Conventional Versus Synthetic Oil
So you’re in the shop getting a tune-up and the mechanicasks which oil you’d prefer for your oil change. Does your vehicle takeconventional or synthetic? And what exactly IS the difference?
Vehicle oil performs an essential function in yourautomobile’s engine. It acts as a lubricant to keep the parts of the enginemoving smoothly. It also absorbs the heat from the friction created, keepingthe engine from overheating.
Two main types of engine oil exist- conventional and synthetic.
Conventional Oil
Sometimes called the “dinosaur oil,” conventional oil iscreated from crude oil that has been removed from the earth using conventionalextraction means. Conventional oil is improved with chemical additives to helpit meet the requirements of vehicle manufacturers
Synthetic Oil
Synthetic Oil is chemically manufactured. They aredistilled, purified and broken down into its basic molecules. This processremoves impurities and enables individual molecules in the oil to be tailoredto the demands of modern engines. It’s said to be especially beneficial tovehicles with turbocharged engines and for vehicles that drive in stop-and-gotraffic regularly, or those that tow heavy loads.
In the debate about conventional oil versus synthetic,the real answer about what will be a betterchoice is individual to your vehicle. The best bet is to consult your owner’smanual for the manufacturer’s guidance on oil type. We suggest doing a littlebit of research on the different brands available so that you’re making themost affordable choice for you.
Why Buy Tire & Wheel Protection Coverage
It’s impossible to avoid unexpected hazards and debris onthe roadway. Picking up a nail or rock as you commute down the highway is anall too common scenario. A flat tire can put a real damper on your day. Don’tlet it.
A Tire and Wheel Protection Plan will allow you to protectyourself for the unexpected expense of repairing or replacing your tires andwheels. A Typical Tire and Wheel Coverage Plan will include certain benefitsand key features.
Tire & WheelProtection Plan Benefits
100% Coverage-Repair or replacement of tires and wheelsdamaged by contact with covered road hazards including potholes, debris, nails,glass, rocks tree limbs or any object not normally found on a public roadwayand in the event of blowouts.
Reimbursement could include the cost of mounting, balancing,valve stems and taxes.
Discounted or fully covered roadside assistance, includingthe towing service.
Flat tire coverage.
Proper disposal of any non-repairable tires or wheels.
Key Features CouldInclude:
No replacement cost limits.
Zero deductible.
No mileage limitations.
3 and 5 year terms.
Transferrable Coverage
Visiting our Shop? Take a look at our available Edge Plus Tire and Wheel Protection Coverage!
City Mouse Versus Country Mouse: How to Shop for a Car that Fits Your Location
City Mouse Versus Country Mouse
How to Shop for a Carthe Fits Your Location
Part 1: The CityDweller
While exciting, living in a major or even minor metropolis likedowntown Frederick for example requires certain considerations when you’reshopping for a new vehicle. Congested roadways, swiftly moving trafficpatterns, and the scramble for limited parking are all hallmarks the downtown dwellerknows all too well.
So what features are most important to have in your newvehicle if you live in a city?
Advanced SafetyFeatures
Picking a vehicle with high safety marks will serve you wellin the city. Accidents happen everywhere, but are even more common in congestedurban centers. Picks like our 2016 Hyundai Elantra Value Edition can offer you real peace ofmind, as it ranks among the safest brand of vehicles on the road today.
Parking Assist
This ain’t the suburbs. If you live in a city, you mayparallel park on the daily, both at work and at home. And let’s face it, streetparking is perhaps the most intimidating of all parking–requiring skill,confidence and calm under pressure. Gone are the days however, when you have toface this feat alone. Many newer car models come equipped with parkingassist features such as a rearview back-up camera. One such option is our 2017 Chevrolet Equinox LT. Let the vehicle work for you when you’re backing in andalert you when you’ve come a bit too close for comfort to another vehicle.
Blind Spot Detection
We hesitate to use the word “aggressive.” But one must be assertivewhen driving in a the city. Getting to your destination often requiresswitching lanes and passing many times over. And hazards abound in tight cityroadways, like traffic entering from alleys, cyclists sharing the road, pedestrianswalking into the street and the stray open car door here and there. Finding avehicle like our 2015 Cadillac Escalade Luxury is a huge help for the city driving. This vehicle offersblind spot detection which alerts you when an unseen object has entered yourblind spot, allowing you to assess when it’s safest to make your move, withoutruining anyone’s day.
