How to Avoid the Top Driving Emergencies

In Minnesota, we must be prepared for anything on our roads. Drivers of any age should be ready to get themselves out of a dangerous situation, whether it’s a problem with your car, the road, or the weather. Here are some tips to help you avoid driving emergencies.

1)     Skidding on Ice or Water

Skidding and sliding is commonplace on Minnesota roads, whether it be ice, compacted snow, black ice, or water. If you do start to slip, take your foot off the accelerator, and try to glide through it. Braking too hard will make it worse, as more weight will shift to the front tires, which is usually where the skid occurs. Steer gently toward where you were wanting to go, but don’t overcompensate. The easiest way to prevent skidding is to drive slowly in those conditions, trust your ABS brakes if you have them, and give other drivers plenty of space so you have time to react.

2)     The Brakes Go Out

This usually happens when the brake pads are completely worn out. If you hear your brakes squeaking, get your pads changed or checked as soon as possible.

First, try pumping your brakes (which most people would do instinctively). If you can, downshift or put your car in neutral to naturally slow it down. If you think of it at the time, turning on your hazard lights can also warn other motorists that something is going wrong. If you still need extra power to slow you down, try gently applying the emergency brake (hand brake or foot brake will work). If you don’t have the room or these tips aren’t working, navigate toward something you can rub the side of your car along to act as friction, such as a guardrail, fence, or retaining wall. Although you’ll have serious body damage, it is much safer for you and other drivers than if you were to hit something head-on.

3)     Sinking Car

With the many lakes and ponds in Minnesota, knowing how to escape a sinking car is essential. First, know that you’ll have 1-2 minutes of floating time before the car fills with enough water to sink. Do not open the doors. When you hit the water, unbuckle your seatbelts and unroll your windows. Calmly instruct children to unbuckle (or unbuckle them quickly once the windows are open), and let them know you’ll all be exiting through the windows.

If your windows are stuck or you don’t have the power to lower them, use a window breaker tool, or pull off the headrest as a makeshift window breaker. Take this story about a woman remembering the window as her exit when she found herself in water.

4)     Flooded Streets

Do not try to cross water that is flowing. It’s very hard to judge the true depth of water, and moving water—even as little as 2 feet deep—can easily take a car with it. If your road is blocked by floodwaters, turn around immediately and find another route. If your vehicle is stalled in the water, don’t try to push your vehicle out of the water. Exit the vehicle and move to higher ground.

5)     Stalling on Train Tracks

Check for trains from both directions. If there is a train coming, exit the car as fast as possible and run diagonally out and toward the train (if you stay parallel to where the train will hit your car, you may get hit with debris from the collision). If you don’t see a train, roll down your windows or open your door first to listen carefully for an approaching train. Only then should you try to restart your car, or put it in neutral to try to push it off the tracks.

6)     Vehicle Catches Fire

If you see smoke or flames while you’re driving, pull over immediately – preferably to a space away from buildings or trees. Turn off the car and don’t try to put out any flames. Get out of the car immediately and call or wait for emergency assistance.

Some of these issues can be solved by keeping your car in good working order. At Kuehn Motors, we are here to guide you with all your car needs and buying decisions. We hope you never have to face one of these driving emergencies, but if you do, you’ll be prepared.

10 New Year’s Resolutions to Improve Safe Driving

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported that traffic fatalities in Minnesota rose 14% in the year 2015. Although 2016’s numbers aren’t out yet, you can bet that they didn’t go down to zero. Simple changes in the way you drive can make a huge difference - maybe even save a life.

Next to drunk driving, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of fatalities in traffic crashes.  This year, resolve to make the roads safe for yourself and everyone else around you. We gathered our top 10 safe driving new years resolution ideas in hopes that everyone will make an effort to lower the total number of traffic crashes this year!

