Ask the Vehicle Maintenance Expert

May 2012 Article

Smitty’s Automotive’s, Expert® John here again.  Hope you learned from last month’s editorial on vehicle brakes. This time let’s talk about using your vehicle over the warmer weather months.

Spring and summer are my favourite times of the year. We can get out and about, travel a little further, go camping and take trips. We can also use our vehicles to carry loads of lumber and dirt, shuttle the kids from baseball to soccer to football, and then head to the mountains for a weekend get-a-way. Over the warmer weather months is when we tend to put the most miles on our vehicles, and often, at high temperatures and with high loads (towing a trailer anyone?). Those high loads and that warm weather put extra stress on the vehicle and you need to make sure it is in its best working condition. You don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road with a car full of kids and a cranky mother-in-law do you?

Working a vehicle a little harder makes more heat. The engine’s cooling system needs to get rid of that heat.  It is important to make sure the engine coolant, belts, hoses, and radiators are clean, free from damage, and ready to work at maximum efficiency.  A cooling system flush and a radiator clean is never a bad idea before a vacation trip.

That hot weather sure is nice, until you sit in the oven that is your car.  That is why your air conditioning system is important. It keeps you cool and comfortable on those warmer days, reducing your stress and the stress of your passengers.  Your A/C system can be checked and tuned up if needed by replacing leaking hoses, topping up the refrigerant and ensuring the condenser is clean and clear. (I dated a hot girl once, but then I fixed the A/C. lol)

Make sure you have removed your winter tires. They are engineered to work in COLD weather and when used in warm weather they will wear fast and provide less than optimal road grip. Make sure your summer tires are in good condition and wearing correctly. Now is a good time for an alignment if needed to repair damage caused by winter pot holes.

Are you towing or driving an RV?  Here are a couple of extra things to think about then.  Do all your lights work?  On the trailer too?  It is the law so double check the wiring BEFORE you are ready to leave your driveway.  RVs and vehicles used for towing work extremely hard. They create excessive engine and transmission/driveline heat.  Make sure the transmission fluid is clean and at the correct level. Same goes for your differentials. Did you check the trailer brakes?  Now is the time.

Is your vehicle in good tune?  Fuel economy is greatly improved by ensuring your vehicle is running at its best and that your tires have the correct air pressure. Change the oil; check the spark plugs and the engine filters, the belts, hoses, fluids and connections. Make sure the brakes, tires, and lights are all in good condition.  How is the windshield?  Did the winter crack it all up?

An Expert Level vehicle check up and spring cleaning is a smart investment before you start your warm weather travels. Drop me an email at

smittysauto@hotmail.com, subject line Ask The Experts.

 

 

April 2012 Article

Hi Everyone!  I hope you enjoyed the last article on the importance of maintaining your vehicle.  Winter seems to be leaving us and that provides the opportunity to cruise with the windows open and top down.  What’s that?  The squealing noise you can now hear?  Could be your brakes.  You haven’t heard the noise before because the windows were closed and the heater was on high.

Out of all the systems on your vehicle today, the brake system could be considered the most important.  It works harder than any other system to absorb energy, slowing the vehicle, and convert that energy into heat.  The overall brake system is actually made up of other sub-systems including hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical parts.  It is designed to wear and overtime requires maintenance and replacement of worn components.

Two common brake styles are disc brakes (which includes rotors, brake pads and calipers); or drum brakes (which includes drums, brake shoes and wheel cylinders).  The other related components common to both styles are brake hoses, brake hardware, and master cylinders. A brake job usually involves replacing the linings (which means replacing the brake pads and/or shoes), replacing the rotors and/or drums, adding new brake fluid and bleeding the system as needed, in addition to looking for other worn components.  Most vehicles on the road today are also equipped with an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS).  This system typically requires little or no maintenance but should be inspected for proper operation BEFORE and AFTER a brake job.

So how do you know if you need brakes?  Your regular maintenance program should be looking and measuring the wear, but if not some things to pay attention for would be low brake fluid, a spongy or soft brake pedal, and of course that annoying grinding or squealing when coming to a stop.  You may also need a brake job if you’re having brake problems such as grabbing, pulling, or vibration.  On the dash, if the ABS light (often amber in colour) or the red brake light is on, it indicates that some component in your brake system has failed. But if the problem is isolated to only one component, there’s no need to replace other parts that are still in perfectly good working order.

There is no specific mileage interval at which the brakes need to be replaced because brake wear varies depending on how the vehicle is driven, the braking habits of the driver, the weight of the vehicle, the design of the brake system and a dozen other variables.  As a rule, the front brakes wear out before the ones on the rear because the front brakes handle a higher percentage of the braking load.

Some Expert advice…One of the problems with the brake specials you see advertised is that the price is very misleading. A person typically goes in expecting to spend $99.95, but usually ends up spending considerably more because the brakes need more than the minimum amount of work to restore them to like-new condition. The price of a brake job depends entirely on the work that needs to be performed. So any advertised special is not a firm price, but only an estimate of the least amount of money it might cost you to get your brakes fixed. A price should not be quoted until after the brakes have been inspected. Then and only then can an accurate determination be made of the parts that actually need to be replaced.

