You'll be shocked when you see our low prices on pre-owned vehicles!

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Show your support by donating to those who are being affected by hurricane Sandy

As the East Coast begins recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, World Vision relief teams are preparing to respond with pre-positioned supplies — flood clean-up kits, hygiene kits, blankets, and food kits — to help families and children hardest hit by the storm.

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Our team is on a roll, four 5-star reviews on DealerRater!

"A nice feature of the dealership is a service writer assigned to each customer that is familar with you and your vehicle. It is nice to be greeted by name when you drive into the service area"

"I will go back to Perkins when i need another vehicle.Thanks for the great experience!!"

"We would purchase another vehicle from this dealership based on this experience."

"Really had a great experience at Perkins. It was my first car buying experience and they made it enjoyable and easy"

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What to do when the check engine light comes on

If your "check engine" light illuminates don't react like one Connecticut motorist, who simply poured an extra quart of engine oil into her 2002 Toyota Corolla. Although extreme situations, such as low oil pressure or an overheating engine, might trigger a "check engine" light, your dashboard has other lights and gauges to warn you about those problems and probably a lot sooner. The best advice is to read your owner's manual beforehand and learn the purpose of the "check engine" light and every other gauge and warning indicator on your dashboard. Periodically, you also should test the "check engine" light and other dashboard warning lights. Usually, you can do this by turning the key to the key-on/engine-off position. Consult the owner's manual for more information. Replace any bulbs that aren't working.

If the "check engine" light illuminates, it will either blink or remain constant, depending on the problem. Either way, you should have the vehicle checked by a mechanic, although a blinking light or, on some cars, a red light instead of a yellow/orange light indicates a problem that needs immediate attention. In late-model cars, a blinking light usually indicates an engine misfire so severe that unburned fuel is being dumped into the exhaust system, where it can quickly damage the catalytic converter, requiring an expensive repair. If that happens, you should reduce power and have the car or truck looked at as soon as possible. If the light is steady, the problem is not an emergency, but you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Today's automotive computers often try to compensate when there's a problem; so you may not notice deterioration in performance, even though your fuel mileage is suffering and your vehicle is emitting unacceptable levels of hydrocarbons and other pollutants.

"The customer is really, in the long run, potentially hurting their pocket book by leaving that light on and ignoring it," says Jim Collins, a national training team leader for Ford Motor Company. In some extreme cases, the car's computer may reduce power for you, as it tries to limit the risk of damage.

If the check-engine light comes on, here are some tips on what you should do:

• Look for a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Check your dashboard gauges and lights for indications of low oil pressure or overheating. These conditions mean you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon as you can find a safe place to do so. On some cars, a yellow "check engine" means investigate the problem, while a red "check engine" means stop right now.
• Try tightening your gas cap. This often solves the problem. Keep in mind that it may take several trips before the light resets. Some vehicles have a separate indicator that warns of a loose gas cap before the condition sets off the "check engine" light.
• Reduce speed and load. If the "check engine" light is blinking or you notice any serious performance problems, such as a loss of power, reduce your speed and try to reduce the load on the engine. For example, it would be a good idea to stop towing a trailer. Have the car checked as soon as possible to prevent expensive damage.
• Contact OnStar, if available. If you have a 1997 or later General Motors vehicle equipped with OnStar and an active OnStar subscription, contact an advisor who can read the trouble code remotely and advise you about what to do.
• Have the code read and the problem fixed. If you want to diagnose the malfunction yourself, you can buy a scan tool at most auto parts stores. Prices range from about $40 to several hundred, depending on the model and the features. The tools come with instructions on how to hook them up and decipher the codes. But unless you have a good knowledge of automotive diagnostics, you're probably better off taking the vehicle to a professional. Some automotive parts stores will read and interpret the code for you without charge. Unless there is an easy fix, they may simply refer you to a mechanic.
• Don't go for a state emissions test. In a late-model car, an illuminated "check engine" light probably is a sure sign your car will fail the test. In some states, it's an automatic failure, even if the problem was nothing more than a loose gas cap. By the way, don't bother trying to fool the inspection station by disconnecting the battery or using any other method to erase the trouble code and turn off the "check engine" light. Your vehicle's computer will let the inspection station know that its codes have been erased, and you'll just have to go back again.

**Courtesy of Consumer Reports

Once again our excellent customer service gets us another awesome review!

