Archive | Automotive Maintenance

Transit

Are you wondering where to get your Ford Transit repaired or serviced?  We see a lot of these vehicles, as they are very popular with the local wineries and other delivery business in our area.  We understand that you need your vehicle maintained and in good shape all of the time.  We would love to be your Transit maintenance and repair shop.  Give us a call today.

 

fordtransit Long's Car Care Center 98072

Oil

On some of the newer vehicles there is no oil dipstick.  Please, if your gauges or read outs say that you are low on oil, take your vehicle to a shop to have it checked.  We have had two new customers in the last couple of weeks add oil, when it shouldn’t have been added, overfilling their engines.  One had 6 quarts to much, but didn’t drive the car very far, as it was smoking, had it towed in and after draining the engine, and putting the right amount in, the engine was fine.  The other vehicle was not so lucky, after driving the car for a few weeks with almost double the oil, the engine has no compression, and he is now in a position that we don’t want to see anyone else in, does he junk the car, (which he just bought) or put a new engine in….So please don’t guess, bring it in so we can check it out and make sure it’s safe to add oil.

 

oil level Long's car care center 98072

Alignment

When should I get my vehicles alignment done?  Good Question!  There are multiple reason to get you vehicle aligned.  If you are buying new tires, and your old ones had significant wear on the inside or outside, if you hit a curb good and hard, if you notice that your steering wheel is off center, or your vehicle is pulling to one side or the other, these are all great reason to have your vehicle alignment checked and redone.  If you are in any of these situations, give us a call, and we will get you in and back out running straight again in no time.

 

alignment Long's Car Care Center 98072

Loud

Well that 4th of July was a loud one.  If you notice your vehicle making any LOUD noises, it would be a good thing to get it checked out sooner rather than later.  Loud noises are not normal, and if not pinpointed right away can lead to costly repair.  So don’t ignore any Loud noises that your vehicle makes, let us check it out, and repair what is causing the noise.  Then you can go quietly on your way!!

 

loud noise Long's Car Care Center 98072

Happy 4th of July

We want to wish each and everyone one of you a Happy 4th of July!  Have fun, travel safe!  We will be closed on Monday, but open bright and early Tuesday morning to take care of any of you automotive needs!

 

4th of july in seattle Longs Car Care Center 98072

State Emissions

Did you fail the State Emissions Test?  We are a Certified State Emissions Repair Facility.  We can diagnose the issue, do the repair or help you to get a waiver.  Give us a call today for an appointment!

 

emissions Long's Car Care Center 98072

Suspension

I think that one of the things people take for granted on their vehicles is their suspension.  Do you remember when you first got you vehicle and it drove so smoothly?  Now a few years later, it’s a bit more bouncy, it doesn’t handle quite as well, or stop quite as quickly?  If you have more than 70,000 miles you probably need to have your suspension parts inspected.  Just think how many miles you have driven..they say that your suspension has about 20 “events” for every mile it is driven, sometimes even more depending on the roads in your area.  We love replacing struts and shocks, because it is without a doubt the one repair we do that they “feel” the minute they drive away in their vehicle.  If you have a bouncy ride, or one that just isn’t as smooth as you would like, give us a call, we will get your vehicle in and get it back to the smooth ride that it used to be.

 

stoppingdistance Longs car care center 98072

Timing Belt

So today’s Monday Motivation is, if it has been recommended that you replace your timing belt, and for whatever reason you haven’t done it yet, please reconsider and get it done.  If you have an interference engine, the belt breaking could possibly take out the whole engine.  That repair would be way more costly than just replacing the belt.  If you don’t know when yours is due, give us a quick call and will let you know.

 

brokentimingbelt Long's Car Care Center 98072

Maintenance

Remember your vehicle’s maintenance is important and needs to be kept up on!
This includes all your flushes, oil change and tire rotation.
Putting off your oil changes can cause your engine to become hot and not run as efficiently.
Your routine tire rotation prevents uneven tire wear and will give you the most life out of your tires.
Give us a call for all your maintenance items!

 

maintenance Longs Car Care Center 98072

Headed out on a Road Trip?

If you are headed out on a road trip now that school is out and the 4th of July is just around the corner, give us a call so that we can get you in and give you vehicle a “road trip inspection”.  Nothing is worse that being out in the middle of nowhere and having a belt break, or a hose split.  We want you to have fun and enjoy your vacation, not sit on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.  Our Technicians will thoroughly inspect your vehicle to make sure everything is road trip ready!!

 

roadtrip Long's Car Care Center