Category: Car Talk

Abraham Lincoln and Tire Tread

Car Talk

Customers look at me strangely when I tell them they can use the Abraham Lincoln method to test their tire tread.  Actually we are talking about using a penny.  Place the penny within the tire’s grooves and channels.  Insert the penny so that Abraham Lincoln’s head faces downward. If the tire tread hides his face, your tires don’t need to be replaced.  If you can see all of Abe’s face, it is time to replace your tires!

 

Keeping tires properly inflated increases their service life.  Under-inflated tires lose tread around the outside edges.  Over-inflated tires loose tread near the center.  Your car care provider should rotate the tires every six months to help prevent tread wear.

 

Also with record gas prices, properly inflated tires with save you more than a penny, improper inflation can cause a loss of

1-3% of you fuel economy. Many cars have tire monitoring systems to ensure correct pressure, please don’t ignore them.

 

When it is time to buy new tires, make sure they match the specs listed on the car’s placard that can be found in the glove box, the gas filler door, on a car door edge or on a visor.  All four tires need to be the correct size, all the same size; all have the same construction and speed rating.  All four tires need to be balanced and aligned.  Last note on tires: shop smart and ask questions, less expensive tires can also cost MPG, so explore all your tire brand options.

 

Your car care provider will keep an eye on your tires, most times for free, and know exactly which tires are best for your vehicle when it is time to replace them.

 

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814.

Happy Motoring!

Today’s Car Batteries Ain’t What They Used To Be!

 

Car Battiers

Our cars today are comprised of many small computers or as we call them…modules.  They are busy controlling every aspect of our driving experience now including charging the battery.  We all remember how it used to be…you try to start your car and nothing happens or you get the dreaded click, click, click.  In the past you would get out the jumper cables, get another car lined up to yours, attach the cables very carefully and correctly to each battery and in a few minutes you were good to go…at least for a little while.  This gave you time to get the battery tested and if it was a case of leaving your lights on it is probably okay…if not…you just get a new battery installed and you are on your way…problem solved.

Today’s car batteries are more complex (most are glass mat constructed) and if you try to jump start your vehicle it could be bad news.  It could cause a surge of energy to pass through the car that could potentially damage a module or multiple modules.  This is especially true if the keys are left in the ignition or the key is turn to the on position.

In the not too distant past a car battery could be fully recharged in an hour.  Today’s batteries not only require a special charger, it should be charged slow and steady. The old style chargers on these new style batteries may not do a complete charge.  Obviously, if you have a new style battery, this is may not be the time to “do it yourself” at home.  I recommend taking the battery to a qualified repair shop for a complete electrical system test.

Qualified technicians will also know to check the battery for what we call parasitic draw.  Sounds bad, I know, but it is not a bug or other type of creature, it is a slow drain on your car’s battery.  It seems okay at first after a recharge and can go for a day or even longer before it drains again to a non-starting point.  When your battery and alternator are checked the technician can determine what the problem is there and then and that saves you time which of course, saves you money.

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814

 

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

 

Spare Tire

Goodbye Spare Tire?

Spare Tire

Remember when cars had a full size spare tire? Then they went to the small temporary spare tire called the donut, (that reminds me I need to stop at the world-famous donut man in Glendora for a strawberry one). Now, in order to save weight, many manufacturers are doing away with the spare tire altogether on certain models.  Certainly less weight increases gas mileage.  It is also easier and less expensive to shed weight from a car, than to introduce technology to save fuel. This year about 14 percent of new model cars in the United States have no spare tire.

 

The tire repair kit which replaces the spare tire, weighs in at about 20 pounds less than a spare tire and a jack assembly and do not take up much room either. But what should you do if you happen to get a flat? The car manufacturers are supplying a quick-fix kit instead.

 

If you get a major blow out that is larger than a quarter of an inch, or if the puncture is on the side of the tire instead of the bottom, the repair kit won’t do the job and you will need to be towed.  The manufacturers figure that in most cases the repair kit will do the job as it should take care of flats 85 percent of the time.

 

The manufacturers also feel that TPMS (tire pressure monitoring systems) will alert you in most cases that you have a leak which you can fix before you have a flat. So if the low tire light sends a signal, don’t ignore it. If you buy a new car, you might want to look for the spare tire.