"the customer service I've received from them has been great. I would recommend this company to anyone."

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Have you tested your Dodge Dart for fun?

This is how you test-drive the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart for fun. Easy.

 

 

**Courtesy of Dodge official YouTube channel

Our low pressure sales team keeps on getting us excellent reviews!

"We have purchased several vehicles from Perkins Dodge all from Don Sack. He is an awesome salesman."

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"I would go back and buy another car or truck there, and I would recommend them to my family and friends."

"He takes time to show us more than one vehicle so we know that when we make our purchase it is the right one for us. He makes sure we are always in and out in a timely fashion."

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Our customer service during and after a sale got us 2 more awesome reviews!

"Service has been very good and the sales experience, with Bill and Tony's help, was as clean and straightforward as it could be."

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"He was very friendly and fun to work with during my car shopping experience. "

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Special Offer today ONLY! 4 oil change package for $49.95

Express lane has open bays today – Special Offer today ONLY! 4 oil change package for $49.95, Call for Diesel, prices will vary. 800-925-9324

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Schedule Service Appointment

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Take advantage of our current new vehicle specials!

New car specials - deep discounts and savings on our entire line of vehicles. Special Internet only prices.

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Chrysler 200--Detroit Jazz Fest Ride & Drive

For three days festival-goers were invited by Chrysler to test-drive vehicles and here's what they thought:

 

**Courtesy of Chrysler official YouTube channel

Great job to our sales and finance team for great reviews on DealerRater!

"Tony did wonderful job guiding me through all of the tedious paperwork"

"excellent service, very professional and friendly"

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Rick came in on his day off so that this customer could get the perfect car!

"Rick was very patient and helpful even coming on his day off to make sure we got the car we wanted!"

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2014 Jeep Liberty Mule Spotted!

We thought we were lucky having seen a pre-production Buick Encore and a never-gonna-be-sold-here Citroen DS5 near the Automobile Magazine offices yesterday, but we must have driven past a few four-leaf clovers because we then spotted this early prototype for the 2014 Jeep Liberty on the highway in southeast Michigan.

Don’t let the chopped-up Alfa Romeo Giulietta bodywork fool you – what you’re looking at is the next   generation of the Jeep Compass, slated to replace the current crossover and the Jeep Patriot. The new Compass will share its underpinnings with the 2013 Dodge Dart, as well as a slew of other new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Fiat, and Alfa models to ride on the company’s new CUSW platform.

There are a couple of clear giveaways that this is the next Liberty most notably are the jacked-up ride height and the easily-seen seven-slot Jeep grille. This tester also looks almost identical to the car we spotted last April. Despite sharing the same car-centric platform as other models, Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has promised that the next Liberty will still maintain its off-roading credentials and be “a trail-rated, full-blooded Jeep”.

Expect the 2014 Liberty to utilize some of the same powertrain options found in the 2013 Dart – most likely the 160-hp 1.4-liter turbo-four. There’s also a chance that the Liberty could receive a turbocharged variant of the 2.4-liter Tigershark I-4 also offered in the Dart. However, this prototype didn’t have the intercooler visible in earlier spy photos, so there is a good chance that it could be packing the rumored 3.2-liter version of Chrysler’s Pentastar V-6 engine that is slated to be paired with an all-new, ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic transmission. Also missing was a gas-flap label calling for premium fuel – the Pentastar can run on regular 87-octane, while turbocharged engines require premium.

We already know that production of the 2014 Jeep Liberty will begin next year at Chrysler’s Toledo, Ohio assembly plant, so expect to see the new SUV revealed early next year.

 

**Courtesy of Automobile

The history of Perkin's Motor Company:

Been Doing This for a While...

Through half a century and three generations, the Perkins family has served Southern Colorado with a wide selection of new Chrysler vehicles, used vehicles, servicing and parts. While much has changed since then, especially the cars, one thing remains constant - the Perkins' commitment to its customers.  The Perkins' automotive history begins with George Perkins, "a fantastic mechanic" who operated garages on Colorado's Western Slope, beginning in 1927.

"I think the fact that we've been here for over 50 years is significant. It shows that we place a great deal of emphasis on service." - Will Perkins

After moving to Colorado Springs, he opened a DeSoto-Plymouth dealership in 1941 at 310 East Pikes Peak with help from his partner, Chester Peebler.  When George's son Will was old enough to join the family business, he bought out Peebler's share in 1950.

