Los Altos Auto Repair

It's a beautiful day here in Los Altos!  Hi Cayenne here and being the alpha dog in my household, I am in charge.  So today I thought we would bark about taking charge.....battery testing your vehicle that is.  Let's charge into this subject and get electrified!

OK, so you probably take your vehicle's battery for granted.  Turn the key or push a button and it starts right up.  During times of warmer weather, you probably think your battery can take it easy.  But it may surprise you to learn that hot weather can be much harder on a vehicle's battery than cold.  So it's wise to know what condition your battery is in BEFORE you find out the hard way—being stranded by a dead battery.

Your vehicle's battery won't last forever; an average battery will last 3-5 years.  When's the last time yours was replaced? You probably have no idea.  Your vehicle will usually give you some hints that it's in need of attention.  See if any of these are familiar:

• your engine doesn't turn over as quickly as it used to
• your headlights are a little dimmer
• your Check Engine or Battery dashboard light is on
• you hear a click when you try to start your vehicle
• some electrical equipment in your vehicle isn't behaving the way it used to
• your engine smells like rotten eggs
• the terminals on your battery are corroded
• your battery was made more than 4 years ago

Even if there are no signs your battery is on its last legs, it's a good idea to have it periodically checked at your vehicle service facility, at least once a year. A technician will check the date it was made (it's on the battery's case). They'll inspect your battery, cables and connections, looking for corrosion, bulges in the battery or any other abnormal signs.

Using special diagnostic equipment, the technician can run some tests on your battery and vehicle's electrical systems. They can measure how fully charged your battery is and how much potential it has to hold a charge.  Then, your service advisor will tell you how much more life to expect from your battery or recommend it be replaced. 

It you need a new one, your service advisor can recommend options for you. Important factors include brand, warranty, where the terminals are on the battery, the ability to handle different cranking loads and temperature ranges.  Bet you didn't know vehicle batteries can be that different!

I leave you with this quote for thought about being in charge,

"Life is like a dogsled team. If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes." - Lewis Grizzard

Cayenne

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

Hello, it's the Duke today. Are you conventional or synthetic when it comes to your oils?  It may be time to think about switching to the synthetic alternative.  Why, you ask? Well, today we'll bark about it and see what all the hype is about.  So let's get barkin' as I am not your conventional hound dog.

If you stay up-to-date on technology trends, you may be intrigued by synthetic motor oil.  It was introduced in the 1960s by Mobil.  Mobil's oil was different from conventional motor oil because it was first broken down to its basic molecules.  Then, Mobil removed additional impurities from crude oil and "tailored them to the demands of modern engines."

Synthetic oil is gaining popularity due to its advantages over conventional oil. It is more resistant to sludge formation in an engine.  It is more efficient and protects engines better in extreme temperatures.  Because it allows drivers to go longer between oil changes, many feel it's more convenient. 

The downside is that synthetic oil is more expensive; however, because it doesn't need to be changed as often, the cost can be comparable in the long run.

Those who drive high-performance vehicles (such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes) are already using synthetic oil if they follow their manufacturer's guidelines.  Other manufacturers recommend a synthetic blend.  For those using conventional oil, consider consulting your service advisor for recommendations on switching to synthetic. 

If you're the type who always waits until the last minute or doesn't quite make it in on time for the recommended oil change interval, the longer gap required between changes with synthetic oil may appeal to you.  In some cases, you can go up to 15,000 miles/24,000 km between changes. 

If you drive in a frigid climate, synthetic oil can flow more easily at startup and may offer quicker engine protection.  On the other hand, in hot climates, synthetic oil can resist heat breakdown better.

Or you may be one of those drivers who have been getting along fine with conventional oil changes.  Millions do.  Remember that changing your oil is considered the most crucial maintenance task for your vehicle, so ensure it's done at the right time and with the oil that best suits your driving needs.

