Service Intervals Archives

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!

What Is Scheduled Automotive Maintenance?

Factory scheduled maintenance is a list of maintenance items that each vehicle manufacturer recommends at designated intervals. The intervals themselves and types of automotive maintenance can vary by make and model, so it’s always important to check your owner’s manual for specific details for your car. Typically, the intervals are at every 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, 90,000 miles, or more.

Keeping up with your scheduled maintenance not only keeps your vehicle running smoothly, but it also prevents expensive repairs and breakdowns. When you bring your car in for scheduled maintenance, it gives us the chance to spot minor issues that may be developing—before they can turn into a larger repair. Many drivers mistakenly believe they need to return to the dealership for their factory scheduled maintenance, but that’s not the case! We can perform any of your maintenance services and your warranty will still be valid.

If you want to keep your car, truck, or SUV running safely and efficiently, vehicle maintenance is critical. Our technicians are trained and certified to perform anything from oil changes and scheduled maintenance to performance upgrades and extensive repairs. If you have questions about the maintenance requirements for your vehicle, contact Certified Automotive Specialists and we’ll provide guidance on its various maintenance requirements.

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!

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!

When The Odometer Reads 100,000 Miles

Back in the day it pretty much meant you needed to go shopping for a brand new car when the odometer turned over to 100,000 miles. The components would be completely worn out and the body would more than likely be the worse for wear too. Today’s cars are designed to keep going and going…as long as you take good care of them!

Cars aren’t all that much different than us humans! If you eat right, exercise, take supplements, have regular checks up and get plenty of fluids…they tell us we will be around a lot longer and should lead a long and healthy life.

Your car is the same way. It needs to be given the right fluids on a regular basis (and exchanged periodically), it’s charging and cooling systems checked and the brakes and exhaust system kept in good working order.

Today’s cars do go longer between service visits than the previous 3,000 miles that we all adhered to, but you still need to visit your automotive repair shop at least three times a year. There is a seldom read book in your glove box…take it out and look at it. Notice that it has recommendations for certain items to be taken care of each time you fill up with gas? Other items are to be checked monthly? I can tell you from looking at my customer’s cars that these items do not get checked between visits to my shop! That is why those that put off service for 1,000 miles or longer are pushing the envelope!

Newer vehicles have a friendly built in alert system that tell you when services are due to be taken care of. This is good because ignoring your car is not as easy as ignoring your owner’s manual or your mailed or emailed service reminder!

When your vehicle celebrates 100,000 miles treat it to some major preventive maintenance. It would be like giving a friend a day at the spa for rejuvenation. Look at it as a birthday gift for your car. Even though they are built to go many miles these days…reaching 100,000 miles is still a major milestone and should be treated as such. Then…wish it 100,000 more miles!

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

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Deciphering the Certified Auto Specialists Menu Board

Let’s talk about deciphering the auto service menu board. Glendora, California service centers like Certified Auto Specialists have a board that lists the routine services they provide. But some people don’t know what these services really are unless they ask. Let’s go down a typical list, in alphabetical order, starting with air conditioning service.

Feel free at any time to give Certified Auto Specialists a call at 626-963-0814 to learn of the many services we offer, or stop by our Glendora, California auto center at 476 Vermont Avenue 91741.

First remember that all of these services are recommended by vehicle manufacturers. They set how often or at how many miles the service should be done.

Air conditioning service involves purging the old refrigerant and capturing it for proper disposal. Then fresh refrigerant is installed. The fresh refrigerant will lubricate the system and will also help it cool better.

Alignment. Service centers like Certified Auto Specialists make sure all four wheels are lined up and track with each other. This reduces tire and suspension wear and improves safety and handling.

Battery service. Service centers like Certified Auto Specialists inspect the battery for corrosion, leaks or damage. Test the battery’s ability to hold a charge. If the battery’s still strong, clean it up. If not, replace it.

Brake service. This could be two things. A brake inspection to see if the brakes are working well mechanically and to see if the pads are still safe. If not, replace the pads and make any repairs that might be in order.

The other thing is to evacuate the brake fluid, clean out the system and replace it with fresh fluid. This is important, but often over looked.

Cabin air filter. The cabin air filter is the filter that cleans the air that comes into the passenger compartment. It works like the filter on your furnace at home. It gets dirty and needs to be changed often.

Cooling system. This is the cooling system for your engine. Replace the old coolant with fresh to protect your radiator and other cooling system components from corrosion.

Differential service. Every vehicle has at least one differential. They don’t require service very often, so people don’t think of them much. The differential transfers power from the drive train to your wheels. Drain the old fluid and add fresh lubricant.

Engine air filter. This filters the air that’s burned in the engine. It also gets dirty and needs to be replaced often.

Fuel filter. This filter cleans the fuel before it gets to the engine. Like the other filters, it too gets clogged and needs to be replaced in order to maintain good flow.

Contact Certified Auto Specialists, your Glendora, California auto repair center, by calling us at 626-963-0814.