Now that the weather has turned warm auto maintenance is the last thing on your mind, but it’ll jump to the front pretty quickly if you’re on the side of the road. Perform some simple auto maintenance procedures and you’ll thank yourself in the end.
Coolant Flush The coolant in your radiator doesn’t last forever. Over time it can break down and start to corrode the inside of your radiator. This can lead to cooling problems and radiator repair. A radiator flush once a year is cheap insurance against radiator repairs.
Replace your air filter. You should replace your air filter twice a year, so now’s a good time to get that job out of the way. A clean air filter will promote better fuel economy as well.
Check your battery. Corrosion is very likely to build up during winter weather driving. Check your battery posts and cables to ensure you’ll have no starting problems.
Tire Check. You should rotate your tires at least every other oil change to prevent uneven wear. Incorrect tire pressure is the leading cause of premature tire wear so while your at it check your tire pressure too.
Inspect your brakes It’s a good idea to inspect your brakes twice a year just to be sure everything is working order. Car safety should always be a top priority. Have the condition of your brake fluid checked while you’re at it.
Check your oil Check the fluid level of your oil regularly and have your oil changed every 3.000 miles for conventional oil and every 7500 miles for synthetic oil.
Keeping up with these few small and inexpensive maintenance items on your car will make your vehicle more reliable and save you money on costly repairs.
According to Edmonds Just like we suspected, the auto market is changing. Call it environmental awareness, call it regulatory pressure, call it old-fashioned economics. But by and large, call it inevitable: that most American of inventions – the V8 – is quickly being supplanted by smaller, more peppery engines as the auto industry marches to the latest beat of “downsizing.”
Ford announced today that it will produce three new engines using its Ecoboost concept of combining direct fuel injection with turbocharging and variable camshaft timing to boost the specific output of smaller-displacement engines. Ecoboost engines will be deployed for two vehicles that long represented the heart of the V8 market: the F-150 pickup and the 2011 Explorer. The third new Ecoboost engine variant is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder for the European C-Max mini-minivan. Based on the new Focus compact-car platform, the C-Max is coming to the U.S. next year as the Grand C-Max.
V8′s-Passe ? Makes and models recently dropping V8 power are beginning to stack up. An Explorer without a V8 is symbolic, for sure, but the flagship of Ford’s Lincoln brand, the MKS, doesn’t offer a V8: its top-of-the-heap engine is the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6.
Rival General Motors Co. two years ago shut down development of a new generation, overhead-cam V8 engine family for passenger cars. The so-called “Ultra” V8, or UV8, was earmarked as a replacement for GM’s aged Northstar V8, but GM said in early 2008 regulatory and environmental trends – not to mention shifting consumer tastes – were mitigating the need for V8s. The company’s Cadillac division noted at the time installation rates for V8s in Cadillac’s STS sedan and SRX crossover were running just 15 percent.
Volkswagen of America Inc. last year quietly dropped the 4.2-liter V8 offered for the 2010 Touareg crossover. Replacing that muscle was a V-6 diesel that generates more torque than the V8.
Other German makers are deemphasizing V8 prestige in the U.S. market: Volkswagen’s Audi AG is substituting a new, supercharged 3.2-liter V6 for the former 4.2-liter V8 in many of its new high-performance “S” models. BMW AG is taking a similar tack with its “M” performance models, which reputedly will use forced-induction downsized engines to replace the normally aspirated V8 and V10 currently used in various M models.
According to a recent news article, Nissan Motor Co. revealed that it will start signing up customers in April who want to buy its new Leaf electric car. You can almost feel the ‘electricity’ that this news is generating as shipments of the new line are expected to start by the end of 2010.
The new Nissan sedan is said to hold approximately five people; and it will be able to travel 100 miles off of a single charge. That’s pretty darn great if you ask me! The thought of not having to wait in line at the gas station to empty out your bank account into your gas tank is truly a blessing indeed. However, the cherry on top of this green cake has to be the zero-emission technology.
Nissan expects somewhere around 20,000 people in the United States to sign up to purchase the Leaf almost immediately. Pricing on the Leaf will not be announced until April 2010 though…so sit back and hold on tight to whatever income tax refund you manage to squeak out from the IRS because you just might need it!
For more information about car repair or to find a reputable auto repair shop, contact Pinnacle Automotive Servicetoday at 919.828.3113.
There is a direct relationship between how well you treat your vehicle and how long your vehicle will actually wind up lasting you. Obviously, the sooner you learn how to maintain your car, truck or sport utility vehicle, the better performance you will get out of it, not to mention the fact that you will lengthen the life of your vehicle as well.
The following video provides some excellent car maintenance advice to help drivers keep their car tuned and running efficiently:
For more information about car repair or to find a reputable auto repair shop, contact Pinnacle Automotive Servicetoday at 919.828.3113.
