Getting to Know the Gears on Your Car

If you drive an automatic, you’re probably pretty familiar with a few of the gears on your car. Have you ever wondered what the 1 and 2 or H and L gears do, or when you should be using them? As it turns out, the gear switch can be used for more than just the standard park (P), reverse (R), neutral (N) and drive (D).

Although a car with an automatic transition will select gears by itself, it can sometimes be a good idea to pick a gear manually.

Lower Gears and Higher Gears

The gears on a car are a more complicated version of gears on a bike. With a lower gear, your car has more oomph – more force behind it – making it easier to drive up a hill, pull a big trailer, or quickly increase your speed. With a higher gear, the engine turns slower, but allows you to maintain a constant speed for a longer period of time.

Some newer vehicles have a gear selection called overdrive (OD). That feature, which typically defaults to “on,” makes for a speedy switch into a high gear as soon as possible, which can help stretch fuel mileage. This is similar to economy mode in many newer model cars. This mode will keep cars going at a lower RPM, meaning better gas mileage, but will give you less power for quick stops or hilly terrain.

When to Switch Gears

Driving down a steep hill is a good time to switch into a different gear, such as Lower (L), 1 or 2. This move will slow the car down without having to put too much pressure or heat on the brakes. Switching to a lower gear can also be a good idea for traveling up a hill or pulling a trailer. If you find yourself needing to pick up speed quickly without waiting for the transmission, a lower gear will react to your gas pedal instantly.

Selecting 2 means your transmission is locked in second gear. That can be a good option for starting out on an icy road, but beware: a lower gear may make driving down an icy hill more difficult in front-wheel-drive vehicles.

Check your vehicle manual for specific recommendations based on your make and model. For example, some manuals recommend switching off overdrive in city traffic or hilly terrain. Watch this video on using Overdrive and Economy Mode Override to learn more about this feature.


All of these gear selections are absolutely optional. The beauty of an automatic is that you can let your vehicle handle the gear-switching. If you have any other questions about getting to know the gears and functions in your vehicle or about a vehicle you’re thinking about purchasing, stop into Kuehn Motors to talk with our experienced staff.

Protect Your Vehicle From Sun Damage

As the summer sun beats down, your automobile can feel the burn if it is left out to the heat and elements. The surface of your car can reach up to 200 degrees on hot days, permanently affecting the paint. Sun damage to your auto paint can cause oxidation and fading, making it look worn before its time. But it is preventable; follow these tips to protect your car from sun damage.

Seek Covered Parking

Just as we do in the winter to keep the snow off, seek out parking that is covered or sheltered. Daily shade, wherever you’re parking, is like wearing a baseball cap to the beach—it’s the easiest protection out there.

Wash and WAX Your Car Often

Wash your car often, but do it in a place that is out of direct sunlight. Whenever you wash and dry your car, finish off with a good wax to protect the paint from ultraviolet damage – not to mention the effects of road dirt and pollution.

Purchase Paint Protection Film

If you can’t avoid direct sunlight and want to be absolutely certain that your car is protected, consider paint protection film. You can purchase a kit that covers part or all of your car’s exterior for the ultimate in protection. There are several brands out there to choose from, like Xpel, Invisible Mask, or Clear Mask. With this type of protection, you can rest assured that your prized car parked in the driveway year-round will be safe from the summer sun.

If you do see oxidation and sun damage, it could be restored

Some mild oxidation to your car’s paint can be fixed with a buff and wax. But, according to Jerry Hurley, of Maaco Collision Repair and Auto Painting, “If the clear coat starts to turn white or chalky, it needs to be repainted.” Check with your local auto painting or auto repair shop to see if they can make your paint look shiny again.

Be sure to enjoy the summer weather and your favorite vehicle, while taking care of its paint and exterior. If you notice your good times are taking a toll on your vehicle, stop into Kuehn Motors for a wash, wax, and interior clean from one of our highly-qualified technicians.

