Back in the Sadle

Well the rains have stopped and its back to being outdoor season again. Here is a litte video I shot the other day with a couple friends and our dog Jett.

Got some great posts coming up soon!

Knocked his Socks off!

So far this month we have been very busy with customers. It’s a great feeling to know that we have such great relationships with our guests.

Last month I asked people to submit some stories of great customer service. Here is one from my advisor Cody Smith

I went to Rex Cox’s menswear in Mission off of 1^st avenue to

 buy some dress clothes. Since I have started wearing dress shirts and ties to work I go to them for the cool apparel.

When I went in 2 weeks ago to get some shoes I dealt with Patrick. I asked him a few questions about which shoes would be the best to suit my job.

He recommended a shoe that would last and would be comfortable for daily use for a reasonable price. He was very helpful and here’s the kicker! When I opened my box to get out my new shoes he had thrown in a NEW PAIR OF SOCKS. I was blown away. I wore those socks all day!(the shoes too)

Cody Smith

Great story Cody. Thanks for sending that to me!

Please keep sending them in!

cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

Great Customer Service !!!!

Over the last year or so I have written plenty of a blogs about different automotive services offered in the automotive industry. I am running out different services to talk about. I could start repeating but I feel I can do better than that.

So for the next while I am going to talk about great customer service. Not just from my dealership but every industry that looks after customers.

It's easy to complain or tell stories about some bad service that is out there.(recently I had a bad hotel stay) But I want to talk about great service. Great service stories. Memorable moments from my own experience, my staff, and friends.

I think this is a better way to bring everyone's customer service up. Build from positive experiences, great stories, and just have a little fun.

If you have a great customer service story send it here.

cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

Sunday Skiing

Working in the auto industry I work a lot of hours. Sometimes its kind of surprising how many hours I work.

On the other side of the coin I really appreciate my time off. In the winter there is no better thing to do with my kids than hit the slopes.

 Last weekend Skyler, Sierra (Skyler's friend), Jodi (Skyler's friend Sierra's Mom) and Cait (Pronounced Kate)  (Skyler's friend Sierra's Mom's Exchange student) headed out to Seymore Mountain.

It was a great day. Clear skies and 8 degrees.  I think it was the best ski day Skyler and I have had all season. Not to mention I  love the view from the top of Seymour on a clear day with all the ships down in the harbour.

Meeting Cait was a special treat as well. Last week was her first week in Canada! I think she really enjoyed skiing on the North Shore Mountains and found the views amazing. I think she is here for 3 months, so she may get a chance to get out skiing with us again.

I am always impressed that families like the Milnes and the Hulls(Kent from my work)  open their homes on a regular basis to these foreign students. I think it takes very special people to make this work and these are truly special families.

What a great Sunday!

What should I know about tire pressure?

Lots of time on my blog I talk about doing service at the dealer. But there are a few things you can do at home that will help with the life of your vehicle and improve your fuel economy as well.

The most important is tire pressure. More than 55 percent of tires on the road today are under inflated. Your tires lose about  1.5 pounds of pressure per month. This leads to premature wear on the tires and extra fuel being used.

 While many people know how to set their tire pressure, not everyone knows where to get the correct information to set to the correct pressure. It is located on the inside of the driver’s door or B pillar of the vehicle. It looks a little like this

On this vehicle it indicates the tire size on both front and rear. It also indicates the pressure each tire should be set to including the spare.

This or the owner’s manual are the only place you should get this information. The Maximum allowed pressure on the side wall of the tire is just that, the maximum the tire can carry, not what the pressure should be set at.

Of course, if you do not know how to set your tire pressure,do not own a properly operating tire gauge, or do not have access to a air compressor get your pressure set at your local dealer about once a month.

If you have and questions or comments

cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

2012

First let me start off with my 2011.

This year has been a great year. This year I worked very hard to improve our business in the service department. With the economy the way it is, we have to work twice as hard just to maintain the business we already have.

We were the largest selling dealer of Chrysler vehicles in Canada. We were also the most successful service department in BC this year. I don’t have anything to do with the sales department but I do directly work in the Service Department as the service manager, so I am very proud of that.

Personally, we have had a very good year for traveling. We made a short trip to Seaside Oregon in the spring. We got up to Quesnel in the summer. We discovered La Connor and Destination pass in the fall.  Then of course we went to Hawaii in December.

