Cold Season On It's Way. Not Too Scary If You Plan Ahead!

Well yes, sometimes we think our vehicle is scary with all the noises and performance issues that may come and go. I’m here to tell you that your vehicle is not as scary a place as you may think. I’ve been doing this work long enough to know there are problems just not found yet. Winter is approaching, and we need to prepare our vehicles for the cold times ahead. Have your technician give your vehicle a good look over and recheck your maintenance to see what has or has not been completed yet.

Things to look at or service? Pretty much everything. If you use snow tires, put them on about now or soon. Have your cooling system tested for coolant freeze point, look at your tires and your brakes. Since your transmission will get a good workout in the snow, check it. Have your battery tested and consider replacement at 3-4 years old. Check the alignment and steering since it’s hard enough maneuvering in ice and snow. Hey, don’t forget about the exterior! Washing and waxing helps ward off acid rain, ice, and road salt.

Finally, you want to think like a Boy Scout, (which I happened to have been one), “Always be Prepared”. Keep some emergency items in your car, a blanket, flashlight, water, rain gear, some high energy snacks that will last a while, something to start a fire, flairs, even a flair gun. They are inexpensive, and boats must carry them. I think cars should too. Carry some basic tools, jumper cables and rope. A small crate will not take up much room.

I’ll have some tips on getting unstuck in the snow in a later issue. Have yourself a safe winter, drive carefully, and be safe.

Kevin Albinowski  
President: Keystone Tire & Auto Repair  
631-957-8473
http://www.keystonetireauto.com/

10 Overlooked Automotive Services

We live such busy lives nowadays: work, social events, running the kids all over. Some days it’s all we can do to keep track of everywhere we need to be. That’s why you’ve gotta be organized. Lists, PDA, calendar- we have to keep track of it all.

So let’s talk about schedules. Specifically, automotive service schedules. And particularly, the scheduled services that are sometimes forgotten.

We have a list of 10 service items that are often overlooked. They’re all very important and need appropriate attention. So here we go, in no particular order.

1. Power Steering Service
Be honest; have you ever thought of this on your own? Your power steering fluid gets dirty and builds-up moisture over time. Cleaning out your power steering system means that dirt and gum are removed and your power steering parts are protected from corrosion. Ask your service advisor if it’s time for a power steering check-up.

2. Wheel Alignment
When your wheels are out of alignment your car pulls to one side. It’s pretty annoying, but it’s also dangerous. And it causes your tires to wear out really fast; which is expensive! Most owners’ manuals suggest you get your alignment checked once or twice a year.

3. Differential Service
Okay, did you even know you had a differential? Well you do. One, two or three in fact. Differentials are often called gear boxes and they’re part of the drive-train that transfers power from the engine to your wheels. They don’t need service that often, but you can’t just ignore them. Check with your service adviser.

4. Cabin Air Filter
More and more cars these days have cabin air filters to clean the air in the passenger area where we sit. They filter out dust and pollen. When they’re clogged up, they can get smelly. Change your cabin air filter on schedule to enjoy fresh, clean air, which can also help with allergies.

5. Timing Belt Replacement
Most cars and some vans and trucks have timing belts. Without going into a lot of detail, let’s just say that your car won’t run without it – period. And if it breaks while you’re driving it can do thousands of dollars worth of engine damage. Check your owners’ manual or with your service adviser. If you’re approaching 60,000 miles; absolutely look into it right away.

6. Transmission Service
Transmission service is very basic, but it’s often forgotten. Your transmission needs clean fluid from time to time to keep running efficiently and avoid costly repairs. And it can improve your fuel economy too.

7. Air Conditioning Service
Most of us don’t think about our air conditioning until it doesn’t work. Then if you’re lucky, you just need to add refrigerant. If you’re not, some of the components may have been ruined. Those components are not cheap. Regular air conditioning service adds clean refrigerant which cools and lubricates your air conditioner and conditions the seals.

8. Brake Service
No we’re not talking about squealing, grinding brakes here. We’re talking brake fluid. Over time the fluid gets a lot of water in it. Because water compresses differently than the brake fluid, your brakes won’t work as well. It may even get dangerous. The water can also rust out brake system components and then your brakes can fail altogether. Check with your service adviser for recommendations.

9. Coolant System
Another thing that’s so easy to forget about: When you don’t change your antifreeze on schedule it becomes corrosive. Fresh coolant contains additives that maintain the pH balance in the coolant. These additives wear out and the fluid in the radiator can actually eat holes in the radiator or hoses. Then you’re stranded.

