Community Archives

Winter Driving: Stay safe driving in the snow

Winter is just around the corner, which means that adverse weather conditions like snow, ice, and freezing temperatures are going to make the roads that much more dangerous and pose significant risks for both experienced and brand-new drivers.

At Fast Tire, we want to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road, so we’ve put together our winter driving guide which includes five key tips for staying safe during those winter drives.

5 Safety Tips for Driving in the Winter

Winter driving doesn’t have to be a challenge. With a little preparation and a few key reminders, you can continue to trek through the roads without worrying about your vehicle or your safety.

Tip 1: Prep Your Vehicle Before Winter

Before you even spot the first snowflake, it’s vital you properly prepare your vehicle for any and all challenges that lie ahead. A good place to start is by checking your tires, making sure they have adequate tread and are properly inflated. Having good traction is extremely important when driving on slippery surfaces. Another good tip is to switch to winter tires for added grip.

We also recommend checking your vehicle’s brakes, lights, and heating system, as well as your windshield wipers – as these will be your best friend against rough snow on your windshield.

Tip 2: Drive Slower and Be Mindful of Following Distances

Driving too fast for the current road conditions is a common cause of accidents any time of the year, but especially during the winter. To protect yourself, your vehicle, and other drivers, reduce your speed and maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you during harsher weather days. As it takes longer to stop on icy or snow-covered roads, it’s always better to allow for extra time to react to unexpected situations.

Tip 3: Watch Out for Black Ice

Black ice is incredibly dangerous as the transparent layer it forms on the road is difficult to see for most drivers. Because black ice is more difficult to spot, it’s harder to correct when the vehicle becomes unsteady. If you suspect black ice, ease off the gas pedal, keep a steady hand on the steering wheel, and avoid any sudden maneuvers and be extra careful on higher risk areas, including bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas.

Tip 4: Clear Any Ice or Snow on Your Car

Before every drive, make sure that your vehicle is completely free of any ice or snow. Doing this takes minutes, but will help tremendously when it comes to ensuring you can see properly on the road. Clear all windows, lights, and side mirrors – the three most important parts of your vehicle when it comes to visibility.

We also recommend removing snow on the roof as well in order to prevent it from slipping down your car and obstructing your vision.

Tip 5: Always Plan Ahead

Finally, the last and most important winter safety tip is planning ahead. Check the weather app on your phone or watch the news before you leave to see if there are any potentially dangerous issues that will affect your drive.

It’s always best to keep in contact with friends and family if you’re going on long car rides during the winter just in case your car breaks down or you get lost. To add to this tip, it’s always recommended to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, with items that can be useful such as:

An Ice scraper
A snowbrush
A shovel
Jumper cables
A flashlight
and blankets

Set Your Car Up for Success this Winter at Fast Tire

At Fast Tire, we understand the challenge that come from winter driving and are here to help you reduce these with expert, reliable vehicle maintenance services, such as tires & tire repair, oil changes, brakes, and more!

View our services today or request an appointment to get your car winter ready!

Spring Cleaning & Maintenance

Wash winter’s grit & road salt away and enjoy the Spring weather in your clean ride!

Spring cleaning checklist:

• Undercarriage flush – With the onset of spring, all car owners should have their car’s undercarriage flushed.

• De-grunge – To remove grunge you need to wash your car with a strong detergent; most car wash solutions do not have the strength to cut through the dirt. Try a solution of 1 ounce of dish-washing detergent to 3 gallons of cool water to wash your car.

• Clean and Seal – If your car’s paint feels rough, you need a cleaner. If your paint has scuffs and scratches, you need a heavier polish.

• Treat – If your car has a leather or vinyl interior, it needs to be treated before the onset of summer’s heat.

• Dashboard Shine the dashboard with a clean fabric softener sheet. The anti-static elements will help repel dust from the dashboard.

• Chrome & Windows – To clean chrome & glass, sprinkle Baking Soda on a damp rag, scrub, & rinse clean.

• Hubcaps – To clean dirt & grime from hubcaps, spray with Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner. Let sit for 15 seconds and rinse clean.

Spring Cleaning & Maintenance

Wash winter’s grit & road salt away and enjoy the Spring weather in your clean ride!

Spring cleaning checklist:

• Undercarriage flush – With the onset of spring, all car owners should have their car’s undercarriage flushed.

• Clean and Seal – If your car’s paint feels rough, you need a cleaner. If your paint has scuffs and scratches, you need a heavier polish.

• Treat – If your car has a leather or vinyl interior, it needs to be treated before the onset of summer’s heat.

• Dashboard Shine the dashboard with a clean fabric softener sheet. The anti-static elements will help repel dust from the dashboard.

• Chrome & Windows – To clean chrome & glass, sprinkle Baking Soda on a damp rag, scrub, & rinse clean.

