Automotive FAQ

Good independent shops generally have more diagnostic equipment than dealerships and are better diagnosticians, because they have to know about many kinds of vehicles. These are usually your best bet for out-of-warranty repairs and even repairs done under some extended service contracts that you may have purchased from your car dealer.

Your technician should be like a your doctor. He should know everything about your car, so that when you have a problem it is easier to diagnose. No one knows your car better than you, so don't ignore small warning signs.

• Let them know about weird smells, sounds, drips, leaks, warning lights, unusual gauge readings and smoke
• Tell him about your car's acceleration, gas mileage, change in fluid levels, change in steering, handling and braking.
• Tell him when problems first became apparent and under what driving conditions.
• Consider writing down a list of symptoms or keeping a log of possible problems.

All of this information will be helpful to your technician and will save you a lot of money over the life of your vehicle.

Finding a shop you trust can be difficult, especially if you are new to an area. If you are like most people, referrals from friends and family are important. Other criteria to consider are:

• Experience of the technician and the owner/manager. Good shops will have the credentials of their technicians on display.
• The type of warranty offered on parts and labor for work performed.
• Condition of the facilities.
• Availability of the necessary tools and equipment to do the job right. Ask for references.

I Want 200,000 Miles Plus Out of My Car

With the cost associated with any vehicle it becomes very important to protect that investment. To keep your vehicle dependable, safe and performing at its best is no accident. The average vehicle on the road today is 8 to 10 years old and the average driver drives between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year. This is why proper care and maintenance is so important. Industry studies have shown it is more economical to properly maintain a vehicle for 100,000 to 200,000 miles than it is to trade in this vehicle every 2 to 4 years. Listed below are some basic vehicle care and maintenance ideas

1. Purchasing the proper vehicle for your needs, you would not want to buy a half ton truck if you wanted to carry one ton of equipment all the time, or buy a high performance sports car to use in a newspaper route. You need to assess your needs and do your homework before you buy.
2. Use a good grade of fuel and the proper fuel in your vehicle. Most vehicles on the road today are designed to use the regular grade or 87 octane grades. There can be some advantages to using a higher grade fuel or the higher octane levels. To find out what fuel grade is recommended for your vehicle refer to your owner’s manual

   Fuel injection systems are used in most vehicles on the road today. The proper fuel is very important. It is also very important to keep the injector clean and keep the intake clean from carbon buildup. A fuel injection service and decarbonization service should be performed every 12 to 24 months.

   Fuel injection systems are used in most vehicles on the road today. The proper fuel is very important. It is also very important to keep the injector clean and keep the intake clean from carbon buildup. A fuel injection service and decarbonization service should be performed every 12 to 24 months.
   

   To help keep the fuel injection system clean it is a good idea to add a good fuel injector cleaner and conditioner to your fuel tank every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. A good time to do this is at your oil service intervals.

3. The condition of the exterior and interior of your vehicle will add value when it comes time to trade; as well as make it more pleasurable to drive. There is no logic to the statement “a clean, good looking vehicle performs better,” but it does! I guess that’s human nature.
4. Vehicle maintenance is one of the most important aspects to vehicle safety, longevity, and value. It is also one of the most neglected areas in vehicle care. With any vehicle you will have the normal wear items such as brakes, tires, drive belts, etc; in addition to the needed repairs that accompany any mechanical vehicle from your first wagon you played with as a child to the space shuttle.

   Every vehicle comes with an owner’s manual which is a good source for maintenance schedules. I think this is a guideline that should be used, but if you are looking for those 100,000 to 200,000 miles plus out of your vehicle you need to improve on that basic maintenance plan.

   Most mechanical and hydraulic system failures in your vehicle is related to heat or poor lubrication that comes with either normal wear, lack of service or fluid contamination. It is very important to keep all fluids and hydraulic systems at the proper level, clean, free of contamination and moisture build up and serviced properly. You want to keep moving parts lubricated and inspected for wear. Keep all ignition and fuel systems performing properly.

   This not only adds to the longevity of your vehicle, but also has the hidden advantage of better fuel mileage which will save on fuel cost. That can be a major savings today. Have your vehicle repaired when the problem starts and do not wait until it becomes a major repair problem. This will help with the cost of repairs in most cases. An annual complete comprehensive vehicle inspection will help in all areas above and in the long run, your vehicle will be less costly to operate, more reliable, last longer and you will be driving a safer vehicle; an advantage to everyone on the road today.

5. Find a good professional repair shop that you can trust and build a working relationship with. This is an advantage for you, your family and the repair shop. The repair shop will get to know you, your vehicle, how the vehicle is used, and has the repair history on your vehicle. Vehicle history and the way your vehicle is used can be very important in the maintenance requirements of your vehicle and vehicle longevity.
6. Use the proper oils and fluids in your vehicle. Today’s vehicles use many different types of oils and fluids in their newer or improved systems. The best source for this information is your owner’s manual or a reference guide most repair shops have. It is not recommended to mix some fluids and this may vary from car to car. If you are not sure please consult your manual.

The TUNE UP isn’t what it used to be.

NO TUNE-UP FOR 100,000 MILES! Sounds incredible? But that’s what some carmakers are claiming. Has new technology rendered the tune-up unnecessary? The truth is, the term tune-up – as we’ve known it – has become obsolete. The term dates back to the days when engines were cranked by hand and the spark to fire the spark plugs was generated in a fancy-looking, varnished wooden box.

The ignition box often need to be adjusted to the right pitch, hence the tune-up. In those days before electronic engine controls and onboard computers, the basic engine timing, distributor point gap, fast idle and automatic choke often needed to be adjusted, usually at the same time the spark plugs needed replacing. A tune-up meant changing the plugs, points and condenser and making any necessary adjustments for the engine to run at peak power and efficiency. Modern computer controlled and fuel injected engines don’t need those adjustments. The computer does all the adjusting. When it comes to the 100,000 mile tune-up, carmakers mean that under normal driving conditions, they anticipate that the spark plugs on certain engine models will not need to be changed for 100,000 miles.

Today’s sophisticated engines are held to higher standards of efficiency. To meet ever-stricter emission controls, they need to be checked periodically to ensure they are operating efficiently. A simple vacuum leak or dirty air filter could dramatically decrease fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. A lump of carbon or small quantity of oil could foul a spark plug. Left unrepaired until the recommended tune-up interval, increased fuel consumption costs and potential damage to expensive parts, like the oxygen sensor or catalytic converter, far exceed any money saved by assuming nothing need to be done until a tune-up is recommended. Remember, potentially longer-lasting spark plugs don’t guarantee an engine will run efficiently without any attention.

Generally, aside from spark plugs, the need for servicing remains the same. Filters should be changed regularly and at about 50,000 miles, ignition wires may need replacing. The distributor cap and rotor may show some wear and fuel injectors may get dirty. To help avoid unnecessary tune-ups, have your engine analyzed annually

Important Items to Carry in Your Vehicle:

• Jumper cables
• Pliers, an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver
• A first-aid kit
• Blankets
• A supply of any regularly needed or taken medications
• Candles and matches
• Sand or kitty litter for climates with snow or ice
• Clean water
• Canned fruit or nuts and a can opener

Source Automotive Service Association (ASA)