by L Baures | Dec 28, 2017 | Trusted Auto Pros
With the amount of snow we get here in Wyoming, I’m sure everybody has at least seen that vehicle as pictured below, once, if not twice. It’s kind of a chore to clear snow off your vehicle. Do we have to do it? Is it safe if we don’t?
Picture: Don Landgren
Do You Legally Have To Clear Snow Off Vehicle?
In some States, such as Tennesee, drivers can be charged with misdemeanor reckless driving for not clearing ice/snow. Does it even snow in Tennesse that much? The murfreesboropost.com says that “peephole drivers” who don’t clear all of the windshields can be “…deemed to be “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property”.
What about Wyoming?
If you do a search for the word “snow” in Wyoming Statute Title 31, you’ll likely come across snowmobile laws and tire laws. There isn’t much in the way of a direct, ‘you must clear all the snow off your vehicle’ part. Here is what it does say:
“315955. Windshields and wipers.
(a) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other material or substance upon or crack within the front windshield, side or rear windows of the vehicle which materially obstructs, obscures or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.
(b) The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield, which device shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle. This subsection shall apply to multipurpose vehicles as defined in W.S. 311101(a)(xv)(M) when equipped with a windshield and an enclosed cab.”
The law, in basic layman’s terms, says you must clear all of your vehicle windows from obstruction.
Common sense tells us that flying debris, whatever it might be, can be dangerous. If someone’s brake lights are covered in snow, other drivers won’t know their braking. Snow covered headlights and turn signals can also be hazardous.
Tip: If there is a LOT of snow on your vehicle, use a broom to get the majority of it off. Leave a small layer so the paint doesn’t get scratched. Alternatively, use a foam-tipped broom like the one pictured on the left.
Snow Tips” How to get your Vehicle Unstuck
Reader Question: How Do I Get My Car to Heat Up Faster?
by L Baures | Dec 19, 2017 | Trusted Auto Pros
They are part of the family too!
It’s that special time of the year but don’t forget to add your car and/or pickup to your gift list. You know, that trusty piece of metal that gets you to work or the grocery store every day. The one that keeps you warm, the one that gets the kids to school, the one that lights the way.
(more…) by L Baures | Dec 15, 2017 | Trusted Auto Pros
UConnect is the vehicle platform you’ll find in Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAMs. The 8.4″ color touchscreen is very user-friendly and easy to use. The system is used to control your entertainment such as radio or music via a media device. It also responsible for connectivity like Wifi, maps in navigation and communication such as phones. Kind of like the smartphone equivalent for your vehicle.
Which vehicles have the UConnect system?
These systems starting to appear in vehicles around 2011 although not all vehicles will be equipped with it. If you have this system or not, depends on which vehicle and trim level you have. Various changes and upgrades have been made since then too, so this video may not apply to your exact model. This video is for 8.4″ up until 2017. To check which system you have click here and if you’d like tips or tricks on a different system, let us know.
What are the favorite apps?
The favorite apps on the screen are the ones aligned along the bottom. Standard favorites might be in order from bottom left : Radio, Media, Controls, Apps, Climate, Navigation (if equipped), then Phone.
Why would I want to rearrange the UConnect apps?
Say for example, you are going on a long road and bad weather is forecast for your drive. You might want to have quicker access to the weather information instead of having to find your way to the app whilst driving. To make it more easily accessible you can make it a favorite app. When it’s a favorite app, it will be an icon on the bottom line up of your screen.
How to make an app a favorite
Go to the apps page. Select the app that you’d like to make your favorite. Press and hold the icon of the app with your finger, do not lift your finger. Drag it to the bottom of the screen over the icon you’d like to replace. You will see the app moving under your finger. Once you have it in place, you can then lift your finger. This app will now stay in your favorites until you decide to change it again or replace it with the original if you don’t need it anymore.
by L Baures | Dec 11, 2017 | Trusted Auto Pros
Justin Mancini
Justin is a sales consultant at the Fremont Ford store in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Apple CarPlay
CarPlay is a new software that enables part integration of Apple iPhones with vehicles. Over the last year and into 2018, CarPlay is becoming more popular within new vehicles now available in over 200 models. The idea behind CarPlay is that takes the tasks you’d most likely use your smartphone for and put them right on the vehicle’s built-in screen. It’s almost like having your phone/apps built into your car. It doesn’t copy all of your apps but the most important or likely ones such as the phone itself, messaging and maps. It will also allow access to music loaded on your phone and Pandora radio.
This makes it easier to access those applications without having to pick up your phone whilst driving. Audio dials and buttons built into the vehicle will work with CarPlay. It is customizable to a certain extent with compatible apps. Some of those available at the moment are listed below;
Compatible Apps
Standard iPhone Apps
- Phone
- Music
- Messages
- Maps
- Audiobooks
- Podcasts
Other Apps
- iHeart Radio
- At Bat
- Spotify
- Stitcher
- CBS Radio
- Overcast
- Audiobooks.com
- Audible
- Pandora
- Slacker Radio
- VOX
- NPR One
- Clammr
- Downcast
- Radio Disney
- Amazon Music
- Google Play Music
Phone
You can use SIRI voice commands or touch the screen in your vehicle to bring up the phone app. Dialing number is easy by simply asking Siri to “dial 555-555-5555”. Well maybe not that particular number, but you get the idea. A numbered keypad is available if you have a strong Scottish accent and SIRI doesn’t want to cooperate, you can manually type the number. You can also access your phone book straight from the vehicle screen. What is really nice is that the icons and the text are very big so its pretty easy to read and navigate.
