Car Talk Archives - Page 5 of 9

If Only…

Car Knowledge

I hear customers’ day in and day out that express a wish that they knew more about cars so they would know exactly what to do if this or that occurred. They sigh and say, “If only I had just some knowledge….” I tell them they actually know a lot more than they give themselves credit for! It is true! You are more aware of your car’s little quirks. You know when something isn’t quite right more so than anyone else.

I get calls all the time saying that their car is making a ka-thump noise or a pinging noise or it is knocking or sputtering, whining or screeching. And you thought you didn’t have knowledge? Of course you do. You just need to know what these noises mean…so even though I’ve said it before…here is a refresher course!

Screeching usually signifies a brake problem. The screech is actually the sound of metal scraping.

Thudding or a low metallic thumping noise can be a loose pulley or exhaust pipe or even a worn crank shaft bearing.

A knocking noise signifies loose bolts in the torque converter or a bad connecting rod or even a worn crankshaft main bearing.

Pinging noises seem to very common and your car either needs a tune-up or the fuel octane may be too low for your car’s engine.

Tapping or clicking can be many things such as a bent or loose fan blade, loose hubcap, bad wheel bearing or low level of engine oil.

Clunking can be mean your transmission fluid is low or your car has a bad universal joint or rear differential.

Squealing is usually the result of under-inflated tires, poor wheel alignment, a loose power steering fan or air conditioner compressor belt.

Squeaking noises can be caused by worn suspension bushings, bad drum-brake linings, or a chassis in need of lubrication.

I hope you find this translation helpful. Regular vehicle checkups prevent these noises from happening and keep your vehicle healthy. Now, if your vehicle is doing any of these things listed above, call us today! We will make it all better in no time!

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

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Don’t Believe Everything You Read Online!

“They can’t put anything on the Internet that isn’t true!” It is sad how many gullible people believe that! Many consumers don’t want to work on their car themselves but they want to buy the parts themselves and have us install them because they found them online somewhere a little cheaper. I want what is best for my customers and I don’t want to embarrass them but I won’t be putting on cheap parts they find on the Internet either. I have a reputation to uphold and I warranty my work. I’ve been ordering parts for years and have trusted parts suppliers. I don’t go get them out of the junk yard or buy a part that will last only three months. I buy parts that will withstand the rigors of driving and weather, that are reliable, and the pricing is competitive. I put my customers’ safety first.

I appreciate the Internet as much as anyone, but it doesn’t have the expertise that we have when it comes to ordering the right parts and repairing cars. It doesn’t care about keeping consumers safe. I know the automotive repair profession isn’t alone when it comes to this frustration. Everyone suddenly thinks they are the expert even though they didn’t go to school for years to be the best at this job nor do they have to have constant education to keep current.

I know I’m in good company, though, as doctors complain about the same issue. It seems consumers also trust their health to the self-diagnosis they do with the help of the Internet. Well…just like the doctor isn’t going to write a person a prescription based on a diagnosis a patient found on the Internet, I’m not going to order a part or put on a part a customer found themselves. I’m a trained professional in my field with certification to prove it. Doctors are the professionals in their field and they too have the credentials to prove it.

Some consumers have taken it a step further. They believe so much in what they read on the Internet they not only purchase the parts themselves, they try to fix it themselves. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to “undo” the damage of do-it-yourself repair. Of course the Internet provided step-by-step instructions but somehow it wasn’t as easy as it looked. The really sad thing about this scenario is the consumer was trying to save a few dollars and they ended up paying so much more as it is often more expensive to undo the damage the cheap fix cost.

Thankfully, the majority of my customers trust us to do the job right at a very competitive price. I promise if you tried to do-it-yourself and failed, we will never reprimand or cause you to feel uncomfortable. We will undo the fix and not say a word. I do worry, however, about what will happen when consumers start doing surgery on themselves or loved ones because the Internet provided easy, step-by-step instructions! Scary!

