Why pay for diagnostics?

Many people wonder why we charge for diagnostics. We try to keep our customers satisfied and costs to a minimum, but there are times when we need to charge for diagnostics. What is “diagnostics” anyway? It is when our certified master technician takes the time to methodically figure out what is wrong with your car. He is trained to look up and research the information in many ways, which takes time. Often, it comes down to the knowledge that our technicians are trained to have and to give your car the careful attention to the complaint that you may have. He’s learned new systems and technologies and that has, in… Read More

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5 Reasons your car needs routine maintenance…

We can’t stress this enough to our customers! Just like you need regular check ups to stay healthy, so does your car! Here are 5 reasons your car needs regular maintenance… 1. To detect faults before they become a safety concern. 2. To change engine oil before its lubricating properties are reduced too much by time, contamination and use. 3. Sludge build up in engine oil galleries caused by lack of oil changes is a prime cause of early engine wear. 4. To detect items that are wearing so they can be replaced before they fail causing inconvenience & expense. 5. Best of all Regular Servicing can greatly extend the… Read More

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Brake Safety

When it comes to the safety of your vehicle, the brake system is at the top of the vehicle safety checklist. Brake Safety awareness Month in August, sponsored by the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), is a great time to have your brakes inspected to make sure they are in safe working condition. It is recommended to have your brakes checked routinely and repairing or replacing when necessary. “A properly operating brake system helps ensure safe vehicle operation and control under a variety of conditions,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It is important for motorists to be alert and recognize the signs and symptoms that their brake system… Read More

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How’s Your Lights?

Fall is here (well not quite for us Floridians!) but its arrival means fewer hours of daylight and upcoming holiday travel. Before hitting the road, it is a wise idea to make sure your vehicle’s lights are working properly. Lights are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement. The vehicle lighting system provides nighttime visibility; signals and alerts other drivers; and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non- functioning lights, the following tips can help keep you safe: Keep headlights, tail lights and signal lights clean. Make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Don’t overdrive your… Read More

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Hanging onto Current Vehicle vs. Buying New…a No Brainer

Buying a new car might sound cool and exciting, but keeping your current vehicle, and continually maintaining it at recommended intervals, makes more economic sense than purchasing a new one. “From the down payment to the monthly car payments and higher insurance rates, the cost of buying a new car adds up really fast,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “By simply budgeting the equivalent of just one new car payment, you could cover an entire year’s worth of basic maintenance on your current vehicle and redirect the rest to beef up savings, take a vacation, or pay off credit card debt, college loans and other bills.” In… Read More

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What’s Your Dashboard Telling You?

Don’t ignore your vehicles warning lights. Warning lights on the dashboard are simply that, warnings. Be aware and watch for possible issues… check engine (red Check Engine Light) The check engine light usually indicates that a vehicle system, such as the ignition, fuel injection or emission control, is not operating properly, even if the vehicle appears to be running normally. A glowing check engine light doesn’t mean you have to immediately pull the car to the side of the road, but it should be inspected as soon as possible. A flashing check engine light requires immediate attention. brake light (redBrake System) An illuminated brake system light could mean the parking… Read More

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Listen to your car… IS YOUR CAR MAKING A NOISE

Most car noises come from the engine, belts and pulleys, hoses, exhaust system, tires, suspension system, tire to pavement contact, braking and aerodynamic interference. A car noise may be an early signal of an auto system or component failure. Learn to listen to your car and address the sound early by having a mechanic check it out. Early maintenance saves money and can save the life of your car. Some things shouldn’t be overlooked and ignored! They can become dangerous to you AND others on the road! Step 1: identify a problem by listening to your car when it’s signaling you there is a problem. Step 2: identify where on… Read More

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Easy Steps to Better Gas Mileage

With the average price of gas dipping below two dollars per gallon for the first time since 2009, many motorists have been seeing a real savings at the pump. Putting some of that savings toward basic auto care can lead to more miles per gallon and, in turn, more savings, says the non-profit Car Care Council. Improve fuel economy and save money with these 5 simple steps: 1. Check Tire Pressure: Keep tires properly inflated and improve gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent. 2. Use the Right Motor Oil: Improve gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent by using the grade of motor oil recommended by the manufacturer. 3.… Read More

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Preventative Maintenance…keep it up

Regular oil changes are your best investment toward the longevity of your engine! Keep your car running longer with preventative maintenance and don’t let your engine look this! 3 minimum things that should be done for routine maintenance 1. Oil and filter change (Every 3,000-5,000 miles) 2. Preventative maintenance for reliability and cost saving 3. Safety Inspections The least you should do is get the oil changed. If you are not the type of person who opens the hood once in a while just to check things out. You should let us put eyes on things at least every 6 months (or sooner) so that potential problems can be addressed… Read More

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