Maintenance Archives - Page 2 of 10

The Basics Of A Healthy Car

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. We recommend an eight to ten-year replacement cycle.
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 leak, they need to be fixed right away.
Tires need to be kept properly inflated to save gas and tire wear and rotated every six months.
Coolant, when neglected can corrode and leave sediment throughout your cooling system causing clogging that results in damaging hot spots that can harm your engine. Flushing every two years is recommended.
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.

Keeping your car healthy means getting it serviced regularly. Remember, we are a full-service preventive maintenance and auto repair center. We work on all makes and models, import and domestic!

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, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

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: 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).

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, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Let’s Talk Lights

The daylight hours are getting shorter now and we depend on our lights more and more. I have noticed people driving around with one headlight out or brake light and one can only assume a turn signal (though some people just don’t bother to use them for some strange reason!). It is a good idea to test your lights! You can have someone assist you, ask us to check or check them out yourself by pulling up to a building and shining your lights or even do it in your garage. Seeing well while driving is very important, and it is also important that others see you!

If your headlights seem yellowed, we can fix that! Just contact us and we’ll tell you how we do this (no, it isn’t magic!).

When Your Lights Go Dim

Your vehicle’s alternator keeps the battery charged. The alternator replaced the generator of the past. If your car fails to start as quickly as it used to (hard or slow cranking) or your lights seem dimmer it could be a sign that your alternator needs to be replaced. If you are used to dashboard lights telling you of a problem and you didn’t see the “alt,” “bat,” or “gen” light come on to alert you, keep in mind that the alternator is responsible for those dashboard lights! If it isn’t working then the lights will not illuminate.

When an alternator fails it usually does so in stages so pay attention when things start functioning abnormally. The signs are often subtle such as dimmer lights. You may be using all the bells and whistles at once such as the television, wipers, air conditioning, and the navigation system and they seem sluggish. When you stop using one or more of the functions the remaining ones work better. The dashboard lights may start flickering.

When you take your vehicle to your car care provider they will:

Perform a “load test” to check the voltage readings (measure the voltage at the alternator connector and the battery)
Check the belts to determine if they are old and cracked or slipping
Listen as an experienced mechanic can tell from clanging or rattling noise that something is not as it should be

Alternators work long and hard for us but occasionally even the best can fail. The battery will still run many miles on reserve power so this usually saves you from being towed in. As always, if things aren’t working as well as they normally do it is best to have it checked out before it becomes a serious problem. This always saves you time and money!

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, or contact us through our website!

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

This Valentine’s Day…and Every Day…Show That You Care

Each time a driver starts their engine and gets on the highway that car, truck or SUV needs the driver’s full attention and the vehicle needs to be well maintained in order to protect the driver, their passengers and those they share the road with.

Here are a few of the ways Certified Auto Specialists can help make sure the vehicle you drive is good to go!

We use the proper oil and filter for your make and model every time we change the oil.
We check your tires because they need to be properly inflated and rotated to keep them and you going for miles.
We always check your vehicle’s fluids and top off as needed.
We check all your vehicle’s filters because only a clean filter can perform properly to capture impurities.
We check your wiper blades to make sure they function properly.
We inspect the belts and hoses to make sure they aren’t cracked or frayed.
We inspect the brakes so you can stop when you need to!
We inspect the exhaust system to make sure it is working properly.
We inspect the battery to make sure it is fully charged and ready to go!
At Certified Auto Specialists we make sure all systems are ready to roll!

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, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

WORKING IN A CAR CARE WONDERLAND

We love cars, are you listening?
To keep them serviced is so thrilling.
A beautiful sight, a car working just right,
Working in a car care wonderland.

We raise cars up on lifts,
Keeping them like new is our gift.
We service them well, and enjoy it, you can tell,
We love working in a car care wonderland.

In the shop bay we can fix cars’ problems,
And you will know that we fixed it right.
You’ll say can you set an appointment for the next time,
And we’ll say yes we will and have a good night.

Serving you well is our pleasure,
As each customer we all treasure,
We work very hard to please one and all,
Working in a car care wonderland.

We enjoy changing oil and rotating tires,
We can do brakes and mufflers, belts and hoses too!
We exchange fluids, and new filters and batteries,
And yes it’s true we like very much what we do.

When customers come in, it’s so thrilling,
We love cars, so we’re willing,
To us it’s all in a day, the technician way,
Working in a car care wonderland!

Happy Holidays From All of Us!

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, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Gasoline Prices Got You Down?

Here are some tips to save you money with every fill-up!

