Blog

Cleaning car engine. We all love having a clean car, but the engine is not something we typically clean during normal car washes. Engine cleaning takes time and special care in order to do the job properly without damaging any components. In preparation, always make sure that the weather is on your side while the engine dries after cleaning. Just like oil inspections, the vehicle’s engine needs to be cooled off because working with a hot engine is dangerous and can lead to injury. It’s also important to have a good cleaner/engine degreaser that will get the job done. Brands such as Chevron, Restore, Griot’s, Simple Green (natural degreaser) and more all make these products. Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle carefully. Start by covering all electrical parts, electronics and wires with plastic to avoid getting these components wet. You can also remove the battery or battery cables, removing the negative cable first to avoid a short in the circuit. Use a brush to wipe any debris or dirt throughout your engine. Spray the engine with degreaser thoroughly and with caution to the electrical parts, and scrub it in with a stiff, synthetic-bristle brush to remove any caked on engine grease. Let it soak for at least 5 minutes. Rinse your engine with a regular, low pressure hose. If you have a nozzle available, set it on a small stream setting. You want to take all precautions to avoid the electrical components! Be sure to also rinse the exterior of your vehicle in case any degreasing product made its way on your paint. Dry your engine with an absorbent shop towel or compressed air for all those small areas. Take the plastic off and make sure no electrical components are dry. You can then replace the battery or negative cable. Let your engine area air dry the rest of the way before running your vehicle. Time for a detail? Schedule your detail appointment easily online. Schedule Service Service Specials The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information presented. Any action you take based on the context of this blog is strictly at your own risk. Always consult a qualified professional or specialist for advice specific to your situation. We are not responsible for any losses or damages arising from the use of this blog or its content.

Make sure your coolant system is working properly. The cooling system keeps your engine from overheating, which can be an occurrence more likely to happen in the heat of the Summer season. Check hoses for any leaks or cracks, and ensure your coolant is clean and topped off. If your vehicle may need it, a coolant flush is a good idea to schedule. Keep your fluids up. The fluids inside your vehicle are key to keep everything working in proper order. Fluids work hard to keep your engine systems cool in the extreme heat. Your fluids include brake fluid, power steering fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, and the most regularly checked — motor oil. Oil should be changed regularly in order for a smooth-running engine. Inspect your brakes. When braking, especially from high speeds, the friction produces a lot of heat. The extra heat from the Summer can create even more wear on your brakes. It is a good idea to get your brakes inspected to ensure that your brakes are ready to handle the Summer roads. Check your tire pressure regularly. Whether it is drastic heat or drastic cold, the outside temperature can have an effect on your tire pressure. Heat can cause your tire pressure to increase, and a sudden drop of temperature can do just the opposite to your tires. It’s a good idea to give a good glance over your tires before you head out on your way, and be sure to get a professional inspection regularly to make sure your tires are healthy. Schedule your summer car care maintenance online or call 509-402-2588 today. Schedule Service The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information presented. Any action you take based on the context of this blog is strictly at your own risk. Always consult a qualified professional or specialist for advice specific to your situation. We are not responsible for any losses or damages arising from the use of this blog or its content.

Keep your dog attended to at all times. Take your best friend with you! When you’re leaving the car, make sure that your dog gets to go too. A car can reach scorching temperatures on even a 70-degree day so always make sure your dog is safe at home before you have to run errands where your dog is unable to come along. Be sure your dog has their identification. Exploring is one of your dog’s favorite things to do, so it’s important that your dog is prepared with the proper identification in case exploring gets the best of them! It’s also great to consider getting a microchip for your best friend. Don’t let your dog ride loose in your truck bed. This can be very dangerous as you never know what may happen when you’re on the road. If you are involved in an accident, your dog has a high risk of serious injury in the truck bed. Keeping your dog inside the cabin is the safest place for your dog to ride. If you cannot keep them in the cabin, keep a secured kennel in the back of the truck. Always have extra pet supplies. From a water bowl and water, to rolls of waste bags, it’s important to make sure you’ll have everything you’ll need to keep your pet happy, healthy and safe when traveling. Pet accessories can make their ride more comfortable. There are so many accessories out there designed to keep your pet safe when in the car! These include pet nets to prevent your pet from entering the driver’s area or front of the cabin, backseat extenders to increase your seat space for your pet, seat belt leashes and more! The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information presented. Any action you take based on the context of this blog is strictly at your own risk. Always consult a qualified professional or specialist for advice specific to your situation. We are not responsible for any losses or damages arising from the use of this blog or its content.

