Los Altos Auto Repair

Hi all, Brandy here and you know there is nothing worse than not getting a clear picture.  You know what I mean.  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.  So today, I will bark about how to get a nice, clear picture of what is ahead of you.  Let's get barkin'!!

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 let's 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 being removed. 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 result from plastic interior surfaces degrading 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 with age, 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 can recommend high-quality wiper blades for your vehicle and install them properly.

Visibility.  See what we mean?  And if that doesn't work, get some glasses.....lol  

Brandy

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

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

Hello Duke here, and have you ever wondered why dog treats can vary in cost when they are very similar in size and ingredients?  Well, maybe you don't, but I do. It's kinda like your vehicle, why does it cost so much more to fix a similar problem in two different vehicles? Let's say you now own an SUV and before that, you owned a car.  Your SUV's air conditioning system needs a new evaporator, but the cost for the new one is way more than you remember it was for your car.  How can there be that big of a difference?  Well let's get barkin" and discover why.

There are many reasons.  For one thing, vehicles aren't all the same.  Yes, they have engines, steering wheels, and suspensions, but engineering and design can vary widely across styles and brands. 

When replacing the evaporator, the one in your former car may have been located in a spot the technician could easily access.  Plus, the part may have been simpler and therefore cheaper.  Your SUV may require the entire dashboard to be removed, using special tools, to detach the A/C lines from the evaporator.  Plus, since it supplies cool air to a larger cabin, it may be more complicated and the part itself may cost quite a bit more.

But you're not an expert, so how do you know the price is fair? This is where it helps to establish a good, long-lasting relationship with a reputable service repair facility.  They know you, they know your vehicle and they value keeping you as a customer. A facility that doesn't care about repeat business may suggest more repairs than are needed or inflate its prices.  But those shops are unlikely to stay in business for very long, since word gets around. 

If you've been taking your vehicles to the same shop for several years, you've had experience with them and know their policy on labor costs and parts prices.  At some point, you may wonder if it's worth it to keep putting money into your vehicle, and if you know your service advisor, you may have developed trust in their advice. 

Keep this in mind, too.  Vehicle designers and engineers have made significant progress in areas such as powertrain technology and rust prevention.  That means today's vehicles are meant to last longer.  One study in a major consumer magazine shows that if you keep your vehicle on the road for 200,000 miles (320,000 km) over an average of 15 years, some vehicles can save you up to $30,000. Investing in repairs can make a lot of sense. 

I leave you with my joke of the week on how much something costs.

How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?
Nothing—it was on the house!

Duke

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

Hey, it's Brandy and you ever wonder what one of the best things is to ever happen to your vehicle's engine?  It's the little thing that usually looks like a can, the oil filter.  Just like your kitchen sink strainer filters out errant food particles that could clog your drain, the oil filter cleans out small particles that could harm your engine.

Your engine operates in a dirty, hot environment and gathers a lot of tiny contaminants like dirt, dust, little metal shards and unlucky bugs that get sucked in.  Get those things circulating in your engine and those little particles can cause friction, which starts wearing out those finely machined metal parts. 

You know how important it is to change your oil regularly.  It's vital that you change your oil filter at the same time to keep the oil as close to brand new as possible.

Most oil filters look like a metal can with some holes in the bottom.  Inside, there are carefully chosen materials that can screen out the contaminants while at the same time allowing the lubricating oil to pass through.  Early oil filters had steel wool, metal mesh or actual screens.  Then they tried fabric filters using materials such as linen and cotton.  Finally, a less expensive disposable filter using paper and cellulose did the trick.

Cellulose or other synthetic media are used in most oil filters today.  Cellulose is inexpensive and effective.  Fibers filter out particulates and let the oil flow.  The other synthetic media can screen out even tinier particles without significantly restricting the oil from passing through.  Engineers continue to work on even more advanced filter materials.

