Gas
Saving Tips
Here
are a few tips to increase your mileage and value of your
gasoline
-
Make
sure tires have the correct amount of air.
-
Lighten
your vehicle's load. Remove those articles in your trunk that
are creating excess weight.
-
Change
your air and fuel filter.
-
Make
sure your gas cap is tight.
-
Keep
the windows up. There is less drag and wind resistance when
the windows are up in the car.
-
Slow
down. Don't speed.
Plan
local shopping trips ahead of time and select a route that avoids
doubling back or traveling unnecessary miles. |
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Fuel Efficient Tune-ups
The way your vehicle is
running can cause poor gas mileage. It may be time for
an engine tune-up to get your vehicle up to speed and
more fuel-efficient. With an engine diagnostic or
performance analysis, our technicians can identify
exactly what parts are needed to make certain your car
is running properly. This process addresses problems
such as rough idle, poor or weak acceleration, hard
starts, and poor fuel economy. A maintenance tune-up can
make a big difference in your vehicle's performance and
save gas
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Things
You Auto Know About your vehicle's Check Engine Light
We at Crosby's
Auto Service realize your car is an investment and we want to
keep you safe and your vehicle running for many miles. We provide
our ASE Certified Technicians the tools and equipment to diagnose
your vehicle as accurately as possible.
We hope
the information and examples contained in this article will
help you understand the significance of the check engine light
so you can make an informed decision regarding the repair of
your vehicle.
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle
is equipped with a sophisticate On-Board Diagnostic
(OBD) system. This is what has turned on your Check
Engine Light, or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp).
Our technicians
at Crosby's Auto Service are well equipped and trained, so that
in most cases, they will be able to diagnose and repair problems
quickly and accurately. However, there may be more than one
problem present, even though only one "code"
appears in your computer.
The OBD
system performs a series of ongoing "self-tests" to
determine whether all systems are working as designed. Once
a failure occurs, subsequent tests are temporarily turned off.
This means that once we fix the problem that caused the original
code to set, we may discover other problems that could not be
detected until the first problem was solved. This is especially
likely if you have been driving with the Check Engine
LIght (MIL) on for more than a few days.
Some of
the OBD self-tests require certain specific
conditions to occur before they can be run. Some, for example,
may require that the engine not be started for at least eight
hours since the last trip, and that when it is started, the
outside temperature must be warmer than 15F. Others require
that the fuel tank be between one-half and three-quarters full.
Most require that the vehicle be driven for several minutes
at a steady speed of more than 50 mph. There are many other
requirements for each self-test, and all must be met before
those tests will be run. Additionally, some tests must be run
more than once before they will register a failure.
When it's
not practical for us to keep your car and drive it so extensively
we must rely on you to do your normal driving and if the MIL
illuminates, to being the vehicle back for further diagnostics.
(Each of the OBD self-test will run eventually during normal
driving.)
When you
pick your car up after it has been repaired, your receipt will
include the specific codes present in your computer at this
time. That way, you can have confidence that any future problems
are not related to the same cause.
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Some Commonly Asked Questions...
My check engine
light is on can't you just turn it off?
Why does it take so
long to find what is wrong with my car?
In a word,
you want a diagnosis. You want your technician to listen to your
description of the problem, run some tests, make some checks,
test drive, announce a prognosis and follow it with a cure.
While it is true that today's vehicles are equipped with
computers, digital dashboards, oxygen sensors and more, there is
still a lot of old fashioned patience that goes into repairing a
car. And to a large extent, a timely diagnosis starts with the
motorist.
Is it important, when checking-in your vehicle
for repair, to take the time to explain to the service writer
the vehicle symptoms. Sometimes just a few extra minutes to
communicate the full extent of the problem can save a lot of
time on the part of the technician.
For example, if you
bring your car in because of a recurring problem tell the
service advisor what previously was done to correct the problem.
Just as it's helpful for your doctor to know your full medical
history, previous vehicle repair information will assist the
technician to make an accurate diagnosis.
A difficult
situation for you the customer and for the technician is an
intermittent failure. That's when a problem unpredictably comes
and goes. These are difficult problems to pin point and to
identify the correct repair takes time and skill. A history of
previous repairs can be useful when diagnosing an intermittent
failure. Crosby's Auto Service does maintain a complete record
of repair and service for each vehicle.
Finally, it's
important to remember that cars are a lot like people. The flu,
left untreated can lead to something more serious. One needed
repair, gone unchecked, can lead to another, often larger and
perhaps more expensive problem. So don't be impatient if your
tech makes a diagnosis, then digs a little deeper. If he
uncovers a second problem, and recommends a separate repair, be
grateful. Remember a responsible repair shop has one goal: to
fix it right the first time.
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What to Expect after your Major Brake Service
Introduction
Thank you
for allowing Crosby's Auto Service the opportunity to assist you
in the servicing of your vehicle. We'd like to assure you that
we appreciate your business and have gone to great extremes to
assure that your vehicle was serviced in the most professional
manner. After the service was completed your vehicle was test
driven, it underwent a final inspection, and was checked for
overall quality and cleanliness.
What to Expect
Noises
During the
break-in period you may notice a slight squealing sound when you
apply the brakes. This noise, typically caused by brake dust, is
perfectly normal.
Odors & Steam
As new
brakes are breaking-in, they will often cause a slight burning
odor. In addition to this normal occurrence, many parts that
have been handled get extremely hot during normal operation, so
it is often normal during the first day or two to notice a
slight burning odor as well as a slight amount of steam coming
from the undercarriage. This is perfectly normal.
Brake Pedal
Heights
You may
find your brake pedal to be at a different height. You will also
find that as your brakes go through their normal wearing, the
pedal will gradually begin to drop in height. If you notice any
immediate dropping, or if you have any questions about the
safety or operation of your brake system, please call us
immediately.
Please Don't
Forget...
We'd like
your new brake service to last a long, long time. The best way
of assuring that it does is by following these simple steps:
-
Return to Crosby's Auto Repair for any recommended recheck
so we can complete our follow up services.
- You
should avoid hard stops, especially during the first 1,000
miles. We also suggest that whenever possible you avoid
resting your foot on the brake pedal while you're driving.
This "riding the brake" will not only cause premature brake
wear, but it is one of the leading causes of brake failure.
-
Always use your parking brake.
-
Return to Crosby's Auto Repair once a year for your annual
brake inspection.
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