1. Never Drink and Drive. Being the leading cause of fatalities, it is most important to always remember this. It may be heard a lot but it surely needs to be said more often. Make a plan, call a cab, or stay home when consuming alcohol.
2. Make sure you are well rested before getting behind the wheel. Tired driving is distracted driving and isn’t recognized as much as it should be.
3. Leave enough room in front of the car. Especially during the winter months, you never know how long it will take you to stop. Make sure you’re slowing down early enough to avoid any potential collisions.
4. Obey the speed limit. Driving too fast causes drivers to lose control over their vehicles. Being a little late to wherever you are going is not as important as your life.
5. Pay attention to the weather and terrain. Rain, snow, sleet and hail can be dangerous on the roads. Know how to drive in every condition and make sure you have a vehicle that can handle the unpredictable Minnesota weather.
6. Stop at that light. Yellow means slow down, not speed up! The fine for running a red light in Minnesota is $128. Smashing into a car that has the right of way will cost you much more.
7. Focus, focus, focus! Don’t multitask while you are driving - no eating, no applying make-up, and absolutely no cell phone! Your main focus is the road and protecting yourself and the people around you.
8. Give yourself enough time to reach your destination. Start leaving a little earlier for work in the morning so you aren’t rushing on the roads. Allow yourself plenty of time for train delays, accidents, construction or traffic to ensure you are calm and focused behind the wheel.
9. Wear Your seatbelt. According to the CDC, seat belts cut the risk of death in an automobile accident in half. You might not like to wear it, they may be uncomfortable at times, but be sure to ALWAYS buckle your seat belt!
10. Keep Your vehicle safe. Staying up-to-date on your car’s maintenance will not only ensure a longer lasting car but also keep you safe in the process. Check out our service center to get your vehicle scheduled for a maintenance inspection to safeguard your driving this year.

Driving a car is a privilege for all ages. It’s fun and it makes travel more convenient, but it can also be dangerous. Resolve to make your driving habits safer this year. Which resolution will you set for yourself?

Prepare Your College Student's Car for the New Semester

The new college semester has begun. Your student may have their dorm room decked out and their academic supplies all checked off, but have you taken a closer look at their car? College students can spend a lot of time in their car between the commute to campus, weekend trips, and journeys home. Make sure their cars are ready to drive safely with the following checklist:

Maintenance Check-up

A routine maintenance checkup will help your child’s car perform like it should on the road. Get everything from the brake pads and engine to fluid levels to airbags checked. Do the whole gamut to make it safe for those short rides from the dorm to the coffee shop or for those long rides home. Guarantee their safety by reminding them to get it routinely checked.

Teach Them About Car Maintenance

Even though help can be a phone call away, you don’t want your young adult to be without the skills necessary get them out of a pinch. Teach them how to change their own oil, how to change a flat tire, how to check tire pressure, when to take a car in for maintenance, etc. These essential skills will help them feel safer and more capable on the road.

Talk About Car Loans and Insurance

If your child bought their car or is in the process of doing so, talk about the responsibilities that come with it. Help them work towards financing a car on their own or developing good credit if they need an auto loan. This will be an excellent opportunity to help them understand financial responsibility before they head to the next phase of their life. Also, search for student discounts on car insurance for money-saving incentives.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Emergencies happen. Prepare your student by having an emergency stash in their trunk. Keep an extra phone charger or battery, a first aid kit, reflective triangles, flares, a lighter, jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, a multipurpose tool, a tow rope, water, snacks, and whatever else works for your climate. In the winter, pack extra blankets, warm clothing, a shovel, a windshield ice scraper/snow brush, and cat litter. This can seem like a lot, but being prepared for the worst will help your child in the event of an emergency.

If your family is in the market for a car for your student or is in need of a thorough service check, contact Kuehn Motors today.

Your How-to Guide for Changing a Flat Tire

Flat tires seem to happen at the worst possible times. They are obnoxious, but with the right tools and method, you can fix a flat tire on your own and be on your way again. Read our how-to guide for changing a flat tire:

1. Be prepared. For on the road emergencies, your car should be supplied with a jack, a lug wrench, a fully inflated spare tire, and your vehicle owner’s manual. These tools, along with other essential car emergency items like a flashlight, gloves, a poncho, and a snow shovel, will be essential and will prevent an emergency situation from ruining the rest of your day. As another preventative measure, ensure that your tires (including the spare) are properly inflated at the right air pressure. Check tire pressure once a month and before you go on long trips with heavy hauls.