10. Fuel System Cleaning
In times of high fuel prices, fuel system cleaning is so important. Fuel gums up a bunch of parts as it moves from the gas tank and through the engine. A thorough fuel system cleaning will keep clean gas flowing into the engine. Your fuel injectors get gunked up over time and need to be cleaned. Having your fuel system cleaned on schedule will really help your fuel economy.

Did you know that a recent survey showed that 90 percent of vehicles on the road have at least one scheduled maintenance service that hasn’t been performed? Based on our busy lives, we’re not surprised.

We know it takes some thought and effort to actually maintain your vehicle; but it not only saves money in the long run – it saves time too. And we can all use a little more time.

Kevin Albinowski, President Keystone Tire & Auto Repair Inc.  

195 East Sunrise Hwy., Lindenhurst, NY 11757

kevin@KeystoneTireAuto.com

http://www.keystonetireauto.com/
http://www.caresforcars.org/

631-957-8473

Ghosts And Goblins Under Your Hood?

Well yes, sometimes we think our vehicle is haunted with all the noises and performance issues that may come and go. I’m here to tell you that your vehicle is not as scary a place as you may think.  I’ve been doing this work long enough to know they’re just problems not found yet. Winter is approaching, and we need to prepare our vehicles for the cold times ahead. Have your technician give your vehicle a good look over and recheck your maintenance to see what has or has not been completed yet. Things to look at or service.  Pretty much everything. 

• If you use snow tires put them on about now or soon. 

• Have your cooling system tested for coolant freeze point, look at your tires, your brakes, and your transmissions get a good workout in the snow, check it. 

 • Have your battery tested and consider replacement at 3-4 years old.  

• Check that alignment and steering its hard enough maneuvering in ice and snow. 

• Don’t forget about the exterior wash and wax helps ward off acid rain, ice, and road salt. 

Finally you want to think like a boy scout, which I was one, “Always be Prepared”. Keep the emergency items in your car, a blanket, flashlight, water, rain gear, some high energy snacks that will last a while, something to start a fire, flairs, even a flair gun, their inexpensive and boats must carry them. I think cars should too. Carry some basic tools, jumper cables and rope. A small crate will not take up much room.

I will have some tips on getting unstuck in the snow in later issues.

Have yourself a safe Fall/Winter, drive carefully and be safe.

Kevin Albinowski

President: Keystone Tire & Auto Repair Inc.

195 East Sunrise Hwy.

Lindenhurst, NY, 11757

631-957-8473

Kevin@keystonetireauto.com,  www.KeystoneTireAuto.com

My NYS Inspection is due and my check engine light is on…now what?

by Kevin Albinowski
Will it pass a state inspection? What do I have to do, can I just have it shut off or something? Well you may hear as many different things to do, as there are reasons for that nasty little light to be on for. I will give you some valuable information you can take to the bank.

First, let’s understand what this light is all about. It’s called many things but it is a Check Engine Light (or CEL), or called a Service Engine Light, SEL to the trade. This light is meant to light up if your engine is running poorly enough that it will damage your catalytic converter, and of course send pollutants into the atmosphere. It may also come on when you have any of these problems: a bad spark plug, wire, air leak, malfunctioning catalytic converter, mass air-flow meter, oxygen sensor or engine air temperature sensor. These are some common items. The on-board computer in today’s vehicles holds lots of information for the technician to analyze.

The first thing we do is access the vehicle computer codes that may be set to aid in directing us to the problem areas. These codes are by no means always the answer to a problem, but they help the technician and guide him to a proper and thorough analysis of your systems. If someone is able to just pull the codes, this does not mean that is the failing component. I have seen this many times over and over again. Parts are changed based only on the code reference shown. The vehicle owner only has part of the whole picture about the vehicle systems.

Another question…if someone was to clear the codes without repairing the underlying problem, that light will come on again just as soon as the computer runs a system check once or twice. Don’t forget why that warning light comes on in the first place, catalytic converters can be very expensive. Last and very important, don’t wait until the last few days before your inspection expiration. You’ll be pressured into repairing it on the spot, and today, many folks don’t always have the money to do this. So if your CEL or SEL is on, make an appointment early enough to comfortably complete the necessary repairs.
• Kevin Albinowski
President: Keystone Tire & Auto Repair Inc.
http://keystonetireauto.com/, http://www.caresforcars.org/
Kevin@keystonetireauto.com 631-957-8473