Protect Your Precious Metals

Once again last week, news came from California that thieves are again stealing catalytic converters in high numbers. This isn’t the first time we’ve covered this topic, but the crimes seem to come in short-lived bursts. Last week was San Francisco – where next week?

According to the police in the area, thieves were targeting higher-sitting Toyota models like the SUVs and 4Runners. The height of the vehicles make it easier for these individuals to slide under the truck, saw off the part, and be out of there without using a jack or calling undue attention to their presence. Often, during a rash of catalytic converter thefts, several cars will be hit in a single night. The thieves have multiple outlets for their prized parts. The more industrious ones are after the tiny amount of platinum contained in the parts – especially with the New York spot price for platinum up around $1,500 per ounce. Others sell their stolen goods to junk yards, where some victims are coming in looking for used parts to replace the stolen parts.

A catalytic converter is a small part that converts three harmful components naturally generated by a fuel-burning engine into harmless compounds. When a theft has occurred, the vehicle owner generally will have no idea that they have been victimized until they start the car. The car will make a loud roaring noise, sounding like it does not have a muffler. The replacement?  Painful – while the part often only runs around $100, fixing the damage and installing the new part can run well over $1000, and in a few cases up to $2000!

What can you do to protect your car? Simply be aware. Park in your garage if possible or at least in a well-lit, well-traveled area. If you see anyone suspicious in your neighborhood, call the police immediately. If you have questions, call a trusted auto repair facility.

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January 18, 2012 by in Recent News
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BG Products the Best for Your Vehicle

It isn’t sold at all repair shops, but BG Products are known by all car experts. In a recent radio show, host Rush Limbaugh even acknowledges that all people in the industry of automobiles know this product, and if they claim they don’t, they’re lying and trying to get you to buy what they do sell. Rush also states that these BG products are the best for your vehicle, and to go to bgfindashop.com to see which auto repair shops sell these products. Non-BG service centers cannot carry these products even at the request of the customer. The reason is not what most of us consumers would think, as Limbaugh discusses. It means that that repair shop is not one of the 20,000 hand-picked locations that sell this product. It does not mean that the product is not good enough for the repair shop to sell but rather that it is good enough to where the  BG Company chooses where they want it sold.
Each of the products and services has resulted from decades of research and close interaction with automotive professionals on the job. BG serves the driving public with innovative products and proven programs of automotive maintenance. BG distributors only trust 20,000 locations around the country to sell their products. The aforementioned website contains all of these locations, which is a great tool to use before your next visit to a service shop.
Limbaugh’s enthusiasm radiates at the end of the segment when he talks about how these dealerships and repair shops love BG products because they optimize a car engine’s performance. The engine becomes more free of the metallic particles that clog up the engine and keep it from performing its best, including giving you the best mileage. According to a video from BG Products, carbon deposits can build up on your fuel systems injectors, pistons, combustion chambers, valves, and intake and exhaust ports in as short of time as 5,000 miles. Lost power, lost fuel economy, and engine performance are the most common results. But using BG 44K fuel system cleaner at regular intervals will stop this buildup.
Everyone in the automotive engine fluid business has heard of BG products no matter what they claim when you bring in your vehicle. So save yourself the hassle and utilize the web that will find a place that has BG products. To watch this video for yourself, click here.

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January 17, 2012 by in Improve Gas Mileage, Preventative Maintenance, Recent News
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Get To Know – and Trust – Your Mechanic

It is not okay to get scammed by any business, but with the costs of owning a vehicle, being “upsold” out of additional money is beyond unacceptable from your chosen repair shop. Auto repair complaints make up the largest group of consumer grievances. Many of these involve unnecessary or overpriced upsell tactics. Vehicle repairs and preventative maintenance cost enough and shouldn’t run you more than the work they’re doing and the parts you need. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that consumers lose tens of billions of dollars each year due to faulty or unnecessary car repairs. The top scams include selling lifelong transmission fluid, informing the customer of the repair when the car has already been put on the lift and disassembled, falsifying replaced parts or repairs, “giving” free alignment checks, and selling lifetime brake pads for an extremely low price. Knowing the tactics will help keep you better aware so keep reading…

“Lifetime” transmission fluid isn’t meant for the life of the vehicle at all. After 80,000 miles on this so-called “lifetime fluid” your transmission fails and you have to buy a new transmission for thousands of dollars. To protect yourself, check the owner’s manual and replace the transmission filter and fluid about every 30,000 miles. Also, don’t find yourself trapped into either authorizing overpriced/unnecessary repairs or risk getting your car back in a disassembled and unusable condition, or paying a large and unexpected fee to have your car reassembled only to find that nothing was repaired. Demand that you are made aware of the needs of the vehicle and the services that should be done before you are locked into any costs, fees, etc… It’s very easy for an unethical mechanic to convince car owners that unnecessary repairs are needed because the average person doesn’t know much about their cars. Finding a trusted auto repair shop is necessary to avoid this. Shop for a mechanic before you need one so that you don’t find yourself in a bind.

