Burnsville Motors: June 2015

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

America's Top Road Trips

America's Top Road Trips that you can experience in your new vehicle!

Pacific Coast Highway, CA

A drive down the PCH wouldn't be complete without a stop in the charming coastal town of Monterey. It's home to Monterey Bay Aquarium; take your time exploring the massive facility because it's one of the country's best—then check in to Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa for the night.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana

This 50-mile road in northwest Montana is a National Historic Landmark and cuts Glacier National Park in half. The two-lane, east-west drive takes you through the variety of landscapes that the park is famous for—from forests and lakes to glacial-covered mountain peaks and deep ravines. Along the way, there's a good chance you'll spot bighorn sheep, mountain goats and other wildlife.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina

For prime photo ops, drive the Blue Ridge Parkway during the fall. The foliage starts to turn at the end of September, and colors are at their most vibrant in October.

Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Start off on Highway 101 in Seattle for this 330-mile loop around the Olympic Peninsula to take in the picturesque shorelines and waterfalls of Washington state, as well as the snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Mountains, and even the Hoh and Quinault rainforests.

Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania and Delaware

Located between southern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, this 12-mile stretch from Kennett Square, Pa. to Wilmington, Del. may be the shortest of our trips, but it's no less worthy of a drive. Routes 100 and 52 wind through the scenic country of the Brandywine Valley that once was home to the über-rich American aristocracy of the 20th-century, and the roads are still lined with their summer estates, including the 982-acre residence owned by the late Henry Francis du Pont.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

This 40-mile trip that winds through Cape Cod on Route 6A will take you past a variety of quaint East Coast towns—think Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster and Orleans—so you can explore the historic charm of the area.

Columbia River Highway, Oregon

Construction began on Oregon's historic Columbia River Highway in 1913—it was considered one of the greatest engineering feats at that time. Today the highway is a National Historic Landmark and offers drivers spectacular views of the area's waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, and numerous overlooks along the Columbia River Gorge.

Red Rock Country, AZ

Begin your Arizona adventure relaxing at Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician in Phoenix. Then hit the road for this 100-mile drive on Interstate 17 north to see the Montezuma Castle National Monument, an impressively preserved ancient cliff dwelling. Next follow State Route 179 north (it's also known as the Red Rock Scenic Byway) to Sedona and visit the Slide Rock State Park where you can slide down the natural waterslides carved into the rock.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Smell the warning signs

Most vehicles start out with a “new car smell,” but there are other specific odors that motorists should never ignore. Identifying these suspect smells early on can help car owners be car care aware and avoid the hassle and expense of an unexpected breakdown.

Unusual smells can be the sign of serious, and potentially costly, trouble for your vehicle. By acting quickly and making necessary repairs, you’ll be able to breathe easy knowing there is no harmful damage to your car.

We recommends a sniff test of your vehicle to identify any unusual smells, including the following six warning signs:

1. The smell of burnt rubber could be slipping drive belts or misplaced loose hoses that might be rubbing against rotating accessory drive pulleys. Do not reach in if the engine compartment is hot.

2. The smell of hot oil could mean that oil is leaking onto the exhaust system. To verify the leak, look for oil on the pavement or smoke coming from the engine area.

3. The smell of gasoline is likely the sign of a gas leak in some area of the vehicle such as a fuel injector line or the fuel tank. Any smell of fuel can result in a possible fire hazard, so immediate attention should be given.

4. The sweet smell of syrup may be a sign that your car is leaking engine coolant from a leaky component related to the car’s cooling system. Do not open the radiator cap when it is hot.

5. The smell of burning carpet could be a sign of brake trouble and a safety hazard. Have your brakes checked right away, especially if this smell is happening during normal driving conditions.

6. The smell of rotten eggs is never a good one and, if you smell it coming from your vehicle, it could mean a problem with your catalytic converter not converting the hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust to sulfur dioxide properly. This smell can also be attributed to a poor running engine, causing the catalytic converter to become overloaded and fail due to meltdown.

When you smell any peculiar odor, you should not ignore it. Instead bring your vehicle to a professional service technician that you trust to get an informed opinion on the nature of the odor.

If your current car isn't doing you so good, stop on in to Burnsville Motors for a reliable and trustworthy car!