It is amazing these days that there are so many recalls. Almost daily we hear about a food recall, and of course those recalls for our cars! It is getting harder to feel “safe.” Consumers are losing patience!
When it comes to the airbag situation with Takata it is now called a crisis. Automotive “franchise dealers” and “manufacturers” are pointing fingers at each other when it comes to who should have the financial responsibility. There are different rules to the sale of used and new vehicles and this is causing heated debate. State legislatures are getting involved as well.
The federal government prohibits the sale of new vehicles that have a recall until they are fixed. These cars sit on the dealers’ lots until the parts arrive from the manufacturer to correct the problem. If the manufacturer can’t get the parts right away, they have to pay the dealership until they can provide them. If they have used vehicles on their lot needing recall fixes it is a different story. This is starting to change as the state of Virginia has now mandated that the manufacturer has to compensate the dealership monthly if the dealer has used vehicles it can’t sell due to lack of parts.
Consumers are upset, and rightly so! When they finally get a recall notice, many times months after it was reported on the news, the parts aren’t available to fix the problem. Consumers don’t always know if the “fix” is urgent for their safety and it creates a lot of unnecessary strain on them. They feel frustrated dealing with the manufacturer and the dealer and wish the government would set up a system to protect their rights and safety.
When it comes to the Takata airbags, the problem just drags on and on. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration realizes that the manufacturer can’t produce the new parts quickly enough to satisfy automotive manufacturers, dealerships and the consumer. Currently, other manufacturers are helping out by providing parts but even if these are installed, another recall may be in the consumers’ future.
It is amazing that 29 million vehicles have been recalled due to the Takata airbag inflator problem. 10 persons world-wide have been killed due to the defect and 139 injured. Sadly, there are another 50 million vehicles in the US that have Takata airbags…so far no recall has been issued but it can’t be ruled out.
The cause of the airbag problem is the use of ammonium nitrate inflators and if they don’t correct the issue and prove by December 2018 that the airbags are now safe; another 90 million vehicles will have to be recalled. It is going to take a long time to get this problem behind us!
Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.
In many ways, our vehicle’s health system is a lot like our human makeup! Seriously!
Clogged Filters – When your filter gets full of debris, it can’t do its job. It is how a human with asthma must feel! Most of us know we need to change the filters in our homes but some might not realize that they also need to change the filter in their cars. In vehicles built in 2007 and later you will find 80 percent of them have a cabin air filter and its function is to protect drivers and their passengers from contaminants such as pollen, mold spores, dust and other small and annoying particles.
Sludge – This is similar to clogged arteries! It is actually a gooey, tar like substance that deposits itself inside your car’s engine. One of the roles of motor oil is to keep your engine cool so it has to be able to take the heat…when it fails to do so these deposits form in the engine. Some vehicle’s engines have more trouble than others due to poor design. Their passages are smaller and they actually bake the oil inside the engine.
Smoke – We all know by now how bad smoking is for human health. When your car has a smoking issue, it is literally telling you to pay attention…it needs help!
Black exhaust smoke means the engine is burning too much fuel. The first thing you should check is your air-filter and other intake components like sensors, fuel injectors and the fuel-pressure regulator.
Blue smoke is a clear sign that the engine is burning oil. What happens is that the valve guide seals or piston rings are worn out, and oil is leaking past from where it should be lubricating the moving parts, to the combustion chamber where it’s being burned up with the fuel.
Gray smoke can mean that the car is burning oil or suffering from a bad turbocharger. It can also be an issue with your automatic transmission fluid getting burned up in the engine or could mean a stuck PCV valve.
Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.
AAA estimates maintenance costs at around 4 cents per mile driven, which means you should set aside $50-60/month for this line item. Sadly, many put off service/maintenance and they end up having an expensive repair that could have been avoided. I then thought…maybe they don’t realize how much it costs to maintain their vehicle annually. With that thought in mind I’ve decided to share with you something in print so you can fill in the blanks for yourself. Granted…this is just an overall average but hopefully you will find it very helpful!
If you have a new car expect to pay $200 to $350 each year on preventive maintenance until your vehicle is three years of age. After that, a good rule of thumb is to plan to pay $600 to $1200 annually and this includes tires. Preventive maintenance is the best way to keep your car from having to undergo repair. As it ages, certain parts will need to be replaced, of course.
