Maintenance
Why is preventive maintenance important?
Your vehicle has a lot of responsibilities. It takes you to work. And the kids to school. Most importantly, it has to do these things, and many more, while keeping you and your family safe.
Your vehicle has hundreds of moving parts all working together. Through normal driving over time, some of these parts simply wear out or no longer perform the way they should. To make sure that your vehicle is running at its best, your vehicle manufacturer recommends that certain parts and systems are checked at certain intervals.
By following thier recommendations, more costly repairs down the road may be avoided. We follow your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.
When a maintenance service is suggested based on the mileage or age of your vehicle, our advisor's will explain what each maintenance service includes and why it is important for the health of your vehicle.
We are committed to maintaining the safety and reliability of your vehicle. In fact, our mechanics are trained to perform factory recommended maintenance for most makes and modles. Every engine has different needs, depending on past use and driving conditions. That's why we offer a range of engine services, from simple checks to more involved repairs:
Cooling system failure is the number one cause of vehicle breakdowns. Because there are often no visible warning signs of deterioration, radiator and cooling system maintenance service is frequently overlooked by vehicle owners.
Your engine is constantly burning fuel and therefore gets very hot. In fact, the temperatures inside the combustion chamber may reach 4,500 degrees. It is the job of the cooling system to carry this potentially harmful heat away from the engine to the outside air. To do this, a coolant mixture of water and antifreeze is circulated though the engine block. The coolant absorbs heat from the engine and is pumped by the water pump through hoses to the radiator. Once the radiator transfers the heat form the engine to the outside air, the coolant circulates back to the engine and the cycle begins again.
To keep this important system working properly, vehicle manufacturers recommend that this system be serviced at specified time or millage intervals. Over time, the rust inhibiters and additives in the coolant may lose their anti-corrosive properties leaving particles and debris to build up within the system. These contaminants can block passages within the radiator and reduce its ability to keep the engine running at the optimal temperature. To remove this build-up, we perform a Radiator flush which removes virtually all of the old coolant and contaminants in your radiator and replaces it with new or recycled coolant. This will keep your cooling system working properly and will protect your vehicle for miles to come.
Our Radiator service includes:
- Inspection of your radiator system and pressure test for any leaks
- Adding flush chemicals to the radiator
- Power flushing the system
- Refilling radiator system with recycled ante-freeze
- Adding sealant / lubricant to the system
- A 6 month or 6,000 mile limited warranty
- Ask your advisor what interval your vehicle's manufacturer recommends and for complete details on our warrant
Repairing or replacing your transmission can be one of the most expensive repairs you may have to make on your vehicle. Maintaining your transmission according to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendations, not only prolongs its life but it can prevent a costly repair or breakdown in the future.
Of all the systems in your vehicle, the transmission is one of the most complicated. It uses a complex system of hydraulics and gears to transfer power from your engine to your wheels. As you can imagine, with all the work and shifting that happens when you drive, a lot of heat is created inside the transmission.
To help maintain a safe and constant operating temperature, your vehicle uses transmission fluid to cool and lubricate the moving parts. The fluid reduces the amount of potentially damaging heat inside the transmission and helps increase the life of this important system.
Because some of the ingredients in the transmission fluid break down over time due to this heat, many vehicle manufacturers recommend the fluid be replaced at specified maintenance intervals.
Traditional transmission service only drains and replaces about 40% of the total fluid in the transmission. Partial fluid replacement may lead to increased heat build up and transmission failure in the future.
We flush to remove all of the fluid. Then, we replace it with new, clean fluid. The result is a transmission that will be clean, cool and lubricated, providing reliable service for miles to come.
Your engine is the heart of your vehicle. And as your engine runs, hundreds of moving parts are working together to make your vehicle move.
Changing your oil according to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendation is perhaps the single most important maintenance that you can perform to keep your vehicle running.
As the parts in your engine work together, they create tremendous heat through friction. Without oil, the heat would actually melt these parts together. By having oil in your vehicle, it keeps the moving parts of your engine lubricated and reduces the heat.
Motor oil also contains special additives to help the engine work more efficiently and also helps to increase fuel millage. Through normal driving, the constant heat in the engine begins to break down the oil. Over time, small bits of debris and dirt can get into the oil making it less slippery so that it doesn't protect the engine as well.
To make sure your engine is protected at all times, we start with an oil service, being sure to use the factory-recommended viscosity grade and filter.
Then we rotate all four tires, lube your doors and chassis and perform a visual check of your vehicle's major systems: engine, transmission, brakes, steering, starting and charging, heating and cooling, and lighting.
When your vehicle rolls off our lift, you can be confident it will be safe, reliable and pleasant to drive.
The temperature inside of a vehicle sitting in the sun can easily reach 130 degrees or more. Keeping you and your passengers comfortable during the hottest weather is the job of your automobile's air conditioning system.
The air conditioning system works by removing the heat from air inside your vehicle and transferring that heat ot the outside air. What is left when the heat and humidity have been removed is cooler, more comfortable air.
To remove the heat, the system relies on several key components including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, pressurized refrigerant, valves and hoses--- all controled electronically.
For this system to work correctly , it needs to be free from leaks so the the refrigerant stays in the system. Although A/C systems are resistant to leaks and contamination, they are not leak-proof. Over time, contamination or leaks can appear and affect the cooling performance of your A/C system.
In fact, the most common cause of inadequate cooling is when the refrigerant leaks through worn seals and o-rings, loose fittings and connections.Braking systems aren't indestructible. 
Parts, like the rubber in the valves in the master cylinder, calipers and wheel cylinders deteriorate. All the nasty little bits that flake off end up in your brake fluid. Plus, the fluid itself can get old and worn out. Moisture can also get in the system. That leads to rust, which leads to more nasty bits in your brake fluid. All this adds up to a brake system with compromised effectiveness and decreased stopping power. Another (often overlooked) service 
designed to help your vehicle's engine running properly is the cleaning of fuel injectors and the fuel intake system. When dirt and deposits collect on fuel injectors, the amount of fuel delivered to the engine is restricted, leading to deterioration in performance and responsiveness.