Friday, October 25, 2013

A New Meaning for a "Flat" Tire | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

The tire pictured below shows a very strange wear pattern. Yes, that is a flat spot in the middle of the tread. You might ask how that could happen since as you know tires are round and are meant to roll down the road. So how did this tire become flat in one spot?

Customer concern- The car owner explained that a neighbor responded to noises coming from the vehicle and observed that the right rear wheel was not turning. Not deterred the driver continued to perform errands and eventually the noise subsided, but the Buick Century was left with a thumping sound which resulted in a trip to our shop.

Road test - Our technician took a very short road test since the vibration in the car was so severe that he thought it was unsafe to test extensively.

Inspection - The nearly new right rear tire was worn almost to the steel cord. The removal of the right rear brake drum revealed an extreme accumulation of rust which necessitated the replacement of the drum. The thumping noise was a result of the tire's flat spot contacting the roadway with each revolution of the wheel.

Conclusion - The replacement of the tire and brake drum resolved the problem. Sometimes it's not advisable to set the emergency brake, especially when a vehicle sits outdoors for extended periods, which was the case here.  It's notable that one of the errands that the owner completed while riding on the compromised tire was to the state run inspection lanes where the vehicle was approved for two years.
Flat Spot in Tire
Copyright 2013 Joe & Tony's Service Inc. 

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

2012-2013 Toyota Avalons,Venzas & Camry's Recalled | Joe & Tony's Service

NHTSA announced that certain model year 2012-2013 of the above Toyota vehicles are being recalled. The problem that these passenger cars suffer from is a drain hose in the air conditioner condenser housing that clogs up.This is a common problem with nearly all AC equipped vehicles as anyone in the repair industry can attest. All kinds of debris, dried up condensate and even spider webs fill up the drain hole of the housing which causes the housing to accumulate water.

Serious consequences- On these vehicles, however, the moisture in the condenser housing is migrating next door to the airbag control module. The result is that moisture or corrosion could cause a short circuit in the module and initiate an inadvertent deployment of the airbag. The condition may also cause the disabling of the airbag. Both consequences are serious- in the former scenario the driver loses control of the vehicle, in the latter he or she becomes unprotected in a crash. NHTSA also warns that power steering assist is compromised adding to the risk of a low speed crash.

The fix- Toyota will seal the housing and wrap or otherwise protect the module free of charge. Owners can call 1-800-331-4331 for additional information.

Comment- What a disappointment! It's not like the condensate problem is anything new, wouldn't it be prudent to look at adjacent systems and parts to make sure that safety related failures would not be an issue? .    .

   
Back Side of Airbag/Clockspring Assembly
Copyright 2013 Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

What is Important In Auto Repair | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

Auto repair is like a lot of industries- there is substance and there is noise. As a consumer you enhance your position if you can cut through the noise and get to the meat of the matter which in this case is the care of your vehicle and the treatment that you receive as the consumer. So here is our evaluation of things you might experience in an auto repair encounter with a numerical value (1 to 5) assigned to each, A five signifies the most important.

The Provider (5) -  In whose hands you decide to entrust your $30,000 vehicle is a major decision. The insurance industry says that the facility has the "care and custody" of your auto while they repair it, so make sure it's someone that deserves that responsibility. There are many sources for advice in making that decision, so just recognize the magnitude of your choice.

The Price (1) -   Some clarification is needed here. Of course the price you pay is important, what we're talking about is advertised prices for specific services, which are intentionally meant to bring in vehicles so they can be picked apart by personnel and sold other services - think UPSELL.

The Warranty (3) - The reason this is not rated a "5" is that the guarantee is only as good as the selling shop. If you have faith in the provider then the warranty becomes of the utmost importance. Over time, knowing what warranties are in effect on parts installed on your car can save you a lot of money. Keep good records, inquire about the warranty at installation, and always refer back to your invoices when a certain part is found to have failed.

The Promise (5) - An auto repair is basically a contract. You commit to paying for a fix and the shop represents that their diagnosis is true and accurate and will be completed on schedule. The fulfillment of the promise is the best indicator that you're in the right place to spend your auto repair dollars. For sure, things can rapidly go south after the repair and price are settled upon, you need to make sure that the explanations are just that and not excuses.    .
Oil Damaged Motor Mount
Copyright 2013 Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

         

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Winter Cooling System Considerations | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

When the leaves fall and a blanket is added to the bedclothes, it should remind you that freezing weather is on  the way. For your vehicle it means exposure to engine damaging freeze ups, so here are some questions to ask to ensure that your car does not become Jack Frost's latest victim.

Has my anti-freeze/coolant been compromised? - Think back to last winter and if you had to add water to the cooling system since then, for instance in an emergency, if so, you need to recharge your cooling system and have the strength checked. If you had a hose, water pump or any other cooling system component replaced it is probably a good idea to confirm that your anti-freeze is ok.

Does my cooling system leak? - Because coolant is well over $10.00 a gallon, it is not unusual for car owners to add water to the coolant reservoir, this dilutes the concentration of the anti-freeze and raises its freeze point. Fix all coolant leaks prior to winter, not only will you stabilize your coolant but you will also save money.

Is my temperature gauge acting funny? - An erratic temperature gauge can mean a lot of things-  from a failed thermostat to a low level of anti-freeze. Remember if your anti-freeze is too weak to protect your engine, the result will be overheating as ice builds up the cooling system causing a blockage that will result in the temperature gauge to rise to "H".

How old is my coolant? -  At one time the standard was to change the coolant/anti-freeze every other year. This has changed since some new models allow that the fluid not be changed until 100,000 miles,. be sure to check your owner's manual for your vehicle's anti-freeze change interval.

What kind of anti-freeze should I use? - Mixing coolant types is a "No, No". The color of the fluid is crucial and differs by car make, so be sure to check the owner's manual and match any coolant you add to the recommendation. There are universal types of coolant which are compatible with every type and color. Also be aware of the concentration of the coolant you are adding since there are both full strength and 50/50 formulas available.

Winter can be hard on a vehicle, don't let a cooling system failure deprive you of the the cold weather enjoyment that you have been anticipating since August.

Severely Clogged Copper/Brass Radiator
Copyright 2013 Joe & Tony's Service Inc.