MOUNTAIN VIEW AUTO REPAIR

Colder days, longer nights – winter is almost here! Nobody wants problems with their cars, especially during bad weather. So, to keep your car reliable and healthy for winter driving, schedule an appointment with a knowledgeable repair shop for pre-winter checking and/or servicing. Make sure that the following items are inspected: 1. Tires – should be checked for proper inflation and adequate tread depth, as well as for age (six years or older is pushing the life of your tires). 2. Battery – the battery condition, charging system operation and starting system operation are critical items to be checked. In cold conditions, batteries lose some of their ability to provide current to operate the starter. Your repair shop should be able to perform a battery load test to determine if it is up to the job. A marginal battery may start the engine when it is 60 degrees outside, but may not at 15 degrees! 3. Starter – this could also be weak and able to start the vehicle at 60 degrees outsi ... read more

Many people believe that once their odometer reaches 100,000 miles, their car is on its last legs and it’s time to consider purchasing a new one. That’s only true if you’re tired of your car or just have to have that beautiful, new model being promoted in the media. But if you love your car and don’t look forward to monthly car payments or higher insurance and registration fees, you can keep it for up to 200,000 miles and beyond. It’s all in the maintenance. There are two important areas of concern you can influence regarding your car’s health: 1. Keeping the car looking good 2. Keeping the car mechanically fit Looking Good: The best way to maintain your paint job is to keep your car clean. The debris that accumulates on the exterior causes the finish to deteriorate (especially bird droppings, which are acidic and chemically damage the paint). The longer debris is left on the finish of the vehicle, the more damage is done. Since it is not always convenient to wash the car yo ... read more

Did you know that you are NOT required to bring your new car back to the dealer for all maintenance and repairs in order to keep your manufacturer’s warranty valid? Many people have been told when they purchase their new vehicle that the warranty will be voided if they have maintenance or repairs performed by an independent shop, but this is not true! It is actually prohibited by Federal Law for a new car dealer to either deny warranty service or even imply that warranty service will be voided if servicing or repairs are not performed at the dealership. The law is the Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975, Title 15, Chapter 50, Section 2301-2312. Look it up for yourself! A complete version of the Magnuson Moss Act can be found at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/buspubs/warranty.htm. Look under “Tie-In Sales” Provisions. A Google Search on the Magnuson-Moss Act will also bring up many Web sites that explain this Federal Code in less “legal speak”. Your own car manual even tells you that your ve ... read more

There are exceptions of course, but most women (and some men, too) are not comfortable making decisions on their own when it comes to keeping their automobiles healthy and reliable. Most of us rely on either our fathers, our husbands, or some other male we trust in our lives for help with our cars. And most of us honestly prefer to not take responsibility for that big hunk of complicated metal we drive, beyond maybe keeping it clean and fed! It all comes down to what we know and what we don’t know. If you want to feel more confident and in control concerning the care and maintenance of your car, (short of taking courses to become an auto tech!), you simply need to choose an auto repair/service shop that will be the right fit for you and your vehicle. The following checklist is a way to determine whether a shop is indeed a quality shop that will provide you with a stress-free, trustworthy, and pleasant experience. Remember, never be afraid to ask a shop these questions: 1. Are ... read more

You know that the engine oil in your vehicle needs to be changed regularly. But did you know that there are other fluids that need to be checked and changed at regular intervals? These other fluids are in your cooling system, power steering system, automatic transmission, and brake system. They are all products which go through temperature changes, have additive packages in them, and are petroleum-based just like your engine oil. Each fluid requires attention: 1. Your engine coolant turns acidic as it ages. When this happens, it will cause damage to the engine and cooling system components. Coolant in good condition will be within the neutral range of the pH scale. A thorough service center will check coolant pH and recommend coolant changes when needed BEFORE damage occurs. 2. Brake system fluid collects both moisture from the environment and wear metal from the brake system itself. These contaminants cause damage and premature wear to the brake system components, so the fluid c ... read more