Over 80% of all belt replacements and failures occur after the vehicle passes 75,000 miles.  The fact is, the peak belt replacements occur between 90,000 and 100,000 miles, on vehicles that are between 7 to 10 years old.  Consequently, the average age of cars on the road today is now 10.2 years old with 102,000 miles.  Wear varies from normal rib wear, fraying, cracking abrasion from improper belt tension, or even chunks missing from the belts. 

Studies show that nearly 25% of the vehicles on the road have a worn belt that needs to be replaced. 

Most consumers do not understand what a cabin filter is.  It has just been in this century that cabin filters have become standard equipment on most cars.   Just as the filter in your home’s central air return needs changing regularly, the cabin filter on your car performs in the same way.  Cabin filters provide several important benefits:

• Trap harmful pollutants before they reach a vehicle’s interior
• Provide cleaner air to allergy and asthma sufferers
• Protect the HVAC system’s downstream components
• Keep the interior cleaner by reducing the dust in the vehicle.

 Many drivers don’t know that their vehicle is equipped with a cabin filter.  A Bosch Premium Cabin Filter is made of quality materials and designed with meticulous attention to detail to block virtually 100% of harmful solid contaminants. 

It is recommended that a cabin filter be changed every 12,000-15,000 miles.  We will automatically recommend it to be changed when your car is scheduled for one.

Most motor mounts only last 60,000 - 100,000 miles (depending on the kind of use a car gets), meaning most cars today are running around with bad engine mounts. The most noticable indicator is a vibration (like a washing machine spin cycle) while sitting at a red light, with the engine in gear and idling.  The other way is a noticable vibration while making a slow turn.

Ignoring this can cause even bigger problems from damage to the exhaust or drive train, to the engine raising up causing damage to the hood or radiator. 

If you suspect your vehicle may have this problem, we will be glad to check it for you at no charge.

About 80 percent of Americans procrastinate about automotive maintenance!

Delaying routine vehicle maintenance can have some serious impacts.  Just like a physical checkups with the doctor, a small problem that can be detected and taken care of early on, can become much bigger if you put it off—bigger means more expensive!  Now that may get your attention.

Did I mention that some problems not only cost more money if postponed, but can also be unsafe—simple things like tire pressure, poor wiper blades, a check engine light or oil light that is on, low brake pedal, and the list goes on.  It’s as simple as this:  Your vehicle is a valuable investment and as its owner, you should commit to regular maintenance.  You will end up saving money, and feeling more confident about your car, which means a more pleasurable drive.

Next time you receive a card in the mail reminding you of an upcoming oil change or factory maintenance, don’t ignore it, keep it on your calendar to remind you to make that appointment for a checkup.

Just like going to the dentist for that periodic teeth cleaning, a pour-in fuel system cleaner is a treatment added directly to the fuel tank that scrubs away deposits just like the dentist cleanses your mouth of plaque.

There are a few tell-tale signs to determine if your engine is dirty.  Does it feel like it is shaking?  Not performing as well as it used to?  If so, there is a good chance deposits might have formed in your engine.  Deposits are often little bits of carbon left over from the fuel your engine burns.  These deposits can destroy your engine over time.  But good news—using a pour-in fuel system cleaner can remove these filthy deposits and help your engine feel clean and fresh.

If you are not experiencing any dirty-engine symptoms, that’s wonderful, but it doesn’t mean a cleaner is not right for your car.  A cleaner is recommended every 3,000 to 4,000 miles—in other words, at every oil change.  These treatments are worth the extra cost because they are going to reduce greenhouse emissions and improving fuel mileage, while making your car run extremely well.

The Car Care Council’s studies show there is evidence that there is considerably more that consumers should be doing to protect their automotive investments.  Whether it’s an oil change, replacing brakes or new belts and hoses, that periodic repair bill is a drop in the bucket compared to monthly payments on a new car.  The bottom line is that a properly maintained vehicle is safe, more dependable, more fuel efficient, less polluting and more valuable.

 The smartest way to get a solid return on investment is to keep your car through what is called the “Cinderella Era”. It’s that period of time after the payoff when your car is still in great shape and needs only modest repairs.  Figures from a management-consulting firm that measures travel and living costs, confirms the Council’s claims.  These recent figures show that trading a vehicle every 8 years instead of every 4 can save more than $2,481.75 a year after the payoff. That includes repairs and maintenance, license, registration, taxes and insurance. 

Remember, we are always here to help you properly maintain your investment and achieve the financial freedom you deserve.