Spring Cleaning The Exterior Of Your Car

As with every spring, the warm weather has been much awaited here in Minnesota.  Now that it is here, (hopefully to stay), it is time to start doing all of the chores that you have put off and do a little spring cleaning. While you know your house needs a good cleaning, your car has endured a hard winter and is surely ready for a little washing.  Follow these simple steps to give your car’s exterior the cleaning it really needs:

1. Hand wash is the best kind of wash.  Don’t settle for running your car through the local car wash.  Take time to grab a bucket full of suds and sponge.  This way you will be sure to not miss any areas that need attention. Be careful about the kind of soap you use on your car. For example, be sure that you DON’T use dish washing detergent; It will strip away your car’s protective coating.

2. Squeegee it. After washing it down, use a rubber blade squeegee to remove all excess water. When water droplets dry on your vehicle, it will leave behind minerals and dirt.

3. Wax on, wax off. When your car was brand new, it had a nice wax coat, but over time, that wax wears off. It is important to give your car a fresh coat of wax because it protects your car from the elements. Pick your favorite kind of wax, whether that be liquid or paste, and follow the directions to apply to your vehicle. If you have the time, apply two coats to ensure all spots are covered.

4. The next area to give some attention to is your windows. Use an ammonia-free glass cleaner and a microfiber towel.  The microfiber cloth works great because it gets rid of cleaner residue as well as oils from your skin.

Once you have done all of these steps, we bet your car will be looking brand new!  Don’t want to go through all of this trouble? We can help. Visit our website and set up an appointment for a car detailing. We promise you- and your car- won’t regret it!

Tips for National Car Care Month from Kuehn Motor Company

Winter is hard on everyone, but after months of snow, ice and salt, it’s especially hard on your vehicle! Just because the elements are gone, doesn’t mean you don’t have to take preventative measures with your car to keep it in excellent shape. April is National Car Care Month and it’s the perfect time for a reminder about the upkeep of your vehicle!

Tires - Without your tires, you’ll be going nowhere! Some people forget to remove their winter tires after the snow is gone. If you don’t, the winter tires can compromise stopping performance and wear out much quicker than all-season tires. You also want to check the wear of your tread because potholes can wreck havoc on your vehicle’s suspension. Make sure the tread is even and that there’s enough to prevent hydroplaning in the wet conditions spring brings. Although this is something you should do often, it bodes as a good reminder to check your tire pressure frequently. Keeping them properly inflated will help combat the summer heat that is sure to come.

Exterior/Interior - Giving your vehicle a good clean isn’t only great for aesthetics, but it prolongs the life of the car. Over the winter, your vehicle probably accumulated some of the road salt used to de-ice the roads and this can be damaging to the exterior- especially the undercarriage. Make sure to vacuum out the interior of your vehicle to reduce seasonal allergies that could be brought on by mud, slush and snow that are tracked in throughout the winter. If you don’t have time to give your car a good cleaning, you can always have it detailed at a service location near you.

Fluids - Your vehicle works harder during the winter than any other season -- especially during a Minnesota winter! Because of this, your vehicle also needs refills on fluids more often. Check the levels and fill them up as needed to make sure your vehicle keeps running smoothly for years to come. Not sure what to look for? The top fluids to check are: engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and power steering fluid.

By performing these simple maintenance tasks, you can keep your vehicle running reliably and avoid future pains. If you hear any grinding, chattering or other noises coming from your vehicle while doing these, make sure to stop by one of our convenient service locations so we can make sure there are no issues. Winter is finally over and spring has arrived; it’s time to hit the open road and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Best Vehicles For Families

Starting a family is a very exciting time in life- nearly everything changes. Parents swap shopping bags for diaper bags, and special nights out for sensational nights in. It’s also probably time to swap your sporty convertible parked in the garage for a more family-friendly car.

Here at Kuehn Motors, we sell top-of-the-line pre-owned vehicles. Included in our extensive inventory from three locations, we boast many family-friendly vehicles. Whether you need to tote around one, two or seven kids, we have the vehicle for you! Here are just a few of our family vehicle options currently in our inventory:

1. This 2007 Chevrolet Suburban LT is available at our Austin location. The vehicle seats up to nine people and comes with many luxuries, including AM/FM radio, a MP3 capable CD player, OnStar capability, DVD player, power seats and Sirius XM capability. With 4-wheel drive, this will be the perfect vehicle to get you and your family safely where you need to go during Minnesota winters!

