Los Altos Auto Repair

People near Los Altos, CA, often ask Allied Auto Works how often they should have a particular service done. It's a great thing to ask. You can look at your owner's manual or have your Los Altos, CA, service advisor at Allied Auto Works look up your vehicle in a service database. What you find is often a surprise to people – there are actually two service schedules.

One is the regular schedule and the other is the severe service schedule. Service intervals are shorter on the severe service schedule. When asked, most folks in Los Altos will say that their driving is normal and that the 'regular' schedule probably applies to them. 'Severe service' sounds pretty extreme – 'I don't drive like that.'

Well, here is what the manufacturers say constitutes severe driving conditions; you can draw your own conclusions.

• Most of your trips are less than four miles (six and a half kilometers).
• Most of your trips are less than ten miles (16 km) and outside temperatures are below freezing.
• The engine is at low speed most of the time – not on the highway. You operate your vehicle in dusty areas.
• You regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads.
• You drive with a car-top carrier.
• You do a lot of stop-and-go driving.
• You drive in very hot or very cold weather.

If that's severe driving, what constitutes regular driving? Well, it would look something like this: I live somewhere with moderate temperatures all year round – I'm thinking San Diego here. And I live close to a freeway on-ramp. Everywhere I need to go is right off the freeway, at least four miles (six and a half km) from my home. I can drive at a steady 60 miles per hour (100 kph) when I'm on the freeway.

I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like my normal driving. It sounds more like ideal conditions. I live where it gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. I run short errands around Los Altos. Occasionally we load up for family trips.

For me, normal driving includes elements of severe service driving. So here's what I tell people: think about how you drive, where you live, where you go and what you are expecting to with your vehicle in the near future.

Picture a line with 'regular' on one end and 'severe' on the other, and make a judgment on where you fall. If your regular oil change recommendation is 5,000 miles (8,000 km) and the severe service recommendation is 3,000 miles (5,000 km), when should you change your oil? For me, it's closer to 3,000 miles (5,000 km). For my wife, it's closer to 5,000 miles (8,000 km). Your Los Altos, CA, auto service advisor at Allied Auto Works will be happy to have this discussion with you and help you sort it out.

Just a quick word on why severe service intervals are shorter. One has to do with heat. That can either be external heat from the weather, engine and transmission heat from stop-and-go driving or working extra hard moving heavy loads or towing. The heat causes the fluids like oil and transmission fluid to break down more quickly, and then they aren't as effective.

Another factor is water. Moisture naturally collects in fluids as they cool. In your motor oil, for example, if you don't drive long enough for the oil to fully heat up, the water won't evaporate. Water in the oil can lead to the buildup of damaging sludge.

If you live where the air is dusty or polluted, fluids will become contaminated and filters will get dirtier more quickly.

So make an honest evaluation of your driving conditions. You've made the commitment to take care of your vehicles, so it only makes sense to follow the right schedule.

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Can you think of anyone who enjoys aging?  Wrinkles where you don't want them, gray hair, eyes that won't focus any more, no stamina. 

Believe it or not, your tires age, too, and they don't get better the older they get.  And here's the important thing to know, even if they can still pass a tread depth test, they may simply be too old to be safe 

Here's the best way to understand this.  Have you ever found an old deck of playing cards with a rubber band wrapped around them?  Try stretching the rubber band.  SNAP! It's all cracked and brittle.  And you haven't stressed that rubber one bit since the time you put them in that drawer.

Now you know what's happening to your tires.  Rubber ages.  Just like us, the day we come into the world, we start to go downhill (no pun intended).  Oh, engineers are able to make a tire last longer than ever before.  But that gas that keeps us alive—oxygen—seems to love to chemically mix with some components in rubber.  Oxidation causes rubber to become hard and brittle.  The rubber band test.

Is there an age test that can tell you when a tire is tool old to roll? Well, not really.  They don't all age the same.  Hot climates can make tires wear out more quickly.  Some experts say a tire can last up to 10 years but should be inspected every year after the age of five.  Others say tires should have an expiration date at six years old.

Since no one would ever ask a tire its age, how do you know how old one is? Believe it or not, tires made after the year 2000 have a date code stamped on either the inside or the outside of the sidewall.  It's a four-digit numbers; the first two tell you the week, the second two tell you the year. So if it has the number 1916, it was made in the 21^st week of 2016. 

Another way to find out if your tires still have enough life in them is to have your vehicle service facility inspect them.  They look for signs of age, such as developing cracks in the rubber, the condition of the sidewalls and, of course, that old standby: tread.  If it's time to "retire" them, discuss options with your service advisor.

