Author Archive | Michelle Long

Do you know when you are due to replace your Timing Belt?  If not, give us a call so that we can look up your vehicle, and let your know.  It is important to get this done in a timely fashion, especially if your vehicle has an interference engine, which means that if the Timing Belt were to break, it could cause enough damage to warrant you having to replace your engine, or your vehicle.  We don’t want you to have to make those hard  and expensive decisions, so please if you have any questions just give us a call.

Today’s Tuesday’s Tip is….If you decide to install your own battery, please make sure to remove the plastic covers off of the terminals, before you attach the cables.  We had a customer, fail to do that, didn’t realize their mistake, and after the car died, had to pay for the tow to our shop.  Please if you want to DYI, make sure you know what to do, so that you don’t have to waste money on a tow.  Also if you are in that situation, we want to help, feel free to call us with questions.  We are hear to help.

Our tip on this Maintenance Monday is to NOT ignore your dashboard warning lights.  If you are not sure what they mean give us a call…but do not ignore them.  Your vehicle is trying to tell you something important.  Maybe that you’re low on oil, or brake fluid.  Could be an issue with your computer system.  Please, just give us a call, and we can help you decide what you should do next.

That’s right it’s that time again, it’s SHOCKTOBER.  If you are in need of replacing your shocks and/or struts now is the time to do it.  Buy 3 get 1 free!!  Save some money, have a smoother ride and be able to stop on a dime again.  We recommend replacing your shocks and struts every 75,000 miles, so if it’s time, let’s get you in here so you can take advantage of this great deal.

Is it time for an Oil Change?  If so, please give us a call, we would love to meet you and become the shop that you take your vehicles to for all of their maintenance and repair needs.  Our philosophy is to keep our customers vehicles maintained and running great for as long as they want.  Some of our customers have vehicles with well over 200,000 miles, because they love their vehicle, and they keep them maintained.  We work with them on maintenance schedules, so that they know what is coming up and can plan for it.  We would love to have this same relationship with you!!

Tip of the day. When your gas tank is 1/4 full,  fill the gas tank to keep the fuel pump cool and it will last longer.  Fuel pump replacement can be expensive, so to keep your costs down, remember to fill up when you get down to a quarter of a tank.  Having your fuel pump go out on you can leave you stranded!

The serpentine belt tensioner applies pressure to the belt, maintaining the right tension to drive the accessories like the alternator and A/C compressor.  We know that the service life of the belt tensioner is the same as the belt itself, so they should always be replaced together. A worn tensioner prevents the accessories from spinning properly, leading to premature wear and noise.
Your vehicle manufacturer has a recommended mileage interval for your belt replacement. A complete accessory drive system service replaces the serpentine belt, the belt tensioner and any idler pulleys your car might have. We can one of our great technicians inspect your system and let you know if it’s time for a replacement.

Are you sending your student back to school with a car?  If so, please give us a call, we will get you in before they leave so we can do a FREE “Back to School” inspection of their vehicle.  This way you will have peace of mind knowing that your student is driving a car that is safe and well maintained.  We want to help you keep your family safe, and your stress level down.