Archive for the ‘Car Care & Vehicle Maintenance’ Category

Is it pouring outside? Did you just start a road trip? Running late for an office meeting? Well, you’ll probably get a flat tire – at least that’s what it seems like. Though flat tires always seem to occur at the most inconvenient times, a frustrating situation can go from bad to worse if you lack a solution to your deflated donut predicament.

For your safety (and sanity) it’s important to know the general procedure of changing a tire. Vehicle makes and models will obviously differ in tire-changing tools, but there are fundamental guidelines that everyone can follow.

My tip: Avoid this dreaded situation all together by checking the pressure of your tires every now and then. Things like nails, glass and shards of metal are sometimes harder to prepare for, however…

First things first – pull over to a safe location. “What was that? Did I hit a squirrel? Did my tire fall off?” No. When your steering starts to pull to one side and the ride gets bumpy, you’ve got a flat. Pull over to a safe (and ironically, flat) location, void of heavy traffic. You will need room to move around the car.

Prolonging the distance driven with a flat could cause further damage to your wheel, the hub and even the axle.

Grab your gear. After getting out, assessing the damage and probably spouting profanities under your breath, get to business. When you purchase your car, you should become familiar with the location of your spare and the tools that come along with it. You can usually find them around the trunk area. For most cars it’s under the trunk floor, but for SUVs, trucks and minivans, the tire’s usually mounted on/in the tailgate or underneath the car. Be sure to check your owner’s manual to be sure. The tire tool trifecta includes the spare, a jack and a lug wrench. You will need all of them. No more, no less.

Loosen the Lug Nuts.  Loosening these small-but-mighty metal guys can drive you…nuts.  It’s true.  Some mechanics tighten them too much, leaving you stressing and sweating when you are faced with a flat. The lug wrench should suffice, but a little extra elbow grease might be necessary. The key word in this step is “loosen” – don’t remove completely. That would make the next step much more difficult.

A word to the wise: lefty loosey, righty tighty…that means counterclockwise.

Jack it up. Use the provided jack and place it underneath the car next to the deflated tire. Find the “jack spot” (usually marked with two indentations) and use that as a location for the best leverage. The jack that comes with your car should get the job done. You only need to raise it high enough to allow the wheel to spin freely.

Remove and replace the dud. Once the bad tire is raised, completely remove the lugs by hand. Be sure to set them somewhere flat and in eyes’-sight so they don’t roll away. Remove the bad tire and set it back in the place of the spare. Affix the spare tire to the wheel studs, and screw on the lugs once again, beginning by hand and finishing the job with the lug wrench. A key note – you don’t want the lugs super tight. A “snug” lug is a safe lug.

Lower the wheel and clean up. Lower the vehicle back down completely with the jack and replace the tools where you found them. Make sure you didn’t overlook any small parts. When you get back on the road, be cautious – usually there is a maximum speed for spares. It’s usually written on the inside of the tire wall. Take a look at that before your drag race to the closest service shop.

You did it. It’s like it never even happened, right? Oh wait, there’s grease on your work shirt…

While we hope you never run into such an unfortunate dilemma, we are here to help if you do. Performance Auto and its 12 dealerships will gladly and efficiently take care of your tire troubles. As a sign of our dedication we’d like to offer you the following tire discount for the entire month of August, valid at any one of our dealerships in Omaha, Lincoln or Kansas City:

Print out this page with the coupon to receive the deal. Only one per customer, please.

Visit our dealership locator to find the shop closest to you.

Summer’s soaring temperatures can make driving a miserable experience if your vehicle’s air conditioner isn’t working correctly – especially if you live in or around the Midwest.  Before you get caught in a “hot” air conditioning dilemma, use these tips to make sure your vehicle’s A/C brings its “A” game to the summer heat battle.

Leave it to the professionals-

If you haven’t done so already, take your vehicle to have the A/C checked and serviced. These systems are complicated and it’s best to leave it to the professionals. (See the end of this post for a dealership discount offer*) During your A/C checkup, qualified technicians should check the temperature of the air coming from your vents. A system is considered “functional” if it can produce air inside your vehicle that is 50°F lower than the outside temperature.

The most likely source of trouble in your system…

The most common problem in A/C systems is a low level of refrigerant, which is usually caused by a small leak. This is why technicians also look for any leaks in your A/C system. If any problems are found during your vehicle’s A/C checkup, service individuals examine the refrigerant pressure in the system, repair any leaks and refill the refrigerant to the proper level. A regular A/C tune-up usually involves checking the vehicle’s belt, as well. When they’re done, you get to drive home in a nice, cool vehicle!

