Category: Maintenance

What Is Scheduled Automotive Maintenance?

Scheduled Automotive Maintenance

Factory scheduled maintenance is a list of maintenance items that each vehicle manufacturer recommends at designated intervals. The intervals themselves and types of automotive maintenance can vary by make and model, so it’s always important to check your owner’s manual for specific details for your car. Typically, the intervals are at every 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, 90,000 miles, or more. 

Keeping up with your scheduled maintenance not only keeps your vehicle running smoothly, but it also prevents expensive repairs and breakdowns. When you bring your car in for scheduled maintenance, it gives us the chance to spot minor issues that may be developing—before they can turn into a larger repair. Many drivers mistakenly believe they need to return to the dealership for their factory scheduled maintenance, but that’s not the case! We can perform any of your maintenance services and your warranty will still be valid.


If you want to keep your car, truck, or SUV running safely and efficiently, vehicle maintenance is critical. Our technicians are trained and certified to perform anything from oil changes and scheduled maintenance to performance upgrades and extensive repairs. If you have questions about the maintenance requirements for your vehicle, contact Certified Automotive Specialists and we’ll provide guidance on its various maintenance requirements.

Certified Auto Specialists: the friendlier and more helpful auto shop! Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions and we will be glad to help.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

How We Keep Your Car Going Strong in the Summer Heat

By Gene Morrill
Maintenance is easy to schedule. Breakdowns are not.

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We know we can feel our energy ooze out of us in the summer heat and your car feels it too! Just imagine sitting there day after day on the hot pavement while the relentless summer sun shines down on you. Car’s components such as rubber are very sensitive to heat and tend to become brittle and crack. Here are just a few things we at Certified Automotive Specialists look for when we service your vehicle for summer:

• Batteries take a beating.  Between the car’s vibrations and heat, they usually only last five years.  It is always a good idea to have them tested and our technicians can help determine how much life they have left in them.

• Cooling systems are very susceptible to summer heat.  You will notice more cars sitting on the side of the road with steam pouring out from under the hood during the summer months.  We always check your cooling system thoroughly to make sure the coolant isn’t contaminated.  We also check the rubber components for cracks and frays.  If they are past their prime, we will recommend replacing them so you don’t end up on the side of the road. 

• Tires need the proper inflation to function well. They don’t operate well if they are over-inflated or under-inflated.  They need to be just right!

• Fluids and filters need to be checked and replaced if needed.  They do a lot of work to protect our vehicles.

• Air-conditioning systems are a must and need to be looked at so you and your passengers stay comfortable no matter how high the outside temperatures climb.  We make sure to check the refrigerant and other components.  

We are here to help your car face the challenges that come with hot days. Give us a call. You and your car will be glad you did! 

Certified Auto Specialists: the friendlier and more helpful auto shop! Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions, and we will be glad to help, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Longevity 

car maintenance

At Certified Automotive Specialists, we emphasize that preventive maintenance is the key to longevity for your vehicle. One of the vital ingredients to give your car long life is the use of proper lubricants.  

I’m sure most drivers know that replacing a car’s engine or transmission is very costly.  We hope you never have to find out first-hand. To prevent that, the oil needs to be changed regularly as do other fluids. 

Oil lubricates all the moving parts of your vehicle while you are driving it. This keeps every part moving smoothly and prevents jamming which leads to part failures.  Oil that isn’t changed regularly gets dirty and the buildup of contaminates can also lead to the failure of parts. Clean oil is essential.

Your driving habits can affect how often the oil in your car needs to be changed.  If you aren’t sure how often your particular car’s oil needs to be replaced, we can help.  There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to oil changes.  

Certified Auto Specialists: the friendlier and more helpful auto shop!  Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions and we will be glad to help.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

The Basics Of A Healthy Car

Cars are built better than ever these days and give us miles of service. Keeping them healthy is important and extends their life.

