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Author Archive | Michelle Long

Why is my car so bouncy?

By on March 14, 2018 in Automotive Maintenance

Does your car have a lot of bounce and feel unstable when you drive?  Does it take you longer to stop than it used to?  Would you like to have better control and handling? Would you like your tires to last longer? If you answered yes to any of these questions then it may be time to get your shocks and struts checked.  We recommend replacing them every 75,000 miles.  It is amazing the difference in your vehicle’s handling when you put new shocks and struts on.  I know this from my own experience, I couldn’t believe the difference, it was like driving a new car.  Shocks and struts wear out slowly over time, so you really don’t notice anything until they are really bad.  Give us a call or book online, and we will get your vehicle and get it checked out.

When is Spring Break?

By on March 9, 2018 in Automotive Maintenance

Well, Spring Break is right around the corner.  Are you going on a road trip for your vacation?  If so, make sure your vehicle is road trip ready.   Call us for an appointment for your FREE ROAD TRIP INSPECTION!!  We will check your battery, fluids wipers, lights, HVAC system, brakes, belts, hoses, your suspension and tires (including your spare).   We want you to have peace of mind during your vacation.  Nothing is worse than being in the middle of nowhere and having car problems.  We will send you the results of our digital inspection, which will include pictures and videos, so that you can see what we are seeing!  We look forward to helping you get ready for your road trip!!  See you soon!

 

Why do I need to replace my loose ball joint?

By on March 2, 2018 in Auto Repair

We are often asked, “What happens if I don’t replace my loose ball joint?”  Well,  your ball joints are a very important piece of your suspension. It is a ball and socket type of joint that allows circular movement but no vertical or side to side movement. If your ball joints breaks your car will be dead in its tracks, and it will usually ruin the brake hose, axle shaft, tire and the wheel it may even damage the fender. We inspect your ball joints and suspension every time your car is in for service. Signs of a loose ball joint are; abnormal and premature tire wear, a pull in one direction or the other and an unstable feeling while driving at higher speeds. Other signs of a loose or worn ball joint are a clunking noise while hitting bumps, a tire that is sitting at a funny angle compared to the other tires.  Also bear in mind there may be no signs or symptoms at all. That’s why having them inspected with your routine maintenance is very important. Also be aware that in order to inspect your ball joints properly, your vehicle has to be off the ground.  At Long’s we thoroughly inspect your vehicle while it is on the hoist so that we can test all of your vehicles components, to make sure everything is in tip top shape.  We also do digital inspections with photos, and videos, so that when we email them to you, you can see for yourself what the issues are.  So if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, please give us a call, so that we can get you in and figure out what the issue is, we want you and your family to have peace of mind that your vehicle is in good, safe driving condition.

Is it time to replace my brakes?

By on February 7, 2018 in Automotive Maintenance

Do you ever wonder when it’s time to replace your brakes?  Are your brakes grinding or squealing? Is there a pulsation while braking?  Well, nothing lasts forever, including the brakes on your car. Worn out brakes can be a safety hazard to you and your loved ones. If you suspect that your brakes are getting worn, please give us a call 425-481-1739, and we will get you in for a FREE brake inspection, that way we can see exactly what is going on, and give you an accurate price for any brake work you may need.  So, please if you think there may be an issue with your brakes don’t hesitate to call us.

How do you keep mice and other rodents out of your vehicle?

By on February 5, 2018 in Auto Repair, Automotive Maintenance

It’s that time of year when rodents like to find warm places, so we get asked “How do you keep mice and other rodents out of your vehicle? ”  Rodents of all sizes can cause a lot of damage once they get inside your engine compartment, or even worse in side your vehicle.  They chew on wires, make nests, and can just make a stinky mess.  If you have a vehicle that you are not using often, and can store with the hood up, that is best, as the rodents are looking for a dark/warm place to nest.  If that is not possible, do not store pet food in close range, try to seal all of the entrances, put Pine Sol, peppermint oil, or other “smelling” substance in the vehicle, what smells good to us, does not smell good to rodents.  Put traps in the vehicle.  Open the hood every few days, to check things out.  If you find that you do have a rodent issue, give us a call for an appointment, will be happy to help you repair whatever they have damaged.

