J.D. Byrider

Gilbert resident Bob Hirst, 50, co-owner of the J.D. Byrider used car dealership in Chandler, said frustration pushed him to spend a Saturday a month cleaning up Chandler neighborhoods with Live Love.

“I turned 50 last year and I’ve got my own business and two kids that are 22 and 24,” he said. “I hit kind of this time of life and said, ‘Man, especially in this economy, everything’s not working out exactly like I thought it would.’”

He said that frustration drew him to refocus on some of the basic principles of Christianity, particularly the goal of helping others.

“We all realize that there’s a lot more needy people out there than we knew and that we could be one of them at any time,” he said. “It was that realization that this could be me and maybe I need to lend a hand.”

J.D. Byrider is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in used car sales this year and has helped over 800,000 people get the cars and financing they need to get on with their lives. During these tough economic times, an even larger group of people have found themselves with less-than-perfect credit. J.D. Byrider provides good cars for people who need credit and, after 20 years of business, has an understanding of what vehicles stand up best over time. And, they’re one of the few companies in the buy here pay here field to offer a warranty on their vehicles. Visit J.D. Byrider to view a location near you.

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Fall is in the air, and football season is in full swing. Halloween is right around the corner. That means it’s time to think about getting your vehicle ready for the winter. Whether you live in California or Massachusetts, Georgia or Indiana, it’s a good idea to winterize your car. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Check your wiper blades. Cold weather can be tough on windshield wipers. Freezing temperatures can cause the rubber wiper blades to crack and become less effective. Change your wiper blades if necessary, and make sure you have plenty of windshield fluid.
• Take a look at your tires. Depending on where you live, you may face more challenging road conditions during the winter, including snow and frozen rain. You’ll want to make sure your tires grip the road, so check for wear on the tire treads. In some climates, you may want to consider snow tires.
• Monitor antifreeze levels. It’s important to have the appropriate levels of antifreeze to protect your radiator. You can ask your auto service technician to check your antifreeze levels. Or you can purchase a tester at an auto parts store and check it yourself.
• Make sure you have the right oil. Some auto manufacturers recommend using a lower viscosity oil in very cold climates. Check your auto owner’s manual or ask your service technician if this applies to your car.
• Carry a cold weather kit. If it snows where you live, it’s important to make sure you carry an ice scraper in your car. A snow brush is also a good idea. Some savvy winter drivers also carry emergency supplies such as extra gloves, a heavy coat or blanket and sand or gravel to gain traction on icy roads.

No matter where you live, it’s important to get your car ready for the upcoming winter. These tips can help you get started.

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