 Many car drivers experience problems with their car battery during the winter. Damp, cold weather can wreak havoc with this critical car part. Many an early morning has been made more stressful by a car battery that doesn’t want to work. However, the warmer summer months are not entirely plain sailing when it comes to your car battery, with the sun and hot temperatures posing challenges. At DCH Audi Oxnard we have some tips for caring for your car battery during the summer.
Excess heat
The excess heat of summer can cause problems for the car battery. If the car is left in the sun for a long period of time or out on the road, the internal temperature can soar. The excess heat can cause the battery fluid to evaporate, which can damage the internal parts of the battery. If the components fail, the battery could eventually stop working entirely, which could be disastrous for you.
Checking the battery and electrical system
Before the summer starts, ask your service department to check the battery and electrical system. An expert eye may identify problems before they become too serious. While you may need to spend a bit of cash up front, you could easily discover that this is a good investment in the long run. As a general rule, if your car battery is more than three years old, you should have it fully tested to see how much more life there is in it.
Additional Battery Pressure
Even if the battery checks out, it is important to look after it during the summer months to ensure that it works at maximum efficiency. Ensure that you check your battery on a regular basis, and certainly before every long journey. Add distilled water as necessary and make sure that you carry additional distilled water for long journeys. Remember that the battery may be under additional pressure on long journeys. Idling in traffic, air conditioning, and the use of electronic devices such as GPS systems or portable DVD players can all place additional demands on your battery.
Battery Cleanliness
It is also important to keep the battery clean. Excess dust or dirt on the battery can become a conductor which, in turn, can drain battery power. Accumulated corrosion on the battery terminals may insulate the battery and inhibit the flow of current. Both these things can add additional pressure to the battery. You can easily clean the battery and terminals with an old toothbrush. Always clean the battery before the car heats up. Contact our service department for more information.
 When it comes to ensuring your car looks great and retains its value, regular detailing is a must. Detailing ensures that both the interior and exterior of your car are kept in superb condition, which will make it far easier for you to sell the vehicle at some point in the future. Professional car detailing is not particularly cheap, however, and even if you want to keep your car in tip-top condition, you may not be able to afford to do it regularly. The good news is that the professionals have some great secrets that they are occasionally willing to share with consumers. Here are five of those secrets from our team at DCH Audi Oxnard.
Always use two buckets to wash. A bucket and cloth may seem like a very old-fashioned way to wash your car, but in most cases it is still the best way to get a great finish. Most commonly, however, people clean their cars with one bucket of water at a time. Use two buckets – one for the clean water and one for the clean suds. Before dipping your cloth or mitt into the clean suds, you can rinse it in the clean water and wring it dry. This prevents you from moving dirt off the car and simply wiping it back on again.
Detail the trim first. Car owners increasingly use a different range of products to get the best results. One popular product is a trim protector, which restores and protects the trim. Many drivers apply the trim protector then wax their car’s paint work afterwards. This is because if not applied first, the trim protector can’t prevent wax and other cleaning products used on the paint work from staining the trim.
Invest in a clay bar. A clay bar is a simple, but very effective way to remove contaminants from your paint work without damaging the surface. Get a good spray lubricant, an 80-100 gram clay bar and a towel. Wash and dry the car, then rub the clay bar onto the surface to remove unwanted particles. The smoother the paint surface after being treated with the clay bar, the more effective any subsequent polish and or wax will be.
Check the paint work with a plastic bag. Before you apply any surface wax on your car’s paint work, it is important to ensure that you have removed as many contaminants as possible. One way to do this is to use a thin plastic grocery bag. Place your hand inside the bag and then slowly run it over the surface of the car. The bag will exaggerate the feel of any bumps and imperfections, making it easier for you to prepare the surface further.
Dry the glass in two directions. When you clean and dry your car windows, you will probably detect streaks on the glass, and it can be difficult to work out whether they are on the inside or the outside. Dry your interior glass with horizontal wipes and your exterior glass with vertical wipes, and you will always know which side the streak is on.
 When it comes to having your vehicle serviced, there are many factors to consider including price, reputation, quality, customer service, and much more. One of the major questions that car owners often ask is whether it is better to use a dealership service department or to go to an independent mechanic when it comes time for auto repair or auto maintenance. Allow our team at DCH Audi Oxnard to inform you about what a dealership can offer you that an independent auto shop just can’t.
