WHY YOU SHOULD
PERFORM AN
AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE
Don't wait until you need
your air conditioning in hot weather to find out that your vehicle is low on
Freon! You need your A/C even in winter!
Did you know that every
time you turn on your defroster, your air conditioning compressor must dry
the air before the defroster directs it to your windshield?
Low Freon may indicate a
leak. However, it is normal for some Freon to escape, due to the movement of
your vehicle's engine, the expansion and contraction of the materials that
make up the A/C system, and variations in the operating speed of your air
conditioning compressor due to engine RPM.
Your air conditioning
system should be checked for proper operation and Freon charge at least once
a year. Insufficient Freon can damage your vehicle's compressor, expansion
valve and seals, resulting in very costly repairs. Maintaining the proper
amount of Freon ensures that the refrigerant oil is carried through your air
conditioning system to lubricate its moving parts and seals.
We have the most
sophisticated air conditioning service and leak detection equipment now
available. We are certified by ASE and MACS to handle both R12 and the new
R134A refrigerant. Call today to make an appointment!
WHY YOU SHOULD SERVICE
YOUR BRAKE FLUID
Your brake fluid requires
regular service because it becomes contaminated
by moisture.
How does moisture get into
your brake fluid? Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it
magnetically attracts and absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, usually
through the brake master cylinder reservoir and permeable brake hoses.
Moisture contamination
lowers the boiling point of your brake fluid, so, even under ordinary
driving conditions, it could cause the fluid to boil and release vapor into
your brake system. When this vapor compresses inside the system, you may
find yourself facing one of the most dreaded driving crises a dangerously
low brake pedal or even no brake pedal!
Moisture contamination can
also result in very costly repairs into the thousands if you have ABStype
brakes! When moisturecontaminated brake fluid reaches very high temperatures
as much as 450 to 500 degrees an electrochemical reaction makes the fluid
highly acidic. The acid breaks down the steel line and rubber hoses and can
cause early failure of the cast iron and aluminum components in your brakes.
Brake fluid contamination
has become so much of a concern, some car manufacturers have added brake
fluid service to their required maintenance schedules. Let our ASE certified
technicians perform this important safety service for you today.
WHAT IS A COOLING
SYSTEM SERVICE?
Your radiator protects
your engine and air conditioning condenser from overheating. It also plays
another important role. In today's computercontrolled engines, a radiator
coolant temperature sensor actually tells your car's computer and other
sensors how to adjust your fuel mixture and timing. So, the efficiency of
your radiator directly effects the efficiency of your engine.
That's why we recommend
flushing your cooling system and pH balancing your antifreeze at least once
every two years. More importantly, we recommend having this service
performed by a knowledgeable repair shop with the right equipment.
Our Cooling System Power
Flush continuously forces coolant under pressure through the engine,
radiator and heater core in both directions at different times.
Simultaneously, it forces the coolant through 25 and 5micron filters to
remove contaminates.
While the coolant is
circulating, we add water or antifreeze, whichever is needed. The molecules
in water are spaced far apart, so water easily absorbs heat from the engine,
but water can freeze and corrode metal. The molecules in antifreeze are
packed tightly together, so antifreeze does not absorb heat from the engine
as efficiently as water, but its ethylene glycol silicone base keeps the
water from freezing, protects your radiator from corrosion and lubricates
the moving parts in your cooling system. When our coolant temperature
reading indicates 35 degrees throughout the system, we know that we have
achieved the correct 5050 balance of water and antifreeze.
We also add a special
concentrate to achieve the correct pH level of 10.5 throughout the cooling
system. Without this, the 7.0 7.2 pH of water would combine with the 10.5
pH of antifreeze to create an 8.75 pH mixture so acidic that the resulting
electrochemical degradation would deteriorate your radiator, heater core,
water pump, head gaskets, freeze plugs, radiator and heater hoses.
Finally, we pressure test
your cooling system for leaks, clean the recovery bottle and test the
radiator cap to be sure that it holds the proper pressure.
Once your cooling system
service is completed, the radiator coolant should stay in the safe pH range
of between 9.8 and 10.5 for about 2 years or 30,000 miles.
COMPLETE COMPUTERIZED
ENGINE ANALYSIS
Why It's Worth Every
Penny!