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

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

The Ever Changing Car – What You Need To Know

AAA Findings – The technology of our cars is constantly changing supposedly for the better…yet AAA recorded a record number of breakdowns in 2015 (32 million) despite all the advances. This isn’t just with older vehicles but vehicles that are under five years of age. Why is this happening? According to AAA, they are seeing a lot of battery, tire issues and key problems. The electronic key and ignition systems drain the battery. The elimination of a spare tire to get better fuel economy is also being felt. The inflator kit can’t fix everything. What is another surprising problem? Over half a million drivers ran out of gas last year!

GDI Engines – Gasoline direct injection engines or GDI increases our vehicle’s fuel economy and controls emission levels…however…it also causes carbon build up on the intake valves which hurts our fuel economy and causes our ride to be sluggish. Currently, all gasoline will leave a deposit. The engine is located in the combustion chamber where the temperature is over 500 degrees, and under a great deal of pressure, resulting in carbon buildup. If your vehicle has a GDI engine, it is important that it have a complete fuel system cleaning to remove these deposits.

Refrigerant – In order to help reduce global warming from air conditioning refrigerant, the USA is starting to phase out R-134a refrigerant by 2021 in new cars. Some manufacturers are already phasing in the replacement, R-1234yf. It comes with some challenges, however. Apparently, R-1234yf can be a fire hazard. Daimler says it will add an under hood fire extinguisher that will spray the lines to keep leaking refrigerant from igniting.

Coolant – Using the correct coolant is vitally important to your car’s health. Use the wrong type for your car and it can cause serious damage over time. Low coolant levels can also cause a lot of distress for your car. Did you know that 95% of water pump failure is due to never flushing/exchanging the coolant in your car? Even clean looking coolant can collect abrasive particles that cause damage. It starts by eroding the water pump seal…then the impeller. Then it starts on the radiator/heater core. Next up is the head gasket. Even with all the additives to give coolant long life…over time the additives will fail.

Vehicle Inspections – Why do we like to inspect your vehicle when you visit…even if you are there for “just an oil change?” We want to keep your car going for miles to come. The technicians at Certified Auto Specialists are experts in keeping your car healthy and they know what to look for.

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

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Always Moving Forward

When you own, manage and work in the auto repair business one thing you learn, and you learn quickly, is that you always have to keep moving forward. Sometimes people refer to us as “car doctors” and that is true…but I will say that although “people doctors” certainly have to keep moving forward with ever- changing advances in medications and disease control, “car doctors” have to keep moving forward to keep pace with the ever-changing vehicle! The human body comes in two makes and they don’t change…cars come in several makes and models and they change all the time.

Myself and my employees never stop training. If we stopped, we would soon be out of business because today’s vehicles are getting more and more sophisticated and computer/software run. It takes a whole lot more talent than being good with a wrench…we have to be computer experts to keep pace.

Being the owner of an auto repair business means much more than hanging out a sign. Owners have to hire the right talent to begin with…then we have to make sure that talent is willing to keep training. That is one of the hardest things we owners have to contend with…keeping our workforce inspired to learn more. Motivation is the full-time job of ownership.

Thankfully, there are ways for me to keep training so I can manage my business to help motivate me and my staff. I recently completed training (for now) and graduated. Yes…I still have to go to school and graduate. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) held its Automotive Management Institute (AMI) graduation and award ceremony Saturday August 12th in Anaheim, CA. It was an awesome event.

I was honored to be included in the 1st graduating class, earning the new A.M.A.M. degree (Accredited Master Automotive Manager). 49 people graduated by accumulating 180 credits through many accredited management classes. Others in attendance earned the Accredited Automotive Manager (A.A.M.) degree with 120 credits as well.

I work hard to be the best I can be and support our industry. I just wanted my readers to know that we do this to better ourselves, motivate our staff and be the very best we can be for our customers. When a shop keeps striving to be the best, you will see many degrees and certifications hanging on the walls. Most of this training takes place after hours but it is so necessary. We can never rest on our laurels…we take a deep breath and then sign up for the next training event that comes along. Here’s to always moving forward!

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

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Don’t be Afraid

The thought of automotive repair seems to strike fear in the hearts of even the bravest of consumers. Why is that?

