Seattle Supercross

Heading to the Seattle Supercross tomorrow. I've been looking forward to this for years. (Going to a Supercross race) The drama this year in Supercross has never been seen before. It is anybodys championship to win.

This is Ryan Villipoto's home track. So he will have tons of fans in the stands. He is also the guy I'm cheering for.

Who will win? Who knows! Its been that kind of year. Ryan Dungy, James Stewart, Chad Reed, Ryan Villipoto, and Trey Canard have all won at some point.

Check it out Live on Speed 7:30 Pacific time. 

Driveline Service

I recommend a Driveline Service about every 25,000 km or once a year. A Driveline Service,depending on where you service,  basically means the fluids the driveline get changed. While the transmission is also in the driveline, they are a seperate service because of there complex nature.

Differentials and transfer cases both operate without filters. So anything in the oil continues to circulate through the system.

While most have magnets to deal with metal filings, both differentials and transfer cases have vents to the outside air. These vents allow for expansion and contraction of the fluid when it gets hot and cold. This also allows dirt and moisture to enter the system through the vent. The only way to deal with this dirt and moisture is to contain it in the fluid. The only way to get rid of it is to change fluid.

Using the recommended fluid is very important for these components. Some differentials require additives to allow for limited slip components to work. While other transfer cases, can not engage properly with incorrect fluid.

Keeping the inside of these units clean can make a huge difference in its service life. It also helps maintain your warranty.

CSI Raceway

So last night my friend Brent and I went to CSI raceway. CSI raceway is located in Aldergove and offers a unique opportunity for local Remote Control (RC) racers to practice and race without being affected by the weather. The RC cars that were represented last night covered the full spectrum of equipment. There were entry level vehicles from just under a couple hundred dollars, all the way up to full race machines worth thousands of dollars. (Thats right thousands for a remote controlled car)

Most people who know me, know I love racing of all kinds. If it has wheels and there’s two of them, it only makes sense that they should be raced. With that in mind I love the Lucas Oil Off Road Seires, so the vehicle I choose to purchase was  a replica of Carl Renezeder’s  truck.  I got it a while back but really have not had the opportunity to run it in a track enviorment. What a blast.  The only bad news, it doesn’t have that fresh paint look anymore.  

If you get a chance , check out their website.  If you get a bigger chance, check out the track.  Its a lot of fun.

Here is the website

http://csiraceway.com/

And here is a cool  video shot at the track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uhAAio-gSw

What's Steering you?

A Wheel Alignment is recommended every 25,000 km or 1 year.

Pot holes, rough roads, road construction, and worn steering pieces are all great reasons to align your wheels.

Without a regular alignment, poor fuel mileage, tire wear and vehicle wandering can be the result.

The 3 primary angles a technician measures are Camber, Caster and Toe.

Camber - is the inward and outward tilting of the wheels

Caster - is a steering angle that helps keep the vehicle going straight

Toe – is the difference in distance between the front of the tire and the back of the tires

There are other angles, but these are the main and most talked about when dealing with an advisor or shop.

Most shops include a steering and suspension inspection with their wheel alignments. You should never align a vehicle with worn or loose suspension parts.

If you have any questions concerning Wheel Alignments or any other services, email your questions here.

cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

Hot Oil Flush

I recommend Hot Oil Flush every 25,000 km or if you go over on your mileage on your oil change. In fact I am doing one on my wife’s car on its next service. (We even run Castrol Synthetic oil)

When your vehicle is built the inside of the engine is clean. The crankcase is free of oil deposits. It gets the fuel economy it’s supposed to have and the exhaust emissions are low.

However when the engine runs, the crankcase becomes the dumping grounds for all the by products of combustion. Unburned gasoline, moisture, carbon, all wind up in your engine. Along with the heat your engine generates, they all combine to breakdown the oil.

The result, deposits and sludge that rob your vehicle of performance and fuel economy.

A hot oil flush is a simple process. We start by adding a chemical cleaner. Bring the engine up to temperature. Then the cleaners take over inside the engine. It doesn't just clean though. It suspends the carbon and sludge in the oil. Then when you drain the oil for the oil change, all the build up is drained with the oil.

By keeping the inside of your engine clean, your vehicle will run like new for many years to come. Its one of the best services I recommend.

Biking season is here

Well its getting to be biking season. Really on the lower mainland it never stops being biking season. This is a video of me and some friends shot last year on a trail called CBC. Its a little long but there is some pretty fun riding in there. We sell these cameras in our parts department if anyone is intrested. 

