Gene’s Car Tips

Certified Auto Specialists Car Care News and Information: Serpentine Belt System Wear

The primary job of the serpentine belt is to provide vital traction to spin the accessories. As the belt wears it loses some of its grip and the accessories may not spin at best speeds. For example, if your alternator doesn’t spin fast enough, the battery will not completely recharge while you’re driving and you could end up stranded with a dead battery.

In short, a worn serpentine belt will stress all of the accessories it powers leading to premature wear and possible early replacement. When as little as 5% of belt material is lost, the serpentine belt cannot provide the proper traction for the accessories. Your reliable Certified Auto Specialists technician can review your belt for excessive wear and replace your serpentine belt system if it’s excessively worn.

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Certified Auto Specialists
626-963-0814
476 Vermont Avenue
Glendora, California 91741

Certified Auto Specialists Car Care News and Information: Timing Belt Overview

In your engine, valves over each combustion chamber open to allow fresh air in, close during the combustion event, and then other valves open to let out the exhaust. All of this happens over and over thousands of times a minute. The timing belt’s critical job is to make sure that all of this happens as it should – at precisely the right time. If the timing is off, your engine won’t run efficiently or maybe not at all – so a good timing belt is critical. If it should break, you could have pricey engine damage.

Ask your reliable Certified Auto Specialists tech when your timing belt is scheduled for replacement.

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Certified Auto Specialists
626-963-0814
476 Vermont Avenue
Glendora, California 91741

Vehicle Maintenance Videos by Certified Auto Specialists: Making Your A/C System Last Longer

Glendora car owners know that if their air conditioning system isn’t making cool air like it used to, there is a problem. It may be as simple as adding more of the right kind of refrigerant.

Your A/C requires special compressor oil, which circulates through the system along with the refrigerant, to lubricate and protect expensive components and keep seals and gaskets from drying out. If refrigerant has leaked out – so has the compressor oil. This oil needs to be replenished whenever refrigerant is added.

An air conditioning examination will uncover any potential troubles and identify any necessary repairs needed to get Glendora auto owners on the road to cool air once again.

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Certified Auto Specialists
626-963-0814
476 Vermont Avenue
Glendora, California 91741

Certified Auto Specialists Vehicle Maintenance Tips and Videos: Causes of Wheel Misalignment

When properly aligned, all of your wheels are pointed in the same direction. Your vehicle will track true and handle the way it is designed. Glendora auto owners often associate our wheels being “knocked” out of alignment with an event like a major collision, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object. While these can certainly take your wheels out of alignment, the bumps and bounces of everyday driving take their toll on wheel alignment as well. Your automobile can lose alignment over time with just normal driving.

When your wheels are out of alignment, the team of automotive professionals at Certified Auto Specialists in Glendora can return your wheels to the factory settings. Most owners’ manuals suggest an inspection every year or two.

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Certified Auto Specialists
626-963-0814
476 Vermont Avenue
Glendora, California 91741

Certified Auto Specialists Car Care Advice for Glendora Motorists: Signs of An Alignment Problem

When properly aligned, all of your wheels are pointed in the same direction. Your vehicle will track true and handle the way it is designed. Los Angeles auto owners often associate our wheels being “knocked” out of alignment with an event like an accident, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object.

While these can certainly take your wheels out of alignment, the bumps and bounces of everyday Glendora driving take their toll on wheel alignment as well.

Additionally, your auto  can lose alignment over time with just normal driving. When your wheels are out of alignment, Certified Auto Specialists in Glendora can return your wheels to the auto maker factory settings. Most owners’ manuals suggest an alignment check every year or two. 

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Certified Auto Specialists
626-963-0814
476 Vermont Avenue
Glendora, California 91741

Automotive Tips from Certified Auto Specialists: Brake Noise

Your brake pads are the critical parts that rub against the rotor (or disc) to slow and stop your vehicle. They eventually wear down.

When your pads are worn too much, they won’t stop your vehicle as well. When the friction material is worn away, metal parts of the pad are exposed and you’ll hear a squeal or grinding sound.

That’s when Glendora car owners should replace their brake pads. Not only will new pads restore your stopping power, but replacing them on time will prevent damage to the rotor.

If your brakes are making noise, ask your Certified Auto Specialists service specialist to review your brakes. Addressing troubles early will restore your safety and prevent expensive brake damage.

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Certified Auto Specialists
626-963-0814
476 Vermont Avenue
Glendora, California 91741

Automotive Tips from Certified Auto Specialists: Rotor Problems

The brake rotor, or disc, is attached to your wheel. The brake pads rub on the rotor to slow your auto.

Rotors can warp, crack or become misaligned. They can also be damaged by worn out brake pads that scratch grooves into the surface. These conditions result in less contact surface for the brake pads, leaving you with reduced braking power.

Over time and miles, rotors can also wear down below safe specifications. It is important for Glendora auto owners to know that simply replacing brake pads on a wheel with a bad rotor will not solve the issue. Depending on their condition, rotors may be resurfaced or replaced.

Brake noise or a pulsation in the brake pedal are signs of potential brake problems that should be addressed right away. If you have any brake concerns, please have your reliable Certified Auto Specialists tech perform a thorough examination.

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Certified Auto Specialists
626-963-0814
476 Vermont Avenue
Glendora, California 91741

Certified Auto Specialists Auto Tips and Car Care: Tire Replacement Overview

Tires are an expensive purchase so knowing when tires should be replaced is important for Glendora auto owners. Tires will just wear out with normal use. The depth of the tread on your tire determines how well it will stop, start and steer – especially in wet conditions. 4/32th of an inch of tire tread is considered a safe amount of tread.

Uneven tread wear can be a symptom of other problems and simply replacing your tires will not prevent the same uneven wear from happening to the new tires. We can survey your tires for excessive or uneven wear. Unusual wear may lead to further examination of steering, suspension or alignment issues. We can help with needed repairs and with getting you the right tires for your needs.

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Certified Auto Specialists
626-963-0814
476 Vermont Avenue
Glendora, California 91741