Once a year we take our bodies to our primary care physician to make sure we are still healthy. We are prodded and poked and looked over from head to toe. They take some of our fluids and test them to make sure there are no surprises. Sometimes we are hooked up to machines to see what is going on inside. If we have noticed any weird lumps, bumps, squeaks or rattles, now is the time to ask questions. It is best to find out ASAP what is going wrong so that it can be righted before it becomes critical to our health and well being.

Like our bodies, our automobiles need to be looked at on a regular basis to make sure that everything is safe and sound. Like the physician, the auto technician prods and pokes, hooks your car up to machines, checks out the fluids, and checks out any weird lumps, bumps, squeaks and rattles. Just like our bodies, if problems are found sooner than later, accidents are prevented, and fixes are cheaper.

Vehicles are misdiagnosed all the time and it is not always the shop’s fault. Technicians are not psychics. They need you to communicate to them what seems wrong with the car. The secret to saving the shop and yourself time, money and aggravation is to clearly explain the symptoms of any problems and when they occur.

To help you be able to describe the symptoms, use your five senses:

Sight: Are any of the fluids leaking? Note where the leak is coming from – front left, front right, middle, rear left, rear right- and what color it is.  Are there any warning lights on in the dashboard of your car? Note which light it is.

Smell: Describe the smell as best you can. Burning rubber, rotten eggs, mildew, gas? Do you smell it inside or outside? Do you smell it before you start the engine, while driving, or after you turn it off?

Hearing: Click click, sputtttterrrr,  rumble rumble, roooaaar, ping ping, squeeaal. If you’re not shy, the best way to describe a noise, is to make it yourself for the service advisor to hear.  You also want to point out where it was coming from, what the driving conditions were, and how often it was made. Nothing is worse than having the shop diagnose a noise and fix it only to find out later they fixed a different noise. Yes, this has happened! This is why at my shop we try to always put the client in the car with one of us to point out what noise they are talking about. Don’t be afraid to ask your service advisor to take a ride with you. Then they will have all the information needed to start diagnosing the right problem.

Taste: OK, you don’t really want to taste anything on your car, in your car, or anything coming out of your car. But you could get lots of brownie points if you brought along a plate of cookies for the staff to taste while they are working on your car.

Touch: Describe anything that feels different. For example: The brake pedal sinks down after the car has come to a stop, the steering wheel shakes at high speeds, the car sputters going up hills.

Like anything else in life, it all comes down to Communication!

The better you can communicate to your technician, the better the whole experience will be. Not only do you need to communicate what is going on with your vehicle,
but it’s imperative that you leave contact information so they can get a hold of you quickly and easily. For the technician, repairing your car can be a five-step process.

1- Diagnose the problem.

2- Estimate the repair.

3- Get approval from the client.

4- Order parts if needed.

5- Do the repair work.

Once it’s your turn, we need to be available to discuss the problem and solution and get approval for the work to be completed. If you’re not around, your car will be pushed aside until we find the time to put you back into the line up.

When you get “the call” regarding what the problem is, don’t be afraid to keep asking questions until you understand what is wrong, what needs to happen to make it right, how long it will take, and how much it will cost.

Just like going to the Doctors for an annual exam, Auto Craftsmen checks over your car ever time it comes in to make sure it will be safe and reliable!

You would have to be Super Hero not to get stressed out. You are cramming this extra “stuff” in your normal everyday rushing around, so it is no wonder the holidays leave so many people frazzled.

Remember that when you hit the roads to go on your holiday “vacation” you are sharing the highways and byways with a lot of other tense and weary drivers.

I’d like to give you my secret holiday driving stress reliever. Well, it’s not actually a secret, but I’m hoping that it gives you some food for thought and keeps you a little bit saner and a lot safer during your holiday travels.

Let your holiday begin as soon as you sit in the car and shut the door. Take a deep breath and let yourself relax before you turn on the engine. If the driver has any anxiety and apprehension concerning the trip then expect the passengers to pick up on the tension and add to it. Don’t start the trip by saying things like: “I hate the holidays, I hate going to your mothers, I’m too tired to deal with any of this, you kids better shut up and go to sleep because I am too stressed out to deal with you”, etc.

