Niel's Auto Service - Moorpark, CA 93021 Automotive News

NIEL'S AUTO SERVICE

Archive for June 2023

Oh, Stop! (Disc Brake Service)

Posted June 25, 2023 11:57 AM

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.

Niel's Auto Service
49 Taylor Ct Ste B
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
805-379-4040
www.nielsautoservice.net

BRANDY TAKES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF VISIBILITY (Cleaning Vehicle Glass)

Posted June 18, 2023 12:02 PM

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'!!

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.

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 designed for metal. Avoid at all costs those dark green abrasive pads on some kitchen sponges designed 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 cleaned. Special automotive glass cleaners are available, and your Niel's Auto Service 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. The film that forms on the inside of vehicle windows can result from plastic interior surfaces decaying 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 Niel's Auto Service can recommend 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

brandy

Niel's Auto Service
49 Taylor Ct Ste B
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
805-379-4040
www.nielsautoservice.net

Stuck! (Vehicle Door Issues)

Posted June 11, 2023 9:44 AM

This may have happened to you. You drive somewhere and get out of your vehicle only to try closing the door and it just won't stay closed! What a helpless feeling. You can't lock it; you can't leave it like it is. Or, let's say you head down to your vehicle to head out to work in the morning and you can't open the door. What are you going to do now?

Vehicle doors take a lot of abuse. They are opened and closed hundreds of times and we expect them to just keep working perfectly all the time. They do require a bit of tender loving care. Let's take a look at two different scenarios of stuck doors.

First: the door that won't close. It's a security issue. It's also a safety issue. You can't really safely drive a vehicle with a door that won't close. What if you or a passenger is tossed out? Sure, some people try to tie a stuck-open door closed or bungee it, but that's dangerous. It's best to get that vehicle to the service repair facility as soon as you can, and having it towed is the safest way.

Second: the door that won't open. There are many reasons this can happen. Freezing weather is one, a misaligned door is another. There could be electrical issues. Corrosion could have broken a part inside the door. The possibilities, unfortunately, are numerous.

If you can't get into your vehicle's driver's door, with any luck another door might open and you can climb into the driver's seat and head on to the repair facility. A lot of people may be tempted to try to fix a stuck door themselves, but many wind up causing more damage to the door and have to have a trained technician step in to repair the mess.

One way to minimize the possibility of having a door stick open or closed is to make sure it gets regular maintenance. Door locks, hinges and latches should be lubricated at certain intervals. Locks should be kept clean. While many vehicles now have electronic locks, sometimes an electrical failure in the vehicle or key fob can inadvertently lock you out. Nearly every vehicle has a mechanical key in case that happens; if you don't know how that works, have your service advisor show you how.

Also, you technician can make sure your doors are properly aligned and aren't sagging. All of these things can help you keep your doors opening and closing the way they were designed to. Your next trip may "hinge" on your doors being in top condition.

Niel's Auto Service
49 Taylor Ct Ste B
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
805-379-4040
www.nielsautoservice.net

Brandy Wants To Know, Is Your Los Altos Driving Severe?

Posted June 4, 2023 10:12 AM

Hello Brandy here and did you know that people near Los Altos, CA, often ask Allied Auto Works how often they should have a particular service done. It's a great thing to ask. You can look at your owner's manual or have your Los Altos, CA, service advisor at Allied Auto Works look up your vehicle in a service database. What you find is often a surprise to people – there are actually two service schedules.

One is the regular schedule and the other is the severe service schedule. Service intervals are shorter on the severe service schedule. When asked, most folks in Los Altos will say that their driving is normal and that the 'regular' schedule probably applies to them. 'Severe service' sounds pretty extreme – 'I don't drive like that.'

Well, here is what the manufacturers say constitutes severe driving conditions; you can draw your own conclusions.

Most of your trips are less than four miles (six and a half kilometers).
Most of your trips are less than ten miles (16 km) and outside temperatures are below freezing.
The engine is at low speed most of the time – not on the highway. You operate your vehicle in dusty areas.
You regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads.
You drive with a car-top carrier.
You do a lot of stop-and-go driving.
You drive in very hot or very cold weather.

If that's severe driving, what constitutes regular driving? Well, it would look something like this: I live somewhere with moderate temperatures all year round – I'm thinking San Diego here. And I live close to a freeway on-ramp. Everywhere I need to go is right off the freeway, at least 4 miles (6.5 km) from my home. I can drive at a steady 60 miles per hour (100 kph) when I'm on the freeway.

I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like my normal driving. It sounds more like ideal conditions. I live where it gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. I run short errands around Los Altos. Occasionally, we load up for family trips.

For me, normal driving includes elements of severe service driving. So here's what I tell people: think about how you drive, where you live, where you go, and what you expect to do with your vehicle in the near future.

Picture a line with 'regular' on one end and 'severe' on the other, and make a judgment on where you fall. If your regular oil change recommendation is 5,000 miles (8,000 km) and the severe service recommendation is 3,000 miles (5,000 km), when should you change your oil? For me, it's closer to 3,000 miles (5,000 km). For my wife, it's closer to 5,000 miles (8,000 km). Your Los Altos, CA auto service advisor at Allied Auto Works will be happy to discuss this with you and help you sort it out.

Just a quick word on why severe service intervals are shorter. One has to do with heat. That can either be external heat from the weather, engine and transmission heat from stop-and-go driving, or working extra hard, moving heavy loads, or towing. The heat causes fluids like oil and transmission fluid to break down more quickly, making them less effective.

Another factor is water. Moisture naturally collects in fluids as they cool. In your motor oil, for example, if you don't drive long enough for the oil to fully heat up, the water won't evaporate. Water in the oil can lead to the buildup of damaging sludge.

If you live where the air is dusty or polluted, fluids will become contaminated and filters will get dirtier more quickly.

So make an honest evaluation of your driving conditions. You've made the commitment to take care of your vehicles, so it only makes sense to follow the right schedule.