Gene’s Car Tips

The Right Fluids for Your Vehicle

Glendora drivers’ current vehicles have over a century of engineering behind them. They have evolved into complex and powerful machines. Developments in their engines, however, have coincided with advances in many other vehicle components, including the fluids.

It’s critical for Glendora car owners to always use the right type of fluid for their sedan. Your service advisor and your owner’s manual are resources for auto advice on exactly what types of fluid your vehicle needs. Improper fluids can damage your vehicle and void your warranty.

Some of the fluids that have changed significantly in recent years are cooling system fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid and motor oil. Each of these comes in many varieties now, and it’s critical to know exactly which one your sedan needs.

Cooling systems were once made of iron, steel and rubber. One coolant could be used to protect all of these materials. But new cooling systems have components made from a variety of metal alloys and several kinds of plastic, and coolants now contain additives that protect these various materials from corrosion. Since the materials vary among auto manufacturers, they require different additives, which means there are now a number of coolants on the market. The type of coolant your sedan needs depends on the materials used in its cooling system.

Most vehicles used to require Dot 3 brake fluid. But now many vehicles need Dot 4 or Dot 5. Some Glendora auto owners mistakenly think the higher numbers reflect an increase in grade—that Dot 4 is somehow better than Dot 3. But the truth is, the numbers represent variations in formulation. The different formulas have evolved to meet the demands of newer and better brake systems. For a long time, transmission fluid came in two varieties: regular and friction-modified. But transmissions have come a long way recently, and so have the fluids that protect and lubricate them. There are several new types of fluid on the market, but your sedan is designed for just one of them.

Of all the automotive fluids, motor oils have experienced perhaps the greatest advances in engineering and technology. A number of new weights and formulations have recently been developed to meet the needs of modern engines, which have more parts and tighter tolerances than ever before. Engines have become more sophisticated and complicated, but they have also increased in power and fuel efficiency. Despite these changes, Glendora drivers still need them to be highly durable.

That’s the job of motor oil. Motor oil still has to perform its original, important function—lubricating and protecting the engine. It is formulated to help clean the engine as well. Modern motor oil also has to be thin enough to penetrate small engine passages yet still be resistant to vaporization.

Specialized motor oils have also been developed for high-mileage vehicles. If your sedan has 75,000 miles or more on it, you might consider switching to one of these motor oils. They contain extra detergents that help clean older engines and key additives that condition seals and gaskets that can become brittle with age. High-mileage motor oils come in weights and types just like regular motor oils, and Glendora drivers should match the proper weight and type of high-mileage oil to their vehicle in the same way you would regular motor oil.

Over time, vehicles have developed in complexity and variety, and their fluids have developed as well. Each vehicle is matched to a set of fluids that meet its specific requirements. California vehicle owners should take care to learn their sedan’s fluid requirements before topping off at home. A large part of preventive maintenance for Glendora car owners is making sure your vehicle’s fluids are clean and adequate, but they must be the proper type as well. As our sedans become more sophisticated, car care becomes more sophisticated as well.

Learning about proper fluids for your vehicle will help you maintain its performance and prolong its life. Talk to us at Certified Auto Specialists in Glendora.

Coolant Antifreeze Service In Glendora, California

Glendora drivers may know that most automotive failures in Glendora, California are tire related, but do you know the second most common cause for vehicle failure? Nope, it’s not teenagers. It is the coolant system. But, if you take good care of your sedan coolant system, it will take good care of you.

A sedan’s engine creates a lot of heat – so much heat, that if it is not properly cooled, the engine can lock up, resulting in massive damage and costly repair bills. But when everything is working right, your sedan engine operates at the proper temperature and all is well. Without antifreeze in your cooling system, the water could freeze and cause sedan engine damage. This could be very pricey, not to mention inconvenient.

The right mix of water and antifreeze is important and protects the engine against damage from freezing and overheating. Antifreeze also protects the coolant system against corrosion that could cause the system to fail. The thing to remember is this: coolant system failure is very common, but it is also very manageable to prevent. Your Glendora service center knows the automobile manufacturer’s recommendations, and can tell you when the coolant needs to be changed. At Certified Auto Specialists in Glendora, we can perform a coolant system service.

