Shop Talk

Welcome to the Gold Coast Auto Body “Answer Blog,” where we periodically post news updates, technical articles, and other items of interest to our customers and friends in the luxury car community.

Winterizing your car, Chicago style

Chicago is a city with its own style. We’ve got Chicago style pizza. We’ve got Chicago style hot dogs. And Lord knows, we have Chicago style weather – especially in the wintertime.

Yes, from blinding blizzards to bone-chilling cold, the severity of winter in Chicago is legendary. Which means if you want to keep your car not only running, but also healthy for the long term, you’ve got to winterize your vehicle, Chicago style.

Of course, in the event of an accident, Gold Coast Auto Body is equipped to get you back on the road in like-new condition. But wouldn’t it be better to avoid the accident all together?

One thing to keep in mind as you debate how detailed you want to get in your winterization of your vehicle is that many winter collisions that could result in damage to your automobile are easily preventable if your car is truly road worthy for winter driving.

Fluids
The first thing you should do in winterizing your car is to be sure to fill your windshield wiper fluid with a winter blend. These blends contain a heavier balance of alcohol to water, translating to a lower freezing temperature.

If you can’t see the road clearly, you’re inviting an accident. Making sure your windshield wiper fluid is working properly despite winter temperatures and conditions is vital to preventing auto collisions that could find you bringing your vehicle to GCAB for repair.

According to this article in The Columbus Dispatch, the United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration lists the inability to see the road clearly is a leading cause of automotive accidents.

As its name suggests, antifreeze is specifically formulated to regulate your engine during extreme temperatures. Whether you are talking about extreme heat in the summer, or extreme cold in the winter, it ensures that the engine block stays at an even operating temperature.

You should check your antifreeze (more commonly referred to as “coolant) at least twice a year – at the start of summer and at the start of winter. And be sure to flush the radiator on a regular basis. As a general rule of thumb, flush and fill service is recommended every 30,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. For more information on engine coolant and considerations you should check out this article from Cars.com.

Your gas line can also benefit from its own type of antifreeze. Putting special fuel-line antifreeze in the gas tank during winter will help eliminate water from the fuel line to prevent freezing. It’s also a good idea to keep your tank at least half full during the winter months to prevent a fuel line freeze.

Finally, don’t forget to change the oil. For Chicago winters, you’ll want to use an oil with a lower viscosity – that is, the relative thickness. A lower viscosity oil will be more fluid and flow better at lower temperatures. For information on oil types and viscosity read this FAQ from Valvoline.

Rubber Belts and Wipers
Like fluids, rubber products can be adversely affected by cold weather. Your serpentine belt (also referred to as the “S belt”) has grooves like a tire. If these grooves are worn out and cracked it’s a good idea to have the belt changed to avoid having it snap in the winter. Older neoprene rubber belts typically last about 50,000 miles. By contrast, newer ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber belts can last up to 100,000 miles.

Windshield wiper blades also feature a partial rubber construction. Properly functioning wiper blades are just as important as having the right windshield wiper fluid. According to the Federal Highway Administration, visibility is associated with almost 50% of fatal crashes.

You may want to consider installing winter wiper blades, which are generally bigger and have a sturdier frame. The rubber is typically constructed of synthetic materials such as Teflon and silicone to stand up to the harshest temperatures. For information on the difference between summer and winter wiper blades, read this article from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Tires
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tire problems are associated with 35% of accidents studied for the administration’s Traffic Safety Facts Crash Stats report. While Gold Coast Auto Body will always be ready to repair any collision damage to your car, obviously you are going to want to avoid collisions whenever possible.

Some people change their entire wardrobe from summer to winter; it can be a good idea for your tires, too. Don’t be misled by the term “all-season tires.” The truth is, such tires generally don’t measure up in snow and ice. Winter tires are constructed of a softer rubber to enhance grip, and feature superior tread patterns that are specifically designed to achieve better traction on ice and snow. For a more detailed explanation of the advantages of winter tires consider this article from AutoBlog.com.

Tire pressure is another important point. When the temperature drops by as little as 10 degrees, it can cause a 10 percent loss of tire pressure. Since having the correct tire pressure is vital to ensure proper handling, it is very important that you check your tire pressure frequently during the winter and adjust accordingly.

Battery
Typically, it is recommended that you replace your battery every three years. While you can push that timetable to up to five years in some parts of the country, in Chicago three years is the safe way to go.

Even if it’s not time to replace it, you’ll still want to inspect the battery for corrosion, which usually shows up as a white powder around the nodes and clamps. While this can be cleaned with baking soda and water (usually with a toothbrush or similar soft bristled device), you may want to just replace the battery early and give yourself peace of mind that you’re not going to get stranded in the middle of a Chicago severe weather situation.

While checking your battery, make sure you ensure the cables are nice and tight. You should also take the opportunity to replace your spark plugs.

Of course, even a brand new battery can fail you in the face of a subzero cold snap. So while you are winterizing, make sure you have a working set of jumper cables in your car. You can never be too cautious. Other winter items to have onboard include a first aid kit, kitty litter or rock salt, emergency flares, gloves and hat, a blanket, possibly a shovel if you have space, extra windshield washer fluid, and a sturdy ice scraper and snow brush.