When consumers go to the doctor or dentist and get bad news they fear bodily pain; when they get bad news about their vehicle they fear the pain they might feel in their wallet because repair invoices are higher than preventive maintenance invoices.
Auto repair shops are still tops in the rating charts of businesses consumers don’t trust.
They also top the charts in complaints to the Consumer Protection Division.
The media took hidden cameras to several untrustworthy auto repair businesses to reinforce in the consumers’ minds that some shops are a bunch of rip-off artists.
The general public is not very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of automotive repair because the places they do business with don’t bother to educate their customers.

Fear Eliminator: The Warranty

A reputable shop will warranty their parts and their labor. For this reason, most shops prefer not to use parts supplied by the consumer. If they do accept these types of parts generally and understandably they will not warrantee the job.

If a consumer simply can’t afford the cost of the estimated repair, shops sometimes will look for salvaged parts because they are less expensive but again, they most likely will not warrantee the job. The good news is that most independent shops will use aftermarket parts which are high in quality but are not as expensive as original manufactured parts. Aftermarket parts will be covered by warranty.

Fear Eliminator: Testimonials and an Educated Staff

Look for testimonials from a shop’s customers…make sure they sound genuine and not something fabricated by the shop owner or his/her family
An excellent shop is staffed by excellent people. The shop owner will make sure everyone from the owner, the service advisor to the technician is involved in continuing education classes. This industry changes quickly and without ongoing education a shop’s staff will quickly fall behind and be inept at servicing and maintaining today’s vehicles.
Certifications show that the shop’s staff has had continuing education classes in certain areas but they must be kept current.

Fear Eliminator: The Reality

Consumers understandably want what is best for their vehicles at an affordable cost. We call that value! They sometimes go to a great deal of trouble clipping coupons for oil changes at one place, tires at another, brakes at yet another and on and on it goes. Some even tell themselves this is good for their car because they are taking it to a specialist instead of a general car care practitioner. In reality, this usually costs them more money and can actually wreak havoc with their car’s health. Eliminating an on-going relationship with a shop who knows your car’s medical history, and all the aspects of the care it has been receiving, risks getting diminished care for your car. Managed preventive maintenance reduces your car’s healthcare costs too!

Fear Eliminator: Trust

Find a shop you trust, just like you need to find a doctor, dentist or vet you trust, stick with them and your car will be healthier and have less need for repair due to preventive care. This alone will save you money! The fear factor keeps many consumers away until the car breaks down. The end result is a major repair that could have, in most instances, been prevented. Your owner’s manual tells you clearly how often your car needs servicing. The service advisor of your chosen shop can also tell you how frequently your make and model needs to have service and what services are recommended. A quarterly visit lets the technicians keep an eye on hoses and belts that could break or leak, causing problems, as well as other areas.

Don’t Let Fear Rule You

If fear has been keeping you away remember that neglecting your vehicle’s needs will cost you more money in the long run because repairs are much more expensive than maintaining a vehicle. Be proactive about your car’s health! You’ll be glad you did. You will also find that most automotive service and repair shops are excellent, reputable establishments that are staffed by people who genuinely love cars! They actually hurt to see one mistreated or neglected.

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

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

For All The Football Fans Out There: Keeping Your Vehicle’s Components in the Game

Football season is here again in and even though the staff at Certified Automotive Specialists are not football superstars, we are the superstars of auto service and repair! Just like a football game where it takes each player doing their job correctly to have a winning team, it takes each component operating in peak efficiency to have a properly running car!

Fluids – just like you, your car must have fluids to be healthy. We offer products that give you the home field advantage each and every time.
Filters –just like in football when the players block the defense from getting to the ball carrier, filters block contaminants from entering your car’s operating systems.
Battery & Charging System – If this system fumbles you aren’t going anywhere. We will keep it charged and ready to go when you are!
Belts and Hoses – One snap or break and you are stranded and you will be calling personal foul!
Lights – Your lights keep you from getting picked off in the dark because others can’t see you coming or going!
Wipers – If your wipers aren’t working in the rain and snow and morning condensation, you risk getting sacked!
Tires – Proper inflation and tread keep your car rolling along in a rush.
Suspension – Steers your car going in the right direction so you have a complete pass.
Brakes – Stopping when you need and want to is a very good thing and keeps you from getting tackled by trees or other vehicles!
Exhaust System – If you don’t want to be put on the sidelines these systems need to operate properly. Keeps your car pleasant and safe for you and others to be around.

