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by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager
Lemon or lovely – that is the question when you consider buying a used vehicle. It may look gorgeous on the outside, but the inner workings determine whether or not the car will be a money pit. Here are a few tips on what to look for when test driving that little beauty:
1) Pull out the oil dipstick while the engine is running – be careful not rev the engine! Watch the dipstick's hole as the engine idles; if you hear or see any air, gas or oil escaping the dipstick holder it means the rings are worn. A slight escape of air from the dipstick is the first stage of ring failure which is not a serious problem but will get worse until gas and oil start escaping the dipstick holder. The result is less power and leaking oil in the sump. Look for white emulsification on the dipstick which would indicate a cracked cylinder head, which is a serious problem.
2) Look at the exhaust pipe while the car is running. White smoke from the exhaust indicates there's engine oil remaining on the bore that the rings haven’t scraped off, which means oil could be leaking. Black smoke means the fuel injectors are dirty on a diesel engine.
3) Remove the radiator cap and check for oil. Oil in the water also means a cracked cylinder head.
4) Have a pre-purchase inspection performed! A compression test should also be done for failing rings on any used vehicle. This test requires a trained mechanic because of the equipment used and the test is complicated. The readings must be done ‘dry’ and ‘wet’, and it even depends on if you are above or below sea level.
At Cars For Keeps, we do a bumper to bumper inspection on used vehicles before you buy it, and we have saved a lot of people from buying a ‘money pit’.
by Dennis Sweet, Cars for Keeps Customer Service Manager
Have you ever heard the old saying “use it or lose it”? Well this applies to working parts on our vehicles! We use the remote to change the channel on our TV, even if we are standing in front of it. We as humans are creatures of habit and convenience.
We use our vehicles' key fobs to unlock doors and trunks, and while this is convenient for us, it's not so great for the locks and latches. When the key fob is used to unlock the trunk, the trunk latch unlocks from inside the trunk, but the key cylinder never turns. Rust and corrosion builds up on the key cylinder, and when the time comes that you don’t have the key fob or it stops working and you need to unlock it with the key, it may not work.
It is important that you have your auto service center lubricate the hood and trunk latches as well as the door and trunk lock cylinder with high quality lubricant at when regular oil changes are performed. Or, if your vehicle uses synthetic oil with extended mileage intervals you, can stop in and have Cars for Keeps do this at one of our free Pit Stops.
Routine latch lubrication and maintenance doesn't only apply to your vehicle’s hood latch; it can be just as important to maintain the rest of the vehicle’s door locks. Proper lubrication and the occasional use of these important vehicle components is the best way to maintain and ensure that they work when you or your service center need them to.
by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager
Let’s face it - we still live in a paper oriented world. Which means for most of us that somewhere in our house sits one of those ugly file cabinets or a big box where we throw everything during the year, and at tax time it's a nightmare to sort through. It becomes a necessity to spend the $10 to get some file folders to separate subjects.
Keeping records of automotive repair and maintenance is a chore few of us relish, but keeping organized files can save us time and grief down the road. Think of these records as your car's medical records; it's important to be able to present these to your auto technician, so we know how to diagnose and "treat" your vehicle! Whether they're oil change records or transmission repair receipts, it's a good idea to keep all these records together. Things like having a record of the last timing belt replacement can save you unnecessary maintenance costs, but they can also save you from breakdowns due to overdue maintenance.
For those who find it easier to have everything at hand on your computer, there are many software programs you can get to keep track of your car's maintenance and repair schedules. Lonewolf Software is one good option. Other popular programs include Tucows and MTCPro.
Let us us not forget the obvious little helpers that are right in front of us. The little sticker Cars For Keeps puts on your windshield telling you when your car is due for its next oil change and, at your request, a paper printout listing needed and recommended repairs with a cost estimate.
by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner
How much does cold weather affect the performance of hybrid cars?
While in manufacturer training at different times over the years, I’ve been amazed at how much effort was put into extreme weather testing by most auto parts manufacturers.
They’ve become more aggressive and technologically adept every year. With the introduction of hybrid vehicles, every bit as much, if not more effort has gone into ensuring this new technology can exceed their customers expectations.
Cold and snow makes EVERYTHING in a vehicle work harder. So, while performance, mileage and even reliability do suffer with a hybrid in the cold, the difference is negligible and for the most part goes unnoticed. The losses are consistent with standard gasoline or diesel powered vehicles which also suffer from frigid temps.
Reliability: Hybrid cars and other hybrid vehicles seem so different that too many owners think there is something miraculous happening. It’s not. They are exposed to the same extremes in temperatures, assault on their systems from bone jarring pot holes and from normal wear.
Just as we recommend for all our clients, having your hybrid car checked out by a professional at least every season and especially before the coldest and hottest seasons is the best way to ensure your ride is safe, reliable and ready to go.