• Hubcaps – To clean dirt & grime from hubcaps, spray with Scrubbing Bubbles cleaner. Let sit for 15 seconds and rinse clean.

Help local Minneapolis Franchisee Car-X team return to the East Lake community!

The Bernstein family have enjoyed doing business as a Car-X Franchise in the Lake Street neighborhood since 1980. The first 20 years on West Lake Street and the second 20 years on East Lake Street.

Their team of Pat, John and Billy have been with the Bernstein’s company for a combined total of almost 50 years. The Covid-19 impact and reduction of work has been painful for many including Pat and his team.

The riots, destruction and looting of the East Lake Street store and neighborhood is like salt in an open wound. Please help them REBUILD. They want to get back to servicing their community as soon as possible. These funds will help their technicians get back to work by helping them replace tools and personal items, and keep them working while they clean and rebuild their shop. Thank you for your consideration. Our hearts go out to the family of George Floyd!

Thank you from Car-X Tire & Auto on behalf of the Bernstein Family and the East Lake Street Car-X Team

Should your College Student Take their Car to School?

Back to school can be a time of big decisions for parents and students. One of the most difficult is whether or not to take a car away to college. Consider the following when making this decision:

• Responsible use – Has your child done his or her part in taking care of their vehicle so far? Have they driven safely and not had a problem with speeding tickets or accidents? Keep in mind the atmosphere of college inevitably means less supervision and more opportunities for poor decisions, so trust is a major factor.

• School policy – Colleges have varying policies on cars for students. Many universities don’t allow first-year students to bring cars to campus. If your student’s school does allow vehicles, the next thing to look into is parking. Will there be a nearby lot or deck they can park in, or will they have to park further away? If the parking area safe?

• Convenience to family – Does it make sense to the rest of the family that your student’s car be gone for semesters at a time? There could be younger siblings near or of driving age that may need the car.

• Jobs or internships – If your student has a part-time job or internship this fall, especially off-campus, then it is important they have a reliable means of transportation.

• Cost – Does your child have a way to pay for gas, parking permits, etc., or will you be covering that? Come up with a plan, such as you paying a certain percentage if your student maintains a certain GPA.

• Rules – Should you make the decision your student will take their car, establish some ground rules. Classmates will surely ask to borrow or drive the car at some point.

• Alternatives – Should you decide your student won’t take their car, there are several alternatives to having a car on campus to consider.

Everything you Need to Know About Vehicle Recalls

Vehicle recalls occur more frequently than most of us are aware of. This results when a manufacturer determines that a car model has a safety related defect that does not comply with the government’s safety standard. The manufacturer is then required to alert owners of this problem and may offer to repair the issue at no cost to you.

These alerts are usually delivered by mail or email, but they can often be overlooked. If you have a feeling that your car may be involved in a recall but haven’t received an alert, you can go online and check for yourself.

All you need is your VIN number which can be found in a few different places: the driver’s side lower corner of the windshield, vehicle registration, insurance card, or on a placard on the driver’s door jamb. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall page (www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) and enter you VIN. If your car has been issued a recall it will pop up on the page and if nothing populates then your car has not been recalled.

If your car has been issued a recall you should call your local dealer and schedule an appointment to fix the recalled issue. If you didn’t buy your car from that specific dealer, they will help you with the recall if it’s the same manufacturer.

Let us know how we’re doing

Hearing about the experiences of our customers is something we value. Reviews and feedback are important to us because they help us tailor the way we do business around our customers’ needs.

Please let us know how we are doing. We want to recognize our outstanding mechanics, managers, and other employees.

Leave us a review on Google, or contact us – we look forward to hearing from you.

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The Kindness of Strangers

We are proud to share the following letter from customer, Atlas Laster, about an experience he had at the Kirkwood, Missouri Car-X location.

Car-X is Pleased to Announce the Opening of a New Car-X Store in Ankeny, Iowa

CAR-X ANKENY, IOWA – NEW STORE OPENING

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Roger W. Hill, President and CEO of Car-X, announced the opening of a new store in Ankeny, Iowa. Mark Goldner, the Des Moines franchisee opened his seventh Car-X Tire and Auto location in Ankeny on September 22, 2014.

The new Ankeny store located at 2105 South Ankeny Boulevard and has 10 bays. The service center will be open Monday thru Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and accepts appointments. The phone number is 515-964-1155. Car-X Tire and Auto repairs all makes and models, including diesel and hybrid vehicles.

“Mark is one of our visionary franchisees providing outstanding customer service,” said Rich Brayer, VP Marketing – “he has a 26 year history of great performance at Car-X.”