Messages
Messaging is easy (unless Siri doesn’t understand your accent) but for most people, you can touch the message app, Siri will ask you who you want to message (make sure you say it as it’s in your phone book, for example, say “mom” if that’s how its store in your phone. Siri will then ask you what you want to say, recite your message and she will read it back. If its correct she will then ask if you are ready to send it. At this point, you can tell her no or yes.
If a text message is received whilst you are driving, a pop up will appear on the vehicle screen with the name of the sender. You can then tap that pop up and Siri will read the message, then ask if you’d like to reply. Unread messages will appear with a red dot in the corner just as it would on your phone.
Maps
Using the Maps app on your phone means you may not need a navigation system already integrated into the vehicle. Apple Maps can bring up guidance and through CarPlay can also predict destinations based on addresses from text messages, emails, contact and calendar appointments. It also has the ability to search for nearest gas stations, shops and places to eat.
Which iPhone do I need?
iPhone 5’s or newer are compatible with Apple CarPlay.
Don’t have an iPhone?
If your smartphone is Android-based, don’t worry, AndroidAuto is the equivalent vehicle software and is also available on select newer vehicles. Let us know if you’d like us to cover some AndoidAuto features?
Vehicles available from Fremont Motors with CarPlay
Fiat
Buick
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ford
GMC
Jeep
Linoln
RAM
Volkswagen
With some vehicles, it may depend on trim level as to whther CarPlay is included, so feel free check with a salesperson or online if you aren’t sure, or you can send us a message here.
For more information, check out https://www.apple.com/ios/carplay or contact one of the dealerships and go check it out for yourself!
Police Pursuit-Rated Pickup
by L Baures | Dec 7, 2017 | Trusted Auto Pros
Chase Tuttle.
Chase Tuttle is the Business Manager at Fremont Motors Toyota in Sheridan, Wyoming.
We interviewed him to find out a little more, here are the questions we asked;
Where are you from?
“I was born and raised in Lander, Wyoming. i started working at Fremont Motors in Lander, when the Chevy dealership was there and then went over to Riverton, until I move up here”.
How long have you worked in the auto Industry?
“I have been with Fremont Motors for 6 years”.
What is your favorite part of the job (pun intended)?
“My favorite part of the job would have to be customer relationships. Communicating with all the customers that come in, I love talking to people, helping them out and getting them into a vehicle“.
When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
” When I’m not working, a lot of the times what I do is hang out with the family. We like to go to the lake, we have a boat, so we do fishing on the boat or waterskiing or wakeboarding. I do like to go hunting”. Chase has a wife and a 6-year-old daughter. He is passionate about his family and friends. He goes back to Lander as often as he can to visit his parents.
What is your favorite food?
“My favorite food I have to say is Mexican, spicy food”. Chase has taken the spicy chip challenge0- the hottest chip in the world.
What is your favorite Color?
“My favorite color would have to be either blue or green, I love both of them the same”.
How about music. What kind of music do you like?
“I used to be a radio DJ, so I love all music but most of the time I’m listening to some kind of rock. His favorite rock band is Avenged Sevenfold.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
“When I was 14 years old, (my Mom and Dad are originally from California), I took a bus from Riverton, Wyoming all the way down to Long Beach California by myself…I barely survived. The bus broke down outside of Vegas, there was a 14hr delay in Salt Lake City, so my parents ended up just driving down to Salt Lake to come get me”.
What was your first car?
“My first car was an old rust bucket F-150″.
If money was no object, what vehicle would you own?
“My dream car is still the Corvette, one day I will own a Corvette…a Z06 “.
by L Baures | Nov 29, 2017 | Trusted Auto Pros
Bill Vigil
Bill Vigil is the Parts Manager at Fremont Ford and Lincoln in Sheridan, Wyoming.
We interviewed him to find out a little more, here are the questions we asked;
How long have you worked in the auto Industry?
Bill says he has been working in the Ford parts business since August 1978, close to 40 years!
What is your favorite part of the job (pun intended)?
He likes learning about all the new technology that Ford is coming up with. (For being in the business for almost 40 years, there has to have been a lot of changes since then). Bill strives to keep all the right parts in stock as he knows how important it is to keep vehicles on the road.
Where are you from?
Born in Sheridan, Wyoming, Bill has lived there most of his life, other than for a short time when he lived in Ohio.
When you aren’t working, what are you doing?
” I like to watch Law and Order re-runs, drives in the mountains and fishing once in a while. I like to fish for brook trout, they are a little to catch”.
What is your favorite food?
“My favorite food is homemade Mexican, homemade like my Grandma used to make”.
What is your favorite Color?
Bill says his favorite color is Blue, to match the Ford blue logo.
How about music. What kind of music do you like?
“My favorite music is Dr. Hook, I don’t have any brand or type of music, but Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show is about all I listen to”.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
The craziest thing Bill said he has ever done is when he went to the Sturgis bike rally (the last year it was in the city park) for the first time. “That was a crazy situation down there”, he said.
What was your first car?
“My first car was a 1963 Chevy Impala 2 door with a hard black top on it, it was a nice car”.
If money was no object, what vehicle would you own?
“If I could buy any car out there and didn’t have to worry about money, it would be a Lincoln Continental“.
2017 Lincoln Continental Photo: Lincoln Media
Bill is currently participating in a national parts contest, representing Fremont and Wyoming. He probably knows a thing or two about Ford parts, so if you’d like to test that out and chat about Law and Order, give him a call on
(307) 248-5670 or stop by at 1658 Coffeen Avenue, Sheridan, Wyoming. 
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