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Reliable Automotive Helps You Decipher The Menu Board: Part 2

May 25, 2015

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Ca service centers have a menu board that lists the services they provide. Some Ca drivers may not be familiar with all of the items on the board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed.

Reliable Automotive fuel system cleaning: Over time, the SUV fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas, by the way.

Reliable Automotive headlamp replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. It’s usually good to change them every year or so.

Reliable Automotive inspections: Ca drivers get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they’re going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle’s ready for Antioch summer or winter. Maybe they just bought a used SUV and want to give it the once over. An inspection may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

Reliable Automotive oil change: – there are several options: Some Ca centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. In my way of thinking, the full service option is best because it makes sure you have adequate fluids and may uncover an emerging problem. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

Reliable Automotive PCV valve replacement in Ca: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It’s a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. Just needs to be changed now and then.

Reliable Automotive power steering service: Often overlooked. Your thoughtful Reliable Automotive technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the SUV system running well for a long time.

Reliable Automotive serpentine belt service: That’s the belt that powers the SUV engine’s accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You’ll want to replace the serpentine belt before it breaks, because that’ll shut you down.

Reliable Automotive shocks and struts: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many Ca people don’t notice when it’s time to change them. If they’re worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

Reliable Automotive transmission service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It’s like an oil change for your transmission.

Reliable Automotive tire rotation and wheel balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear.



Keeping Your Engine Cool In Ca, Antioch

May 25, 2015

The cooling system keeps Antioch drivers’s engines from overheating while they are driving around Ca, Antioch and Brentwwod. Its job is to move heat away from the engine. Let’s talk about the various components of the system and how they make this happen.

The radiator is the part most Ca auto owners associate with the cooling system. Coolant flows through the radiator which has fine cooling fins that draw the heat out of the coolant and dissipate it into the air. To make sure there’s enough airflow over the radiator, a fan pulls air over the cooling fins even when the SUV is idling.

In some SUVs, the fan is powered by the serpentine belt. On others, an electric motor runs the fan. Electric fans turn on and off as needed. You may have heard the fan kick on shortly after you turn your SUV off. The sensor has determined that the engine needs a little help cooling down to a safe temperature.

Ca Antioch Radiator A hose connects the radiator to the water pump. The water pump pushes the water into the SUV engine block. Now the engine block and cylinder heads have passages for the coolant to pass through without getting into the oil or the combustion chamber. In the automotive community, these passages are referred to as the “water jacket”.

While the coolant is passing through the water jacket, it absorbs heat from the SUV engine on its way to the radiator for cooling. Between the engine and the radiator is a gatekeeper called the thermostat. The thermostat’s job is to regulate the temperature of the engine just like your home thermostat regulates the temperature in your Ca house. It gets your engine up to the correct operating temperature and then keeps it from overheating.

When you first start the engine, it’s very cold and needs to warm up. So the thermostat blocks the flow of coolant to the radiator. As the engine warms up, the thermostat starts to let coolant flow through the system.

The final component the team at Reliable Automotive wants to point out is the overflow reservoir. This bottle is designed to hold some of the coolant. It’ll have a mark that indicates whether or not you have enough coolant. This is where you should add coolant if you just need to top it off.

Caution: never open the reservoir or the radiator cap when the car’s hot. The cooling system is pressurized and opening them while it’s hot can cause hot coolant and steam to escape resulting in serious burns.

Cooling system failure is the most common mechanical failure in vehicles around Ca, Antioch. At Reliable Automotive, we can do a periodic inspection of the components for harmful leaks, loose connections and weakening hoses.

Reliable Automotive
3291 East 18th Street
Ca, Antioch 94509
925.777.9234

Your automobile manufacturer has also specified a cooling system service interval. With a cooling system service at Reliable Automotive in Ca, the old coolant is replaced with correct clean fluid that contains the additives required to prevent corrosion. The additives are depleted over time and you need fresh fluid for adequate protection. Your radiator pressure cap should be replaced at this service as well.



Which Item is Most Stolen from Vehicles in Ca?

May 25, 2015

Which item is most often stolen from vehicles in Ca?

Is it:

Stereo
Wheels
Air Bag
DVD System

Well, if you said stereo – you used to be right. But airbags have now surpassed stereos as the biggest target for theft in Ca – approximately 50,000 a year are stolen across the country. New airbags cost about $1,000, but go for $50 to $200 on the black market in Ca.

Stolen airbags are making their way back into cars that have been in an accident. Of course, the danger to the consumer of having a stolen airbag installed is that you can never be sure what may have previously affected them and if they will work right when you need them.

