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Get Your Vehicle Ready for Colder Weather
As the temperatures drop in Pennsylvania, your vehicle feels the chill just as much as you do. Cold weather can be tough on cars, from sluggish batteries to low tire pressure, and the last thing anyone wants is to be stranded in freezing conditions. Taking a few preventative steps now can help ensure your car runs smoothly, safely, and reliably all winter long.
Cold Weather and Your Vehicle: What You Should Know
- Battery Performance Drops in the Cold
Car batteries work harder in the winter. At 32°F, your battery loses about 35% of its strength, and at 0°F, it loses 60%. Combine that with the extra demand from heaters, defrosters, and wipers, and it’s easy to see why dead batteries are one of the top winter breakdown causes. - Tire Pressure Falls as Temperatures Drop
For every 10-degree drop in temperature, your tires can lose about 1 PSI (pound per square inch) of pressure. Underinflated tires mean less traction on slick, icy roads and reduced fuel efficiency. Checking and topping off your tire pressure regularly is one of the simplest, most effective safety checks you can do. - Oil Thickens in the Cold
Cold weather makes engine oil thicker, which means it doesn’t flow as easily. This can cause more engine wear at startup. Switching to the manufacturer-recommended winter-grade oil can help protect your engine in colder conditions. - Fluids Freeze Faster Than You Think
Coolant, windshield washer fluid, and even transmission fluid can be affected by extreme temperatures. Make sure they’re topped off and rated for winter weather to prevent damage or visibility issues.
Tips to Get Ready for the Cold
1. Test Your Battery
Stop by Bachman’s Auto Repair for a quick battery test. If your battery is weak, replacing it before the cold sets in is far better than being stuck in a parking lot with a car that won’t start.
2. Check Your Tires
Winter tires or all-weather tires provide better grip in snow and ice. Even if you stick with all-season tires, ensure the tread depth is safe (at least 4/32” for winter driving) and keep them properly inflated.
3. Inspect Your Brakes
Icy and snowy conditions make stopping distances longer. Brakes that feel “good enough” in the fall may not be safe when the roads get slippery.
4. Keep Fluids Winter-Ready
Check your antifreeze level, and make sure your windshield washer fluid is winter blend — summer fluid can freeze on your windshield in below-freezing temps.
5. Replace Wiper Blades
Wiper blades wear out faster than most drivers realize. If they streak, squeak, or skip, swap them out. Consider winter wipers designed to handle ice and snow.
6. Pack a Winter Emergency Kit
A blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, ice scraper, and some non-perishable snacks can make a big difference if you’re ever stuck on the side of the road.
TRUE or FALSE?
You should let your car “warm up” for 10–15 minutes before driving in the winter.
FALSE! Modern fuel-injected engines don’t need long warm-ups. Idling too long just wastes gas and increases emissions. A minute or two is plenty — just enough for the oil to circulate. The best way to warm your car is by driving it gently.
Fun Fact:
In extremely cold conditions, gas can contract — which means your fuel gauge might temporarily read lower than it actually is until things warm up again!
Stay Ahead of the Cold with Bachman’s Auto Repair
Winter driving doesn’t have to be stressful. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping you safe, saving money on fuel, and avoiding costly repairs. At Bachman’s Auto Repair, we can help with everything from battery tests and brake checks to winter tire installation and fluid top-offs.
Schedule your pre-winter inspection today and head into the season confident that your vehicle is ready for whatever Pennsylvania weather throws your way.
Bachman’s Auto Announces Acquisition of Mervine’s Exhaust System Specialist
Bachman’s Auto is excited to share its newest partnership with Mervine’s Exhaust System Specialist. After 75 years in business and spanning over three generations of Mervine’s, the auto repair shop sold to Bachman’s Auto. Longtime owner, Claude Mervine, was happy about the merger and thrilled to continue working in an industry he loves. Claude now works for Bachman’s Auto, where he specializes in work estimates and pricing.
The purchase of Mervine’s Exhaust System Specialist by Bachman’s Auto was a brilliant move for both parties as the partnership helps broaden the services, skills, and expertise offered at the auto repair shop. When asked about the union of the two businesses, Mervine stated, “The combination of the unique skill set from the staff at Mervine’s and the industry knowledge from the folks at Bachman’s Auto makes this partnership a no-brainer. We’re happy to help extend our expertise to the Bachman’s Auto customers and continue to provide the best vehicle repair and maintenance services in Berks County.”
Bachman’s Auto is no stranger to changes and growth. In fact, the auto repair shop first opened its doors as a fleet repair and service division for Bachman’s Roofing, Building & Remodeling, Inc., providing reliable auto repair services to Bachman’s employees and the entire Bachman’s fleet. Fast forward to 2010, when Bachman’s Roofing expanded its space to increase the Bachman’s Auto service center. After the expansion, the trusted fleet repair and service division shop opened its doors to neighbors and the entire Wernersville community so everyone could take advantage of the superior services, fair pricing, and customer-comes-first style of business. Now in 2021, Bachman’s Auto is delighted to expand yet again as they acquire Mervine’s Exhaust System Specialist.