In 1970, the average car
had only $25 worth of electronics. By 1981 the average car contained over
$1,000 in electronics, and by 1996 it included over $3,500 in electronics!
That figure is still rising.
Today, vehicles' computers
operate everything from air conditioning, radios, air bags, alarm systems,
antilock braking systems, traction control, ride control and cruise control
to electronic digital and analog instrument panels, automatic transmissions
and emission and engine controls. These computers can cost from $250 to as
much as $1,500, depending on what they control!
However, instead of using
proper diagnostic procedures, some doityourselfers and socalled
professionals resort to trialanderror parts swapping when they don't know
how to fix a computer or performance problem. Since car dealers and parts
suppliers refuse to allow returns on electronic components (due to possible
damage), that may leave you, the consumer, with expensive parts you didn't
need. In fact, the major manufacturers have reported that as many as 80% of
all computers brought in for repair were found to be OK!
Avoid unnecessary repair
and parts costs! We have the latest computerized diagnostic equipment, a
computerized information system, and experienced ASE Certified Technicians
who are trained to properly care for your car. Our complete computerized
engine analysis can save you money by correctly diagnosing your vehicle's
problems right from the start. Make an appointment today!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ANALYSIS
A steady supply of current
is crucial to operating the highly sophisticated electronics in today's
vehicles. Lack of current or fluctuations in the supply of current can:
- cause the "Check
Engine" light to come on
- cause poor
engine performance or stalling
- result in
malfunctions of the computers that operate
your vehicle's
climate control, ride control and ABS
brakes.
To maintain a steady
supply of voltage, the electrical system in your vehicle is comprised of two
systems: a starting system and a charging system.
The starting system, which
gets your vehicle's engine going, is comprised of a starter motor, starter
solenoid, starter relay, neutral safety switch and ignition switch. The
starter solenoids and relays can be part of the starter or mounted on it;
some may be mounted in other locations, so, if your vehicle doesn't "crank,"
the problem may or may not be caused by your starter.
Diagnosing the starter
system requires several different tests. A "starter draw test" determines if
the starter is drawing more amperage than is needed to turn over the engine.
A "circuit test" determines if all the other components are working properly
and if voltage is present when and where it is needed.
Your vehicle's battery
must maintain enough voltage to turn the starter and overcome the engine's
resistance. That's where your vehicle's charging system steps in. The
alternator, alternator drive belt and voltage regulator that make up the
charging system work together to supply enough voltage to run your vehicle's
accessories and continuously recharge your battery to keep it from going
dead.
A battery goes dead
because of electrical drain caused by one of the following:
- a short circuit
- undercharging
due to a bad drive belt, alternator or
voltage regulator
overcharging, which can cause
serious and
expensive damage to highly sensitive
computer
electronics and your battery.
You need the right
equipment and technician to make an accurate diagnosis of your electrical
system, without causing possible further damage to sensitive electronic
components. A properly performed electrical system analysis can save you
money and future headaches by diagnosing the problem right the first time!
FUEL INJECTION SERVICE
Since you purchased your
new vehicle, dirt, varnishes and carbon deposits have been forming in the
fuel system, on the intake valves and in the combustion areas. These
buildups can rob your car of performance, and if left untreated, these
buildups may lead to costly engine repairs.
Symptoms related to carbon
buildup are:
- engine pinging
- hesitation
- poor acceleration
- lack of power
- repeated stalling or
poor performance when cold
rough idle and poor fuel
economy.
Our Fuel Carbon Cleaning
System is a revolutionary new process that will clean your vehicle's fuel
system, including injectors, and remove harmful carbon deposits. Our system
utilizes a unique cleaning solution that will not damage your vehicle's
sophisticated engine components.
After our Fuel Carbon
Cleaning System cleans your engine, you will notice improved performance,
acceleration and increased fuel economy. Make an appointment today! Take
care of your vehicle, and your vehicle will take care of you.
WHY YOU SHOULD
FLUSH OUT YOUR
POWER STEERING FLUID
At one time or another,
most drivers encounter a power steering problem with their car anything from
fluid leaks or 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 prevent the easy turning
and responsive handling you expect from your vehicle.
Our Power Steering Fluid
Flush 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, power steering pump, rack
and pinion and/or gear box. Our Power Steering Fluid Flush thoroughly cleans
your vehicle's steering system and protects it with fresh power steering
fluid and conditioners that revitalize the seals and 0rings.