Our children have made great friends here in Mission and Monica is volunteering at the kid’s school when she gets a chance.

I didn’t ride my bike as much as I would like to but plan to join the Fraser Valley Mountain Bike Association in the New Year. This way I can help maintain the trails we love to hike and bike on, and maybe get out for some group rides.

Now on to 2012

This year I am going to make our service department better than ever.

I recently read the book “Delivering Happiness”. This book spoke about work place culture, and how it is important to have a work place culture that focuses on customer service, sometimes at the expense of profits. It also spoke about finding your passion at work.  While we do a good job on satisfying customers in our service department, (#1 in BC), this year we are going to do great job!

While reading that same book, I gave some consideration to some things I am passionate about.

At work, I am passionate about selling and the selling process. I am also passionate about training. Taking great training but also training employees to be more successful in their career.

So this year I am resolving to do a better job of training and building work place culture.

I am also passionate about things outside of work.

I enjoy traveling and plan to do some more of it in 2012. This year I won’t be taking any big trips like Hawaii. But hope to get back to Oregon and for sure get back to Destination pass. I would like to get back to Edmonton in the summer and visit some great friends.

In 2012 I am going to do a couple things different at home too.

 I am going to dedicate 20 mins to exercise each day and quit snacking after supper. I’m going to need some help from my wife on the second one, she makes the best baking I have ever had, so it’s pretty hard to resist.

So thank you to 2011 and here is looking forward to 2012!!!!!

Hawaii

I have been away for a while. I went for a vacation with my family to Hawaii.

It was a great time. For me it was a lifelong goal to go to Hawaii and it was everything I hoped it would be.

We snorkelled, surfed, went on a submarine ride, took in the culture, toured Pearl Harbour and the Dole Plantation. We saw almost everything there was to see on Honolulu.

I can’t wait to go back. We just need to save those air mile points to do it!

How much for an Oil Change?

The other day I had a customer come in for an oil change.

When the advisor looked at the oil change sticker he noted that the vehicle was significantly over due for an oil change.

When he did the walk around on the vehicle he noted that there was no oil on the dipstick.

The customer even mentioned that she had heard some noises from inside the engine from time to time.

When asked by the advisor why she did not change the oil, the customer replied “I just didn’t have the money at the time”.

This is more common than you think. Some people put off oil changes for 500, 1000, even 5000 km in the name of saving money or time.

Let me put this to you straight...............This does not save money!

It had been over 20,000 km since this vehicle had an oil change. After changing the oil in vehicle, the detergents in the oil went to work cleaning all the sludge and varnish built up in the engine. After all the varnish and sludge had been removed the clearances in the engine became too big. The oil pressure dropped and the engine seized.

So the $160.00 in oil change savings will end up costing this customer approximately $5000-$10,000.

Here is the worst part, this vehicle was under warranty. But with no history of oil changes we cannot process a warranty claim for this engine.

Changing your oil is the most inexpensive maintenance you can do. It maintains your warranty and generally helps your vehicle work well.

Change your oil every 5000 km. It is the most inexpensive insurance you can have against engine failure.

Fish !!!!!!!!!

I am taking some training today. It is about customer service. I’ve taken a lot of customer service courses over the year. In this course they are showing some videos. Some I’ve seen before some I haven’t.

It reminded me about a video that I saw a couple years ago about attitude.

I saw this video about 10 years ago. The video is shot and based at the Public Market in Seattle.

Now that we live near Seattle we go there sometimes. I love going there and seeing these guys put on the show. They have a great attitude and they bring it to work each day.

If your in the service industry, automotive, restaurant, contruction or any other industry who deals with customers you should check out this video series.

Its called………………..Fish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM2-1qOp-_A&feature=related

Its almost here!

I rode my bike Sunday morning on Bear Mountain. It was a great ride on a trail named Lorax. Here is a Link to check it out.

 http://www.jordanolthuis.com/videos/lorax.html

Riding at Bear means a long push up to ride. It has no vehicle access to shuttle with. This also means the trails are always in great shape.

 As I pushed up the mountain I slipped on some ice. Normally this would be a disappointment as it would signal the end of biking season. But not this time. This also means it is almost ski season.

