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Tommy's Car Care TipsAre you planning on getting a new vehicle? Does your vehicle occasionally run hot? Is it time to have your brakes replaced? Is your ride getting bouncy? Are you having trouble starting your car?
Battery, Alternator or Starter Radiator Health
Have you had your belts checked recently? Cold air can affect tire pressure
Front-wheel Drive Cars and VansCold temperatures can take a toll on CV boots. These rubber parts shield CV joints from dirt and moisture while keeping the protective grease in. When that barrier is compromised, CV joint failure is inevitable if not caught immediately. CV joint failure could cause the steering to lock, or the car to not move at all, and getting your vehicle back on the road will mean expensive repairs. To ensure your CV joints are protected, ask for a quick check of your CV boots with your next service. Tips for Ice Cold Air Conditioning
Freon to the Rescue Sometimes the remedy for a poor performing AC system is a recharge of Freon or refrigerant. The life blood of your A/C, Freon and its generic equivalent need to be checked regularly for proper level and make sure pressure levels are with manufacturer’s specifications. While the refrigerant in your system operates in a closed system, leaks do occur from time to time. Over time, vibration and normal wear cause connections to loosen and seals to weaken. A regular AC service will detect these problems before they cause major damage. “A compressor can operate when Freon is slightly low, but it will fail when the refrigerant is almost completely gone,” says Mark Chisholm, Owner of Tommy’s Auto Service. “Checking your AC system levels regularly can help you avoid a major repair,” adds Mark. Like most systems in your car, your A/C system has many moving parts that must work together to perform their function. As these systems age, adjustments need to be made to assure proper, efficient and maximum use. Cooling System Maintenance
The National Automotive Radiator Service Association (NARSA) recommends that motorists have a seven-point preventative cooling system maintenance check performed at least once every two years. The following seven-point program is designed to delay premature wear and identify any areas that need attention. Vehicles five years and older are prime candidates for cooling system troubles. NARSA experts report that cooling system failure is most frequent on vehicles with more than 50,000 miles. However, the mileage on a vehicle is not as big a factor in the maintenance of a cooling system as is the vehicle's age. An aging vehicle has been exposed over time to environmental factors that can harm a car's cooling system. Providing services like flushing out a radiator and cooling systems, checking thermostats and belts is how Tommy’s help its customers prevent emergency car repairs down the road. When a problem does arise, Tommy’s can do everything to repair your car’s cooling system, including repairing leaks in copper/brass and aluminum/plastic radiators, fixing cracked hoses and replacing broken fans. Radiator Repair and Care
Luckily, the solution for most of these vehicles is not a complete radiator replacement. Despite what some car dealership service departments are telling customers, these cooling systems can be repaired. "Replacing the entire radiator is such a waste," says Mark Chisholm, Owner of Tommy's Auto Service. "We regularly hear from customers that were told by dealerships that replacing the entire radiator is the only option. Most of these failures happen in the tank of the radiator, which is only a small portion of the unit. The coils are made of aluminum, and usually have plenty of life in them." "Cooling systems in today’s cars are designed to be serviced," adds Chris Dunlop, Service Manager at Tommy’s Auto Service. "As with most automotive systems, a good service technician can diagnose the problem and replace the faulty component." Some dealerships are "throwing the baby out with the bathwater," Chisholm adds. "We can replace the tanks on a radiator and save car owners hundreds of dollars. Discarding perfectly good metal because a plastic component has failed is wasteful and counterintuitive." What to look for:
Tommy’s Tip #1 – Replace the Coolant in your radiator yearly. Tommy’s Tip #2 – Have your cooling system checked by an experienced Cooling Specialist when problems arise. Tommy’s Tip #3 – Get a second opinion when the dealership tells you an expensive repair is your only option. |
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It's a great time to take advantage of a dealers' excess inventory, but don't let them take advantage of you! Whether you're buying or selling a used vehicle, bring it in for a complete auto service and we'll find any little issues before they turn into big problems. It's a smart step to protect yourself before selling or trading in your own used vehicle, and an absolute must if you plan to drive home with a new-used vehicle of your own. Schedule an appointment today.
Have you noticed pools or spots of slightly greenish fluid under your vehicle? Are strange noises coming from the air vents? If so, your water pump may be failing. If you've noticed any of these problems, or if you haven't kept up with routine maintenance, let us know. We'll check your vehicle's cooling system for trouble spots and let you know about any problems brewing under the hood. An appointment today may save you the expense of a new engine tomorrow!