Choosing the right oil filter is something our pros at Allied Auto Works can help you with, since there are a lot of them out there.  Factoring into that decision are your driving habits, how far you drive and the temperatures to which your engine will be subjected.  While some filters cost more than others, they may be worth it to extend your engine's life. 

But most important is remembering to have your oil changed at Allied Auto Works regularly, at the intervals recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer. Just like you wouldn't want to have a plumber come over to fix a clogged kitchen drain, you certainly wouldn't want to have to pay for major engine repairs if they could be prevented by regular oil and filter changes.

Today I am going to leave you with a filter joke,

Just been in to Starbucks and the barista was wearing a face mask

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

Vroom! Cayenne here today.  Have you ever been driving along, your exhaust system's rumbling so loud that people turn and stare to see if it is a Hot Rod as you pass by?  You're wondering when the police are going to pull you over for illegal noise. Your mind immediately thinks, aha! A broken muffler. Well, your exhaust system is composed of many more parts than just a muffler.  So today we are going to make some noise and find out what all the racket is about.  Let's get barkin'!

Your engine makes power because of thousands of tiny explosions from detonating fuel.  Those explosions make a racket, so engineers came up with a system that acoustically dampens that sound in addition to getting rid of harmful exhaust.

In the engine is the exhaust manifold that looks like several pipes that join up into one pipe.  It directs exhaust to the catalytic converter. The catalytic converter converts harmful gases into less harmful gases using certain chemical reactions.  Then comes the muffler that has baffles inside to quiet the sounds of your engine noise.  Finally: the tailpipe.

All of those pipes and parts are joined together by clamps and held up by brackets, and they ride over some pretty bumpy roads.  They are also exposed to the elements, like salt, water, rocks and grit.  Chances are that one of those clamps or brackets has been weakened by corrosion.  When you hit a bump, bingo! The crack widens into a gap and there's a spot for the engine noise to come roaring out instead of being directed into the muffler's quieting chambers.

You might be surprised to know that the exhaust system can rust from inside out.  How? Moisture is one component of exhaust, and moisture on the inside can do the same kind of damage as moisture from the outside. 

It's a good idea to have your exhaust system looked at regularly by a technician.  He or she can evaluate the condition of the metal and recommend when it might be time to replace parts before they break.

Then you'll have a decision to make.  Newer exhaust systems are made out of stainless steel that is much less prone to corrosion issues.  Others are made of aluminized steel that also fights rust.  You've probably already guessed that they can cost more, but the extra price up front may give you an exhaust system that will last much longer. 

Sure, with a repaired exhaust system, you won't have quite the head-turning vehicle you once had.  You'll just have to live with all the quiet.

I leave you with this thought this week,

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough" — Mario Andretti

Cayenne

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

Whoa!  Stop!  Put those brakes on!  Hey Duke here, and sometimes you just need to stop, put the brakes on, and slow down in everything we do, but especially our vehicles.  Without brakes........well your in for problems.  So today, we will stop and listen while I bark about Disc Brake Service.    

Every time you drive your vehicle, you wear down your brakes just a little bit.  And after a while, that adds up.  Gradually, your stopping power isn't like it used to be.  Since brakes are one of your vehicle's most important safety features, it just makes sense to keep them performing well.

Most vehicles have disc brakes.  One key component, as the name suggests, is the disc.  Most vehicles have discs on their front and rear wheels.  The discs (also called rotors) are made of metal, and each rotates with the wheel hub.  Your brakes also have pads that make contact with the rotors when you press down on the brake pedal, and the friction stops your vehicle.

After many, many stops, that friction wears down both the pads and the discs and reduces their ability to stop the way you need them to.  The discs may also become uneven from all the heat they generate, and your brakes won't stop as well as they used to when they were newer. 

Some signs that your rotors need attention include vibration at the wheels when you stop, discolored rotors (the metal looks blue), excessively hot rotors, or grooves in the metal.  If you see any of these signs, it's time to bring in your vehicle for us to inspect your brakes. 