My first winter living on the lower mainland we had passes for Hemlock Resort. It is a great mountain with a variety of terrain for the kids and me.

This year we have passes to Mount Seymore.

It is a little more travel for us to go skiing but we can go more often with passes we have this year.

Driving last night back from Burnaby, I was reminded how much fun we all have driving to and from the mountain. My wife did not know we all take turns with the IPod and pick our favourite songs. Because of this, I can sing along with Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. But my girls can sing along with Gob and Rise Against.

It seems like a small thing but it is something I truly cherish.

 Bring on ski season!

When should I change my wipers?

As you know winter is more than on its way. Here on the west coast that means lots of rain. Lots and Lots of rain.

A customer asked me the other day about when it was time to replace his wiper blades. So I put together a couple of tips.

·       Streaking-is caused by dry rubber that has hardened and cracked. It can also be caused by tree sap, road tar or other substances on the blade rubber

·       Chattering-is caused by the curve in the rubber some wiper blades develop if not used for a long time. When this happens, the blade makes a chattering sound as it skips over the windshield

·       Worn Blades- the rubber wiping edge of the b lade will wear down with use

·       Split rubber- occurs on blades that are old or have been damaged by the sun

All these occur within 20,000 km or within a year. So have them checked or replaced at least once a year. You’ll be surprised how much more you can see.

Will winter tires really help?





A study conducted by the Quebec Ministry of transportation showed that a proper winter tire can improve braking up to 25 percent over an all season radial tire, and can improve collision avoidance by approximately 38 percent.

Keeping my family safe is my number one priority. Knowing I can improve our chances of avoiding an accident is the best thing I can do for them.

I know what I pay for insurance. I’ve heard what other people have paid for insurance after an accident.  I think some of the most inexpensive insurance I’ve purchased is winter tires.

Questions and comments ---- cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

How do I know which tires are winter tires?



Winter tires have a mountain snowflake on the side of the tire , which tells you that this tire has been tested and passes winter tire standards. To qualify for the severe snow usage symbol , winter tires must perform a minimum of 110% better than a standard tire in mandated snow traction test. Many winter tires are 130-150 % better, which means shorter stopping distance and better handling.

Here in BC it is mandatory to have tires with a winter snow flake on to travel in mountain passes. Also here in BC, if you have an accident and you are driving in winter conditions, you can be held responsible for not having your vehicle properly equipped for winter conditions.

It is a good idea to check your local laws when it comes to winter tire requirements.

A better idea is just to equip your vehicle with four winter tires.

Questions or comments? cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

Thats a funny looking tire!



Winter tires usually feature a unidirectional tread design. The unidirectional , v-groove tires move slush and water out of the way better than any other tread design. The more open the tread design, the better the tire will work in deep snow. The larger the tread blocks, the better the directional stability. The more sipes (small slits in the tread block), the better the tire will work on wet pavement and on ice.

In short winter tires do not look like all season tires because they do not work like all season tires.

Comments or Questions ---- cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

 

Should I only replace 2 winter tires???





Transport Canada recommends that snow (winter) tires are installed in sets of four. Vehicle handling will be improved when identical tires are installed on all four wheels. As well mixing tires with different tread patterns, internal construction, and size decreases the stability of the vehicle. 

If a customer comes in my store and demands only 2 winter tires, the answer is no. It is not recommended and it is not safe.

Questions or comments ----  cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

What if it's just cold? Are winter tires the right thing to do?



On dry pavement, the overall performance of an all season tire declines as the temperature gets colder. At about 5 degrees c winter tires begins to outperform all seasons. Winter tire performance improves as the temperature falls from 5 degree to -30 degrees c, while the all season tire approaches the not recommended status. Just one more reason to install winter tires this season.

Comments ???? cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

The Start of Winter Tire Season

With winter fast approaching, we are receiving more and more questions about winter tires.  This is a great video link that explains some of the benefits of winter tires.

http://www.betiresmart.ca/video/apa.html

Over the next couple weeks I will discuss some of the differences of winter tires starting with..........

The difference between all season tires and winter tires

All season tires still work well for all weather performance, but may not always work in severe snow and ice conditions. All season tires do not have cold weather rubber compounds, the large amount tread sipes(tiny slits in the tread blocks) for wet surface control and open tread block patter for deep snow traction that winter tires feature. The lack of a formal “snow” designation on the tire has further fuelled the misconception that “all season “tires also mean “winter” tires.