Earth Day is coming up, and we want to provide some great tips on reducing your carbon footprint during your weekly commutes! With these tips, you’ll be on the right track to saving time, saving fuel, and saving the planet. Consolidate Your Trips Making small trips to complete errands throughout your week can add to your carbon footprint. Sending those packages, getting groceries and maybe a haircut — if you can plan some time in your week, these errands can be completed all in the same trip. Carpool When Available Carpooling is a great way to save you and your friends, coworkers or classmates the extra fuel, emissions, and time finding a parking spot. With those 3 extra passengers that would normally drive individually, that’s three extra vehicles off the road. Use Public Transportation Public transportation will always be available, and is a great way to get around. Even using public transportation just a few times a week can save miles, fuel, and reduce your carbon footprint. Many public transportation systems have core values to increase environmental quality and encourage alternative transportation opposed to a Single Occupancy Vehicle. Avoid Driving Aggressively Putting the pedal to the medal at every green light causes your engine to work harder than it needs to, and expending unnecessary amounts of fuel. Take it slower. Clear Out Unnecessary Items in Your Car Even if they are small items, the weight adds up. Added weight to the car creates more work for the engine, which will use more fuel and energy! Be sure to keep your vehicle free of those extra items. Shop Eco-Friendly Used Inventory Explore Electric Vehicles The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information presented. Any action you take based on the context of this blog is strictly at your own risk. Always consult a qualified professional or specialist for advice specific to your situation. We are not responsible for any losses or damages arising from the use of this blog or its content.

Do Your Research Knowing what you are looking for by choosing a few vehicles of interest helps to narrow down your vehicle search and prevents the need to test drive any car that you would not be interested in. Heated seats and great mileage a must have? Narrow those choices down before you head to the dealer. Schedule Appointment Online Set Up an Appointment Setting a test drive appointment not only helps us, but helps you as well. You can always come on in and test drive during our open hours, but this could mean more time searching and less time driving. Setting up a test drive appointment with us ensures that we can get your vehicle choices cleaned and ready to drive so there’s no waiting or looking for the vehicle. Our Speck Family Dealerships have more than one lot where we keep all of our inventory, so making your appointment is the most convenient route for both of us! Ask Questions We always want to make sure you have all the information you are looking for! Do not be afraid to ask questions during your test drive. These questions include not only questions for our sales team and management, but also questions for yourself. When you’re taking your test drive, be sure to go through your mental checklist! Here are some example questions to ask yourself: Does this vehicle have everything I need? Will I need this much space? Will I need more space? Is this something my family will enjoy? Whether you have financial questions, vehicle history questions or even miscellaneous questions, we are always happy to help. Asking questions and getting all the information you need can not only make the test-driving and car-buying process go smoothly, but also gives you peace-of-mind about the big purchase you’re making. Call the experts at Speck Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram for more information or schedule your test drive online. Schedule Your Test Drive The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information presented. Any action you take based on the context of this blog is strictly at your own risk. Always consult a qualified professional or specialist for advice specific to your situation. We are not responsible for any losses or damages arising from the use of this blog or its content.