Contact Reliable Automotive for more information about where to get your airbags checked or replaced.
Find us at 3291 East 18th Street, Ca, Antioch 94509
You can reach us by phone at: 925.777.9234

There are reports that 1 in 25 airbag replacements are stolen or salvaged airbags – or no airbag is installed at all.

That is definitely one car part you don’t want to take a chance with, so Reliable Automotive recommends following these guidelines:

  • Use a reputable collision repair center that employs ASE certified mechanics (we can offer recommendations at Reliable Automotive).
  • Inspect the invoice to ensure that the repair shop purchased the airbag from a manufacturer, dealer, or recycler. If you can inspect the airbag prior to installation, it should be packaged in a sealed container from the manufacturer.
  • You will see the SRS light (Supplemental Restraint System) when you first start your vehicle up. This tells you that the airbag system is activated. If you do not see the SRS light, there is likely a problem with the airbag system.

For more information, contact Vic at Reliable Automotive by calling 925.777.9234.



Hey Ca Drivers, How Many Miles Are On Your Car?

May 25, 2015

Nowadays, Ca car owners are paying more at Antioch gas pumps. For some families in the greater Antioch area, it adds up to several hundred dollars every month. That’s got to come out of the budget somewhere. This is one of the reasons many Antioch car owners are putting off buying a new car. They plan on keeping their old vehicle for a year or two longer than before.

Even now, 2/3 of the personal vehicles on our local Ca, Antioch highways have over 75,000 miles on them. The average age of vehicles is over nine years. And most people in Antioch can’t afford to be stranded or inconvenienced by a break down. So following a regular maintenance schedule, like personal diet and exercise plans, is actually critical to preserving your investment.

Determining what to do for a higher-mileage vehicle can be challenging because many auto manufacturer’s manuals don’t publish service intervals after 60,000 miles. Thus, Ca auto owners need to be better at keeping records and planning for preventive maintenance.

You can start by figuring that services with a recommended interval should still be performed on that interval, even after you’re past the tables in your service manual. For example, a service might be recommended every 15,000 miles. Well, just keep doing it every 15,000 miles for as long as you have your car.

Now higher mileage engines operate under more stress. Some Antioch automotive experts suggest that the severe service schedule is more appropriate and that routine service should be performed at shorter intervals. Check with your owners’ manual or service advisor at Reliable Automotive to see if the severe service schedule is right for your vehicle.

And keeping current with your full-service oil change schedule is important for a couple of reasons. First, older engines have had more time to build up oil sludge. Skipping an oil change here and there can really compound the problem for your SUV.

Another equally important reason is that your other fluids are routinely checked and topped off. Power steering fluid, brake fluid, coolant and transmission fluid can be kept at optimal levels even though the older seals and gaskets are leaking more than when they were new.

And speaking of older seals and gaskets: they start to dry out and become more brittle with age. You may want to consider using high mileage formulation oil and fluids. These products contain key additives to condition seals and gaskets to keep them from leaking. The high mileage formulations cost more than standard products, but they are well worth it in terms of preventing serious repair bills down the road.

Older vehicles in the Ca, Antioch area need repairs and replacements that newer ones don’t. Things like timing belts, radiator hoses, suspension work, anti-lock brakes, air bags, water pumps, alternators and batteries. That may seem like a lot of stuff to have done, but it works out to be cheaper than new car payments.

With a high-mileage SUV, a couple of relationships will become pretty important to Ca motorists. The first is with your service professional at Reliable Automotive. You need someone you trust to take care of your car and be mindful of your needs. Ask for help to develop a plan to keep your vehicle road-worthy that works within your budget, and for the Ca, Antioch area driving conditions.

The next relationship is with your vehicle itself. We’re not talking about naming your car or tucking it in at night. We just mean – pay attention and get to know your vehicle. Notice unusual sounds, smells, vibrations, etc. Then you can describe the changes to yourservice advisor at Reliable Automotive and head off problems. We can’t do anything about the price of gas, but we can properly maintain Old Faithful to keep it safely and economically on the local Ca, Antioch roads.

Take a look at the attached automotive tips video from AutoNetTV.



Battery Basics For Ca

May 25, 2015

It’s important for Ca auto owners to know battery basics. First, let’s talk about which is harder on a battery – hot or cold Antioch weather. Most Antioch car owners think it’s cold weather because that’s when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold SUV engine.

However, heat does more damage to a battery than cold. Truth is, our batteries start to die a little from day one. Keeping a full charge slows the process, which is hard with short Ca trips because the alternator doesn’t have time to fully recharge the battery from starting the engine. Ca motorists can top off the charge with a computer controlled battery charger – say, once a month in the summer and every three months during the winter.