Consumers have rights, so be sure to ask to see the parts that are being repaired or replaced. Older parts should be dirty and new parts should be clean. “It’s very easy for an unethical mechanic to convince car owners that unnecessary repairs are needed because the average person doesn’t know much about their cars,” according to fraudguides.com. Free alignment checks aren’t free if they scam you into services or repairs because of it. Don’t accept recommendations to sell you shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, and axels until you see the worn out parts. With the exception of a major pothole incident or an accident, an alignment should be good for 50,000 – 100,000 miles.

Finally, buying lifetime brake pads at an extremely low price like $89 usually means low quality parts and in order for your lifetime warranty to apply, you may have to buy new calipers with your new cheap pads. There may be other stipulations and exceptions down the road. Be sure to find a trusted repair shop. This is your vehicle, after all, and is it crucial to keep it working safely and properly. To read more on upselling tactics could cost you too much, click here.

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January 9, 2012 by in Customer Service, Money Saving Tips
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Fix Your Car, Feed Your Wallet

No one wants to spend more money on gas and more money on vehicle maintenance than they have to. With our budgets already as tight as they can be, we all have plenty of things we can see ourselves spending more money on. Gas is one of the things in our budget that we can spend less on and still have more of just by changing a few of our habits as drivers. One important tip that can save us money and future car problems is making sure the vehicle is properly maintained and in top shape. According to fueleconomy.gov, “fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. Gas mileage can be improved by another 1–2 percent by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.” It is also mentioned that using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Furthermore, as found on the website of the USAA, “a well-maintained vehicle performs better and stays on the road longer. You’ll see better gas mileage immediately, and routine service helps avoid more costly problems and ensures that you’re driving a safer and more reliable car.” This is where any driver can see savings in many ways. When you have a trusted repair shop perform routine preventative maintenance on your vehicle, such as oil and filter changes, tire pressure checks, brakes, hoses, belts, and much more at routine intervals, you can save yourself a lot of time and money in the end. It is recommended that a driver “refer to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for your specific model, as well as state’s vehicle inspection and emissions laws for specifics that apply in your area.” Doing this today could save you on gas tomorrow.

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December 30, 2011 by in Improve Gas Mileage, Preventative Maintenance
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Properly Inflated Tires Means Gas Savings and Road Safety

One of the easiest ways to put a little extra money back into your own pocket is to save money on gas. There are many ways we can do this, but one of the quickest and most cost-effective tips is to drive with the properly inflated tires. According to environment.about.com, “tires are not inflated to the pounds per square inch (PSI) rating recommended by manufacturers; they are less “round” and require more energy to begin moving and to maintain speed. As such, under-inflated tires do indeed contribute to pollution and increase fuel costs.” Furthermore, according to fueleconomy.gov, you can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent simply by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure? Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires. Not only that, but properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

An informal study by students at Carnegie Mellon University found that the majority of cars on U.S. roads are operating on tires inflated to only 80 percent of capacity. All in all, it means that the average person who drives 12,000 miles yearly on under-inflated tires uses about 144 extra gallons of gas, at a cost of $300-$500 a year. In times when we can all use money for more necessary spending like food and housing payments, we don’t need to be spending any extra at the pump.

Not sure how to check your tire pressure? Have your tires serviced by a trusted auto repair shop who offers a slew of tire services for a worthwhile and affordable cost. You will earn that money back and then some over time. Properly inflated tires are also safer on the road and your car will drive better. Those, too, seem to be pretty big pros for such a small change. Still need more incentive before heading to your local repair shop? Properly inflated tires are less likely to fail at high speeds. Under-inflated tires make for longer stopping distances and will skid longer on wet surfaces. “Analysts point to under-inflated tires as a likely cause of many SUV rollover accidents. Properly inflated tires also wear more evenly and will last longer accordingly.” That right there is enough for most people. Visit a trusted repair shop for tire services and let the gas savings begin!

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December 30, 2011 by in Improve Gas Mileage
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Want More Gas-Savings Ideas?

