Gene's Car Tips - Page 24 of 49

The Mechanic Is Not Ripping You Off By Charging A Markup On Parts

Mechanics charge you more for parts than what you can buy those parts for online. People ask me about it from time to time. Is this a ripoff? No, it’s not.

This question usually pops up in my line of work when someone goes over a work order with a fine-toothed comb and then “checks” the prices they were charged for parts against prices on the internet. $249 for an alternator? You can buy one on Amazon for $86!

A markup on retail items—car parts or otherwise—is part of any business. And comparing Amazon prices to anything retail is misleading. My latest book (sorry not sorry for the plug) has a cover price of $39.95 but Amazon is giving them away for only $30.53.

Why is this? Among other things, Amazon does not run a local retail location with a person standing at a counter who can answer your questions.

But the parts question has a few more components. The part you get on Amazon might not be the same quality or have the same warranty as one from the local shop. The cheaper alternator cited above from Amazon comes with a one year warranty. The Ford Motorcraft alternator comes with a two year warranty.

And let’s face it: If you want that cheapo price on that car part, you have to buy it and install it yourself. While you might be fine with that, most people aren’t (hence the number of times I get asked this question.) When you pay the expert to install the part in your car, part of what you are compensating them for is what they bring to the transaction. The ease of installation (it doesn’t require you to get your hands dirty!) and the expertise. Most people would rather have the part installed by an expert who has done the installation many times before than try and do it themselves in their driveway.

And that installation quite likely comes with a warranty. The alternator dies the next day? Take it back to the shop if they installed it. You installed it? Pop the hood and start troubleshooting, Chief. Is the part defective or did you install it wrong?

I posted a question and asked guys in the industry to write and give me the lowdown on markups at dealerships and shops. Parts markups can vary from shop to shop and from dealer to dealer. Generally though, there are industry standards. What you are buying is the expertise of the shop and helping them keep the lights on and the doors open.

Would there be a markup that was too high? Of course: If they charged you $2490 for the $249 alternator, that would be a price “grossly in excess of the value of the goods.” In Michigan, and many other states, that would make it wrong. But notice the phrase “grossly in excess . . .” Simply charging you retail for a part that you can buy for close to wholesale isn’t going to break the law.

So, before you freak out when you see the price difference between the shop price and Amazon, remember that the comparison is not fair. Mechanics have to feed their kids too. And if you want the cheap price, you’re going to be doing the work yourself.

Catalytic Convertors Have Changed

Catalytic convertors have become more complicated. Usually a check engine light will light on the dash, your service provider reports a code after scanning the system. Further testing determines the catalytic convertor system has failed.

Older cars had one catalytic convertor and were able to be replaced for $300.00 or less. Starting in the early 2000 model year cars, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) change the standards on emission levels, meaning cars now have multiple catalytic convertors (some cars have 4 or more) to comply with the tighter emission standards.

CARB also change the rules about making the less expensive one shot wonder convertors as we called them, because the catalytic convertor lasted long enough to pass a smog check and then failed several years late, but were cheap. The new law is that everyone sold is warrantied for 5 years or 50,000 miles and has an executive order (EO) number that is made for the exact car it is installed on.

The consumer beware alert is some service providers are installing incorrect EO number convertors that cost less than the correct one, please beware when a catalytic convertor is purchased. You will fail a smog test if an incorrect EO number part is on your car.

One other warning is California is an island when it comes to emission parts; there are 49 state parts and California only parts. Catalytic convertors made for 49 state cars are illegal for California cars, so if you shop online, please look for the fine print, 49 state parts are not legal for California cars.

Clean air is what we all want and sometimes the consequences come at the cost of the consumer. We have had some cars cost thousands of dollars for catalytic convertors, so my recommendation is to keep a well maintained car to have the system perform at peak performance. Believe it or not the correct engine oil and regular changes help with a long lasting convertor, which should last 150,000 miles or more.

What Will You Do With Your In-Car Time?

With self-driving cars on the horizon promising a great experience for the passenger (yes, you are no longer a driver but a passenger!) what will that look like? Imagine yourself going down the road and you decide to spend your time surfing the Internet. You and your family are going on vacation. Since you have more than likely set this up via the Internet and your car is connected it will know this. It can then send you information on things you might like to do while there and even coupons on special events.