Today, I leave you with this conventional thought quote,

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." ~ Mark Twain

Duke

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

Cayenne here, and I have a quick question for you.  Which is tougher on a vehicle's battery, the heat or the cold? Believe it or not, it's the heat.  Think about it.  The battery often sits in the engine compartment next to that motor, generating lots of heat.  That can accelerate corrosion in the battery and may even cause water in it to evaporate.  That will weaken your battery's cranking power and shorten its life span.

Here are a few suggestions for taking care of your battery.  It's a good idea to have it checked out to see what shape it's in.  Your vehicle service facility has diagnostic equipment that can evaluate its condition.  That can help you know how long you can expect it to last before replacing it.  At the same time, you should have your charging system evaluated.  If your battery is not getting charged correctly, it can be in great shape but not very useful when starting your vehicle.  A technician will also check the cable connections to ensure they are free of corrosion and tight.

Keep in mind that a vehicle battery can explode if it is close to an electrical spark under certain conditions. This is why it is safe to have a qualified, trained technician do the work. 

Your battery is essential in both hot and cold weather. Ensure it's always up to the job when starting your vehicle.

I leave you with my heat quote for the week,

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."  ~  Eleanor Roosevelt

Cayenne

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

Hello, it's a lovely day here in the Santa Clara Valley with Duke today. Have you ever thought about all the little things we do to keep our lives running smoothly - like  vacuuming? It makes a room feel fresher and more comfortable. We may not consider that we're also prolonging the life of the carpet by keeping it clean. But Los Altos drivers don't always extend those good habits into the garage. Our vehicles need regular maintenance, just like our rugs need vacuuming. We may not notice a difference in the feel or appearance of the vehicle, but just as cleaning a carpet carries the hidden reward of prolonging its life, maintaining our vehicles incurs a hidden reward that becomes noticeable at Los Altos gas stations.

When it comes to reduced fuel economy, there are two culprits: increased friction and inefficient fuel combustion. That means that anything Los Altos drivers can do to decrease friction and increase the efficiency of their engines will translate to savings on fuel. Friction increases the amount of energy it takes to move something. So, if we can reduce friction, we can decrease the amount of fuel it takes to run our vehicles. Engine oil is usually at the heart of friction problems in an engine. Too little oil means parts are not getting lubricated, which increases friction; dirty oil doesn't lubricate as well as clean oil. So, one secret to good fuel efficiency is to stay on top of oil changes. Don't skip them and don't procrastinate. The same auto advice applies to transmission fluid. Keep it full and keep it clean, and your vehicle will run with less friction and better fuel economy.

If your tires are underinflated, it increases the friction between the tire and the road. Again, there is increased drag, and it takes more fuel to move your vehicle. Los Altos drivers should check their tire pressure monthly and keep their tires properly inflated.

Alignment and brake problems can also increase friction. Besides saving fuel, keeping these systems in good repair has the added benefit of saving you on tires and brake pads. These items wear out more quickly when the alignment is off or when the brake system isn't in good working order. Talk to your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at Allied Auto Works.

The second culprit that stealthily steals our gas is inefficient fuel combustion. It depends on the engine getting the right amount of clean fuel to the right place with the right pressure at the right time in the right pattern. The key to peak engine performance is to keep the fuel system clean. Varnish and gum can build up in a fuel system, which will interfere with the fuel injectors. The fuel injectors are responsible for all those “rights” we spoke of. If they're dirty, amounts, timing, pressure and spray patterns can all get out of whack. The result? Reduced fuel efficiency. A fuel system cleaning at Allied Auto Works in Los Altos can get your injectors back on track, improving performance and efficiency.

There are a few other maintenance items that can improve your fuel economy. One is to replace your PCV valve when it gets sticky. This valve allows unburned fuel in your engine exhaust to return to the engine. Los Altos drivers can also replace worn spark plugs and dirty fuel filters. A well-maintained vehicle will require fewer repairs and save at Los Altos gas pumps.

I leave you with this thought about cleaning today,

"Clean your space, clear your mind"

Duke

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