Don't Scrimp on Vehicle Maintenance

by Tony Molla

Technician certification organization ASE surveys show a well-maintained vehicle not only lasts longer, it retains more of its resale value.

With a sluggish economic recovery and today’s consumers watching their finances carefully, it’s no surprise that the average age of vehicles in the United States is more than 11 years old, according to automotive research firm R.L. Polk and Co. With motorists holding on to their vehicles longer than ever before, maintenance takes an even greater importance in keeping roads — and people — safe.

The cost of neglect

“It’s tempting to avoid car maintenance in tough economic times, but that’s not a financially sound method to manage the big investment you’ve made in your vehicle,” notes Tony Molla, vice president of communications for the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). “Surveys of our certified technicians show that a well-maintained vehicle lasts longer, retains more of its resale value, pollutes less, and gets better mileage than one that’s been neglected — to say nothing of being safer to operate.”

According to the pros at ASE, neglect causes components to wear out faster than they would otherwise (poorly aligned tires, for example) and can result in minor problems growing into more expensive repairs (worn brake pads will eventually damage the more expensive rotors). ASE suggests motorists, whether they are do-it-yourselfers or take their cars to ASE-certified technicians, become familiar with their owner’s manual and follow the service schedules. “The owner’s manual is under-utilized; it summarizes systems to check and provides schedules based on normal or severe driving,” notes Molla.

While some people might relish a weekend tinkering with the family car, today’s technological advances under the hood and busier lifestyles find more consumers in search of dependable, trustworthy automotive service and repair.

Warming Up Your Car In Cold Weather

As we inch closer towards the end of the year, the days are growing shorter and the weather is growing colder. Getting into a freezing car first thing in the morning is an unpleasant experience, so most of us choose to start our engines and let them idle till they warm up. 
Contrary to popular belief, this is not good for your engine. Letting your car idle actually decreases your engines life by stripping oil away from the engine’s cylinders and pistons. The life of a vehicles piston rings and cylinder liners can be significantly reduced by gasoline washing away the lubricating oil. "The Environmental Protection Agency lines up with those who say warming up your car is not only not helpful but is wasteful."

Even though you may have to throw on a scarf and gloves before leaving in the morning, driving your car is the fastest way to warm up the engine. Yes, you’re going to be cold during the first few minutes it takes for the radiator to warm up and start blowing warm air. But, you'll be saving yourself fuel, time, and money! 

Demand for Alternative Fuel Vehicles on the Rise

All it takes is a drive to the local Whole Foods supermarket and other environmentally conscious stores, to find new, designated parking spots/ electric stations for hybrid & electric cars. Even many gas stations are now adding alternative fueling areas. This increase in popularity has furthered the debate about the future of alternative fuel vehicles.

The big debate about alternative fuel cars has been around for many years. With so many types, it can be hard to decipher which type of vehicle is right to buy and if it is worth it. Whether it is electric, biodiesel, methanol and gasoline blends, ethanol or hydrogen, the technology for each of these types of alternative fuels has improved exponentially in the past decade.

One of the most popular options for alternative fuel cars is the hybrid. Hybrid vehicles use two sources, one electric and one gas, to power the car. While they can save their owners money and contribute to helping the environment, hybrid vehicles are NOT maintenance free. Rather, they present their own set of maintenance issues because they provide areas for needed maintenance from both gas and electric motors. Not every traditional auto repair shop has experience and knowledge in repairing such vehicles, leaving customers stuck with going to the dealer for repairs. At Matthey Automotive, we are dedicated to alternative fuels and repairing alternative fuel vehicles. We provide customers with a knowledgeable staff helping with all maintenance needs.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Brakes for Breasts Program! We couldn't have done it without the support of our loyal customers! We can't wait to present our donation to The Cleveland Clinic and help advance this wonderful research.

Top Car Care Tips

The secret to vehicle longevity is not a secret. If you want your car to run better, longer, and more trouble free, regular maintenance is key. We have compiled a short list of some of the most important car care tips to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape for many years to come.

1. Read your owner’s manual.
2. Change your oil regularly based on your manufacturer’s recommended schedule. Oil is the life-blood of your engine. Nothing can shorten engine life faster than neglecting oil changes.
3. Keep your car clean! Don’t neglect to rinse the underside of your vehicle and apply UV protectants to plastics in the interior. Also, it is recommended to give your car a fresh coat of wax once before winter and once again in the spring.
4. Have the cooling system flushed once per year to prevent corrosion and buildup of deposits in the cooling system.
5. Change the transmission and differential fluids when required. Refer to your owner’s manual and the follow then recommended service schedule.
6. Your car is a machine full of moving parts. Everything needs to stay properly lubricated to prevent early wear.
7. Have your brake system bled and the fluid replaced once a year. This helps prevent corrosion which can avoid costly brake repairs.
8. Keep tires properly inflated to prevent uneven tire wear and potential tire failure. Tire pressure changes in cold and warm weather so it is important to check it frequently.

These are just a few of the steps you can take to keep your car running trouble free longer. For more maintenance and care information, check your owner’s manual. Your manufacturer designed and built your vehicle so your owner’s manual is the best resource to learn how to properly care for your car. 

Free Brakes during October!

Brake warning light on? Screeching, grinding, squealing, or other strange noises when stopping? These are serious indicators that it's time for your brakes to be inspected.

Make an appointment between 10/01/16 and 10/31/16 and receive FREE brake pads or shoes, just pay for labor and any other ancillary parts needed. AND, Matthey Automotive will donate 10% of the proceeds from the brake jobs to the research for the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Fund.

Call Matthey Automotive today for more information and to make your appointment!

Keep Calm and Drive On

If the summer heat drives you to distraction, the last thing you need is a malfunctioning air conditioning (A/C) system when you’re on the road. Checking your vehicle’s A/C annually will help you keep your cool when temperatures soar, says the Car Care Council.

“Getting stuck in traffic is stressful enough, but getting stuck in traffic during the heat of summer without a functioning A/C is the pits,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It is important to always have the A/C system properly maintained to keep it in tip-top shape and avoid costly repairs down the road.”

A vehicle’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC) keeps the interior cabin comfortable in any season by providing the right temperature and humidity level. A thorough inspection should be performed annually and a typical A/C service consists of the following steps:

• A service technician checks pressures to test operation, refrigerant charge and outlet temperatures.
• If the system is found to be low on refrigerant, a leak test is performed to find the source of the leak. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is leaking refrigerant, it is damaging the ozone layer.
• Refrigerant may be added if necessary to “top off” the system, although some states do not allow “topping off.”
• A technician may also check for evidence of refrigerant cross-contamination, which is the mixing of refrigerants.
• A/C service should also include a check of the compressor’s drive belt and tension.

“Checking the A/C once a year is key to making sure your cooling system is running efficiently all year long,” White said. “A properly running HVAC system will help improve your gas mileage, is more environmentally-friendly and will keep you calm as you drive on.”