Services
Oil and Filter Change
Oil changes are crucial to the smooth operation of your vehicle. Motors have many moving parts; all of which need to be lubricated and protected, whether your commute is on the highway or in stop and go traffic. We make sure your vehicle gets the right oil to function at its best, especially in the extreme heat of the Arizona desert, using the best brands.
Your oil filter works hard to keep debris out of your engine and regulate oil pressure. A filter that is clogged, too loose or too tight can leak, result in low oil pressure, and cause damage to gaskets, your engine and also your driveway. They should not simply be changed with each and every oil change, but also be the correct type and size for your vehicle and properly installed.
In addition to a new oil filter installed to your vehicle’s specifications, each of our oil changes also include a multi-point visual inspection to confirm such things like all other filters are clean and properly installed, fluids are at proper levels, seals are tight, belts and hoses are not dried out, nothing is leaking, wiper blades aren’t brittle, wheel bearings and ball joints are in good condition, tire pressure is adequate, interior and exterior car lights are operable and battery life is gauged. This inspection can determine existing problems you’re unaware of before they do more damage, saving you time, money and frustration. Follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for oil change intervals.
Inspections
When is a good time to get your car inspected?
Have you noticed some frayed, torn or cracked belts and hoses? Is your car making a “funny” noise? Is it pulling to the left or right? Are any of the warning lights illuminated? Does it sometimes take a few tries to get it started? Is there any smoke coming out of the exhaust? Are you suddenly noticing leaks on the driveway? Do the brakes seem soft or take longer to bring your vehicle to a stop? Has your gas mileage suddenly dropped? Or maybe you’re just planning a road trip?
These are all opportune times to have your vehicle thoroughly inspected to correct minor problems before they become major, get your car running at optimum capability, keep you and your family safe and make sure your vacation isn’t ruined by an unexpected car repair that steals precious days from your long-awaited getaway.
Our inspections can be a simple visual inspection like those conducted during an oil change or a more in-depth one looking into brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, etc. Call us to discuss what might be the best inspection and services for your particular concerns.
Batteries
Just like your children’s battery powered toys, when your car’s battery is dead, the car won’t start. Sometimes batteries die unexpectedly without any warnings but there are some signs to look for to be proactive in replacing your car’s battery before it leaves you stranded and looking for a Good Samaritan to give you a jump. Some of those signs are:
- Car starts slowly
- An illuminated battery warning light
- An illuminated check engine light
- Dim headlights or cabin lights
- Issues with electrical accessories
- A rotten egg smell
- Your battery is swollen
- You’ve had this battery for 3+ years
When it’s time to replace your battery, whether or not it has already died, you need the right battery to meet your car manufacturer specifications and enhance your car’s performance. Can you do this yourself? Most likely. However, it’s not just a battery replacement. Battery cables need to be checked for corrosion and possibly cleaned or replaced, illuminated warning lights may need to be reset, electrical and starting systems may need to be inspected to be sure the problem is limited to the battery itself and not some underlying condition and some vehicles need to have additional programming input conducted when new batteries are installed. We perform all of these services and can also come to you when you find yourself stranded by a dead battery at your home, your place of work, and even the side of the road.
Belts and Hoses
The Arizona heat is hard on cars and can cause belts and hoses to wear faster than in other environments. Maintaining serpentine belts, fan belts and timing belts is critically important to the health of your vehicle. Failure to maintain them can result in loss of air conditioning, loss of power steering, electrical system failure, engine overheating, and even complete engine failure and damage. Some of these failures can be very dangerous when they occur at high speeds, in extreme heat or in areas where there is not a safe place to pull your car over. And we all know these problems tend to occur at the most inconvenient times on the hottest day causing unnecessary stress and anxiety.
If your car is squealing or ticking, has difficulty starting, is shaking, misfiring, overheating or your check engine light is on, or you see signs of fraying or cracking on any of your vehicle’s belts, it is important to have your vehicle inspected and serviced immediately.
Alternators
A faulty alternator can exhibit many of the same symptoms as those seen in a battery that is on its last leg. What does the alternator actually do? It recharges the battery by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy which keeps your vehicle’s electrical and cooling systems powered up. If the alternator fails, the battery won’t charge and eventually, the car won’t run. In the meantime, it can be causing damage to electrical components either by sending too much or not enough energy and leaving you frustrated when it stalls or has difficulty starting. So what are some of these signs?
- A dead battery
- Difficulty starting the car
- Engine stalls while driving or stopped at a light
- Dim or flickering lights
- Slow accessories such as power windows and seats
- A whining noise
- Smell of burning rubber
- Illuminated warning lights for battery or engine
While alternators generally last for several years and over 100,000 miles, failure is not uncommon especially if your car has lots of custom power accessories or you live in extreme weather conditions such as our Arizona summer heat. If your car is exhibiting any of the symptoms mentioned above, schedule an appointment with us today for a thorough inspection of your alternator, battery, starter and electrical system. Getting the problem resolved sooner rather than later will save you time, money and frustration and prolong the life and health of your car.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are part of your vehicle’s ignition system. Without having Dr. Emmett Brown explain the Flux Capicitor that took Marty back to 1955, let’s just say a spark plug takes high voltage electricity from the ignition coil and creates a spark at just the right moment to bring your engine roaring to life. Eventually, the electrode at the end of the spark plug wears out and can no longer perform the one job it has. How do you know this has happened?