2. Secure your working area. Turn your hazard lights on as well as any additional reflective and flashing emergency lights to warn drivers of your presence. Don’t park on any curves or inclines. Don’t park on dirt, sand, or grass as your jack could become unstable in the soft ground. Turn on the parking brake as well as the emergency brake to prevent rolling, and stick a wedge (wood, a brick, or a large stone) beneath your tires to ensure your safety. If desired, you can take out your floor mat and kneel on the clean side as you work.

3. Use the sharp end of the lug wrench to remove the hubcap. Set it upside down on the ground to contain your lug nuts. Consult your owner’s manual throughout for reference.

4. Loosen the lug nuts prior to jacking up your car. This will make it easier to loosen the lug nuts than it would be while the wheels are spinning. Loosen the lug nuts to about ½ a turn without removing them completely.

5. Now is the time to place your jack. Place the jack under a solid piece of the car’s framework, not under the floorboards. It is likely that your car and owner’s manual have reference points for you to use.

6. Lift your vehicle off the ground with the jack. Lift the car so that the tire is only a few inches off the ground. Make sure the car is secure enough so that you can start working.

7. Unscrew the lug nuts and place them in the hubcap so that you won’t lose them. Remove the tire, gripping by the treads, and place it on its side so it doesn’t roll away.

8. Place your spare tire into the wheel well. Take note that many cars come with compact spare tires that are much smaller and need to be replaced shortly. Align it with the wheel bolts and add your lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts by hand as much as possible.

9. Lower your car. Once on the ground, tighten the lug nuts to fully secure and prevent your tire from slipping off in the road, double checking your work. Replace the hubcaps onto your tire. Return all tools and emergency lights to your car.

Learning to change a flat car tire is an essential skill that is much easier than it looks. Learn other essential car maintenance skills as well as more vehicle information at Kuehn Motors.  

The Importance of Preventative Maintenance For Your Car

There are nearly five million registered vehicles in Minnesota. Sadly, many drivers don’t take proper precautions and preventative measures when it comes to their vehicles - many people wait for a problem to take their car to a mechanic. Proper maintenance may not seem like a big deal, but it can help you avoid costly repairs, catch major problems early, and lengthen the life of your car.

A few easy things car owners can do to be proactive are getting scheduled inspections, changing the oil on time, and checking the tire pressure regularly. Many people try to keep up with these measures, but just don’t know when or how often to check for issues. We’ve made a list of common vehicle maintenance steps and noted when you should be checking for these issues on your car:

Read Your Owner’s Manual

This is the first step no matter how old your car is, or when you bought it. The owner’s manual contains your suggested regular maintenance schedule for your car. You will also see how often your manufacturer suggests changing your oil, filters, timing belts, and more. Check to see which kind of oil you should be using in your car. If you are using the wrong oil, you could be causing costly damage to your vehicle.

Checking Your Car’s Fluids

It is important to learn how to check the fluid levels in your car. Even if your manual does not say to regularly look at fluid levels, do not be afraid to check for yourself. If you are running low, add more or get it changed. Most importantly, never ignore a leak.

- Engine Oil

Check it: Once a month. The old saying was to check your oil every time you fill up with gas, but this is a bit of an overkill. Unless you are not driving your car often or you have an existing issue, once a month is plenty.
Change it: Check your owner’s manual; it varies by manufacturer and model.

- Transmission Fluid

Check it: Once a month.
Change it: Every 50,000-100,000 

- Coolant

Check it: At least twice a year; once in the summer, once in the winter.
Change it: Every 2-3 years. 

- Brake Fluid

Check it: When you change your oil.
Change it: Every two years.

- Power Steering Fluid

Check it: Once a month.
Change it: Check your manual. Typically, you will not need to replace power steering fluid levels, but some manufacturers recommend topping it off. 