They work pretty amazing

Fuel Emmision Service

I recommend an Emission Service every 30,000km’s. For most people that’s just over a year’s driving.

The biggest reason I recommend this for is fuel economy. The second is quick and easy starts.

When your vehicle rolls off the production line the fuel system is clean. The cylinder, intake and throttle body are free of fuel deposits. It’s the most efficient it can be and the emissions are as low possible.

Then Gasoline happens. Gasoline is a hydrocarbon fuel and when a hydrocarbon fuel is burned, one of the by products is carbon. Carbon deposits form on the combustion chamber walls, back of the exhaust valves, and on top of the piston piston crown. The throttle body and injector tips are also affected. The deposits rob a vehicle of its performance, but more importantly of its fuel economy. By removing these deposits, your vehicle will perform and run like new. Fuel economy will be restored.

Some people will recommend not doing this service until the vehicle runs poor or you are getting poor mileage. By that time, you’ve burned a lot of fuel unnecessarily. Essentially sending your money right out the tail pipe. If you do this service right from the start of your vehicles life, the carbon will never get a chance to build up and you will have great mileage.

Fiat 500

So I drove a Fiat 500 this morning. What a great car.

When I first started seeing these cars in pictures and on the internet I had no idea what to expect. I kind of expected to drive a little economy car that had no power and alot of road noise. I was plesantly suprised to find the car drove very well. It had plenty of power (I was driving the 5 speed manual) and  I didn't feel like i could hear outside noise all the time. Many small cars on the market sacrifice ride comfort and road noise in the name of fuel economy. Not the 500. Even with the sunroof I had no complants.

I did not get a chance to take it on the highway, but around town it felt like the gearing was right. While traveling at 55km/h the car just made it into 3 rd gear. So I'm sure when I get it on the highway and strech it's legs a little, it will shine just as much as it did around town.

As we get more of these cars in I will keep you updated .

PCV Valve

Over the years the pcv valve has slowly became an overlooked service. When I started in this industry, they were replaced with almost every second oil change. Now the vehicle manufactures have really stretched out the service intervals on this important and inexpensive piece. But what is a pcv valve and what does it do?

The positive crankcase ventilation, or PCV, valve routes crankcase gases through a hose and back into the air intake system where they are re-burned in the engine.  Fresh, clean air is brought into the crankcase through a breather tube.   It’s really a pretty simple system, but does an important job. The re-circulating air removes moisture and combustion waste from the crankcase, preventing sludge.  This extends not only the life of your oil, but the engine as well.  The PCV relieves pressure in the crankcase, preventing oil leaks.

Eventually, the PCV valve can get gummed up.  Then it cannot move enough air through the engine to keep it working efficiently.  If the PCV valve is sticking enough, you could have oil leaks, excess oil consumption and a fouled intake system.  If you experience hesitation or surging or an oil leak, it may be a sign of PCV value problems. 

I recommend replacing the PCV every 25,000 km or once a year. It is an inexpensive service and can go a long way to preventing problems.

Click here if you have questions or comments

Spark Plugs

Spark plugs have been around for decades. They work basically the same today as they did 50 years ago. Nowadays there are so many choices and different configurations on the market  that a lot of people don’t know what kind of plug to choose.

In my opinion the choice is simple. Use the spark plug the manufacturer installs at the factory.  Install new spark plugs when it is recommened by the factory.  This is one of the few services I do recommend doing when the manufacturer recommends. The ignition system and engine in your vehicle are designed around the spark plug. The type of material the plug is made from, the gap and how the spark plug wears are all factors the manufactures take into consideration.

 By changing from a conventional plug to platinum plug you are changing the ignition system and how it works. The same is true if you go from platinum to iridium spark plugs.

 I cannot tell you how many times I have seen a customer come in with misfires and hard starting and it came back to the spark plugs that were just installed. More often than not, some fancy multi pronged platinum with a groove in the tip.

On some long life spark plugs it is a good idea to remove the spark plugs on occasion and perform a spark plug thread service. Basically you clean and lubricate the threads to prevent seizing.

If you have any questions or comments please contact me at cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

To see a spark plug in action click here

Headlight Alignment

I always recommend aligning Headlights approximately once a year. As your vehicle wears, headlights go out of alignment. You always have a driver but don’t necessarily have a passenger every time the vehicle is driven. Most fuel tanks are also mounted on the driver’s side as well. These few things cause the vehicle to sag slightly to the left.  In doing some research for this topic, I came across some great information about night time driving in general and I thought I would share it with everyone. Its a little long but full of some great information provided from the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council.

