Newsletter

October 2011

Check out the 2012 Ford Fusion and get a few tips on Driving Safety!

Body Shop

York's of Houlton's Body Shop recently converted its paint operation to DuPont Cromax  Pro, an environmentally friendly waterborne basecoat from DuPont.  This is good news for the local community, because waterborne products dramatically reduce the amount of solvent and volatile organic compounds (VOC) that would otherwise evaporate into the air, when compared to traditional solvent borne products.

Tougher environmental regulations in California and Western Europe require collision repair shops to use products like Cromax Pro to reduce air pollution.  York's of Houlton's Body Shop made the switch to Cromax Pro voluntarily and is happy to embrace the "green" technology.

"We made the move because we believe that it's the right thing to do," said Body Shop Manager, Roger Graham.  "Now the people in our community have the option to have their vehicle repaired with a product that is better for the environment."

Waterborne basecoat technology is not new.  It has been used by vehicle manufacturers for almost two decades, and is the paint system of choice for more than half the cars made in the world today.  The DuPont Cromax Pro paint system meets the strict quality standards established by vehicle manufacturers to ensure that the value of your vehicle remains at its highest possible level.

Jordan Ouellette, one of our paint technicians attended a training session for a week recently in preparation of the conversion from solvent base to waterborne.  The new waterborne, low-VOC coatings don't mix, apply or act like solvent based finishes. The training Jordan attended was expressly designed to teach new users of the waterborne paint how to handle, agitate, mix, spray, clear, clean and dispose of all materials. 

In addition to the formal training Jordan received, representatives from Carquest and DuPont were here at the Body Shop the week we converted.  They provided additional training for Jordan as well as Shane Gallop, Body Shop Assistant Manager.  They were critical in making sure that we got up and running smoothly.  Both Jordan and Shane said that with the technicians help, the conversion went quite smoothly.

York's of Houlton Body Shop is proud to "go green" and invites any questions you may have about the process.


Pictured: Shane Gallop and Jordan Ouellette



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In-House News: Personnel Change

We would like to introduce Jen Pryor and Jocelyn Howe who have recently joined our Service Department.  Jen and Jocelyn will be responsible for setting appointments, greeting customers, writing repair orders and other assorted administrative tasks.

Jocelyn has worked in our Parts Department for about a year and applied for the Service Advisor job when it became available.  She said she is excited for a change and is looking forward to the challenges of a new job.

Jen is brand new to the company, but does have some background experience in the automotive business.  Jen is happy to join the team at York's of Houlton and says she is ready to tackle anything that comes her way.

We are pleased to have both Jen and Jocelyn with us in the Service Department and are sure they will both excel in their new positions.


Pictured: Jocelyn Howe & Jen Pryor


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Employee of the Month

Every month at York's of Houlton, the Management Team selects an individual for Employee of the Month. The employee is typically selected because they consistently turn in a stellar performance every month and deserve to be recognized for their hard work. Our employees are an important part of our business, for without our people nothing gets done! It is their dedication and diligence to quality and the day-to-day effort to keep everything moving that allows us to enjoy our reputation as a great place to do business.

Congratulations to Kevin Bailey, Employee of the Month for September.  Kevin joined the York's of Houlton team earlier this year primarily to run the tow truck end of the business, but quickly made himself indispensable in many other ways.  He is always willing to help out any of his co-workers and does so cheerfully and with enthusiasm.  Kevin will often stop by when he is "off the clock" just to see if he can be of help to anyone.  Kevin's unfailing good humor, friendliness and the respect with which he treats everyone, has made him a favorite with customers and coworkers alike. We congratulate Kevin on being selected Employee of the Month for September; it is well deserved and we are proud that his part of the York's of Houlton family.

Pictured: Kevin Bailey

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Product Information: 2012 Ford Fusion

Want better mileage?  Get the best in the city.  Fusion Hybrid leaves others in its zero-evaporative-emissions wake with best-in-class 41mpg city, while the 2.5L I-4 on Fusion delivers an impressive 33-mpg hwy.  For you thrill seekers: Fusion Sport gets a 263-horsepower 3.5L V6.  Imagine taking calls without picking up your phone.  Summoning songs without touching your media player.  Making quick, clean stops at the pump.  Fusion even has systems to help you back out of parking spots, change lanes and more.  Get what you want in the 2012 Ford Fusion.