 

Last Minute Christmas Gift

By on December 18, 2017 in Automotive Maintenance

Are you looking for a Last Minute Christmas Gift?  Do you have someone to buy for, and just can’t come up with any great ideas?  How about buying this special person Lifetime Oil Changes?  This program is our Lifetime Maintenance Package, and the thing that is amazing about it, is that it follows the owner, and not the vehicle.  So it truly is Lifetime Oil Changes…there is a $5.00 fee with each oil change to cover disposal costs, but that is the only charge the owner has for the rest of his/her life.  Let’s say for example the person has a vehicle that take regular oil, and they decided to buy a new car that take synthetic, they would just have to pay the difference in the two plans.  That’s it!  This is a great gift for young drivers, or people that are very busy, and forget about getting their oil change, as part of this program we remind them, by text or call, that their oil change is due.  This helps keep their vehicles maintained and in tip top shape.  We also do a free vehicle health assessment every time we see the vehicle, to make sure there are no leaks, or safety issues.  Our goal is to keep all the vehicles we see running for as long as their owners would like.  If this sounds like a great gift to you, stop on by this week we are here from 7:30am til 5:00pm.  We will need to know the year, make and model of the vehicle…that’s it.  You’re in and out with a fantastic gift in less than 10 minutes!  Hope to see you soon!  Merry Christmas!!

 

Emissions Repair Woodinville

By on December 12, 2017 in Auto Repair

Did you fail your emissions test, and want to go to a state certified repair facility in Woodinville?  Give us a call, we have been state certified for over 20 years.  If your testing time is getting close, remember you always want to take the test first, then if you fail come in for the diagnostics and repairs.  This way if you decide you want to get a waiver you can.  The state requires that you spend $150.00 on either the diagnostics or the repairs.  This allows you to not “have” to do expensive repairs that may not be in your budget right now.  If you fail, bring your vehicle, along with any paperwork they gave you to Long’s Car Care Center.  We will get you back on the road in no time.

Why isn’t the heater in my car working?

By on December 8, 2017 in Auto Repair

Is the heater in your car not working?  It’s getting cold outside and you are going to want to stay warm.   Is there cold or cool air coming out of your vents in your car?  There are a number of parts that could cause this issue,  abad water pump, thermostat, faulty radiator along with vent control motors.  If you are shivering in your vehicle, give us a call at 425-481-1739, and we will get your vehicle in as soon as possible so that we can diagnose the issue, repair it, and get you back on the road in your cozy warm car.

Jeep Mechanic in Woodinville

By on December 5, 2017 in Automotive Maintenance

Have you ever wondered where to take your Jeep for service in Woodinville?  You search is over!  Here at Long’s we work on Jeeps just about every day.  In fact in the last 2 weeks we have welcomed 22 new customers and 8 of them have Jeeps.  We will treat your vehicle right.  Every Time we see your Jeep, we will do a detailed inspection, and if there are any issues, we will send you the report along with pictures to document everything.  We keep complete records for you, and send our reminders so that you will never get behind in any maintenance items.  So, come on in and meet us, we will give you a tour of our shop, and explain our maintenance program.  We also offer a Lifetime Oil Change package…wouldn’t it be nice to never have to pay for an oil change again??  We look forward to meeting you!

What does it mean when my Check Engine Light is on?

By on December 1, 2017 in Automotive Maintenance

Ever wonder what it means when your check engine light comes on?  Well, it could be a small issue or it could be something more serious. Is it accompanied by a constant, rattle or other unusual noise? Is there any smoke? Have you noticed a decline in gas mileage? Problems starting or loss of power? Any of these symptoms coupled with the Check Engine Light being on can indicate a serious issue that you should get checked out immediately.   If you are experiencing any of these issues please give us a call so we can get you into the shop before the issue gets worse.  425-481-1739.  We will get the issue diagnosed and repaired and have you on your way as soon as possible.