Those old sayings, “prevention is the best medicine” and “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, have stood the test of time for a reason. They are true! Take a moment, if you will, and figure out the annual cost of vehicle ownership. You might be surprised at how it adds up!
Annual vehicle payment [ ]
Annual finance charge on loan [ ]
Annual gasoline costs [ ]
Annual car insurance [ ]
Annual maintenance/repair [ ]
Annual license fee and other fees [ ]
Total [ ] Annually
Total Divided by 12 [ ] Monthly
This is how much it costs you to drive each year/month. I just think knowing the facts helps you plan a little better.
Two times today I had calls from customers wanting an estimate and they were concerned because we charge a fee to test before we do any actual repairs. One wanted to know why their car’s check engine light was on, especially as the car was running just fine. They said a neighbor came over and offered advice and a diagnosis of what he thought the problem might be.
I appreciate the helpfulness of friends, neighbors and tow truck drivers as they care enough to try to figure out what a car problem might be. Many times they have been right but just as many times they have been wrong. Whatever their diagnosis might be…it is still just a guess! Professionals (whether it is an auto repair shop, home air conditioning repair, the dentist or doctor), would never give a diagnosis or attempt “a repair” without first testing circuits, components or in humans taking temperatures, blood pressure, drawing blood, taking x-rays and more to see what the problem really is.
The customer then asked me to “just plug in that box” that tells you what’s wrong with the car. I am to this day puzzled why so many people believe there is a “magic box” that we plug into a car that tells us what is wrong with the car! If that “magic box” were available, I would buy several and I would not need a staff of expert technicians who have years of experience, training, and over $20,000 worth of tools and equipment. That would greatly reduce my payroll and operations cost. I could just hire low paid mechanics to replace the parts the “magic box” said were bad. I wish our business was that easy.
Please believe there is no “magic box”, but there is a scan tool that gathers information and data to point the technician in the right direction to test the circuits and components that may have failed.
What has happened over the years is many inexperienced shops or mechanics plug in the scan tool and retrieve a code. The code is what lets the technician know what item(s) need to be tested. Here is an example. A PO300 means a random misfire has occurred in the engine. With this code alone many shops will sell you spark plugs, clear the code and hope it is fixed without any testing fee. Sometimes you get lucky and it fixes the code, other times the light returns in a few days to a week and they sell you more parts (We call these shops “parts replacers” and they keep replacing and charging their customers until they finally get it right).
Most professional shops will charge a fee to test items such as fuel pressure, the fuel injectors, coils, all the sensors, vacuum leaks, fuel trims, spark plugs and other items related to the code. Once testing is complete, an accurate repair can be performed, saving you time and money, because the concern is fixed the first time and there is no need to return for more parts.
As cars become more computerized, the systems are more difficult to test! Please beware of anyone that will just replace parts and not test to identify the concern.
Have a great day.
Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.
You will almost always see your oil pressure warning light illuminate briefly when you first start your car. It goes off almost immediately. If it doesn’t you need to turn off your car and check the engine oil level. If it is low, add some oil then turn the car back on. If the light goes off and stays off you are good to go. If it is still illuminated do not drive the vehicle, turn it off immediately and call us as soon as possible. This may require a tow.
When The Temperature Light Illuminates
A temperature warning light is telling you that your engine is overheating. Pull over and turn your car off immediately! Do not check anything yourself until the engine has sat for at least half an hour. Attempting to remove the radiator cap before then can result in serious steam and water burns. If you know what you are doing you can remove the cap and check the coolant mixture level when it is safe to do so and add the appropriate 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. Also be sure to check for leaks. Internal leaks can only be checked by pressure testing. Unless you are experienced in this area of car repair, it is best to call us! We will arrange a tow to our shop and get this fixed for you!
When The Brake Light Illuminates
The brake warning light comes on and stays on when you engage the parking or emergency brake. Check that first! If you disengage the parking brake and the light goes off, you are fine. It can also mean you have a fluid leak. This causes your brakes to fail or veer to one side when applied. Get your brake fluid checked as soon as possible. (If you have an ABS or the antilock brake light illuminates and remains on it is telling you there is a problem within this system.) Though you can drive with this situation, get it checked out as soon as you can because this is a critical system in an emergency or on slick roads. If both the ABS and brake warning light are on and stay on at the same time do not drive the vehicle until it has been looked at by us.
