Juanita Firs 76 Blog

Greatest Seattle Area Day Trips

7/2/2024

Need some road trip inspiration?

Sometimes the year gets so busy we forget to plan some fun for the summer. Planning a trip can sometimes feel like more trouble than it's worth, though. We feel like we need to plan something epic and amazing when all we really need is a long drive with great tunes and good company. We just need a change of scenery.

And the PNW has plenty of of that.

Enter the day trip.

We've curated a list of articles that offer some inspiration for planning some easy trips in the PNW. Take a day (or two) this summer to pack some snacks, hop in the car, and go visit one of these beautiful PNW destinations.

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Visibility Matters: Maintaining Clear Windshields and Wipers in Fall and Winter

10/2/2023

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Clear visibility is one of the most important building blocks for safe driving. It really doesn’t matter how safe everything else is on your car if you can’t even see the road ahead of you, right?

Especially as fall and winter settle in, rain, snow, and ice can significantly reduce your ability to see the road ahead. Now’s the perfect time to give your car a “Visibility Tune Up” to make sure you’re prepared for the yucky months ahead. And the best part? It’s all really easy to do.

Follow these essential tips and you’ll be well on your way to tackling that gloomy weather with confidence and ease.

1. Check Your Wiper Blades

Wiper blades are your first line of defense against rain and snow. Inspect them regularly for cracks, tears, or uneven wear. If they're not functioning at their best, replace them to ensure they clear your windshield effectively. We usually recommend replacing wiper blades every six months to a year, or whenever you notice streaking or poor visibility. (Not sure how to install them? Swing by the shop and we’ll be happy to do it for you)

2. Keep the Windshield Clean

Grimy windows can wreak havoc on visibility. The glare that can sneak up on those dark, rainy nights can be downright unbearable sometimes. A clean windshield goes a long way in reducing that. Regularly clean the inside and outside of your windshield to remove dirt, grime, and residue. Your eyes (and windshield) will thank you.

3. Defrost the Windshield

We all want to run out the door as fast as possible, but it's important to make sure you give yourself time to fully defrost the windshield. Using the defrost setting can help speed up ice removal and clear fog from the inside of the windshield. Also be sure to take a minute to clear the side windows, rear window and side mirrors to give yourself the best possible view.

4. Use Winter-Grade Wiper Fluid

Ordinary wiper fluid can freeze in cold temperatures, and will either freeze in the bottle, or - even worse - freeze on your windshield. There’s nothing worse than spraying your windshield, in hopes of getting a better view of the road, only to have it instantly freeze and smear all over your window. Not the best situation to be in in the middle of say, oh, a drive over the pass to go skiing (not saying that’s ever happened to any of us before…) Opt for a winter-grade fluid with antifreeze properties to keep your windshield clear even in freezing conditions.

5. Clear Snow and Ice Properly

Before driving, make sure your windshield, windows, and mirrors are completely cleared of snow and ice. This excellent article has tons of ideas for speeding up the de-icing process on a chilly morning. Check it out and come up with your personal plan to fight the freeze this

6. Raise Wipers Before Freezing Conditions

If freezing rain or snow is forecasted, lift your wiper blades off the windshield to prevent them from freezing to the glass. This will make it easier to clear the windshield and reduce strain on the wiper motor. That simple move can save you some major headache the next day.

7. Park in a Sheltered Area

Well, duh, right? Nearly all these issues can be minimized simply by parking in a covered area. If you're blessed with a garage or car port, use it. (Like you needed us to tell you that, though.) This prevents snow and ice from accumulating on your windshield and wipers, making your morning go that much smoother.

8. (Bonus!) Check Your Headlights

Have you ever felt like you just can't see very well at night? While some of this can be attributed to personal vision issues, sometimes the problem can be as simple as dim or cloudy headlights. As we move into the fall and winter months, there's simply more dark hours in the day, so it's a good time to check if your headlights could use a little bit of love. If you notice that the housing for your headlights seems a little cloudy, a good first step would be to try out our headlight resurfacing service - it removes the cloudiness and can significantly improve visibility on dark nights.