Fall is almost in full swing, and now is a great time to make sure that your car is ready for the change of weather! Here’s a great list of maintenance tips that will keep your vehicle running smoothly. Replace your wiper blades if needed. As the Fall season give us more precipitation, we have to use our wiper blades to increase visibility on the road. It’s easy to tell when its time to replace your wiper blades, there are visible and even audible cues. When the wipers are on, look to see if the rubber is evenly wiping. It should be a smooth movement with no streaking, smearing, or squeaking. If there are signs of this, it’s time to replace your wiper blades. When choosing a washer fluid, it’s always a good idea to find one that is meant for colder weather and will not freeze. Check your tires. This one is important, as your tires are the only contact your car has with the road. Perform the penny test to see where your tread is at. If you need help, our service team at Speck Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram are happy to help – and we can get you new ones if needed. To prevent uneven tread wear, ensure that they are rotated on schedule. Not only do you want the tread to be in great condition and ready for the weather, but also your tire pressure. Perform an air check on your tires regularly, especially as the weather gradually get colder. For every 10 degrees dropped, your air pressure can drop by 1 or 2 psi. If you experience a sudden shocking drop in temperature in the weather, it is possible the air pressure in your tire can drop drastically! If this change in weather occurs, double check your pressure at your closest air pump or pressure gauge. It may be a good idea to get a personal gauge. Ensure your fluids are topped off and in good condition. The fluids of your vehicle are important to a smooth and safe ride. As the temperature drops, the fluid in your vehicle can become thicker and slower moving throughout your engine. The Fall season is a perfect time to get any dirty fluids flushed! Be sure to check the quality of your engines fluids regularly. Fluids include: Antifreeze/Coolant Oil Brake Fluid Transmission Fluid Power Steering On many newer models, integrated sensors can detect the amount of select fluids you have left, as well as the quality. Ensure your fluids are topped off and in good condition. For more information on the best preventative Fall maintenance, call our service professionals at 509-882-5005!

We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answered them all! Find answers to your service, coverage, and other questions you may have! What is GAP coverage, and how is it beneficial for me? GAP coverage is guaranteed asset protection, which is a contract that can be purchased to protect the consumer for being responsible for any deficiency balance if the vehicle is totalled out. What this means is if the vehicle is in an accident no matter whose fault and the insurance company does not pay off the full balance owed, GAP will pay the difference based on the terms of the policy and reimburse the collision deductible to your insurance. What are the benefits of purchasing an extended service contract with my dealership? Ensures that your monthly car payment budget stays fixed throughout the loan. An extended service contract purchased through our dealership pays the full amount of labor and parts for the repair. The service contract has no limits to the number of times you can use the policy. For example, it could potentially cover thousands more than the purchase price of the contract and you cannot be dropped like you can through your personal insurance company. How often should I get my oil changed and tires rotated? You should get your oil changed every 3,000-5,000 miles depending on the make and model of vehicle. Our service managers are happy to review that with our customers at any time in case you forgot what your manufacturer specifications require. Tires should be rotated every other oil change to get the max life out of your tires. How do I schedule my service appointment online? We’ve made it easy as pie! All you have to do is go to our website, choose schedule service, and fill out your information. Simple! Here's a quick link to easily schedule your service. Can I trade in my vehicle if I still owe money on it? You CAN! Most people finance their vehicles for an extended period and the dealership will insure that the full balance owed is paid off within 10 days of your purchase. What is being “up-side down”? It’s a term for having negative equity. If you owe more than your car is worth, that’s your negative equity. The majority of customers today are “up-side down”, because we usually finance in tax and licensing or may have traded in a vehicle before that had some negative equity. Don’t let it keep you from searching for a new vehicle, we have options. How can a relationship with my salesperson benefit me after a sale? A great salesperson is willing to help with vehicle maintenance and to assist with any financing questions that come up after the sale. Your salesperson at each Speck location can help schedule service appointments, get you the best price on parts (ie. tires), and help with questions about vehicle insurance and financing with your lender. What is the difference between Autocheck & Carfax? Both are vehicle history reports. They give customers information like where a vehicle is from, service records, and if it’s ever been part of an accident, suffered hail or fire damage, and/or insurance loss. Autocheck is owned by Experian credit bureau and the vehicle auctions report any damage they find to Autocheck that may not appear on a police record. Carfax does not receive that information from the auctions. With both reports, the information on them is only as good as what is reported to them. Is credit score everything? No. Although credit score is important the amount of credit a customer has and payment history installment credit (cars, homes, RV’s, etc.)  is important to banks too. We help customers with a lower credit score get into a vehicle every day. Can I get my vehicle serviced at any Speck Dealership and use my Speck rewards? YES! Our dealership service departments are cross-trained to work on nearly every make and model. What is a bird dog? A bird dog is a referral of up to $200 that your salesperson will send you when you refer them to a customer when you purchase at any Speck dealership location. What is paint protection and how does it protect my vehicle? Paint protection is a chemical is applied to the paint to make it more fade-resistant and resistant to bird droppings, sun, and chemical deicers found on our roadways. Does not protect from rock chips but it will keep your paint glossy against the sun and other things your vehicle is exposed to. Guarantees look of paint for up to 7 years. What information does a dealership need in order to trade a vehicle without it physically being here? Each Speck dealership location has the ability to do sight unseen appraisals with a VIN number, accurate mileage, and a good description of the condition of the vehicle. A copy of the registration and pictures are always helpful. The Speck Family Dealerships employs drivers and has car-hauling trailers to pick up vehicles from your house, vacation house, several states away, anywhere!