If any problems are found during your vehicle’s A/C checkup, service individuals examine the refrigerant pressure in the system, repair any leaks and refill the refrigerant to the proper level. When they’re done, you get to drive home in a nice, cool, refreshed ride!

You can’t afford to ignore!

Between your vehicle’s scheduled A/C checkups, you can use the following tips to keep your A/C running smoothly, and avoid costly repairs in the long run:

• In the winter months, turn on and run your A/C for at least 10 minutes once every month to prevent the hoses from hardening.
• Check the condenser. Clean off any dirt and debris that may be blocking airflow through it.
• Check the belt. Look for any wear and make sure it’s nice and tight.
• Check the air filter. Replace it if it’s dirty.
• Check the A/C operation when your vehicle is on:
  1. Listen for strange noises.
  2. Pay attention to whether or not the air is cold.
  3. Feel to see if the air is coming from the correct vents.

Performance Auto group has many certified technicians waiting to give your car an A/C pick-me-up. Visit out dealership locator to see which of our 13 locations is nearest to you!
*Currently, Performance Toyota of Lincoln has a complimentary A/C service check-up for all Toyota vehicles. Learn by viewing their Parts & Service Specials.

Information from www.carenginemaintenance.jimdo.com, www.cheap-auto-insurance-quotes.com and www.imakenews.com/lexusofomaha.

Seeing your check engine light come on can bring on panic and leave you seeing dollar signs. However, your check engine light doesn’t always signal pricey repairs. Often, it’s a warning to fix small problems that could eventually lead to more costly repairs. A recent article by MSNBC.com gives these top five reasons for your check engine light coming on:

Faulty Oxygen Sensor

Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor tells the computer how much fuel is in your tank. A faulty one could reduce gas mileage and cause more serious engine problems. Fixing this problem usually costs under $200.

Loose or Missing Gas Cap

A loose or missing gas cap is one of the most common and cheapest reasons your check engine light might come on. If your gas cap is missing or not tight enough, gas could evaporate from your vehicle and greatly reduce your gas mileage. Repair shops will often tighten or replace your gas cap for under $20.

Broken Catalytic Converter

A broken catalytic converter is one of the most expensive reasons your check engine light might come on because parts are often made of platinum. This part uses precious metals to convert gases to less harmful emissions. Part of the reason this part is so expensive to replace is that it usually won’t malfunction unless another part, such as a sparkplug, is also bad. This part can cost up to $2,000 to replace.

Malfunctioning Mass Air Flow Sensor

The mass air flow sensor measures the amount of air supplied to the engine and determines how much fuel should be delivered to make your vehicle run. A faulty one can cause loss of power, surges during acceleration and a decrease in fuel economy. This part usually costs around $375 to repair.

Misfiring Sparkplugs

Misfiring sparkplugs can affect your engine power and fuel economy and can damage the catalytic converter. Fixing this problem yourself can cost you as little as $10 and is fairly easy. Having a repair shop replace misfiring sparkplugs can cost up to $300.

Generally, hybrids are more expensive to repair than gasoline vehicles. Hybrid parts are rarer and more expensive, and fewer technicians are trained to fix hybrids.
If your vehicle’s check engine light comes on, don’t panic. Follow these easy steps*:

• Check all your dashboard gauges and lights for serious problems, such as overheating.
• Try tightening your gas cap. This can often fix the problem.
• Reduce your speed and load. While driving to the repair shop, you should put as little stress on the engine as possible.
• Have your problem code read and the problem fixed by someone who knows what they’re doing, such as our certified mechanics at Performance Auto.

*Information from www.ConsumerReports.org

We have all heard that every car needs an oil change every 300o miles – but that’s not necessarily true. In fact, oil changes are more important to the life and safety of your car than you’d believe.

Here are a few points about oil changes that aren’t always shed light:

1. Oil is Your Vehicle’s Life Force

Oil is vital for various parts of your car to functioning properly. Engine oil prevents wear, distributes heat from friction, improves sealing and helps keep your engine clean. Lubricants are not only important in your engine, but in other areas of your car, too. The transmission (in automatics) or gear box (in manuals), the brakes, and the hydraulics all require lubricants to avoid damaging friction.

