It is important to keep a close eye on your exhaust system and to have it fixed if a leak is detected. The exhaust gases of  a vehicle are made up of: Hydrocarbons (unburned fuel), Carbon Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Phosphorus, Lead and other metals.  These poisonous gases can be hazardous if they leak into the cabin of the vehicle.  Having them properly exiting the vehicle through the exhaust, via the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipe, catalytic converter, muffler and tailpipe gets them away from the cabin of the vehicle.  The catalytic converter helps to turn these gases into mostly harmless fumes,  that do much less damage to the environment.

 Routine inspections of the exhaust system is recommended.  Your trusted repair facility should be looking for worn, rusted or deteriorating exhaust pipes, mufflers and catalytic converters.  Some of the symptoms to look and listen for are:  increased exhaust or engine sounds louder while running the vehicle, popping or ticking noises especially when cold, gas or rotten egg smells inside the cabin of the vehicle, sometimes a lack of power or backfiring while accelerating.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we recommend having that exhaust system checked out. 

 Whenever you are advised of an exhaust repair that is needed, we highly recommend having that repair performed.  The most harmful gases from exhaust are the ones that you cannot smell like carbon monoxide, so that routine inspection of your exhaust system is very important.  Keep that exhaust system in proper repair for your health, the health of your family and the health of the environment.

vehicles’ are still just machines, they are now computer controlled, but they still need maintenance and repairs when parts of that machine wear out or break.  Unfortunately, due to a very few well publicized incidences, and at times possibly a miscommunication or lack of information, the general consumer feels that they are being taken advantage of when they take their vehicle in for service or repair. 

 With our current economic situation, we are all more conscious of where and how we are spending our money.  For some reason this seems to have accelerated that feeling of distrust that consumers have for the automotive industry.  Automotive repair shops whether they are a franchise, dealership or independent repair facility are not in business, to rip off the consumer.  These businesses build their clientele by providing a very necessary, service and try to the best of their ability to maintain and repair your vehicle as efficiently and as reasonably as possible. 

 When you think about it in an unemotional and logical manner, repeat customers are the best way to keep any type of business running and growing.  Especially repeat customers that refer all their friends and family to you because they are so happy with the service and product they have received. It costs any business a lot more money to continually have to find new customers.  So to take advantage of any customer, would defeat the objective of trying to build customer loyalty and referrals.  The unfortunate part of vehicle repair is that it can be complicated, so explanations of what is needed and why can often be misunderstood, and you can not always physically see what was repaired.  When maintenance is performed you also do not necessarily feel a difference in the performance of the vehicle.

 Building a relationship with a repair facility is crucial to help get over this feeling of uncertainty.  Just like you build a relationship with your dentist, orthodontist, doctor, drycleaner, hair stylist and the many others it takes time and perhaps getting to know who you are comfortable in dealing with.  Most automotive technicians initially had a love for working on, or tinkering on their own cars and had a natural talent for understanding what makes them work.  The continuing evolution of vehicles demands that a technician continue their education on new computer controls and alternate fuel systems.  Some of these changes have made it more difficult for the average consumer to even perform maintenance on their newer vehicles.  This makes finding an automotive repair facility even more crucial.

 Some of the things to look at when you are looking for a repair facility:  1) Are you comfortable with the person you are dealing with.  2) What are the qualifications of the technicians they employ?  Look for certifications and education notices that should be posted.  3)  What is the repair facilities warranty on parts and labor?  The industry standard is 12 months and 12,000 miles. 4)  Does the shop have professional designations like ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certified, ASA (Automotive Service Association), or NATA – National Automotive Trades Association.  Just to name a few. 5)  Check with the Better Business Bureau or Reviews that are posted about the shop you are considering.

 Develop a relationship with a repair facility for small repairs and maintenance like oil changes, belt replacements, and brake inspections.  This will help you get a feel for the repair facility to see if their quality and service meets your standards.  Secondly, do not compare repair facilities just based on prices,  estimates given over the phone can be very vague and not necessarily accurate or even the same.  Would you get an estimate over the phone to replace the floor in your kitchen?  The contractor needs to see the kitchen and subfloor sometimes crawl under the house in order to give you a more accurate estimate.  On vehicles different parts or labor options can apply based on certain vehicle details, production date, and what the vehicle is equipped with.  So the only way to accurately estimate a repair is to see the vehicle and verify the parts and labor needed.  Also, when the repair is larger and you have some tear down involved, much like remodeling, you can find unexpected problems that also need repaired.  This usually just involves additional parts, so some shops quote a worse case scenarios before a job commences and some shops quote best case scenarios, so you need to make sure you are comparing apples to apples when price shopping.