Preparing to Sell Your Car: Do-It-Yourself Detailing

Looking to sell your vehicle but not sure if that PB&J stain in the back seat will be the selling point or not? How about that weird smell coming from under the back seat? These definitely will not be ideal features for your buyer, but have no fear - there is a solution for that. For those who don’t really know what detailing your vehicle entails, here is a simple guide from essentials to getting the job done.

Grab the Essentials

For a full list of suggested tools to detail your car like a pro, the DMV website is a great resource, but the essentials are listed below:

• A Vacuum Cleaner with multiple attachments - these are to get into the tiny crevices that you think no one will notice, but they will.
• Rags for different surfaces - Having a rag for wet and dry surfaces, along with one for whipping windows will help keep from pushing dust around.
• Cleaning Products - upholstery cleaner, carpet cleaner and all-purpose cleaner (for those pesky unknown stains).
• Q-tips, Cotton Swabs and Toothbrushes - for the tiny areas you won’t be able to get with a rag.
• A Can of Compressed Air - this is a bonus and can really come in handy for those small, hard-to-reach areas.

Getting Started

There are plenty of tips and tricks to help you get started, but don’t underestimate the power of a good deep clean. When you sell your car, whoever is buying it will want that “new car” feeling, even if it’s only new to them. There are a few things that are more important than others, though. Consumerreport.org gives a good description of what you need to do to better your chances of selling your vehicle:

• Clean the Cup Holders - Though it may seem trivial, this is one of the first things that your potential buyer looks at. Giving it a fresh look will help increase your chances of impressing the buyers.
• Get into the Corners - Even though you may not think the corners are a big deal, your potential buyer will. How you maintain the inside of your car can be perceived as how you well you keep the car maintained overall. So make sure you show them you took care of your car overall.
• Deep Clean the Fabrics - When inspecting a car to potentially purchase, buyers always look for imperfections in the upholstery. Getting rid of minor stains and making your car look spotless will help you big time.
• Do a Final Vacuum - Get the last few crumbs under the floor mat and anything else that you may have missed. One last vacuum could be the difference between a sale or not.

These are just a few ways to help better your odds at selling your vehicle and could be what helps you get closer to your next vehicle. If you don’t have time to detail your car yourself before putting it up for sale, you can always contact our service center and we can get the job done for you. To make an appointment, visit KuehnMotors.com.

Preparing to Sell Your Car: Gathering the Correct Paperwork

Selling an old vehicle doesn’t have to be a difficult task. If you gather all the correct paperwork and stay organized there’s no doubt that the process will go over smoothly. We’ve put together a list of the necessary paperwork to get you one step closer to selling your car!

• The Title - The first thing you need to do after selling your car is sign the title and give it to the new owner. Both you and the buyer will have to fill out information on the title. Learn more about transferring your title to a new owner here. 

• Maintenance Records - It’s important for buyers to know they are getting a reliable vehicle. If you have maintenance reports, gather them into one place. If you don’t have any records, most mechanics will keep paperwork on file and you can request a copy from them.

• Bill of Sale - A bill of sale is a good idea for both buyers and sellers. Although it is not required with the sale of a car in Minnesota, it can still be beneficial, acting as a receipt for the transaction. It can also protect the seller in the event the buyer fails to register the vehicle.

• Release of Liability - When there is a change of ownership of any vehicle, it is required that you notify the DMV. This can protect you from being liable for any accident the new driver gets in before the car is legally switched over. Find more information on dmv.org.

• Warranty Documents - if your car is still under a manufacturer’s warranty or you purchased an extended warranty for your vehicle, include these documents with the sale of your car. If the car needs any repairs, the new owner will feel confident that the warranty will cover the cost.

• As-is Documentation - If there are no warranties left on your vehicle, make sure the new owner is aware. As-is documentation basically tells the buyer that they are buying the car with all issues - known and unknown. They will be responsible for any repairs or issues that may arise with the car over time.

Don’t wait until the last minute to get everything gathered or you’ll catch yourself scrambling at the most undesired time. Sell your car with ease and ensure the process is complete effortlessly!

If you need any further assistance, or if you’d rather have a professional handle the selling of your car, contact your nearest Kuehn Motors. We are always happy to help!