Boy, when I had my Jeep, I was beginning to wish that I had purchased an extended warranty because no sooner had I hit the 36,000 mile mark; that’s when things starting to really go wrong. Actually, if I back up a bit, I should admit that things had already been going wrong. It made me wonder why car dealers didn’t just simply offer car warranties that covered the life of the vehicle. On a similar note, in recent news, Toyota Motor Corp. may now be offering incentives and/or increase the length of the warranties on its vehicles as it tries to battle the recent onslaught of criticism stemming from a seemingly endless line of safety-related recalls. According to a recent news article printed by the Associated Press:
The company has not decided exactly what it will do after it gets past the recalls, which include more than 8 million vehicles worldwide, for sticky gas pedals, floor mats that can snag the accelerator and a software glitch in the brakes of its Prius gas-electric hybrid, said Group Vice President Bob Carter.
Carter told reporters at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in Orlando, Fla., that it is focused on repairing customer cars and restoring their faith in the brand, which has had a reputation for bulletproof reliability for years.
Toyota already is offering zero percent financing for 60 months in some of its regions, as well as cash to dealers to help sweeten deals, and Carter said the company may do an incentive campaign once it gets through the recalls. [source]
While no one could have predicted what would befall the once safe and reliable automobile maker, this evolving news story reiterates the fact that when you shop for a vehicle (whether new or used), you should always make sure that you do your research ahead of time and read the reviews. If I had done that, I would have certainly purchased a different vehicle. As for the future of Toyota? Only time will tell.
For more information about car repair or to find a reputable auto repair shop, contact Pinnacle Automotive Servicetoday at 919.828.3113.
According to Motor Trend, you heard correct. BMW is apparently planning a new 5 Series ActiveHybrid, which will be a newer version of its new ActiveHybrid mild hybrid system (already featured in the 7 and 6 series) into the all-new BMW 5 Series. Now you can have your BMW and not feel guilty about driving it all over town!
According to the article in Motor Trend:
On the 7 Series, the ActiveHybrid system improves performance versus the 750i, reducing the 0-60 time to approximately 4.8 seconds, while offering about 15-percent better fuel economy. Other advantages include an idle-stop system, which makes town driving more peaceful, and an electrically driven air-conditioner that can run for 30 minutes without the engine. [source]
It’s no surprise to find that BMW is jumping into the growing line of car dealers who have effectively “gone green” with their vehicles. While the green trend is spreading as more people try to conserve gasoline expenses during a downed economy, there is no telling where this trend will be once (if at all) the economy eases back up to where it used to be. In the mean time, it is definitely nice to be reassured that drivers now have more options than ever- especially when it comes to top of the line vehicles such as the BMW.
For more information about car repair or to find a reputable auto repair shop, contact Pinnacle Automotive Service today at 919.828.3113.
According to Edmunds.com, there are ten steps that everyone should adhere to when they are on the hunt for the perfect car suited for them. Five of these steps are listed below. To read the entire article at Edmunds, click here: source.
What kind of car do you need? There are many variables to consider when purchasing a new car. From deciding whether or not you want manual or automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, safety features, cargo area or flexible seating positions because you are tall- all of these are considerations that you should think about well before you step your foot into any car dealership parking lot.. Your needs (not your wants) should be the key factor driving your decision when you buy.
How much can you actually afford? This is often the first mistake that people make when they are on the hunt for a new car. They get caught up in the fancy or clever car commercials and want the sleek or fun looking new car. Big mistake. As a general rule of thumb, your total monthly car payments shouldn’t exceed 20 percent of your monthly take-home pay. Additionally, if you have other debts to pay back, you may want to reconsider buying a new car.
Should you buy or lease your next car? Leasing is often viewed by some as a waste of money; but this depends on the type of driver that you are. For instance, my father leased a vehicle for me when I was in college, and one of the caveats of leasing is that you have to keep the mileage within a certain range. I barely managed to do this because I did a lot of long distance driving. However, leasing is an excellent option for those folks who don’t plan on driving a lot, except to and from work or running a few errands around time. The benefits of leasing are that you can typically drive a more expensive car for less money; you can drive a new car every few years; and there are few hassles at the end of the lease. On the flipside, the advantages of buying are also appealing. For example, when interest rates are really low, it may make more financial sense to own a car versus lease it; there are no unexpected mileage penalties; there is more flexibility (i.e. you can sell the car whenever you want).
Have you considered all vehicles in that class? With so many different vehicle options out there, it is often difficult to keep up with all of the various vehicles that are available. Use sites such as Edmunds.com and others to research and compare different vehicles.
Have you considered all the costs of ownership? One of the major mistakes that people make when they buy a car for the first time is they focus so much on the sticker price that they fail to see the entire picture of what it will actually cost for them to own a vehicle. For instance, seemingly little things such as oil changes, gasoline expenses as well as vehicle tax (depending on what state you live in) can all add up pretty quickly.
For more information about car repair or to find a reputable auto repair shop, contact Pinnacle Automotive Service today at 919.828.3113.
Whenever we hear or receive a notice from our car dealership that we have to bring our vehicle in in order to address a recall that has been issued, the general reaction is pretty positive (with a slight chance at annoyance). However, lately, it seems that there have been a lot of auto dealers recalling their cars in order to fix problems. While it doesn’t cost the current auto owner anything to bring their vehicle by the dealership, it certainly makes them wonder whether or not they made the right decision to purchase their current vehicle (especially if it is being attacked by recalls).
