Tag Archives: vehicle maintenance

Oil Can Henry's Centers

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”.

Henry's Hints

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 Worldwide, children 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!
 

Vehicle Maintenance

Don’t Sweat It: 6 Tips to Protect Your Vehicle from the Summer Heat

OCH_eNL_Image_0716_overheatingSweltering 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!
 
Sources:

From Our Customers

From Our Customers: Getting the Job Done Accurately and Efficiently

Oil Can Henry's in Soquel, California
Oil Can Henry’s – Soquel, California: 2878 South Rodeo Gulch Road

Oil Can Henry’s – Soquel, CA:
The staff was courteous, informative and friendly and I love that you get to stay in your car for service.
I especially appreciate that they have a monitor next to the driver’s side window where you can watch the technician do the work and see for yourself that they’re getting the job done accurately and efficiently.
The old school outfits topped it off for me and made me smile, thus the 5 stars wasn’t a question for me.
~ Gina R.
Santa Cruz, CA

Vehicle Maintenance

Are You Normal? Learn Which Oil Change Schedule is Best for You

If your vehicle doesn’t have an oil life monitor, it’s likely the owner’s manual includes two maintenance service schedules: one for “normal” driving and one for “severe”.

And, if you’re like most drivers, you probably consider yourself to be “normal”.

That’s where you could be making a big mistake in how you maintain your vehicle.
Are you a normal driver? Or severe?

American Automobile Association (AAA) research has shown that more than half of all motorists follow the wrong maintenance schedule for their vehicles.

“When polled by AAA,” the study states, “only six percent of motorists felt they did most of their driving under severe service conditions. But when asked about the actual driving behaviors that create severe operating conditions, 62 percent of motorists admitted they drive their vehicle that way all or most of the time.”

Findings from a February, 2011, poll of drivers in six Western states revealed even more startling numbers. More than 90% of respondents consider themselves “normal” drivers, yet 89% of those people have driving habits that define them as “severe”.

“Manufacturers provide differing sets of recommendations for severe driving conditions because of the increased wear they put on vehicle components and fluids,” said John Nielsen, director of AAA Approved Auto Repair and Auto Buying Services. “With increased traffic congestion and longer commutes becoming more common, many motorists do not realize what they think of as normal driving is actually severe when it comes to wear and tear on their vehicle.”

“Maintenance schedules for severe driving conditions,” AAA explains, “typically recommend having the vehicle’s fluids and filters changed on a more frequent basis, and more frequent inspections of some components.”

So, which maintenance schedule is best for you?

We recommend that you follow the “severe” maintenance schedule for your vehicle if:

  • The majority of your driving consists of short trips (five miles or less);
  • The majority of your driving consists of longer trips but includes a fair amount of idling (such as the stop-and-go traffic common in many people’s  morning and evening commute);
  • You often tow a trailer or haul heavy materials;
  • Frequently drive in extreme heat (more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit)
  • Frequently drive in extreme cold (less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit); or
  • Frequently drive in humid conditions.

If none of the above apply, congratulations! You’re a “normal” driver.

Featured, From Our Customers

From Our Customers: I’m Done Doing My Own Oil Changes

This was my first time using an oil change service.
I have always done my own because I’m paranoid about some buffoon stripping my oil pan drain plug. But I needed my (transmission) fluid changed and they have the equipment to completely remove the old fluid. While I was having that done, I had them do an oil change, too.
I was very pleased with the service, the courtesy of the workers and the cleanliness of the environment. I got to sit in my car and read a complimentary newspaper while they worked.  Additionally, they checked all my lights and other fluids.
I think I’m done doing my own oil changes.
~ Jimmy Y.
via Yelp

Vehicle Maintenance

17 Tips for Maintaining and Driving Your Vehicle in Winter Weather

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iStock_000029634386XLargeWhether you’re headed over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house for the holidays or planning a family weekend on the ski slopes, ’tis the season for driving in snowy, icy and rainy conditions.\n\nTo ensure you and your passengers enjoy a safe trip, we’re sharing 17 important vehicle maintenance and driving tips from our friends at AAA.\n\nWe also recommend you read two informative and free AAA brochures: “How to Go in Ice and Snow” for tips on driving on icy and snowy roads and “Get a Grip” for tips on driving in rain and on wet pavement.\n\n \n\nAN OUNCE OF PREVENTION\n

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  • Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent your gas line from freezing.

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  • Avoid using your parking brake in snowy, rainy and wet conditions. If it gets particularly cold, the brake can freeze in place.

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  • Carry an emergency road kit. Your kit should include a snow scraper, shovel, gloves, flashlight and batteries, warning flares, jumper cables, water, food, extra clothing, first-aid supplies, a bag of cat litter or sand, basic tools, and a mobile phone and charger.

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  • Don’t warm up a vehicle in a garage or other enclosed space.

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  • Share your travel plans, especially if you’re traveling through isolated areas. Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.

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\n \n\nPREPARE AND MAINTAIN\n\nSpend a little time on your vehicle before your trip to ensure a safe, worry-free journey.\n

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  • Check your tire pressure and tread depth. Having the right pressure and traction in winter weather is a must. Don’t mix radial tires with other types of tires.

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  • Replace wiper blades. If your blades leave streaks or miss spots, it’s time for new ones. Also make sure you have enough washer fluid that won’t freeze in the reservoir.