A Technology Package
You may not think all the bells and whistles matter toomuch. But purchasing a vehicles that’s outfitted with tech like a Wi-Fi hotspot,bluetooth connection, satellite radio and premium navigation can be a literal lifesaverand timesaver. Many of these option can be found in vehicles like our 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee High Altitude. Enjoy the opportunities to stay both entertained and informed asyou can access your podcasts and music easily and tap into your navigation system maps to get you where you need to be without missing a beat.
How to Save Fuel and Money
It’s no secret that the price of gas is always fluctuating.According to AAA, the national average priceof gas today is $2.87 for Regular and $3.13 for Diesel. Although this is nowherenear the all-time high –$4.11 for Regular Unleaded, there’s always room inyour life to learn how to save fuel and money.
Purchasing a vehicle that rates highly on fueleconomy is the most obvious way to get the most bang for your buck. Butconsumers can spend less with any vehicle if they’re mindful of certain things.
5. Oil and Filter Change
Clean oil reduces friction between moving partsin your engine and heightens fuel economy and reliability. Removing harmfuldeposits extends the life of an engine. Check your vehicle’s owner manual forthe recommended oil and filter charge schedule.
4. Properly Inflated Tires
When tires aren’t inflated properly, it’s likedriving with the parking brake on. Your technician should make sure your tiresare properly inflated when you come in for preventive maintenance. A tire that’sgoing flat can cut your fuel economy by 2% per pound of pressure below theproper inflation level. It’s a great idea to get into habit of checking yourtire pressure regularly.
3. Oxygen Sensor
Oxygen sensors is one of the top ways to make anoticeable difference Properly functioning oxygen are good for the environmentand save hundreds of dollars in fuel costs over their life.
2. Spark Plugs
Each vehicle normally has four, six or eightspark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times resulting in a lot of heatand chemical and chemical erosion.
1, Air Filters
A dirty air filter clog’s an engine’s airsupply, causing a higher fuel-to-air ratio and thereby increasing gasolineconsumption. Replacement depends on where and when you drive, so have a techniciancheck your air filter during regular maintenance.
A Spring Cleaning Checklist from Krietz
Happy Springtime, Auto Buyers! Before we have to fend off the summer heat, now’s a good time to freshen up your vehicle and get it ready to cruise through the rest of June.
Here are Our Top Picks for Your Spring Cleaning To-Do List:
1. Clean/Dust Your Vents: First thing’s first. Through normal use, your vehicle’s air conditioning vents accumulate a good share of dust and dirt throughout the year. To breathe easier and maintain the look of your dash, make sure this Is a high priority!
2. Wash Your Floor Mats: This one’s a no-brainer! You can improve the appearance and cleanliness of your interior dramatically by taking care of your floor mats. Just like our carpets at home, our vehicle mats take the brunt of the dirt and debris that we track in on our feet. If you want your car’s interior to feel like new again, this step is a MUST.
3. Polish Your Headlights: This one’s for looks and for safety. Hazy and dull headlights happen over time from exposure to sunlight, pollution and things like road salt. To stay safe and seen on the road and to keep your headlights nice and sparkly, take some time now to get them a good shine. Your fellow drivers will thank you.
4. Clean-Up Your Grille: Much like your own dazzling smile, your car’s grille often gives others a first impression. Make it a good one and reserve some time to wash off the dirt, muck and bug carnage (yuck!), your grille has been picking up this season.
5. Shine those Hubcaps: Nothing screams “New-Car Feel” quite like some shiny rims. Your hubcaps spend all year protecting your vehicle’s wheel hub and can suffer mightily from day-to-day exposure to heat, salt, dirt and moisture. For all the work they do, they definitely deserve a springtime refresh, too!
Sound like a lot of work to do yourself? We agree. It could be daunting.
That’s why we’re here to help!
Come see us today to schedule a professional detail with the friendly staff here at Krietz Auto!
Happy Driving!
Why Should I Rotate My Tires?
Why Should I Rotate My Tires?