To make room for growth, the father-son team moved the dealership to 115 South Cascade Avenue. After George Perkins passed away in 1959, Will assumed the role of president. In 1962, the dealership became a Chrysler franchise with the purchase of the assets of the Conover Motor Company.

In 1964, the company began a new chapter in its history with the moveto its present location in Colorado Springs' Motor City. Continuing in the family business, Will's son Tom joined the company in 1973, gaining experience in all aspects of the business, before becoming general sales manager and eventually president in 1985.

In October 1997, Perkins Motor Company became solely a Dodge dealer. The move allowed the store to begin offering both cars and trucks - a change that significantly enhanced the sales, parts and service business.

   
Perkins Motor City Dodge entered the new millennium by adding a 131,000 square foot Auto Pavilion to our existing facilities. This structure enables us to have over two acres of inventory protected from the weather, offering our customers a truly unique shopping experience. As we move into this new century, our goal is to be the number one place to satisfy all of your automotive needs.

In 2004, we expanded our service center to include state of the art heavy truck bays, an indoor service writing area and a comfortable customer service lounge that offers high-speed internet. In September 2009, we acquired all 3 franchises to make us a Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep Dealer.  This change will only further enhance sales, parts, and service business.

Jorge made such a good impression that this customer is recommending us to everyone!

"The young salesman name was Jorge Cueto. Jorge was a pleasure to work with. He was very friendly and easy to associate with."

Click HERE for more reviews

Maintenance tips for winter!

Don't make compost in your car

As you tackle fall's bounty on your lawn, leave some energy for removing the leaves that find their way into your vehicle.

Leaves, twigs and other organic matter can cause havoc with gutters on your house -- and the equivalent on your car. When debris builds up in areas of your car where water is supposed to flow out, you can get leaks or corrosion.

The air plenum near the windshield is a classic spot where this can happen.

If you have a sunroof, open it up and poke around in there, too. Sunroofs have drains that flow water that sneaks past the seals down to the ground. Leaf gunk in there can make for wet headliners or worse.

Less common, but more problematic: Animals may make nests in the engine compartment or airbox. You may need a mechanic and an animal trapper to fully solve this problem

 

Consider winter tires

So-called "all-season" tires have been on the market for decades. Coupled with front-wheel-drive and anti-skid systems, they have allowed many folks to avoid mounting a true snow tire for the winter months. But there are two trends in tires you should be aware of:

1) Styling priorities have led to manufacturers fitting wider, low-profile tires on a variety of cars. Wide and low profile, on balance, makes a tire worse in the snow. Pressures to improve tire fuel economy have also worked against the snow utility of all-seasons.

2) Winter tires have improved their behavior from the era of knobby snow tires. New tread patterns and rubber compounds make them quieter on dry roads, yet even more effective on frozen stuff.

If you choose to go with winter tires, note that vendors such as The Tire Rack and Discount Tire Direct offer packages with the tires already mounted on a new set of wheels. Switching the entire wheel for the winter is more cost-effective than having two sets of tires mounted on your existing wheels twice a year.

 

Wipers for winter

Fog, snow and rain will cut down your visibility in winter.

Check your wiper blades, which have a lifespan of about a year. If your car doesn’t have the newer "beam blade" style wipers, consider a pair, especially for the winter months. The beam style blades don't have an external spring to freeze up.

When snow or other freezing precipitation threaten, pop your wipers up when you park so they're not touching the windshield. This little trick will make it easier to scrape your windshield and reduce the chance that you burn out the wiper motor by having them turn on while the blades are frozen in place.

 

Is your battery juiced?

Winter puts more stress on your battery, particularly if you park your car outdoors.

Avoid the sinking feeling of hearing nothing when you hit the ignition with a proactive check of your battery and charging system now. Repair shops don't usually charge very much to load-test your battery, and some car-parts stores will do it for free.

If you find out your battery's going south, you can replace it at your convenience, instead of being at the mercy of whomever your dead car’s been towed to. Note that some big-box stores such as Costco offer a good price on batteries for those of you willing to change one yourself (not usually all that hard, though batteries are heavy.) This is many people’s first thought when it comes to winter car care. "Flush and fill" promotional signs abound at service stations as the weather cools.

But chances are good your engine coolant (a better name for it) is just fine for the winter ahead. If you’ve followed your car’s service schedule regularly, give this pitch a pass. Most newer cars have been fitted with coolants that can last as long as five years or 150,000 miles. Read your owner's manual.