Even the best antifreeze cannot completely protect the coolant system from harmful deposits forever. The anti-corrosion additives are used up over time, so the coolant must be replaced. A coolant service cleans out the system and replaces the old fluid with fresh coolant. A coolant system service at Certified Auto Specialists is a low-cost way to protect against major engine repairs down the road. Prevention is the key for Glendora drivers. Be sure to watch out for the two main warning signs: if your temperature gauge is in the “hot” zone or if you get a message warning you to check your coolant. If you take a look under the hood, you will see the coolant overflow bottle. You can see there are lines that indicate the proper level of coolant … if your engine is cold – or if it is hot.

Glendora motorists can add water or antifreeze to that bottle themselves, but should be careful. First, you never want to open the radiator pressure cap. The steam could severely burn you. Second, try to get to Certified Auto Specialists in Glendora immediately if your coolant is low. If that is not possible, follow the directions in your owner’s manual. Third, remember that you need a proper mixture of water and antifreeze, or you will damage your engine. If you make an emergency addition to your cooling system, follow-up with Certified Auto Specialists or your service center where they can make necessary corrections. Fourth, not all cars use the same type of antifreeze.

Glendora motorists will need to check their vehicle manufacturer’s owner’s manual to make sure they use the right kind. Mixing antifreeze types or using the wrong kind of antifreeze may void the vehicle manufacturer’s warranty on your sedan cooling system. If you’re not sure, ask your reliable Certified Auto Specialists tech at Certified Auto Specialists for guidance.

YOUR TEEN DRIVER AND SAFETY

I have teenage children and my shop is very close to Citrus College so keeping teens safe on the road is a subject dear to my heart. I’m often asked what parents should look for in a car for their teen driver.  Of course, a lot of teens dream of a fancy sports car but that certainly isn’t the safe choice for young, inexperienced drivers.  Teen drivers, between the ages of 16 to 19 are far more likely to have a crash than any other group.  They tend to underestimate dangerous situations and they don’t always react to them appropriately.  It is hard for a mature, experienced driver to always make the right snap judgment when behind the wheel to avoid an accident.  Everything happens way to fast.  When you are brand new at driving it gets worse.

 

I always advise that before you pick a car based on price or looks think reliable and safety first, then choose the safest car you can afford to buy.  Air bags, stability control and excellent tires are a good start.  Large to mid-size cars are safer than small cars because they are heavier.  16 models with the highest crash rates included 11 small cars.  I know it is natural to assume that a smaller car is easier to handle and many times the teens like them because they appear sportier, however they are not the safest choice.

 

You also don’t want to buy a car that has a lot of horsepower or one that has too little.  Too much speed and power are of course, dangerous but lack of power can be equally dangerous as they are too slow during lane changes. You might also share with your teen that California traffic tickets are mighty expensive these days.  For example, just rolling through a stop sign will get you a relatively inexpensive ticket but by the time you pay all the agencies involved it can cost you plenty!

 

When you narrow down your choice of vehicle, check out the crash test scores on Safercar.gov. If you are buying a used car, please have it inspected carefully by us or your car care provider and let them know it is for a teen driver as they may be able to give you more insight into the safety of the vehicle.

 

Self-driving cars are soon to be a reality and then all we have to worry about it is when the car’s computer crashes!

 

IS YOUR AIR CONDITIONER READY FOR WARMER DAYS?

Spring is in the air and many of our customers’ thoughts turn to…air conditioning.  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. This usually costs somewhere between $175 and $700.

 

Recharging the A/C System: This is the most common fix of the A/C system.  It needs refrigerant added and it needs to be able to flow through the system properly.  This cost is generally $80 to $275.

 

Leaking Hose:  Finding and fixing a leak in the A/C system can take time and isn’t as easy as it sounds. This costs between $400 and $1,100.

 

Broken Compressor:  This is the most complex of all to fix and costs from $275 to $500.

 

Replacing the Unit:  The cost of this is determined by the make and model you drive.  The cost to repair starts at $1,800 and can go as high as $2,900.

 

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.  Have a certified technician give you an estimate after they have diagnosed your vehicle.

 

Save Fuel By Watching Your Weight

Most Glendora motorists are all talking gas mileage right now. Better gas mileage. Fewer emissions. California folks want to save the environment and our pocketbooks.