Wait, what? I need to rotate my tires? Don’t they “rotate” when I drive? Is this some scam crafted by auto shops to squeeze more money out of me? You may have asked yourself these questions before, and although tire rotation may sound like some useless, sly scam made up by auto shops, it is not. By the end of this blog post, you will understand more about this practice of tire rotation and why it is actually really important for you to have your tires rotated regularly.
What is this “Tire Rotation” Stuff?
Tire rotation is the act of moving them from one wheel to another, more often than not, diagonally, but it can also consist of moving your front tires to the back and back tires to the front. This service is quick, easy, and affordable. It’s so easy, in fact, that you could do it yourself (A Tutorial on that Coming Soon!). Some auto shops will include tire rotation in basic services such as oil changes, but others may charge separately for the service. Now that you know what tire rotation is, let me explain why it is so important.
Why You SHOULD rotate your tires
Theoretically, you could drive problem free without ever having to rotate your tires; however, it is not recommended that you do this. No, this isn’t a scam. It is actually in your best financial interest to rotate your tires. As your car is driven, tires wear. The tread on these tires begin to decrease. The best way to mitigate this is by rotating your tires. Tire rotation ensures that your tires wear evenly. If you never rotate your tires, one, maybe two will wear faster than the others, depending on whether your car is front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or all wheel drive (i.e. front wheel drive cars will put more pressure and lead to more wear on the front tires due to the transfer of power from the engine to those wheels.). Failure to regularly rotate your tires will lead to a quicker need for replacement. Tires can be expensive, and by rotating them, you are prolonging their life span and saving yourself money. What’s more, rotated, even tires will make your ride smoother and its handling safer.
Don’t have the time to rotate your tires yourself? That’s what you have us here for? At Krietz Auto, our professional staff will rotate your tire in a timely and affordable manner, and will ensure that you are able to keep your car running smoothly and safely! Schedule your appointment today: https://goo.gl/d9sges
So You Want to Lift Your Truck?
The Lifting Process
Do you ever see these massive trucks roll by, high off the ground, and wonder why they sit so high and how they got that way? The answer: through the aftermarket process of vehicle lifting. This modification is typically applied to pickup trucks; however, it can added to just about any vehicle to make it look more aggressive and distinct. It is not recommended to lift a coupe or sedan, however, it can be done. This modification can be added to any vehicle using either a body lift kit or a suspension lift kit. Body lift kits are designed to lift your vehicle two to three inches through the application of high quality nylon spacers between the body and the frame. On the other hand, a suspension lift kit is designed to raise the suspension through the replacement of the vehicle’s front and rear shocks and leaf springs. The latter would allow you to lift your truck to its absolute max, resulting in more ground clearance for your vehicle, opening up new opportunities for further modifications like large wheels, tires, and fender flares. Of course, suspension jobs can be some of the more costly vehicle services , so what if you are on a budget?
Not All Lift Kit Modifications are Outrageously Expensive
Choosing to install a lift kit on your vehicle is mostly a cosmetic modification, and will not impact the vehicle’s ride quality or handling too drastically. Some kits can be pricey, and body lift kits (the installation of high quality nylon spacers) are a lot cheaper than suspension lift kits. It all comes down to personal preference, though. At Krietz Auto, we offer a 3” and a 6” Rough Country Suspension Lift Kit, which gives the driver the option to lift the truck further in the future. Although pricier, suspension lifts are the better investment. For your convenience, Krietz Auto is offering 0% financing on its Rough Country Lift Kits. This way, you can pay off the modification monthly instead of making a one-time lump sum payment! If you are looking for a lift kit, look no further. The professionals at Krietz Customs will provide you with a quality and rewarding experience and service. Click here for further details or to schedule an appointment with our Krietz Customs team!
The Full Detail Experience
The Full Detail Experience
Car detailing is crucial in keeping your car’s interior and exterior in tip-top shape. You may think that a car wash and a car detail is one in the same; however,this is a common misconception. Car detailing goes beyond the typical machine-wash you may purchase at the local gas station or car wash. Car detailing consists of deep-cleaning the car’s interior and exterior, thoroughly, by hand. Yes, by hand! Believe it or not, a full detail provides benefits to both the car and its owner. A full detail extends the life of your vehicle, its paint, and its resale value, and in the long-term, it can actually save you money! And who doesn’t like to save money!?