Genuine parts
Dealerships are part of the car manufacturer’s parts supply line, and therefore the parts that will be fitted to your car are official. If you choose an independent mechanic, they may well be tempted to supply parts that are cheaper because they have been built by other suppliers. Car makers ensure that parts are tested so that they do their job properly. There are many companies around the world that specialize in producing parts that may look the same as the official part but have not been tested to the car maker’s standard. Some mechanics may decide to use these parts rather than the official parts, which could decrease the value of your car.
Special tools and diagnostic machines
Cars are complicated pieces of machinery, and they often need specifically designed tools to use on the vehicle. Some workshops get around this by various means, which can damage the vehicle or the new parts being fitted. More importantly, as cars become more electronically complicated, diagnostic tools such as computer testers are vital for working out what is exactly wrong with a car. In many cases, the car being repaired can only be hooked up to an official diagnostic tool at the dealership. This will detail exactly what is wrong with the car because it lists a series of error codes that can indicate anything from airbag sensor failure to electronically controlled suspension faults.
Resale value
When it comes time to sell the vehicle, a full service and repair history from an official dealership can add more value to your vehicle. The new buyer can see what has been done to the car, but more importantly can see that it has been done properly by factory-trained technicians.
Recall notices
Sometimes a recall and repair notice is issued by the car maker. While most owners are contacted, some who have their cars serviced and repaired outside of the main dealer network may not get the message. An official dealer will know what recall and repair notices have been issued for each vehicle, and often a recall notice is limited to a certain batch of cars built, rather than a general make, model, and year. Official dealers will be able to tell you whether your car has been the subject of a safety recall and repair, while an independent repairer may not.
Peace of mind
Occasionally, you might save some money by going to an independent mechanic to get your car fixed, but you may never know whether it has been fixed properly, and worse, if the same fault occurs again, you may have trouble getting compensation for the faulty fix in the first place. Better to take it to the dealer, where you can rest assured things will be taken care of professionally and correctly the first time.
 Let’s face it. Owning a sports car means making more than a few compromises. More than likely, the most dedicated auto enthusiasts are the people who own a sports car in the first place, so we pretty much know what we’re getting ourselves into. Although limiting the number of seats to two is often the rite of passage to being a ‘true’ sports car, it’s not a necessity. Sure, there’s the lighter weight and higher performance by not lugging around a whole bunch of extra seats. But let’s stop and think about the glaring omission of practicality. Is it really such a bad thing? We at DCH Audi Oxnard have a few things for you to consider.
If you have children, then a two-seater might not be the wisest of choice for your only car. You likely spend more time shuttling your offspring and their belongings than could ever be practical for any car with less than two rows of seating and masses of cargo-carrying capability. Plus, dealing with a car full of screaming infants kind of takes away some of the pleasure of nailing that heel-toe downshift before the next hairpin.
But if you don’t have multiple children to cart around, do you really need more than two seats? If you and your significant other are going to the opera for a date night, it’s probably just going to be the two of you. And wouldn’t you rather show up in a sensual little sports car than the typical family sedan?
Then there’s the day-to-day stuff. How often do you drive down the road, and see other cars only occupied by their drivers? That’s a waste of seats. If you have a sports car at home, just sitting in the garage waiting for the weekend while you drive a sedan or minivan as a commuter vehicle, that’s also a waste of fun. Sure, there are times when you need more than one other seat, but those times are much less often than you’d think.
If nothing else, the lack of seating arrangements means that you, the driver, have more choice of who will accompany you on life’s adventures. It’s a more intimate, cozier environment that allows you to connect with your sole passenger without becoming distracted. Drivers have become so accustomed to driving vehicles as comfortable and as large as their living rooms that they have lost the sense of driving. Having a vehicle that conforms to you and wraps around you the way a sports car does makes you feel as if you are part of the car. It’s almost as if the lack of space creates a whole new sense of focus. You’re no longer just transporting yourself to a destination; the journey is just as important as the destination.
So what if you can’t haul six other people. Is it really that enjoyable in the first place? Having a two-seater puts the emphasis back on you, the driver. It isn’t about being practical and following the crowd. It’s about having fun with life. Sure, there are disadvantages to only having two seats. There are disadvantages to any car. But the advantage of having fun every time you get behind the wheel almost always outweighs any negatives associated with practicality.
 Kids grow up pretty fast. One minute they’re playing with toy cars, and then, before you know it, they’re ready to take their first driving lessons. Learning to drive is a big deal to many teens because they see the chance to get behind the wheel as the first sign that they’re becoming an adult. For parents, it’s not so straightforward. If your teen wants to drive, the first question you may ask is where you can help them learn safely and without any interference. If you want to help your child on his or her way to that all-important license, this simple guide from DCH Audi Oxnard will help you learn about the best places for your teen to practice driving.
