Fluids not included in pricing

The modern automatic transmission is the most complicated mechanical component in today’s vehicle. The automatic transmission contains mechanical systems, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, and computer controls that work together to power the engine to drive the wheels. With so many parts working together, this can lead to your transmission needing special attention.

Transmission maintenance leads to a longer vehicle life. Typically trouble with the transmission starts from overheating. Stop-and-go traffic, heavy pulling, struggling in the snow, hot weather, and racing can cause your transmission to overheat. At higher temperatures the transmission fluid burns. Your vehicle loses lubrication and deposits inside the transmission increase. We recommend that you take your vehicle to a service technician as soon as you believe your vehicle is having transmission problems.

To prevent your transmission from damage:

• Check your parking space for leaks regularly. If you notice fluid deposits under your car, have one of our technicians inspect it right away.
• Check the transmission fluid levels and condition. Change it when necessary.
  Make sure you use the correct transmission fluid as specified in your owner’s manual.
• Make sure to stop your vehicle before shifting into reverse or park.
• Always hold the brakes down when shifting from park.

Paying attention to your transmission will help increase the lifespan of your vehicle, save money on costly repairs, ensure smooth shifting, extend your transmission fluid’s life, and help prevent leaks.

When getting your vehicle serviced, explain any problems in as much detail as possible to our technicians. This will help us diagnose and prevent transmission issues efficiently and accurately.

Radiator Service: $89.95 (Fluids not included in pricing)

Have you ever had a cold or the flu and you’ve spiked a fever, causing your temperature to rise? It’s not fun to feel that way, is it? Being sick and overheated causes a person to be tired, and their performance drops significantly. Now imagine this same situation happening to your vehicle. When your radiator is not working properly, it is like giving your engine a fever. This not only harms performance, but can cause major damage. We know that a leak in your radiator can turn a messy situation into a major repair for your vehicle. Your radiator is one of your vehicle’s most vital components. The radiator displaces heat caused by your engine in order to keep the engine cool and running correctly. This is how a radiator works:

The Coolant Process:

Ethylene glycol, better known as anti-freeze, is the neon green liquid that flows from your engine and then through your radiator to cool it. The liquid is able to cool by passing through tubes inside of the radiator. As the liquid passes through these tubes, the heat from the liquid is displaced by the tubes and small “fins” connecting the tubes of the radiator. The liquid flows through these fins and tubes and the surrounding air is warmed by the displacement of heat. The liquid’s heat is lost by allowing the radiator’s assembly to “radiate” the heat caused by the liquid into the air. A fan pushes that hot air away from the radiator. Air heats up fast, so replacing the warm air around the radiator with cool air is extremely important. When the coolant finally exits the tube and fin assembly of the radiator, it has been sufficiently cooled and passes through the engine again.

Why should I fix a leak in my radiator?

The first thing that our team of professionals will tell you is that it is best to keep your engine running cool as to allow the engine to run more cleanly and efficiently. This in turn will allow your engine to last as long as possible and keep it safe from abnormal wear and tear. If that leak is not fixed properly as soon as possible, your engine may overheat causing very costly damage including:

• A blown out top header
• Destruction of your radiator entirely
• Cracking or blowing out the engine’s head gasket
• Total engine seizure

Our friendly and courteous auto care professionals will repair your radiator, when possible, and get you back on the road with confidence. We want to make sure your radiator will keep your engine at the optimal temperature so you can avoid a much more costly visit to our shop. Contact us today to set up an appointment or request a quote for radiator service!

Differential Service: $25.00 (Fluids not included in pricing)

Vehicles with two drive wheels (two wheel drive cars) or four drive wheels (4 wheel drive) have the problem that when they turn a corner the drive wheels must rotate at different speeds to maintain traction. The wheels on the outside of the turn have further to travel than the wheels on the inside of the turn and therefore must spin faster to keep traction through the turn.

The differential is designed to transmit power to a pair of wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds. Over time, the fluid that lubricates the gears inside the differential gets dirty and loses its lubricating properties which puts more wear and tear on the differential gears. Changing the differential fluid is important maintenance to keep your car or truck running safely and trouble-free.

