Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Visit our Facebook Coupon tab and "LIKE" us for great savings!
"LIKE" our Facebook page to receive 10% off your next parts OR service visit.
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Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Monday Maintenance Tip: Checking Your Drive Belts
What is this?
This is the inspection or replacement of the belt(s) in your engine compartment.
Every car has a water pump, a power-steering pump and various accessories — all of which are powered by rubber drive belts. On older cars, each of these components is driven by its own belt. On most modern cars, all of these components are driven by one belt, called a serpentine belt.
Should I do this service when it's recommended?
Definitely.
Why do I have to do this?
Belts in your car don't last forever. They wear out from use and eventually crack and decay from ozone that's in the air.
What happens if I don't do this?
If your car has individual belts and one of them breaks, then you'll lose the function of whatever part that belt was powering, such as the alternator, power-steering pump or water pump. If the serpentine belt breaks, all of these parts will stop functioning. Engine damage may result from overheating.
Is there any maintenance required between intervals?
Between service intervals, inspect your car's belts for cracks. If you hear a screeching noise coming from under the hood — especially when you start your car on a cold morning or when making a sharp turn — you might have a loose belt.
Car Talk Tip: If you're changing a serpentine belt, draw yourself a diagram of where the belt runs so you'll know exactly how to install the new one.
Courtesy: CarTalk.com
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Check out these summer service specials!
Take advantage of the current summer service specials at Harmon's Auto Center! Right now you can receive an oil change, 4-tire rotation and 27-point vehicle inspection for only $29.95!
Click here to schedule an appointment and print your coupon.Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Monday Maintenance Tip: Cleaning Your Air Filter
What is it?
The air filter stops airborne contaminants from getting sucked into your car's engine. It's a paper filter that stops debris such as dust, leaves and wayward pelicans before they get inside the engine and do damage.
Should I do this service when it's recommended?
Yes.
Why do I have to do this?
Because, eventually, your air filter will get plugged up.
What happens if I don't do this?
If your air filter gets too dirty or clogged, your engine won't be able to suck enough air into the combustion chambers. The engine will then run rich (i.e., too much gas and not enough air). When this happens, your car will lose power and run roughly. Your Check Engine light also may come on.
If you really neglect the air filter for a long time, your car may stop running altogether. While permanent damage is unlikely, it is possible. If an air filter were sufficiently dirty and damaged, it could allow harmful, abrasive contaminants into the combustion chamber.
Is there any maintenance required between intervals?
If you operate your car under severe duty, such as frequent driving on dirt roads or a lot of stop-and-go driving around town, then you should halve the recommended service intervals for the inspection and replacement of the air filter.
Car Talk Tip: Inspecting and replacing your air filter is an easy task. Almost anyone can do it ... with the possible exception of Jerry Springer. By purchasing the filter directly from an auto parts store, you can sometimes save $10 or more, in addition to the labor costs.
Courtesy: CarTalk.com
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Monday Maintenance Tip: Checking Your Spark Plugs
What is this?
Spark plugs are little devices inside the cylinder that take in high voltage electricity at one end and create a spark at the other end. There, the spark ignites the gas and air mixture, and the resulting combustion is what ultimately powers the car. This service involves removing the old spark plugs and replacing them with new ones.
Should I do this service when it's recommended?
Yes.
Why do I have to do this?
At the sparking end of the spark plug is a built-in gap between two or more little pieces of metal, called electrodes. When the plug fires, one or more sparks jump that gap and a tiny bit of the metal is burned off. This happens hundreds of times every minute. Over time, the gap between the metal tips gets too big.
Also, your spark plugs can get fouled, but that would indicate that you have a problem.
What happens if I don't do this?
Your engine will start to misfire and run poorly, performance will suffer, efficiency will decrease and emissions will dramatically increase. Your car may also be difficult to star
Is there any maintenance required between intervals?
We recommend removing the old spark plugs and reinstalling new ones at least every 30,000 miles.
Many manufacturers have long-life, 60,000- or 90,000-mile spark plugs. If you don't remove these spark plugs until they're due to be changed, you might find it extremely difficult or even impossible to remove them when the time comes. You'll also want to examine the plugs if your car is running poorly. A blackened plug, for example, can tell you that the engine is running too rich.
Courtesy: CarTalk.com
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Monday Maintenance Tip: Changing Your Brakes
What is it?
Brake pads, linings and rotors are parts of your car's brake system and are housed next to each of the wheels. They push against one another to create friction, which stops the car.
There are two kinds of brake systems: disc brakes and drum brakes. Disc brakes are the most common system in use today, and they're very much like the hand brakes on a bicycle. When you step on your car's brake pedal, the brake pads squeeze a spinning disc rotor that's attached to the wheel. The resulting friction, when applied to each of the wheels, slows the car.
The second type, drum brakes, involve brake shoes that push out against a spinning brake drum, which is attached to the wheel. This friction slows the car.
Both systems work by creating friction, so brake parts are expected to wear out. The questions then are, how worn out are they? And are they worn out enough that they need to be replaced?
That's what this service is all about checking these components for wear and other potential problems.
Should I do this service when it's recommended?
Absolutely.
Why do I have to do this?
In short, you do this service so you don't crash into a cabbage truck.
What happens if I don't do this?
If you neglect your brake pads and shoes, your brakes will ultimately fail. Even before that happens, however, you can cause damage to other, more expensive brake parts, such as rotors, drums and calipers. In other words: a stitch in time ... saves you from helping your mechanic with a boat payment later on.
Is there any maintenance required between intervals?
If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms when you brake ...
- flashing brake warning light
- squealing, chirping or grinding noises
- pulsations in the brake pedal
- shaky steering wheel
- increased stopping distance
- car pulls to one side when you stop
... your brakes may require servicing. Make an appointment with your mechanic right away.
Car Talk Tip: Most cars have disc brakes in the front and back. A few economy vehicles and many light trucks have disc brakes in the front and drum brakes on the rear wheels.
Courtesy: CarTalk.com
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