Saving money is great and as we approach the holiday season, we could all use a little extra cash in our pockets. If you are like most folks, a good portion of your monthly budget goes to putting gas in your car. One of the easiest ways to save gas is imply to drive less. It doesn’t mean you have to go less places, but the simple act of planning your trip can mean more errands in one trip, less stops and starts, and a more direct route to get to one place to the other. As stated on wealthinformatics.com, you don’t have to plan your every turn, you will miss the detours and “the awe of nature that is waiting in those detours but roughly know what route you are going to take. If there is a possibility of getting stuck in traffic with this route, plan an alternate route in advance.” This will help you tremendously in saving time and fuel – and money.

Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. By planning your trip, you ensure that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, and you likely will reduce the distance you travel. When planning longer trips, check out some likely choices for cheap gas in advance with these gas cost calculators.

Just want to save money going to work? Take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs. You can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters. Many urban areas allow vehicles with multiple passengers to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes which are typically less congested, further improving your fuel economy. Saving gas money can help you put money into your car in other ways that will help you get better mileage. Preventative maintenance, tire services, and oil changes from a trusted auto repair shop are well worth spending the extra money on. After all, we need a healthy vehicle to put the gas in!

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December 15, 2011 by in Improve Gas Mileage, Money Saving Tips
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Immediate Gas Savings!

When you drive more sensibly, there can be a world of benefits. Not only can you save lives from accidents, but you can save on gas too. When you save on gas, it means more money in your pocket. There are simple tips that can add up to savings worth weeks of groceries or other needs for you and your family. Just by simple changes like slowing down, braking carefully and slowly, and trying not to change lanes erratically, you will waste less gas in your vehicle. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Aggressive driving doesn’t mean that you are out to get somebody, it is simply speeding, rapid acceleration, and unnecessary braking.

Other driving habits, such as idling, wastes fuel, gets you nowhere, and produces unnecessary greenhouse gases. If you’re going to be stopped for more than 30 seconds, except in traffic, turn off the engine. In winter, don’t idle a cold engine for more than 30 seconds before driving away. Other non-agressive driving habits also waste fuel. Under-inflated tires can cause fuel consumption to increase by as much as 6%. Check tire pressure at least once a month, when the tires are ‘cold’ (i.e. when the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours or for more than a mile). Change up through the gears and into top gear as soon as possible without accelerating harder than necessary. Driving in a gear lower than you need wastes fuel and so does letting the engine labor in top gear on hills and corners. Using a vehicle’s air conditioner on a hot summer day can increase fuel consumption as much as 10% in city driving. Premium, high-octane fuels aren’t necessarily the best choice for your car; higher price doesn’t guarantee better performance. In fact, such fuels don’t provide any greater fuel efficiency. Many cars are designed to use regular low-octane fuel. Check your owner’s manual to see what your car requires. These are just some of the driving habits that we can change to save more gas!

According to fueleconomy.gov, while every vehicle has as unique optimal fuel economy speed range, gas mileage typically decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour. For every 5 mph over 60 mph, it’s like paying an additional $0.28 per gallon for gas! They also advise motorists that idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner use. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle. Turning your engine on and off excessively, however, may increase starter wear. Also, driving habits like using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
However, extreme aggressive driving is also on the roads, probably not the type of driving we are discussing in this article. At least 1,500 men, women, and children are seriously injured or killed each year in the United States as a result of senseless traffic disputes and altercations. Driving under control yet aware of your surroundings and staying calm on the roadways can help you ensure a safer driving experience and more gas savings that can help anyone during these hard economic times.

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December 13, 2011 by in Improve Gas Mileage, Recent News
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Rotate Tires and Check Inflation Regularly

Just because something may not cost a lot or is free doesn’t mean it isn’t any less worth doing. This is exactly the case when it comes to checking your tire inflation or rotating your tires, which will cost you little to nothing at your trusted auto repair shop. Failure to rotate tires regularly or check tire inflation pressure can lead to serious repairs on suspension, alignment, and other vital aspects of your vehicle costing you anywhere between $300-$2500. That’s a costly lesson learned.

Tire rotation is an important maintenance duty that extends the life of your tires and ensures safe driving. It’s necessary to rotate the tires front-to-rear several times during their life span to equalize tread wear and maximize the life of the tires. Tires develop wear patterns as they age. Some of these patterns are tied to the suspension system and the alignment. That’s why we keep the tires on the same side of the car.