Questions or Comments cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

How can I save money on car repairs?

Before I worked for Chrysler I worked in an independent shop. In fact I worked at a handful of independent shops throughout my career.

One reason I got out of independent shops is technology.

Over the last ten years I saw more and more jobs having to be sent to the dealer. We had very skilled technicians that were very well trained. We just did not have the financial means to be equipped for every vehicle make and model.

  I believe in the next ten years it will become almost impossible for small shops to do any more than tires and steering work. I didn’t list brake work because even that, has become very difficult to service because of ABS systems and there associated computers.

In our dealership we have the latest computer equipment available. We also have the latest equipment for mechanical repairs like brakes and steering. In addition to the best techs with the most training, we have the ability to call Chrysler engineering for additional resources.

People have the impression that Dealer service costs more than taking it to an independent. With our advanced computers and trained technicians we can diagnose most problems in a shorter time. Saving customers money. We also shop our competition to make sure our maintenance services are competitively priced.

 In short, we are the best place to take your vehicle for its maintenance and repairs. We can help you save money on your repairs.

If you have any comments you can email me here.

cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

What does it cost?

When I go out with friends, people ask me about pricing for some of the services we provide.

“How much is an oil change?”

“How much does a Wheel Alignment cost?”

Sometimes people are surprised either positively or negatively.

“Why so much?”

“That’s crazy, how can you charge so much?”

“That’s less than I thought it would be!”

All these reactions are pretty normal for whatever industry a person may be involved with. It made me think. What do other industries charge for their services?

Well, if you have someone look after your lawn or live in a place that it snows and need snow removal, you pay about $150.00 per month. That’s about $1800 dollars per year

If you wash your car at a “Quick detail” place three times a month you would spend about $112.50 per month or $1350 per year

Even if you wash your own car a coin operated self serve car wash you spend about $65.00 per hour............. to wash your own car!!

If you eat out for lunch every day you work, most people work about 22 days per month, and spend $13.00 per day. That’s $286 per month. $3432 per year. Just for Lunch! That doesn’t include stopping for coffee in the morning.

When I look at this, it reminds me how affordable vehicle service really is.

 We don’t expect our lawns to start in the winter but we do expect our vehicles to start every time. We count on our vehicle to get our kids safely to sports, and go on holidays. We rely on our vehicles for our income whether we are driving to work or using it at work.

So I think it’s important to budget for vehicle maintenance every month. It’ll cost you less than you think.

If you have any questions or comments cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com





Exile Island

Last year, here at the dealership, Ian participated in the “Exile Island” fundraiser for The Children’s Wish Foundation.

 The Children’s Wish Foundation is a grassroots organization dedicated to providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences to children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. After 27 years they have granted more than 17,000 wishes.

After the event last year, Kent Hull (Human Resources Manager) and I were having lunch. He spoke of the incredible courage these children face there diseases and also the difficulty these family have to deal with everyday. He also told me of stories of Trips to Disneyland and meeting Santa on a plane ride to the North Pole.

It’s so important to give these children a break from their troubles and a sense of normal even if it’s for a day or a weekend or just a week. It may be a chance in a lifetime.

This year Ian is not only participating, he is also a Chair on the committee to organize the event!  

This year, Ian’s fund raising goals are $10,000. Enough to grant one child one wish. I’m sure he will surpass this total. I’m going to do my part to make sure he does.

For more information this worthwhile event click here

http://www.exileisland.ca/region/british-columbia-vancouver/event

To donate to Ian Speckman click here

http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=1190466

Lifetime Vehicle Protection

Owning a vehicle is a big investment.

 What if you could protect that investment just by doing maintenance?

You can at my store. We use a chemical and fluid company that is so confident in their product that if you do your scheduled maintenance, they offer Lifetime Vehicle Protection.

What does that mean?

I find it best to explain this with an example.

If you do a Brake Fluid Exchange before 60,000 km,(we recommend this at about 45,000km) they will pay up to $4000 toward the repair of abs pump, abs valves, master cylinder, callipers and metal brake lines.

If you do this service every 50,000 km after that, for as long as you own the vehicle, these items will be covered.

We have used this coverage for vehicles in the past and it is completely transferable!

