Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists

On Board Diagnostics For Phoenix Motorists

Posted on August 25, 2011 by tireaz

Some Phoenix motorists are confused by Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists charges for diagnostic services for a vehicle repair. Many services at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists and other Phoenix automotive repair shops include diagnostic fees.

When you take your laptop into a Phoenix computer repair shop for a problem you’ll likely have to leave a deposit for diagnostics. When we visit our Scottsdale doctor for a medical problem, we’re paying him to diagnose our ailment and of course for the tests that go along with it.

So receiving a diagnostic charge at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists for a tricky automotive problem shouldn’t be a surprise. In the Phoenix area, automotive diagnostics can cover quite a range. If you hear a noise in your sedan brakes when you slow down in rush-hour traffic on a busy Arizona expressway, you pull off the next off-ramp and take a quick visual check. That is usually enough to know what needs to be done. If you’re having an intermittent problem with your sedan engine, Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists diagnosis may be much more involved.

Much of the Phoenix public’s confusion comes when the problem involves the check engine light. The check engine light comes on when the engine management computer has sensed a problem.

There’s a common misconception among Scottsdale, Glendale, and Chandler drivers that the trouble code tells the Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists technician exactly what’s wrong. Why then is there a diagnostic charge, the scanner just gave the diagnosis?

Reality is more involved than that. The computer monitors many sensors throughout the vehicle. When one of these sensors has a reading that’s out of parameters, the computer will record a trouble code and turn on the check engine light.

The sedan computer’s trouble code just tells the Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists technician what engine parameter is out of range – not what’s causing it. The technician needs to determine the underlying problem that’s causing the symptom.

There are many problems that could cause a troublesome sensor reading for Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists Phoenix customers. The Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists technician makes a list of the most likely causes and begins tracking down the source of the problem.

Phoenix service centers subscribe to databases that document possible causes for a given trouble code. They outline procedures for confirming a diagnosis and provide the documented fix. These databases are specific to each vehicle and engine combination.

Some diagnoses are quick and easy. Others are more involved and difficult. Of course Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists wants to figure out what’s wrong with your sedan and get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

Posted in Service Standards | Leave a comment

Clean Air for Your Engine: Engine Air Filters In Phoenix

Posted on August 16, 2011 by tireaz

Every Phoenix car owner who has taken their car in for an oil change has been told that their engine air filter’s dirty.

Here’s what goes into the determination of when to change the filter: First, your sedan owner’s manual will have a recommendation of when to change the filter. Second, a visual inspection by your Phoenix technician may determine that your filter it is visibly dirty and needs to be changed.

So between your owner’s manual and your Phoenix technician’s inspection there’s really no guesswork involved.

Now, most air filters purchased in Scottsdale, Glendale, or Chandler don’t cost a lot to replace. It’s just that Arizona people hate getting caught with an unexpected expense. On the plus side, though, changing a dirty air filter at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists can often save enough on gas to pay for itself before your next oil change in Phoenix.

Think about a dirty furnace filter in your Glendale home. When it’s all clogged up, enough clean air can’t get through. In your sedan, that means that your engine can’t get as much air as it needs to burn the fuel efficiently. So it makes do with less air and has to use more expensive Arizona gas to move your vehicle around Phoenix roads.

Your sedan actually needs about 12,000 gallons of air for every gallon of gas it burns. Engine air filters don’t cost much in Phoenix at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists. When it’s time to change yours, just get it done. You’ll save buy less expensive Phoenix fuel, have better performance and protect your engine.

Posted in Maintenance | Leave a comment

Tracking True In Arizona: Wheel Alignment In Glendale

Posted on August 10, 2011 by tireaz

Wheel alignment is often overlooked by busy Glendale and Chandler car owners until serious tire damage has been done. One wheel can be knocked out of alignment from the rest by hitting a curb or pothole on Phoenix roads.

When a vehicle’s out of alignment, one or more of the wheels does not track true and pulls against the others. The tires will wear out very quickly and will need to be replaced prematurely. It could also lead to sedan suspension damage.

But the big issue for Glendale, Chandler, and Phoenix motorists is safety. When your sedan wheels are out of alignment, the vehicle will pull to one side, which could lead to an accident. When you’re out of alignment, you should have it taken care of right away at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists in Phoenix.

At Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists, your vehicle is put on an alignment rack where the tires, steering and suspension parts are checked for damage. Then the alignment is charted and checked against the factory settings.

Adjustments are made to bring the wheels back into alignment. This gets all four wheels going in precisely the same direction.

