Category: Car Talk

Keeping Your Older Car Saves You Money!

Keeping Your Older Car Saves You Money!

Prices seem to be out of control these days and new car prices are no exception.  I was shocked to read that a few decades ago you could buy a skyrocket for the price of today’s new cars. Is that where the expression, “prices are skyrocketing” came from? Hmmm…  It just makes financial sense to keep your current car running well and your bank balance healthier.  How do you do that? Here is a list of ways to keep your car for years to come.

  • Pay attention to the warning lights! They really are trying to tell you something.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s preventive maintenance schedules.
  • Keep the oil changed regularly.
  • Wash and wax to keep the outside looking good.
  • Clean the inside frequently.
  • Make sure your tires are properly inflated, rotated in a timely manner, and have good tread.
  • Vehicle alignment is important…especially if you frequently hit potholes.
  • Fluids are the life blood of your vehicle. Have them checked and changed regularly. If you notice leaks on your garage floor or on the pavement where you park your car, get it checked out.  
  • To keep your emergency brake healthy…use it! 

We are here to help keep your vehicle healthy for miles to come!

Renewable Vehicle Materials Attracts Wildlife

Renewable Vehicle Materials Attracts Wildlife

To be “greener”, car manufacturers are using soy-based (and in some cases cannabis) on the wiring covers in vehicles.  Some manufacturers are even using soy in the foam of their car seats.  

It seems mice, rats, squirrels, and other wildlife classified as rodents, enjoy it.  Now, we know that rodents chewing on wiring in cars is nothing new, but since soy has been introduced in wiring components, there has been an uptick in the problem. Why are they attracted to wiring? Rodents’ teeth continue to grow, much like our fingernails, and they chew sticks, branches and yes, wiring, to file them down.  

Chewed or bent wiring can be a very expensive and difficult repair and service.  The best plan of action is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are a few suggestions:

Peppermint Oil – Spray it on the wiring.  Wildlife do not like the smell or taste.  You can find it online or at auto parts stores.  

Keep Your Car Clean – We see a lot of vehicles and can tell many people eat in their cars.  If crumbs are dropped, it is an open invitation to animals to “come and dine!”  

Drive – Cars that aren’t driven for long periods of time are sitting targets for rodents.  They like to build a cozy nest under the hood.  

If you find debris under the hood of your vehicle from rodents, be very careful when trying to clean out the mess.  An airborne disease called Hantavirus is caused from rodent urine and feces.  Always wear gloves and even a face mask to protect yourself.

Most insurance companies will cover this problem if you carry comprehensive.  They may have a deductible though.  It is a good idea to check with your insurance company just in case. When it comes to your car, prevention, as always, is the best solution!

What Do the Best Auto Repair Shops Do?

They go the extra mile, of course, to offer the very best service for your vehicle! The goal is to:

  • Keep your car safe and reliable.
  • Inspect your car every time you are in for service to prevent unexpected breakdowns.
  • Create a complete list of services and/or repairs due now for your review…and those that aren’t needed right now, but in the future.
  • Educate you on the process of how and why services/repairs are needed. This helps you schedule future appointments and enables you to budget for those services/repairs needed.
  • Make your experience as convenient as possible!


How do the best auto repair shops make this happen?

  • A questionnaire is given to customers to determine the goals each customer has for their vehicle.
  • Manufacturer recommended service intervals along with experience and scientific tests are used.
  • Original equipment parts or aftermarket equivalents are used to ensure the best possible service.
  • Offer the best warranty possible to give you peace of mind (3 years or 36,000 miles).
  • Send reminders when services are due and work with your schedule.

Beware – Your Car Can Spy on You!

Cars can do a lot for us these days.  They tell us how to get someplace, let us know when we need the oil changed, update us on tire pressure, remote start, and even let us know if we are stressed and have high blood pressure!  Voice commands are great as it keeps our eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.  This is all good…or is it?

Our cars, like our smart phones and other devices, collect an amazing amount of data on us.  They even share this data! Just like all our connected devices, it can be hacked.  Most people don’t even think about this, and many aren’t aware that their car can upload data to the cloud and other servers.  

What can you do to protect your privacy?  

*Before purchasing a car, always review the privacy policy. Knowing what and how the information is collected and how it is used goes a long way to secure your information.

*When purchasing a used vehicle, make sure the previous owners’ information is wiped clean by requesting a factory reset.

*When selling your vehicle, make sure your information is also wiped clean.

Think of your car as a smart phone on wheels. That will help you make intelligent decisions on what software to download, which online services to access and how to minimize the data collected on you. We all must be more aware these days. We hope this article helps you maintain your privacy.

Keeping Your Vehicle’s Air Cooler and Fresher!

Most all vehicles have a recirculation button with the AC controls. It is the picture of a car with a U-turn arrow on it, but many of us are unsure when to use it.  Well, the easy answer is to use it in the summer and turn it off in the winter. The recirculation button simply takes the air from inside the car and recirculates it in the cabin instead of pulling fresh air from outside. 

On days when it is miserably hot outside, the recirculate button uses the cooler air in the cabin, which will keep the inside air cooler, instead of pulling hot air from outside and trying to cool it. Using the recirculation feature will get your car cooler and will decrease the wear and tear on your AC system.

Here is something that is good to know! If your car has been baking in the sun all day, it’s better to roll the windows down and turn the recirculate off for the first minute or so to get rid of the super-hot air inside the car before turning the recirculate on.

Also, any time you are stuck in traffic (summer or winter) be sure to use the recirculate. If you are pulling air from outside, then you are pulling in all the pollutants and carbon monoxide from all the traffic. Studies show that recirculating your AC can cut down on the pollutants entering your vehicle by 20% when stuck in traffic!