Check Your Battery

The average car battery life is two to five years. In Minnesota, batteries typically last longer, because batteries are more chemically active under heat, and (as Minnesotans are well aware) we have rather frigid winters - hooray for the cold! It’s always a smart idea to know where your battery is located and to check for leaks or mineral build-up. If you run across some build-up, you can clean it with a battery cleaning brush and some baking soda. You should also keep track of the date your battery was purchased (it’s written on the battery). If it doesn’t seem to be performing well, you can refer to the date to see if you are in need of a charge or battery replacement.

Change Your Spark Plugs

Make sure to check for worn-out spark plugs or build-up every 30,000 miles. Typically, a spark plug’s lifespan is around 100,000 miles. Improperly functioning spark plugs are usually a sign that your engine is not working properly. Checking and replacing the spark plugs is not as difficult as it sounds. You can usually follow your owner’s manual to change them yourself pretty easily.

Making sure your car is safe to drive and keeping up on the maintenance schedule is a very important task for all car owners. Your car is a huge investment and something you rely heavily on for your day-to-day travel and tasks. It’s up to you to keep it running properly for now and hopefully, many years to come.

If it’s time to replace your entire vehicle, visit Kuehnmotors.com to browse our selections online!

Spring Break Road Trips

With spring break just around the corner, it’s time to start planning. There is nothing like hitting the road with friends or family on a quest to get to the ultimate vacation spot, but a lot of planning needs to be done before you get in your car and take off. To make traveling easier, follow these eight road trip hacks that are guaranteed to make the perfect trip:

1. Make a plan ahead of time. Since most roadtrippers have a timeline for when they would like to arrive at their vacation destination, it is smart to plan which cities you will be staying at each night. Also, plan out how many hours you will be driving each day. Do not to exceed more than eight hours per day.

2. Pack light. There will be plenty of things you may want to buy when you arrive at your destination. Wouldn’t it be a bummer if you could not fit your new items in your car? Packing light also gives everyone in the car more space while driving.

3. Don’t pack a lot of electronics. Yes, road trips can get boring , but they are an adventure in themselves. Put away your myriad of devices and stay in the moment. Talk with the people in your car, point out scenery, listen to music, or make up games. You’ll soak in the sights around you much better without electronic distractions.

4. Leave early or at night. This one mainly applies to those travelling with children. Children can get antsy in a car for long periods of time. Leaving extra early in the morning or late at night helps children sleep for most of the ride.

5. Ask a local where to eat. It is hard to know where to eat in unfamiliar territory. That is why it is always best to ask a local where to eat when you enter a new town. The locals will most likely their favorite place and can give much better advice than a website or guidebook.

6. Take pictures. Do’nt just take pictures and selfies for your social media accounts, take them to remember the experience. Take them during every part of your road trip. Even though you are not at your vacation spot when you are driving, the road trip is just as much a part of your vacation as the actual vacation spot - document the moments.

7. Embrace the gas station. A road trip requires you to stop at numerous gas stations. Do not dread the stop, embrace it. Check if the station has your favorite snack or a ice cream. See who can find the best out-of-state gas station knick-knacks. Try to make stopping at the gas station a positive experience rather than a negative experience.

8. Be safe. As we have already said, do not drive past eight hours per day. You want to stay fresh and alert while driving. Don’t forget to bring healthy snacks, pull over if you feel tired, and bring a first aid kit in case of injuries. Being prepared will be the best tool to keep you safe during your road trip.

The most important tip of all for spring break road trips is to have fun! If you plan ahead of time and remember these tips, you will have a much more enjoyable trip. Safe travels!

Snow Hacks: What To Do If You Get Stuck in the Snow

Getting your vehicle stuck in snow and ice can be a very likely possibility with winter driving. To prepare yourself in the case of a winter emergency, read the following tips to prepare yourself in case you get stuck in the snow.

Be Prepared

Ready your car for the brutal winter driving season by ensuring that it is in peak form. Have it serviced at the beginning of the season, switch out your tires for winter tires (or, at the very least, make sure they are in excellent condition), check that all lights are working and that all fluids are filled, and never drive with less than half a tank.