What You Need to Know About Night Driving

With the summer vacation season fast approaching, more drivers will soon take to the highways, traveling all hours of the day, all across the country to reach their destinations.

If you plan on driving after the sun goes down, it's important to remember that driving at night presents different challenges than driving during the day. Traffic death rates are three times greater at night, yet many of us are unaware of the hazards that night driving poses or effective ways to handle them.

At night, vision is severely limited. Drivers lose the advantage of color and contrast that is available during the day and depth perception and peripheral vision are also diminished.

To improve your night vision and driving ability after sunset, the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC) offer drivers these tips:

1. Use your lights courteously - Turn your headlights on one hour before sunset to make it easier for other drivers to see you in early twilight. Keep your headlights on at least one hour after sunrise. Refrain from flashing your high beams at a vehicle with its high beams on, this will only increase the chance that drivers will not be able to see. In fog, use low beam headlights; high beams reduce your own ability to see and may temporarily blind other drivers. If your vehicle is equipped with fog lamps, use them with your low beams only when there is fog or inclement weather.
2. Make it easy for others to see you - Be sure all exterior vehicle lights work properly. In case of a vehicle breakdown, pull completely off the road beyond the end of the guardrail, if possible, and turn on emergency flashers.
3. Avoid glare - Instead of looking at oncoming headlights, look toward the right side of the road and watch the white line marking the outside edge of the traffic lane. When headlights from vehicles following you reflect in your rear-view mirror, use the "day-night" feature on the mirror or adjust your mirror to cut out as much of the light as possible.

4. Adjust your vehicle's interior lighting - If streetlights cause a lot of glare, dim your dashboard lights and use your sun visor. Avoid using any other light inside your vehicle.

5. Keep all windows and headlights clean - Dirty windows can increase glare, making it more difficult to see, while dirty headlights can reduce efficiency by as much as 90 percent. Be sure to clean the inside and outside of your windshield as well as your headlights.

6. Keep your eyes moving - Look for flashes of light at hilltops, curves and intersections that may indicate the headlights of other vehicles.

7. Increase your following distance - Increasing your distance by four to five seconds can make it easier to spot potential problems on the roadway and give you more time to respond. In addition, proper lighting will enable you to react quicker and stop at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.

8. Regulate speed - Driving too fast is more dangerous after dark than during the day because of decreased visibility. Traveling at high speeds doesn't allow you enough time or distance to stop when you see something dangerous on the road ahead.

9. Prevent fatigue - Night driving can be tiring, so ensure good ventilation inside the vehicle and take frequent refreshment breaks to give your eyes a chance to recover. Take a short nap or a brisk walk, or have some caffeine to help you stay alert.

10. Use vehicle mirrors to your advantage - Exterior mirrors that are properly aligned not only reduce blind spots, they also reduce glare from vehicles behind you. The outside rear-view mirrors should be adjusted so that the bodywork of the vehicle is just outside of the driver's view. In addition, the rear-view mirror can be flipped to its "day-night" setting, which changes the angle of the reflective surface and appears to dim the mirror.

In addition, there are also some general practices you can follow to help ensure safe night driving:

1. Align your headlights correctly - Properly aligned headlights will help you see the road better and will help other drivers avoid glare. If you live in a state that requires regular safety inspections, ask the service technician to check and correct the aim of your headlights. If your state doesn't require such an inspection, take your vehicle to a dealer or repair shop at least once a year for a headlight check-up.

2. Have your vision checked regularly - The American Optometric Association recommends that everyone under the age of 40 have a thorough eye exam at least every three years; drivers 41-60 every two years; and drivers over 60 every year. Age can make eyes more sensitive to glare. In addition, certain medical conditions, such as encroaching cataracts, will increase eye sensitivity.

3. Look into anti-reflective eyeglass coating - Many eye care professionals strongly recommend eyeglasses that have an anti-reflective (AR) coating. This ultra-thin film reduces internal reflections in the lenses. AR-coated glasses actually transmit more light than regular lenses, which improves vision at night and helps distinguish fine details during the day.

Source: Motor Vehicle Lighting Council

Readers Rides and Adventures

This morning I got an email suggestion to feature customer’s vehicles in our newsletters. I thought it was a great idea.  I would even feature a creative story or adventure along with it.

This is Bill and Stacy's 1998 Dodge Dakota. As Bill puts it "The Nomad on the Trailer says it all".

Thanks Bill I appreciate the picture and suggestion. I will feature it in our next newsletter.