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

We've all been through it. The vehicle ahead of us kicks up mud, slush, snow or salt on our windshield and we can't see a thing.  And not being able to see a thing when we're driving?  Not a good thing.

Debris on a vehicle's glass can be blinding when driving directly into the sun.  And other things can ruin visibility: scratches on the glass, fogged windows, mineral deposits. 

So lets make one thing clear:  Your windows.  Here are some tips.

• Number one rule, don't use abrasives on glass. That means no gritty cleaners that are made for metal.  Avoid at all costs those dark green abrasive pads on some kitchen sponges that are made to clean metal pots and pans UNLESS the manufacturer specifically says they can be used on glass.
• Use the appropriate cleaner for the substance that's being cleaned off. Special automotive glass cleaners are available, and your Allied Auto Works service advisor can make recommendations.
• Vinegar can work wonders. Sometimes you'll see hard, grayish water spots on your windows that nothing seems to take off. Distilled white vinegar (available in the grocery store) gets rid of them safely, quickly and easily.
• Use a microfiber cloth designed for cleaning glass; that's what professional detailers choose.
• Clean the insides of windows, too. That film that develops on the inside of vehicle windows can be the result of plastic interior surfaces decaying in the heat of sunlight (plastic contains oil). The film can also be caused by cigarette smoke. Clean that oily layer off thoroughly.

Now that you have clean windows, here's how to keep 'em clean.

• Replace your wipers at least once a year. Rubber deteriorates the older it gets, even if you rarely use your wipers.
• You might consider a newer type called a "beam" blade. Most have an aerodynamic design that cleans your windshield better, especially at higher speeds.

Your service advisor at Allied Auto Works will be able to recommend good wiper blades for your vehicle and install them properly.

Visibility.  See what we mean?

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Hi Cayenne here. A driver brought her vehicle into the shop the other day and told us she was getting lousy fuel economy and that the engine was running rough.  Plus, the Check Engine light was on.  Our technician checked the code the engine had generated (which indicated why the Check Engine light was on) and found the problem.  It was a faulty Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.  So today we are going to flow into the MAF sensor and what it does.  As I always bark.....Let's get barkin'!

This MAF sensor is an important part of your vehicle.  What it does is calculate the amount of air going into your engine.  As you may know, air is taken into your engine where it's mixed with fuel.  Then the spark plugs fire, the explosive fuel/air mixture detonates, and these sequential explosions provide the power to get your vehicle moving down the road. 

It makes sense that if the MAF sensor isn't sending the engine's computers the correct information about the amount of air entering the engine, the fuel/air mixture won't be right. It will be either too rich (too much gasoline relative to the amount of air) or too lean (not enough gasoline relative to the amount of air).

In this driver's case, the MAF sensor was damaged and needed to be replaced.  Another thing that may cause the MAF to give an incorrect reading is if its wires are dirty or faulty.  So, replacing or cleaning the wires important as well.

Other symptoms that your MAF sensor is bad? If your engine hesitates when you step on the gas, stalls, or your vehicle is jerky when you accelerate. 

A malfunctioning MAF sensor is not just bad for performance.  Driving with your vehicle in that condition can cause more damage to your engine.  When you bring your vehicle in for us to check, a technician will thoroughly examine your engine to make sure all issues are taken care of.

As I always say, go with the flow unless you are entering dangerous territory, then turn around and go another way.

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Hi Duke here today.  Today it is about POWER!  We all love power, and when it comes to your vehicle, the engine is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a power plant.  But it has another power source that is vital as well: the alternator.

The alternator generates the electricity that powers your lights, power windows, sound system, and navigation.  Maybe you've started seeing those electrical components behaving in strange ways.  Maybe your power windows are going up and down a little bit more slowly than they used to.  Or perhaps your engine doesn't start as easily or is misfiring.  

Other signs of a failing alternator are headlights that are either brighter or dimmer than usual.  If your battery keeps going dead, it could be that the alternator isn't recharging it.  

The alternator has to get its power from somewhere, and in vehicles with internal combustion engines, that power comes from a drive belt powered by the engine.  Sometimes that belt can fail.  If you hear a whining sound, it could mean the alternator bearings aren't turning as freely as they used to. You could even notice a burning smell.  Oh, and when you see your battery light illuminated on your dashboard (it looks like a rectangle with a - and + inside), it may be warning you that your alternator is not healthy.

Bring your vehicle in to us for a diagnosis if you notice any of these symptoms.  If your alternator is bad, we can recommend a new or remanufactured one to replace it.  Some new alternators are warranted for life and remanufactured units usually are guaranteed as well.  