Many parking lots offer large, open spaces where your teen can practice driving for a good period of time. Choose parking lots that have good lighting, and where there are very few obstacles that a new driver might accidentally collide with. Remember that you are helping your teen learn on private land, which means that you need to make sure there is no risk of damage to property or vehicles. The best thing about many parking lots is that they have lots of clear markings, and wide, easy turns for new drivers to navigate. A parking lot is perfect to help your teen practice all the basic skills, and to learn how the car handles.
Make sure that you pick an appropriate time of day, particularly when your teen is taking his or her first lessons. Clearly, busy periods, when there are lots of other people or drivers around, will not make a good practice spot. Conversely, your teen may feel nervous about learning to drive when it is dark, so an early morning visit could offer the best compromise.
Once your teen has developed more confidence, you can start to take him or her out on the road for more lessons. Clearly, it’s very important to choose quiet roads, where there is very little traffic, until your son or daughter gains a little more confidence. Make sure that you have a list of the skills that you want to teach during each lesson. At this stage, you should focus on visibility, coming to a full stop, driving around curves, driving uphill and other basic types of navigation. Confirm with your teen that they are ready to move on, before you start to drive on busier roads.
Choose busier roads for lessons when you are happy that your child has a good grasp of basic driving skills. On roads and highways, your teen can learn to change lanes, merge into traffic, and cope with the sequence of events at traffic lights. At this stage, you may also want to add in some more complex concepts. For example, take your teen for a lesson at night, when he or she must contend with the reduced visibility. A lesson in wet or very sunny conditions will also help test your teen’s skills, and you can use a variety of different scenarios to help improve learning.
Many parents choose to send their teens on a driver’s education course. A professional driving instructor can offer intensive teaching, and will normally have access to private facilities, where your teen can learn a variety of skills. These courses are not always cheap, but they are a good option for parents who are busy, or for people who live in a very busy neighborhood, where lessons on the road are almost impossible.
If you want to make sure that your kids turn into competent, reliable drivers, it’s important to give them the best possible instruction. Think about the best way to help your children learn to drive, and help keep them safe on the road.
 Winter’s finally over and you’re itching for a vacation. These springtime road trip suggestions from our team at DCH Audi Oxnard should scratch that itch.
Columbia River Highway. Although wild flowers like the purple Columbia Kitten Tails start blooming in late March, there’s plenty to see and do along the Columbia River all spring, and the later in the spring it gets, the warmer it will be. Highlights along the Columbia River Highway include incredible waterfalls, such as Multnomah Falls, one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the United States, and Mt. Hood, Oregon’s highest peak at over 11,000 feet.
Palm Springs, California. If the Great Northwest is still a little too far and a little too cold for your spring desires, head south to the desert resort town of Palm Springs. Although there’s an airport nearby, you might find a drive through the Mojave desert from L.A. or Las Vegas a little more pleasant. Outdoor activities abound in the spring. They include Joshua Tree National Park, Indian Canyons, the Coachella Valley Preserve and world-class golf. Palm Springs is best to visit in early to mid-spring. Once the calendar hits May, temperatures soar and you’ll be longing for winter, although the area’s spas are pleasant year round.
The California Coast. Perhaps you prefer ocean over desert. Pick up California’s Pacific Coast Highway in San Francisco and head south, but don’t be in a hurry. The PCH passes through numerous California beach communities all the way down to San Diego. If you want to hit the ocean, and you will because it looks awfully inviting as you’re driving down the coast, throw on a wet suit if you’re north of L.A. and enjoy the waves, the sun, and the laid back atmosphere of the California Coast.
The Carolinas. Whether you prefer the grandeur of the Blue Ridge or Smokey Mountains, wild Atlantic beaches, tiny fishing villages, or historical landmarks, your road trip through the Carolinas can include Asheville, North Carolina, a blend of mountain town and Southern charm with more than 30 art galleries, numerous shops and restaurants and the beautiful Appalachian Mountains; the outer banks, a series of barrier islands stretching over 200 miles; Wilmington, home to blocks of historic buildings and a thriving movie scene; and down into South Carolina where Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand await.
The Tennessee Mountains. Any road trip that involves the Smokey Mountains is bound to make getting there as much fun as arriving. You can start at Knoxville, about 30 miles from Smokey Mountain National Park. Feel free to step out of the car and enjoy a cruise along the Tennessee River. If you feel like a round of golf, head south to Crossville, a small country town surrounded by beauty. You can continue south to Nashville, but you may want to take a detour into Smokey Mountain National Park, where beautiful scenery and outdoor wonder awaits.