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  • Ensure the battery is working properly. Check all cable connections and make sure there’s no corrosion on the terminals. You may want to replace the battery if you haven’t done so in the last three to five years.

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  • Check that all your lights are clean, bright and working properly. This includes your headlights, brake lights and turn signals. If your plastic lens headlights are dull or don’t provide enough light, consider a Headlight Restoration.

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  • Check your antifreeze — both the amount of fluid and the fluid’s freeze protection level. Worn-out fluid may not protect against freezing or overheating and can lead to costly engine damage. Learn more about your vehicle’s cooling system and the benefits of Cooling System Flush service.

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  • Have your vehicle inspected. Take the time to service your car before a road trip, especially if you’re close to scheduled maintenance.

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\nOil Can Henry’s Famous 20-Point Full-Service Oil Change is an exceptional value that includes a complimentary safety inspection to help keep your vehicle at peak operating efficiency. We check your lights, battery, wipers, brake fluid, air filters, PCV valve, and Serpentine Belt. We also check and fill your windshield wash, coolant, transfer case fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid, and tires.\n\nIf you need a Cooling System Flush, Headlight Restoration or Automatic Transmission Flush, trust the trained technicians at your local Oil Can Henry’s. All our services meet manufacturer warranty requirements, so you don’t have to hassle with appointments and drop-offs at the dealership. Learn about the wide variety of preventive maintenance services we offer here.\n\n \n\nBE IN THE KNOW\n\nMake sure you’re familiar with basic techniques necessary to drive safely in winter conditions. Specifically:\n

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  • Stopping distances are significantly longer on snow, ice and wet pavement, so increase your following distance from the 3-4 seconds recommended for dry roads to 8-10 seconds.

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  • Drive in the lane that has been most recently cleared and avoid making turns through areas with built-up snow.

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  • Don’t use cruise control on slippery surfaces.

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  • Brake gently; don’t pump the brake pedal.

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  • If you find yourself in a skid, don’t panic. Look and gently steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.

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  • Watch for frost. Cold night time temperatures can lead to frost on vehicles and on the roads. Slow down or brake gently when approaching bridges or overpasses, where frost is more prone to accumulate and create hazardous conditions. Also watch for shaded areas that could create black ice, especially during early morning or late night hours.

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\n \n\nSafe travels — and Happy Holidays — from all of us at Oil Can Henry’s!

From Our Customers

From Our Customers: These Guys Have Never Let Us Down

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Oil Can Henry's - The Dalles, OregonThese guys have never let us down.\n\nThey service our ’93 work rig, ’02 daily commuter, our recently purchased ’07 commuter and my BFF’s ’04 commuter.\n\nThey communicate perfectly during the service and take all the time you need.\n\nI’ve brought two newly purchased used vehicles here for the basic oil change, asked them to be my eyes and ears and check it all over and been so thankful I did. They catch little things the dealership overlooked.\n\nThe techs are respectful and have a great sense of humor.  Good old school service and knowledge you don’t come close to getting at their “giffy” or competitors.  They back up their work and work hard.\n\nMuch respect. We’ll keep going here for years and cars to come.\n\n~ Jack H.\nThe Dalles, OR

Vehicle Maintenance

September Anniversaries: Making the Best of It

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Oil Can Henry's - West Linn, 8th CourtResidents of West Linn, Oregon, enjoy a wonderful quality of life highlighted by beautiful scenery, diverse recreation opportunities, lush parks, and bountiful farmers markets.\n\nSo, it should come as no surprise that West Linn has twice been named to CNN/Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live” list (2009 and 2011).\n\nWe at Oil Can Henry’s wholeheartedly agree with that assessment.\n\nFor more than 23 years, we’ve provided local drivers and visitors with quick, convenient and thorough vehicle maintenance services they can trust and, in the process, developed a special place in our hearts for West Linn.\n\nOur Willamette Drive center opened in 1991, and our 8th Court center, located just off I-205, opened seven years later, on September 8, 1998. Congratulations, and a big Thank You!, to our hard working teams at both locations. And, a tip of the Gatsby cap to our Watsonville and Whittier centers, which are also celebrating anniversaries this month:\n

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Oil Can Henry's Centers

August Anniversaries: Growing Older Together in Oakley

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Oil_Can_Henrys_Oakley_California_BlogYou could say Oil Can Henry’s and the community of Oakley, California, have grown up together.\n\nOakley, centrally located 55 miles east of San Francisco and 55 miles south of Sacramento, was incorporated just 15 years ago, on July 1, 1999.\n\nEight days later, John N. Shepanek opened his Oil Can Henry’s service center across Highway 4 in Antioch.\n\nThe Antioch center proved to be so popular with residents of Oakley and Brentwood (which borders Oakley on the south) that John opened a new center on Main Street in Oakley four years later, on August 8, 2004.\n\nToday, Oakley is a thriving, growing community of more than 37,500. And Oil Can Henry’s is providing quick, convenient and thorough oil changes and other preventive maintenance services to thousands upon thousands of happy drivers.\n\nOur congratulations to Oakley on its first 15 years, and to John and his team of friendly, trained technicians on 11 years of service in Oakley.\n\nA tip of our Gatsby caps to the 10 other Oil Can Henry’s service centers celebrating August anniversaries:\n

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