Maintaining good visibility in the fall and winter months really comes down to a few basic rules: Keep your windshield and wipers in tip-top shape, and know the best way to remove snow and ice on those freezing mornings.

By following these simple tips, you'll ensure that your visibility remains at its best, allowing you to sip that pumpkin latte on the way to work with confidence and ease.

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8 Ways to Improve Fuel Economy (And Save Money!)

9/1/2023

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It’s no secret that gas isn’t exactly a bargain right now. With the price of gasoline on the rise, we’re all looking for ways to save money at the pump. We have lots of ways you can save money at Juanita Firs 76, but it can also be helpful to keep an eye on your fuel consumption so you can get the best gas mileage possible.

Here are some practical tips that can help you make the most out of every gallon and save money on gas.

1. Maintain Your Vehicle Regularly

One of the most crucial factors affecting fuel efficiency is the condition of your vehicle. Regular maintenance can go a long way in ensuring optimal performance. Stay on top of the manufacturer recommended maintenance. Get the car in the shop if the check engine light is on. Even something as simple as a dirty air filter can impact your fuel efficiency. A well-maintained vehicle is going to run more efficiently.

2. Check Your Tire Pressure

Underinflated tires can lead to increased rolling resistance, resulting in reduced fuel efficiency. Make it a habit to check your tire pressure regularly, keep an eye out for the TPMS light on the dash. and keep them inflated to the recommended levels. Properly inflated tires not only improve fuel economy but also contribute to better handling and safety. Don’t feel like checking them yourself? We got you covered! Swing on by anytime and we’ll check your tire pressure free of charge.

3. Lighten the Load

Carrying unnecessary weight in your vehicle can lead to increased fuel consumption. Remove any items from your trunk that you don't regularly use. For every extra 100 pounds in your car, fuel efficiency can decrease by up to 2%. Travel light, and you'll notice a positive impact on your gas mileage.

4. Drive Smoothly

Aggressive driving with rapid accelerations and sudden braking can significantly decrease in fuel efficiency. Instead, practice smooth and gradual acceleration, and anticipate traffic flow to reduce unnecessary braking. Maintaining a constant speed on highways can also save fuel. Using cruise control can also help with this by helping you maintain a consistent speed.

5. Limit Idling

Guess how many miles per gallon you get at idle? That’s right - zero. Idling burns fuel without any meaningful mileage. If you expect to be parked for more than a a few minutes, consider turning off your engine. Modern cars require minimal fuel to restart, making it more fuel-efficient to turn off the engine during extended stops.

6. Use the Right Octane

If your car requires premium, higher-octane gas, don't try to save money buy opting for the cheaper grades. Doing so can lead to decreased mileage and potentially expensive engine repair. If your car doesn't need it, using a higher octane won't help improve gas mileage. Bottom line: Use the grade that's recommended for your car, and you'll be getting the best bang for your buck.

7. Plan Efficient Routes

Proper route planning can save both time and fuel. Utilize GPS apps that offer real-time traffic information to avoid congested routes and idling in traffic jams. Also, combine multiple errands into a single trip whenever possible to reduce unnecessary mileage.

8. Keep Windows Closed at High Speeds

Driving with windows open at high speeds creates additional drag, reducing fuel efficiency. On the highway, it's more economical to use the AC to maintain a comfortable temperature.

And there you have it! By adopting these tips for efficient fuel consumption, you can improve your car's gas mileage and save money at the pump. With gas prices continually on the rise, we can use all the help we can get. Even small changes in driving habits can make a big difference in the long run.

So, start implementing these strategies today, and enjoy the benefits of a more fuel-efficient and budget-friendly ride!

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Check Out the Artwork from Our Community

5/1/2020

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We set out to make a mural on our windows so we can send some love, encouragement, and beauty to the people in our community. Many of the people who come through our doors are essential workers and first responders who have continued to be out and working while the rest of us have been able to stay at home. THANK YOU to all of you that sent us your amazing and beautiful artwork. You've been a light in our community!

We wanted to share some of the beautiful art that's now hanging on our windows. Enjoy!

