’s in Fountain Valley and congratulating these three other centers, which are also celebrating January anniversaries:\n

Eagle, ID – 5 years (1/28/09)

Renton, WA – 9 years (1/24/05)

Vancouver (Orchards), WA – 14 years (1/10/00)

Henry's Hints, Vehicle Maintenance

The Dangers of Driving with Low Oil Level

January 16, 2014 Oil Can Henrys Leave a comment

We’ve seen a surprising number of vehicles arriving at our centers with low, or no, engine oil.\n\nIt’s our mission to help drivers get the most out of their vehicles by ensuring those vehicles run better and last longer. So, this is a concern.\n\nIt’s important to monitor the oil level in your vehicle because driving with little or no oil can cause severe engine damage.\n\nMotor oil is the lifeblood of your engine. It:\n

Reduces wear and friction by lubricating every moving part of your engine and removing deposits that can accelerate engine wear and reduce fuel efficiency and engine performance.

Cools important engine parts your radiator coolant can’t reach.

Helps maintain engine power and fuel economy by creating a seal around piston rings and cylinder walls.

Protects the engine against rust and corrosion.

To help your vehicle run better and last longer, we recommend you:

Don’t wait too long between oil changes. Most vehicle manufacturers provide two oil change recommendations, one for “normal” driving and one for “severe”. An AAA study showed that “more than half of all motorists follow the wrong maintenance schedule.” Learn more and see if you’re “normal” or “severe”.

Take advantage of our “Henry’s Top-Up Guarantee”, which provides complimentary top-ups of oil, fluids and tires within three months of your last Oil Can Henry’s oil change.

Consider using a high mileage oil if your vehicle has more than 75,000 miles. Older engines burn oil faster; Castrol GTX High Mileage oil is specially formulated to help them burn less oil, leak less oil and use less oil.

Check your oil level frequently, such as every time you gas up.