Why Choose Bachman’s Auto for All Your Vehicle Service and Repair Needs
Since its inception, Bachman’s Auto has been the trusted, go-to auto repair shop serving customers throughout the Berks County area. The company is known for its outstanding customer service, competitive pricing, and high-quality car repairs and maintenance services. The technicians are ready to prove what makes them the best in the business by delivering the finest services in:
- Tires
- Alternators and Batteries
- Clutch
- Tune-Ups and Maintenance
- Oil Changes and Lube
- Drive Shaft, Axles, and CV Joints
- Check Engine Light Diagnostics
- Custom Exhausts
- Catalytic Converters
The next time you’re in the area, try Bachman’s Auto for your next oil change, state inspection, or repair service. You can call 610-897-0615 to schedule an appointment.
Tire Treads That Handle Well in the Rain
Seasonal Conditions and Your Tire Treads
The rainy season is here and often occupied with showers that come and go in a moment’s notice. Retro-fitting your car with the proper tires for rainy roads is safe, responsible and recommended. Bachman’s Auto Repair, Inc. is your guide when it comes to your tires and keeping your vehicle maintained for the change of season.
Think of your car’s tires like gloves. You wouldn’t want to be lifting a sharp heavy object with your bare hands. While gloves don’t just protect your hands, they also give you a better grip. Tires are all about grip and protection, allowing your car to handle the surfaces and unexpectant hazards on the road. Grips on your tires are often referred to as “grooves” and they vary in design. Because we understand how vital tires are for your car, Bachman’s Auto tire services feature installations, and more.
The Importance of The Contact Patch
The area of the tire that touches the road is referred to as a contact patch. The best driving conditions involve the contact patch touching the road 100 percent of the time. Here, the contact area remains flat, and hugs the road easily. However, hydroplaning is when the contact patch loses total interaction with the road, and the car begins to slide. This is very dangerous as the driver temporarily loses control of the car where it can drift in any direction. This occurs when excessive ice or water covers the road.
Tire Treads and Rain Grooves
Tires equipped with rain grooves solve this issue altogether. According to this article, rain grooves pull water away from your tires using intricate groove-like patterns that travel along the tire. With the water removed between the road and the tire, the contact area is undisturbed. There is no standard for rain grooves, and the specific grooves themselves matter little. If the treads continue to travel in a longitude-like fashion, the tire will function properly. We still recommend that driving at slower speeds during showers will guarantee a safer trip.
Bachman’s Auto Seasonal Tire Treads
Bachman’s Auto offers seasonal tires that are equipped to handle the road for most of the year. Despite this, it is not recommended that you solely rely on them. There are tires tailored to winter and spring seasons, and those are most effective during snow-heavy or rain-heavy times of the year. Seasonal tires are good for milder seasons, and can handle rain and snow moderately well, just not as well as the former.
Bachman’s Auto dedicates our business to protect our drivers from hazardous driving conditions. If you have any questions about our services, click here to contact us. You may also call us at (610) 678-9020.
Preparing Your Car for the Winter Season
Making sure your car is in the proper condition to operate in the winter season.
Getting your car ready for winter
The winter season can cause more damage to your car than any other season. The weather can be unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean the performance from your car has to be. We here at Bachman’s Auto Repair, Inc. want to make sure that your car is ready for winter.
Potholes are common in the winter months due to precipitation falling through the cracks in the pavement and freezing over time. Eventually, the newly formed ice will break the pavement apart, and the ice will slowly melt. The result can leave a large hole right in the middle of the road. Sometimes, these can be hard to avoid, and if you drive over them, they can do more than just damage your tires. Your wheels, suspension, axles, and even your exhaust can all be at risk if you hit too many potholes.
A good way to prepare for this is to constantly check your car whenever you can. For example, feeling the air pressure in your tires and checking the rim is a good idea before driving anywhere. Another way to prepare is to consider getting new tires and scheduling an inspection just for peace of mind.
Your car is also more susceptible to the cold than you may think. When the temperature drops, it becomes harder for your car to start and operate. There are several reasons for this. Your motor oil hardens and sticks as does the compound found in your tires. If your tires get too hard, they can lose their grip, which is a necessity when driving on icy roads. Your battery also must burn more energy upon initial start-up to power the car, which can reduce its overall lifespan.
The cold also interferes with your fuel consumption, as well as making your windshield more susceptible to damage. Contrary to popular belief, using hot water to clear your windshield will only crack and damage it.
It also goes without saying that the car’s heaters will be cold and take much longer to warm than normal, freezing the interior. The best thing to do ahead of time is to let your car run for a bit before you start to drive. Giving your car the chance warm up slowly will allow it to run more efficiently during your next trip.
At Bachman’s Auto Repair, we want to make sure that you have the knowledge to understand how your car works. However, if you have any questions, or if you want to schedule an inspection, please contact us, or give us a call at (610) 678-9020.
New Car Seat Laws In Effect
Recently, the lawmakers in Harrisburg passed new car seat and seat belt laws that affect children in Pennsylvania. Children must be in a rear-facing car seat with a 5-point harness until the age of two. Then as long as they weigh 40 pounds they may be moved to a forward-facing car seat. From the ages 4-8 and as long as the child in under 57 inches tall, he or she may ride in the backseat with a booster seat. After the child is over 57 inches tall they may sit in the backseat with just the safety belt. And remember, the safest place for any child under the age of 13 to ride is in the back seat of your vehicle! Trust Bachman’s Auto Repair-where your family comes first.