Some say that the self-driving car may become your delivery service. What if you want to pick up an order from a restaurant or another place of business! You might be able to arrange for your car to go all by itself! I am just imagining this…it is time for your car to come to Certified Automotive Specialists for service. You arrange an appointment and your car drives itself to our shop, we do the service and send it back home to you! How about that?

Self-driving vehicles are supposed to cut way back on accidents. They say that 90 percent of accidents are due to human error and the self-driving car will eliminate this. I do wonder about the other 10 percent…hmmm.

Now the potentially bad news…getting slammed with advertising. Yes…that has been brought up and of course all involved claim that it will not be a spamming experience but an enhancing experience. It is supposed to help us plan our day and be a user-friendly tool rather than an annoyance. We will have to wait and see.

Currently, the average driver in Glendora spends two hours in their car a day. It would be nice to use those hours to relax or to be productive. A self-driving vehicle will certainly make that possible. Certified Automotive Specialists is here as always to make sure your vehicle is ready to go when you need it. We don’t see that changing with newer technology driven cars. You can count on us!

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Is Your Air Conditioner Ready for Warmer Days?

Spring is in the air in Glendora and hot summer days are coming our way. Many of our customers’ thoughts are turning to…air conditioning. At Certified Automotive Specialists we get countless calls asking us how much it costs to fix. There is no one simple answer to this question but I’ll give you some industry-wide estimates so you have something to go on. Generally, if you drive an older vehicle it will cost more to fix because the parts will be harder to find.

Testing the A/C System: A technician must test the system to determine what is wrong with it. This requires a test for leaks and an inspection of the parts such as the compressor, condenser, hoses, and valves. The most help a consumer can be is to give as much information about when the condition occurred.

Evacuating & Recharging the A/C System: This is the most common fix of the A/C system. Refrigerant will naturally seep out over 3 to 5 years and will need attention.

Leaking Hose: We use a leak detection unit to test for leaks.

Compressor Failure: This is the most complex of all to fix and will be the costliest. The compressor is the pump that keeps the Freon flowing.

Replacing the Complete System: The cost of this is determined by the make and model you drive. Usually this occurs when someone tries to save money and adds the off the shelf sealer as a quick fix, it always causes grief later.

Working on air conditioning systems is not easy. The system itself is built in and around your car’s engine making it difficult. Specialized equipment is required and a technician that is certified in this area is a must. In some countries it is illegal for a non-authorized technician to work on A/C systems. A non-experienced technician can inadvertently cause problems and contaminate the environment.

These prices are not set in stone but an industry-wide average. We will have one of our certified technician give you an estimate after they have diagnosed your vehicle.

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Vulnerable To Hacking

We at Certified Automotive Specialists love cars and it is also how we make our living. This is why you can count on us to stay up-to-the minute on all things involving cars. When the FBI and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently said motor vehicles are increasingly vulnerable to hacking, we took note and wanted to share it with all our friends in Glendora!

What is one of the many advantages of a connected car? Software updates that a driver simply downloads. Imagine receiving an email update for your vehicle and instead of it being legitimate, the links are taking you to a malicious website/software. All this “connectivity” makes us vulnerable to those who want to use it for bad.

Most of the time, being aware of the possibility is helpful. Know who has access to your vehicle’s information. We password protect our smart phones, laptops and other devices and are very wary of giving this information to just anybody. We need to be just as concerned who has this information when it comes to our cars.

This is why in future it will be very important to choose an auto repair facility wisely and stick with them. You have to take your vehicle to a trusted source and not just take it here for an oil change, there for a brake job and still somewhere else for cooling system services.

When it comes to recalls, we at Certified Automotive Specialists suggest you regularly visit the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site http://ww1.nhtsa.com/ to get the latest information. This will let you know if the “update” information you are given is legitimate or just a ruse to make you vulnerable to a hacking.

Hacking is serious business and can of course cause annoyances but even worse, it can cause accidents and serious injuries.

Stay safe, Glendora! Certified Automotive Specialists is here to help!

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Passing the Smog Test

Passing the smog test in Glendora is vitally important, of course, and here a few tips to make sure your car or light truck can ace its test!