- Rough idle
- Trouble starting
- Engine misfiring
- Flashing check engine light
- High fuel consumption
- Sluggish acceleration
- Failed emission test
When you bring your car in, we will test your spark plugs to see which ones have gone bad, replace them, inspect your vehicle’s ignition system, test drive your vehicle and reset any codes and engine lights. If you’ve noticed anything off about your vehicle and think it might be the spark plugs, call us to schedule an appointment and get back to your future.
Fluid Flushes/Exchanges and Leak Checks
We offer complete services for all components of your car but sometimes all you need is a simple flush and/or replacement of fluids to make your brakes, transmission, engine, etc. perform their best.
Radiators: Coolant fluid keeps your car warm in the winter and cool in the summer. A mixture of water and antifreeze pumps between your radiator and engine to regulate your engine’s temperature, lubricate the water pump, protect against corrosion, and even keep you and your passengers comfy in the cabin. Antifreeze is full of additives that prevent boiling, freezing and corrosion but when that fluid is low or weakened, those additives lose their strength and damage can occur. If you ignore the warning signs, such as a temperature gauge going up, you could find yourself with a blown gasket, warped cylinder head, damage to your water pump or radiator, or an overheated, seized up or cracked engine. Now you’re in real trouble! Coolant should be changed according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations as part of routine vehicle maintenance. If your vehicle is at that mileage or if you’ve noticed your temperature gauge moving up, your AC not working like it should, or a leak on your driveway, call us to schedule an appointment to look at the levels and quality of your coolant. We will check for any leaks and recommend the necessary repairs. If it’s time for a coolant fluid exchange, we will flush the coolant system to remove any debris, refill your system with the proper amount and type of antifreeze for your vehicle and add a sealant for extra protection from leaks.
Transmissions: Clean transmission fluid is necessary for both manual and automatic transmissions, as it both cools and lubricates for seamless gear shifting. Automatic transmissions generally need more frequent exchanges as they generate more friction to do the work for you. Like coolant fluid, transmission fluid contains additives that keep out debris while lubricating and cooling your system. When these are depleted, that debris can interfere with the cooling which in turn can damage your transmission. We can perform a simple drain and fill where we remove fluid in your pan and fill to appropriate levels and check for any leaks or a more comprehensive service which includes completely draining the transmission, filling to appropriate levels and replacing the filter and pan gasket. Either way, if it’s been a while or you’re noticing warning signs such as a burning smell, a delayed shifting in an automatic or waiting for your transmission to “catch” in a manual, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment to see if a flush is necessary. The cost and inconvenience of such a service is far less than that of replacing or rebuilding your transmission!
Transfer case: The transfer case is a gearbox unique to 4-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles and sends power to the front and rear axles. Transfer case fluid keeps the components well lubricated and operating smoothly. Like all other vehicle fluids, this one will break down over time or possibly leak out. When this happens, it is no longer able to keep the gears cool or turning smoothly which can then result in damage. Add this service to your regular vehicle maintenance according to your owner’s manual and we’ll check the condition of the fluid, drain it as needed, refill with new according to your vehicle type and check for leaks or other problems. Have you noticed your car struggling to change gears? Schedule this appointment with us ASAP to avoid severe damage.
Fuel System: Obviously, without fuel, a gasoline-powered motor doesn’t go. And if your fuel injectors are clogged, they can’t move the fuel from the tank to the engine. Whether the build-up is from normal operation of the vehicle or debris collected at the gas pump, fuel systems need occasional cleanings and we recommend doing this annually. Not only will your car run smoother but your MPG will be better. When performing this service, we use concentrated formula cleaners that dissolve gum, varnish and carbon deposits, dirt and other contaminants from the fuel injectors or carburetor, intake valves and combustion chambers, intake manifold, runners, throttle body and plates, etc. All the moving parts of your fuel system are then lubricated for protection and optimal performance. So if your engine seems sluggish, your gas mileage has dropped or perhaps it’s something you’ve never thought to do, call us to schedule a fuel system flush and start paying less at the pump!
Differential: Whether you have one or two differentials depends on your car. These sets of gears bring power to your wheels and make it possible for your tires to operate at independent speeds. Gears need lubrication to stay cool and run smoothly. When your differential quits, so does forward movement. Therefore, we recommend having your differential fluid changed as part of the normal maintenance of your vehicle. Check your owner’s manual for recommended intervals and call us for an appointment. If you’re hearing odd noises when accelerating, traveling faster than 15 mph or turning a corner, call us to schedule an appointment to inspect your steering and suspension system, including the fluid levels in your differential.
Brake Fluid: Brake fluid can become compromised over time by moisture and contaminants which can prevent them from stopping when you press on the brake pedal. Contaminants can interfere with functionality and moisture can cause corrosion of the aluminum and steel components of your brakes while a leak lowers the pressure in the lines which, in turn, lowers the capability to stop. When you bring your vehicle in to have the brake fluid drained, properly disposed of and replaced, we will also clean out any debris left in the braking system, remove any air trapped in each brake line and perform a visual inspection of your brake system to insure there are no leaks and nothing else is amiss. Even if you haven’t yet noticed any performance issues or puddles on your driveway, your vehicle manufacturer recommendations should be adhered to.