When The Alternator Light Illuminates
If your alternator warning light is on it is most likely telling you that your charging system is not working properly. You need to get this taken care of sooner rather than later as your battery will die. It could be indicating another problem such as a slipping drive belt but either way, it needs to be checked out as soon as you can.
When The Check Engine Light Illuminates
That orange light used to put fear in the hearts of drivers but now it seems drivers are more than capable of ignoring it mile after mile. This is because most of the time it is just telling you your gas cap isn’t on tight enough or some other small item. Of course this small item causes you to waste fuel and pollute the environment so it really isn’t insignificant. It is always best to have your vehicle looked at as the check engine light means something is wrong and a diagnosis is definitely called for. Whenever a light on your dash illuminates and doesn’t go off after a few seconds you can also refer to your owner’s manual. It generally explains the meaning behind the illumination and if it is safe to continue driving until you can get your vehicle serviced or repaired. You can always call us at any time as well. We are here to help!
When Thermostats Go Bad
The vehicles we drive these days are very high tech so when I mentioned that the thermostat is basically operated by the heating and cooling of wax people are shocked. Thermostats rarely give us problems so I guess most people just don’t think about them. Its function is to keep the car warm but cool the engine block. Thermostats seldom go bad but when they do, look out! This occurs when the wax stops working so the valve doesn’t open. This can happen when:
It was damaged in a prior overheating experience
Corrosion sets in
It just gets old
When one or all of these things happen your vehicle will overheat. Should the valve fail to close, stick in the open position, due to a piece of debris or the breaking of the return spring you have another problem. This allows coolant to keep flowing through the thermostat. It will not reach the proper operating temperature when this happens and you might notice the gauge reading lower than normal or the heater not as hot as it used to be. If the thermostat does stick open you will notice because of poor driveability during cooler weather, you will use more fuel as much as 2 to 3MPG more and the car will spew out more pollutants out the tailpipe than designed.
Why A Vehicle Inspection Is Important
In the automotive service and repair industry we as owners and our staff do our best to keep our customers’ vehicles in excellent condition. Not only do we want to keep you safe on the highways, we want to keep the others you share the road with safe as well. The majority of our customers want to know that everything is in proper working order. Every now and then we hear stories about consumers who think inspections or a “laundry list” as they call it, was done in order to make a bigger sale. This is not the case in most shops and those that practice selling services that aren’t needed don’t stay in business very long! We feel it is our duty to point out any potential hazards because our customers rely on us, as the experts in automotive maintenance, to tell them if their vehicle needs work. You can count on us!
A Little TLC Keeps Your Beloved Vehicle Going and Going and Going…
Many of you love your car! You pamper it, you keep it clean inside and out and you want it to live a good long life. The newness may have worn off a few years ago but that doesn’t matter…you’ve bonded with this vehicle. Some people keep their vehicles a very long time…over 200,000 miles and counting. If you love your car and you want to keep it longer, don’t fret. It is very possible. All it takes is some tender, loving care!
Throughout our many years of experience we have learned that taking certain preventive measures, such as timely oil changes and multi-point inspections, enable you to keep your car going and going. Call us today…together we can keep it going!
Don’t Worry…Your Warranty Is Safe
When choosing to have your vehicle serviced by an independent, you may feel your warranty could be in jeopardy. There is no need to be concerned about the validity of your warranty or quality service. Many consumers don’t realize that it is actually a law (Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) that an independent repair shop can service your car and you will not be jeopardizing your warranty in any way. Just like you have to do with the dealership, you need to keep records of services and have them done as recommended in your owner’s manual. Most independent shop owners, such as ours, can provide you with the same excellent service you have been receiving from your dealership. Independents, like the dealerships, have ASE certified technicians, quality parts and service, state-of-the-art tools and equipment, dedication to customer service, and on-going training to keep current with the latest vehicle innovations. So stop worrying! We’ve got you covered!