Image by Michael Pereckas via Flickr

If you don’t already have an emergency snow kit in your car, compile one now. At a minimum, you should have a windshield scraper and brush, spare windshield washer fluid, clothing (extra sweatshirts, gloves, scarves, hats, boots), chemical hand warmers, traction aid (sand, rock sand, kitty litter, cardboard, metal cleats), and a shovel. See more tips in our "Winterizing Your Vehicle" blog.

Stay Calm

As with all emergency situations, it doesn’t help to panic. Remain calm and proceed with a clear and calm mind. A level head is the first and best tool you will need if you get stuck in the winter.

Clear the Tailpipe

This step is essential in preventing deadly fumes from entering your car. snow spit up from spinning wheels or slippery ice can accumulate and block your tailpipe without you realizing it.

Try Digging Yourself Out

Do what you can to clear as much snow away from the tires as you can. Remove packed snow and ice and be careful not to puncture your tires. after you remove as much as you can, add sand, rocks, or kitty litter to the ground behind your tires to create traction.

Rock Yourself Out

If possible, engage your all-wheel or four-wheel drive and set your car on the lowest gear. Slowly try to back up or drive forward. If you are making even a few inches of progress, keep at it until you have enough traction to drive out. Be careful, though. If your tires are spinning, stop immediately, as this will only dig your car in deeper. Rocking your car back and forth should be done carefully, and only as a last resort as it could seriously kill your transmission when not properly executed.

Turn Your Wheels

Another way to find traction is to turn your steering wheel in different directions as you try to drive your way out. This can give you extra traction, but it can also dig your tires in further, so don’t overdo it. When possible, add more sand or kitty litter to the marks from your tires.

Important Tips to Remember

• If you can, remain in your car with the heat on. The dangers of being outside can include frostbite and possibly getting hit by a passing car.
• Know when to rest and know when to stop. Don’t exert yourself to the point of exhaustion, and don’t do extensive damage to your car.
• Less can be more. You shouldn’t need to slam on the gas to get unstuck. You might be surprised at how little power and pressure you need to get out.

Once you have pulled yourself out of danger, drive to the nearest rest stop or gas station to assess any damage. For more tips on what to do if you get stuck in snow, read these Winter Survival Tips from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

Winterizing Your Vehicle - Part 2

Cold temperatures, snowstorms, and icy roads have already begun in Minnesota and, as sad as it is to admit, it will only get worse. Winter can be a disaster for cars. However, there are steps you can take to winterize your car and make it as safe and reliable as possible for the coming months.

Emergency Kit

Everyone should have an emergency kit in their car over the winter. This kit should include items that can keep you warm, keep you hydrated, and items that may be able to get you out of your situation. Take a look at this article if you would like a more detailed list of items.

Check Your Engine

The cold weather can wreak havoc on the belts and tubes around your engine. Just like other materials, they can expand and contract in extreme weather. It’s a good idea to go to a mechanic to have them looked over to ensure the connections and your engine are in working order.

Keep Your Tank Full

If you let the gas in your car get too low, water can condensate on the sides of the gas tank. The water then will drip down into the gasoline when it thaws, and make its way into the fuel lines. Once it is there, it has a good chance of freezing meaning gas won’t be able to reach the engine. What this means is you’re stuck, and it’s going to cost you to have it fixed. The bottom line is to keep that gas tank full.

Check Your Oil

Cold temperatures can cause engine oil to become thicker. This can affect your engine’s performance. That’s why, during colder months, it is a good idea to change your oil and use oil that has a lower viscosity (thickness).

Check Your Battery

We’ve all seen two cars facing each other in a parking lot with their hoods up and cables attached to the batteries while it’s ten below zero outside. If you have never experienced it for yourself, you have to admit, it doesn’t look fun. Checking your battery before winter means checking the wires and clamps for frays and cleaning off any corrosion that may have formed. If you haven’t had your battery changed in the last three to five years (or longer), it may be time to consider a new battery.

Taking these steps not only ensures you will get from point A to point B but also keeps you safe. You don’t want to be stranded, but you definitely don’t want to be stranded and in danger. For more winter tips, check out our previous blog on winterizing your vehicle. Keep track of Kuehn Motors on Twitter and Facebook.