Preparing for the Auto Repair Visit

We believe in customer directed auto repair. The process starts with reading your owner's manual and adhering to the suggested maintenance items at each service interval as your vehicle ages. The advantage of this approach is that you free yourself of the need to depend on the service facility's evaluation of your vehicle. This gets us to our motto - "Joe & Tony's, Where Your Car's Care Becomes a Partnership." Here are preparation steps for bringing your car to any shop.

Read the bible- In this case we are referring to the owner's manual. It is all there. Our experience is that the most successful car owners are those that are familiar with the needs of their vehicle as described by the manufacturer and published in manual.

Make a list- Present your auto repair facility with a written list of your concerns and make sure your contact information is on the list as well. Make sure you are available to answer the shop's questions and respond promptly to their queries.

Disclose peculiar traits- If your vehicle has quirks that you workaround you should disclose those to the shop. If a power window doesn't work or the key needs to be jiggled before it will turn in the ignition switch, please tell them when you drop off the vehicle. Oh yes, locate the tool for your locking wheels and inform the the service writer of where it can be found.

Have access to your records- It is important for you to be able to communicate your vehicle's past history to whoever is working on your car. This is especially important if you have changed repair facilities, because some of the parts they may be condemning today may still be under warranty. This information must however be at your fingertips while the vehicle is in for repairs.

Make notes- When the shop contacts you with prices or completion times, it is important to write things down. Communication in an auto repair environment is a minefield, so be sure to ask questions and clarify anything you don't understand.

New Brake Rotor
Copyright 2013 Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

      

Is the Cheapest Price Always a Bargain? | Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

A customer who owns a picture frame shop once said to me, "The consumer who solely shops for price, in the end, doesn't get a bargain." It took a while before his words made sense to me, but now I think I understand what he meant, which is the genesis for this post.

Issue - There are three major consumer concerns in auto repair - integrity, competence and price. The first two will have to wait for another time - price is the topic at hand. It's not unusual for consumers to call multiple facilities for prices on everything from tires to water pumps, which is totally understandable in today's environment and is what I do when I'm considering home improvements. However, should price trump all other considerations when it comes to your car?

Relationships - You should strive to make your service facility aware that your are committed to their business and in return you should expect that they would reciprocate by paying extra special attention to your needs. What does that mean? Some examples would be:

1. The offer of advice free of charge
2. Tending to your needs without an appointment whenever physically possible
3. Minor fixes (Light Bulbs, Tire Repairs etc.) without an appointment
4. Being the steward of your vehicle information and not selling or divulging it to others
5. Transparency in all matters pertaining to your vehicle

Conclusions - The need to find the lowest price usually precludes the ability to nurture a arrangement that rises above that of service provider and client. Beyond the benefits listed above it would not be out of the question that a shop would, for example, take a ride with you to isolate a troublesome noise prior to a trip or maybe even scan for a Diagnostic Trouble Code free of charge. That is, of course, if it perceives you as someone who is committed to patronizing their services.

       

Copyright 2013 Joe & Tony's Service Inc.

 

Recall - 2007-2008 Honda Odyssey Unexpected Brake Application

NHTSA announced a recall involving 2007-2008 Honda Odyssey's manufactured between August 8,2006 and September 8, 2008. The affected vehicles have a problem with the Vehicle Safety Assist System which causes the brakes to be applied unexpectedly sometimes without illuminating the brake lights.

Scope - As reported by Edmunds.com, Honda says that the recall involves nearly 350,000 mini-vans and is the result of a federal inquiry that dates back to June of this year. NHTSA received 22 complaints about the problem while the Honda dealer network reported 109 warranty claims and 205 field reports.

Problem - The affected vehicles could have a reduction in speed of as much as 30 mph since the condition occurs when the accelerator is being applied. Of course, without the benefit of brake lights fears of a rear end crash are heightened. Some dealers reported trouble codes involving the steering angle sensor which is a major component of the stability control system which is designed to prevent rollovers and uses an automated braking feature to keep vehicles upright.

Fix - NHTSA states that the parts needed to remedy the problem will not be available until the spring and owners of the affected vehicles can expect letters from Honda which will contain instructions on how to avoid unintended braking in the interim. Honda is available for questions at 1-800-999-1009. Their recall number is JC5.

Note - Your vehicle's production date can be found on the ID sticker on the driver's door pillar.

Anita Lienert, Edmunds.com

Copyright, 2013 Joe & Tony's Service Inc. 

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. 

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.

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.

         

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.