The vibrant LCD gauges in Fusion Hybrid offer you a choice of 4 modes, each with a bit more information than the last: Inform, Enlighten, Engage or Empower.  Adjust the settings so you always see just the displays you want.  Controls on the steering wheel and a built-in tutorial make it easy to set the language, units of measurement and more.

Every Fusion starts with an independent double-wishbone setup in front and a multilink twist-blade suspension in back for tight, responsive handling.  AdvanceTrac electronic stability control is also standard.  Combine it with the Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System and Fusion keeps moving even in the most inclement weather.

Owners rate Ford Fusion higher in quality than Honda Accord.  Set your precisely honed Fusion interior aglow with ambient lighting in 7 different hues that change whenever you like.  HD Radio Technology, paired with the Navigation System, ensures a high-quality sound for AM/FM channels, while bringing you new local FM channels, on-screen information and much more.

No more searching for your phone.  No device on your ear.  Connect to your world with voice-activated Ford SYNC.  Once paired, SYNC recognizes your phone and automatically transfers your contacts to support voice calling.  It also plays music from your phone, MP3, USB or iPOD.

Say goodbye to parking lot stress.  With cross-traffic alert, Fusion lets you know if its radar sensors detect a vehicle approaching while you're slowly backing out of your spot.  It sounds a warning, alerts you in the message center, and flashes a light in your sideview mirror.  See exactly what's back there with the rear view camera.  A full-color image and handy guidelines display on the large navigation screen or in your rearview mirror whenever you shift into Reverse.  Stop craning your neck trying to see what's in your blind spot.  With Blind Spot Information System, you just check your sideview mirrors before changing lanes.  An amber light means the system senses a vehicle in your way.

 York's of Houlton would love to assist you with your next vehicle.  If you haven't driven the 2012 Ford Fusion, stop by for a test drive.  After all, that's really the best way to get to know a vehicle.  And you can get to know us better, too.  We're dedicated to serving you now and in the future.  Whether you're seeking a new or used vehicle, Ford custom accessories, or convenient maintenance and service, we're here for you.  Let us prove it.




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Safe Side: Driving Safety

Driving safe is something that most drivers take for granted. After all, how many times a day do you get behind the wheel of your car? As you are turning the key in your ignition for the umpteenth time, you probably don't run through a list of safe driving tips in your head. However, driving safety should never be underestimated, whether you have been driving for three years or three decades. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 42,000 people were killed in auto accidents last year and an additional 2.5 million were injured. And while these statistics do seem to be on a steady decline, many people are still suffering from unsafe and reckless driving. Below are five tips for driving safe that everyone with a license can't afford to ignore.

Become a Defensive Driver
Defensive driving is the first key to driving safe and avoiding accidents. AAA offers the following three recommendations for effective defensive driving: allow sufficient distance between cars, give yourself response time and respond to risks appropriately.

Giving the car in front of you enough room is a huge factor in your ability to prevent a potential accident, but it is a practice that many drivers do not follow correctly or consistently. AAA says that a safe following distance is about two to three seconds of driving time between cars in good weather conditions. To ensure that you are following properly, find a fixed point along the road like a tree. Begin counting seconds as soon as the car in front of you passes the point and continue counting until you pass by. This safe-driving technique will help ensure your safety when you are on the road.

AAA also advises that you monitor the traffic conditions at least 20-30 seconds ahead of you to allow response time if those conditions change. You can determine how far ahead this 20-30 second rule is by applying the same technique as above. Keeping track of conditions ahead of you will give you time to adjust your speed or find another route if necessary. If you do encounter a risk, you will be able to assess the situation and respond appropriately – often in a matter of seconds. Sometimes you will come upon more than one risk at a time, such as a large truck on one side of you and a pedestrian on the other. By giving yourself advance notice as to the risks ahead, you can accurately determine how to deal with both safely and effectively.

Drive Carefully in Inclement Weather
Heading out on the open road can be a pleasant journey on a sunny day, but when the rain falls or the snow flies, driving becomes much more dangerous. When driving in inclement weather, there are three things that you need to consider for safe driving: the road conditions, your vehicle and your vision. While it may seem obvious that snow-covered streets can easily become icy, some drivers don't consider the traction issues with rain. Wet roads can also become slippery roads, especially when oil spots become damp or water begins to accumulate. The best safe-driving techniques in these conditions are to slow down and leave more space between you and the car ahead of you.

Make sure that your tires have a good tread for additional traction. It is also important to replace your windshield wipers every year and check all of your lights to ensure that you can see the road. Other drivers must also be able to clearly see you.