The Benefits of Full Detailing for Your Vehicle
Car’s can be expensive; the maintenance costs can add up,but preventive maintenance (yes, this includes getting your vehicle detailed) is a low price to pay to decrease the likelihood of tremendous maintenance costs in the future. It is recommended that you get your vehicle detailed at least once a year, if not more, especially following the winter season. Road salt erodes your vehicle’s clear coat and paint. A full detail will minimize the impact that these winter salts have on your vehicle. Not only does a full detail prolong the vehicle’s exterior paints, metals, and plastics, but it also extends the life of its interior as well. Over time, contaminants build up on the inside of a vehicle, damaging its leather, vinyl, chrome, plastics, and the like. A professional auto detail removes this contaminant build up, negating any potential damage. Furthermore, a detailing helps ensure that the car depreciates at a lower rate, which saves you money, as it decreases the possibility of needing of restoration services in the future.
How Detailing Saves You Money
If you take proper care of your vehicle, it will take care of you. The Golden Rule applies to just about anything in life, including your vehicle. By this, I mean it will not only run better and longer, but it will look great and retain its value. It is known that vehicles are poor investments due to depreciation; however, you can slow the rate at which it depreciates simply by taking care of your vehicle and investing in regular preventive maintenance services like full details. The difference is staggering, as the value between a vehicle in “fair” condition and a vehicle in “excellent” condition can range in the thousands of dollars! Just think, you could be missing out on extra trade-in value when it comes time to trade-in your vehicle!
Avoid the reduction in value and keep your car looking and running smoothing with a full detail from Krietz Auto! Schedule your detailing appointment today: goo.gl/ZncgPM
What’s My Monthly Payment
What is My Monthly Payment?
Very few people enter the car buying process with the financial means to pay a vehicle’s price tag in full at the time of purchase, and thankfully no one expects you too. Cars are pricey assets, but you can pull off the lot in a new vehicle with as little as $1,000 down! This is all possible with automotive loan financing. This is a basic concept, and I’m sure most of you understand what financing is; however, determining what your monthly payments will be can be a difficult process if you are not familiar with the number of variables that go into determining this monthly payment figure in the first place. The dealer at which you purchase your vehicle will review these figures with you; however, if you ever find yourself interested in how these numbers are actually calculated, this post is for you!
A monthly payment is calculated using three different variables: the loan amount, the length of the loan (in months), and the bank’s stated interest rate.
The Loan Amount
The loan amount is the sum of money that is lent to you from the sponsoring bank. To make sense of this, here’s an example. If the car you are buying is $20,000, and you put down $5,000 towards the loan (whether it be cash or your trade-in value), the amount lent is $15,000. The more money you put down, the less your monthly payment will be.
The Length of the Loan
The typical auto loan ranges between 3 years (36 months) and 6 years (60 months); however, banks are usually flexible and will issue loans outside of this range. One thing to note is that short-term loans will typically have slightly higher interest rates (i.e. the loan’s interest rate may be slightly higher on a 36-month loan than it will be on a 60-month loan). The longer the loan, the lower your monthly payments will be, and if desired, you can pay more than the stated amount to pay off the loan earlier. In some cases, banks due charge prepayment penalties, so it is important to check with your bank on its policy regarding potential prepayment penalties.
The Bank’s Stated Interest Rate
Depending on your credit history (credit score), the bank will state the lowest interest rate it is willing to provide you with. A high credit score shows a bank that you are a reliable source of on-time payments, and as such, they will quote you a lower interest rate, than someone with a low credit score. As previously mentioned, the interest rate also depends on the length of the loan. Regardless, the interest rate quoted by the bank that you are financing through is applied on an annual basis.
Putting It All Together
These are the three variables that make up your monthly payments. If the specified monthly payment is met each month, the loan will be fully paid off by the end of the stated timeline (i.e. in the 60 months that the loan was granted for). The actual formula for determining your monthly payment is a bit more complex than simply plugging number in to these three variables. To calculate your monthly payment accurately, an online auto loan calculator is extremely useful and can be found using Krietz Auto’s online monthly payment calculator here: https://krietzauto.com/