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8 Simple Tips to Get Your Car Ready for Summer

5/31/2019

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Can you believe it? It's already June, and summer is right around the corner. Here at Juanita Firs 76, we're looking forward to the longer days, extra sunshine, and all the fun that summer has to offer.

Do you have awesome plans for this summer? Are you going to make the trek over the mountains, chill at the ocean, or steal away for a long weekend at the San Juans? Or maybe you'll be driving every weekend for soccer tournaments, and making the rounds to visit all your family? Whether your summer's going to be filled with backyard barbeques or a nation-wide road trip, chances are you'll be using your car to do it. And you need that car to be ready to rock and roll. You need it to be reliable so it can get you to all that fun.

None of us want to be sweltering in an air condition-less car, or sitting on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck when it's 85 degrees. We'd rather be playing at the beach or driving to the mountains for a hike. (And, we'd rather be getting our tan at the pool - not on the side of the freeway, thank you very much). So, take charge of your summer this year and get this stuff done now. And then kick back, pour yourself a lemonade, and enjoy the rest of the summer.

So, here it is. Get these things done before summer hits, and you'll be in pretty great shape:

Check your air conditioning.
A good test is to try out your air conditioning and see if the temperature feels cold coming out of the vents. If it's not chilly, it might be time to get it in for an AC service. Not sure if it's performing the way it should be? Schedule an appointment with a shop to have them check the AC levels. They can easily see if it's low on a charge and if it needs to be serviced. Don't get caught baking in your car in bumper to bumper traffic. Show up to that barbeque pit stain-free. Get it checked out early.
Check your fluids.
Take a few minutes to pop the hood and check all the fluid levels like the oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid. Top off any fluids that are low. If you have to add a lot, be sure to schedule an appointment at a shop to have them check it out for a leak. Not sure how to check your fluids? Check out this post., or stop by anytime. We'd love to show you how! (And it won't cost you a penny)
Check your wipers and washer fluid.
Have you ever been driving on a dusty road (or through a bug-filled field), and your windshield is suddenly a grimy mess? You need good wipers and a full bottle of washer fluid to clean that off. Check the washer fluid level and fill it up if it's low. Not sure if you need new wipers? Check to see if they're cracked or ripped. Then turn on your wipers and see how well they clear the window. If you see any streaks or smudges, it's probably a good idea to replace them.
Check your tires.
Plan on driving a lot this summer? Make sure you've got plenty of tread to last you through those long road trips. You want to make sure you've got good traction - especially if you're going to be towing heavy loads. Not sure how to check them? Click here to read more about the penny check.
Get an oil change
Get your oil changed before the summer rush hits. Even if you're not quite due for it yet, at least get it scheduled so you can get it done in plenty of time before your road trip. Here's where that works out well for you - if the shop finds some things that you want to get fixed before your trip, you actually have enough time to get it done.
Check your brakes
Feel a vibration when you're braking? Are they making any squeaking or grinding noises? Then it's definitely time to get it in a shop and get it looked at. Even if they're not making noise or causing problems, it's always good to have an idea of how much life you've got left on your brake pads. If you haven't had them checked in the last 6 months, ask your shop to take a look to let you know where they're at.
Check your lights
Enlist a friend and have them help you check all the lights on your car. Make sure the headlights, brake lights, turn signals and hazards all work.
Check your battery
Hot weather can be tough on a battery. And there's nothing more magical than being stuck in a parking lot on a hot summer day. (Said no one ever). The normal life expectancy of a battery is usually about 5 years, so it's good to have a sense of the health of your battery before you put it through the ringer this summer. Many shops will even test a battery for free, so it never hurts to get it checked out.
(Bonus!) Get the car inspected
Don't want to do all this yourself? You can get all of these things checked by taking it into a shop for an inspection. Many places will do this as a courtesy with an oil change, or they may charge a bit for a more thorough inspection. Let your shop know if you plan on going on any road trips, and ask them to check the things on this list if it's not part of their standard inspection.

And that's it! If you check off this list, you'll be set for summer. Free to enjoy your backyard barbeques, soccer games, and road trips without having to worry about your ride.