As far as how long a battery will last, statistics show that 70% have given up the ghost within four years. By that time, they aren’t capable of taking a full charge like they used to, and your SUV alternator has to work overtime to keep up. This causes your alternator to wear out early.

If you’re pushing 4 to 5 years on your battery, see your thoughtful Reliable Automotive service advisor for a battery test to see if it’s recommended to replace it. Not only can you avoid getting stranded with a dead battery, but you’ll save unnecessary wear and tear on your SUV alternator.

Give us a call

Reliable Automotive
925.777.9234
3291 East 18th Street
Ca, Antioch 94509



Ca Drivers: Get Fresh Air Inside Your Car

May 25, 2015

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Let’s talk about air quality in Ca. It’s a global issue, but affects us wherever we are. Many decades ago, we began to become aware of how air pollution negatively affects health. But what about the air inside your vehicle?

Cabin air filters are now coming on most new SUVs in Ca. These filters clean the air in the passenger compartment. They can filter particles down to three microns, so that’s good enough to clean out dust, pollen and most pollutants. If you suffer from allergies in Ca, this is very good news. Your car can be a haven during your Ca commute.

Ca Drivers: Get Fresh Air Inside Your CarNow, it’s only been in the last few years that cabin air filters have become common. You can look in your owner’s manual to see if you have one. If you do, there’ll be a recommendation for replacing it when it gets dirty. If you live in an area of Ca where there’s a lot of dust, pollen or pollution, you may need to change it more often.

You can also ask your service advisor at Reliable Automotive in Ca. How hard is it to change an air filter on a car? It depends on your vehicle. Some are quite accessible; others take some doing to get to them. They’re usually in the engine compartment or under the dashboard.

Because cabin air filters are so new on the scene, some Ca people haven’t heard of them – even people who have cabin air filters in their SUV. Reliable Automotive service advisors have discovered that many Ca customers who complained about an unpleasant odor in their SUV simply had a dirty cabin air filter.



Why A Trip Inspection Is A Good Idea

May 25, 2015

At Reliable Automotive we get a lot of Ca motorists asking about car trip preparation. That’s a big deal. You could be driving through mountains and deserts in some pretty lonely areas outside of Ca so it’s important to know that the car is up to the task and won’t leave you stranded.

Smart Antioch motorists plan ahead for a major road trip – there are a lot of things to get ready. Where should you start? You could start with the tires. Look them over for tread wear and check to see that they are properly inflated. Take a quick test drive around Ca to see if you can feel any vibrations: are the wheels in balance? Is the car tracking straight? Is the alignment ok? Come to Reliable Automotive for a peace-of-mind trip inspection.

Reliable Automotive
3291 East 18th Street
Ca, Antioch 94509
925.777.9234

The next thing is a full service oil change to make sure all of your fluids are topped off and you have fresh oil for the trip. And if your car has over 75,000 miles, you may consider putting in the high-mileage formulation to clean harmful sludge deposits in the engine. You may also need a new PCV valve and an engine air filter.

How about your transmission and brakes? Have you had your transmission and brakes inspected in the last six months?

How are your wiper blades? There’s nothing like not being able to get rid of the bug juice on a long road trip away from Ca.

Check your owners’ manual for any other recommended service and have Reliable Automotive do the multi-point inspection before you head out.

Consider also having the coolant system serviced – you want to stay within the automobile manufacturer’s recommendations. If you’re towing a trailer you’ll want to be keep in mind that you’ll be going a long way under severe conditions.

A lot of Ca folks overlook severe conditions like towing, or summer heat, or driving on dirt roads. Plan ahead for your next road trip – we want you to get there and back.



Nitrogen Fill For Tires in Ca, Antioch

May 25, 2015

Most Ca, Antioch folks know how great helium is – you know, party balloons, squeaky voices. But a lot of people around Ca still haven’t heard about the benefits of nitrogen in your tires, and how it can help your tires. Here’s some great advice for Ca motorists from AutoNetTV, brought to you by Reliable Automotive.

Nitrogen has actually been around for a long time in the Ca, Antioch commercial sector, but it’s just starting to catch on for private vehicles in the 94509 zip code area.

Why nitrogen in your tires? Air is air, right? Actually, it turns out there is a difference.

The heart of the matter is maintaining proper tire inflation. When your tires are properly inflated, they last longer, handle better and more safely, and save Ca auto owners income at the gas pump.

The problem is that tires filled in Ca with regular air can lose a pound and a half of air pressure every month. This just happens as the oxygen in the tire seeps out. So if Ca drivers don’t check their pressure for a month or two, well, they can be significantly low – low enough to actually affect handling, shorten tire life and hurt fuel economy.