 Making an assumption that you are getting ripped off every time you visit a repair facility makes these encounters very difficult for you as the consumer.  Start with a clean slate, ask questions, get informed about your vehicle and what it needs to keep it running smoothly, efficiently and reasonably.  Happy motoring!

 Some of the factors to consider are the cost of purchasing the vehicle (such as financing & interest costs), depreciation, insurance, fuel, regular maintenance, repairs, tires, licensing, registration fees, Deq fees, and parking fees.  According to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics the average American household (consumer units) spends approximately $800.00 a month on vehicle ownership.  These statistics have risen almost 10% in the last year.  For American consumers a vehicle is one of our  2^nd largest investments and expenses.

 To give you an example AAA performed a study that a medium-sized automobile – such as a Ford Fusion, Honda Accord or Toyota Camry that is driven approximately 15,000 miles per year, costs 47.6 cents per mile to legally operate.  This equates out to $9,519  per year or about $793.25 per month.

 A compact car like a Chevy Cobalt, Nissan Altima, or a Ford Focus driven at 15,000 miles per year cost about 43.3 cents per mile to legally operate.  This equates out to $6,495 per year or $541.25 per month.

 Now if you have a sport utility vehicle like a Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Explorer, or a Toyota Highlander the price increases to 73.9 cents per mile if driven approximately 15,000 miles per year.  Making the annual cost $11,085 or monthly cost of $923.75.

 Unfortunately, as you can see the cost of owning a vehicle can be very expensive.  According to AAA these costs are rising each year due to the increasing prices of fuel, insurance and tires.  There are a few things that you can do to help keep some of your repair bills down and help reduce costs.  This would be with performing regular maintenance on your vehicle.  We hear many consumers say they have owned their cars for years and have not had to do anything but oil changes.  Most late model vehicles can withstand some maintenance abuse before they simply fail.  When they fail the repair costs usually end up 2 to 3 times the cost of what proper maintenance would have been. 

 If you compare vehicle maintenance to going to the dentist regularly it might be easier to understand.  Keeping your teeth clean, healthy, fillings, sealants and preventative services performed.  It helps to reduce the need for root canals, teeth extraction, crowns, implants and other major services.  This helps in keeping your dental expenses down. If you keep your car healthy with clean fluids, take care of little leaks before they become major, keep filters clean, and your tires rotated regularly.  This helps to reduce repair expenses on your vehicle.

 One other thing that you can do before you purchase a vehicle, is to figure the true cost of owning that vehicle.  Edmunds.com has a great new service where you enter in the year, make and model of a vehicle and it calculates the cost of owning that vehicle, using all the factors that we discussed above.  The nice thing about this service is you can compare multiple vehicles so you can figure out which one really fits into your budget.

This is one of those questions that there are a lot of different opinions on.  Personally I think that you should look at a few different things before you make a decision on what type of car would be best.

First of all the statisitics on teenager drivers in the US are not good.  In the first six months of driving a driver between the ages of 16 to 19 are 11 times more likely to crash than a 40 to 50 year old.  Motor vehicle crashes in the US are the leading cause of death of 15 to 20 year olds.   Then you also have the statistic that a motor vehicle crash is 3 times more likely to occur after 9:00 pm.

There are a few factors that are behind these statistics. Teenager drivers are still developing their skills, they have a lower ability to detect a hazard, a low perception of risk, they tend to take more risks and have a higher statistic of not wearing seatbelts.  Also teenagers with passengers have a 3.6 times higher risk of crashing than if they were driving alone.

 Due to some of these statistics, safety should probably be the most important factor in the decision making of what type of vehicle to drive.  Therefore I would caution you about “reconstructed title” vehicles.  If a vehicle has been in a major crash the crumple points on the frame that protect the cabin of the vehicle have already been utilized.  So the structure of the vehicle is in a compromised state, and that vehicle would not hold up as well in another crash.  Before purchasing this type of car I would recommend taking it to a vehicle frame specialist to check out.

 The other things you want to look at are:

 1)     How much money do you or your teenager have to spend on the original purchase.

 2)     How much money will be available on a yearly basis for maintenance and repairs.

