Merry Christmas!

We want to wish everybody a very Merry Christmas, and say thank you for all of your support over the last year!

We hope this year brings you all you wished for and more!

read more "Merry Christmas!"

UPDATE on Free Women's Auto Care Workshops

BOTH DATES of our next series of Free Women's Auto Care Workshops are now FULL! If you wanted to attend, and have not yet registered yet, you can fill in your information to be on a waiting list if there is a cancellation. If no cancellations come up, then we will notify you when the next set of workshops are scheduled.

At the workshop, we will be collecting items to take to the Kearns Pantry. Anything non-perishable is welcome, but we are specifically collecting women's items, such as sanitary supplies, diapers, baby formula, etc.

If you have any of these items, feel free to bring them with you to the workshop, or drop them off at our shop during normal business hours.

Thanks!

read more "UPDATE on Free Women's Auto Care Workshops"

Winter Safety Tips from AAA

I received this in my inbox this morning from West Valley City. It has some great tips to remember this time of year:

Snow, rain and fog present real challenges to motorists and contribute to a high number of property damage crashes. AAA Utah encourages drivers to hone their winter driving skills and prepare their vehicles to safely navigate the wet and slippery streets.

"Loss of visibility, slick roads, poorly maintained vehicles and driver error combine with the elements to cause thousands of crashes each year," said AAA Utah spokeswoman Rolayne Fairclough. "Many could be avoided by simply adjusting your driving to the weather and doing a quick vehicle check."

AAA suggests motorists can improve their safety if they observe these winter driving tips: 

• Slow down and look ahead: Vehicles need at least three times more distance to stop on slick roads. Always be extremely attentive to your driving and the road conditions so you can anticipate a hazard in time to react safely. 
• Increase your following distance: A vehicle needs a minimum of four to eight seconds between it and the vehicle in front. 
• Steer clear of collisions: Learn to take evasive action by steering around to avoid collisions. Steering is preferred to braking at speeds above 25 mph because less distance is required to steer around an object than to brake to a stop. In winter weather, sudden braking often leads to skids. 
• Recognize hydroplaning hazards: Even small amounts of water on the road can cause a vehicle to hydroplane. One-twelfth of an inch of water between tires and the road means each tire has to displace one gallon of water a second. To reduce the chances of hydroplaning, slow down, avoid hard braking or turning sharply, drive in the tracks of the vehicle ahead of you and increase your following distance. 
• Know how to handle fog: Visibility in fog can deteriorate at a moment's notice. The rapid loss of visibility creates serious driving hazards. The following are specific driving tips for fog: 
• Drive with lights on low beam. 
• Reduce speed. 
• Listen for traffic you cannot see. Open windows if necessary. 
• Use wipers and defroster for maximum vision. 
• Be patient! Don't switch lanes unnecessarily. 
• Unless absolutely necessary, don't stop on freeways or other heavily traveled roads. 
• If possible, postpone your trip until after the fog has lifted. 

AAA Utah encourages motorists to prepare their vehicles for winter driving by checking the following:

• Tires: Good tread allows the water to escape from under the tires and increases traction. Keep tires at proper pressure. Low pressure allows the tread to squeeze together and thus reduces traction and damage the tire. Equip your vehicle with snow tires which have 30 percent deeper tread than standard tires. Choose narrow tires over wide for best traction. Wide tires "float" on top of snow while narrow ones cut through it for better traction. 
• Battery and electrical system: Make sure the battery is in good condition. Cold weather places high demands on electrical systems. 
• Brakes: Have brakes inspected and check that they apply evenly to help prevent wheels from locking when the roads get slippery. 
• Coolant: Make sure the coolant provides adequate anti-freeze protection. A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water provides protection to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Wipers: Replace wipers that streak the windshield. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with an antifreeze washer solvent. 
• Gas: Keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to minimize condensation that can lead to gas line freeze. 