If your vehicle's power
steering system is showing any signs of contaminated fluid, try this service
before major and expensive repair work becomes necessary. Let our ASE
certified technicians perform a Power Steering Fluid Flush for you today.
CONSUMER WARNING: UNDER NO
CONDITION IS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) TO BE USED IN POWER STEERING
SYSTEMS. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO SUBSTITUTE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR
POWER STEERING FLUID IN YOUR CAR UNLESS SPECIFIED BY YOUR VEHICLE'S
MANUFACTURER! The pressure in a power steering system during hard turns is
much higher than that in an automatic transmission under load. The ATF will
become very hot under pressure and break down much faster than power
steering fluid. Once this electrochemical degradation begins, your power
steering pump, rack and pinion will be subject to leaks, stiffness or
complete power steering system failure.
WHY YOU SHOULD REPLACE
YOUR SPARK PLUG WIRES,
DISTRIBUTOR CAP, AND ROTOR
Spark plugs, wires,
distributor caps and rotors break down and fail over time, due to exposure
to moisture, oil, grease and under hood temperatures that can reach as much
as 550 to 700 degrees.
Here's what happens:
Worn spark plugs cause
higher voltage requirements, forcing the ignition module and coil to produce
higher and higher voltages to overcome the resistance. The higher voltage
breaks down the spark plug wires' insulation, creating an easier path to
ground. This causes the ignition module and coil to produce even more
voltage, creating even higher current temperatures within them. (Remember
that higher resistance correlates to higher current temperatures and that
electricity always finds the easiest path to ground.) This higher than
normal resistance weakens transistors and electrical insulation within
modules, coils and computers, resulting in intermittent and premature
failure.
What does all this mean to
you?
If your vehicle has over
60,000 miles on it and you haven't replaced your spark plug wires,
distributor cap and rotor, you may experience a variety of drivability
problems that are often difficult and very costly to diagnose and repair. In
fact, ignition modules and vehicle computers range in price from $200 to
$450, plus labor!
That's why you should
replace your spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor after 60,000 miles.
(On distributor-less ignition, the spark plug wires should be replaced.)
Take care of your vehicle, and your vehicle will take care of you!
Q: Do you know how much it
costs you to drive from Point A to Point B?
Consider this when you
need to spend $1,000 in maintenance or repairs to prolong the useful life of
your vehicle:
- The average new
car now costs around $23,500+, so
financing
that car at 8% interest over 4 years runs
$573.70 per
month.
- The average
fullcoverage insurance policy costs around
$95.00 per
month.
- Most people drive
an average of 15,000 miles per year,
which comes
to 60,000 miles over 4 years. That mileage
requires an
average of $1,616 in maintenance over 4
years, which
comes to $34 per month.
- Based on these
averages, driving costs you $702.70 per
month, or
$8,432.40 per year, not counting tires or gas!
(And that's after
paying $1,175 in sales tax!)
A: Driving from Point A to
Point B costs you $33,729.60* over 4 years!!!
*May vary depending on
your individual transportation requirements. If you have more than one
vehicle, multiply the above accordingly.
Why You Should Flush Out
Your Transmission Fluid
Your transmission's vital
parts get clogged with sludge and varnish deposits because, just like the
oil in your car's engine, automatic transmission fluid (ATF) suffers from
heat, friction and electrochemical degradation. In fact, nearly nine out of
ten transmission failures are due to overheating and fluid contamination.*
However, unlike oil, which
can be completely drained from your car's engine, most of the transmission
fluid cannot be drained. Instead it stays in the torque converter, valve
body and transmission cooler lines, making a complete fluid drain
impossible.
Typical transmission
service removes and replaces only 25% of your car's contaminated automatic
transmission fluid. Adding new fluid to the remaining contaminated fluid can
actually cause sludge and varnish deposits to clog filters and further
restrict flow. This can result in a serious malfunction or even complete
failure of your automatic transmission.
Now you have an option.
Our Transmission Fluid Exchange safely removes most, if not all, of the old,
contaminated fluid, as well as varnish and sludge deposits. It also cleans
the transmission cooler, valve body and torque converter to remove worn
metals that slowly grind away your transmission's internal components. Our
Transmission Fluid Exchange thoroughly cleans your car's transmission and
protects it with fresh ATF and conditioners that revitalize the seals and
0rings .
