What Rain Really Does to Your Car

Rain may look like clean water but it is hiding chemicals that are harmful to your vehicle

Most people are busy.  I get it, but what we don’t realize is what our busy lifestyles are costing us.  We something as simple as a rainy day as a “free car wash” and afterwards all the dirt and mud will be gone revealing the original color of the vehicle again.  While the vehicle may look clean on the outside, there are many dangers that we don’t see that could be costing us more than a simple car wash would.

Rain = Chemicals

To skip over most of the technical science, rain isn’t clean water like you would get from your home faucet or used at a car wash.  It comes from lakes, rivers, and moisture that has been evaporated, and often includes dangerous chemicals from the air.  While it isn’t toxic like battery acid, it can be harmful to the finish on your vehicle and can even cause rust to develop, especially under the vehicle.

Similar to Coffee or Tomato Juice

Pure water has a pH value of 7 and battery acid is 0.  In between is what rainwater has been measure at ranging between 4 and 5 which is similar to black coffee or tomato juice.  While these aren’t dangerous to people, not many people would ever think to wash their vehicle with them and if so, they would likely want to wash it off with soap and clean water.

Costing You Money

Car washes aren’t free (generally) but they are far less expensive than the alternatives that happen.  When dirt or grim is on your vehicle, it scratches the clear coat and eventually the paint, exposing metal to become rusted.  Once this happens, it becomes a problem because rust is like ants in a home; once you have them, they are hard to get rid of.  It’ll be costly to sand and repaint or even if you have to have more involved bodywork, but ultimately, if rust is left unattended it will damage the frame making your vehicle unsafe and less reliable.

Next time it rains; don’t think of it as a car wash but instead a reason to get your car washed.  You are hurting your vehicle and wallet in the long run when you skip past the car wash so instead, make it a routine to clean your car every two weeks or sooner based on your driving habits, location and if there is a lot of rain or salt on the roads.  Fred Martin has opened their Speedy Wash & Lube location right across the street where you can get oil changes in less than 15 minutes, but also state-of-the-art car washes starting as low as $6! Plus, after your vehicle is clean and shiny again, feel free to use our free vacuums to clean the inside of the car as well.

Find out What Others Think of Fred Martin Superstore

Fred Martin Superstore is Ohio’s #1 Used Car Dealer 5 years running and is one of the best dealerships you can find! Don’t just take our word for it, here’s what others are saying about us

 

by Brooke Price from Akron, OH | January 15, 2014

This is my first real car. I’ve had a 94 Taurus Station Wagon for years. It did me well until got my job in Cleveland and needed a vehicle that could handle that daily commute. I don’t have spectacular credit due to my school loans. However Mike at Fred Martin helped me out wonderfully. My fiancée told him what I needed and he found me a 01 Buick Lasaber. I am so happy with my car it’s crazy. Not only did he help find a car that fits me but he helped get me set up to finance it with affordable payments! And the cherry on top is I have two rambunctious toddlers that where with us at the dealership and everyone was so nice to them. The place is just so welcoming and understanding. I am so glad I went to Fred Martin.

 

by Candy from Akron OH | March 19, 2014

I was trading my leased car in for a 2014 Chrysler 200. My salesman was Tom Schmidtt. I felt in very capable hands with Tom. He was knowledgeable and very personable. I felt like I was speaking with someone who’s genuine concern was for me getting what I was looking for. There was no pressure to buy which I appreciated. Once I had purchased the vehicle he was very helpful in ensuring I had a good understanding of the workings of the car. I will send my friends and family to Tom and in 3 years I will be back to purchase my next car from him. Too bad more salesmen don’t understand that high pressure approach is not what most customers are looking for. Thanks again Tom!

 

by Bob Greene from Macedoia ohio | March 11, 2014

I purchased a 2012 Jeep Wrangler from Fred Martin on 3/1/14, Daylor Neal was the salesperson. This was the best car purchase I have ever experienced. Daylor was professional, courteous and delivered the deal exactly as described over the phone. I cannot say enough positive comments about Daylor and the Fred Martin dealership. They have a customer for life.

Spring Break For Your Car

Spring Break is one of the best times of the year because it means that Spring is upon us and that means warmer weather is heading our way!  It might not be time to pack the Winter coats yet but we can see the end coming and that’s exciting in itself.  Spring brings about a fresh new feeling that usually radiates throughout your life from cleaning, getting outside to enjoy nature once again, or time to clean up and take care of things you put off during Winter.  Here’s a list of things you can do for your vehicle to get in the mode of Spring Break.  