Carry an emergency kit: Because walking away from a snowbound vehicle can be deadly, an emergency kit is a must. It should include blankets or sleeping bags, rain gear, extra sets of mittens, socks and wool hats, newspaper for insulation, plastic bags, food, water, a small shovel, knife, tools, sand or kitty litter for traction, a first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries and a brightly colored cloth for the antenna. (Read through our suggestions of what to keep in an emergency kit for winter.)

read more "Winter Safety Tips from AAA"

New Technology: Self-Inflating Tire

Below is an interesting article from Popular Mechanics:

Searching for the air hose in the grimiest corner of a neighborhood service station may soon become a thing of the past. With the help of a $1.5 million Department of Energy grant, Goodyear is developing a tire that regulates its own air pressure. Though the company refused to leak details of how the system works, a 2009 patent application shows that the tire employs a pressurized internal tube with inlet and outlet valves. This differs from the automatic inflation system on military vehicles that use onboard compressors. "The Air Maintenance Technology system is powered by the tire itself as it rolls down the road," says Goodyear chief technical officer Jean-Claude Kihn. Underinflation can lead to tire failure and a possible crash, but in most cases it just wastes fuel. According to Goodyear, underinflation cuts a car's efficiency by 2.5 to 3.3 percent, which, at current fuel prices, effectively adds more than 10 cents per gallon.

1. Intake
Air entering the inlet fills a small, high-pressure tube encircling the rim.

2. Big Push
Air is forced through the inner tube by ground pressure on a low tire.

3. Inflate
Tire pressure returns to normal as air fills it through the outlet valve.

4. Vent
Excess air escapes through the inlet port.


Read more: How It Works: Self-Inflating Tire - Popular Mechanics

read more "New Technology: Self-Inflating Tire"

Recognition By Utah State Senate

Mark Gines, Beva Gines, Chad Gines

read more "Recognition By Utah State Senate"

Willard Bay Christmas Lights

A Holiday activity, recommended by Mark Gines:


The Willard Bay Christmas lights are always spectacular, but even more so this year!

For $9 a car, you get admission to see the most googled Christmas lights display in Utah! Included this year with that $9 admission is a horse drawn wagon ride to see the lights! Instead of just seeing the lights from your car, bundle the family up in a blanket and enjoy the lights the old fashioned way.

Light displays are now through New Years, from 6pm to 10pm. Please note that if the attendance is down that night, the wagon ride may close earlier than 10pm.

Read an article from the Salt Lake Tribune about the people behind the lights and how they got started.

How To Get There:

Fantasy at the Bay is located at Willard Bay State Park. Visitors should take I-15 and use exit #357 to enter the display from the Cottonwood Campground. For more information regarding the display, please call Willard Bay State Park at 435-734-9494 or call the display headquarters at 435-237-9506.

This is one of Mark's favorite holiday activities every year. 


View Larger Map

read more "Willard Bay Christmas Lights"

FREE Women's Auto Care Workshop

Gines Auto Service
4261 W 5415 S
Kearns, UT 84118
(801) 966-6021

Two dates to choose from:
Wednesday January 25th 2012 (6:30pm - 9:00pm) - FULL
Thursday January 26th 2012 (6:30pm - 9:00pm) FULL


6:30pm - dinner
7:00pm to 9:00pm - workshop, including hands-on activities

(If you would like to be on a waiting list if somebody cancels, fill out your contact information and we will let you know when the next workshops are scheduled, or if somebody cancels at the above dates.)

To keep the workshops as relaxed and friendly as possible, each workshop will be limited to 25 participants.


Both dates are now FULL! 

Read more about what participants at our last workshop said about their experience.

If you’re a woman who makes decisions about repairs on your vehicle, you know that knowledge is power. That’s why Gines Auto Service in Kearns, UT  is happy to announce the dates for their semi-annual FREE Women’s Auto Care Workshops, sponsored by ACDelco.

Learn about:

• the importance of regular maintenance
• how to recognize problems with your vehicle
• how to talk to your technician
• a question and answer session (so bring all the questions you may have!)
• any other subjects you would like to learn about
• and much more, all in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere

Get ready for a different kind of “ladies’ night” — the Women’s Auto Care Workshop. Because knowledge really is power. Sponsored by ACDelco automotive parts.

DINNER WILL BE PROVIDED!

DOOR PRIZES will also be given out!

Gines Auto Service is providing a night out and some excellent advice on vehicle maintenance for busy women. As part of the ACDelco "Knowledge Is Power" women's initiative, Gines Auto Service is offering free workshops on Wednesday January 25th 2012 and Thursday January 26th 2012 at 6:30pm both nights. The workshop is designed to better acquaint women with vehicle maintenance needs and instill confidence in their ability to manage vehicle service needs.

read more "FREE Women's Auto Care Workshop"