Don’t forget your cabin filter! This will also ensure smooth and quite blower operation and keep out dust and pollen! Have your cabin filter inspected every 15,000 miles.

Certified Automotive Specialists
“Always Glad to Help”
Vermont – 626-963-0814 or Route 66 – 626-852-0908
or visit our website www.CertifiedAutoCa.com
Hometown Service You Can Count On!

The Importance of Spark Plugs

The Importance of Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are essential components in internal combustion engines, serving the crucial function of igniting the air-fuel mixture in the engine’s cylinders. Here’s why they are necessary:

  1. Ignition: Spark plugs produce the spark necessary to ignite the air-fuel mixture within the engine cylinder. This ignition starts the combustion process that generates the power needed to propel the vehicle.
  2. Efficient Combustion: Properly functioning spark plugs ensure efficient combustion of the air-fuel mixture. This efficiency translates to better fuel economy, smoother engine operation, and optimal performance.
  3. Engine Performance: Spark plugs play a significant role in maintaining engine performance. Worn or faulty spark plugs can cause misfires, rough idling, reduced power, and poor acceleration.
  4. Emissions Control: Efficient combustion, facilitated by properly functioning spark plugs, helps minimize harmful emissions produced by the engine. This is crucial for compliance with environmental regulations and reducing the vehicle’s carbon footprint.
  5. Engine Longevity: Regular maintenance of spark plugs contributes to the longevity of the engine. By ensuring that the combustion process is smooth and efficient, spark plugs help prevent damage to engine components caused by incomplete combustion or misfires.

In summary, spark plugs are essential for the proper functioning, performance, and longevity of internal combustion engines. Regular inspection and replacement of spark plugs as needed are vital aspects of vehicle maintenance to ensure optimal engine performance and efficiency.

Always check your owner’s manual or ask your favorite auto shop to see when they need to be replaced. Turbo charged engines might need a 30,000-mile change, while some are 60, 90 or even over 100,000 miles. At any rate, don’t forget your spark plugs.

The Cost of Owning a New Vehicle Climbs Significantly!

The Cost Of Owning A New Car

AAA has released new figures that boggle the mind when it comes to owning and operating a new vehicle.  Take a look!

2023: $34,876 average sticker price 2022: $33,301 average sticker price

2023: $1,015 a month own/operate 2022: $894 a month own/operate

2023: $1,253 annual finance charge      2022: 90% lower annual finance charge

It is interesting to note that new vehicles are projected to depreciate $4,538 per year over a 5-year period.  This is an increase of 24% over 2022. 

It is believed that the global supply chain issues and a reduced inventory of new vehicles has contributed to the cost increase.  Manufacturers are also concentrating on producing larger vehicles with many extra features, and all that costs more for the consumer to purchase and to operate.  

We just wanted to share these numbers with you in case you are in the market for a new vehicle.  It is always good to have the latest figures so you can make an informed decision.

While it’s awesome to buy a new vehicle, we suggest evaluating your existing vehicle to see if it might be better to keep it VS buying that new one.  It’s always better to keep your vehicle if you like it, it suits your needs, and the condition and mileage are within reason.  We can help you to decide if it’s cheaper to keeper.

Certified Auto Specialists: the friendlier and more helpful auto shop! Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions and we will be glad to help.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

How Often Should You Have Your Car Serviced?

How Often Should You Have Your Car Serviced?

I know in this day and age it is sometimes difficult to remember certain appointments…like going to the dentist or the doctor every six months…or having your vehicle serviced at least twice a year!  You can ignore it until suddenly you aren’t feeling your best, or you experience a toothache, or your car breaks down.  

Here is what your car’s owner manual tells you should happen and how often.  We recommend you visit us every six months to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape!

Your owner’s manual states that every time you stop for fuel you need to:

  • Check engine oil level and add as required
  • Check windshield washer solvent and add if required

Once a month you are supposed to:

  • Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or damage
  • Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as required
  • Check fluid levels of coolant reservoir, power steering, brake master cylinder, and transmission and add as needed
  • Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct operation

At every oil change you are supposed to:

  • Inspect exhaust system
  • Inspect brake hoses
  • Rotate tires at each oil change interval shown on schedule “A” (Highway miles) or every other interval as shown on schedule “B” (Stop and go miles)
  • Check coolant level, hoses, and clamps
  • Examine threaded fasteners for looseness

That is what the kindly, full-service gas station attendant used to do for us.  Now that everything is self serve, we tend to drive up, fill up and drive off. Think about it. Do you check your engine oil level or your washer solvent at each fuel stop?  Every month, do you check your tire pressure, inspect your battery, and check fluid levels, lights and other electrical items?  Many drivers never lift the hood of their car or even looks at their tires, much less check the pressure.  Some, when it is time for an oil change are adamant that we just change their oil as they are in a hurry and everything else seems fine.  

It is true that our cars are increasingly sophisticated pieces of machinery and that our oil is better able to withstand a couple of extra thousand miles between changes but how about all those other services that the gas station attendant used to take care of for us?  Sadly, the answer for the most part is no one!  You should at least have your vehicle serviced twice a year at the minimum. If you don’t, think about what can go wrong between visits without someone lifting the hood and someone checking your tire pressure and fluid levels.  

Remember, we love cars, trucks and SUV’s!  We want them to run at peak efficiency so that they are safe and reliable for you.  Don’t be a stranger.  Stop on by and let us lift the hood for you.

Certified Auto Specialists: the friendlier and more helpful auto shop! Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions and we will be glad to help.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!