2. Your Usage May Dictate Oil Change Frequency

Main factors to take into account are:

Use – How uch do you drive your car? In what conditions? Are you idling frequently?

Manufacturer Recommendation – ‘Every 3,000 miles’ is a huge generalization. Some cars only require a change every 8,000 miles! Sports cars, SUVs and hybrids all have different needs.

Age of the Car -With a new car, the break-in maintenance and recommended scheduled maintenance is usually explained in its manual. But as your engine gets older, engines tend to burn more oil.

3. Every Car Likes a Unique Flavor

Again, referencing your owner’s manual should tell you what kind of oil your vehicle requires. Different kinds of makes, models and operating systems all function differently and thus, need certain types of engine oil. There are three main types of engine oil: basic conventional oil which is a byproduct of the crude oil refining process, and synthetic oil, which is cleaner, more stable, but more expensive. There is also a synthetic blend, which is a mix of the two.

4. While You’re Checking Under the Hood…

Other maintenance check-ups might as well be done while the hood is popped. Wiper fluid, transmission fluid, air filters, coolant levels and cap security should all be given a quick once-over to make sure they’re in good shape. Though oil changes are the most common item to check off a vehicle “maintenance” checklist, there are a number of parts that should be given regular attention as well. For those drivers that forget to check up on things like this, regular oil changes serve as the perfect reminder to assess other parts of your car.

5. Clean Oil is Key to Saving Gas

Not only does clean oil improve the functionality of your engine, but getting your regular oil changes can save you money at the pump. No matter which type of oil you put in your vehicle,  every oil degrades sooner or later, and sludge slows your engine ability and compromises your gas mileage. Especially with high gas prices these days, staying up-to-date on your oil changes is an easy way to make sure your get the most for your money.

Now that you’re more up to speed on why oil changes are so important, make sure to check with your owners manual, or contact one of our service locations to schedule an appointment. Any of our friendly certified service technicians would be happy to provide helpful, honest and reliable information about your next oil change.

Whether you’re a neat freak, you recently purchased a used car or you’re simply embarrassed by the clutter in your vehicle, most drivers have contemplated getting a complete auto-detail. Having a team of technicians clean every nook and cranny of your car can be costly, but you can find some great deals if you look hard enough. Is worth the money? What are you really getting out of a detailing that you couldn’t otherwise do on your own?

No Sweat Off Your Back

There are a number of benefits you receive when you take your car in for a detail – the most obvious being that you can sit back and relax while someone else does all the back-bending work. Usually it’s a team of two that attack your vehicle’s filth, allowing the work to be completed in less time and with more attention to detail. Detail technicians have much more knowledge about removing stains, specific product applications and other auto-oriented procedures that you may not have time to research yourself.

They’re Well Equipped

Also, most detail centers and dealership service centers have access to commercial machinery and cleansers that aren’t generally available to everyday drivers. At Baxter Chrysler Jeep Dodge, for example, the detailing team uses an air gun that blows compressed air into every crack and crevice of your car. This commercial-level machine also ensures that very little moisture is left on your interior fabrics, minimizing the risk for mold or mildew buildup.

Detail technicians also have nicer shampoo machines that can cost thousands of dollars. These commercial-sized shampooers can produce heat, which help remove tough stains. Again, these machines possess great value because they guarantee at least 90% of moisture is taken back out of fabrics.

Remnant moisture is one of the most common, and unnoticed, mistakes that people make while cleaning their cars at home. Moisture that is left behind can be extremely damaging to your car’s interior over time. Leaving this task to professionals and their high-tech tools takes the uncertainty off your shoulders.

They Have You Covered

One aspect of a Performance Auto detail that is often overlooked is the fact that it occurs inside. Oftentimes, people are more motivated to get outside and clean their cars when the weather is warm, but heat and sunshine can have a damaging impact on the car’s exterior when combined with cleaning chemicals. Peeling, chipping and eroding are potential outcomes. Completing the detailing service in a cool and shaded indoor environment avoids any such outcome.

Other elements of a full-service detail include wiping down the entire interior, a streak-free wipe down of all windows, cleaning all parts of your wheels and a full exterior car wash.

As mentioned, there is a variety of detail shops in your area, and it’s simply a matter of hunting for the best deal and most trustworthy service. That said, you can be sure that any Performance Auto Dealership has your happiness in mind, and would be happy to offer their services. When you drive off the lot and heads turn as your twinkling tires roll by, you will know your investment was worth it.