If you’ve missed a service interval or have another reason to doubt your coolant, go ahead and have it "flushed and filled." Just make sure your mechanic uses a compatible coolant to refill your car. Some coolants, such as Prestone's Extended Life, work for any car.

If your car has moved to a much colder climate and you’re concerned that your coolant might not be up to the deep freeze, you can check its effectiveness with a simple, under-$10 tester from the car-parts store.

Check your tire pressure

Here are two good reasons to get down there with the gauge and unscrew the valve caps as the weather cools:

1) Tires lose a pound of pressure for every drop of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

2) An underinflated tire won't "bite" through snow down to the pavement as well as one at pressure. It's similar to hydroplaning on water -- and just as dangerous.

Don’t forget to put the valve caps back on when you're done. Letting in moisture, which then freezes, could let the valve core leak out air.

 

Survival kit (of some sort)

Everyone should have a space blanket in the car, tucked in the glove compartment or some other storage space in reach of the driver.

The most complete survival kit in the world won’t do a bit of good if you're upside down in a car you can’t get out of and the kit’s in the trunk.

The shiny space blanket's ability to keep you warm could be a lifesaver -- and it takes up virtually no space and costs less than $10.

Next things we’d add:

•Whistle
•Plastic bag for gathering snow for water
•Plumber's candle & lighter
•Single-edged razor blade (cut up your upholstery for insulation)
•Empty metal soup can (for melting snow with the candle)

You can -- and perhaps should -- keep going (some people suggest packing a wordy novel). The more rural and remote your roads, the more you’ll want.

Wax your lights

Okay, we admit it's a little detail, but in winter’s gloom and short days, every last lumen you can squeeze out of your headlamps is going to improve your safety.

Here's an easy two-minute drill: Make sure the headlamps are clean of dirt, rub car wax (any type will do) on the lamps, let it dry and buff it off. And then apply a second coat. For bonus points, do the taillights.

The slippery surface you leave behind will be less likely to build up an "icicle" coat when road slush refreezes on your car -- and will make it easier to remove it if it does.

 

**Courtesy of Kiplinger

Thanks to our entire team for three fantastic reviews on DealerRater!

"ramon was great and helped so much so thank you so much for that and Tony was great helping me with all the paper work with a POA."

"He also went out of his way to make the buying experience a great one . I would go back any day."

"Willing to really go the extra mile and I would recommend this dealership to anyone interested in a new vehicle even if it requires a longer commute they are worth it."

Click HERE for more reviews

Jeep Grand Cherokee has received more awards over its lifetime than any other SUV!

More than 55 safety features. An advanced Selec-Terrain® system to seamlessly adjust to different driving conditions. Premium Nappa leather-trimmed heated and ventilated seats. With features like these, it's not surprising that the Jeep Grand Cherokee has received more awards over its lifetime than any other SUV.

**Courtesy of Jeep official YouTube channel

Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl

Perhaps no car company has made bigger splashes in the last two years at the Super Bowl than Chrysler, and the automaker's marketing chief, Olivier Francois, said today that he plans to be all over the big game again in February.

Last year, the company made an ad featuring Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood. The spot achieved viral status quickly when pundits charged that Eastwood's lines were politically motivated; meant to appeal to progressive voters/viewers favoring a second term for President Obama. In 2011, agency Wieden & Kennedy burst into the game with a now famous commercial featuring Eminem. Both ads have supported Chrysler's "Imported from Detroit" marketing platform.

Francois briefed reporters Monday at the Detroit Opera House while he also debuted a new series of ads for the Ram brand.

The new spots for the updated Ram 1500 have a theme of "Heaven and Earth," and speak to the lengths to which Ram will go to win over new buyers (read: Ford and Chevrolet truck owners). The brand, spun off from Dodge three years ago to its own franchise, continues using the deep, manly, seemingly tobacco-choked voice of actor Sam Elliott, who also appears in the ads.

We are going to see a lot of this campaign during the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series. "With this truck launch we literally swing for the fences," said Fred Diaz, the head of the Ram division as well as president of Chrysler's Mexican operations. Get it?

Ram has been succeeding by focusing its messaging around the iconic Elliott, as well as making serious upgrades to the 2013 Ram 1500. Ram has also been spending resources targeting the Hispanic audience, whose pickup buying has been on the rise. Ram has seen its share of the light-duty pickup market surge 1.7 points to 17 percent among Hispanics in test markets. Ram has seen its overall share of the light and heavy pickup segment rise from 14.6 percent to 18.4 percent for the first nine months of 2012.