It's important to your vehicle's health to have its alternator consistently output the right amount of power.  It may not be as well-known as the other power plant under the hood, but it's a vital part of helping your vehicle run the way it is designed to.  

I leave you with a powerful joke,

Did you hear what the foolish gardener did? The guy planted a light bulb and thought he’d get a power plant.

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Brandy here today, and as a dog, I love the breeze in my face when riding down the road, even on a warm day.  For humans, maybe not so much.  So today we will talk about AC Condenser Replacement.  How cool is that?  Let's get barkin'!

It’s always more comfortable in your vehicle when you can control the temperature and humidity in the cabin. Air conditioning, which is standard on most newer vehicles, is a vital part of that comfort, and a key component of that system is the condenser.

The condenser converts the refrigerant gas into a liquid by cooling it down.  There are a few reasons the condenser can fail.  It can start leaking, usually due to faulty seals and tubes, or debris from the road can damage it, since it sits in a vulnerable spot at the front of your vehicle.  

Another way your condenser can be damaged is when bits of metal are released after your vehicle’s air conditioning compressor fails and are sent into the condenser. In both cases, you will need to have the condenser replaced, along with other components of the system.

Here are signs that your condenser needs replacing.  When you turn on your air conditioning, it won’t make the air as cold as you’re used to it getting.  Or it may not get cold at all. Since other things can cause those symptoms, it’s best to bring your vehicle in to us to have one of our technicians determine where the problems are.

They’ll check the system’s pressure and thoroughly inspect for leaks.  If the problem is the condenser, they’ll replace it, recharge the refrigerant, check for any additional leaks in the system, and give your air conditioning a final test to make sure it’s operating correctly.  

Keeping your air conditioning system working helps maintain your vehicle's value.  It not only keeps the cabin cool when it’s hot outside, but also helps the defroster work properly and controls humidity in all seasons and climates.  Now, that’s very cool.

Stay cool as a cucumber ~ proverb

Brandy

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne here today on this warm Spring day.  Did you know that a dog's eyesight is perfectly adapted for hunting and navigation in low-light, dawn, or dusk conditions?  The fact is, dogs have a high number of rods and a reflective membrane called the tapetum lucidum, allowing them to see much better in the dark than humans.  When you drive your car at night, you need some help, and that is where headlights come in.  So today we brighten things up and talk about bulb replacement.  Let's get barkin'!

When you notice one of your headlights has gone out, it’s important for the safe operation of your vehicle to get it changed and working again.  Not only is replacing a headlight important for your ability to see in the dark, but it’s also vital that it be lighting your way and aimed correctly so oncoming drivers aren’t blinded.  

Changing a headlight used to be something a driver might try to do themselves.  But that was back when headlights were standard sizes and fairly easy to access on your vehicle.  That has all changed with new technology and designs in today’s vehicles.  Most lamps are now LEDs, and they come in different sizes, intensities, and shapes across different vehicles. Accessing those bulbs has also grown extremely difficult in some cases, and we recommend you have one of our professional technicians do it for you.

It's just as important that your brake lights and side marker lights work, too, as they contribute to the safe operation and visibility of your vehicle.  A technician will check what is causing a light not to illuminate, which could be a bulb or a problem with the electrical system in that bulb’s circuit.

Having all your lights working is not only a matter of convenience but also a matter of safety.  So don’t be in the dark when you don’t have to be. Let our technicians light up your life a little by making sure all your bulbs are working right.

Here is my joke for the week,

Why did the Dalmatian go to the eye doctor? He kept seeing spots!

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Hey it's Duke today and I have a sticky situation.....my parking brake.  We've all been there.  You park your vehicle on a steeper-than-usual hill and worry it might roll down while you're running your errands.  So you decide you'll use the parking brake.  When you get back, you release the parking brake, hit the ignition, put it in gear and—uh, oh—you can feel the parking brake is still on.  It's stuck.  What do you do now?

Welcome to the world of infrequently-used parking brakes.  Yes, they do stick for several reasons. It's common for components to corrode and get locked up.  Sometimes, if you have applied it extra hard, it can jam.  It could be a rusty cable, or it could be a spring that doesn't return the brake to its disengaged position.  Some pieces just break when they're stressed for the first time in a while. A caliper or the pivot arm it's on can also stick.

There are a few things you can try to unstick it.  Carefully rock your vehicle by putting it first in drive and then reverse.  You have to be careful doing that, though, because sometimes you can damage the transmission.  You can try working the parking brake control a few times to see if that will loosen the corrosion.  If you can't unstick it, you can try driving slowly a short distance to a repair facility near you.  Sometimes it won't cause damage to the brakes but it depends on how tightly the parking brake was applied and what was stuck.  You may also have to have your vehicle towed to a repair facility.