  • Oil is their lifeblood. Dirty oil makes it harder for your engine to turn over and causes premature engine wear.
  • Belts and hoses are made of very durable material with relatively long lives, but they do deteriorate over time. We recommend an eight to ten-year replacement cycle.
  • Leaks are not normal except for condensation from your air conditioner. 11 different fluids keep your car running; brake fluid, antifreeze, engine oil, power steering fluid, air conditioner refrigerant, shock absorber fluid, battery electrolyte, windshield washer solvent, rear axle or CV boot lubricant and fuel. If any of these leak, they need to be fixed right away.
  • Tires need to be kept properly inflated to save gas and tire wear and rotated every six months.
  • Coolant, when neglected can corrode and leave sediment throughout your cooling system causing clogging that results in damaging hot spots that can harm your engine. Flushing every two years is recommended.
  • The battery needs to have the cables securely attached and free of corrosion in order to get power to the starter and accessories so the alternator receives a charge.

Keeping your car healthy means getting it serviced regularly. Remember, we are a full-service preventive maintenance and auto repair center. We work on all makes and models, import and domestic!

Certified Auto Specialists: the friendlier and more helpful auto shop! Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions and we will be glad to help, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Why Timely Service Is So Important

I’m often asked about why timely service is so important. I hope you find the answers to the questions below helpful too!

Q: I’m always being told I need my filters changed. What’s that all about?

A: Oil, fuel and air filters all work hard to improve your engine’s running condition. When they get dirty, contaminants enter the system. This causes rough idling, loss of acceleration, decreased power and lower gas mileage.

Q: I usually fill up with gasoline when my car is almost on empty. I was told that isn’t necessarily a good thing. What’s wrong with that?

A: The gasoline in the tank is the cooling agent for the pump. When the level is low, the pump is exposed and runs too hot.

Q: I have heard that “exchanging” transmission, radiator, brake and power steering systems are a good idea? Why?

A: In all cases, mileage and use means more contaminants and breakdown of important fluid additives which help prevent wear and corrosion. When the systems are exchanged and new, clean fluid is added, you now have the protection of new fluid loaded with additives and without harmful contaminants that are creating excessive wear. When you consider the cost of a transmission, radiator, an ABS brake system or power steering units, fluid exchange, next to oil changes, is the best bargain out there!

Q: If I have a concern about a noise, or notice that my car is just acting different, what should I do?

A: Call your car care provider as soon as possible. If they think it needs immediate attention they will tell you to bring it in. Safety comes first and they will never advise you to drive a vehicle that needs attention now.

Q: What can I do to lower repair costs?

A: Maintain components before they become major problems. This is the key to saving money. When you bring your car in for service, your car care provider can alert you to future repair needs or replacement parts so you can budget accordingly.

Q: I am so busy I sometimes forget to have my car serviced. What is an easy way to remember?

A: Try to preset an appointment and ask to be called a day or two in advance. If your car care provider doesn’t offer this service, think of the calendar by seasons. On the first day of spring, summer, fall, winter call and schedule an appointment.

Q: What’s the deal with diagnostic testing? Doesn’t that cost me more money?

A: No, it actually saves you money. Trying to diagnose today’s computerized vehicles without the proper training or diagnostic equipment can result in misdiagnosis costing you $100 or $1000 in unnecessary repairs (known as parts swapping).

Certified Auto Specialists: the friendlier and more helpful auto shop! Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions, and we will be glad to help, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Let’s Talk Lights

The daylight hours are getting shorter now and we depend on our lights more and more. I have noticed people driving around with one headlight out or brake light and one can only assume a turn signal (though some people just don’t bother to use them for some strange reason!). It is a good idea to test your lights! You can have someone assist you, ask us to check or check them out yourself by pulling up to a building and shining your lights or even do it in your garage. Seeing well while driving is very important, and it is also important that others see you!