This is one job you should only trust to a professional. Today's computerized braking systems require specialized tools and equipment in order to do the job properly. When you bring your vehicle in for brake service, we'll inspect the entire braking system to ensure proper brake function. We can test everything from the antilock computer system to the hydraulic brake parts. Don't take chances with your safety – a brake job is something you don’t want to put off.
It might be time to replace your shocks or struts. When these suspension essentials begin to go bad, you may also notice uneven or choppy tire wear or bouncing when you apply then release weight from the front bumper. Depending on the type of shocks and struts, they may also leak oil or air. The bouncing from failed shocks and struts could cause you to lose control of your vehicle, so don't wait for this problem to go away, because it won’t. Schedule an appointment today.
If your vehicle needs a jump start to get going but then runs fine, the battery is most likely to blame. If it takes a jump but then dies after removing the jumper cables, you most likely have a bad alternator. Other common symptoms of a failing alternator include random dimming of dash lights, headlights, or other oddities of the electrical system. A high pitched squeal or screeching noise under the hood could mean your alternator diodes or bearings are going out. A failing alternator can ruin a good battery and a failing battery can wipe out a good alternator. Save yourself time, money, and grief… don’t ignore the warning signs! 
A slow crank or low charge are indicators of trouble brewing. Potential problems are numerous, ranging from the battery to the starter to the alternator or any of the wiring in between. A starting or charging system test is the best way to determine the problem and reduce repair expenses. We can't test the system with a dead battery, so bring your vehicle in for a complete diagnosis now to avoid more costly repairs later. Schedule an appointment today.
This may surprise you, but did you know antifreeze isn't always green? It can also show up as red, clear, blue, or purple. And, although antifreeze and coolant leaks are most likely to occur near the front of the vehicle, some systems can leak antifreeze almost anywhere under the car. If you notice leaks, or see your check engine or low coolant light come on, you should have your car looked at immediately. Your vehicle can run hot and cause catastrophic engine damage even in winter. When caught early, it can be a simple fix. Ask for an appointment today.
Cooler temperatures cause a bigger drain on the battery, which means the alternator has to work harder, which in turn creates additional wear on the belts. Power steering pumps also put a bigger load on the belts when the oil is cold. Because the belts are more brittle in cold weather, it's especially important to stay on top of belt maintenance. Any strange noises under the hood can be early indicators of trouble, so have them checked immediately to avoid being stranded somewhere.
Low air pressure in the tires is a common problem in cold weather months, but uneven tire wear isn't always caused by improper pressure. Other potential causes include alignment problems, worn steering components such as bearings and joints, and wheel imbalance. Filling the tire may provide a temporary fix, but the only truly safe solution is to find the root of the problem. Schedule an appointment so one of our ASE qualified technicians can check your vehicle to ensure it's in good working order and safe to drive.
Florida heat can be tough on cars and drivers. As we learned in last month’s article, your car’s engine is constantly generating heat which needs to be dissipated to prevent major problems. That’s what your radiator and cooling system is for. The driver on the other hand is at the mercy of ice cold air provided by your car’s air conditioning system. If your air conditioner isn’t blowing as cool as it used to, or if it takes longer than usual to cool off your car, you may need to have your system serviced. The ASE Certified Air Conditioning Technicians at Tommy’s Auto Service have the tools and training to service all components of your air conditioning system, including the compressor, condenser, dryer and evaporator. 
A car's engine generates enough heat to destroy itself. It is after all an internal combustion engine. The cooling system is your only line of defense against this “self-destruction.” By dissipating heat with circulating water, your radiator and the rest of your car’s cooling system keep the engine within the correct operating temperature range. That's why preventative maintenance of the cooling system is essential in helping to ensure your engine's life.
At Tommy's Auto Service, we regularly hear from customers that say their car smells sweet when they park it, or there's always a wet spot under the engine. These are both symptoms of a failing cooling system. In today’s vehicles, high-tech plastic is used for many components, including radiator tanks. While inherently strong, fiber reinforced plastic does have its Achilles heal – seams. Wherever parts of plastic are combined to make a component, there is a seam that can fail over time. Depending on a vehicles cooling system design, engine compartment configuration and installation techniques, some cars and trucks are more susceptible to a pattern of failure than others. The Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon and Dodge Ram are the most common victims of premature radiator tank failure. |
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