Tag Archives: oil change

14 Essential Items for Your Vehicle Emergency Kit

Essential Items for Your Vehicle Emergency KitWinter officially arrives December 21st, so now is an excellent time to double check the contents of your vehicle emergency kit.

Don’t have a kit? Don’t feel too bad; according to an AAA survey, 40% of drivers don’t carry an emergency kit in their vehicles. But do take this opportunity to prepare for an unforeseen emergency.

To determine the items that should absolutely, positively be in your emergency kit, we surveyed several state transportation and emergency preparedness agencies as well as our friends at AAA.
There’s a clear consensus that your vehicle emergency kit should include:

    • Shovel
    • Windshield scraper and small broom
    • Kitty litter or sand (the non-clumping kind)
    • Flares and reflector
    • Tire chains
    • Jumper cables
    • Tow cable
    • Flashlight
    • Warm blanket(s)
    • First aid kit
    • Gallon of water
    • Non-perishable food
    • Cell phone adaptor
    • Extra set of clothes, including coat, hat, gloves and boots

It’s also a good idea to include a deck of cards or a board game to keep yourself occupied if you need to wait for help to arrive.

While the natural inclination is to store your kit in the trunk, ReadyWisconsin recommends that you carry it in the passenger compartment of your vehicle because the trunk could become frozen shut or inaccessible in the event of an accident.

If you become stranded, what you do or don’t do next could mean the difference between life and death. The ReadyWisconsin website provides valuable survival tips that could help save the lives of you and your passengers. Be sure to check them out.

Now that you’ve assembled an emergency kit, do a little prep work to help ensure you never need to use it.

Before you leave, confirm your route, get updated road conditions and check these items on your vehicle:

    • Lights and turn signals;
    • Battery;
    • Brakes;
    • Radiator fluid (antifreeze/coolant);
    • Heater/defroster
    • Ignition
    • Windshield wash (use a winter mix that provides freeze protection if you’re headed somewhere temperatures could drop below freezing)
    • Tires  (overall condition, tread depth and inflation
    • Gas tank (be sure your tank is full)

 

Happy – and safe – travels!

Valuable Resources:

 

Anniversaries: Voted “Best Oil Change” Eight Years in a Row

Oil Can Henry's - 1231 Main Street in Windsor, Colo.
Oil Can Henry’s – Windsor, CO. 1231 Main Street.

Drivers in Colorado’s “Front Range” know what they like. And they clearly like Oil Can Henry’s and our “done right in front of you” service.
In fact, readers of Windsor Now! have voted their local Oil Can Henry’s Best Oil Change for an amazing eight years in a row, 2009-2016.
We brought Oil Can Henry’s unique, trusted service to Colorado in 2005 with the opening of our service center at E. 17th Avenue and Pace Street in Longmont (40 miles north of Denver).
Encouraged by the enthusiastic reception from local drivers, we opened a second Oil Can Henry’s center on November 28, 2007 in Windsor.
Drivers continued to trust their vehicles to our friendly, trained technicians. So, to meet the growing demand, we opened a second Longmont center in 2008, at 17th Avenue and Hover Street.
Today, Oil Can Henry’s serves tens of thousands of drivers throughout Colorado’s Front Range, providing quick and convenient service that’s a great value.
Congratulations to the tremendous teams of trained technicians at all three Colorado locations. We appreciate your hard work.
Oil Can Henry’s in Windsor is one of four centers celebrating a November anniversary. We’re also pleased to congratulate the impressive teams at:

Thank you all for helping make Oil Can Henry’s “The One You Can Trust”.

From Our Customers: Truly Refreshing

Oil Can Henry's - 9702 State Avenue in Marysville, Wash.
Oil Can Henry’s – Marysville, WA. 9702 State Avenue.