You got this.

Want to schedule an appointment with our shop? Click the button below to request an appointment, or give us a call at 425-821-2345

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Two things to check before driving in rainy weather

10/1/2018

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Can you believe it's already October? Now that we're full swing into the rainy season, it's time to check a couple simple things to make sure your car's ready for the rainy weather.

#1: Tires

As the roads get wet, the traction on your tires becomes even more important. You want to make sure you have at least 4/32" of tread on your tires, especially during the fall and winter months. You know the old penny check? Well, the top of Lincoln's head is about 3/32". So, pull out a penny and take a peek at your tires, or stop by anytime and we can quickly check them for you for free. Easy!

#2: Wiper Blades:

The fall is a great time to get a fresh set of wiper blades installed on your vehicle. The heat of the summer can take its toll on the rubber in the blade, so now is a good time to test them out to make sure they're working well.

We have two different styles of wiper blades we sell here. Here's the skinny on both:

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How Often Should I Flush My Transmission Fluid?

2/4/2018

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How often should I flush my transmission fluid?

As a general rule of thumb, we recommend flushing your transmission fluid every 2 years or 30,000 miles. By having the fluid changed at this interval, you are helping it provide optimal protection of the internal components of the transmission, decreasing your odds of having premature transmission failure.

Regularly changing your transmission fluid makes your transmission last longer.

Now, there are some cars, like ones equipped with a CVT transmission, that have to be serviced in a very particular way, and usually not as frequently as every 2 years. So there are exceptions to the rule. But if you're not sure when it was last done, or if you've even had it done at all, it never hurts to get a mechanic's opinion just to be safe. Stop by anytime and we'll check the quality of your fluid for no charge.

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Featured Service : AC Service

6/1/2017

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We think we can all agree that it's pretty nice to have the air conditioning work on your car - especially on those beautiful (yet hot!) days that roll around each summer. Let's face it - when your AC stops working, it can be pretty devastating.

When your air conditioning is blowing warm air (or even just-not-really-all-that-cold-air) it could be time for an AC service.

The stuff that makes your AC cold is a gas. When the AC stops working, it's often because the system has lost some of the gas and, causing the pressure to become low in the system. During an AC service, that pressure gets recharged to the level it should be at, making the system able to cool the air coming into your car again.

When we do an AC service, we also always put a dye in the system that makes it easier to track down potential leaks in the future. (Since the refrigerant is a gas, it can be a lot harder to pinpoint a leak without the dye to help)

There's no set time or interval that you need to have an AC service done. It's only needed when it stops blowing cold air.

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Earn Extra Kickback Points This Month!

6/1/2017

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Kickback is giving away 3 Million points over the next 30 days!

Every time you swipe your Kickback Card during the month of June, you will get a chance to receive a "playing card" on your account. Once you build a winning hand, you win extra points (read: free money!) on your Kickback card. So, the more you use your card this month, the more points you could win!

You don't need to keep track of your poker hard, either. The system keeps track of that for you, and automatically awards the points to your card if you're a winner. All you have to do is just use it! Want to know if you've earned any playing cards yet? Check the status of your card here.

More Everyday Savings with the Kickback Card:
Every day, you earn free money in the form of points on your Kickback Card every time you make a purchase at Juanita Firs 76

3 points per gallon on gasoline and diesel purchases
2 points per dollar spent inside the store

Each point is worth one penny, and they quickly add up! Before you know it, you may have enough money to buy yourself a free candy bar, a free oil change, or a free tank of gas. It's your choice! You can spend the points at any time and on anything we sell here.

Don't have a Kickback Card yet? Stop by and pick one up. It's free and there's no long registration process required to get started.

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How to Check Your Car's Fluids

5/1/2017

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While every car is just a little bit different, there are 6 main fluids you should regularly check on your vehicle:

Engine Oil
While this one seems obvious, it is often forgotten. No matter how new your car is, it is always a good idea to check your oil level every few times you fill up. The oil dipstick is usually located toward the front of the engine, and (most of the time) has a yellow handle.