Signs of alignment problems are: Your car pulls to one side. Also, your steering wheel may not be centered when you’re going straight. If you see the edges of one or more tires rapidly wearing down, you should have your Phoenix service center look it over. If you’ve been in an auto accident in Arizona that involved a wheel, you should get your alignment checked.

A big jolt can seriously knock things out of alignment, but Glendale drivers also need to understand that a series of smaller ones can add up.

That’s why your manufacturer recommends periodic alignment checks. If your sedan owner’s manual doesn’t specify, once a year might be appropriate. Or check with Howard Fleischmann or your service advisor at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists in Phoenix.

One thing’s for sure: the cost of the alignment at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists is cheaper than having to buy a couple of new tires because of neglect.

Posted in Alignment | Leave a comment

Get Where You’re Going With Power Steering Service In Phoenix

Posted on June 8, 2011 by tireaz

Today we’re going to talk about power steering service in Phoenix. If you took an informal poll around Phoenix you’d probably find that most have never heard of power steering service. That’s not surprising. Even though power steering is standard on every vehicle, most people in Phoenix aren’t aware that it needs periodic service.

If you’re younger than a certain age, you’ve probably never driven a car or truck without power steering. To get an idea of the difference; if you’ve ever cut a board with a hand saw, you know it’s a lot of work. Using a power saw is easy-peasy by comparison.

Without power steering, your arms have to do all the work to steer the wheels, and that’s hard, especially around downtown Phoenix. That’s why old cars had such big steering wheels; to get enough leverage to steer.

Most vehicles in Phoenix have a hydraulic power steering system. The serpentine belt from the engine powers a pump. The pump pressurizes the power steering fluid. This actuates a hydraulic cylinder that provides power to help steer.

Some vehicles in Phoenix use an electric pump to pressurize the fluid rather than a belt driven pump. We’re also seeing vehicles with electric motors providing the power assist, not using power steering fluid at all. We’ll see a lot more electric systems as more hybrids and electric vehicles hit the market.

At least for now, the vast majority of power steering systems use power steering fluid that needs to be serviced. The fluid needs to be changed for a couple of reasons. For one, it attracts moisture. Water has different hydraulic qualities than power steering fluid, and that makes a difference in steering performance. Water is also corrosive and can damage power steering components. The fluid also just gets dirty and needs to be changed. Removing the old fluid and flushing out the system gets rid of dirt and deposits. The clean, fresh fluid lubricates and provides better corrosion protection.

So ask your Phoenix service advisor at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists or check your owner’s manual to see when power steering service is recommended. It’ll extend the life of your power steering components.

Posted in Steering | Leave a comment

Fuel Saving Tip: Phoenix Tune Up

Posted on June 3, 2011 by tireaz

Have you ever gone to Phoenix to listen to an orchestra? The musicians take the stage early and tune their instruments. Each individual instrument must be in tune, but the critical thing is for the entire orchestra to be in tune with each other. That’s why they tune up together.

Now this is no surprise; I’m going to relate the orchestra to your car. Your engine has many component systems that each need to be working properly. And the components need to be working in sync, all timed up together in order for the engine to work efficiently.

We call this, (ta-da) a tune-up. When an orchestra’s out of tune you get a bad concert. When your vehicle’s out of tune you get bad performance and bad fuel economy.

So check your owner’s manual for recommended tune-up intervals. Or ask your Phoenix service advisor at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists what he thinks.

…Just be careful not to say you want to make beautiful music together – that kinda makes us uncomfortable.

Posted in Fuel System | 1 Comment

Automobile Fluids For Your sedan

Posted on May 27, 2011 by tireaz

If you’ve walked through the automotive fluids of an auto parts store in Phoenix, you’ll know how overwhelming the sheer number of products available can be. How do you know what’s right for your vehicle?

As you know, these fluids all serve a function in making your car run as you drive around the Phoenix area. Your vehicle manufacturer has specified a particular type of fluid for every system from the motor, to the cooling system, brake fluid and so on. When you realize that not every variation is applicable to your vehicle, the task becomes more manageable.

First let’s talk about why there are so many varieties. Starting with motor oil, we see that manufacturers match the properties of a particular weight or type of oil with the design needs of the engine. For example, engines with sophisticated valve trains often require a thinner weight of oil.

Some vehicles around Phoenix come from the factory filled with synthetic oil and the recommendation to use it for life. The safe bet is to always use what the factory recommends. The recommendation is what’s been proven to work in function and durability tests. The recommended oil is also a factor in determining oil change interval schedules.

A good quality oil has more additives that are engineered to clean and protect the engine. They cost a bit more, but are worth the extra protection. If you buy budget oil, you might want to consider shortening your oil change interval.