Cabin Air Filter: starting at $19.00

The cabin air filter, a feature found on most late-model vehicles, cleans the air that comes into the interior through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. It catches dust, pollen and other airborne material that can make riding in a car unpleasant, particularly if you have allergies or other respiratory problems.

Recommendations on when it should be replaced vary by manufacturer — some say every 12,000 or 15,000 miles, others longer — and how often can depend on how much you drive and where. Check the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. If you drive in heavy traffic in an urban area that has poor air quality, you could need to replace the filter annually or even more often. However, that also could be true in a desert climate where there is a lot of dust.

Some signs that you need a new cabin air filter are reduced air flow through your HVAC system, such as when you crank up the fan too high and you get more noise than results. Another is persistent bad odors. Even if you don’t have these warnings, you should have the filter checked at least once a year, and you may be able to do that yourself.

Many cabin air filters are located behind the glove box and are easily accessible by freeing the glove box from its fasteners (instructions should be in the owner’s manual). Others are located under the dashboard and may not be easy to reach, or under the hood where fresh air enters the HVAC system.

If we recommend that you get a new cabin air filter, we will show you the current one. Depending on how long the filter has been in service, you might be shocked at what you see: leaves, twigs, insects, soot and grime that literally cover the entire surface that comes in contact with incoming air. You’ll know it’s time for a new cabin air filter.

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Fuel Filter: starting at $9.00

The fuel filter keeps fuel running smoothly to the engine. It’s a critical part of the system because today’s fuel injectors have close-fitting parts that are easily clogged by dirt and grit. Instead of creating a fine spray of fuel that burns completely, they start to produce a stream that doesn’t completely ignite. Changing the fuel filter keeps the injectors clean longer, which means more power and better gas mileage.

Symptoms that your fuel filter may need replacing is a vehicle that cuts out or loses power driving up an incline, such as a bridge. Under load, fuel demand increases and a clogged fuel filter reduces the needed flow. As the fuel filter gets dirty, the fuel pump works much harder. This is why a restricted filter will damage the fuel pump.

Air Filter: starting at $9.99

All cars take air from the outside and pass it into the engine through the air filter. For each gallon of fuel burned, your vehicle’s engine uses up to 10,000 gallons of air, making it easy to understand how vital a clean air filter is to the proper operation of your car or truck. Air filters should be changed every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or so, more often in dusty driving conditions. A dirty air filter might appear clean but should still be replaced at the recommended intervals.

A new air filter will increase gas mileage, reduce emissions, allow optimal air flow and improve engine performance. In addition, changing your air filter regularly will protect the engine and vital internal engine parts from excess wear and damage that result in driveability issues and potentially expensive engine repairs.

PCV Valves: starting at $6.00.

The positive crankcase ventilation, or PCV valve, is an inexpensive and often overlooked component. It is also one possible cause of expensive oil leaks and sludge buildup in an engine.

All automotive engines are lubricated with oil and when oil is churned by moving parts, pressure is produced. Piston rings and valve guides also leak slightlyproducing pressure in the crankcase. Many years ago, they simply vented the pressure into the atmosphere with a road-draft tube and breather cap. Today we usea positive crankcase ventilation or PCV system to handle this task.

As the PCV valve ages several things may happen. Crud and sludge can cause it to stick in the open position. This will produce a vacuum leak and might result in a misfire at idle. Too much air flow causes the engine to lean out, possibly setting a check engine light. Excess flow could also draw oil from the engine, causing oil consumption.

A PCV valve can also stick in a closed position. This allows crankcase pressure and blow-by to build pressure and can damage gaskets and seals.

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Windshield Wipers/Blades: starting at $10.00

People often overlook windshield wipers. Extreme temperatures, oil, dirt, and other factors cause your windshield wiper rubber to wear down. A worn out and ineffective wiper creates streaks on your windshield and obstructs your vision. Cracked or torn wipers or jagged edges mean it’s time to replace your wipers. We suggest that you change the rubber and the wiper arm every six months. Our staff will fix any of your wiper issues and will let you know which kinds of wipers work for your vehicle..