Suspension Often Forgotten But Much Appreciated When Replaced | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

In my role at the repair shop I don't often road test vehicles before and after repair procedures, but I have found that I really enjoy driving one that has had suspension work performed on it. To me there is nothing that improves the driving experience more than the sense of control and ease of handling that renewed suspension parts offer the driver.

Insidious degrading- The gradual wear process that occurs in the suspension of a vehicle accounts for the reason why these parts are often neglected until a noise or a catastrophic failure occurs. Over time, the rubber bushings in control arms and ball joints degrade. They are of course susceptible to load driven wear and tear, but contaminants like oil and road grime take their toll as well.

Attention grabbing sound- The first sign that makes the driver aware of a problem is usually a "clunking" or "banging" sound. As those rubber bushings go away after years of driving, two metal parts that were previously separated by rubber begin to contact each other when the vehicle's suspension is stressed by going over irregularities in the road like a speed bump or a pothole. This produces the noise that alerts you to the failure.

Clicking noise- One part of the suspension that can produce a "clicking" noise when it fails is the sway bar links also called stabilizer links. These parts connect the front or rear (if so equipped) sway bar to the suspension. When the links break a vehicle may lean more on turns and signal its condition with a rattling sound.

As we pointed out in our previous post the senses are important when evaluating the condition of your vehicle. In the case of suspension problems, hearing plays a very important part in your ability to convey what ails your vehicle to the service facility. Try to describe the type of noise, where it is coming from and when it is evident such as when going over a bump or when the brakes are applied.

Failed Control Arms (Complete Arm & Failed Bushing Views)
Copyright Joe & Tony's Service Inc. 2014 

    

  

   

Keeping Track of Your Car with Your Senses | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

Not every automotive diagnostic tool comes with an expensive price tag or an instruction list that requires an engineering degree to decipher. Especially for consumers whose involvement will end when they drop the vehicle off for repair, the most important tools are their senses. Relying on what you see, hear, or smell in describing your automotive concerns is always the best first step in getting your car or truck back to its reliable self.

Sight - Describing what you see in very specific terms makes diagnosis much easier. If it is a fluid leak, note the color, location and when during the driving cycle it appears. If a part doesn't seem to line up right or appears to be leaning be sure to mention it. Inspect your tires for foreign objects like nails, screws and shards of glass or pointy stones embedded in the tires. Occasionally check your lights for burned out bulbs.

Hearing - Clues to what is wrong with your car often come through your ears. From the rapid ticking of a turn signal indicator to the high pitched squeal of a brake pad sensor, sound is your friend when it comes to problems with your vehicle. Describe to the best of your ability the type sound you hear and when you hear it during the driving cycle (Starting Out, Accelerating, or Cruising).

Smell - Everybody knows what un-burned or raw gas smells like. When you smell that odor around your vehicle you should be very concerned. Whether under the hood or externally from a fuel line or a tank, dripping gas represents a clear and present danger and should be resolved immediately. You should never smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle. If your exhaust system leaks exhaust fumes can migrate into the cabin. There have been press reports of children being overcome from breathing fumes when they fell asleep in the back seat of a car stuck in traffic. The lack of vehicle movement increases the danger, so assume that the resolution of exhaust fumes is a high priority.      

Damaged Honda Odyssey Motor Oil Pan
Copyright 2014 Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

Complaints in Auto Repair -The Why and How | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

Every couple of years the Better Business Bureau releases statistics on the inquiries and complaints that they receive from consumers. The latest figures are for 2012 and don't reflect well on the auto repair industry.

Background - The BBB fielded more than 1.75 million inquiries in the "Auto Repair & Service" category. It was the fourth most frequent request made by the the public. In 2012 there were over 117 million reports issued by the BBB. When complaints filed against auto repair facilities are compared to other businesses, repair shops ranked ninth with 14,002 complaints filed, of which 9284 were settled which is just about 2/3 of the complaints filed.

Reasons - There are numerous ways to disappoint consumers when it comes to their cars. Vehicles are not repaired competently ; they are misdiagnosed or maybe the repair isn't completed when promised. The stakes are high when the family vehicle is involved, because it can impact the ability to get to work or move family members to appointments some of which may incur monetary penalties when missed.

Why - The auto repair environment can easily lend itself to misunderstanding. Its nomenclature is full of acronyms which are difficult for the industry to keep up with and must seem like an alphabet soup of indiscriminate terms to consumers. The separation of job functions between the service writer and technician adds a level of interpretation before a description of the vehicle's problems is relayed to the owner and therefore is susceptible to misinterpretation.

Considerations - In the review driven retail world that prevails today it is important that all parties involved conduct themselves in a civil manner and avoid personalizing the dispute. Consumers should look for transparency in their interaction with the auto repair facility and the shop should attempt to identify with the feelings of vulnerability the customer perceives. Everyone should try to strip away any chance for misunderstanding and negotiate in good faith.   