How To Have A Lean Mean Driving Machine
Cars are built better than ever these days and give us miles of service. Keeping them healthy is important and extends their life. Oil is their lifeblood. Dirty oil makes it harder for your engine to turn over and causes premature engine wear. Belts and hoses are made of very durable material with relatively long lives but they do deteriorate over time. Leaks are not normal except for condensation from your air conditioner. 11 different fluids keep your car running; brake fluid, antifreeze, engine oil, power steering fluid, air conditioner refrigerant, shock absorber fluid, battery electrolyte, windshield washer solvent, rear axle or CV boot lubricant and fuel. If any of these leaks, they need to be fixed right away. Tires need to be kept properly inflated and rotated to save gas and tire wear. Coolant, when neglected can corrode and leave sediment throughout your cooling system causing clogging that results in damaging hot spots than can harm your engine. The battery needs to have the cables securely attached and free of corrosion in order to get power to the starter and accessories so the alternator receives a charge.
Keep your care lean and mean by getting it serviced regularly.
My Vehicle…How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways!
I love thee enough to take thee regularly for automotive servicing! Okay…I just felt the need for a little humor. Seriously though…and I am a very serious person when it comes to vehicle care…you need to love your car! Think of all it does for you each and every day. Think how lost you feel without it when it breaks down. Think of the pain of paying for a high repair cost because you neglected to have it serviced. I want you to drive safely and I want you to pay for servicing your car rather than paying the much higher cost of repairing it. I want to think of you getting from point A to point B safely. I don’t want to see you with your vehicle broken down on the side of the road. I don’t want to see your vehicle dangling from a tow truck when it could all have been prevented. I prefer to see you save your hard-earned dollars by having regular preventive maintenance instead of costly repair. If you have been putting off servicing, now is the time to show your vehicle some love!
Speak To Me!
Do you ever wish your car could just tell you when something is wrong with it? In its own way it does speak to you. When it suddenly is acting, smelling, sounding, or dripping differently than it usually does it is telling you it isn’t feeling well.
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. Regular vehicle checkups prevent these symptoms from happening and keep your vehicle healthy. If your vehicle is trying to speak to you, listen and call for an appointment today.
The Hazards of Running on Fumes
When your car beeps a warning about low fuel, listen to it! Put gas in as soon as you can because that reserve fuel keeps your fuel pump from taking in the “bottom of the barrel” fuel which is full of debris. This sediment in the bottom of the fuel tank can also clog the fuel filter, fuel injectors as well as the pump pickup. I generally don’t let my tank get below 1/4 tank for this reason. Sure…it doesn’t have the same challenge as driving on fumes, but when it comes to your vehicle, it is always wise to consider damage control…both to your car and your wallet!
Tires keep us and our car off the highway. It has been that way since Henry Ford’s Model A. Tires are, after all, the only part of the car that actually touches the road. That is a good reason to keep them as healthy as possible. Tire rotations and proper inflation should be part of your regular preventive maintenance routine. This seemingly simple act of swapping the tires around plus proper inflation keeps them from having extensive wear and tear and prolongs their life. Call today to give your tires a long and healthy life!
What causes failure in belts? They do over 35 million revolutions a year, are exposed to heat, vibration and contamination. They twist, and turn, bend and flex. This produces heat that hardens the rubber that causes the belts to loosen and slip. The rubber then cracks and frays and the internal cords will become brittle and weak. This happens from the inside out so it isn’t visible. Vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing belts every 36,000 miles.
Hoses
What causes failure in hoses? Tiny cracks develop in the rubber causing the hoses to split, blister and/or leak. Contamination from oil and atmospheric ozone can accelerate the process. Hoses deteriorate on the inside as much as the outside. They can even look fine on the outside and be totally ruined on the inside. Small cracks and pinhole leaks weaken hose fibers. If you squeeze the hose near the clamps or connectors and the ends feel soft and mushy, the hose has been contaminated and needs replacing. Manufacturers recommend replacing hoses every 48,000 miles.
Anti-Aging For Your Car
We seem to be an “anti-aging” society. Everywhere you look there is some commercial for an anti-aging herb or cream. They all promise to keep us looking and feeling years younger. Many consumers are proving it is more than possible not only with themselves but their cars too! They are keeping their cars going 200,000 miles and longer! How? By getting their vehicle’s serviced regularly. Ask us how to keep your car’s youth!
Best Value or Just Cheap?
