Newsletter

April 2012

Giving Back

York’s of Houlton is all about giving back to those in our community that need support to better their lives. We believe the quality, strength, and stability of our community comes from those who live and work in the area.  Without a solid “people” foundation, a community’s sense of pride and desire to prosper diminishes. We feel strongly that by contributing to the health of our community on an ongoing basis, we can help to make it one of the best places to live and work for years to come.

It is important to York’s of Houlton that we give back to the community that has supported us for so many hears.  Even during difficult economic times, York’s of Houlton continues to donate to various charities in need. 

That is why we were so excited to learn that Toyota recently announced a program designed to help Toyota dealers who contribute to non-profit agencies in their community.  Toyota will match up to $10,000 in contributions the dealer has made to qualified charities.

York’s of Houlton decided to donate $5,000 to Northern Maine Community College to help in their fundraising effort to build a new fitness center on their Presque Isle campus.

The Aroostook County Food Bank, which serves people from Fort Kent to Wytopitlock will also receive $5,000 from York’s of Houlton.  The matching funds from Toyota will be given directly to the charities we have chosen, so they will each receive $10,000 to help with their programs.

We’re happy to be able to make a difference in the communities we serve and plan to continue our efforts with the help of everyone that works at York’s of Houlton.
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In-House News: Website

If you are searching for a new or used vehicle, you can easily find all the models stocked on our lot along with prices.  Once you find the vehicle you wish to purchase, you can fill out a credit application and submit it online to our Finance Department.  Of course, all information is fully confidential and will remain that way.

You can make appointments by e-mail with our Service Department and Body Shop, which many people find convenient. The form is very easy to fill out and we will contact you within 24 hours with your appointment date and time. 

Whatever your needs may be and for whatever reason you visit our website, don’t forget to fill out our contest form for a chance to win an iPod Shuffle.  We have a drawing every month and Robley Morrison was the winner in April.

If you have any suggestions or comments about our website, please email Josh Craig at josh@yorksofhouton.com.

Pictured: Josh Craig

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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.

York’s of Houlton management congratulates Ritchie Lynds on his achievement of winning the Employee of the Month Award for the month of March 2012.  Ritchie has been a Service Technician with our company for over 18 years and is truly an outstanding employee.  Ritchie is Ford Master Technician as well as ASE Master Technician.  He has studied hard and attended many classes to achieve this level all the while carrying a full workload.  Ritchie is always available to fellow technicians who may have a question and is quick to volunteer his help with other projects around the dealership.  Ritchie is always upbeat and can always be depended upon to get the job done.  Congratulations, Ritchie.

Pictured: Ritchie Lynds

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Product Information: 2012 Toyota RAV4

Want to know what RAV4 stands for? The answer is “capable”. Sure, if you want to get out of town, it can get you to plenty of camping spots. But the real story is that it will fit into nearly any parking spot. It’s available with seating for up to seven people, but it won’t require them to chip in for gas. And while RAV4 has remarkable cargo capacity, it’s hardly just a delivery van. With available features like a powerful V6 and pavement-gripping 4WD, it’s a vehicle you’ll want to drive even when you’re not headed to the big-box store. Best of all, despite its compact size, RAV4 is big on safety features. Easy to load up. Easy to drive. Easy on gas. And hard to beat.

There are a number of reasons you’ll find the 2012 RAV4 so advanced. It comes standard with features such as hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology, a USB port with iPod connectivity, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and Optitron instrumentation. In addition, RAV4 Limited features standard Smart Key System and dual zone automatic climate control. And RAV4 is available with a backup camera and a moonroof.
 
With the rear seats folded flat, the versatile RAV5 offers a voluminous 73 cubic feet of cargo space. Room to carry just about anything you have in mind. Or, with the available 50/50 Split & Stow 3rd Row seat, room for seven passengers.

No matter how you look at it, the 2012 RAV4 does a variety of things extremely well. The standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder provides an EPA-estimated 28 highway mpg rating while still producing 179 horses. Even more multitalented is RAV4’s available V6, which boasts an EPA-estimated 27 highway mpg rating and a remarkable 269hp, while providing you with the sure-footed traction of available Electronic On-Demand 4WD.

York’s of Houlton would love to assist you with your next vehicle.  If you haven’t driven the 2012 Toyota RAV4, 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: Distracted Driving

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and AAA are concerned about your safety on our nation’s roads. That’s why they are calling on drivers to eliminate distractions in the car. They want drivers to put away distractions and focus only on the road. Multi-tasking is undoubtedly a regular activity for most people but it is critical that we remind ourselves of the most important task behind the wheel – driving safely. Share the message, spread the word, and help us create safer roads for everyone.

PLAN AHEAD.  Read maps and check traffic conditions before you get on the road.

STOW ELECTRONIC DEVICES.  Turn off your phone before you drive so you won’t be tempted to use it while on the road. Pull over to a safe place to talk on the phone or to send and receive text messages or emails.

PREPARE KIDS AND PETS FOR THE TRIP.  Get the kids safely buckled in and situated with snacks and entertainment before you start driving. If they need additional attention during the trip, pull off the road safely to care for them.  Similarly, prepare and secure pets appropriately in your vehicle before getting underway.

SATISFY THAT CRAVING OFF THE ROAD.  Eat meals and snacks before getting behind the wheel, or stop to eat and take a break if driving long-distance.

STORE LOOSE GEAR AND POSSESSIONS.  Stash away loose objects that could roll around and take your attention away from driving.