We offer a similar type of Protection Package almost every fluid in the vehicle.

Coolant

Power Steering

Driveline (Differentials)

Automatic Transmissions

Transfer Cases

Manual Transmissions

Engine

Different components have different coverage’s so it is important to find out all the details on a specific fluid and the coverage it has.

Also if your vehicle has less than 120,000km there is still a program you can get onto that offers similar coverage for the life of the vehicle.

Here is a link to a video that also explains the program

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Bkb_vYOpM

Email me here if you have any questions

cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

Summer 2011

It’s been a little while since my last post. A person told me” when you move to the coast you have to keep up with your laundry when it raining. Because when it gets nice out you make sure and do lots of stuff while the suns shinning”.

That’s some good advice and that’s what we have been doing.

I headed out to the stock car races at Agassiz. Many people know I’m a Nascar fan but nothing beats a local short track for close racing action. My daughter Skyler is a local racing fan too.

 Skyler, my brother Charlie, his girlfriend Emily and I took in the racing.  Shortly after they became engage so congrats to Charlie and Emily. I’m not saying going to the races encouraged that but I’m not saying it didn’t.

We have also been hiking a lot. Here are some shots from “The Woodlot” in Maple Ridge and “The Baden Powell trail” in Deep Cove.

People from Alberta and Saskachawan vacation in the lower mainland. My Monica’s family is no exception. We had Monica’s sister Kristen, husband Mike and their family join us for 10 days in July. The best thing about having people come to town to be tourists is you get to be the tour guide.

We went to the Vancouver Aquarium, The Britannia Mining Museum, Lonsdale Key, Stanley Park, Cultus Lake water slides, and did some local hikes. I even brought home a Supercharged Viper so the kids could go for a ride in a world class supercar.  I think Mike enjoyed that more than the kids.

So far we have had a great summer but there is lots to come yet.

 

Get your vehicle ready for Summer

Summer road trips are some of the greatest memories I have.  Growing up in Alberta we made many trips to British Columbia every year. One year we even drove to Flin Flon Manitobia.

Getting your vehicle ready for a summer road trip is a easy thing to do but is sometimes overlooked. Here are some tips for getting ready for that summer road trip

1.      Make sure your tire pressure is correct. Low tire pressure can cause a tires to fail.

2.      Make sure your coolant is correct. Coolant does not just prevent freezing, it also prevents boiling. Making sure your vehicle has the correct coolant at the correct strength. This  can reduce your chances of being stuck on the side of the road.

3.      Make sure your brakes are in good shape. A costly brake job in the middle of a road trip can put a huge damper on your fun.

4.      If  your towing, you need to make sure transmission fluid is in good condition and all adjustments have been made.

5.      Make sure your belts and hoses are in good condition. A failed belt or hose will leave you stranded .

6.      Heat will damage a Battery more than  the cold will. Have your battery tested if its over 3 years old .

At our store most of these things are covered by a Peace of Mind Inspection.  You can even get one with an Oil Change. 

If you have any questions or comments send them to cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

TPMS LIght On

On the dash of modern vehicles there are many warning lights and gauges. One of the most common ones is the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

This light comes on when there is a loss of tire pressure or in some cases the tire pressure is set too high.

The number one cause of blow outs on the highway is low tire pressure. With low profile tires, if you get a puncture on the road, it is difficult to feel when driving. The tire will overheat and blow out the sidewall.

In colder climates with large temperature swings, a tpms light can come on due to cold weather. With very cold weather, the air in the tire contracts giving it a lower pressure indicated on the dash or gauge. By using nitrogen in your tires, this is reduced as nitrogen is affected less by temperature.  This should still be checked at a service facility as it could be an indication of a low tire due to puncture.

If the TPMS light is on, it is very important to get into a service facility to get it diagnose. It may be a low tire or even a possible electronic problem.

One other note. If you replace your wheels with custom wheels, you must install pressure sensors in the new wheels. By not installing sensors, you are tampering with a safety system. This is no different than modifying or removing an Antilock Braking System or Air Bag System.

As usual if you have any questions or comments email me here

cthimer@mapleridgechrysler.com

Where should I buy my tires?

Recently I saw an ad on television about not buying your tires at a dealership. They claimed “the dealership know cars, we know tires”.