In today’s economy there are many businesses offering ‘cheap’ prices to get a consumer in the door. To me, these businesses aren’t offering ‘value.’ Value is when you want to provide the best possible solution for your customers. Now the best doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive, but it doesn’t always mean the cheapest either. For example, when you have to replace a part on your vehicle, you want it to be a part that has good quality and a good warranty and you want that part to last you more than a month or two. We promise value each and every time!
Q: What does a squealing or scraping sound indicates when I apply the brakes?
A: Most likely your brake pads are worn and allowing their wear indicators or sensor to touch the disc brake rotor. When this occurs the sensor emits that high pitch noise to warn you that your brakes need attention. Have the brakes checked out sooner rather than later before expensive damage or brake failure occurs.
Q: What does it mean when I hear a knocking or pinging noise when my car accelerates or climb a hill?
A: This is a sign that the gas and air mixture in your car’s cylinders isn’t burning properly. The sound you hear is the result of the fuel and air mixture combusting unevenly in the cylinder. Pinging or knocking does reduce the efficiency of your engine and over a very long period of time it can cause damage.
Q: What does it mean when my vehicle makes a chirping sound?
A: A cyclic chirping sound from the vicinity of a wheel often indicates a wheel bearing or axle bearing that is failing. Usually the noise will change with the speed of the vehicle. It may come and go at various speeds. This noise should not be ignored, because if the bearing fails, it may cause the wheel to lockup or come loose from your car!
Q: What is that hissing sound coming from under the hood?
A: If you hear a hissing sound while driving or after turning the engine off accompanied by a sweet, sickly odor, it may mean your engine is overheating and/or leaking coolant from the cooling system. The temperature gauge or temperature warning light should also indicate an overheating condition. Steam may also rise from under the hood. We advise you to stop driving as severe overheating can damage your engine. Carefully open the hood. Look for any evidence of coolant leaking from the engine, radiator or heater hoses. If you see steam or smell a sweet odor, it is antifreeze leaking from the cooling system. DO NOT open the radiator or coolant reservoir cap or add coolant until the engine has cooled. Get this checked out right away.
Q: What is that clicking or tapping noise from the engine?
A: A metallic tapping or clicking sound means your engine may be low on oil, or is not developing normal oil pressure. The clicking noise is coming from the valve train. If the oil pressure is low due to low oil level in the crankcase or there is a problem with the oil pump, the hydraulic lifters that open and close the valves may collapse creating an increase in valve lash. This creates the clicking or tapping noise. Stop the engine, let it sit a few minutes (so the oil can run back down into the crankcase), then check the oil level on the dipstick. If low, add oil as needed to bring the level back up to the full mark. If the noise does not go away, and/or the oil pressure gauge or warning light indicates low oil pressure, it’s not a good idea to keep driving your vehicle. Loss of oil pressure can cause extensive and expensive engine damage.
Q: Why is my exhaust system roaring?
A: If your exhaust system has a leak, you will hear a roar coming from under your vehicle that is loudest when accelerating. The noise means your exhaust system needs repairs. The dangerous part is if the leaking exhaust gases, which contain carbon monoxide, get inside the passenger compartment. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent killer. It takes only a small amount of carbon monoxide inside the passenger compartment to affect your alertness, ability to concentrate and react to changing driving conditions. A very small amount can cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and bring on stupor in two hours. A one percent concentration of carbon monoxide can kill a person in less than three minutes!
Q: Why do my tires make a thumping noise?
A: You may have a tire out of balance. This causes it to impact with road in a slapping sort of manner, causing the thumping noise. Get it looked at as soon as possible as a neglected tire causes flat spots and eventually ruins your tires.
Buyer Beware
By now most of us have had a strange telephone call telling us our “extended auto warranty” is about to expire. If you are on a no call list at home, they may have reached you on your mobile phone. Some have been very puzzled because they knew they didn’t have an extended warranty. Some though, assumed it was a call from their dealership, incorrectly as it turned out. Consumer Reports states that whether a service plan is offered by a broker, car dealer, or manufacturer, they recommend skipping it. These ads promoting extended auto warranty may sound good but if they don’t deliver consumers’ have wasted their money. Don’t become a victim. If you really want an extended warranty plan, read the fine print, do your research and don’t be pressured by a fast-talking salesperson.
Does Your Ride Have A Mind Of Its Own?