If your vehicle's
transmission is showing any of the typical signs of contaminated
transmission fluid slippage or rough or hard shifting try this service. It
may help you avoid the cost of major repair work or even prevent the need
for a new transmission.
* According to the
Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association
The term "tuneup" dates to
the time when Henry Ford was working on his first automobile prototype.
In Ford's simple ignition
system, there was one ignition coil for each spark plug. If there were four
spark plugs, there were four ignition coils, which needed to be adjusted to
provide the same spark intensity for better idle and acceleration. As these
ignition coils worked, they made a buzzing sound, and when they were
adjusted properly, they all buzzed in "tune." The term "tuneup" stuck and
became associated with replacing spark plugs and correcting rough idle
problems effecting engine performance.
Once the distributor was
developed, the term "tuneup" had no meaning, but the consumer who was used
to hearing this term around a garage still associated poor running quality
with the need for a "tuneup."
Today's automobiles do not
require "tuneups." The term indicates the need for routine maintenance and
should not be associated with poor performance. Automobile manufacturers
have developed recommended routine maintenance schedules, which specify
intervals for replacing spark plugs, PCV valves, fuel filters, etc. These
schedules also specify intervals for checking or adjusting ignition timing,
idle speed and other items related to engine operation, as well as emission
control related devices.
If you experience any
operating or performance problems between maintenance, let us perform an
engine analysis. Make an appointment today!
WHY IS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT
IMPORTANT?
Your car's manufacturer
specifies carefully calculated adjustments and precise settings for wheel
alignment that will reward you with maximum vehicle performance, optimum
driving enjoyment and cost savings.
Improper wheel alignment
will result in difficult handling, greatly accelerated tire wear, poor fuel
economy and excessive wear on your car's suspension system.
Steering or handling
problems may include offcenter steering wheel, steering pull, unsteady
steering, loose steering or hard steering. You may also notice a change in
steering direction after hitting bumps.
Unusual or accelerated
tire wear may take the form of edge wear, diagonal wear or cupping wear
that, if left unattended, will require premature tire replacement.
Failing to maintain proper
wheel alignment will make it impossible to maintain factory-specified
suspension settings that control the quality of your ride.
Protect your investment in
your vehicle by keeping your wheels properly aligned. If you bump a curb or
hit a pot hole hard, have the alignment checked. If you have new tires
installed or worn suspension parts replaced, be sure to have these repairs
accompanied by a wheel alignment. And when you bring in your vehicle for
routine annual maintenance, let us check your wheel alignment.
Remember proper wheel
alignment will optimize your vehicle's ride, handling and steering
capabilities. It will make your car safer and easier to drive. What's more,
it will save you money by significantly extending the life of your tires and
suspension!
WHY PREVENTIVE
MAINTENANCE?
Manufacturers know that a
properly maintained vehicle will be more dependable, safer, last longer and
increase your satisfaction with their product. Car manufacturers and owners
also have a responsibility to make sure emission controls receive regular
service and are functioning properly. Regular maintenance helps accomplish
these goals by keeping your engine running efficiently and eliminating
potential problems that may leave you stranded.
What's In It For You?
* Saves you money!
* A more dependable
vehicle
* A vehicle that retains
more "new vehicle feel"
* Less chance of a costly
breakdown
* A safer vehicle for you
and your family
* Doing your part for
cleaner air
* A car that is worth more
at trade in or sale
* An intact warranty
Manufacturer's Maintenance
Schedules
Manufacturers create
detailed maintenance schedules outlining specific operations to be performed
on various components and systems. These services are done at different
mileage intervals to ensure proper operation and prevent premature wear.
Manufacturers also indicate specific services that must be done to maintain
the factory warranty and extended warranty.
Why Pardo's Automotive?
We are a ASE Certified
Blue Seal repair center with ASE Master
Certified Technicians and the latest computerized diagnostic equipment.
Furthermore, our computerized automotive information system provides
detailed data for your vehicles by year, make and model to ensure that your
vehicle repairs and maintenance are in complete compliance with your
manufacturer's warranty. Other data includes lists of "hightech" specialty
lubricants required for your particular vehicle, the latest service
procedures, diagnostic information and factory issued Technical Service
Bulletins. The bottom line is efficient, dependable and cost effective
service for you!
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