Chrysler did more to the mid-cycle refresh for the Ram than is usually done on a vehicle. But under Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler has made increasing share for the Ram a priority. "What started out as a minor freshening," said Diaz, "turned into a major overhaul." The 2013 Ram, which was already the pickup with the best road manners, got a new air suspension, and a new powertrain lineup including a V6 mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission that returns a segment-best 25 miles per gallon on the highway; giving Ram bragging rights on fuel economy.

 

**Courtesy of AutoBlog

Chrysler launches new Ram ads and gears up for Super Bowl XLV

Perhaps no car company has made bigger splashes in the last two years at the Super Bowl than Chrysler, and the automaker's marketing chief, Olivier Francois, said today that he plans to be all over the big game again in February.

Last year, the company made an ad featuring Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood. The spot achieved viral status quickly when pundits charged that Eastwood's lines were politically motivated; meant to appeal to progressive voters/viewers favoring a second term for President Obama. In 2011, agency Wieden & Kennedy burst into the game with a now famous commercial featuring Eminem. Both ads have supported Chrysler's "Imported from Detroit" marketing platform.

Francois briefed reporters Monday at the Detroit Opera House while he also debuted a new series of ads for the Ram brand.

The new spots for the updated Ram 1500 have a theme of "Heaven and Earth," and speak to the lengths to which Ram will go to win over new buyers (read: Ford and Chevrolet truck owners). The brand, spun off from Dodge three years ago to its own franchise, continues using the deep, manly, seemingly tobacco-choked voice of actor Sam Elliott, who also appears in the ads.

We are going to see a lot of this campaign during the Major League Baseball playoffs and World Series. "With this truck launch we literally swing for the fences," said Fred Diaz, the head of the Ram division as well as president of Chrysler's Mexican operations. Get it?

Ram has been succeeding by focusing its messaging around the iconic Elliott, as well as making serious upgrades to the 2013 Ram 1500. Ram has also been spending resources targeting the Hispanic audience, whose pickup buying has been on the rise. Ram has seen its share of the light-duty pickup market surge 1.7 points to 17 percent among Hispanics in test markets. Ram has seen its overall share of the light and heavy pickup segment rise from 14.6 percent to 18.4 percent for the first nine months of 2012.

Chrysler did more to the mid-cycle refresh for the Ram than is usually done on a vehicle. But under Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler has made increasing share for the Ram a priority. "What started out as a minor freshening," said Diaz, "turned into a major overhaul." The 2013 Ram, which was already the pickup with the best road manners, got a new air suspension, and a new powertrain lineup including a V6 mated to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission that returns a segment-best 25 miles per gallon on the highway; giving Ram bragging rights on fuel economy.

 

**Courtesy of AutoBlog

Great job to Rick and the rest of the team for helping this customer leave with exactly what they wanted!

"I believe that everyone at the dealership made every effort to make our experience painless, and we left with exactly what we came for."

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Check out all our New Car Specials!

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Another happy customer thanks to Bill!

"I would recommend this dealership Mr. Ward, and the sales manager as well. Thanks"

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U.S. Minivan Race: Dodge Grand Caravan Extends Lead!

The most popular minivan in America continues to be the Dodge Grand Caravan, which extended its lead to 10,000+ minivans since last we checked in early July.

While our friends at Honda have maintained their second place standing, the Chrysler Town & Country has edged up a notch to third place with a slim 382 lead over Toyota.

1. Dodge Grand Caravan: 108,127
2. Honda Odyssey: 97,824
3. Chrysler Town & Country: 87,569
4. Toyota Sienna: 87,187

 

But there's still three months to go in 2012. If you're in the market for a minivan -- and want to help the Grand Caravan extend its lead or the T&C get closer to the top -- Fall is the perfect time to shop.

Looking for a good deal? Bet you can find one on the 2012 Grand Caravan and 2012 T&C.

Looking to check out what's new? Both the 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler T&C have available on select models yet another industry first: Blu-Ray dual-screen DVD system.