A technician will measure the thickness and trueness of the rotors and check the surfaces for wear.  If they need to be replaced, they'll be done in pairs, so if a front rotor is bad, the other front rotor will also be replaced. Usually, your brake pads will be replaced at the same time.  You can ask your service advisor if higher-performance brakes would benefit you.

When your vehicle is at the shop, the technician will check other components of your brake system to make sure they are operating safely. Brakes are vital to the safe operation of your vehicle.  Keep them well-maintained so they can be there when you need them.

I leave you with this funny brake quote.....and think about it if you will,

"I brake for hallucinations." — This classic 1970s bumper sticker humorously suggests the driver isn't seeing things quite right.

Duke

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

Hey, it's Brandy and today we will bark about your brakes and when they start to wear out.  What do you do?  Well, let's bark and find out and as I bark, "Them's the brakes!"  

Your vehicle's brakes wear out.  It's inevitable. You'll notice it when you step on the brake pedal and feel it harder to stop, or there's vibration when you are braking. 

Most modern vehicles have disc brakes that each use a brake pad that presses on a disc (disc brakes!) called a rotor.  The friction between them enables you to stop, and each time you do a little bit of the pad and the rotor wears down.

The original brakes on vehicles used a rotor that was thick enough to last through at least two replacements of the pads.  But vehicle manufacturers who want to save costs and weight now make them thinner, and sometimes the rotors have to be replaced after the first pad replacement.  But not always.

Vehicle manufacturers specify a minimum thickness to provide safe braking.  Sometimes, rather than having to have your rotors replaced, they can be put on a lathe and resurfaced.  In other words, the surfaces of the disc can be slightly shaved off so the surface is flat and doesn't wobble. 

Whenever you bring your vehicle in to have the brakes checked, the technician will measure the thickness of the rotors to see if they can be resurfaced without leaving them too thin for safe braking. If they can, with the right tools and skill, the rotors can be resurfaced.  If not, the rotors should be replaced. 

Discuss the options with your service advisor.  Our service center can recommend replacements that are designed to help stop your vehicle as well as or better than the vehicle's original rotors.

Either way, keep in mind that keeping your brakes in top condition can supply the margin of safety that may one day save your life or the lives of those around you.

This week I leave you with this witty quote, brake-related,

"Living with a conscience is like driving with the brakes on." - Budd Schullberg

Brandy

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

It's time to Stop, Look, and Listen!  Cayenne here, and I am making a full stop on the Brake Master Cylinder.  Yes, I did say Brake Master Cylinder just to confirm that is what the part is called and how important it is, or it would not be called a Master.  So let's put the brakes on and start barkin'!

When you step on your brake pedal, you want to feel confident that your vehicle’s going to stop.  If your brakes aren’t working right, it’s a risk to your safety and the safety of others on the road.  After all, you’re driving a machine that weighs thousands of pounds, and you have to be able to stop that big machine quickly and with control, especially with some of the speeds you travel on the highways. 

The heart of your vehicle’s brake system is the master cylinder.  When you apply the brakes, the master cylinder has pistons, springs, and brake fluid.  That fluid amplifies and distributes the force of your foot through brake lines to calipers at all your wheels.  Those calipers squeeze down on rotors or discs, which slow and stop your vehicle.

For safety, a master cylinder has two cylinders: one for the two front wheels and the other for the two rear wheels.  That way, if there is a failure in one, you’ll still have braking power on half your wheels.

The master cylinder doesn’t last forever, of course, and here are some signs it may have problems.  When you press on the brake pedal, it feels soft and spongy.  You may see the brake light on your instrument panel go on.  You may notice brake fluid leaking or discolored. 

All of those are signs of brake issues that need attention, and among the possible culprits is a failed master cylinder.  When you bring it in for a technician to look at, they’ll check not only the master cylinder but also the other components, such as pads, discs, shoes, brake lines, and hoses.  If your master cylinder needs replacing, we’ll make sure all the other parts meet the manufacturer’s specs as well. 

Brakes are important.  Really important. Full stop.

Cayenne

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