 Teach your new driver to budget about $800.00 per year for maintenance and repairs.  On new cars you don’t need that much, but if you save that yearly, when a 30,000 mile maintenance or new brakes or etc… come up they are always prepared.  On a used car those funds will most likely be needed to maintain it properly.

 As far as, Make or Model of a vehicle each person has their own preferences.  Specialty cars, sport cars, and European cars, are more intricate and can be much more expensive to repair and maintain.  Asian and Amercian made vehicles can cost less to repair and maintain, but I would double check with your insurance company on the statistics of the year make and model that you are interested in, as to how often they are  vandalized and stolen.

 So, before you or your teenager purchases a car, look at safety ratings, Car Fax Reports, check with your insurance company, and then find out what that vehicle requires for maintenance and how much those costs are.  If you buy a vehicle used we recommend getting a Used Vehicle Inspection by a qualified repair facility so that you know how good of shape that vehicle is in.

Motor mounts, what are they and what do they do? 

Essentially motor mounts are typically made of  rubber or a fluid filled rubber that are bonded to metal brackets that bolt to the engine and frame of the vehicle.  They are designed as insulators that support, hang, or cradle the engine and transmission assemblies.

 Over time the rubber can deteriorate, crack, split, harden, compress, and leak fluid.  This reduces its ability to insulate engine vibrations and engine torque. 

 The resulting factors are:  Potential misalignment of axle shafts, drivelines, and interference with rotating versus stationary components.

 Some of the symptoms associated with worn motor mounts are:

Increased vibrations, noises, clunks and erratic engine movement when transmission is engaged in drive or reverse.

 If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, we recommend having an inspection done by a Qualified Automotive Technician.

 The first passenger vehicle to have a TPMS was the 1986 Porsche 959.  The TPMS originally appeared more widely in European luxury vehicles as an optional feature.

In the U.S. they started producing vehicles with TPMS after the late 1990’s Firestone Tire Recall that was issued due to tire tread separation issues.  There were more than 100 lives that were lost due to these tire issues on the Ford Explorers.  So the Clinton Administration was pushed to develop the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability & Documentation Act (TREAD).  This Act mandates that all vehicles produced that are 10,000 lbs. and under in gross vehicle weight, use a suitable TPMS to alert drivers of a severe under-inflation condition of their tires.  The phase in for this Act started in the U.S. in October of 2005 and was required of all vehicles produced after September of 2007.

 Under inflated tires can cause loss of control, hydroplaning on wet pavement, longer stopping distances and outright tire failure.  A properly inflated tire can produce better fuel economy, is safer, and prolongs the tire life.

 The National Highway Traffic Administration has reported that vehicles with flat or blown tires are the #1 cause of breakdowns on US Highways.  They also conducted a study testing 11,000 vehicles & found 29% of those light cars & trucks had at least  one tire that was under inflated by at least 25%.

 The Tire Pressure Monitoring System was originally instituted through this TREAD Act for safety, but it has also been deemed as an economical and environmental friendly system to due to the fuel economy that can be achieved with properly inflated tires.  If you have a vehicle with one of the TPMS, we would recommend that you learn how your system reports to you that a tire is low, and when you get that warning take it to your trusted repair facility to check and fill your tire pressures to the proper levels and to reset your monitor if needed.  If your vehicle is not equipped with a TPMS then it is recommended to have your tire pressure checked and filled with each 3,000 mile oil change service on your vehicle, this is usually often enough to keep the tires filled to the proper level unless you have a tire that is worn or has been punctured in any way.

In today’s vehicles with the automated and computer controlled systems, most consumers find that they cannot repair or even service their own vehicles.  That means you have to find a trusted repair facility to take care of your vehicles maintenance and repairs. Unfortunately, in our “New” economy as the media calls it, the prospect of finding a repair facility is a little harder.  A lot of dealerships and repair facilities have closed, definitely something that we have never seen in our generation.  This makes the hunt a little more difficult, because you want to find a repair facility that is going to be around to take care of your vehicle and honor their warranty on repairs that have been performed.

 To find such a place, it is much like finding a good doctor, dentist, hairstylist, or any other form of service.  Referrals are one of the number one ways to find a good repair facility and mechanic.  Check with your friends and family that are in your area and see where they have had a good experience. If you are new to the area and have not developed many relationships yet, you can use the internet and check out some of the online consumer referral organizations like Angie’s List and Car Talk.  Then once you find a couple you are interested in check the Better Business Bureau to see if they have had a lot of complaints, or if they have unresolved complaints.  Showing what type of business ethics this repair facility may have.  It is recommended to look for shops with professional designations such as ASA – Automotive Service Association, NATA – National Automotive Trades Association and ASE Automotive Service Excellence.