Other new features in our 2013 minivan lineup include:

2013 Chrysler Town & Country

• Sharper-resolution rear-seat DVD screens for all models
• Two rear-seat USB ports for charging cell phones or MP3 players
• Standard power folding mirrors on Limited and optional on Touring L models

2013 Dodge Grand Caravan

• Offers the lowest starting U.S. MSRP of just $19,995. That's $1,000 less than in 2012.
• New exterior colors include Maximum Steel, Billet Silver and Blue Streak
• Second-row bench seat standard on the AVP model (Stow n’ Go is still available on AVP should you prefer that). The second-row bench seat reclines, folds and is removable for added storage when required.

**Courtesy of Chrysler Blog

Thanks to Ken this customer left very confident in their decision!

"I felt even more confident in my decison. Thank you Mr. Ken you are the best!!!!"

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Take advantage of our $21.95 Express Lane Oil Change!

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We made such a great impression this customer drove 5 hours to purchase a Jeep from us!

"All in all this was the most painless and satisfying vehicle buying experience I have had."

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Would you buy your Van again?

Does your family's idea of a one-day trip look like this?

**Courtesy of Chrysler official YouTube channel

Our no pressure sales got us another great review!

"We made this deal over the Internet and they met every request on price. When I picked up the car I expected the usual high pressure pitch on a service contract but it was never even mentioned. The whole experience was very pleasant and professional."

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5 Tips To Extend the Life of Your Car

1. Be patient during the break-in period

You’ve bought your dream car and now you want to make it last at long as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember as you pull it out of the dealer’s lot:

• During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
• Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials.
• Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods — this is good advice for the life of your car, but especially during breakin. The oil pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of your engine.
• Use only light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine rpms below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving.

2. Drive with care everyday
Being car considerate shouldn’t stop after the break-in. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair.

• Do not race your car’s engine during start-up.This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it’s cold outside.
• Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive.The most wear to the engine and drive train occurs in the first ten to twenty minutes of operation.
• Warming the engine by letting it idle in the driveway is not a smart idea.The engine doesn’t operate at its peak temperature, resulting in incomplete fuel combustion, soot deposits on cylinder walls, oil contamination, and ultimately damaged components.
• Put less strain on your engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. Otherwise, the engine is still working to push the car even while it’s stopped.
• Avoid driving at high speeds and accelerating quickly, especially when it’s very hot or very cold outside. Such driving behavior will result in more frequent repairs.
• Extend the life of your tires with careful driving. Observe posted speed limits. Avoid fast starts, stops, and turns. Avoid potholes and objects on the road. Don’t run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking. And, of course, don’t burn rubber.
• When turning your steering wheel, don’t hold it in an extreme right or left position for more than a few seconds. Doing so can damage the power-steering pump.
• Consolidate your short driving trips. Most of the wear and tear — as well as the pollution your car generates — takes place in the first few minutes of driving. Doing several errands at once, during low traffic hours if possible, will keep your engine happier longer.

3. Buy gas at reputable service stations

Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filters regularly. If you get a song and dance, find another gas station. Some stations don’t have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline. Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly — or worse, water down their product. Find a station you trust and stick to it.

4. Don’t fill up if you see the tanker

If you happen to see a gasoline tanker filling the tanks at your local gas station, come back another day or go to a different station. As the station’s underground tanks are being filled, the turbulence can stir up sediment. Sediment in your gas can clog fuel filters and fuel injectors, causing poor performance and possibly necessitating repairs.

5. Go easy when you’re stuck

When stuck in mud or snow, don’t make the problem worse by damaging an expensive component. Gently rocking in an attempt to free the car is fine. But if it looks as though you’re really stuck, don’t keep at it. Throwing your car from forward to reverse repeatedly, as well as spinning tires at high speeds, can generate lots of heat and spell trouble for transmissions, clutches, and differentials. It may be cheaper in the long run to call the tow truck rather than risk big repair bills down the road. It’s a good idea to carry a traction aid in the trunk, such as sand, gravel, or cat litter.

 

**Courtesy of Readers Digest

Kudos to Don, Keith, Mike and the rest of the sales team for 3 fantastic reviews!

"Found a great deal at Perkins and Don Sack was enjoyable to work with and helped us drive away in our first car, Great atmosphere"

"Working with Keath and his boss Mike made the often difficult and frustrating job of buying a car very easy and comfortable."

"I will definitely be recommending Don Sack and the dealership to everyone. I had a very positive experience when I initially visited the dealer. I needed to return to pick something up. I had the same experience."

Click HERE for more reviews