How does nitrogen help? Regular air contains about 78% nitrogen. Nitrogen is the largest molecule in air. It’s dry and non-flammable. Air also contains 21% oxygen, which is smaller and seeps out of the tire three to four times faster than nitrogen.

So, a tire filled with nitrogen at Reliable Automotive will take about six months to lose as much pressure as regular air does in just one month. So it’s more forgiving for those Ca car owners who don’t check their pressure every week.

Also, when oxygen is at higher temperatures – like those inside your tire when you’ve been driving for awhile – it oxidizes the inside of your tire. Getting the oxygen out of your tire means that it’ll last longer.

Who’s using nitrogen? Well, let’s start with NASCAR and Indy. These racers like nitrogen’s ability to maintain consistent tire pressure and reduce tire temperatures under very demanding conditions. The US government requires all commercial aircraft to have nitrogen in their tires. NASA and the US Military use nitrogen. The mining industry has been filling those “humongous” tires with nitrogen for years. And semi trucks and trailers are starting to use nitrogen extensively in Antioch.

You may have heard some detractors of nitrogen in Antioch. But the studies and white papers from Antioch tire and vehicle manufacturers demonstrate that the technology really works.

In fact, a prominent consumer research group did a study where they filled some tires with air and some with nitrogen and stacked them outside for a year. They observed that the nitrogen filled tires did hold their pressure better, but they couldn’t see the economic benefit. But that particular test has very little to do with the real world. Most tires are actually holding up cars and they also get driven around and do a lot of work. So if nitrogen helps them last longer, improves gas mileage and gives safer handling, it’s worth considering.

Learn more about nitrogen in your tires by watching our attached auto tips video from AutoNetTV or talk to us at Reliable Automotive in Ca.
You can find us at:
3291 East 18th Street
Ca, Antioch 94509
Or call us at 925.777.9234



Wheel Balancing

May 25, 2015

So you love your job, and your family life is great. Congratulations! You have achieved balance. But can you say the same for your wheels? You can tell if your tires are out of balance by vibrations at higher speeds on Antioch interstates. If one of the front tires is out, you feel the vibration in the steering wheel. If it’s a back tire, you’ll feel the vibration in your seat.

Tires and wheels are pretty heavy. When a tire is mounted on a wheel at Reliable Automotive, it is usually not perfectly balanced. So the tire technician will spin the tire on a machine to determine where it’s too heavy. He will then place weights on the wheels in strategic locations to balance it out. When a tire is out of balance, it actually bounces down the road instead of rolling smoothly. Since the average size tire rotates at about 850 revolutions per minute at 60 MPH, it is actually slamming into the pavement 14 times a second. That’s where you get your vibration.

Most Ca motorists are surprised at how smoothly their car rides after balancing all four wheels.

Most high-quality tires hold their balance pretty well. They just get out of balance gradually with normal wear and tear. If you suddenly feel a vibration, it is probably because you lost a wheel balancing weight along the way. Definitely get a balance if you feel a vibration, change your rims or have a flat repaired. Putting off a needed balance job leads to excessive tire wear, wear to your shocks, struts, steering and suspension parts. Wheel balancing not only improves your ride and handling, but also can save you some big repair bills and possibly an accident. Additionally, you will get better fuel efficiency.

Some Antioch drivers have their tires balanced at every rotation. Others do it every other time. Check your owners’ manual for your requirements, or ask your thoughtful Reliable Automotive tech. Doing this will put you on the path to mechanical wheel balance



Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down Around Ca

May 25, 2015

There’s not much we can do about the price of gas in Ca Antioch, but we do quite a bit about how much we use as we’re driving on our Ca streets.

Our driving habits can dramatically affect our fuel economy.

Slow Down In Ca for Fuel Economy The first thing we can do is watch the ‘go-pedal’. Hard acceleration just sucks the gas. Gently leave stop lights and plan lane changes so you don’t need to floor it. That can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Go a little slower on the freeway to Antioch. Once you’re going more than sixty-five miles an hour your fuel economy starts to drop dramatically. Leave early so you don’t need to rush to be on time. And cruise control is your friend – steady speed uses less gas.

Plan errands ahead. Make fewer trips by combining errands.

Hey at current gas prices, a lead-foot might as well be a gold foot.



CONTACT US

  • Reliable Auto & Diesel Repair

    3291 E18th Street
    Antioch, CA 94531

  • Phone: (925) 777-9234

  • Feel free to call or email us to schedule your next appointment.

    Business Hours

    Monday - Friday
    8:30AM - 5:00PM

    Saturday
    10:00AM - 4:00PM

    Sunday - Closed

  • CONTACT US