Looks like it’s time to get that car tuned up and out on the road this spring! Visit our service department to get your car road-trip ready this season.
 Just like your home, you can’t avoid maintenance if you want to keep your car looking its best. Since you spend a lot of time in your car, it makes sense to not only wash the exterior but also keep the interior tidy. At least once a year, give your car a thorough spring cleaning. Follow these tips from DCH Audi Oxnard to ensure your vehicle stays in tip-top shape this season.
Start with interior cleaning
Interior maintenance should include the following:
- Remove all trash. Look under the seats and other spots where you know you’ve been throwing “stuff.”
- Vacuum. Always start at the top and work your way down because gravity pulls dirt and pollen towards the floor. You’ll need hand attachments that can get into tiny spaces around the seats. Use a screwdriver or can of compressible air to dig dirt from hard to reach corners.
- Wash floor mats and carpet. Take out removable floor mats and wash them with soap, rinse and dry before replacing. If the carpeting and seats are dirty, use automotive carpet/upholstery cleaner and follow directions for application. Allergy sufferers will want to remove as much pollen as possible. Perform this task on a balmy day and keep the doors open to facilitate speedy drying.
- Clean the dashboard. Use a cleaner recommended for your car’s dashboard surface. Leather, plastic or other synthetics each require the appropriate cleaning method to keep them looking their best.
Wash the exterior including the tires
Take the time to spring clean your car on the outside instead of just running it through an automatic car wash. Either pick a cloudy day or perform this job in a shady spot to avoid streaking that occurs when metal and glass are heated by the sun.
- Chassis underside and tires. Use a strong hose spray or a power wash attachment to get under your car and in the front and back of your tires to remove accumulated dirt and any lingering salt buildup after winter driving.
- Exterior bath. Wash the outside of your car using only products designed for this purpose. Hand dry using soft, preferably natural-fiber cloths that are absorbent and that won’t scratch the paint. Wash and dry every nook and cranny including doorjambs and windows.
- Wash the tires. Tires also require special cleaners to protect the outer layer of rubber. This is also a good time to check the tread thickness and inflation levels on your tires.
- Wax for protection. The extra step of waxing not only gives your car a sparkling shine but also protects the finish that helps maintain resale value. Choose the type of wax that works best for you, either paste, liquid or spray. Though it’s always a good idea to experiment with any new waxing product on an inconspicuous spot first.
Other spring cleaning tips
Check the level of your window wiper fluid and the wipers for damage and/or wear and tear. Do a little spring cleaning under the hood by checking the battery terminals and removing any white build-up. All you’ll need is a damp cloth and toothbrush soaked in a little baking soda and water. (You should always wear eye protection when working inside the engine.)
Browse the aisle of any store that sells automotive products and you’ll be surprised what’s available to help you not only to maintenance your car but to also wash it from the inside out.
 You spend a lot of money buying or leasing your car, so it only makes sense to ensure that it retains the best possible retail price so when it comes time to sell your car you get the best possible price for it. Here’s a handy guide of five things from DCH Audi Oxnard that you should not do to maintain the value of your car.
Service and maintenance
The one thing that a prospective car buyer is looking for is peace of mind, and that is where a service history comes in. Don’t get your car serviced at a budget store and throw away any receipts or records. If you have a new car, ensure that the official dealer carries out all servicing operations. Each car comes with a service book, which will be marked and stamped by the dealer. It is vitally important that you keep these records, as it shows that the people that best know your car have serviced it, repaired it when necessary, and fixed items under recall notices. If you have a used car without a history, start one now. The best option is still to return to a dealer that sells and knows these vehicles from top to bottom.
Paint care
Don’t neglect your car’s paintwork. Modern day paints are pretty robust and it takes a lot to damage the paint job. The paint is usually several layers of primer, color, and a top layer of clear coat. It is this clear coat that protects the paint underneath, and it is this that you should in turn protect with a good quality wax. Don’t buy discount car care products, but rather the best you can afford. These usually consist of a series of treatments including washes, waxes, polishes, and extra protective layers. The key to cleaning car paintwork properly is to always use the least abrasive method of cleaning. Do not use brushes, but rather softer cloths to clean your car.
Insurance
Don’t forget insurance. Always get insurance for your car. Not only does this help in the case of a major accident, it also means that any damage will be fixed properly, usually by the car dealer or a reputable bodywork shop. Again, a record should be kept of any such repairs, as nothing eases a buyer’s mind as a complete as possible history of what the car has gone through.