In summary, even “mild” Chicago winters can be brutal for your car. Make sure you take all of the proper steps to winterize your car in advance. If you don’t have the time or know-how to do it yourself, take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic to handle winterization for you. Just make sure you do it. Better safe than sorry!

For more information on the specifics of winterizing in the Windy City, take a look at this Chicago Tribune article.

Sun Damage: Prevention and Restoration Tips

Who doesn’t love the summer sun? Well, for one, your car.

Oxidation is the chemical reaction that occurs when heat and oxygen combine. This results in a breakdown of the molecular structure of paint.

While we love basking in the sun at the beach or the ballpark, that beautiful ball of fire in the sky oxidizes the paint on your car, leaving it with a faded or whitewashed appearance over time.

Can you prevent it? Sadly, no; there is no absolute when it comes to preventing sun damage to your vehicle’s paint job. However, by using a UV-resistant clear protective coating at the time of the paint job, it can slow oxidation. In terms of the original factory paint job, different automotive manufacturers have exhibited different levels of success with UV clear coat. And that’s out of your hands.

So quite frankly, the best way to avoid sun damage to your car is to keep it out of the sun whenever possible. Not only should you store your vehicle in a garage or other sheltered area, but you might also consider using a car cover when it is going to be parked in the sun for any length of time.

But some oxidation is inevitable. So what can you do when it does occur?

Well, you always have the option of living with the faded, hazy paint. But when you are someone who invests in a higher-end vehicle, chances are you want your ride looking as cherry as possible.

As a preventative measure you should regularly wash and wax your auto. Use a wax that incorporates a UV protectant. Washing and drying regularly will also remove pollutants such as bird droppings and dirt that can also harm the car’s paint.

Depending on the level of sun damage, hand or machine buffing with a rubbing compound may improve the look of oxidized paint to a degree. But this DIY approach isn’t going to completely solve those trouble spots on your hood, roof, and trunk.

The one true way to really renew your car’s finish is to invest in repainting.

For flawless results, auto painting requires professional equipment and specialized training. This is the appearance of your prized baby’s paint we are talking about, so you don’t want to take it to some fly-by-night, coupon-in-the-mail shop.

Your friends at Gold Coast Auto Body are experts in restoration and painting. What’s more, we use BASF paints and coatings, the highest quality money can buy. So when the time comes to repaint, do yourself a favor and bring your vehicle to GCAB, a shop you can trust.
You want your vehicle looking like new. So do we.

For further information on prevention of sun damage, give this article a read.

If you are interested in learning more about restoring your car’s paint, check out this article.

And for more about BASF refinishing materials and techniques, log onto Refinish BASF.

Preparing Your Vehicle for a Summer Road Trip

Summer is almost here. That usually means a little freedom from the office. Dare we even say: vacation?

When you have a high-end car or SUV, it’s not uncommon to eschew plane travel and hit the open road for your vacation. With that in mind, we’d like to offer you a few tips about prepping your vehicle for a summer road trip.

Let’s start with the obvious. Before you take any long road trip, you’re going to want to make sure your car is in good working order. You don’t want any unforeseen surprises when you’re on the road – miles away from the mechanics you trust.

Here’s what to check: battery, brakes, fluids, wipers and tires (check pressure and measure tread – make sure you have a working spare tire too.) Depending on your knowledge base, you might be able to check these criticals yourself. A better idea: take it to your mechanic to guarantee road worthiness.

Next up you’re going to want to check your navigation tools. In today’s day and age, most of us rely pretty heavily on GPS, whether on your phone or in the dash. However, technology doesn’t always work, especially in rural areas that you might travel through or to for your vacation. It’s advisable to have an old standby map with you for peace of mind and safety’s sake.

As much as you prepare your vehicle for a smooth summer ride off into the sunset, breakdowns and accidents are always possible. To this end, you’re going to want an emergency kit in your car. Kits are available pre-made or you can assemble one on your own. If you choose the latter, your kit should contain: blanket, flashlight, flares, first aid kit, motor oil, coolant, jumper cables, tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, adjustable wrench, pocket knife, tire pressure gauge), Fix-a-Flat (or comparable tire inflator), spare key, phone charger, and car jack.

Your car isn’t the only thing that may need attention in the case of a breakdown or accident. You’re going to want to have a stash of nonperishable healthy snacks (such as granola bars) and bottled water.

The last thing you’ll want to make sure you have is roadside assistance service. Chances are it’s included with your insurance policy. If not, look into AAA coverage.

Finally, the most important thing to remember about a summer road trip is that it’s meant to be fun. Set yourself up for fun by making sure your car or truck is not going to be the source of any stress. Make sure it’s in good working order and that you have all the supplies needed for emergency situations.

For further assistance with your summer road trip plans, this article on DoItYourself.com offers details on advisable preparations you should take.

For information on how to put together a quality Emergency Kit, read this article from Edmunds.com.

Once you have all that prep done, it’s time to enjoy the open road. We’ll see you when you get back!

Our Customers Weigh In

We take great pride in the work we do here at Gold Coast Auto Body, and we’re not the only ones. Read a few of the recent endorsements we’ve received from thousands of satisfied customers who know first-hand the quality and commitment we bring to every job we do.