Newsletter

February 2012

Learn how to operate your vehicle in the harsh Maine weather, and discover the 2012 Toyota Prius!

Driving In Inclement Weather - Be Prepared

While this winter has not been a typical Maine winter, if there even is a “typical winter” any more, when the snow does come, it’s like driving in another world.  Suddenly your car is different.  It won’t start the same way, steer the same way or stop the same way.  The roads often become treacherous when covered with ice and snow. 

Winter also affects visibility.  Daylight hours are shorter; snow glare and whiteouts can blind you.  But the biggest problems with winter driving are the drivers themselves.  Too often drivers are in a hurry, and either they don’t worry about road conditions, or they become tense and nervous.

Many drivers go for years and drive thousands of miles accident-free; however you should be prepared in case the unexpected happens to you.  Knowing what to do if you are ever involved in a motor vehicle accident will help you avoid making a bad situation
worse.

• Stay calm.
• Determine if anyone needs medical attention.
• Unless absolutely necessary, do not move vehicles.  It is best for the police to determine when they should be moved.
• Call the police.
• Exchange basic information with the people involved in the accident; names, addresses, registration numbers and insurance companies.  Solicit witnesses, if any, by asking for their names, addresses and telephone numbers.
• Be prepared to give the police the facts.  They will need to see your driver’s license, registration and insurance card.  They will interview each driver involved.
• If your vehicle is not driveable, know where you want it to be towed and who you want to tow it.  If you do not know or have no preference, the police will assist you.
• A reportable accident by state statute is any accident involving combined damage of $1,000 or more, or any personal injury.  Insurance companies prefer that you report any accident.
• Give the police your full cooperation and obtain an official copy of the accident report.  The police do not determine fault, they obtain facts.  However, they will determine if there are any law violations.
• Report the accident to your insurance company.  It is your decision where you want your vehicle to be repaired

If you are ever in an accident, the experienced personnel at York’s Body Shop are here to assist you in any way they can.
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In-House News: Financing Your Vehicle

Financing a car can be frustrating and even a little intimidating if you have never been through it before.  At York’s of Houlton, Emily Homchuck and Willis Nason work hard to make sure that your vehicle purchase goes smoothly and painlessly.  Emily and Willis work in the Finance and Insurance division of the Sales Department and are here to help you with all your financing needs. 

After you have selected the vehicle you want, typically your Sales Consultant will then introduce you to either Emily or Willis in the F&I Department.  They will review the sales figures with you and confer with you about needed services or products.  They will review your credit application and credit report and discuss the available finance options to meet your needs.  Once the financial arrangements have been finalized, they will prepare the delivery papers, including the loan documents.  They will also help you get your insurance switched over to your new vehicle.

Financing a vehicle doesn’t have to be scary, and here at York’s of Houlton it isn’t. Our car loan process is fast and simple.  We are here to help you get the new or used vehicle you want, and will work with you to make that happen. 

Pictured: Emily Homchuck

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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 Cristy Maher, Employee of the Month for January.  Cristy has been working in the office for less than a year, but you would think she has been there for years.  Cristy is efficient and a quick learner.  She takes her responsibilities seriously and is always eager to learn and take on new tasks.  Cristy is always cheerful and is a great pleasure to work with.  Congratulations, Cristy, for a job well done.



Pictured: Cristy Maher


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Product Information: 2012 Toyota Prius

Over the years, the Toyota Prius has grown into an icon of environmental responsibility.  Its aerodynamic shape has come to stand for advanced technology.  And this year, that shape is getting bigger.  Meet the 2012 Toyota Prius V, a new addition to the Prius Family that offers all of the proven benefits of Prius, plus a remarkable amount of added functionality.  Its rear cargo volume is greater, and it’s loaded with versatile features nearly everywhere you look.  And as you might have guessed, Prius V delivers the highest combined fuel efficiency of an SUV, crossover utility or wagon, while achieving a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating.  Considering all of the benefits that Prius V has in store, it looks like the future is shaping up nicely.

Driving a vehicle with the proven eco-sensitive technology of Hybrid Synergy Drive may well give you a great deal of inner satisfaction.  But being a good role model for your kids is only one of the benefits of driving Prius V.  With its rich reclining seats, available Panoramic View Moonroof and many amenities, Prius V has a way of putting much more than just your conscience at ease.

While it has set the standard for ecologically responsible technology with its advance Hybrid Synergy Drive, Prius has become much more than just an eco-sensitive vehicle.  Prius V is available with sophisticated features that help you do everything from placing a call with your hands on the wheel to parallel parking with your hands off it.  Seems the only thing it can’t help you do is waste fuel.