If your headlights seem yellowed, we can fix that! Just contact us and we’ll tell you how we do this (no, it isn’t magic!).

When Your Lights Go Dim

Your vehicle’s alternator keeps the battery charged. The alternator replaced the generator of the past. If your car fails to start as quickly as it used to (hard or slow cranking) or your lights seem dimmer it could be a sign that your alternator needs to be replaced. If you are used to dashboard lights telling you of a problem and you didn’t see the “alt,” “bat,” or “gen” light come on to alert you, keep in mind that the alternator is responsible for those dashboard lights! If it isn’t working then the lights will not illuminate.

When an alternator fails it usually does so in stages so pay attention when things start functioning abnormally. The signs are often subtle such as dimmer lights. You may be using all the bells and whistles at once such as the television, wipers, air conditioning, and the navigation system and they seem sluggish. When you stop using one or more of the functions the remaining ones work better. The dashboard lights may start flickering.

When you take your vehicle to your car care provider they will:

  • Perform a “load test” to check the voltage readings (measure the voltage at the alternator connector and the battery)
  • Check the belts to determine if they are old and cracked or slipping
  • Listen as an experienced mechanic can tell from clanging or rattling noise that something is not as it should be

Alternators work long and hard for us but occasionally even the best can fail. The battery will still run many miles on reserve power so this usually saves you from being towed in. As always, if things aren’t working as well as they normally do it is best to have it checked out before it becomes a serious problem. This always saves you time and money!

Certified Auto Specialists: the friendlier and more helpful auto shop! Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions, and we will be glad to help, or contact us through our website!

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

This Valentine’s Day…and Every Day…Show That You Care

Each time a driver starts their engine and gets on the highway that car, truck or SUV needs the driver’s full attention and the vehicle needs to be well maintained in order to protect the driver, their passengers and those they share the road with.

Here are a few of the ways Certified Auto Specialists can help make sure the vehicle you drive is good to go!

  1. We use the proper oil and filter for your make and model every time we change the oil.
  2. We check your tires because they need to be properly inflated and rotated to keep them and you going for miles.
  3. We always check your vehicle’s fluids and top off as needed.
  4. We check all your vehicle’s filters because only a clean filter can perform properly to capture impurities.
  5. We check your wiper blades to make sure they function properly.
  6. We inspect the belts and hoses to make sure they aren’t cracked or frayed.
  7. We inspect the brakes so you can stop when you need to!
  8. We inspect the exhaust system to make sure it is working properly.
  9. We inspect the battery to make sure it is fully charged and ready to go!
  10. At Certified Auto Specialists we make sure all systems are ready to roll!

Certified Auto Specialists: the friendlier and more helpful auto shop! Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions and we will be glad to help, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

WORKING IN A CAR CARE WONDERLAND

WORKING-IN-A-CAR-CARE-WONDERLAND

We love cars, are you listening?
To keep them serviced is so thrilling.
A beautiful sight, a car working just right,
Working in a car care wonderland.

We raise cars up on lifts,
Keeping them like new is our gift.
We service them well, and enjoy it, you can tell,
We love working in a car care wonderland.

In the shop bay we can fix cars’ problems,
And you will know that we fixed it right.
You’ll say can you set an appointment for the next time,
And we’ll say yes we will and have a good night.

Serving you well is our pleasure,
As each customer we all treasure,
We work very hard to please one and all,
Working in a car care wonderland.

We enjoy changing oil and rotating tires,
We can do brakes and mufflers, belts and hoses too!
We exchange fluids, and new filters and batteries,
And yes it’s true we like very much what we do.

When customers come in, it’s so thrilling,
We love cars, so we’re willing,
To us it’s all in a day, the technician way,
Working in a car care wonderland!

Happy Holidays From All of Us!

Certified Auto Specialists: the friendlier and more helpful auto shop! Feel free to call 626-963-0814 with any questions, and we will be glad to help, or visit our website at CertifiedAutoCa.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!