ABC News recently printed an article chronicling some of the largest recalls in the U.S. auto industry. The following are just a few examples from the article, starting with the most recent auto recall:
January 26- Japan’s Toyota Motor corp. suspends U.S. sales of eight recalled car and truck models, including the best-selling Camry sedan in an effort to fix gas pedals that can stick and cause unintended acceleration.
January 21- Toyota announces U.S. recall of 2.3 million vehicles to fix faulty accelerator pedals, its second large recall in four months in the United States.
October 13, 2009- Ford Motor Co. adds 4.5 million older-model vehicles to a long list of those recalled due to a defective cruise control switch that can cause fires, pushing Ford’s total recall due to faulty switches to 14.3 million. The series of recalls, which began in 1999, becomes the largest cumulative recall in the history of the United States.
September 29, 2009- Toyota recalls 3.8 million U.S. vehicles to address problems with a removable floor mat that could interfere with the vehicle’s accelerator and cause a crash. The recall, which on Nov. 25 is expanded to 4.3 million vehicles, is the larges in its history.
Should any of these make drivers nervous, or should the drivers be glad that the auto corporations are catching these things in an effort to make us safe? In the end, it seems that doling out a bunch of recalls isn’t so bad for business after all. In fact, it seems as if most people think that it is the responsible thing to do and shows that the auto giants care about the little people behind the wheels of their cars. What do you think?
For more information about car repair or to find a reputable auto repair shop, contact Pinnacle Automotive Servicetoday at 919.828.3113.
To better serve our customers we have finally moved into our new and larger facility at 4808 Hargrove Rd, Raleigh, NC 27616. The new shop is just one block west off Spring Forest Rd (take a left on Hargrove and we are the 4th driveway on the left) from our previous location. We are not completely settled in yet, we have a few more things left on the to do list but we are up and running at the new location. Please come by and take a look around, we think you will be impressed.
Fall into good car maintenance habits now, and keep your car in excellent condition for years to come.
While your vehicle might have cruised through warmer weather, cold weather can set in before you realize the leaves have fallen. It’s important to remember that vehicles need seasonal adjusting if you don’t want to get caught out in the cold. Autumn is a great time for automotive maintenance and repair. It gives us time to repair the wear and tear and allows us to prepare for those colder days ahead.
Following a simple maintenance checklist will save you time and money by extending the life of your vehicle and ensuring safer operation. To keep your car in top shape and running smoothly as we transition into cooler months, here are four big tips to keep in mind:
Tires: Good Pressure, Little Wear and Rotation
Tires lose pressure every month, and more when the temperatures drop. To maintain proper pressure, check your tires monthly and make sure they’re filled up to their recommended PSI rating (which can be found on the driver’s side door paneling, in the owner’s manual or sometimes on the tires themselves). Drivers should also check the tread on the tires regularly for wear; replace excessively worn tires. If it has been over 5,000 miles since your tires have last been rotated, it is important to do so because there’s a risk of having one tire wear more significantly than the others.
Oil: Switch to Synthetic
Lower temperatures can add stress on your engine. To prevent engine wear, change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual. A switch to synthetic oil, if you’re not using it already, will help your car operate more efficiently. Synthetic motor oils are specifically designed to protect your engine in wide temperature ranges. For example, synthetic 5W-30 flows rapidly to critical engine parts during cold start-ups, provides outstanding wear protection and keeps engines clean and running smoothly.
Cooling System: Flush and Refill
The cooling system (radiator) should be checked for leaks and low levels. Additionally, it should be flushed and refilled as recommended in the owner’s manual. When checking, remember to never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled. While coolant may mostly be associated with warmer weather, a vehicle’s coolant (or antifreeze) is equally important in the colder months to make sure the vehicle can withstand the temperatures. A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is the usual recommendation.
Connect with your Battery
Be sure the connections on your battery are free of corrosion and solid. If your battery is older (more than three years old), we can test it for you to make sure it will not leave you stranded on a cold winter morning.
Full Engine Tune-up: Systems and Fluid Levels
If you haven’t had your yearly-recommended basic tune-up, now’s the time to have that done. Cooler weather will only make existing problems worse. A tune-up will correct engine problems such as stalling and diminished power, and will also ensure that fluid levels (for brakes, transmission, windshield washer, etc.) are topped off or replaced if needed.
Even if you prep your car for winter weather, a little planning can make sure you are prepared for emergencies. Carry an extra jacket, hat and gloves, along with a pair of boots, and keep blankets in the trunk. You should also keep some road flares on hand, as well as a flashlight, cell phone charger and portable shovel-just in case. Preparation now will make sure you keep your car performing well throughout the winter months ahead. Give Pinnacle Automotive Service a call to schedule an appointment today.
Tire Check. You should rotate your tires at least every other oil change to prevent uneven wear. Incorrect tire pressure is the leading cause of premature tire wear so while your at it check your tire pressure too. 