Oil Can Henry’s – Marysville, WA:
I want to compliment you on your professional employees.
The prompt and professional customer service had a profound effect on my husband and myself. The customer service and care that these employees provided is truly refreshing.
I will continue to have our vehicles serviced here in the future and I will recommend this establishment to my friends and family. Thank you so much!!!!
~ Charmaine J.
Lake Stevens, WA

16 Tips for a Safe and Happy Halloween

Halloween Safety TipsHalloween is a fun time of year for children and adults alike.
Unfortunately, it can also be a dangerous time.
According to Safe Kids Worldwidechildren are twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween than on any other day of the year
With a little planning and increased awareness, drivers, parents and trick-or-treaters can prevent Halloween tragedies and ensure an enjoyable evening for all.
We turned to AAA and Safe Kids Worldwide for these 16 safety tips for drivers, parents and trick-or-treaters:
DRIVERS

  • Be extra alert 5:30 – 9:30pm, the most popular trick-or-treating hours.
  • Drive slower than normal in residential neighborhoods. Drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit to give yourself extra time to react if a child darts out in front of you.
  • Watch for children walking, particularly on the street, curbs and medians.
  • Enter and exit driveways carefully.
  • Turn on your headlights to increase your visibility. Using your headlights, even during daylight hours, makes it easier for pedestrians and other drivers to see you.

PARENTS

  • Set ground rules. Talk with your children about how long they can be out, where they can go and what will be done with the treats they receive.
  • Accompany your children, especially if they’re under 12. Surprisingly, 12% of children five years of age or younger are allowed to trick-or-treat alone (Safe Kids).
  • Make your kids visible. Decorate costumes and bag with reflective tape and stickers and, as much as possible, use light colored costumes. Have them carry light sticks or flashlights to help them see — and to help drivers see them.
  • Make sure your kids can see easily. Masks can limit eyesight, so consider makeup and hats, instead. If your child is wearing a hat, make sure it fits well and doesn’t slip down over his eyes.
  • Use flame-retardant costumes.
  • Walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, stay as far to the side of the street as possible and walk facing traffic.
  • Cross safely. Cross streets only at corners — never mid-block or from between parked vehicles — and look both ways and listen for approaching vehicles before crossing.
  • Put down the phone. Eliminate distractions while you’re out trick-or-treating with your kids.
  • Make sure props, such as swords and canes, are not sharp.
  • Tell your children to not eat treats until they get home.
  • Stick to the familiar. Stop only at well-lit homes and never enter a stranger’s home or garage.

Happy Halloween from all of us at Oil Can Henry’s!
 

10 Essential Tools for a Memorable Road Trip

163751226-300x227Summer officially begins on June 20! If you’re like us, you’re itching to hit the road and see some of the beautiful land that makes up this great country of ours.

While researching and daydreaming about potential adventures, we found ten fantastic resources for planning and enjoying a memorable road trip. From the practical to the whimsical, these tools are sure to help you enjoy your summer adventures.

GasBuddy is a great resource for sleuthing out low price gas near you. The website also features a cool Trip Cost Calculator. Enter your starting point, destination and vehicle information and GasBuddy will provide the cheapest fill-up locations on your route and an estimated total cost.

Roadtrippers is a treasure trove of road trip resources. Plan your trip by entering a starting point and destination and selecting from a variety of features, including hotels, attractions, food and drink, and “weird stuff”. Looking for some inspiration? Peruse their collection of road trip ideas and city guides.

Road Trip America provides a variety of easy-to-use planning tools. Select the state you want to explore to get a list of potential itineraries, complete with maps and points of interest.

While there will never be consensus on the best road trips in America, quite a few websites are willing to share their opinions. Check out the lists on Lonely Planet, National GeographicOutside, Travel and Leisure, and USA Today.

Are offbeat attractions at the top of your list? Don’t miss Roadside America, a fantastic guide to oddities and unique destinations that often fly under the radar. Here are a few highlights to whet your appetite:

 

As you plan your summer travels, check to find the Oil Can Henry’s centers along your route. With convenient locations throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, chances are there will be one near you.

Remember, our 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. 

Have a favorite road trip? How do you ensure a great travel experience? Share your ideas, experiences and tips.