If you have any pictures or fun stories to tell email them here:

cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

Serpentine and V- Belts

Although the auto makers don't usually specify a replacement interval for V-belts or serpentine (flat, multi-ribbed) belts, most belt manufacturers do recommend periodic replacement for preventative maintenance. Here's why: depending on mileage, the incidence of belt failure rises sharply in the fourth year of service for the typical V-belt, and the fifth year for serpentine belts.

What's more, eight out of ten V-belt failures and ten out of ten serpentine belt failures end up causing a breakdown! That's because belts have the uncanny knack of always picking the worst possible moment to fail -- like when you're heading out of town on that long-awaited fishing trip, when you're hurrying to pick up a hot date who told you NOT to be late, or when you're giving your dear mother-in-law a ride to church.

A broken belt is always bad news because when it snaps, all drive power to whatever it turns is lost. That means the water pump quits circulating coolant through the engine, the alternator quits producing amps, the power steering pump ceases to assist steering, and the air conditioner quits cooling. Many newer vehicles have a single serpentine belt that drives all of the engine's accessories, so when it fails everything stops working.

I recommend replacing v-belts every 45,000 to 65,000 km but serpentine belts can often go to 85,000 km.

The good news is that replacing the belts periodically can go a long way towards minimizing the risk of a breakdown caused by belt failure. After all, it's a lot easier to replace a belt at your convenience than having the belt fail unexpectedly who knows where.

The New Durango

I love the new Durango.  I could go on and on about the features on it, but the truth is ............. It just looks cool.  If they are making a SRT model........Awesome......... If they are not they should be.

Brake Fluid

Brake fluid is a hot topic because most people don’t know why it should be changed. Did you know the average motorist who drives 16000 km to24000km a year uses his brakes about 75000 times a year? Did you know that half of all motorists in a recent Car Care Council survey said brake failure was their number one fear amongst driving emergency?

So consider this: After three years of service, the average boiling point of brake fluid has dropped to a potentially dangerous level because of moisture contamination and may not meet minimum federal requirements for brake fluid.

Probably half of cars and light trucks that are 10 or more years old in the U.S. have never had their brake fluid changed. Yet in many European countries, regular brake fluid checks are required, and half of all cars routinely fail such tests. That is a good case for changing brake fluid.

Many experts have long recommended changing the brake fluid every year or two for preventative maintenance. Their rational is based on the fact that glycol-based brake fluid starts to absorb moisture from the moment it is put in the system. The fluid attracts moisture through microscopic pores in rubber hoses, past seals and exposure to the air. The problem is obviously worse in wet climates where humidity is high.

Considering the fact that today’s front-wheel drive brake systems with semi-metallic linings run significantly hotter than their rear –wheel drive counterparts, high brake tortures require fluid that can take the heat. But as we said earlier, the brake fluid in many of today’s cars vehicles cannot because it is old and full of moisture.

In addition to the safety issue, water-laden brake fluid promotes corrosion and pitting in calliper pistons and bores, wheel cylinders, master cylinders, steel brake lines and ABS modulators.

I recommend changing the brake fluid every 2 years or 45,000 kms. So the next time you are inspecting or servicing your brakes, be sure to check the condition of the fluid as well as the level. If you add or change fluid, use the type specified but the vehicle manufacturer (dot3 or dot4) and use the highest quality fluid you can get. And above all, remember the benefits of changing the fluid for preventive maintenance.

Battery Service

Modern cars and trucks run on 12 volt electrical systems.  12 volts is enough to get the job done without having so much power that there is danger of electrocution.  But today’s vehicles have more electrical components and do-dads than ever before.  This really strains your electrical system, making it hard for the battery to keep up. Think about it: electric seats, seat heaters, power locks, windows and sun roofs.  And then we have all the power outlets for our cell phones, computers, and DVD players. We also have navigation systems and powerful stereos.  Plus there are all the engine and transmission computers, traction control, stability control, anti-lock brakes, sensors and on and on. Even the security system is running off the battery while the car is turned off.

I recommend a battery service every 20,000 km. This may seem like a lot. But without perfect battery contact, the battery will not charge properly and it will dramatically reduce its service life. In addition many vehicles today incorporate the positive battery cable as part of the computer for the vehicle. Meaning if the battery cable corrodes enough, the computer will have to be replaced.

Power Steering Fluid

At one time or another, most drivers encounter a power steering problem with their car. Anything from fluid leaks and noise, to stiff steering or hard turning after first starting the car. Normal driving eventually causes your power steering fluid to suffer from heat, friction and electrochemical degradation. The high pressure created when you hold hard turns is especially damaging.