2. The 2014 Chrysler Town & Country Touring is the ultimate family vehicle. This minivan comes jam-packed with features that both you and your kids will love. These features include Bluetooth, two wireless headphones, Sirius XM radio, an entertainment system with DVD player, wireless streaming, and six speakers. In addition to huge entertainment value, the vehicle also has many noteworthy safety features, including a ParkView rear camera, dual driver and passenger airbags, electronic stability control, and traction control. With only 27,401 miles on this vehicle, this is a deal that your family cannot pass up!

3. 3. This beautiful, bright red 2013 Dodge Journey SXT would make a great addition to your family! It is located at our Rochester location, and at only 32,884 miles, it is practically brand new! This vehicle has three rows of seating so it can easily take you and your whole family wherever you need to go. Standard all-wheel drive means you and your family will be safe in any driving condition. Other features on this vehicle include remote keyless entry, audio jack input, a 4.3” inch touch screen, dual climate control, and power windows- just a few of the many great features that come with this vehicle!

If your family is outgrowing your current vehicle, stop by one of our convenient locations and take a look at some of our family vehicle options. One of our friendly salespeople will be happy to find exactly what you’re looking for at a great price for you and your growing family.

Spring Cleaning For Your Car

Spring is in the air! While it doesn’t feel like spring yet, it is never a bad time to give your car’s interior a little “spring cleaning”.  After the long winter, your car will thank you.  Follow these tips to ensure you give your car the cleaning it deserves:

Get the trash out. To start off your cleaning, grab a trash bag and throw out all trash and unnecessary items you don’t need anymore.  Simply removing the extra clutter in your car will make a world of difference in your car’s appearance. Now, you have a better idea of where the

real work needs to be done.

Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Grab your vacuum hose, and get to work.  Make sure to vacuum out underneath floor mats and in the creases.  You’ll be amazed at how much dirt and debris finds their way into the small crevices of your vehicle!

Scrub away. Go to your local automotive store or supermarket and buy a bottle of automotive upholstery and carpet cleaner and heavy duty scrubbing brush.  Wipe down the carpet and anything cloth covered.  You may need to repeat this step a few times to make sure everything is cleaned well.

The floormats want your attention too! Since you will need to take out the floor mats to vaccuum, give them a good wash, too.  Since they are removable, floor mats are much simpler to clean than the upholstery of your car. Use a garden hose to spray away dirt and debris, or your bathtub (in case it is still a bit too cold for outdoor water.)

Wash the windows. When cleaning the inside of your windows, make sure to use a cleaner specially intended for car windows. Using a home cleaner that contains ammonia will increase fog on your windshield.  After cleaning the insides of your windows, you will notice how much less your windows will fog up when driving.

And to finish up….While you’re cleaning up, its always good to check up on other important areas of your vehicle, such as oil level, tire pressure, and washer fluid levels. After completing all of these tasks, you might just feel like you have a brand new car!

Five Cars That Will Make You Think Spring

It might not seem like it now, but spring and warmer weather are just around the corner! This means days filled with road trips with the top down, picnics at the park and long hikes. Can’t wait? Neither can we! To get you even more excited, we have rounded up some vehicles from our inventory that are sure to get you in the mood for hotter temps!

2010 Dodge Charger SXT 

Sports cars are perfect for sunny days and you’ll be ready for long cruises with this eye-catching Dodge Charger! You’ll want to bring this car on long stretches of road with the impressive sound system and V6 engine. Better yet -- this is a great value for under $15,000! You can’t be afraid of catching eyes when driving this! 

2013 Ford Focus SE 

Although this Ford Focus SE might not be as flashy as the Charger, it’s a perfect warm weather vehicle! The 5-speed manual transmission make it a thrill to drive and it’s economical, getting up to 36 miles per gallon on the highway. Road trips won’t break the bank, and you’ll have plenty of room for luggage in the trunk.

2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

Want to be the center of attention wherever you go? This amazing Corvette is the car you need to cruise in when the snow is melted. It is equipped with 18 inch polished aluminum wheels and a preferred equipment group, which includes a cargo shade, steering wheel audio controls, heated front seats, a universal garage door opener and more. With all of these incredible features, you’ll be ready for anything. 