Try this instead: “Starting right now, we are officially on vacation. I have lots of yummy snacks for the trip, great music (and / or books on tape, DVDs , games to play, etc) to make this a fun trip. We will be stopping every couple of hours to stretch and air everyone out! Let the fun begin!”

When packing your vehicle, make sure everything is securely stowed. Make sure you also bring along the correct road maps, a spare key in your wallet, and a cell phone with the phone numbers programmed in of anyone you might need to contact if you are running late. It’s always a good idea to pack an emergency kit: a car jack and tools, snow scraper and brush, extra blanket, flashlight, candles, matches, jumper cables, small shovel, some kitty litter, and flares or emergency triangles.

Whenever you stop make sure you lock the vehicle. Always store your luggage and packages out of sight. It’s sad to say but there are would-be thieves who take advantage of holiday packed cars.

Do yourself a big favor and make sure your car is road worthy by taking it to the shop for a safety check at least a week before your trip. My top priorities are: tires, brakes, lights, windshield wipers, cooling system and the reliability of the car to start every time you turn it on.

Try and scope out the weather before you head out. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/index.htm contains links to information on weather and road conditions. Leave yourself some extra time on your holiday travel schedule. The roads will be heavily traveled, congested and winter storms can sometimes hit without warning.

If you encounter bad weather, please slow down. You need at a lot more space between you and vehicle in front to stop, and remember that bridges and overpasses freeze first in cold conditions. There will also be more commercial vehicles on the road. Remember that big semi trucks are a lot heavier then your little car and need much more time and distance to stop.

If you start out on your trip tired, you are going to get heavy-eyed as the miles go by. Try and get a good night’s sleep before your trip. If you are driving a long distance, it helps to have a passenger who likes to talk.

Here are some early warning signs of exhaustion and pending danger:

• Repeated yawning
• Difficulty focusing
• Your rear end if going numb and you feel incredible restless
• Not remembering the last few miles driven
• Missing traffic signs and turns
• Hitting the rumble strips on the highway

What to do if you’re exhausted:

• Find somewhere to pull over ASAP. A restaurant, gas station or rest area is best.
• Drink some coffee but understand it takes about 30 minutes for the caffeine to kick in.
• Go for a walk or exercises to get rid of grogginess.
• Find a safe place and take a brief nap for at least 30 min.

Always appoint a designated driver when attending seasonal gatherings. When you are really tired, just one drink can have the same effect as three or more. Also remember that overeating can make you tired, and that turkey contains L-tryptophan which is like a natural sedative.

Having a good attitude, getting your car road worthy and staying awake will make your holiday travels more enjoyable and much safer. And don’t forget before you head back home to check the tire pressure, oil, coolant and make sure the windshield, mirrors, headlights and tail lights are clean!

Safe and Happy Motoring,

Amy

Winterizing your car is essential to getting through a Vermont winter
with no problems!

Here a the 8 Steps to Getting Your Car Ready for Winter.

1. Clean your vehicle inside and out. Getting your vehicle washed and waxed helps protect the paint surfaces from snowy bombardments, and it will also make snow and ice easier to brush off. 
Since you will be sitting in your car with the windows up for the next six months do yourself a favor and give your car a thorough cleaning ASAP. To prevent that stale air / locker room smell, consider replacing your cabin air filter. It’s also a great idea to take out your carpeted floor mats and replace them with a set of water-resistant rubber mats.

2. Make sure you can see. A winter storm is the worst possible time to run out of windshield washer fluid or to discover your blades aren’t clearing the windshield properly. Wiper blades usually last for about six months. Since visibility is a key ingredient to safety, so be sure to invest in some new ones if needed. Make sure the washer fluid is good to -20 F. Never use plain water. It will freeze all over your windshield.

3. Ensure that your heating system is functioning properly. While a functioning heater and defroster are necessary to keep the windshield nice and clear, they also offer you shelter from the cold. Trust me; you do not want to drive a cold car in the months to come. Also check that the rear window defroster is working.

4. Tires: Need I remind you that the tire is the only part of your automobile that touches the ground? Having good winter tires on your car is the most  important thing you can do to insure the next six months of worry free winter driving. The condition of your car’s tires is critical during the winter. Braking, acceleration and handling are all impacted while driving on slippery roads. Give yourself an edge with great winter tires!