Enjoy the spring!

 

 

March 2012 Article

Hi again everyone. John, from Smitty’s Automotive here. I hope you enjoyed the last article about how to select an automotive repair shop. I have received some great feedback from readers and appreciate the comments.

In this article I want to talk about the differences between Maintenance and Repair. Often at Smitty’s Automotive we have customers confuse the two and it’s completely understandable.  Many automotive shops advertise incorrectly with repair specials and often promote an oil change as all the “Maintenance” a vehicle requires. We like to educate our customers by explaining that maintenance is the routinely scheduled services, inspections, and part replacements that your vehicle manufacturer recommends based on the age or mileage of your vehicle.  Maintenance includes things such as oil changes, transmission flushes, as well as annual inspections and tire rotations. Maintenance is designed to ensure that a car that is running smoothly continues to run smoothly.

Repairs are different. They are services required or necessary when something on your vehicle is not working properly or worn to the point where a replacement is required.  When something breaks, that’s a repair. Repairs are unexpected and stressful. They’re inconvenient and costly. The good news is you can minimize the chance of repairs by doing the proper maintenance.

Maintenance is something that should be expected. Unfortunately the cost of owning a vehicle does not end the moment you pay for its purchase. I know it can be difficult, but having a budget set aside for maintenance costs will help you keep your vehicle in premium condition and reduce the overall cost of ownership. Proper maintenance is the only way to limit your repair costs. Doing the required maintenance benefits you over the long term by helping your car be more fuel efficient, ensuring your car lasts longer and maintains a higher resale value, but most importantly, it reduces the risk of leaving you stranded at the side of the road or on the highway.

What should maintenance include?  It is important to be aware of the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedules. These schedules typically include fluid and filter changes, tire rotation and brake inspection recommendations, in addition to more complex or infrequent maintenance services such as timing belt replacement or fuel injection service. Not all vehicles are the same and neither are the required maintenances. Some manufactures require earlier maintenance intervals while others go longer. EVERY maintenance service should include a general vehicle inspection that allows the technician and you to judge the speed of vehicle wear. The inspections are also your pro active action to reduce repairs by finding concerns BEFORE they become problems. You and your auto shop should discuss the maintenance required for your vehicle and driving habits. You can then base your maintenance budget on the provided information.

So remember, maintenance is important.  It brings value, reliability, and increased fuel economy to your vehicle.  By ensuring regular auto maintenance is performed on a vehicle, an owner can lower their need for auto repairs.  Let the expert team at Smitty’s Automotive help.  Drop me an email at smittysauto@hotmail.com, subject line Ask The Experts.

 

 

February 2012 Article

Hi everyone! Smitty’s Automotive’s John Schmidt here.  Welcome to my first AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTS® column.  As an automotive repair advocate, my goal will be to educate you in regards to your vehicle. More than just technical info, I want to be able to provide you EXPERT knowledge to make smart choices when it comes to maintaining and repairing your car, truck, or SUV.

A little bit about Smitty’s Automotive and myself before we get started.  A family focused business since 1973, I took the reins in 1993. Owning one of Sherwood Park’s and Ardrossan’s trusted Maintenance and Repair facilities (two different things we’ll talk about in the future), I take pride quality of work our team does and the EXPERT level of training and customer service we consistently provide (from front end staff to our Journeyman Technicians).  Although around since the early ‘70s, we continue to keep pace with the ever changing technology in modern vehicles and are also a Government Approved Inspection Station PLUS an endorsed School Bus Inspection Station. We believe that people want to deal with trustworthy, fair, and honest businesses and we strive to meet those principles PLUS repair and maintain your vehicle right, the first time, all at a competitive price.

So, how should you choose an automotive repair shop? It is important that you find one you trust. When searching for an auto repair shop and a mechanic, you might compare your search to looking for a new Doctor.  The difference is this person is going to be responsible for your VEHICLE’S health. Would you go to a Doctor without a license or education? So why would you take your car to someone who is working under that “Shady Tree”? The best way to find a good trustworthy shop is a referral from a friend or relative.

Don’t choose a shop simply because its location is convenient.

What about a low labor rate and “Free” inspections? Repair shops are businesses and businesses need to make a profit. It is a fact of life. Those “Free” inspections are usually not to your benefit. The shop must recover the cost of the time it spends on the inspection in some way, and that usually results in trying to sell you repairs–whether you need them or not. That low labor rate is often a “Hook” to get you in the door, but what the smart vehicle owner understands is that it is not the labor rate that is important, but rather the TOTAL cost. A shop should always be able to provide you an accurate estimate and should never present you an invoice larger than the most recent estimate.

Going forward, I will be talking about maintenance vs. repair, specific vehicle systems, and other automotive topics. I would also like to hear your story. Maybe we can talk about what happened, how it was handled or could have been prevented. Drop me an email at smittysauto@hotmail.com, subject line Ask The Experts.