A/C Issues, The Summer Heat is Coming

With the temperatures hitting the 80’s the Summer heat is just around the corner. I mentioned to y’all before that my A/C is one of the top NEEDS in my life. (I would rather starve and be very cool than suffer in the Summer heat. I think I can live longer without food than A/C.) One of the worse things that can bring me down is sitting in Atlanta traffic with a malfunctioning cooling system. (2 Summers ago my A/C broke and the shop was busy and could not get it repaired for a couple of weeks.) That being said how’s your air conditioner working ?

Is it time to have your A/C inspected and repaired ? When you come in for an air conditioning inspection or service our technicians will complete the following:

• Inspect the air conditioning cooling ability
• Check the refrigerant level and pressure
• Overall visual inspection
• Examine all A/C and cooling system hoses for cuts, abrasion, weak spots, and signs of leakage
• If your system is low on refrigerant a dye test will be performed to find the source of the leak.
• Replace broken and worn out parts
• Add refrigerant as needed

Hopefully your air conditioner is keeping you cool as a cucumber if not give us a call before the Summer heat and humidity wears you out.  

Don't forget about our other shop Atlanta Hybrid Repair. AHR is equipped to handle all your Toyota and Lexus service needs. AHR is smaller, so often it's easier to get an appointment. Gas powered and hybrids are welcome. Located at 5630 Peachtree Blvd. 1 mile away from the main shop across the street from Wendy’s and the Kia dealership. Call Robbie for appointment at 770-492-7437

Car Problems That Can Leave You Stranded If Not Caught in Time

Here are the 8 most common reasons for your vehicle to breakdown that you do have some power to keep from happening. By that I mean when you have regular service here we will catch a lot of these problems before they leave you on the side of the road. We thoroughly inspect your vehicle every time your car is in our shop.

• Engine - often times breakdown stems from lack of maintenance, oil changes and tune ups.
• Belts - old belts wear out and break, need to be checked for wear and replacement. Timing belt replaced.
• Transmission - lack of service, transmission flushes as needed
• Cooling system - cracked hoses, leaking water pumps or radiator
• Electrical systems - battery and alternator failure, bad switches, relays or starter. The summer heat is particularly hard on your car's battery
• Brakes - pads and shoes need to checked for wear. Brake flushes as needed.
• Tires - should be rotated and checked on a regular basis
• Suspension or steering - Shocks, tie rods, ball joints, bushing and control arms are subject to wear and breakdown.

Have your vehicle inspected on a regular basis !

The regular maintenance of oil changes, brake, transmission and power steering flushes at regular intervals are some the most important things you can do for your car to keep it running longer.

Car Care Tips From the Pros at ToyoTechs

ToyoTechs offers these car care tips to remind you to stick to a service schedule and gain a little more peace of mind driving especially during the winter months.

1. Replace dirty filters, such as air, fuel and cabin. Clean filters help keep your  engine running better and burns less gasoline. The cabin filter removes the road dirt and grime from entering into your breathing area.
2. Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual — more often if your driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of frequent short trips.
3. The cooling system should be flushed and refilled as recommended. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically.
4. The heater and defroster must be in good working condition for passenger comfort and driver visibility.
5. Replace old wiper blades regularly. This is a must for seeing the road in rainy weather.
6. Have your battery checked. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. The summer heat wears down your battery so it is more likely to fail in cold weather.
7. Inspect all lights and bulbs. Replace burned out bulbs; periodically clean road grime from all lenses.
8. Worn tires are dangerous in winter weather. Examine tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire pressure once a month, letting the tires “cool down” before checking the pressure. Rotate as recommended. Don’t forget to check your spare, and be sure the jack is in good working condition. Under-inflated tires or poorly aligned wheels makes your engine work harder and thus use excess gasoline.
9. Have your brakes checked periodically for safety and to prevent costly repairs that can be caused by neglect.
10. Get transmission, brake and power steering flushes. These are part of a scheduled maintenance plan that are often neglected until a major failure. Routine checks and fluid flushes can prevent very costly repairs down the line.
11. Always carry an emergency kit with you: extra gloves, blankets, flares, a flashlight and extra batteries, a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, jumper cables, a emergency poncho,a cell phone and car charger. Also keep water and a few “high-energy” snacks in your car.
12. Emergency phone numbers should always be kept close by.

Regular, routine maintenance can help improve your gasoline mileage, reduce pollution, and catch minor problems before they become big headaches.