I found this very interesting. I work in a dealership and managed tire stores for more than 15 years. All our staff go through Michelin, BFGoodridge, Uniroyal, Bridgestone, and Firestone training each year. More than most tire stores.

Our dealerships carry almost every kind of tire. Michelin, BFG, Uniroyal, Goodyear, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Firestone, Toyo, Yokohama, Mickey Thompson, Dayton, Kumho, Hankook, and on and on. No tire shop can boast that kind of coverage. We also purchase with the power of 500 plus dealerships across Canada.

Like they said we know cars. But we also know tires a lot more than they think. Then again, they might know that too. That’s why they put an ad out like that.

Heritage Park Hike

Last night I went for a hike with my daughter Isabella. We went over to the Heritage Park Trails in Mission. Its about 10 minutes from our house. The trails are a mix of gravel paths and natural trails that are as easy or difficult as you like.

Three weeks ago I had a bad crash on Sumas Mountain and haven't been about to ride bikes to much so hiking is a great substitute.

We found some great trails that we could go biking on in the near future when I'm feeling better. 

Should be a great long weekend and I am looking forward to some more hiking this weekend getting some great pictures.

Check out this link on pinkbike.com that shows more of the Heritage Park area.

 http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Heritage-Park-trails-Mission-BC-2011.html

When should I replace my tires?

 Ever wonder when to replace your worn car tires? The performance of your car tires is critical to the safety, performance and efficiency of your vehicle. Most tires are designed to provide similar performance throughout their lives. However, at some point they start to lose performance in terms of their traction and braking ability. As well, when your tires tread gets below 6/32, your wet and winter traction are compromised. Here are some tips to help you look after your tires.

• If uneven tire wear is extreme or if tires wear out much faster than expected, have a competent shop check your suspension and correct as necessary before replacing tires. Improper alignment or worn suspension parts can dramatically shorten a tire's life.
• Be careful to buy tires that are the right size and type for your vehicle and rims (wheels). Changing to low-profile tires may require you to buy larger rims so that the outer circumference of the tire remains unchanged. Incorrect tire size or mismatched tread can also cause a low tire pressure warning to come on if the vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
• Tires should never rub against your fenders or any other part of your car. If your new tires rub during turns or when going over bumps, they don't fit, no matter how cool they look. Fix this before you suffer a blowout and crash.
• Be careful when rotating tires, and especially when moving tires to different rims. Many modern tires have a specific rotational direction and corresponding rotation method. Refer to your tire manufacturer or dealer for details.
• If you happen to see wires on your tread or notice wear on the sidewalls of the tire, don't even bother with the penny and get the tire replaced. The wire thing is rare if Abe says the tread is still good, but it happens and it's better to replace the tire than get the blowout on the road.

Thats some great Timing!

Certain engines with overhead camshafts have timing belts that have a limited life span. Car makers use these belts instead of more durable chains because chains are noisier and cost more to manufacture.  Your vehicle owner's manual will recommend at what mileage the timing belt must be replaced.  These intervals range from every 100,000 km to 160,000 km.

 The job of the timing belt is to turn the camshaft(s) at exactly 1/2 the speed of the crankshaft while maintaining a precise alignment.  This means that the crankshaft will make two revolutions for every revolution of the camshaft.  Engines will have at least one camshaft, or as many as four camshafts in some of the V-type engines.  The camshaft causes the intake and exhaust valves to open and close in time with the pistons which move up and down in the cylinders.  The valves must open and close at exactly the right time in relationship to the piston movement in order for the engine to run properly

Choosing to overlook this service can cause serious engine damage and expensive repairs. Make sure you follow your manufactures recommendations on this service.

What is that light?

Check engine lights have been around for a long time. In the past, a check engine light being on would mean that you had a simple concern.

Nowadays the check engine light comes on for so many reasons I couldn’t even start to list them here.

When a check engine light goes on it means there is a problem in a monitored system. When we plug in a scan tool or computer to diagnose the problem it is only the start.

Once a code is attained the tech must diagnose the entire system related to that code.

For example, if a code came up with bank 2 sensor 2 oxygen sensor heat circuits. The tech would have to check the sensor, the connector to the sensor, the wiring, any other connectors and junctions, and the computer to eliminate all possible problems.

And this is a simple problem. Some diagnostic procedures take as many as 40 or 50 steps and tests.