The exclusive Cars for Keeps seasonal Pit Stop is one more way we fix cars. For keeps.
by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager
The other day, a customer brought in a 1997 Lexus ES 300 (that he had just purchased) for an oil change and general checkup. The car was in very good condition - that was, until the mechanic took off the oil valve cover and it full of sludge. Having sludge rather than oil lubricating the engine's working parts can very quickly deteriorate moving parts. Instead of being lubricated by clean oil, sludge contaminates parts, makes them sticky and prone to costly damage.
Mike really gets into auto repair...*groan*
The previous owner followed the manufacturer’s guidelines to change the oil every five or six thousand miles - so then what was the problem? This may look good on paper, but in reality, this frequently is often just not enough. The detergents in the oil break down after a certain amount of time, which is what creates sludge. Unless a special high-grade synthetic oil were being used, regular oil changes and maintenance really should be preformed every three thousand miles for this type of vehicle. This Lexus has 167,000 miles on it, and if properly maintained intervals are kept, it should be good for another 500,000 miles and more.
We like to view our customers' cars as investments; in the long run, they prove a far more valuable investment when they're properly maintained. Each car model is different, so if you'd like to know what your vehicle's specific maintenance intervals should be, it's best to check with your favorite mechanic.
Speaking of favorite mechanics, we've been nominated for the category of "Best Oil Change" by the Grand Haven Tribune's People's Choice Awards 2011, and we would appreciate your votes! Thank you!
by Dennis Sweet, Cars for Keeps Customer Service Manager
At Cars for Keeps, we believe in the the old adage “you get what you pay for”. We feel that not all car parts and fluids are created equal. So with that in mind, let's talk auto fluids...
When we talk about your vehicle's fluid systems, we're talking about transmission, power steering, brake, coolant and engine oil fluids. Each of these fluids services a very important automotive function, and as the fluids break down over time, they can cause damage to these systems if they are not flushed and maintained.
We've researched many automotive fluid products and believe we have found one of the best that is available. I am talking about BG Products. BG Products is a chemical company that makes top of the line automotive fluids and automotive maintenance service products. These include completely synthetic engine oils, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluids and grease and gear lube.
Most automotive fluid companies make their products with crude oil base. BG Products, on the other hand, are manufactured in a lab as fully synthetic chemicals. For humans, synthetic products are bad news, but for a vehicle, synthetic fluids are the best they come. These fluid are capable of handling the higher temps better and for longer, without breaking down. This means longer periods between fluid changes and more longevity for the life of you vehicle.
BG Fully synthetic motor oil even comes with a friction modifier added to it for even better protection of your vehicle's engine. They also offer cleaning products to flush and improve the performance of drive lines, fuel systems, batteries and climate control systems.
BG is so confident of their products that they put a 150,000 mile warranty on your vehicle's engine if you use BG Products according to the recommended schedule on vehicles before they reach 30,000 miles.
With this kind of value, it was a no brainer for us at Cars for Keeps to offer BG Product to our customers, and for BG Products to be our top selling automotive fluid brand.
If you're curious to learn more about BG, visit them online, or watch their video below:
by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner
Most drivers don’t give a second thought about air conditioning (AC or HVAC) when the weather is cooler than about 75°f. While once considered a luxury, often an expensive add-on to a new car purchase, air conditioning is now a common factory installed item running in concert with several other systems.
Two of the most frequent questions we receive are:
1. Should I run my AC in the winter?
Many vehicles now incorporate running the air conditioning system when the windshield defroster is selected. Automatic climate control systems in the higher end vehicles use it routinely unless you select the “Economy” mode. There are a few reasons it's a good idea to run your auto's AC in the winter.
First, running the air conditioning year round will help maintain the system. It will help to keep the system well lubricated and leak proof. This is because the refrigerant actually carries the oil and sealers that lubricate the system and most importantly the compressor. It also keeps the seals and hoses moist, thus preventing them from drying out and cracking, which can lead to leaks.
Air conditioning removes moisture. If you’ve driven in heavy rain or high humidity, you needed the humidity removed from the forced air blasting your windows. This is less noticeable in colder weather, however the moisture is still a factor in clearing that fog from your view. If you have a car with a separate A/C switch, try turning it on next time (even if the temp is set on hot). It will clear your windows quicker.
2. If my AC needs repair, why shouldn't I wait until warmer weather?
Because the systems are so integrated, waiting to repair the AC system can increase the costs dramatically. Items from simple hoses, connections, desiccant chambers (driers) to the complex compressor, evaporator and condenser depend on operating in a lubricated, moisture free environment. Electrical switch or sensor failure will leave the system inoperative, but the failure of a seal or hose can cause much more serious damage. Faulty hoses will leak refrigerant, allowing water to enter the internal AC system and cause corrosion and rust.
Cars for Keeps includes testing AC function in its routine inspection process to help you avoid surprises when the weather warms up.
One more way we fix cars. For keeps!
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