Smoking
Don’t ever smoke in your car if you value its resale. The smell of the smoke gets into any fabric surface, including the headlining, seats, and carpets and is virtually impossible to remove. By smoking in a car, you are reducing the amount of people who would buy your car to those who smoke themselves. Even then, the smell may offend even them.
Cleaning inside the car
Never let trash build up in your car. Unless the floor of your car is made up of entirely plastic or waterproof rubber, you need to take care of the carpet. Always use car mats to avoid grinding fragments of stuff into the car’s carpet, and generally treat the inside of your car like you would treat your home. Also, many car carpets are synthetic, so when vacuuming make sure you don’t move the vacuum head too fast or too hard against the carpet, as the resulting friction can actually melt the fibers together, producing an ugly mark.
 There are two separate forms of state inspection for cars in America, these being related to safety and emission level checks. Although some states such as Alaska have received a federal waiver from the need for emission inspection, in many other states, it’s important to ensure you get your car regularly inspected for several reasons. Read on for more details from DCH Audi Oxnard.
Registration renewal
In a number of states, including New York, having a valid state inspection certificate for your car is essential when you need to renew its annual registration. Any registration of cars is dependent upon the vehicle having an inspection that has been completed within the previous twelve months. This requirement applies to all cars purchased within the state or being registered in the state for the first time.
Legal requirement and penalties
There is typically a financial penalty for non-compliance, which in the case of New York takes the form of a fine and additional charges, the amount of which is dependant upon the circumstance of non-compliance. Furthermore, if a vehicle parked on a public highway is not displaying a valid inspection certificate, it is also likely to incur a parking fine. The legal requirement also extends to compliance with the federal Clean Air Act, unless a state waiver exists.
Roadworthiness and accidents
One of the most critical for state inspection is to ensure that your car is roadworthy, as well as reducing the damaging impact its emissions can have upon the air quality and the health of other people. Keeping you car roadworthy is not only important to ensure the safety of yourself and any passengers but also reduces the risk of harm to other road users as a result of accidents. Equally, of course, it reduces the risk of you being prosecuted if the condition of your vehicle is found to be a casual factor in the event of an accident.
Summary
It is apparent from the above explanations that in many cases, getting an inspection for your car is a legal requirement of the state authorities. Not only are there financial penalties for non-compliance, but in most cases you will not be able to renew your vehicle registration without the requisite certificate. More importantly, in the event of an accident, if the lack of road worthiness of your vehicle is found to be the cause, you could be liable to prosecution.
It should be noted however that the legislation for inspection differs between state and it therefore is essential that you acquaint yourself with those applicable to your home state and others to which you may travel or move.
 Driving in a hailstorm might seem exciting, but this kind of extreme weather can in fact be very dangerous. Hailstorms tend to occur very suddenly, and often by surprise when the weather is otherwise very good. The unexpected nature of this type of weather can therefore leave drivers taken by surprise. The next time this happens to you, take the following advice from our team at DCH Audi Oxnard to ensure that you and your passengers remain safe.
The first and most important piece of advice is to leave the road and take shelter as soon as possible. Even a fairly moderate hailstorm could damage your car or cause injury, and in a severe hailstorm, the risk of damage is even higher. Leave the road as soon as it’s safe to do so, and try to park where there’s cover, like a gas station or under a bridge.
If you can’t find shelter, try to park with your car facing the storm so the hail hits the windshield rather than the side windows. The windshield is much more likely to be reinforced. Make sure you park away from any ditches, where there may be a lot of rising water or where it will be difficult to leave the car suddenly in an emergency.
Keep the safety of passengers as your top priority. Don’t leave the car unless you have to or unless there’s shelter immediately available, as hail can fall at extremely high speeds and cause injury to unprotected witnesses. Inside the car, get everyone to lie down with their back to the windows. This minimizes the risk that any broken glass particles cause facial injuries. If you have blankets, jumpers, or coats in the car, cover up to prevent injury from debris.
If you are forced to drive through a hailstorm, turn on your headlights and set them to low beam so that your visibility is as good as possible. Slow right down so that you can brake suddenly, if required, and maintain extra distance between you and the car in front. Approach intersections very carefully and treat all traffic lights like stop signs.
It’s worth remembering that hailstorms can come and go quickly too. If the storm ends and you carry on driving, be wary that another storm may soon follow. Listen to the local radio station for information about any other approaching storms. If appropriate, it may be better to leave the car and take shelter indoors somewhere until all the storms have passed.
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