GET YOUR VEHICLE ROAD-READY.  Adjust seat positions, climate controls, sound systems and other devices before you leave or while your vehicle is stopped.  Make sure your headlights are spotless so you can see everything on the road and every other driver can see you better. Keep your windshield clean and remove dangling objects that could block your view.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS – BEFORE YOU GET IN THE CAR.  Your car isn’t a dressing room.  Brush your hair, shave, put on make-up, and tie your necktie before you leave or once you reach your destination.

GET YOUR BRAIN IN THE GAME.  Focus on the task at hand – driving safely. Scan the road, use mirrors and practice identifying orally what you just saw to enhance your engagement as a driver. Keeping your head ‘in the game’ behind the wheel will help you improve your overall awareness and behavior as a driver. AAA offers classroom and online defensive driving courses that directly address distracted driving and offer tips for for avoiding these behaviors.

EVALUATE YOUR OWN BEHAVIOR FROM THE ‘OTHER’ SIDE OF THE ROAD.  When you’re on the road as a passenger or a pedestrian, take a look around and honestly evaluate whether you engage in poor driving behaviors that worry you when observed in other passengers or pedestrians.

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Tech Tips: Auto Glass Repair

An engine that is overheating will quickly self destruct, so proper maintenance of the cooling system is very important to the life of the engine and the trouble free operation of the cooling system in general.

The most important maintenance item is to flush and refill the coolant periodically.  The reason for this important service is that anti-freeze has a number of additives that are designed to prevent corrosion in the cooling system.  This corrosion tends to accelerate when several different types of metal interact with each other.  The corrosion causes scale that eventually builds up and begins to clog the thin flat tubes in the radiator and heater core causing the engine to eventually overheat.  The anti-corrosion chemicals in the antifreeze prevent this, but they have a limited life span.

Newer antifreeze formulations will last for 5 years or 150,000 miles before requiring replacement.  These antifreezes are usually red in color and are referred to as "Extended Life" or "Long Life" antifreeze.  Most antifreeze used in vehicles however, is green in color and should be replaced every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.  You can convert to the new long life coolant, but only if you completely flush out all of the old antifreeze.  If any green coolant is allowed to mix with the red coolant, you must revert to the shorter replacement cycle.

The National Automotive Radiator Service Association (NARSA) recommends that motorists have a seven-point preventative cooling system maintenance check at least once every two years. The seven-point program is designed to identify any areas that need attention. It consists of:

• A visual inspection of all cooling system components, including belts and hoses
• A radiator pressure cap test to check for the recommended system pressure level
• A thermostat check for proper opening and closing
• A pressure test to identify any external leaks to the cooling system parts; including the radiator, water pump, engine coolant passages, radiator and heater hoses and heater core
• An internal leak test to check for combustion gas leakage into the cooling system
• An engine fan test for proper operation
• A system power flush and refill with car manufacturer's recommended concentration of coolant

While you can replace old coolant by draining it out and replacing it with fresh coolant, the best way to properly maintain your cooling system is to have the system power flushed.  Power flushing will remove all the old coolant and pull out any sediment and scale along with it.

Power flushing requires a special machine that many auto repair shops have for the purpose.  The procedure requires that the thermostat is removed, the lower radiator hose is disconnected, and the flush machine is connected in line.  The lower hose is connected to the machine and the other hose from the machine is connected to the radiator where the lower hose was disconnected.

Water, and sometimes, a cleaning agent are pumped through the cooling system in a reverse path from the normal coolant flow.  This allows any scale to be loosened and flow out.  Once clear water is coming out of the system, the hose is reconnected and a new thermostat is installed.  Then the cooling system is refilled with the appropriate amount of antifreeze to bring the coolant to the proper mixture of antifreeze and water.  For most vehicles and most climates, the mixture is 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water.  In colder climates, more antifreeze is used, but must never exceed 75 percent antifreeze.  Check your owner's manual for the proper procedures and recommendations for your vehicle.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your vehicle, our service team is here to help.



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A Message from Jerry York

When customers bring their vehicle to the new York’s Tire and Auto Center (Service Department), they can expect 3 things:

1. A qualified service technician will inspect their vehicle and make sure it’s SAFE TO DRIVE.  We check with the manufacturer to see if there are any outstanding safety recalls on Ford and Toyota products, and all vehicles undergo a thorough 27 point inspection while in our shop.  Recalls will be performed free of charge, and if the 27 point inspection reveals any safety items that need attention we will discuss them in detail with the customer, offer repair options (new parts, re-manufactured or used parts), and let the customer decide.

2. A York’s Service Advisor will review the factory maintenance schedule and inform the customer of recommended service due today to ENSURE THE VEHICLE’S RELIABILITY.  We all expect our vehicles to start when we turn the key, move when the transmission is engaged, and stop when the brakes are applied.  When a customer comes in our shop for routine service we’ll point out maintenance recommendations and options and again, let the customer decide.

3. The customer will be treated with RESPECT.  There are lots of places for customers to have their cars serviced, and our goal is to provide an experience people will tell their friends and neighbors about.  We do get lots of compliments (click here to see a few, bottom right of page), but we’re always looking for ways to improve…

If you are a current customer of York’s, thank you for your business.  We appreciate the fact you’ve chosen to do business with us, and we pledge to continue to provide a level of service that will justify your decision.

If you’ve not recently visited the York’s Tire & Auto Center, we invite you to stop in anytime (walk-ins are welcome 6 days a week) and give us a try.


Pictured: Jerry York