Copyright 2014 Joe & Tony's Service Inc. All Rights Reserved 

     

Violence and Your Vehicle | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

Violence has been a part of our consciousness lately. The photo presented here is an example of how gunshots can wreak havoc on a vehicle. What are pictured here are a radiator, AC condenser and a valve cover removed from a 2006 Ford Escape with a 3.0 litre engine. The vehicle came in overheating and losing motor oil.  Our staff being familiar with the CSI TV shows and a  hole in the bumper cover led us to the diagnosis.

Sure enough we followed the trajectory of the entrance wound all the way to the valve cover. It took faith in us on the part of our customer since we could not predict the ultimate damage that had been done to this vehicle until it was pretty much back together. Amazingly, the bullet (which was never found) missed the cooling fan blades and hoses among other possible obstructions and we were able to stand behind our original estimate.

We never really learned the circumstances surrounding the reasons why the Escape was exposed to gunfire and really didn't care to know. Unlike most auto failures, when you really can't get enough information, this was a rare case in which less background was better.

Bullet Damaged Auto Parts
Copyright 2014 Joe & Tony's Service Inc.
All Rights Reserved

   

Road Salt & Your Vehicle | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

We're always talking about rust and corrosion created by road salt and other chemicals used to de-ice the  roads in the winter. Most of the references are about the damage to brake and fuel lines and undercar suspension parts (trailing arms etc.). But recently a 2004 Chrysler Sebring with 74,000 miles on the odometer came in with a complaint about a "banging" sound from the rear and it demonstrated how pervasive and insidious these chemicals are.

As this photo shows salt (white discoloration) had gotten to the very top of the left rear strut and weakened the bracket that holds the strut to the vehicle. A broken piece of the strut bracket is visible in the picture. The failure was creating the noise that our customer's passengers who were riding in the rear seat complained about.

This kind of damage is never seen, but makes even experienced repair people wonder how much other automotive infrastructure has been compromised in the yearly effort to keep the roadways passable. Maybe it's time for a new standard for the materials used in vehicles or better yet some R & D on non corrosive chemicals to combat ice and snow.

Salt Damaged Rear Strut
Copyright Joe & Tony's Service Inc. All Rights Reserved 

 

 

When to Change Your Oil | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

All the rules have changed concerning the frequency of oil changes. The new thinking has been brought about by the oil life monitoring systems that car makers have devised to go along with the new extended drain (Full Synthetic) oils they have begun to use. So is the need to change oil every 3,500 miles a thing of the past?

Vehicle requirements - The first step is to consult your owner's manual for the correct type of oil needed for your vehicle. This will include the viscosity - something like 0W20 or 5W30 and whether the oil needs to be a full synthetic like MobilOne or if a synthetic blend is ok. It will also designate the API service designation usually represented by two letters like - SN.

Oil life reminders - Vehicles equipped with oil life monitoring systems use either a icon on the dashboard or a text message displayed on the Driver Information Center. The system may use a percentage of oil life left or just the appearance of the light to alert the driver that it's time for the oil to be changed.

How the systems work - The most sophisticated systems compare your driving style to an algorithm that
in turn estimates the amount of life left on your oil. The indicator then comes on or your oil life percentage decreases accordingly. Other systems are nothing more than flags that come on when you have reached a preset mileage interval. They are a high tech equivalent of the oil change sticker placed on your windshield.
Both types of systems must be reset when the oil is changed to have any meaning. The method for resetting the system is usually in your owner's manual.

Eyes on your vehicle -  Nothing is better than a trusted and competent auto service provider taking a look at your car or truck at regular intervals. Traditionally, this has been at the time of the oil change. If your car maker has decided that due to the type of oil you are using (e.g. Full Synthetic) it's OK to go 7,500 miles between changes, we feel that is what you should do but there are two things to remember:

1. Don't push the mileage limit
2. Make sure your vehicle is looked at periodically by someone you trust  

Copyright 2014, John DeCostanza

     

TPMS Sensors Have Changed Tire Care | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

Here to stay - Six model years have passed since Tire Pressure Monitor Sensors became mandatory for vehicles sold in the U.S. In the auto repair industry there are differing stances on their significance. These opinions range from denial to complete acceptance. The cold hard fact is that their use is considered a safety feature so they are no more likely to go away than are seat belts or airbags.

Consumer friendly- What could be more clear than responding to a dashboard warning light? The easy answer is "nothing" but that assumes that the driver of the vehicle knows what the symbol is and what it looks like. The telltale for low tire pressure is a yellow cross section of a tire with an exclamation point in the center. In a recent study performed by Schrader, a company that makes tire valves, 42 % of the respondents could not identify the symbol and ten percent said they have ignored it.

False positives ?- In climates that have seasonal changes in temperature, it is not unusual for colder weather to cause the light to appear. This, of course, is a good thing since it means the system is working as designed.

But drivers not familiar with the light or those not understanding how it works tend to consider the light a nuisance since it requires confirming that the tire is low by manually checking the pressure and inflating the tires to the proper level.