So the next time the check engine light comes on make sure to give the service facility some time to diagnose the problem correctly and not just pull a code. A guess can cost you much more in the long run than spending a little time diagnosing the problem.

Getting back to Work

I missed a week of writing on my blog.  I had some time off and went to Seaside Oregon for a short vacation.  My family and I love going to the ocean. I only wish we lived closer to it.

Having time off is great but coming back means I have tons of work to come back too. Ric did a great job helping me out so I didn’t come back to a mountain of work. Thanks Ric

This week I’m going to catch up on some Blog entries and get back on track with some maintenance entries. Check back in the middle of the week and at the end of the week for a couple new posts about looking after your car.

Fiat Trip to Seattle

Last weekend I went to the Supercross. It was amazing. I can't wait till next year.

They say the best part of a journey is the trip. My friend Brent and I took that trip in a Fiat 500 to Seattle.

Driving the Fiat started on Friday night when I gave three customers a ride home. It looks small on outside but they are surprisingly roomy on the inside. After dropping everyone off I headed home on Dewdney Trunk road. Just past the dam on the Mission side, there are a couple switch backs. I thought “this is a pretty good place to test the handling". So I opened it up a bit and drove it pretty hard into the turns. The car responded well with just a hint of understeer. I was very impressed with the small cars handling.

Saturday morning we headed out for Seattle. First up was a stop at the gas station. The fuel light was on but it only cost about 40 dollars to fill. While filling the car we were asked a ton of questions about the car. A lady even asked if she could sit in it

Then we headed down the road on the way to the boarder. We were very surprised to have people honking and giving us the thumbs up. I had to chuckle because Brent wanted to take a Viper to Seattle but we wouldn't have got that many honks or waves in a Viper.

First stop in the states was Starbucks in Lynden. Another round of questions and inside we went to get some coffees. Then back on the road.

Next up was the Seattle Premium Outlet mall for a quick stop (Brent had to pick up a Birthday present for his wife). No problems parking even in the smallest spaces. We also thought it would be fun to stop traffic and take a picture in front of the fountain near the Tulalip Casino. After everyone honking at us we discovered we could have taken a great picture in front of the Whale sculptures behind there a lot easier.

Then off to Seattle. Things were going great, then the traffic hit. The Fiat we were driving was a standard but the clutch was light enough that my left leg didn’t get tired in stop and go traffic. Our turn off was 8 km away but we were going nowhere fast. We went past a accident. Great we thought, but we were going nowhere. We went past a second accident. Great we thought, but we were going nowhere. We went past a third accident. Things got better after that.

We got downtown and headed for Pikes Place Market. I love going to the market. Crazy people, crazy things for sale and flying fish. Brent had never been to the market and commented how there were people from all walks of life there. Homeless people to people who seemed quite well off.

Starting from a standing stop on hill in a standard vehicle can be quite challenging .The Fiat has a hill stop assist. This means even on the steepest grade the car does not roll back when you take your foot the brake to start out.  This is a great feature that takes some of the stress of downtown driving away.

 

The race was incredible but that will be in a different story.

After the race we headed home. The Fiats headlights worked great. Brent commented a couple of times how they lit up the road.

The best part of driving after 11:00 at night is Washington State is no real traffic. We were able to set the cruise at 120km/h no problems. The Fiat is very stable and handles well at highway speeds. We got home at about 1:00 on Sunday morning.

I had a little running around to do on Sunday so I took the car on Sunday too. It's really funny. Some people have no idea what their looking at and some people know exactly what they are looking at when they see the Fiat. It’s great to hear peoples stories of summers in Europe or growing up Europe and how there is a real love for these cars.

Monday morning I filled up the Fiat. It took only 35 litres. That is for sure, the least amount of fuel I’ve ever used going back forth to Seattle.

I really enjoyed driving the fiat. I wasn’t sure taking it on the highway was going to be a good experience. I can say I would take it any day on any highway trip. The seats were very comfortable, the Bose stereo sounded great. We even had Satellite radio. Brent thought the solid ride and headlights were the highlights of the little Italian car. Both of us were presently surprised by how quite on the highway the car rode. It really drives like a car twice the size.

Also on Monday I gave the keys back to Ian and ended my weekend test drive. Next time maybe I can take the Viper but I doubt I will get as many honks and waves.