 

Manufacturers have been mandated by the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards and are scrambling to get better gas mileage (an average of 54.5 miles per gallon) by 2025 and are doing all they can to make it happen. Not every manufacturer is using this method to help their cause but it is something you need to be aware of.  You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere and start looking for a spare that you aren’t going to find.

 

We have a new program that gives you a 6-month road side assistance and up to $150 of tire coverage should you need it, ask us for details.

 

Certified Auto Specialists wants to be your GO-TO place! Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions and we will be glad to help.

 

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Cars Through The Ages: 1991-2016

Here is our final segment of Cars Through the Ages!  In many ways we have come a long way but it seems we still have more exciting times ahead of us in the car industry.  I wonder when self-driving cars will be common place and what about flying cars?  We live in exiting times!

 

Cars Through The Ages: 1991-2016


1991 – 2000
1991 – The Cadillac comes standard with anti-lock brakes.
1992 – Chrysler minivan line has integrated child safety seats available.
1993 – Fiat buys Maserati
1994 – Volvo has side impact protection airbags.
1995 – Only one state in the USA doesn’t have mandatory seat belt laws.
1996 – The new Jeep Wrangler has coil springs.
1997 – Cadillac offers automatic stability control.
1998 – Dual airbags become standard in passenger cars.
1999 – Ford buys Volvo.
2000 – Ford buys LandRover.

 

2001 – 2010
2001 – BMW releases the new Mini.
2002 – Rolls-Royce is all BMW and Bentley is all Volkswagen.
2003 – Rolls-Royce Phantom is ready for delivery.
2004 –  Volkswagen’s all-new Golf named Car of the Year
2005 – New car coating -polyurethane film – park car in sun and the scratch will be gone in an hour.
2006 – 30,000th Aston Martin is produced.
2007 – Manufacturers around the world more concerned with building eco-friendly vehicles.
2008 – Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) is required on new cars and light trucks.
2009 – GM announces 2007 losses of $39 billion – the largest ever by a US car manufacturer.
2010 –  Nissan will put a pure EV on the road in the U.S. and Japan in 2010 in small volumes.

 

2011 – 2016
2011 – With a groundbreaking combination of range, room and price, the Nissan Leaf is the first all-electric car for the masses.
2012 – People’s Car Once Again: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Attracting Both Sexes
2013 – Car sales make comeback in 2013
2014 – On December 23, Google announced its first driverless car ready to test on public roads.
2015 –  U.S. vehicle recalls hit an all-time high in 2015
2016 –  Volkswagen reaches $14.7B emissions settlement due to cheating on emissions tests

 

Certified Auto Specialists is always here to help!  Call us today for an appointment or with any questions at 626-963-0814.

 

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

 

Cars Through The Ages: 1961-1990

During these years we seem to realize that safety, fuel economy and emissions are important!

Cars Through The Ages: 1961-1990

1961 – 1970
1961 – Jaquar E-type is shown at the Geneva Motor Show.
1962 – The Chevy Nova is introduced.
1963 – Porshe’s W-RS Spyder wins again at Le Mans.
1964 – The Ford Mustang is released and sells over 500,000 in just 18 months.
1965 – The rear-engined Chevy Corvair is criticized by Ralph Nader as unsafe.
1966 – U.S. Congress passes an Auto Safety Act.
1967 – Energy-absorbing steering column introduced by General Motors.
1968 – Federal law requires front seat belts for all passenger cars.
1969 – Head restraints are required in U.S. vehicles.
1970 – Airbags become standard.

1971 – 1980
1971 – Chrysler introduces a brake-slip control system.
1972 – Federal law requires front bumpers meet 5 mph crash standard.
1973 – Arab-Israeli War causes fuel supply problems and pain at the pump as prices rise around the world.
1974 – Manufacturers try to look at ways to improve fuel economy in vehicles.
1975 – All American cars have catalytic converters to cut air pollution emissions.
1976 – The Ford Fiesta is launched with a front drive.
1977 – Volkswagen stops production of the “Beetle” in Germany after 40 years.
1978 – Tennessee is the first jurisdiction in the world to pass a child passenger safety law.
1979 – AMC produced the Eagle 4 x 4 car.