2013 Chevrolet Suburban LT 

Gearing up for family road trips and need more room? This Suburban has room for everyone in your family AND their bags! Enough room to pack up for a camping trip or bring half the soccer team to the big game. This Chevrolet Suburban offers all the comforts of a well-optioned sedan with the utility you demand from an SUV.

2013 Cadillac XTS Premium 

Have more sophisticated tastes? Cadillac is a leading name in vehicle luxury and you won’t be disappointed in this well-appointed XTS. This sleek sedan offers 20 inch aluminum wheels, Bose surround system, remote start, OnStar and much more. Whether you’re cruising the town at night or driving to the beach, you’ll definitely feel luxurious in this incredible vehicle.

Ready for fresh air and warm breezes? Stop in to Kuehn Motors to test drive one of these amazing cars or check out our always changing inventory today!

Tips For Safe Driving In Snow

Here in Minnesota, it is essential to know how to drive in the snow.  In Rochester, Minnesota, the average snowfall each year 48 inches. Take a look at these tips to make sure that you will be able to drive safely in during the winter months this year:

• Be prepared. Make sure your tires have at least 6/32-inch of tread.  Having bald tires will make your car slip much more often. Traction on your tires is essential for safe winter driving.  Also, be sure to check your antifreeze level, and make sure that your defroster is working properly.  In addition, equip your car with a ice scraper, snow shovel, and flashlight, and a some non perishable food in the case you get stranded.

• Don’t follow the car in front of you too closely.  While the road might seem fine to you, there may be a patch of black ice you don’t see.  Putting enough room between you and the next car will allow you some room in case you start slipping, or if any other issues occur.  The recommended distance for winter driving is about four car lengths

• Don’t slam on the brakes.  When your car starts slipping on ice, your first reaction may be to slam on the brakes.  Don’t do this.  Slamming on the brakes removes the traction between the ground and your wheels and you will not be able to control your car.  Once you feel your car slipping, instead of braking, ease up on the gas and steer towards the direction of safety.

• Drive slowly.  The most common error in winter driving may be driving too fast.  Driving too fast may will reduce your reaction time if a problem occurs, such as ice or the car in front of you braking.  In addition, it takes your ten times longer to brake on ice than regular pavement.  

• Most importantly, give yourself more time to arrive at your destination.  If it normally takes you fifteen minute to get to work, during the winter months, give yourself at least twenty-five minutes to arrive.  Before driving, make sure your windows are completely clear of ice.  Once your start driving, take your time and look ahead of you in traffic.

Following these tips will help keep you safe during the winter months- drive safely and arrive safely!

What Do You Do If You Get Stranded In Your Car?

Getting stranded in your car is something we hope never happens to you. However, in Minnesota, it happens. If you find yourself in this situation someday, make sure you are prepared. Read over this list to make sure you know what to do if you find yourself stranded in the winter.

1) First of all, be prepared. Before you ever find yourself in this situation, make yourself an emergency kit in your vehicle. A good rule of thumb to follow when creating an emergency kit is to make sure you have enough supplies to last for 72 hours (check out this emergency kit list for ideas). In addition to this kit, you should also make sure you have jumper cables and extra gas.

2) Try to make it out. Without putting too much strain on your engine, see if it is possible to give your car the extra boost it needs to get out. It also may be possible that your car needs the assistance of somebody also pushing the car.

3) If possible, contact somebody. Use your cell phone to first contact the authorities to let them know you need assistance. In addition, let family members know where you are as well.

4) Ration out supplies. Once you are settled in, it is time to look at the supplies you have on hand and divide them out between all of the people in the vehicle.

5) Run the engine intermittently. Run your engine around 15 minutes every hour. This will help keep your car warm, but won’t expose you to a deadly buildup of carbon monoxide and also will help save gasoline.

6) Leave the dome light on. Not only will this help you see inside the car, it will help people passing by see your car more easily. If you are not able to start the car, however, be aware that the dome light will drain the battery, and only use it when absolutely needed.

7) Keep moving. It is important to avoid getting frostbite. Keep moving by constantly wiggling your fingers and toes. This will help your circulation.

8) Share body heat. If there are other people in the car, huddle together. The shared body heat will keep you warmer.

9) Tie a bright colored cloth to your antenna to help make your car more noticeable.

10) Most importantly, stay calm. We know this is easier said than done, but it will make your time stranded much more manageable. Staying calm and clear header will allow you to think more clearly to be able to decide your next move.