Oftentimes, doing the right thing means making sacrifices.  This, happily, is not one of those times.  Hybrid Synergy Drive seamlessly integrates an electric motor and a gasoline engine to offer not only high mileage and low emissions, but also a smooth and quiet driving experience. 

Every 2012 Prius V comes standard with the Star Safety System, a suite of safety features designed to help keep drivers out of harm’s way.  The system includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist and Smart Stop Technology.  Toyota even offers a wide range of pet safety accessories.  They are designed to help you transport pets in comfort and safety.

York’s of Houlton would love to assist you with your next vehicle.  If you haven’t driven the 2012 Toyota Prius, 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, Toyota custom accessories, or convenient maintenance and service, we’re here for you.  Let us prove it.



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Safe Side: Car Saftey

Car safety, as we’ve seen, isn’t difficult.  You need to be aware of the dangers of the road at all times, such as weather, construction, other drivers, etc.  It’s also important to practice safe-driving habits yourself.  These are mostly a matter of common sense and usually don’t cost anything to implement.

You should be alert, but relaxed while driving; angry, tense drivers are very unsafe.  Also don’t be in a big hurry – you’ll get there when you get there.  We’ve all seen drivers racing ahead of us, passing like crazy, and running red lights, only to catch up with them at the next intersection.  Besides being unsafe, it’s usually futile to drive like a maniac.  So slow down and enjoy the trip.  No meeting or event is so important that you should risk harming yourself or others to get there on time.  If you’re late, you’re late.  If you’re consistently late, start leaving earlier.

Be sure to keep your car in good running order.  Make sure your tires have plenty of tread and they’re worn evenly. All lights should work properly and keep your windshields clean at all times for maximum visibility.  You may want to purchase one of the many products on the market that deflect rain from your windshield.  If your wipers ever give out, you’ll really be glad you did.  Never let your gas tank get below half full, and always have a cell phone in your car.  Many companies offer low cost emergency roadside assistance options with their vehicle insurance policies; these are excellent bargains and can provide real peace of mind when you’re traveling.

Don’t try to do anything besides driving while you’re behind the wheel of a car, and stay focused on the road.  Of course, you should always have your seat belt on at all times and so should your passengers.  Small children should be in car seats, properly restrained, in the back seat.  Car safety isn’t complicated.  It’s simply a few little common sense things that make all the difference.  Do these things, and do them consistently, and your car safety will be about as good as it can be.

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Tech Tips: Common Car Problems

Most problems with cars are fairly common, shared by millions of drivers on any given day. The good thing is that often these common car problems are nothing serious and can, in fact, be a way of giving you enough warning to avoid serious problems in the future.

Engine Knock

One of the most common complaints of drivers is the engine making an annoying knocking sound. In most cases, an engine knock is caused by too great a clearance between the components located in the valve train. A  persistent engine knock is one common problem best addressed by a qualified mechanic.

Squeaky Brakes

That squeaky sound produced by the brakes can cause you to crank up the radio volume to full blast just to drown it out, but don't confuse drowning out squeaky brakes with curing them. The squeal of the brakes is caused by vibration of the pads and the rotors, the pads and the calipers, or the calipers and the mounts--or between the shoes and the drums or the shoes and backing plates.

Check Engine Light

When the check engine light comes on and won't go off, it is a sign that your vehicle's computer has detected some problem with the emission system. Determining the exact cause of the emission failure can only be done with a diagnostic scan. However, just because the light stays on it doesn't necessarily mean there is a big expense in your future, because the light can be triggered by any one of a number of minor problems.

Vehicle Pulls to One Side

Whenever you notice that your vehicle begins to veer off to the right or left when you let your hands off the steering wheel, or you have to physically control the steering to keep the vehicle traveling straight, the problem is a simple case of being out of alignment. This can be easily fixed by taking the vehicle in for realignment.

Rough Ride

If your formerly smooth ride suddenly turns into a roller-coaster thrill ride when you travel over a bumpy road, in almost all cases the problem can be solved by having a mechanic look over your shock absorbers and struts. If the problem has just begun, a repair job can often return the smooth ride, but in some cases it will require entirely new shocks or struts to get the job done.

If your vehicle is exhibiting any of these symptoms, please call our Service Department today; our factory trained Service Advisors and Technicians are here to help you with all your automotive needs.

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A Message from Dick York

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

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, remanufactured or used parts), and let the customer decide.

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.


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