1980 – 1990
1981 – General Motors launches Saturn in the USA.
1982 – Honda starts production at its first US factory.
1983 – Toyota introduces Lexus as its luxury brand in USA.
1984 – First U.S. seat belt law is enacted in New York.
1985 – Every U.S. state passes the use of child safety seats.
1986 – General Motors announces the rear seat lap/shoulder safety belt will replace the lap safety belt.
1987 – The Ford Motor Company acquires 75% of shares in Aston Martin Lagonda.
1988 – Ford’s first 6-cylinder car with front-wheel drive is the Lincoln Continental.
1989 – Honda starts Civic production in East Liberty, Ohio plant.
1990 – First accident with both cars equipped with airbags occurs and both drivers walk away.

Certified Auto Specialists is always here to help! Call us today for an appointment or with any questions at 626-963-0814.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Cars Through The Ages: 1931-1960

 

Here is our next segment of our history and fascination with vehicles! Enjoy!

1931 – 1940

1931 – Mercedes-Benz presents the first modern independent front suspension system.
1932 – Ford redesigns the Model A with a V8 engine and sells over 300,000 the first year.
1933 – Ford drops to third place behind General Motors and Chrysler.
1934 – Citroen Traction Avant is the first successfully mass-produced front-wheel drive car.
1935 – A thermal interrupter switch is used to create flashing turn signals.
1936 – 54% of US families now own cars.
1937 – Buick and Oldsmobile present the Automatic Safety Transmission.
1938 – The Volkswagen goes into production in Nazi Germany (The German People’s Car).
1939 – The first air-conditioning system is added to cars.
1940 – Jeep is designed with more than 360,000 made for the Allied armed forces. It was the workhorse of WWII.

 

1941 – 1950

1941 – 1945 – 700,000 GP (General Purpose Vehicles) were built for WWII through 1945 by Ford and Wyllys-Overland.

GP = Jeep!
1943 – US passenger car production falls to 139 vehicles because war production requirements took over.
1945 – The war ends.  Henry Ford resigns and his grandson, Henry Ford II becomes the president of The Ford Motor Company.
1946 – Michelin patents the Radial-ply tyre.
1947 – Henry Ford dies at the age of 84.
1948 – The American motor industry produces its 100,000,000th car.
1949 – Michelin “X” radial-ply tyres go on sale.
1950 – Ford Motor goes from 3rd place to 2nd place, reducing Chrysler to the 3rd position.

 

1951 – 1960

1951 – Chrysler offer power steering.
1952 – Automatic transmission vehicles in the USA exceed 2 million.
1953 – General Motors introduces the Corvette & Porshe the 550 Spyder race-cars.
1954 – Tubeless tyres are now available for all new American cars.
1955 – American car sales hit a record 7,915,000.
1956 – Ford introduces seat-belts but it isn’t met with enthusiasm by the public.
1957 – 80% of new cars in USA have a V-8 engine & Chrysler offers in-car record player.
1958 – Toyotas and Datsuns are imported to the USA.
1959 – Studebaker hopes its new compact car, The Lark, will compete with European imports.
1960 – 80% of US families own at least one car.

 

Certified Auto Specialists is always here to help!  Call us today for an appointment or with any questions at 626-963-0814.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

 

Cars 1900-1930

Over the next few weeks I thought I would share with you the beginnings of car production in the United States.  I hope you find it as interesting as I do!

 

Cars Through The Ages: 1900-1930


1900 – 1910

1900 – American manufacturers make 4,192 cars at a purchase price of $1,000 each.
1901 – The Olds factory begins production in Detroit and produced 425 cars that year.
1902 – Louis Renault invents the standard drum brakes.
1903 – Henry Ford raises $28,000 to found the Ford Motor Company and produces the Model A.
1904 – Ford starts exporting cars to Britain.
1905 – The installment finance plan for cars begins in America.
1906 – America produces 33,500 cars.
1907 – The price of the Ford Model N increases to $600.
1908 – The first Model T is built and 8,000 are produced. GM is started by William Durant.
1909 – At the 5th “Indy Car Race” in Indianapolis, Indiana, Louis Chevrolet wins driving a Buick.
1910 – Automobile production reaches 181,000 in the U.S.A.

