First, it is important to understand that the check engine light performs a valuable service. It should not be ignored. It is telling you that something is out of sync within your car’s emissions system that needs to be addressed. That is why if your check engine light is on when you need to have your smog certificate renewed, it will be an automatic failure.

It is also important to understand that the service to diagnose the cause of your check engine light can only be performed correctly if the shop has invested in the right equipment, the right software and trained technicians with access to the right information. Equipment and software must be updated frequently, and is done at a great expense to the shop owner. The technicians must go through training, approximately 40 hours per year, in order to have the up to date knowledge needed to interpret information accumulated by the diagnostic equipment. This information is available at an ongoing expense paid by the shop to manufacturers, on-call services, and after market online services. The only information provided by the vehicle’s control unit is an error code with a definition, and this error code only points to a vehicle’s particular system. The technician then must determine what component or components within the system have malfunctioned. Repair can only take place after this step is accomplished. Anyone without the knowledge and equipment is just guessing at the correct repair. The danger of this guesswork is the risk of additional damage occurring to other vehicle components because the cause of the warning light was not repaired correctly.

So make sure that the facility you take your vehicle to for this type of repair has the ability to do it correctly. If the first step in the process (determining why the light came on) is not being charged for, or if it is a minimal charge, it is a red flag that there has been no investment in the correct equipment, software or training.  The outcome of any subsequent repair may not be what you expect. You may also find that after the code is pulled you will be asked to spend more money to dig deeper into why the code was triggered. Even worse is when the code is pulled, a diagnosis is given to you, but the diagnosis is wrong because of a lack of knowledge and correct equipment. It may seem as though you are saving money by responding to an ad for an inexpensive check engine light repair, but you can end up with more problems than you had in the first place. “Free” is attractive, but not always the “free” you had in mind.

The culprit? His cabin air filter. Even though this filter is a common piece of equipment in today’s vehicles, it is often overlooked during a routine service.  It’s important to understand that failure to change this filter periodically will have adverse effects on the health and safety of the vehicle occupants, reduce the efficiency of the vehicle’s heating and air conditioning system, and even hasten the demise of certain vehicle parts.

This filter is located in the air intake for the passenger compartment and filters dust, pollen, dirt and other allergens from the incoming air. At the same time, it prevents leaves, bugs and corrosive debris from filtering into the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, which would affect performance. The buildup of leaves and debris is usually the cause of the foul smell you are experiencing.

There are different types of cabin filters to fit most vehicles. The standard filter traps most particles larger than 3 microns in size. A better filter is electro-statically charged so that it can trap particles as small as 0.3 microns. The best of the cabin air filters contain activated charcoal, which helps remove odors, fumes and gases.

The easiest way to determine if a vehicle has a cabin air filter is to check your owner’s manual or ask a service technician.  These filters are usually located behind the glove box or under the hood near the base of the windshield, and are reasonably easy to change.

The result of not changing the filter is a gradual buildup of contaminants, which will prevent it from properly filtering the incoming air and result in foul smells, bacteria, and allergens entering the passenger compartment. Additionally, when less air is able to pass through a clogged filter, it negatively affects the performance of the air conditioning/heating system and makes the components work harder, leading to a shorter useful life.

Are you aware of the cabin air filter in your car? Do you know when it was last changed? If not, now is a perfect time to check in with your automotive service provider and ask some questions.

I hope you will enjoy reading this guest blog from James Henderson, a DIY guy and car enthusiast.  He helps readers understand car problems you can fix and what to leave for the pros like us!

Buying a car can be difficult for a lot of buyers, especially for those buying a car for the first time. Should you get a Hyundai or Kia? Chevy or Ford? There are so many car models for sale that it can be overwhelming to choose just one. Start by conducting a lot of research to determine which type of car you are looking for before you head to the dealership. This way, you won’t be pressured into a Mustang Boss 302 impulse buy when what you really need is a gas-sipping commuter like the Ford Focus. We’ve put together a checklist that can help you as you pick out your first car.

Check Reviews

Check out industry reviews on the vehicles that interest you. Reviews from individual consumers are great, but can be poorly written and biased. Look for professional reviews to get the low-down on the pros and cons on any vehicle, including any recalls or other issues. You don’t want to get stuck with a vehicle that will cause you nothing but headaches.

Looking for reviews on trucks like the Chevy Silverado? Check out a site like TruckTrend.com. Look for budget-friendly cars like the Kia Sportage http://www.automotive.com/kia/sportage/t3-13-3/ at Automotive.com.  MotorTrend.com is another good resource and has reviews of many different kinds of vehicles.

Cost of Ownership

First, look at the cost of owning different types of cars. A Land Rover LR4 is going to have a different cost of ownership from a Volvo XC90. While the purchase price may be different, there are a lot of other costs associated with car ownership. You’ll have expenses such as insurance and registration to begin with, and these will be recurring expenses. And look at the fuel costs http://fueleconomy.gov/ for the cars you are looking to purchase. This is a huge aspect of owning a car.  No one wants to have a car they can’t afford fuel for.

Next, check out the cost of maintenance, such as tires and oil. Some cars, especially sports cars and limited edition cars, come with hard-to-find tire sizes that will increase your costs when it comes time to replace them. Other cars can use special oil weights or other additives that are more expensive than your typical oil change.

Determine Your Needs

Then determine what you need from a car. Do you need a commuter car that gets high gas mileage like the Toyota Prius? Maybe the fuel economy is not as important to you as the power. Or you might need a lot of cargo space of a Ford F-150 to haul your work equipment (or even your toys for weekend excursions). If you make a lot of road trips, you’ll want a car that is not only comfortable, but has an entertainment system that is compatible with your toys, such as your iPod/iPad/iPhone or DVD player. Make a list of your “must haves” http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/used-cars/buying-advice/index.htm. Then make a list of things that you’d like to have but aren’t mandatory. Then you can search for vehicles that meet these needs.

Don’t forget hidden issues with buying a car. Some cars can only be serviced at certain dealerships, and replacement parts may be difficult to find, or very expensive for these models. Make sure you research maintenance and repair issues before you choose a car.

Windshield wipers vary in quality and construction, so either check your Owner’s Manual or call your service provider to see if there is a recommended product for your particular vehicle. Some wipers are easily replaced while newer vehicles might be more difficult and require professional installation. Either way, here at Dean’s Automotive we are proud to offer the Autotex Pink wipers  as an option to you. Autotex Pink is a division of woman-owned WEXCO Industries, a leading global supplier of windshield wipers. For each set of wipers purchased, a portion of the purchase price is donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF).  In 2012, WEXCO earned the Silver Level Sponsor award from the NBCF, a significant increase from the Bronze Level they had earned the previous two years.

Join us in helping to eradicate breast cancer and request your Pink Wiper blades at your next service appointment!

Bottom Line: Sticking to a routine maintenance schedule that is done completely and correctly (those two conditions are key!) will dramatically reduce the frequency and expense of repairs.

In future blogs, I will describe these routine services in more detail. Let me know if there is a particular service you have questions about. *

*See our book, Fearless Auto Care: A Guide to What Women Should Know About Their Car, for information on your vehicle’s routine services.

Keep your car happy with routine health checkups!