Bring your DMV renewal notice with you to the smog check facility. There is a bar code on it that we have to scan in.
Drive around about 30 minutes’ prior so your car can be at full operating temperature. On the freeway for 10 minutes at 60 MPH can also help.
Use the correct grade of fuel (see your owner’s manual) and fill up your vehicle prior to the test.
A clean air filter and fresh engine oil is always a good idea.
If you are a short trip driver take your vehicle on an extended spin the week of your test. Try to go on the freeway so you can get up to speed. Your vehicle actually performs better on longer freeway driving trips than short stop and start trips. To really help it along take it uphill, on surface streets and overall make the trip at least 30 minutes long.
One of the most important items is your car’s gas cap. Does it fit properly? Is it in good working condition? If you don’t even have a gas cap your car will automatically fail the test.
Lighten up your vehicle! If your trunk or other storage space is filled with weighty items, it hurts your vehicle’s chance of passing the test. The dynamometer does weigh your vehicle.
We strap your vehicle down on a dynamometer for the test to assure that it does well under stressful conditions. Make sure it doesn’t have fluid leaks and other safety issues prior to the test.
Tires must be the original specified as the test is calibrated to run stock sized tires for your vehicle make and model. Make sure the tires are properly inflated and in good condition.
If you have been ignoring a check engine light or other dash board warning light get it fixed prior to the test.

I hope you find these helpful and that your vehicle gets a passing grade. Remember, at Certified Automotive Specialists, we not only service and repair vehicles, we are a Smog Check Test Center.

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Smarter Cars And Glow In The Dark Roads?

Standby, Glendora drivers! Apple is working on a new patent to help drivers be less distracted. The “CarPlay” system is planning to have on-board sensors which can block a driver from SMS, email, media streaming and tasks that are not related to driving. It also may be able to sense who is using the technology so if it is a passenger it will unlock the features so that the passenger has access to it!

If you are one of the Glendora owners of a vehicle that doesn’t come equipped with Apple’s CarPlay…no worries! They are working on a stand-alone console that will integrate CarPlay technology into all cars. With this device, drivers can access maps, make voice calls, send and receive messages and listen to their favorite tunes all with voice and touch activated controls. No word on how this integration stops distracted driving.

Dynamic paint with special foto-luminising powder can light up at night so drivers can see road markings. Currently this is being used on a 310-mile stretch in the Netherlands so drivers can simply see the “glow in the dark” road markings. This will save on energy and infrastructure costs because extra highway lighting will be unnecessary! This is being tested currently with an induction priority lane for drivers with electric vehicles!

As always, I’ll keep you posted as I read and hear more! At Certified Automotive Specialists, we aim to keep Glendora drivers “in the know”!

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!

Your Computer On Wheels And Malware

Gene-Car-Talk

Like any piece of software, connected cars are vulnerable to malware. Cars’ computers are very necessary as they control everything from brakes to our “infotainment systems”. This is a market hackers are eager to explore and exploit.

When you or any driver in Glendora, get in your car you don’t have to log on first, you don’t have encryption or other ways to verify you are in command of your car’s computer system. Hackers can access your vehicle a number of ways by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Internet. Just think about it…your laptop and mobile devices are actually more securely protected at this time than your vehicle. That doesn’t make drivers feel very secure, now does it?

Controller Area Network (CAN) Bus makes it possible for a car’s ECUs (Engine Control Units…and cars can have over 100 of these, depending on the make and model) to communicate with each other. They work hard to make sure your car is ready to go and quickly. Last year researchers showed just how easy such an attack is by getting “inside” a Jeep Cherokee. They disabled the brakes and controlled the steering remotely. Chrysler had to recall 1.4 million vehicles and “patch” this loophole.

Since protecting a vehicle with a firewall is not the answer as it slows down the ECU so it can’t control safety functions quickly enough when you start your engine, a company in Ann Arbor, Michigan called Karamba Security is looking for another way. They recently introduced anti-malware. It will provide security by protecting the gateways to the externally connected controllers. This anti-malware knows what should be running on these ECU’s and should a hacker introduce another “code” not on the list, the anti-malware will stop it in its tracks.

This works well with the codes supplied to Karamba from the manufacturers. The difficultly comes, however, when a driver decides to add aftermarket devices to their vehicles. The FBI and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a warning about this very thing.

Our mission is to keep Glendora drivers informed as we enter this new arena!

Please call us with any questions at 626-963-0814 or visit our website at www.CertifiedAutoCA.com.

Hometown Service You Can Count On!