Every tire’s load capacity, durability, traction and handling are dependent on using the right inflation pressure for the application. Since both too little and too much inflation pressure sacrifices some of the tires’ performance, maintaining the “exact” inflation pressure is very important.

The properly-working suspension of the car is important because so many other driving aspects can be affected. The job of a car suspension is to maximize the friction between the tires and the road surface, to provide steering stability with good handling and to ensure the comfort of the passengers. This can be affected when tires are not rotated. It is important to find a car repair shop which will include tire rotations and inflation checks as regular maintenance services every 5,000-10,000 miles. The minor price to pay now will be worth it later. New tires or tire repairs are not cheap, but the preventative maintenance for tires is.

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November 29, 2011 by in Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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Save Yourself from the Heat of Cooling System Failure

According to AAA, cooling system failures are one of the leading causes of vehicle break-downs on the highway. Yet most of these breakdowns can be prevented by the following preventative maintenance by a trusted auto repair shop. Cooling system neglect is cited as a principal reason for mechanical failure of a vehicle. In addition to the danger and inconvenience of a breakdown, the damage to the engine and transmission can add up to thousands of dollars. Once corrosion takes place, the damage is difficult to reverse. Your cooling system needs to be pH balanced. Using the proper coolant keeps the dissimilar metals in the cooling system from being eroded by electrolysis. It is also important essential to the optimal performance of your vehicle’s engine, maintain engine temperature, and prevent overheating. “A coolant forces heat building up in your car’s engine to your car’s radiator, where your engine’s airflow system expels the excess heat. Without coolant, heat gets trapped in your engine, which can lead to serious damage,” according to ehow.com.

Every car that overheats, does so because of the lack of coolant either because of a leak or because of a restriction of the flow (closed thermostat, plugged radiator, or a water pump that’s not pumping because of a drive belt that broke or an impeller that’s come loose). Overheating can damage valve guides, scuff pistons, crack cylinder heads, and crush head gaskets. Flush your cooling system once a year. The best time is at the beginning of the summer or the beginning of the winter. According to one auto website, the current price of plastic tank radiators is approaching $600-800 and damages related to the deterioration of aluminum covers costing $600 to $1,000 to repair, the big question is why not spend between $60 and $125 for a cooling system flush every 30,000 miles or once a year?

In a cooling system service, your repair shop should check the coolant level, condition, and concentration, check for leaks, see that the entire cooling system is clean, completely flush the coolant from the system, add new and proper coolant, add conditioners to prevent rust and corrosion, inspect belts and hoses, replace any leaky parts, and replaced damaged or worn pipes. Keep your vehicle’s cooling system working properly – it will save you time and money in the long run for sure.

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November 28, 2011 by in Driving Safety, Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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Change Your Oil, Save Your Pocketbook

An oil and filter change involves draining out the old motor oil and replacing it with fresh, new motor oil. The oil filter also gets replaced at the same time. This is a simple thing for your auto repair shop to do, and it a reasonably priced service. Without it, the results could be costly and devastating. Having your oil and oil filter changed is likely to generate the single biggest return on your routine-maintenance investment. Replacing the dirty oil and filter will help protect the internal parts of the engine from premature wear. It’s important to use the recommended grade of oil for your vehicle for the best protection and fuel mileage. This type of preventative maintenance can save you thousands of dollars if you were to have your engine replaced. Many parts of the engine are also extremely costly, not making repairs a simple service.

Oil undergoes thermal breakdown due to high operating temperatures. When this occurs, the oil becomes less effective as a lubricant. And without a good lubricant (very expensive), parts of the engine rub together and wear each other out. Oil also contains additives that have the ability to neutralize acids. Over time, these additives get used up and stop being effective. Finally, oil can absorb water, dust and combustion byproducts and also hold them in suspension. Eventually, the oil gets saturated with this stuff and can’t absorb any more. Then that stuff remains in the engine and can cause corrosion. As stated on Car Talk without clean oil and oil changes, “your engine won’t last as long as it could. Oil serves many crucial functions, and clean oil performs those functions better than dirty oil.”

With some oil changes, the auto repair shop will top off all of your car’s fluids, lubricate the chassis, doors and hinges, and also perform a 24-point inspection which includes fluid levels, tire wear condition, multi rib belt, engine coolant hoses, the horn, headlight, external lighting systems, windshield wipers, the suspension, and your battery. Get your oil changed by a trusted repair shop today. The money you pay for this preventative maintenance could be the best move you’ll ever make.

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November 14, 2011 by in Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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