Clean Your Car – A dirty car makes any trip less enjoyable and is usually one of the cheapest things you can do to improve your current vehicle.  A trip to the car wash, throwing out trash, sweeping the inside and wiping down the dash and windows will take a few hours and maybe $20 but it will make your vehicle look instantly better and make you feel better about your ride. Our Speedy Wash & Lube site offers state-of-the-art car washes at an amazing price and free vacuums so check it out.  If you really want to get into the Spring spirit, you can also go ahead and put on a layer of wax to protect the paint finish.  

Change Your Wiper Blades – It’s likely that you are similar to most Americans in the fact that at one point or another, you used your wipers to remove snow from the windshield only to discover that there was ice involved.  Even if you were lucky enough not to do that, the cold weather and the moisture likely dulled your blades and it’s about time for a fresh set to prepare you for the rainy days of Spring.  

Check The Bulbs – It’s not fun to work on your vehicle when the weather is so cold, and not many people are checking the status of their vehicle either.  Since warm weather is coming, it’s a good idea to take a few trips around the vehicle to check if all your lights (brake, headlights, fog, turn-signals) are working properly.  This will help keep you safe also in case you’ve got some road trips coming up. 

Check Tire Pressure – Even if your vehicle has a monitor system for tire pressure, it is a good idea to check your tires to ensure that they are properly inflated.  This will keep you safe and get the best gas mileage so it’s well worth the little amount of time needed.  Also, you should check the treads on the tires to make sure you don’t need new tires yet.  

Trade In Your Ride – You might not be in a place where getting a new car is an option, but if you are, now is the time to do it.  Spring brings about changes and often people want to make changes with their life so go ahead and trade in your ride for a new one.  At Fred Martin Superstore, we have 1,500 vehicles to choose from and great financing options that could keep you at your current monthly payment or even less.  

Before you know it, Spring and warm weather will be here and we can’t wait! Get ready to roll those windows down and unleash the convertibles! 

$1,000 Test Drive Giveaway at Fred Martin Superstore

 

           Right now Fred Martin Superstore is celebrating their $1,000 Test Drive Giveaway during their No Down Celebration Sale.  This is a limited-time event that won’t last long but we have already been giving away checks to lucky individuals!  All you have to do is stop in at Fred Martin Superstore in Norton Ohio at the Barber Road exit off I-76, take a test drive in any vehicle you want, fill out and turn in a form that will enter you into our daily drawing.  It’s that simple and with the holidays right around the corner it couldn’t happen at a better time.  Visit us online at FredMartinSuperstore.com today for more information or to schedule a test drive.  

 

Male vs. Female: Who’s the better driver?

Who are the better drivers, males or females?

 

It has been a long drawn out debate.  No, not the chicken and the egg and certainly not the Star Wars vs. Star Trek, we’re talking about the Male vs. Female debate of who is a better driver.   Men used to be the primary drivers when automobiles first started taking off, but women drive just as much as men anymore.  Also, men used to drive more due to commuting to work but women do that too, so there’s only one way to tackle this debate … statistics!

When it comes to stats, you need a trusty source so we went straight to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  This way the numbers aren’t a sample but indeed a total representation from 2012.  I give you our numbers:

Men vs. Women Driving Statistics

Type of Violation	Ratio of Male to Female
Reckless Driving	3.41 to 1
DUI	3.09 to 1
Seat-belt Violations	3.08 to 1
Speeding	1.75 to 1
Failure to Yield	1.54 to 1
Stop Sign / Signal Violation	1.53 to 1

Rate is for number of serious crashes per 100 million miles traveled
Age	Male Rate	Female Rate
16-19	9.2	5.3
20-29	4.0	2.0
30-59	1.8	1.3
70 +	4.1	4.0
Total	2.5	1.7

Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Date Verified: 3.22.2012

Well it appears there isn’t much of a debate going on here unless we want to talk about why men seem to have a need for speed these days.  Some interesting things we want to point out is

1. Men need to start wearing their seat-belts – For safety, to drive legally, and save you a ticket
2. DUI is a growing problem and it seems men have a strong hold so men, next time you go out, get yourself a designated driver
3. Serious crashes aren’t too far apart except younger males, so watch out for the gentlemen in the high school parking lot, and maybe for the next school dance the women should drive.

