A closeup of hand coating car paint

Auto Detailing: Why Your Vehicle Will Thank You

I know you’ve experienced this situation. You get in the car. Then you put your phone on the console. Next, you move to get situated and that’s when it happens. Your phone slips off the console and falls between the seat and your console. You then let out a frustrated sigh as you try to squeeze your hand down to find your phone. Now this is where it gets interesting, almost nostalgic. You bring your hand back up grasping a pen, some hair, a morsel or two of food, and those ear buds you thought you lost. Yes, this is the moment you think to yourself, “When was the last time I detailed my car?”

 

Beautiful on the Inside and Out

When most people think of auto detailing, they think of cleaning the inside of their vehicle. Vacuuming the carpet, wiping down the console and dash, and putting up one of those scented tree deodorizers. Auto detailing consists of so much more. At Godwin Motors, we keep your vehicle for the day because of the amount of care we put in to making sure your car or truck is pristine on the inside and outside. Here are details about what our auto detailing package includes for $165:

 

Interior Process

  • Vehicle is vacuumed, including the trunk or hatch area
  • Shampoo and deodorize rugs (including trunk and hatch), floor-mats and cloth seats
  • Leather cleaning and treatment (prevents UV damage, cracking and drying)
  • Spot clean carpets, cloth seats and headliner
  • Window cleaning
  • Clean air vents, door panels, dash, console, steering column, cup holders and mirrors

 

Exterior Process

  • Application of auto paint sealant that is UV protectant
  • Clean wheel wells, tires, wheel covers and rims
  • Window cleaning
  • Clean and polish chrome trim
  • Cleaning door jambs and thresholds
  • Clean and dress (with UV protectant) exterior vinyl, rubber and plastic
  • Clean engine top side
  • Apply protectant on all hoses, wires, etc.

 

Your Car Will Thank You

Now, you might think that going over to the gas station and driving through the automated car wash and then using the vacuum for as long as your quarters last should be enough, but it’s not. Some automated car washes can actually damage your paint job because it doesn’t use enough water or the brushes that clean your car have too much dirt stuck to them. It is recommended to use pressurized car washes that just use water and soap with no contact at all, meaning nothing lands on your car’s surface except soap and water. The vacuuming you do is not getting rid of all the dirt, scum, and germs in your car and we all know that the gas station vacuum can’t reach in those hard-to-reach areas. It’s worth it to invest a little more money into detailing your vehicle the right way at Godwin Motors. It’s easy to schedule an appointment on our website. Detailing your car at least twice a year will increase your car’s resale value and help your car look newer for longer.

 

Engine Light on Speedometer

Why did my check engine light stay on?

The first thing you need to know when dealing with the check engine light is that there’s absolutely no need to panic. Panicking can only lead to making things worse, so just take a deep breath and remain calm, and try to make your way safely to us here at Godwin Motors. Your check engine light coming on does not mean that you are in any danger. There’s a very slim chance that your car might stop working, but your engine isn’t about to blow up or anything like that. Read the rest of this entry >>

Car driving towards pothole

What causes potholes and how do I avoid them?

Some of the biggest problems on the road all-year round are potholes. Whether big and obvious or small and sneaky, they act as a huge detriment to all motorists on the road no matter what type of vehicle you’re driving. If you’ve ever wondered what caused potholes, we thought we’d start this blog there. But then we’ll dive into how to avoid them and, ultimately, how to report them to the city when you encounter them. Read the rest of this entry >>

Share the Love: Autos For Opportunities

With February already in full swing, you have probably seen your fair share of heart filled candy boxes and plush teddy bears. As Valentine’s Day approaches, we express and share our love with loved ones. But what if we shared some of that love with our community? That’s exactly what we, Godwin Motors, intend to do this month and throughout the year through the Autos for Opportunities program.