Make sure your gas cap is secure! If you do not tighten it enough, gas can evaporate. You can lose gallons of gas a year this way (this applies to older cars).
Do not speed! Just five miles over the limit can cost you 7% in fuel consumption.
Go easy on take-off! Jackrabbit starts and slam-on-the brakes stops can cost you 10%.
Do not idle your vehicle! We see many cars idling away just because the owners start them remotely. This seriously wastes gas and does not help the environment either.
Make sure your air filter is clean. A dirty filter can cost you 10% in gas mileage! (This should be inspected every 15,000 miles.)
Combine trips! Plan your errands and save some dollars.
Think a higher-octane fuel helps? It does not unless your vehicle calls for it. Otherwise, you are just wasting money.
Car maintenance of all fluids and fuel injection cleaning is extremely beneficial to your vehicle…in many ways…but it also helps with fuel consumption.

Try these tips and start gaging your mileage. We think you will be pleasantly surprised at the money saved! Also, less fuel consumed is friendly to our environment.

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, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

How Drivers Can Keep Their Car’s Value High!

Hand putting coin into the car as piggy bank-Save money for car concept

Many of our customers at Certified Automotive Specialists plan to keep their car going until it can’t go another mile. If you are in that category, this article is not necessarily for you. If you do plan to sell your car in the near future, or trade it in someday, read on! I was reading an article by AAA and they estimate that a vehicle’s depreciation costs American car owners $3,571 per year, up less than 1 percent from previous years. They went on to give us pointers on how to give our vehicle more value when it is time to part ways!

1. Keep up with regular maintenance
A good technician can always tell if a driver skipped oil changes or other maintenance. When we do a used car inspection at Certified Automotive Specialists for our customers prior to purchase, our technician runs tests that can tell if the fluids have been changed or not. Some leasing companies charge lessees for unperformed maintenance. Make sure you keep receipts to prove you have kept current with your vehicle’s service.

2. Mileage
Keeping your mileagebetween10,000 and 12,000 miles per year gets you more at trade-in. If you’re driving significantly more than 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year – especially if the high mileage pushes the vehicle out of the manufacturer’s warranty – that could lower the car’s value. Many drivers rent a car when they have to travel far distances, for example, to keep the mileage on their vehicle lower.

3. Make Changes That Increase, Not Decrease!
Modifying your car to suit your style might make you feel great…but it might just hurt the value when you want to sell it or trade it in. Keep that in mind before you spend the money to install any feature. Research to see what changes may help…and what changes may hurt. Do not do any changes that will affect the vehicle’s warranty.

4. Color!
I have seen everything under the rainbow when it comes to paint colors on cars. When you have been in the industry as long as I have, nothing will surprise you. Just keep in mind that painting your car an unusual color could deter potential buyers. Stay with a generic color like silver or white because those tend to be the most popular colors.

5. Fresh!
Cigarette or pet smells often linger and could give the impression you haven’t taken the best care of the vehicle. If you smoke in the car, then that smell will remain in there so someone who gets into the car will be able to tell. The smoke can also discolor the ceiling and other areas. Before trading in or selling, you might want to visit an auto parts store and ask what they suggest to remove the smell. Keep pet hair removed. If it is not coming off for you, go to a car wash that does a great inside job as well and explain your predicament. Hopefully, then can help.

6. Keep it Clean!
Wash your car regularly to maintain its appearance. Try to wash your car once a week and wax it once a month. If the car looks good that will absolutely improve its value and you will feel good driving it as well. “It’s part of proving that the car is well-maintained.” It shows you care!

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, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Drips and Puddles

Those annoying under-the-car drips can leave your driveway and garage floor a mess…in fact, everywhere you park becomes a victim to this mess. They are also a sign that something is wrong and needs to be taken care of. The only drip you don’t need to be concerned with is the condensation from your air conditioner. Everything else is a signal that there is a problem. The small drips are giving you a fair warning that if ignored, serious problems are in your future. Here are a few examples:

A reddish-brown drip may mean one of three things; leaking transmission, an over-tightened pan gasket, or a leaking front seal.

A green or orange-red drip suggests a cooling system problem such as leaking hose or radiator.

A brown to brownish-black drip that is thick in consistency is more than likely engine oil. This is not a huge problem if it is slight but when it grows to puddle size it is a sign of something serious and if not kept under control could mean severe engine trouble.

A leak that looks like tea and feels oily is brake fluid. This type of drip or leak is always serious!

If you notice a puddle three inches or larger under your car don’t ignore it. Get it to the professionals as soon as possible. A puddle between one and two inches isn’t as serious…yet…unless it is brake fluid. Don’t put off having it looked at too long though…it could become a much more serious problem.

It is a good practice not to ignore drips because if left unchecked those drips will turn into puddles that get bigger and bigger until you no longer have a small problem, you have a major problem. Make an appointment with us today, and your car’s health care professional at Certified Automotive Specialists will stop the drips. Remember, minor problems come with minor price tags…major problems come with major price tags…maybe even the cost of a new engine!

Prevention is always the best medicine for your vehicle.

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, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com.