Wear Your Seatbelt
According to AAA, about 79% of Americans report that they wear their seatbelts consistently. While this number is fairly high, it is not high enough when studies show that thousands of lives are saved every year by wearing seatbelts.

And it's not only the driver that needs to "click it." Those passengers in the front seat who wear their lap/shoulder belts can reduce the risk of death by 45% and the risk of injury by 50%. In the event of a crash, seatbelts can keep you in the best position to receive the benefits of the air bag and keep you from being ejected from the vehicle. It is also against the law to ride in a car without your seatbelt securely fastened. There are plenty of good reasons for keeping that seatbelt secure while the car is running, so stay safe and buckle up.

Avoid Distractions
According to a report by NHTSA, driver distraction is believed to be a major reason for collisions. Some common distractions that interfere with driving safely include reading; moving or dropping, an object; or reaching for an insect or pet inside the vehicle. Wireless devices such as phones and PDAs contribute to a significant number of crashes.

Other types of distractions include adjustments to the vehicle itself, such as working the CD player or messing with the air conditioning, or eating in the car. So what is the best advice? For driving safety, avoid distractions at all costs while you are behind the wheel. Eat lunch at the drive-through; put in your CD before pulling out; and move to the side of the road to make your call. It may seem like you can handle multi-tasking from that driver's seat, but statistics suggest that many people can't pull it off. Don't let anything draw your attention away from the road or the task at hand.

Say No to Medication and Alcohol
Many of us take prescription medications, but do you know if your medicine can affect your driving ability? Part of driving safety is to read your medication labels carefully to ensure that the pills you are taking are safe to use while driving. If you are unsure of the side effects of a particular medicine, don't drive until you talk to a doctor or pharmacist. And never mix medications with alcohol. In fact, no one should get behind the wheel of a car after consuming alcohol, medication or not. The best advice for driving safely is to never mix the two. Use a designated driver or call a taxi to guarantee that you arrive home safely without endangering anyone else on the road.

Driving is the American way in most regions of the country, and many of us get behind the wheel of our car so often we don't think twice about what it means to practice safe driving techniques. However, statistics on car accidents show that it pays to consider safety every time we get behind the wheel. By following these safe driving tips, you will keep yourself and all of the passengers in your vehicle safe and sound until you arrive at your destination. Think safety first!



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Tech Tips by Beecher Cullins

1. Consider using snow tires.
The condition of your car's tires is critical during the winter. If the tires are worn or if they are high-performance tires, braking, acceleration and handling all suffer on slippery roads. Because of reduced vehicle capabilities, the likelihood of a crash increases. All-season tires will work to a certain point, but their effectiveness depends on their tread depth.

2. Check your tire pressure.
Tire pressure is especially important during the winter, because traction is often at a minimum due to wet or snowy conditions. It's critical to have properly inflated tires, which guarantees the best possible contact between the tire and the road. A properly inflated tire will also help protect against wheel damage that might occur as the vehicle drives over potholes. Read your owner's manual to find the correct tire pressure.

In winter's lower temperatures, the air pressure in a cold tire will drop. Since air is a gas, it contracts when it cools. Keep this in mind if you are checking tire pressure. Generally, for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in ambient temperature, your tire's inflation pressure will change by about 1 psi (up with higher temperatures and down with lower temperatures).

3. If you have a four-wheel-drive system, make sure it is working properly.
A big selling point for SUVs is that many offer four-wheel drive, which improves traction in slippery conditions. But most people don't use their 4WD systems during the summer. And while a 4WD system requires minimal maintenance, it's still a good idea to check that it works properly before winter arrives.

Make sure the system engages and disengages smoothly, and that there are no strange noises emanating from the drivetrain when the system is in use. Check to make sure that the transmission and gear oil levels are correct.

If there are multiple drivers for your vehicle, make sure each of them knows how to operate the 4WD system. The owner's manual will state at what speeds and in what environments the 4WD can be activated.

4. Check to see if your engine requires lower-viscosity oil in the winter.
This isn't nearly as hard as it sounds. Viscosity simply refers to how thick or thin a fluid is. (Tar has a higher viscosity than orange juice, for example.) Engine oils are sold with different viscosity levels. When winter arrives, the outside temperature drops. The colder the oil is, the thicker it will be. A thicker oil doesn't circulate as well in an engine during start-up as a thinner oil would. If the oil is too thick, the engine doesn't get the proper lubrication.