Autos for Opportunities Program

Godwin Motors has partnered with the Cooperative Ministry to help donate and bring awareness to their Autos for Opportunities program. The Autos for Opportunities program helps provide vehicles for those in need of transportation to and from work. They accept donated cars of any condition. Instead of trading your used vehicle, or going through the hassle of selling it yourself, consider Autos for Opportunities and forever change the life of someone in need. Help keep Midlands working poor employed. Your donated vehicle can be someone’s transportation to work or used to provide financial support for The Cooperative Ministry programs and services. When you donate, you may qualify for a tax write-off and pick up is free. You can find additional information at http://www.coopmin.org/how-we-help/c-a-r-community-auto-repository/ .

Helping Our Community

Think of the amazing impact one donated vehicle could have on someone in your community. Godwin Motors’ goal is to donate 6 cars to the Autos for Opportunities program this year. We will also co-host a free financial sustainability class on Saturday, April 28th. This class is open to the public and may answer questions you have about your own financial goals. Children are welcome and will have their own breakout session. Lunch will be provided. The Cooperative Ministry has more information on upcoming classes: http://www.coopmin.org/how-we-help/financing-your-future/ .  We are so excited to partner with the Cooperative Ministry and help give back to Columbia. It’s important to us to share our love across the community and help bring awareness to programs that are close to our heart.

 

Man inspecting the car

New Year Maintenance Checklist

A new year can bring a fresh start, resolutions, and new goals. Whether you are going to eat healthier, save more money, or find more time for family, you have mapped out some sort of plan on how to do those things in 2020. Just as we want to take care of our bodies and maintain a healthy lifestyle, our vehicles need the same kind of attention. The start of a new year is the perfect time to review a maintenance checklist for your vehicle. A checklist will help you schedule maintenance throughout the year and budget for some of the pricier items your car or truck may need. Then you can stick to “being a better car owner” this year!

No Hassle Maintenance (3-6 months)

Car maintenance doesn’t mean you have to go to a mechanic. Some of these items are things you can do yourself and are hassle-free. Here are some maintenance items you should check every 3-6 months:

Ensure Your Horn Works: There are people that never use their horn and would never know it wasn’t working until they needed it. Honk your horn ever so often to ensure it works.

Check for Fluid Leaks: Simply checking your garage floor or driveway for fluid puddles or stains can indicate a fluid leak.

Check Headlights for Damage: Make sure both headlights are working properly and make sure there are no cracks or darkened areas.

Check Tire Pressure: Newer cars have tire pressure monitoring systems that will alert you if your tire pressure goes below the expected level. If you have an older car without a TPMS, you can check with a tire pressure gauge or stop by a gas station that has one. It’s a good idea to check your tire tread and sidewalls at the same time.

Windshield and Wipers: Examine your windshield for any cracks and replace your windshield wipers if needed. Your washer fluid will need to be topped off as well.

Check Coolant Level: Add more if necessary.

Oil & Filter Change: Changing your oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles keeps your engine running smoothly.

Maintenance Matters (6-12 months)

Your owner’s manual can be a good guide to specific procedures and provide you with a vehicle repair list, but you’ll need to make sure to get these checked off your list every 6-12 months:

Brake Inspection: Don’t take chances with your brakes! Get them checked even if there aren’t any signs there’s something wrong.

Examine Your Spare Tire: Have you checked to see if you even have a spare tire? If you do, check the condition of the tire for any damage.

Check All Fluid Levels: This includes oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and power steering fluid.

Detail Your Vehicle: If you’re not in the habit of cleaning your car regularly than you’ll need a full detail (inside and out). This will help maintain the value of your car.

Polish Windshield and Headlights: You don’t realize how much dust and grime get layered onto your windshield and headlights. You’d be amazed at how this can reduce your visibility at night and in the rain.

Rotate Tires: You want to make sure your tires are wearing evenly to reduce damage and last longer.

AC Inspection: Don’t sweat it! Help keep your system running smoothly and operating efficiently.

Check It Off Your List

The experienced team at Godwin Motors has all the knowledge and the training that they need to operate on your vehicle and help you check these items off your list. We can do it all from oil changes, brakes and tires to transmission diagnosis. If you don’t know if it’s time for a bigger service item, like replacing an engine or timing belts or a tune-up, give us a call and we’ll be glad to let you know when to schedule that service. Head into the new year with a new appreciation for your vehicle!