Labor Day Weekend at Fred Martin Superstore

       All Labor Day weekend at Fred Martin Superstore, we’re going to be providing Italian sausages, drinks, popcorn and some of the hottest deals around.  We can get you into a new car and are offering $0 down, 0% interest and no payments until 2014.  Bring the whole family down and even the dog to start your holiday weekend off right! Plus, get a close look at the #9 Kasey Kane race car.   

The Future of Jeep Wranglers?

What Can We Expect from Future Jeep Wranglers?

 

Jeep Wranglers are rugged and tough, no doubt about that, but they have also been receiving a heavy dose of technology from other Jeep Models such as the Grand Cherokee.   Here are a few things that will likely show up soon in upcoming Jeep Wranglers. 

 High Strength Aluminum and Steel

             All vehicles are looking into ways to lower weight will keeping a strong frame.  This provides a good mix of fuel economy and safety in vehicles.   Many cars and SUV’s are constantly searching for improvements and Jeep is certainly doing the same. 

 Air Suspension

             The Grand Cherokee is already equipped with an air suspension that allows you to pick your driving mode.   This allows you to lower the vehicle for better fuel economy on the highway and raise the vehicle for off-roading, without ever exiting the vehicle. 

 8-Speed Transmission

             A feature in many Jeeps already, this will allow the Jeep Wrangler to improve its fuel economy while not sacrificing on what it does best.   

 Diesel Engine

             Who wouldn’t want some more torque in their Jeep? With clean diesel on the rise, many manufacturers are providing trucks with diesel engines and the Jeep Wrangler would love to get a diesel back under the hood.

 

            It’s unsure as of right now how long it will be before Jeep puts this technology in their beloved Wrangler, but it’s safe to assume that it won’t take too long before it shows up. We can only hope that by 2016 we can be driving a Wrangler with all of these improvements.  

The 2013 Jeep Wrangler Earns Top 3 in Resale Value by KBB

      The 2013 Jeep Wrangler, like many of its predecessors enjoys a spot on top of the off-road segment but it also shares its high resale value that the Wranglers have enjoyed over the last several years.  The 2013 Jeep Wrangler was awarded by KBB to have a 55% resale value after 5 years which puts it in the top 3 for all vehicles sold in 2013.   It also enjoys the top rank for Best Compact SUV/Crossover in terms of resale value.   Many people associate this off-road king with being rugged, but it also holds its price making this one of the best vehicles of 2013 to purchase!  Don’t purchase just on resale though, as the 2013 Jeep Wrangler has style, comfort and features that you wouldn’t expect from the mudslinger.  With available features like Bluetooth, Touch Screen Radio and Navigation, and push button start, you’ll feel like you’re in a luxury vehicle, even if you’re miles from the nearest road.   Buy your next vehicle with confidence that it won’t lose all of its value once you’ve paid it off and get yourself into a Jeep Wrangler!   Stop in to Fred Martin Superstore today and test drive a 2013 Wrangler and see why so many people are passionate about their Wrangler! 

A Special Thanks from Fred Martin

Press Release July 12, 2013

From:  Duane Huff, Fred Martin Superstore, 3195 Barber Rd.,

Barberton/Norton, Ohio 44203

Barberton/Norton, Ohio   Special thanks to all 300 Fred Martin Staffers for helping move our inventory out of the way of inclement weather this week at Fred Martin Superstore, 3195 Barber Road, Barberton/Norton, Ohio. Many Millions of dollars in inventory were saved by the hard working crews, who worked through all of Wednesday night. We have moved over 1,000 cars from Fred Martin Superstore to the former Sears store at Rolling Acres Mall located at 2400 Romig Rd.Akron, Ohio44322. We moved our huge inventory once and don’t want to move them again. We need to sell as much of our inventory as possible to reduce the cost of moving our inventory back. Come make a deal at the former Sears store and get savings up to 50% off! Get all the details at fredmartinsuperstore.com

4th of July 0% Celebration Sale

 

With the 4^th of July right around the corner, all of us here at Fred Martin Superstore are celebrating with wonderful deals and tasty food.  That’s right, the grilling has begun on the lot and all you have to do is come on down to Fred Martin Superstore in Barberton, Ohio.   We will be firing up the grills on June 29^th and 30^th, as well as July 4^th, 5^th and 7^th!   We also have a $500 military bonus to show our thanks to all the veterans and active military this 4^th of July.   Don’t miss out on hot deals and tasty food, right off of I-76 on the Barber Road exit, Fred Martin Superstore is never to far!

 

http://www.fredmartinsuperstore.com