To solve this wintertime problem, some engines require a change to a thinner oil. This may be more necessary on older vehicles, since many new cars already come with oil that's thin enough to withstand the winter. Even when the thinner oil is cold, it is still not too thick for proper engine lubrication. Keep in mind that an oil can also be too thin.

It's easy to determine what type of oil your car should have in winter. Simply read the owner's manual. It will list the manufacturer's oil recommendations for different climates. If a dealership or local garage performs the oil change, you can ask the manager what type and viscosity of oil he'll put in your vehicle.

5. Inspect the belts and hoses.
Belts and hoses in modern cars lead long lives. But that doesn't mean they don't die. Cold temperatures can accelerate the demise of a belt or hose, so have them inspected before winter starts.

6. Inspect the wipers and wiper fluid.
Visibility is particularly key in winter, as it is often compromised by precipitation, salt build-up on the windshield and reduced daylight. The life expectancy of a wiper blade is one year. If your car's blades are older, replace them. There are a number of aftermarket wiper blades that are made for winter use.

Also check and fill your wiper fluid reservoir. You might consider adding wiper fluid that has been mixed with a de-icer. A harsh winter storm is the worst possible time for untreated wiper fluid to create ice on your windows or for you to discover your blades aren't performing properly.

7. Check the battery.
Batteries give little notice before they die, and they absolutely love to expire at the worst possible moment. Very cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle's battery power by up to 50 percent. If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility. Also, make sure the posts and connections are free of corrosion. If the posts are corroded, you can clean them with baking soda, water and a small wire brush.

8. Check antifreeze mixture.
The ideal mixture of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your vehicle's radiator is 50:50. If the mixture deviates from this norm, then hot- and cold-weather performance can suffer.

If you were to put pure water in your vehicle's radiator, it would freeze at 32 degrees F. But if you combine the water with an equal amount of antifreeze, the new mixture won't freeze until -34 degrees F. Most antifreeze you'll find in stores already comes pre-mixed, which makes this process much easier.

9. Carry an emergency kit in your car.
A roadside kit doesn't take up much space and can prove invaluable in an emergency. Things you might want to consider carrying include:
A flashlight, flares and a first-aid kit.
Jumper cables, a tool kit and tire chains.
A blanket, warm clothes, hat and gloves.
Paper towels.
A bag of abrasive material, such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter. Use this for added traction when a tire is stuck.
A snow brush, ice scraper and snow shovel.
Extra washer fluid.
Extra food and water.

10. Check the heater and windshield defroster. Winter will put your vehicle's windshield defrosters to the test. It's a good idea to check that they are in working order. While you're at it, check the air-conditioner, too. An easy way to speed up the defrost process is to turn on the A/C. (You can leave the temperature dial on warm so you don't have to suffer.) And now is also a good time to make sure your heating system works.


Pictured: Beecher Cullins



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A Message from Jerry York

York's Tire & Auto Center

Maybe you've seen the ads in the Pioneer Times, or noticed the bright yellow sign on Route 1 in front of the dealership, or heard from a relative or friend that York's has great prices on tires.

We entered the tire business in a serious way about a year ago.  We buy most of our tires for cars and light trucks through Ford Motor Company, which buys millions of name-brand tires from major tire manufacturers.  Because of the volume of tires that Ford purchases, we get really great pricing and are able to pass those savings on to you.  When you are in the market for a set of tires, give us a call and get a quote.  We offer great prices on name-brand tires.

If you're thinking of buying a set of snow tires for your car, van, light truck or SUV, don't miss the one day snow tire sale this Saturday, October 29th.

There are 2 other ways you can save when you do business in our Service Department.

The York's Rewards Card

•    $10 enrollment bonus toward a future parts or service purchase
•    5% credit on all parts and service purchases that can be applied toward future service visits
•    Rewards on every vehicle in your household, no matter what make or model
•    Special complimentary oil change offers

The Toyota Visa Rewards Card

Don't be fooled by the Toyota name.  No matter what make or model you drive, you can use your Toyota Visa card to pay for service and earn 5% back toward future purchases.  This is in addition to the 5% York's Rewards Card credit mentioned above.

If you are already a customer and taking advantage of these savings opportunities, thank you for your business.  If it's been a while since you've been here, stop in anytime during our recently-expanded service hours (M-F 7-6, Sat 7-3, walk-ins welcome), relax in the customer waiting room with free popcorn, coffee and HD TV, and let us show you friendly, small town service.


Pictured: Jerry York