 Don’t wait until your vehicle needs a major service or repair before trying a repair facility.  Take your car into a shop for the small things like oil changes, brake inspections  and belt replacements.  This will help you to get a feel for the repair facility, see if their quality and service is acceptable to you, then you can begin to develop a relationship with the repair facility and their staff.

 Some of the things to ask and look for while you are at the repair facility are:

 1)      What is the repair facilities warranty on parts and labor?  The industry standard in our area is 12 months 12,000 miles.

 2)      Are the technicians ASE Certified?  This means the technicians have been tested as to their knowledge in different vehicle systems and have passed the tests.

 3)      How often are the technicians skills updated?  Typically technicians attend several classes each year.  You can look for recent completion certificates, many shops post them in their offices or waiting areas.

 4)      Are the technicians trained and have the tools to work on your vehicle make and model?

 5)      Does the repair facility have the repair information at their fingertips for your vehicle make and model?

 6)      Are the repair facilities hours and location convenient for you?

 7)      Does the repair facility offer shuttle service and have availability for towing and rental car service.

 Some of the things that you should expect from the repair facility that you choose are:

 1)      A full explanation of the repairs and/or services that are needed on your vehicle.

 2)      A full description of any diagnostic procedures, tests performed and their results.

 3)      A disclosed estimate on all diagnostic tests and any subsequent repairs should be quoted prior to performing the tasks.  This estimate should be available in writing if requested.

 4)      The repair facility should show interest in maintaining the factory warranties, vehicle longevity and reliability by providing information on proper maintenance services.

 Don’t choose a shop based solely on price.  Good things aren’t cheap and cheap things aren’t good.  There is a difference in quality of parts and workmanship.  You should expect a good value for your money spent.  Remember if you go on price alone, that business may not be around to honor their warranty if that time comes. Gone are the days of dealerships and repair facilities working on one make of vehicle, as you notice they are all following the independent repair facility business model of working on all makes and models.  Again, make sure they have the training and tools for your vehicle make and model.

 Even though there has been some bad publicity over the years on the vehicle repair industry, there are a lot of repair facilities that are doing great work, using quality parts, that the owners and staff have a lot of integrity.  Once you find that trusted repair facility, have them perform all the maintenance and repairs on your vehicle, you will find that this is the most economical way.  They will have complete records on what has been performed and what needs to be done on your vehicle.

 In the event of a timing belt failure the engine will stop running.  You can crank the engine but it will not start or fire up.  The vehicle will need to be towed to your trusted repair facility.  There are two types of timing belt driven engines, one is considered a “free running or free wheeling” engine, the other is an “interference” engine.  In both of these engines the timing belt transfers the rotation of the crankshaft to the camshaft(s).  Camshafts actuate the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. The valves allow air and fuel into the cylinder and allow exhaust to escape. While the engine is running the valves and pistons are constantly moving up and down at varying speeds, always in perfect sync, because of the timing belt.  The difference between these engines is that an “interference” engine does not allow clearance between the valve at its lowest point and the piston at its highest point.  If the timing belt fails and the camshaft and crankshaft get out of sync, and can allow the valves and pistons to make contact, this will cause severe damage.  A timing belt failure in a “free running or free wheeling” engine will not cause severe damage, but will still leave you stranded.

 Visual inspection of the timing belt is difficult. The belt is concealed under a cover for the protection of the belt.  The timing belt is constructed of rubber and nylon belt and has square cogs on the inside of the belt,  this is a different design than a drive belt.  It usually does not show many signs of wear and cracking.  When it fails it is usually because the belt separates, causing some of the cogs sheer off leaving flat spaces on the belt. We highly recommend that the replacement of the timing belt is performed at the mileage interval that the manufacturer of your vehicle has deemed it necessary.  Coolant or oil contamination can compromise the integrity of the belt, causing an earlier failure or necessitating an earlier replacement requirement.   

 When the timing belt is replaced it is a good idea to inspect and at times replace some of the other components that work in conjunction with the timing belt.  Some of these parts have to be removed to replace the timing belt, and some of them can only be accessed when the timing cover and/or is removed.  These items include the camshaft and crankshaft seals, the timing belt tensioner, idler pulleys and rollers, drive belts and in some instances the water pump, balance shaft belt and the balance shaft seal.   