One of the best and iconic things to do in the summertime is a great road trip. Enjoying time with family and friends with music, games, and conversations that create memories. To ensure a fun time, it’s always best to be prepared. Forgetting something important when you’re in the middle of nowhere or far away from home can be extremely frustrating. We’ve created a list of things to do and pack before you take off for your adventure. 1. Take Care of Your Vehicle We’ve listed this as number one because the vehicle is the root of your road trip! It's going to get you from A to B, while carrying your friends and family, so it’s important to ensure your vehicle is running smoothly and safely. This includes checking fluids, lights, spare tire, and making sure tire tread is healthy. Browse tires online or schedule your appointment, our expert mechanics would be more than happy to ensure your vehicle is road trip ready! 2. Have a Travel Plan No, you don’t need to mark that 10:02am will be the first bathroom stop. The best way to plan your road trip isn’t with more numbers, but a rough estimate. Delays are to be expected on any long distance trip, and adjustments may have to be made. Make room for any adjustments. Accidents, traffic jams, closed roads, hotel closures, and even extra stops for snacks or sight-seeing are all typical incidents you can run into. Have a plan, but have fun too! 3. Keep Passengers Entertained Whether you have kids in the back or your best friends behind you, it is always important to keep them entertained. Keeping your mind occupied makes the trip go by faster – time flies when you’re having fun! Of course, it can be easy if you’re vehicle has integrated features such as entertainment screens. Crank up the tunes! Make sure you have plenty on your playlist, or a designated DJ. Looking at your phone to change songs should never be done while driving. When creating your playlist, consider all those coming with you and choose songs that you know will get everyone in the mood for adventure. There are plenty of fun road trip games you can play with your passengers as well. Check out this awesome article from Thought Catalog, it’s full of great games ideas! Are you trying to figure out where you want to go? Here are some great road trip ideas in our beautiful state of Washington! The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information presented. Any action you take based on the context of this blog is strictly at your own risk. Always consult a qualified professional or specialist for advice specific to your situation. We are not responsible for any losses or damages arising from the use of this blog or its content.

Have you ever wondered where we get some of these crazy terms in the car industry? Here’s a bit of history that may give you some insight as to how these terms came to be. Car: “Car” is a word derived from Celtic origin – originally karros, and seen in many other languages including  Anglo-French ( carre), Latin ( carrum). When railroads were a popular form of transportation between 1831 to the first decade of the 20 th century, “cars” were referred to the railroad train. "Car" eventually evolved into regular vocabulary as automobiles became more popular. Vehicle: First recorded in the 1600’s, vehicle derives from Latin vehiculum, which is defined as “means of transport, carriage, conveyance”.  Vehicle was used in many different contexts throughout history, including in early medicine – “a medium in which a drug or medicine is administered”. Transmission: Also found as early as the 1600’s, originating from transmissionem in Latin, transmission is defined as “conveyance from one place to another” and “to send over or across”. The transmission in automobiles is what regulates and sends power from the engine to the axle. Horsepower: This word was coined by Scottish Engineer James Watts to compare the power of draft horses to the output of power from steam engines, and eventually was used in comparison with piston engines, electric motors, and more. During this time, the definition of horsepower was established as the power needed to lift and move 33,000lbs one foot in one minute – which is about 1.5 times the power of a strong draft horse. Soup: Have you ever heard of a “souped-up” engine? Going hand in hand with horsepower, soup was slang term in the 1920’s for medicines injected into horses to make them run faster. Nowadays, we soup up our engines to make them as fast as we want. Torque: Meaning “rotating force”, the term torque was originally derived from Latin torquere, which means “to twist, turn”.  This word has been used outside of automobiles for a long time as both a verb, adjective, and noun – some recordings as early as the 1500’s. Learn more here!