2014 Chevy Camaro

Can I use my tax return refund for down payment on a car?

You’re probably aware that we’re currently smack dab in the middle of tax season. Thursday is the official cutoff for employers to get W2s to their employees, which means you could be filing your taxes as early as sometime this week – if you haven’t already, that is, some companies are good about getting these things out early. With that in mind, you might be thinking about what to use your possible tax return on, considering refunds have averaged nearly $3,000 in recent years. Some people pay off debts, others take a vacation, but you can also utilize it to make a big purchase you’ve been considering, something like a down payment on a car, perhaps? Read the rest of this entry >>

Brakes

Before Your Brakes Fail

Have you ever heard your car squeal like a pig? Did you think to get your brakes checked or figured it would just go away? Our vehicles make lots of different noises, but squealing, grinding, clicking, and pulsating are usually not a good sign. And those sounds tend to get worse the longer you ignore them. Listen to your car and check with an expert before your brakes fail.

Be a Good Listener

Don’t think that your antilock brake system (ABS) light has to come on for there to be a problem with your brakes. Yes, you definitely need to pay attention to that light since there might be a wiring or electrical problem, but there are other signs you need to be concerned about. Here are some sounds associated with brake failure:

 

  • Squealing  (might mean your brake pads are wearing thin)
  • Grinding  (could mean you’ve worn down to the rotors)
  • Clicking  (spring mechanism holding your brake pad down may be broken)
  • Pulsating  (could be a warped drum or rotor)

 

You should also be concerned if your vehicle seems to pull from one side to the other or drags a little more when hitting the gas. This could be a problem with your emergency brakes, alignment, or fluid leaking on the brake pads.

 

Avoid an Accident

The last thing you want to happen is to get in an accident due to failed brakes. Regular maintenance can help you avoid the nightmare of not being able to stop before it’s too late. Godwin Service, Godwin Motors’ in-house full-service center, can help you diagnose whether the sounds you are hearing are brake related or not. You can now get quotes for your auto repair anytime with OpenBay repair and maintenance estimator. Just enter in some quick information about your vehicle and receive a quote. Make an appointment at http://www.godwinmotors.com/schedule-car-maintenance-or-auto-repair-columbia-sc . We also offer a Winter Maintenance Package that includes checking your brake wear along with all the other maintenance you need during cold weather months. Take advantage of the discount at http://www.godwinmotors.com/car-coupons-columbia-sc .

Hand changing oil under the hood

Where should I get my oil changed in Columbia SC?

Now that you’ve clicked into this blog and have subsequently realized that it’s posted on Godwin Motors’ website, you probably already know what our answer to the question up above is going to be. Where should you get your oil changed in Columbia SC? Godwin Motors, of course. But instead of just giving you our biased opinion, we thought we’d explain to you exactly why you should be getting your oil changed here in our service department. Read the rest of this entry >>

2016 Nissan Altima Exterior

Used Nissan Altima Columbia SC

For more than two and a half decades, the Nissan Altima has been one of the top options on the small sedan marketplace. Belonging first to the compact car segment from ’92 to ’01, before increasing in size and joining the ranks of what is probably the deepest segment on the market, the midsize sedans. For a short time between ’07 and ’13, a two-door coupe version of the vehicle was introduced as well, and it returned to its compact segment roots. But now, the Nissan Altima has entered its sixth generation for the 2019 model year, leaving behind 27 years of used models from which to choose. If you’re shopping for a used Nissan Altima in the Columbia SC area, look no further than right here at Godwin Motors. Read the rest of this entry >>

Handshake

Buy Here Pay Here Financed Vehicles Columbia SC

Everyone has different circumstances. We understand that here at Godwin Motors, but we also understand that a lot of people require transportation to get to work and other necessary locations. If you’re in the market for a buy here pay here financed vehicle in the Columbia SC area, consider browsing our inventory, because we understand your circumstances better than most. Read the rest of this entry >>