And we Glendora auto owners all know — or should know — that preventive maintenance will help maintain maximum fuel economy. But is there something more we can do? After all, some of us Glendora car owners can’t cut back on our driving, and others would like to do more to economize.

Weight is one major enemy of fuel economy. The more you lug around in your vehicle, the more fuel you have to burn to get from Glendora to Azusa to Covina. And that means buying more gas and producing more emissions.

Of course, your vehicle’s weight isn’t negotiable. And you can’t do much about the weight of your passengers. And this isn’t an article about diet and exercise.

But look around your car. Are you hauling a bunch of unnecessary weight around Glendora? Do you really need your golf clubs every time you leave your Glendora neighborhood? Store sports equipment in the garage. Load it when you need it and store it when you don’t. Who knows? The extra exercise just might reduce the other type of weight in your vehicle.

The same goes for anything else in your sedan: make-up kits, music collections, extra electronics, spare clothing; whatever your particular extras may be. Pack it when you need it; store it when you don’t.

Clean out your vehicle. You’d be surprised how much weight you’re lugging around in plain old junk. Toss old papers, leftover food, and regular old dirt. Even if it’s not a lot of weight, you’ll feel better when you get into your car. A good cleaning is also part of good car care.

Now, don’t toss stuff you really do need. You do need that spare tire — the one in your trunk. And a kit of emergency essentials is not a bad idea. But just carry around the day-to-day essentials. You can pack a more extensive kit and store it in your garage, then toss it in the car when you go on a longer trip, but you don’t have to lug it around Glendora all the time.

After all, are you a driver? Or are you a junk chauffeur?

Lose the junk and save some money.

Keeping Your ‘Old Faithful’ Auto Running

At Certified Auto Specialists we’ve had a lot of Glendora, Azusa, and San Dimas clients asking how they can make their vehicles last longer. These questions are actually a reflection of a trend that’s been building for several years in California. The median age of personal vehicles is now over nine years. And 33 percent of all vehicles on the road have over 75,000 miles on them. It looks like it’s going to keep heading in that direction for a while. With high fuel prices, a lot of Los Angeles folks are putting off buying a new car. Thanks to AutoNetTV, we can provide you with a video answer to this key question.

So let’s say you’re one of the average auto owners in the Los Angeles area; you’ve got a nine year old car with 80,000 miles on the odometer. What can you to do make it last another year or two?

Let’s start with the premise that there’s no reason that a modern car can’t run for 200,000 miles with proper care in Glendora. The engineering and manufacturing quality is there.

Of course, some parts will wear out along the way, but there’s no reason for a catastrophic meltdown if smart Glendora motorists stay on top of their recommended car maintenance. The maintenance schedule in some auto maker’s owner’s manuals runs out at 60,000 miles or so: how do Glendora car owners know what to do when they’re way past that?

It is a challenge, for example: If a service is recommended every 15,000 miles for the first 60,000 miles you can just keep getting it done at least every 15,000 miles after you hit 60,000 miles. But, it gets more complicated because older engines lose some efficiency, are dirtier inside and are just more stressed. That means it’s very important to not miss any scheduled services. Skipping just one oil change at Certified Auto Specialists in Glendora, for example, leaves an opportunity for harmful sludge to build up. Talk to your reliable Certified Auto Specialists tech.

So all the usual things like oil changes, transmission service, coolant service, brakes, power steering, fuel system cleaning – all that stuff needs to be maintained. People responsible for fleet vehicles around Glendora are sticklers for scheduled maintenance. They know that money spent on maintenance saves them three ways:

  1. it keeps gas mileage from decreasing;
  1. it prevents pricey repairs, and;
  1. they can postpone purchasing new vehicles.

Having the oil changed may be the most essential thing drivers can do. A full-service oil change at Certified Auto Specialists means that all of your other fluids get topped off so they are never low enough to cause damage. It also gives your reliable Certified Auto Specialists technician a chance to spot problems in the early stages so that you can fix them before they get pricey. And it gives you a touch point with an automotive professional along the way to remind you of things that aren’t scheduled as often – things like differential service and timing belt replacement.

If you live in the Glendora area and have an older vehicle, you may need to follow the severe service maintenance schedule. Check your owner’s manual and talk with your technician at Certified Auto Specialists. Conditions inside an older engine, transmission and cooling system can arguably be considered severe – so shorter intervals could well be called for.

