Why does my Car Battery Keep Dying? Typically a car battery will last 4-6 years in our area. Extreme temperatures in either direction, hot or cold, will stress the battery and may let you down. The first step is to check the battery itself to verify the storage capacity.    Once we have determined that the battery has the capability to store the proper voltage and deliver the proper amperage we can move on to test the remainder of the system. The next step is to determine if the alternator is able to charge the battery sufficiently. With the engine running the mechanic will verify that the alternator has a proper amperage output and can maintain voltage. The last and final step is to verify that the battery is not draining while sitting. In order to verify this we will test the system for a parasitic draw. Some common items that may cause an unintentional draw are a dome lamp left on, a glove box lamp, or a door partially open!  It is best to periodically test the batte ... read more

                                        Tire pressure is measured in PSI or Pounds Per Square Inch. Maintaining proper tire pressure is vital for fuel economy, tire wear, and proper steering/handling/braking. You may have a tire warning light on or you have seen a low tire. To determine the proper tire pressure you simply need to locate the vehicle's tire placard. As pictured the tire placard is located in the driver's door jamb.                                                  The manufacturer's tire placard will indicate the tire size, load rating, speed rating, as well as proper tire pressure. The listed tire pressure should be checked and adjusted when the tire is cold. Tire pressure will rise as the tire ... read more

Many drivers are finding themselves off schedule from their routine service with new driving habits. You may be left wondering when should you really change your oil? Depending on the age of your vehicle, the type of oil that you use, and the driving conditions, oil service intervals will vary. Most newer vehicles specify a synthetic motor oil that has an extended service life. Quality full synthetic motor oils driven under the right conditions can be stretched as far as 10,000 to 15,000 miles! More realistically though you will end up servicing your car around 5,000 miles. Very few drivers meet all of the criteria to utilize the full potential of advanced synthetic motor oils.  Before you get too excited that you never need to change the oil there are a few things to keep in mind!    Most drivers do not operate under pristine high mileage driving conditions in a short time to take full advantage of the oil's potential mileage life. No matter what the mile ... read more

What should you do if the water in fuel warning message comes on in your Ford Powerstroke truck? First of all, you do not need to worry, this is a message indicating that the fuel water separator needs to be drained. Minimize driving until you can service the system to avoid water-related damage or contamination.  The Ford Powerstroke Fuel and water separator is located on the driver's side frame rail just under the driver's seat. It is a large aluminum housing with a black plastic cap to the rear and four fuel lines. Before getting under the truck you will need a drain pan and Allen wrench to drain the water separator. Slide under the truck and remove the Allen plug (indicated by the red arrow) in the lower portion of the pump/separator. After allowing the fuel to drain simply resecure the plug and clean up! Cycle the ignition key to the on position and wait 30 seconds before turning off and repeating. After 2 complete cycles start the truck as you normally wou ... read more

              At some point, we have all experienced the fear of unknown fluids under the car. When this happens, you’re probably going to worry about what fluid is leaking and what the newfound leak means for your day. You might worry if your car is safe to drive, and how much the repairs will cost. Before you get too worried, let's get an idea of how to identify the fluid leaking from your car.  First of all, let's break the fluids down into two groups; oil-based and water-based fluids. The oil-based fluid category will include Motor oil, Transmission Fluid, Differential Fluid, Power Steering Fluid, Brake Fluid, and Fuel. To tell the difference most oil-based fluids will leave a rainbow on wet surfaces and have a noticeably oily feel.  To help you further determine the fluid in question see if you can tell the color and location of the fluid.         Fuel ... read more

It's important to get routine maintenance on your vehicle to keep it running like new. Often, simple things like getting your brake pads replaced every 40,000 to 50,000 miles can help you prevent accidents and avoid costly repairs. Depending on the climate you live in and your driving habits, you may need to get your brakes serviced more often. If you are rougher on your brakes, you may find yourself replacing your brake pads in less than 40,000 miles. However, if you're a very careful driver, you may find that your brake pads last even longer than 50,000 miles. Below, we'll discuss warning signs that your brake pads may be wearing thin and require replacement, and how weather can damage your brakes. One way to tell that your brake pads may need to be replaced is a squeaking sound when you press the brakes. You may also notice that you have the press the brake much harder than before to stop, as well as a clicking sound. The squeaking sound and brake-time will become wor ... read more

Why is your car shaking!? One of the most common complaints a new client comes in with is "Shaking While Braking". Your driving down a busy road moving quickly through your day, as soon as you begin to brake for an upcoming traffic light your steering wheel begins to wobble back and forth!?! No need to fear! This is a common complaint and our certified mechanics are well versed in the variety of issues that may cause shaking while braking.  One of the most common issues causing this is brake rotors that are warped or out of parallelism. After a thorough evaluation of the braking, steering, and suspension systems the technician will recommend the best route of repair. If the issue is determined to be related to the brake rotor there are two options for repair. Providing that there is sufficient material remaining on the rotor, it can be machined and reused. If the rotor is worn below its serviceable limit then the rotor will require replacement. During this se ... read more

In the world of COVID, we have all been driving less than normal lately. A common question that we field is "Do I need to change my oil, I only drove 2,000 Miles?" Well, the short answer is that it is your car and you can do whatever you want!!!! What SHOULD you do to avoid issues? Read on..... The industry experts and manufacturers recommend never going over one year between services. The reasoning for this service interval is multi-faceted. The main component of the motor oil will breakdown and collect moisture and contamination over time. Additionally, the oil filter element is made of fleece paper, this paper will also breakdown with age and can deteriorate.   Most of all we must keep in mind that the service performed during an oil service involve much more than simply changing the motor oil and filter. Our ASE-certified technicians will review the complete vehicle to spot mechanical faults before they adversely affect you. We ... read more