Your power steering fluid, which starts out clear, eventually turns dark with age. Sludge and varnish deposits build up in your power steering system and affect the easy turning and responsive handling you expect from your vehicle.

A Power Steering Fluid Exchange safely removes varnish and sludge deposits. It is also the best way to remove wear metals that slowly grind away your power steering's internal components, including the power steering hoses, pump, rack and pinion and/or gear box. A power steering fluid exchange thoroughly cleans your vehicle's steering system and protects it with fresh power steering fluid and conditioners that revitalize the seals and o-rings.

It is recommended that the power steering fluid be exchanged every 40,000 km. If your vehicle's power steering is showing signs of contaminated fluid, try this service before major and expensive repair work becomes necessary.

Cooling System Fluid Exchange

Over time, solid deposits can form inside a vehicle's radiator system, causing blockages which make the circulation of the coolant much less efficient. As a result, the vehicle runs hotter and other systems become damaged by the excessive heat build-up. Coolant also becomes acidic over its lifetime. Acidic coolant can damage aluminum parts and dissolve gaskets.  So it is very important to maintain its ph balance. One way to avoid such problems is to periodically perform a maintenance procedure known as a Cooling System Fluid Exchange. During a Coolant System Fluid Exchange, a chemical additive is added to the cooling system. As the cleaning solution circulates through the vehicle's cooling system, it dissolves and removes any solid build-up inside the radiator channels. The coolant/detergent is then removed from the cooling system and replaced with a standard mix of new coolant and water. This is an important service that cannot be overlooked. Over time the chemicals in the coolant that prevent foaming and acid build up break down and loose their strength. A coolant conditioner can be added to help boost these additives and help the coolant get to the end of its service life. Depending on the type of coolant used, coolants can last from 35,000 km to 100,000 km. A conditioner should be used every 25,000 km.

If you have any questions or comments – Contact me here.

cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

Maintenance

Sometimes when I meet people, they have questions about their car. Or they have questions about something “their” mechanic told them. Most of the time I have the answers but on occasion I don’t.  Something that has been coming up a lot is maintenance. What to do? Or when to do it? A conversation my friend Rob and I had the other day centered on Transmission Servicing and when it should be done. (He recently had a transmission warranty claim with Toyota).

 I thought the best thing I can do is explain what services I recommend, when I recommend them and why I recommend them.  I also thought I would start at the front of the vehicle and work my way back. So over the next few weeks I will talk about maintenance starting at the radiator and working all the way back to rear differential fluid. Check in a bunch over the next few weeks. And if you have any specific questions email me at cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

Sunday Mornings

 One thing I always try to make time for is my family. Every Sunday we try to go skiing at Hemlock. Well the girls and I go. It’s kind of a nice break for Monica as well. The girls are with me and she can watch all the Girly Movies she wants. About the only time we don’t go is when it’s pouring rain.

When I was a kid I remember begging my parents for just one more run, one more lap on the BMX track, or just stay on the ice 5 more minutes. And with my kids I thought that day would never come.

The first few years of skiing I would take them early in the morning, ski for a couple hours, then back in the car so everyone could have naps on the way home. (Not me of course, I was driving). I thought, will I always be able to outlast these kids on bikes, skis, etc?

 Well the day has come.  Instead of me trying to get Skyler and Isabella to do just one more run, its “Dad you go get the car, get all your stuff off and put away and we will ski down to the car after 2 more runs. “Or “quick get in the line there shutting down the chairlift.”

 It makes me really proud that they enjoy being outside so much.

It also makes me feel a little old.

My First Blog

About 8 months ago I started a newsletter program at my shop, and it’s gone quite well. So I thought a better way to keep my customers and friends up to date might be a blog. I’ve been in the auto industry for a long time. Since I was 16 years old. I’ve worked with major car dealers for the last few years, in aftermarket service providers for 18 years. Before that my dad owned a body shop. So to say I’ve been around cars for a long time would be an understatement. I’ve raced them, wrecked them, fixed them just about anything to do with a car I’ve done.  I think it’s in my blood. Many people in my industry have a job. I have a passion. I can’t imagine working in any other industry. I love it. There are bad days too but the good ones come along way more than the bad ones.

When I started in the automotive industry carburetors were just on the way out. In the past 20 years we have seen electronic ignition, fuel injections and now direct fuel injection.  In the future, technology changes will come at a pace never seen before. Hybrids, electric cars, and diesel will be creeping into North America like we have never seen before.  Technical training will be come as important as the apprenticeship process.

 I hope with this blog to discuss issues in the industry, maintenance myths and facts, as well as share some of my personal experiences.  Check back often.