Costs involved - With technology comes expense, the expected life of the batteries that power TPMS sensors is approximately five years. They are not cheap in most cases replacing them can cost between $75 and $150 with installation labor. Some systems require re-learning after each tire rotation which generates additional expense. The facts are that the system works. What price is too much to pay for safety? 

TPMS Sensor

Copyright  2014 Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

       

What You Should Know About a Timing Belt | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

Not all vehicles have Timing Belts - Some have Chains.

Timing Belts are assigned a replacement interval in both miles and months by the car maker.

Automotive fluids of any type (coolant, motor oil, trans fluid etc.) are the enemy of the Timing Belt. Exposure to these reduces life and causes Premature Failure.

The type of engine you have- free wheeling or interference- makes a difference if your Timing Belt fails.
Free Wheeling- you are disabled but not destroyed. Interference - get your checkbook.

Timing Belts get hard, crack, wear out, lose teeth and wear out on the edges.

When you purchase a vehicle it is important to know if it has a Timing Belt and if it does when it was last replaced.

You should always replace your water pump when you replace your Timing Belt.

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Joe & Tony's Hosts Tire Care Clinic | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

On April 12th we hosted an auto care clinic focused on tires. The event was co-sponsored by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and the Money School. There were about fifteen attendees and the two hours were very informative.

Kevin Fritsch, a Goodyear field sales representative, discussed Basic Tire Knowledge from tire inflation to the advantages and disadvantages of run-flat tires. The discussion generated numerous questions form the participants which served as a springboard for an in-depth consideration of recognizing issues with your tires and knowing when to investigate, repair or replace.

TPMS was of interest to all who attended. Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems have been required original equipment since the 2008 model year. We talked about the history of TPMS, how the systems work and the pluses and minuses in terms of convenience and cost. The need to use plastic tire caps and to avoid the use of fix-a-flat was also covered.

Patches vs Plugs - The importance of inspecting the inside of a tire that is losing air was stressed. The superiority of an inside patch/plug combination over a string type plug that is installed from the exterior of the tire was demonstrated with a cross-section of a tire which showed the two methods.

More to Come - We hope that this is the first of many efforts to inform you about your vehicles. We believe in transparency and the idea that in auto repair knowledge is power.

Tire Flat Spot
Copyright 2014 Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

         

Rating Your Auto Repair Facility | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

If you rely on reviews to choose the shop that repairs your vehicle, you can understand the need to offer feedback about your experience. It is about paying the system forward whether it reflects positively or negatively on your provider. So here are some areas that we believe are fair game for evaluation.

General business practices - This covers everything from phone etiquette to honoring your privacy. Are you getting what you tend to expect from any business? Are they responding to your inquiries promptly and explaining the services that your vehicle needs in easy to understand terms? Did you have a good feeling about the experience and were your needs met?

Accuracy of diagnosis - This is the big one and of course the reason why you are there in the first place. If the shop fails to meet your expectations or if it met and/or exceeded them then comment is appropriate. The question is whether your concern about your vehicle has been addressed and resolved to your satisfaction.If, however, you arrived at the facility for a tire repair and the shop was the bearer of bad news and could only offer a replacement, this is not their fault and doesn't merit a negative review.

Resolution of problems- When you are working on a machine as complex as an automobile, there will be times that the fix does not work out on the first attempt. This, in itself, is not grounds for trashing the shop in the form of a negative review. There are, however, some things that we feel that you should expect when you are returning for the same problem. First is that the shop should treat your return as a priority and be willing to revisit your repair as soon as is convenient to you. The shop should also be willing to "work with you" to arrive at a mutually agreeable resolution.

When repairs go south everyone becomes stressed out, if the repair facility is making an earnest attempt to resolve the problem, a negative review should not be used as leverage to pressure the facility. Likewise, a shop should not offer incentives for positive reviews beyond the way they treat each and every patron.          

        

Tire for Repair
Copyright Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

Batteries Are Tougher to Forecast Than the Weather

Batteries can be deceiving. Short of having them professionally evaluated, there are very few ways to tell if a battery is on the verge of failure. Here are some tips to stay on top of the condition of your battery and avoid roadside assistance.

Know your battery- It is important to record when your battery was replaced. Since all batteries are rated by their projected life expectancy and their warranty is tied to that projection, it makes sense to know how old your battery is and what kind of guarantee you have.

Keep it corrosion free - The accumulation of corrosion on a battery terminal can cause a failure to start that might be misdiagnosed as a battery problem. Have the battery checked for corrosion each time you get an oil change and keep the battery clean.

Take the load off - It is a good idea to turn off your car's accessories prior to shutting the car's motor off. This would include the wipers, radio, air conditioning and of course the lights. This way the battery's power can be applied solely to starting the vehicle on your next trip. Also, make sure that your cell phone is not charging while the engine is off.

Replacement should be OEM quality-  When replacing your battery confirm that the replacement is the equal of the original battery in terms of cold cranking amps and reserve capacity. The Original Equipment Manufacturer's recommendation reflects the electrical demand needed to operate the vehicle optimally and should be followed when replacing the battery.