This is just a small example of all the systems that keep your car running properly. Most mechanical failures can be traced to neglected maintenance. Just like a football team, if each player does their job well they all benefit and run like a well-oiled machine. Touchdown!

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

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

CAN System…Your Car Has One!

I have written articles many times about that fact that your car is really a computer on wheels. They have up to 100 million lines of computer code and that is more than many jet fighters! The most basic of vehicles have a minimum of 30 microprocessor-controlled devices. We call these ECU’s (electronic control units). Luxury cars can have 100 ECU’s!

These processors make it difficult for the average person to work on their own vehicle but it makes it easier for auto repair shops, such as Certified Automotive Specialists, as they have made an investment in the right equipment and diagnostic tools in order to translate trouble codes and determine what is actually wrong with your vehicle.

What do all these ECU’s do? They help meet emissions and fuel-economy standards, do diagnostics, simplify design and manufacturing, reduce wiring, provide safety features, comfort and convenience.

Controlling your vehicle’s engine is the most processor-intensive job and the engine control unit is the most powerful computer in your vehicle. It gathers data from dozens of various sensors and knows all that is going on. It performs millions of calculations per second. The processor in your car runs more efficient code than that in your PC.

Each module communicates problems to a central module. The problem is stored and then a technician can read the code using an off-board diagnostic tool. There seems to be more and more technology going into our vehicles each year so more and more computer code will be necessary. This is all part of keeping our environment cleaner and reducing the amount of accidents. As we are moving toward the commercialization of the self-driving car we will find this will increase a great deal.

The CAN (Controller Area Network) also known as CAN Bus enables all the electronic control units to communicate with each other…without a host computer. This lets the vehicle’s electronic components; control units, microcontrollers, devices, sensors, actuators, and many more talk to each other on a single or dual-wire network.

Your engine management electronic control unit is connected to the transmission electronic control unit, which is connected to the anti-lock braking electronic control unit, and so on! There are essentially two wires involved; a CAN High and a CAN Low. Why is this important? They act as a backup for each other in case one fails. This is why your car can continue to run just fine with the check engine light illuminated.

This is also why we tell you not to keep on driving miles and miles with the check engine light on…it really is telling you that your car needs attention. You are already down to one wire…if the other one fails you have a problem! Next time your check engine light illuminates, make an appointment and let our diagnostic technicians get your car back to excellent health.

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

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Can a Car’s Artificial Intelligence Have Ethics?

Self-driving vehicles are all the talk! It would be nice to just be a passenger and let the car make all the driving decisions while you have time to unwind, or catch up on work, or chat away on your cell phone. We are told that fewer accidents will occur as our car will be talking to the vehicles around them to keep us all safe. That makes us feel better. Still…fewer doesn’t mean there won’t be some accidents.
Humans are often in tricky situations behind the wheel. We have a few seconds to try to decide which action to take to either prevent an accident, or if that isn’t possible, what action to take to cause the minimum of damage…to us and our passengers…our vehicle…and those sharing the highway with us. There could be an animal in the road, a pedestrian and a child on a bicycle to consider as well.

This is a very real issue and one that programmers of autonomous vehicles have to keep in mind. How can they program ethics into artificial intelligence? I was just reading an interesting article on this very subject and thought I would share some points that were made.

First of all, programmers would have to set “crash-optimization algorithms” based on human ethical intuitions. Of course, different people have different base ethics so most likely this will be decided by committee …who will be on that committee? That remains to be seen. It could be the automakers themselves, or the government.

Once these “set algorithms” are programmed then the buyer of the vehicle needs to know what to expect. Has the buyer bought a car that only is concerned with the owner of the vehicles safety and best interest? Is it only concerned with keeping the vehicle itself from harm? Has any “moral” or “legal” ramifications been programmed in?

How will the self-driving car “learn” human ethics?

We will keep you posted as we learn more!

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

Hometown Service You Can Count On!