And, the team at Certified Auto Specialists strongly encourages Glendora auto owners to consider using high mileage formulation fluids. They’re fluids like engine oil, transmission fluid and coolant that are formulated for older engines. They have special additives to clean deposits, and to condition and restore seals and gaskets that dry out with age. Some Glendora auto owners start using higher mileage formulations at around 50,000 miles as a preventive measure.

Of course you also want to still look marvelous in your older car as you drive around Los Angeles. Salt and road grime wreak havoc on your paint job and can lead to body rust – so regular washing is very important. Also, a good quality waxing is recommended at least twice a year.

Give us a call for more information:

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

BE PREPARED – ACCIDENTS DO HAPPEN

Seventy percent of traffic accidents do not involve injuries. It doesn’t seem to matter though, whether you have a fender bender or total your vehicle; accidents cause a lot of stress. It is always a good idea to keep a check list in your glove box just in case of an accident so you can more calmly assess the situation and act in a rational manner. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Know What Your Insurance Covers before You Find Yourself in an Accident
• Do I have rental car coverage?
• Do I have comprehensive coverage (covers theft, fire, vandalism, glass replacement and deer claims)?
• How much is my deductible?
• If I have an accident, what kinds of parts will be used to repair my vehicle (new original manufactured parts or new aftermarket parts or reconditioned parts)?
• What does full coverage mean (you have collision but not necessarily rental, comprehensive or new original manufactured parts coverage)?

Immediately After The Crash
• Call 911 if someone is injured or call the police if not.
• If possible and there isn’t a lot of damage to the vehicles move them a safe distance from traffic.
• Exchange information
• When the police arrive they will fill out an official accident report for you.
• Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible.

Questions to Ask Your Body Shop
• Can I get a written estimate and an explanation of planned repairs?
• Will I receive a written guarantee from your shop?
• When is my deductible due?
• Will my vehicle be available for the insurance adjuster’s inspection?
• What is the estimated completion date of my repairs?
• Will I owe more than the insurance estimate?

Remember, you can choose who you take your car to for repair. Your insurance can certainly recommend a body shop to you but it is wise to check out a reputable shop beforehand so you aren’t stuck with less than ideal repairs. Hopefully you won’t be in an accident any time soon but being prepared is always recommended.

What To Do In Case Of An Accident

If you’ve ever been in a car accident around Glendora California, even a minor one, you know how upsetting it can be. It’s hard to think straight and know what to do.

Let’s review what you should do in case of an accident in Glendora, California:

When an accident occurs, you should always stop. Leaving the scene of an accident is considered a crime in California – even if it’s not your fault. And hit-and-run penalties are fairly severe, possibly resulting in steep fines, loss of your driver’s license or even jail time in our local Glendora lockup.

Most states, including California require that you try to help someone who is injured by calling for help or performing first aid if you are able.

Warn other Glendora motorists by putting out flares, using your flashers or lifting your hood.

Call 911 as soon as possible. Tell the operator if medical or fire help is needed.

Always file a police report. It’s tempting to skip this if everything seems to be ok. But without a police report, the other guy can say whatever he wants about the accident later, and you won’t have an objective report to help defend yourself.

Discuss the accident only with the police. Emotions are strong after an accident and we naturally want to talk about it – don’t. Never admit fault or guilt to anyone including the police officer. Sometimes we may feel at fault, but in the eyes of California law, the other guy may be responsible.

Truthfully give the officer the facts: such as “I was going 35 miles per hour” not “I wasn’t speeding”. Remember, anything you say to the officer or anyone else can be used against you.

Also get the officer’s name and badge number and ask where you can get a copy of the accident report.

Get the facts on the driver and owner of the other vehicle:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Driver’s license number and expiration
  • Insurance information

Also take down a description of the other vehicle, license plate and vehicle identification number. Most insurance companies don’t record license plate numbers, so the VIN number is the best way to track the vehicle.

Ask witnesses, including passengers, to wait for the police. If they can’t wait, ask for contact information and request that they write a brief description of what they saw. If someone refuses to leave their name, write down their license plate number so the police can track them down later if necessary.

Always call your insurance agent or your California auto insurance company’s 800 number.

Call or see your local Glendora physician if you think you may have been injured.

We here at Certified Auto Specialists hope that you never have to use this information and wish you happy travels.