 If you have a vehicle that has an engine equipped with a timing belt, make sure that you are aware of the recommended mileage interval for the replacement of the timing belt.  You can refer to your owner’s manual or contact your trusted repair facility if you have any questions or cannot find the information. The timing of your engine is critical, keeping it maintained properly will be more cost effective, than fixing the failure.

 Head gasket problems arise generally due to poor maintenance of the cooling system.  Acidic coolant can begin to eat away or erode the sealing area of the coolant passages in the gasket. This can cause a weak area and a leak can start to form.  The head gasket leaking can travel either internally or externally.  An external leak is visible outside the engine, an internal leak means that coolant can seep into oil passages or erode the compression sealing ring in the head gasket allowing coolant to enter the cylinder or compression to enter the cooling system.  This is what we call a “blown” head gasket.

 While an improperly maintained cooling system can cause head gasket failure.  There are some vehicles that are simply prone to head gasket failure, this is due to the composition of the head gasket material and overall engine design.  A vehicle that has overheated due to coolant loss or a cooling system restriction or failure, can also accelerate head gasket failure.

 The best way to prevent a head gasket failure is to maintain the cooling system in your vehicle.  The recommended maintenance is to flush the coolant in your vehicle approximately every 2 years or every 30,000 miles.  It is important to keep the coolant protection level in our climate at -34 degrees fahrenheit.  The PH balance of coolant should be at 9.5 on the ph scale.  As ph drops the coolant becomes acidic and can eat away or erode gaskets, rubber, lead, solder joints, aluminum and even steel.

The other important factor, is to take care of cooling system issues as soon as they present themselves.  Repair coolant leaks, restrictions or malfunctions as soon as they are detected.  This will help prevent coolant loss and overheating.  If your vehicle does start to climb in temperature while driving, shut it down immediately and have it towed to your trusted repair facility for a diagnosis and repair. 

 Symptoms of head gasket failure can include: 

 1) No heat coming from your heater.

2) Rising temperature gauge.

3) Boiling or percolating coolant when the engine is shut off.

4) Loss of coolant or coolant consumption and no obvious coolant leaks.

5) White smoke billowing from the tailpipe of your vehicle.

6) A blown out radiator.

7) Coolant in your oil.

Coolant in the spark plug holes.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms we recommend having your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. A blown head gasket repair can be very costly, so preventing a head gasket failure is definitely in your best interests.

The thinking on refrigerant loss has changed drastically since that time.  That is because scientists have concluded that A/C refrigerant like R-12 and R134A are partially responsible for the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer.  So in the mid 90’s car manufacturer’s were required to make their A/C systems more leak-resistant by using improved materials for lines, hoses, and seals.  Federal and state regulations also require that repair shops have the correct equipment and training for handling refrigerant.  So that an A/C system that is leaking does not continue to be filled so that it pollutes the environment.

 To take care of the air conditioning system in your vehicle we recommend an annual inspection which would include:

 Inspect, adjust and/or replace A/C belt as needed.

 Clean radiator and condenser fins.

 Ensure the evaporator drain hose is open.

 Check that all system electrical connections are secure.

 Make sure vacuum control lines are connected properly and in good condition.

 Check duct outlet temperature.

 Check that all compressor hardware is intact and secure.

 Check the condition of all the lines and connections and make sure that they are tight.

 Test system pressures to make sure they meet specifications.

 Test low-pressure cut-out switch.

 Check for leaks after any A/C service is performed.

 If the vehicle is low on refrigerant it can cause major damage to the A/C system.  They rely on the refrigerant being at a sufficient charge to carry oil thru the system and keep it lubricated.  If the compressor starves for oil it can cause a failure.  Some warning signs are:

 Insufficient cooling from the vents.

 Unusual odors from the vents.

 Noisy belt, compressor or blower motor.

 A rhythmic clicking noise under the hood with the A/C or defroster on.

 An electric cooling fan that cycles on and off quickly.

 Window that won’t defog when using the defroster.

 Water on the floor of the passenger compartment.

 Regular inspections can help catch a problem when it is still small, before it causes major damage to the A/C system.  It is also a protection for our environment to keep an eye on our A/C system, so we don’t loose all the refrigerant to the atmosphere.  So have it checked out regularly and if you experience any of the warning signs have a qualified shop with technicians certified to handle refrigerant, diagnose and repair it.