We get calls from consumers complaining that their car seems to have a mind of its own. It wants to bounce and rock and drift and sway. We know exactly what the problem is when we hear these complaints. It is either your vehicle’s shocks or struts. Usually they wear out slowly and you don’t notice that they are aging, then suddenly, it seems like you can’t keep your tires on the road!
How Are Your Wiper Blades Holding Up?
Wiper blades are one of the most neglected components on vehicles today. Many blades are cracked, split, torn, brittle, worn or otherwise in obvious need of replacement. Others may look okay, but does a lousy job of wiping when put to the test. Ninety percent of all driving decisions are based on a clear unobstructed view of the road, which means good visibility is absolutely essential. All wiper blade materials fall victim to environmental factors. Exposure to sunlight and ozone causes the rubber to age, even if the wipers aren’t used much. Then when the wipers are needed, they streak and chatter because they’ve taken a set and won’t follow the curvature of the windshield. It can be very annoying as well as dangerous. Wiper blades should be replaced every six months to a year so you are always prepared when you need them.
Glendora endured fire and smoke and it took its toll on all of us. We are thankful it wasn’t worse. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their homes. It is a very sad time in Glendora history.
We can see much of the damage the fire and smoke caused. Most of us know we need to change the filters in our homes but some might not realize that they also need to change the filter in their cars. In vehicles built in 2007 and later you will find 80 percent of them have a cabin air filter and its function is to protect drivers and their passengers from contaminants such as pollen, mold spores, dust and other small and annoying particles. We have recently experienced a lot of particles in the air and you can be sure the air filter did its best to capture as much of it as possible.
The cabin air filter is located on the passenger side of the vehicle and is most often, but not always tucked behind the dash around the glove compartment area. Whenever you turn on your defroster, air conditioning or heater it captures the debris so it doesn’t get into the cab of your vehicle. It is a very busy part and needs to be replaced at least once a year. If you or a passenger has severe allergies you may want to get it replaced more often. A clean cabin filter also helps prolong the life of your vehicle’s heating and air-conditioning system because it keeps debris and corrosion away from the evaporator core. After what we just experienced, this filter will definitely need to be replaced.
We get calls when customers turn on their heater fan wanting to know what that annoying rattling noise is from time to time. It is usually captured leaves or food stuffs left behind by rodents. Next time you get your cabin air filter changed you might ask to have a look at it. You will be very amazed about what it has collected and very thankful too that all that debris didn’t circulate into the cab of your vehicle.
Cabin air filters are becoming more sophisticated…some even eliminate odors. The good news is that it is usually a quick item to replace (depending on where the manufacturer placed it) and it is inexpensive. Next time you have your car serviced, don’t forget to get this part replaced. You’ll breathe easier…I guarantee it.
Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.
It seems that gas prices go up and down with no apparent rhyme or reason three or four times each week. It also seems that mostly the prices are the same but you have that favorite place that is a couple of cents cheaper and the place that is always a nickel or so higher per gallon. If you used the place that charges more is it really better for your car? They always say they are better…but if so…what makes them worth the extra?
Relax! AAA says using the cheaper gas will not hurt your car at all on most models. Your car’s onboard computer is able to adjust the variables of fuel between brands and drivers will not notice a change in performance.
Just what is the difference in the gasoline? Gasoline starts as a base product when it is delivered to its various destinations. Then, depending on the company various additives are mixed in to make the fuel their own brand. All of these companies must adhere to the federal mandates set by the Environmental Protection Agency so using less expensive gas will not hurt the environment. The off brands tend to use more ethanol to its additive package, where the major brands add their own additive package to the gas base and most claim it enhances performance and cleans better.
There is really no such thing as bad fuel but the more additives cost, the more the driver must pay for it. The more additives the more claims that the car’s engine is better protected. We suggest that you check out your owner’s manual and see what type of gasoline they recommend for your specific vehicle. The owner’s manual trumps everything, if you purchased a performance car that requires premium fuel, use premium fuel.
One other item is top tier fuels, the cars have to have a top tier fuel according to most owners’ manuals today. Not all stations are selling top tier fuel, so beware of the station you’re using, especially on new vehicles for warranty issues.
Premium fuels have more detergents to clean fuel injectors and intake systems, but if your car doesn’t require premium fuel, it may not be worth the cost. I recommend using a tank of premium every 10 fill ups and save your money.
If I hear more, I’ll keep you posted!
Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.