In any case, once you've noticed these symptoms, have your vehicle's brakes inspected by a professional who can address the root cause.  Better yet, don't let your vehicle get into this condition; regular maintenance and inspections by a trained technician should prevent you from getting stuck somewhere due to a stuck parking brake.  You could use a "brake" like that.

I leave you with my sticky joke for the week,

"Why are millionaires sticky?  Because they are rolling in dough."

Duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

I love 4x4 vehicles; in fact, my owner owns a Jeep, and I get to ride in it because I love the wind in my face.  Hi Brandy here, and well, today we will bark about maintaining our beloved 4x4 vehicles so we can take those open road trips with our furry friends.  Let's get barkin'!

Some people love 4x4 vehicles, the true 4-wheel drive works of engineering, like Jeeps and 4x4 pickups that allow you to seemingly go anywhere on the planet. You can climb up a 40-degree rock trail with some planning and skill (always careful to protect the environment, of course), or you can get through the deepest snow.

But with that added capability comes additional complexity, drive-train components, and other systems that less capable vehicles don't have.  And that is why when it comes to 4x4s, you have to maintain them a little differently from those vehicles that spend their lives on pavement.  Here are some of the key things to keep an eye on:

• Transfer case—This transfers power from the engine to the wheels.  A transfer case contains fluid that needs to be changed at intervals recommended by the manufacturer.  Your service advisor will let you know how often that is and will keep track of your service dates.  You will need to make sure the transfer case seal is working properly.  Otherwise, transmission fluid could get in and cause costly damage.  Some transfer cases have an electric motor that shifts them through gears, and their connections are often exposed to the elements, making them vulnerable to damage and corrosion.  Proper maintenance will keep those connections working as they should
• Front and rear differentials—These also need the right amount of fluid and should be checked regularly.  Your service advisor can let you know when you need that fluid changed, as the owner's manual recommends.  It's important that the service is performed correctly with the proper lubricant so it works the way it is designed.
• Brake lines—Those 4x4s practically beg to go into wet spots. They are also great machines to conquer snow: road salt, brine, and all.  Moisture, salt, and brake lines are a recipe for corrosion, so brake lines need to be inspected regularly.  There are anti-corrosion sprays or white lithium grease that can retard corrosion.  Remember, getting there is half the fun, but not being able to stop is no fun at all.

So enjoy your 4x4 and what it can do that other vehicles can't.  Just remember that even though it's tough on the outside, it needs special care to keep it going.  Oh, and remember to take care of the environment when you go off-roading, too. 

I leave you with this,

JEEP, because I'm too lazy to ride a mountain bike

Brandy

Good day!  Cayenne here, and you know, some days it is hard for me to get my legs going and myself out the door for a walk at 16 years of age. I'm an old dog. It takes more effort.  Your brakes are sorta the same way.  At first, it's nice and easy when you put your foot to the pedal but one day you notice it takes alot more effort to make the brakes stop, you have to push down really hard......why is that?  Well, let's get barkin' and answer that question.

When you push on your brake pedal, you should find your vehicle easy to stop.  But at some point, you might notice stopping takes much more pressure on the pedal than it used to.  When it gets to that point, it becomes a safety issue, and you should bring your vehicle in so we can track down what’s not working correctly.

Brake pedals that are stiff mean there’s something wrong with one or more components of your entire brake system.  For example, it could be moisture has contaminated your brake fluid, making it harder to push the pedal down.

Many vehicles use hydraulics to amplify your pedal pressure to a force strong enough to stop your vehicle.  Certain problems can develop with your hydraulics, such as a faulty master cylinder, a kink in one of your brake lines, or a failed proportioning valve, which regulates pressure to your rear brakes. Vacuum leaks can also make your brake pedal hard to push. Another cause could be a problem with your vehicle’s brake booster or its check valve.

Because your vehicle’s braking system is made up of many different components, one of our technicians will look at several different possible causes in yours.  Your vehicle may not have enough brake fluid, so they’ll check the level.  A visual inspection of your hoses, brake lines and vacuum line to the brake booster may turn up the root cause of your issues.   

Because there are many different causes of a hard-to-push brake pedal, solutions may involve one or more different steps.  Keep in mind, this is one problem that needs to be fixed for you to drive safely.  That’s why it’s important to have a professional track down the issue, or issues, and take care of the problem(s) so you can be back on the road, safely going and stopping.

I leave you with this push joke for the week

The Envelope: No matter how hard you push the envelope, it will always remain stationery.

Cayenne

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com