In 1988, Mr. Goldner partnered with Car-X Tire and Auto in Des Moines as Store Manager and Inventory Manager. As the business grew, he moved into a Supervisor role where he helped to grow the business. Mr. Goldner and his wife purchased the business in 2008 and have been operating and building the Car-X Tire and Auto brand to the seven locations in Des Moines, Ames, and now in Ankeny, Iowa ever since.

Car-X has over 40 years of experience and is known for its great customer service by providing products and services that help your car or truck perform at its best. Car-X offers complete auto maintenance services, from regular tune-ups to emergency repairs, timing belts to hoses to brakes – Car-X does everything in, on and under your car.

So “Don’t Worry Call the Car-X Man.”

Car-X Tire and Auto was founded in 1971 by a group of enterprising and experienced muffler shop owners. During the early years, Car-X was primarily an exhaust specialist. But today, in our 24/7 non-stop, fast paced world, we’ve adapted to providing just about any automotive repair you can imagine. We continue to evaluate our position and business and add products and services that are comparable to today’s auto repair climate.

Car-X Tire and Auto has 149 locations and has built a reputation on exceptional customer satisfaction

For additional information, contact Rich Brayer, at Direct Line: 847-273-8934 or rbrayer@carx.com

10 Tips for Traveling with Children

Traveling with children means balancing safety with sanity. You might want to crawl into the backseat to prove how serious you are about that “drop you on the side of the road if you do that one more time” threat. But then, you’re driving, so… maybe that’s not such a great idea.

Here are a few great ideas that will help you keep yourself calm and keep your car safely on the road.

1. Customize your emergency car kit with kid-friendly items.

This is a safety matter, of course; you should always have an emergency car kit in your car, especially on trips out of town. Purchase one pre-made or create your own emergency kit with supplies like jumper cables, a first aid kit, and some non-perishable food items and bottled water.

If you’re traveling with kids, add in a few extras to keep your kids happy and safe: diapers and wet wipes, an extra of a favorite stuffed animal or blanket, a change of clothes, important medications.

2. Keep a snack bag in the car.

There are two keys to a successful travel snack bag: first, choose your snacks carefully. Think car-friendly, non-messy items. As a general rule, avoid chocolate, crumbly items, and anything with filling. The second key is to dole the snacks out over time. Wait until boredom starts to set in. It’s not healthy to use food as a distraction most of the time, but when you’re all stuck in the car, it’s a tool in your sanity saver toolbox.

3. Keep a toy bag in the car.

Follow the same concept as the travel snack bag by stocking up on and doling out new toys as you hit points of boredom and fussiness. Shop the dollar store or any clearance sales, forget small stuff, nothing that requires assembly or batteries or help from Mom. Pass them out as needed, one at a time.

4. Make sure your car seats are installed properly.

Check cables, buckles, and car seat installation before you load up the kids and pull out of the driveway. This is a matter of both safety and sanity, as a toddler free to roam around the backseat is definitely a danger.

5. Plan stops along the way.

For trips over a couple of hours, take a little time to do some research online about state parks, landmarks, and towns you’ll be passing through. Plan to stop somewhere every couple of hours or so; it will do the kids good to get out and stretch their legs, and you’ll be refreshed and ready to drive again after a break.

6. Get the kids involved.

Even very small children can be on the look-out for big trucks or green cars. Give kids something to look for and let them earn a point for each item they find; reward them with a snack or a new toy when they earn 5 or 10 points.

For older kids, having a map and a guidebook handy helps them to get involved with what they’re seeing along the way.

7. Take kid-friendly music and books on cd for the ride.

When the games get old and everyone is getting a little tired, put in a cd of kid-friendly music; make it something they can enjoy singing along with, or opt for a book on cd instead. Everyone can get caught up in a good story and it makes the miles pass quickly. If you think it through ahead of time, your kids can pick out music and books on cd from the library and look forward to getting to hear their own choices.

8. Create a “travel kid kit” for each child.

A travel kid kit should have some special toys and activities, not necessarily new but something they enjoy. Kids can help put these together the day before you leave. Add in a few extras, such as a couple of books to look at, and include a sturdy surface (such as a lap desk) and some drawing supplies.

9. Be non-negotiable on car rules.

Seat belts stay buckled, no one plays with the door handles or locks, no yelling or screaming: set some rules in stone for your car trips and be non-negotiable. It’s not a matter of preference, it’s a matter of safety. Be very clear on the consequences and follow through if needed.

10. Get your car maintained & tuned up before you leave.

Don’t start off on an anticipated trip just to end up on the side of the road, or stranded in a little town halfway to your destination. Plan for travel success by taking your car in for an oil change, inspection, and tune-up a couple of weeks before you plan to leave. Be sure to have the mechanics check the tires, alignment, brakes, and battery so you won’t have any unpleasant surprises while you travel.

Traveling with kids is still a challenge, but it can be much better with a little preparation and a few tricks up your sleeve.