To check the level, pull out the dipstick, wipe it off, and reinsert it again to get an accurate reading. Most dipsticks will have a “Low” and “High” line. If it is in between those two lines it is within a safe operating zone. Add 1 quart of oil if the level is below the “Low” line (there is often an oil cap on the top of the engine where you would add the oil). Once you add a quart, always recheck the level on the dipstick to make sure it doesn’t need any more.

Coolant
Most cars have a coolant overflow bottle that is usually located close to the radiator, towards the front of the engine. These are often designed with the same idea as the oil dipstick – there’s a “High” line and a “Low” line. You want to make sure the level is in between those two lines. If the level is slightly low, you can often add only water to top off the level. If the level is significantly low, or the overflow bottle is completely empty, you may want to add a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water to make sure the coolant doesn’t get too diluted.

Also keep in mind that if the overflow bottle is completely empty, you may need to open the radiator to see if the level is low in the radiator itself. If you have never done this before, it is usually a good idea to have a mechanic inspect the fluid level since the radiator can build up quite a bit of pressure once the engine is warmed up (the last thing you want to do is take off the radiator cap and get sprayed with hot antifreeze!)

Brake Fluid
The brake fluid has a smaller container that is located towards the back of the engine, usually on the driver’s side. This fluid is pretty simple to check. Just like the coolant bottle, if the level is below the “Low” line, then you’ll want to add fluid to get it up to the proper level. If you find that the fluid level is low, be sure to have your brake system checked at your next service.

Washer Fluid
This bottle can often be confused with the coolant overflow bottle, because they can be the same size and/or shape. Some of these bottles will actually have a dipstick attached to the cap that will show you how full the level is. There is no need to worry about overfilling this fluid. Simply top off the fluid with water, or add washer fluid concentrate to the mixture if the level is very low.

Transmission Fluid
If your car has a manual transmission, there isn’t an easy way to check the fluid under the hood. It usually needs to be checked from underneath the vehicle. If, however, your vehicle has an automatic transmission, it is usually possible to check the fluid level. Many vehicles will be equipped with a dipstick that is similar to the engine oil dipstick, except that it is usually located more towards the side or rear of the engine, and will often have a red handle instead of a yellow one.

To check the level, first make sure the engine is running, and the car is in Park. Pull out the dipstick, and clean it off (just like you do with the engine oil), reinsert it, and then pull it out again to get an accurate reading on the level. There will be a “Low” and a “High” line. Follow the same rule of thumb as engine oil when adding oil – only add more when it’s below the “Low” line. The big difference here is that you will often need to add the fluid through the same tube that the dipstick is located. So, if you ever need to add fluid, you’ll want to make sure you have a funnel handy

Power Steering Fluid
This fluid usually has a smaller reservoir (usually a black color) with a small cap on the top. It is often located on the passenger side of the engine, but can vary a lot depending on the car. This fluid is pretty simple to check – just unscrew the cap, pull it out of the reservoir, and you’ll see a little mini “dipstick” that will show you if the fluid level is low or not. Just like with the other fluids, it will have a “Low” and a “High” line. Some cars will even have a clear bottle that has the markings on the side, so you don’t even need to unscrew the cap.

Final Words
When adding fluid to your vehicle, always be careful to not overfill the fluid. Fuller is not always better. Always shoot to have your fluid level remain within the “Low” and “High” zones, and you’ll be on the right track.

Every car is a little different. Some cars don’t even have some of these fluids, or don’t provide a means to easily check them . If you ever need help learning where these items on your specific car, we’re always happy to help!

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<<Previous

Greatest Seattle Area Day Trips

Visibility Matters: Maintaining Clear Windshields and Wipers in Fall and Winter

8 Ways to Improve Fuel Economy (And Save Money!)

Check Out the Artwork from Our Community

8 Simple Tips to Get Your Car Ready for Summer

Two things to check before driving in rainy weather

How Often Should I Flush My Transmission Fluid?

Featured Service : AC Service

Earn Extra Kickback Points This Month!

How to Check Your Car's Fluids

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