 

1911 – 1920

1911 – The electric starter was introduced to replace hand cranking.
1912 – Cadillac’s come equipped with Delco electric self-starters and electric lighting.
1913 – Ford develops the first moving assembly line for cars.
1914 – Dodge introduces the first car body made completely of steel & Ford production workers now make an industry record of $5 per day.
1915 – Cadillac presents the first successful V8 engine in the U.S.A.
1916 – Manual windshield wipers (patented by Mary Anderson in 1903) are replaced by ones powered by vacuum from the engine’s inlet manifold.
1917 – The first Oshkosh four wheel drive truck is introduced.
1918 – Car registrations in the U.S.A. exceed 5 million.
1919 – Henry Ford pays $100 million to buy out all stock holders of the Ford Motor Company.
1920 – Model T Fords make up half of all motor vehicles in the world.

 

1921 – 1930

1921 – Lincoln introduces their V8.
1922 – Over one million Model T’s are produced by Ford.
1923 – Over 2,000,000 Model T’s leave the Ford production lines.
1924 – Walter P Chrysler begins to produce his own cars after leaving the position as General Motors Vice President.
1925 – General Motors Research Corp leaves Dayton, Ohio and moves to Detroit, Michigan.
1926 – Cadillac introduces shatter-resistant glass.
1927 – The Model T, after 19 years and fifteen million vehicles ends production.
1928 – Chrysler buys Dodge for $175,000,000.
1929 – 26.5 million cars are registered in the U.S.A.
1930 – Economic depression causes car sales to drop.

 

Certified Auto Specialists is always here to help!  Call us today for an appointment or with any questions at 626-963-0814.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

 

Timely Service

 

Why Timely Service Is So Important


I’m often asked about why timely service is so important.  I hope you find the answers to the questions below helpful too!

 

Q:  I’m always being told I need my filters changed.  What’s that all about?

A:  Oil, fuel and air filters all work hard to improve your engine’s running condition.  When they get dirty, contaminants enter the system.  This causes rough idling, loss of acceleration, decreased power and lower gas mileage.

 

Q:  I usually fill up with gasoline when my car is almost on empty.  I was told that isn’t necessarily a good thing.  What’s wrong with that?

A:  The gasoline in the tank is the cooling agent for the pump.  When the level is low, the pump is exposed and runs too hot.

 

Q:  My car is “chugging” after I turn the ignition off.  What is wrong?

A:  This is called dieseling for “after-run.”  This can be caused by inferior gas, excessive idle speed or carbon in the combustion chamber.

 

Q:  I have heard that “exchanging” transmission, radiator, brake and power steering systems are a good idea?  Why?

A:  In all cases, mileage and use means more contaminants and breakdown of important fluid additives which help prevent wear and corrosion.  When the systems are exchanged and new, clean fluid is added, you now have the protection of new fluid loaded with additives and without harmful contaminants that are creating excessive wear.  When you consider the cost of a transmission, radiator, an ABS brake system or power steering units, fluid exchange, next to oil changes, is the best bargain out there!

 

Q:  If I have a concern about a noise, or notice that my car is just acting different, what should I do?

A:  Call your car care provider as soon as possible. If they think it needs immediate attention they will tell you to bring it in.  Safety comes first and they will never advise you to drive a vehicle that needs attention now.

 

Q:  What can I do to lower repair costs?

A:  Maintain components before they become major problems.  This is the key to saving money.  When you bring your car in for service, your car care provider can alert you to future repair needs or replacement parts so you can budget accordingly.

 

Q:  I am so busy I sometimes forget to have my car serviced.  What is an easy way to remember?

A:  Try to preset an appointment and ask to be called a day or two in advance.  If your car care provider doesn’t offer this service, think of the calendar by seasons.  On the first day of spring, summer, fall, winter call and schedule an appointment.

 

Q:  What’s the deal with diagnostic testing?  Doesn’t that cost me more money?

A:  No, it actually saves you money.  Trying to diagnose today’s computerized vehicles without the proper training or diagnostic equipment can result in misdiagnosis costing you $100 or $1000 in unnecessary repairs (known as parts swapping).

 

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

 

Hometown Service You Can Count On!