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Archive for October 2023Tire Maintenance in Walnut CreekPosted October 29, 2023 11:28 AMWith the recent focus in the Walnut Creek area on improving fuel economy, we've been told how important it is to maintain our tire pressure. Stop by Gilmore's Auto Service to see about tire maintenance for your vehicle. Gilmore's Auto Service Every vehicle in the Walnut Creek area has a sticker on the driver's side door jamb that tells you the vehicle manufacture's recommended tire pressure. This recommendation is an integral part of the vehicle's suspension tuning. A lot of engineering actually goes into the recommended tire pressure, so it's important for drivers to follow it. For most vehicles, front tires are rotated to the rear and vice versa. Others recommend a cross rotational pattern. Some vehicles use an asymmetrical tire so those tires need to stay on either the right or left side – it'll say which on the tire. Some high performance cars have asymmetrical tires and different sizes on the front and rear. These can't be rotated at all. Your owner's manual will have details for your vehicle or ask your service advisor at Gilmore's Auto Service. The team at Gilmore's Auto Service also wants to remind you that it is important to always use the same size tire on an axle. Different size tires on the front or on the back can lead to some real handling problems. And tire manufacturers recommend that when you get two new tires, they be installed on the rear because that's where you need the most traction to avoid spinning out.
The Light Many Drivers Fear (Check Engine Light)Posted October 22, 2023 4:26 AMAsk just about any driver about one thing they fear seeing inside their vehicle and they'll say it's the Check Engine light coming on. You know, that little light on your instrument panel that is in the shape of a vehicle engine, often accompanied by the words Check, Check Engine, Check Engine Service, or Service Engine Soon. There are so many different reasons that light shows up, from something as simple as a loose gas cap to a more serious problem that requires immediate attention. The Check Engine light comes on because a component of your vehicle's onboard diagnostics system is telling you something isn't operating normally. Your vehicle has a lot of sensors built in, all tied together by computers. When the sensors are showing that things somewhere aren't functioning the way they should be, they alert the vehicle's diagnostic computers and tell you something's amiss. The simple rule is if the Check Engine light is on steadily, it's something you should have checked soon but it's not urgent. If it's flashing or has turned red or orange instead of yellow, get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible. If you don't, you may be facing some costly repairs. Here are a few problem areas that may trigger your Check Engine Light.
As you can see, there are many things that can cause the light to come on, and when it does, it really is a good idea to find out why. When you bring your vehicle in, we have an electronic device that can read a code or multiple codes stored in your vehicle's computers. That will provide the technician with clues pointing to the cause of the trouble and helps pinpoint where that trouble is. Gilmore's Auto Service Maintaining Your Older Car in Walnut Creek, CAPosted October 15, 2023 11:45 AM
Gilmore's Auto Service Why Alignment Matters (Vehicle Alignment Maintenance)Posted October 8, 2023 10:04 AMIt's one of those things that can happen on a multi-day road adventure or a quick trip to the grocery store. You hit a pothole, go too fast over a speed bump, nail a curb. When it happens, you think, "I wonder if that was hard enough to do any damage?" But things seem ok and you continue on your way. Keep in mind that any blow to your vehicle's suspension can throw it out of alignment. It can be a hard knock from the road or from another vehicle, such as being involved in a minor accident. When your suspension is out of alignment, it means that the wheels aren't all pointing where they should. And after a while, it can make your tires wear unevenly and cause problems with steering and handling. Let's go back to that pothole or curb you hit hard. Even though you think there was no damage done, if you wait until you see tire wear, you may need to replace all four tires, not an inexpensive proposition. That's why it's a good idea to make sure your alignment is regularly checked by a qualified technician. If you get regular oil changes (a MUST!), consider having an alignment check while your vehicle is in. That's especially important if you drive roads that resemble the lunar surface. If you buy new tires, it's also strongly recommended that you have your alignment checked. You can have your front wheels aligned or all four, and if your vehicle is newer, it's not a bad idea to spend a little extra for the four-wheel alignment check. Good alignment pays off with better steering and handling, less tire wear and—BONUS—better fuel economy since aligned wheels offer less resistance when they roll on the road. Gilmore's Auto Service Severe Service RequirementsPosted October 1, 2023 9:20 AMA lot of Walnut Creek drivers have asked whether or not they should use their severe service maintenance schedule, which is listed in their vehicle's owner's manual. It can be somewhat confusing, so we decided to consult an expert. Cricket Killingsworth is from QMI/Heartland, a manufacturer of automotive products and fluids. She's been in the automotive business for over 30 years and is a speaker, a trainer and a writer. Cricket says there's so much confusion on this topic because, "Most owner's manuals actually have two maintenance schedules. Sometimes these are called 'regular service' and 'severe service.' Sometimes they're simply called Schedule 1 and Schedule 2. A severe service schedule recommends that things like an oil change, air filter replacement and transmission service be done more often: either in fewer miles or in less time."
It's common sense for Walnut Creek drivers: Just a few minutes at higher speeds allows the moisture in the oil to evaporate. Very short trips, or trips of less than 10 miles when it's very cold, don't allow the engine to heat up enough to get rid of the water. And water in the oil leads to damaging sludge. Also, towing and heavy loads raise operating temperatures and cause fluids to break down faster. Dusty and muddy driving around Walnut Creek means that more dirt will get past the air filter to contaminate the fuel system and engine oil. The bottom line is that you need to decide for yourself if the regular or severe service schedule is right for you, based on your driving habits. Look at your owner's manual or talk with your Gilmore's Auto Service service advisor who can help you know which schedule to follow. Ask us for help evaluating your driving and service needs. Gilmore's Auto Service | ||
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Justin Lyon, 05/07/2024Phil was very helpful in scheduling my appointment and even starting to diagnose my issue over the phone. My car wouldn’t drive, wouldn’t go into gear, but he talked me through some troubleshooting and got me going again. That saved me a tow truck fee, thanks, Phil!
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