Sometimes fluids are developed specifically to meet the needs of a particular family of engines. An example would be coolant. Because of the different materials used to build the cooling system, the coolant has to be formulated to protect those parts, which vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, from corrosion. We’ve seen special coolant in Phoenix for General Motors, Volkswagen, Chrysler and others.

The same is true of transmission fluid and brake fluid in recent years.

The really good news is that your Phoenix service center has databases that tell them the recommended fluids for your vehicle. This takes all the guess work out. If you have some special needs, like a higher mileage engine or want enhanced performance, ask your service advisor for upgrades or additives that’ll meet your needs while being consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Of course, your full-service oil change will top off your fluids. But it’s a good idea to have some of everything at home in case you need to top something off yourself or to take on a trip. Ask your Phoenix service advisor at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists or check your owner’s manual for fluid specifications.

It’s important to know that there are national warranty laws that say that a manufacturer cannot require you to use their brand of fluid to maintain your warranty. That said, there are two things that may affect your warranty.

Using the wrong type of fluid may void the warranty. Going back to radiator coolant, the correct type protects against corrosion and the wrong type will not. So it’s important to be right.

Also some warranty protections are conditioned on taking care of scheduled preventive maintenance. Please review your warranty if you have questions.

Posted in fluids | 1 Comment

Fuel Saving Tip: Gas Caps From Here To Glendale

Posted on May 20, 2011 by tireaz

This fuel saving tip is so simple, no one from here to Glendale will believe it. It has to do with your gas cap.

The first thing is to make sure it’s screwed on tight. If it’s loose, gas vapor will be constantly leaking out; wasted gas.

And air will get in and that can cause your oxygen sensor to read incorrectly and the oxygen sensor will tell the engine management computer to adjust the fuel-air mix and, well, you get the picture; you’ll be burning more gas around Glendale than you need to.

This could cause the check engine light to come on as well.

A worn gas cap can have the same effect. If you constantly smell gas when you walk by your tank, you might need a new gas cap.

So, twist your cap until it clicks three times – that means it’s on tight. Have your Glendale area service advisor at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists inspect the cap to see if it needs to be replaced.

See, I told you it was simple.

Don’t forget to call Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists at 602.992.2830 for an appointment to optimize your sedan for better fuel economy. Ask us about brake service.

Posted in Fuel System | Leave a comment

Fuel Saving Tip: Tire Pressure Saves Fuel In Scottsdale

Posted on May 10, 2011 by tireaz

Under-inflated tires waste gas for lots of folks in the Scottsdale area. Think how hard it is to walk in sand – you just have to work harder because of the resistance. When your tires don’t have enough air in them, their rolling resistance is dramatically increased and it simply takes more gas to get from Phoenix to Scottsdale.

Always check your tire pressure when you gas up at one of our local Scottsdale service stations. If they’re low – even just a little bit – bring them up to proper pressure. There’s a sticker on the inside of your driver’s door that gives the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure.

And don’t rely on your tire pressure monitoring system to alert you to when you need more air. The TPMS system is set to warn you when pressure drops twenty percent below recommendations. That’s severely under inflated and you needed more air a long time ago. And if you have a slow leak – get it fixed right away at Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists.

Get some air and save some gas.

Posted in Tires and Wheels | Leave a comment

Fuel Saving Tip: Check Engine Light

Posted on May 6, 2011 by tireaz

A question for our Phoenix Arizona motorists: How long have you been enjoying the romantic glow of your check engine light?

Hey, it’s not there to create ambiance; it’s a warning that something’s wrong. When your check engine light comes on get it checked at a capable Phoenix Arizona service station.

Many conditions that cause the check engine light to come on affect fuel economy. Some very dramatically.

Always make sure you tighten your gas cap until it clicks. A loose gas cap can cause a false sensor reading that’ll make the check engine light come on.

If your date’s eyes are smoldering in the reflected glow of the check engine light, try to think of all the gas money you’ll save by getting it fixed. Give us a call when you are ready: 602.992.2830

Posted in Fuel System | Leave a comment

Fuel Saving Tip: Dirty Oil In Your Phoenix sedan

Posted on April 26, 2011 by tireaz

If you’re a quart low in your sedan, there isn’t enough motor oil to lubricate your engine properly. The extra friction causes drag that reduces fuel economy while you’re driving around the Phoenix area.

The same goes for dirty oil; it doesn’t reduce friction properly. The result is you get to watch those numbers at your local Phoenix gas pump rolling higher and higher.

The transmission also needs the proper amount of clean fluid to do its work. When it’s in need of service, the transmission drags your fuel economy down.

So keep it clean and give yourself a fighting chance.

Community Tire and Automotive Service Specialists
15812 North 32nd Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85032
602.992.2830