5. Give your battery a little TLC. A battery gives little notice before it dies, and very cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle’s battery power by up to 50 percent.  PLUS you tend to load the battery in the winter having the defroster / lights / radio / phone or ipod all on at the same time. If your vehicle battery is older than three years, have the battery tested when you take your car in to get your winter tires put on.

6. Belts and hoses. While they are testing your battery, make sure they inspect the belts and hoses for wear and tear — even if you’re driving a newer car. The belts and hoses in modern cars lead long lives, but that doesn’t mean they don’t die. Cold weather can do a number on belts and hoses, so they deserve attention too.

7. Get the antifreeze mixture just right. The ideal mixture of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50/50.  Antifreeze is very important to your engine. It cools the car’s engine, protects it from freezing in the cold weather and is the key agent in providing heat inside the car that keeps your toes warm. ALSO: Have the PH of the coolant tested after three years. The coolant starts out alkaline ph and over time turns acidic which can damage to the system.

8. Prepare an emergency kit. Even the most meticulously maintained vehicle can get stuck in a snow bank. That’s when it pays to be prepared for an emergency with a well stocked emergency kit.

Be prepared for the next six months by winterizing your car.
This will help you avoid the aggravation of breaking down on a snowy, frigid day and save you money in the long run.
Check out the GREAT Special we are running this month that will make sure your car is ready for winter & that saves you a ton of money!

Interestingly this is not a national requirement. Each state government is free to decide whether to require a safety inspection as well as the specifics of what the requirements are to pass that state’s inspection.

In 1990 Congress passed federal vehicle emissions regulations called The Clean Air Act. States were told to implement vehicle emissions testing programs to make sure vehicles are in compliance with the EPA standard, but again, programs vary from state to state, region, and even by metropolitan areas.

Some states have state-operated garages that only do inspections. Other states, including Vermont, have the inspections done by licensed repair shops and dealership service departments.

Only about 18 states still have mandatory vehicle inspections. The states that have no inspection claim that the mandatory inspections are not a cost-effective way to improve road-traffic safety. From experience, I would disagree. Every week I see vehicles that come into my shop that are unsafe to drive. They are old, rusting away, leaking brake fluid, gasoline, exhaust fumes and have broken steering and suspension parts, worn out brakes, let alone worn out windshield wipers and lights out. If it was not for the mandatory state inspection that forces folks to repair or retire these vehicles, folks would keep driving them. This not only endangers the driver and passengers, but it also endangers other vehicles that they share the road with.

If your vehicle fails its state inspection, you have options. You can have the inspection station repair your vehicle, take it to another shop to be repaired, or even take it home and do it yourself. It also does not matter where the replacement parts come from as long as it will fix the problem. Most of the time this means you need to purchase a new part, but sometimes you can go online or to a junkyard to find a used part.

Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles gives each inspection station a detailed manual (approx. 300 pages) of what constitutes a pass or fail. Even with this book in hand, the biggest problem I see with Vermont’s inspection system is that it’s open to interpretation.

One shop may fail a vehicle for something another shop may pass. Each shop may honestly feel they are correct because there are ‘grey areas’ where the state of Vermont has not given enough information for the shop to make an accurate judgment.

Brakes are the biggest ‘GREY AREA’. Last year shops were not allowed to remove any wheels to do a brake inspection. The brakes could be worn out 95%, but if they stopped the vehicle at that moment, it passed. Beginning this year, one wheel must be removed and the brakes inspected. AND if on the road test, the inspector detects or suspects a problem with one or more of the brakes; all four wheels must be removed and inspected. So now there is a new problem. The inspector can’t really give an accurate brake diagnosis by just taking off the wheel. To make an accurate diagnosis the brakes need to be taken apart and the state does not allow the inspector to take the brakes apart. So, if you get a phone call asking for permission to take your brakes apart – this is why.

What else you should know about Vermont’s annual vehicle safety inspection:

• Vermont Inspection stations are allowed to charge an hourly rate or a flat fee. In either case they are required to post how much they charge beside their official inspection station certificate.
• The inspection stickers itself costs the shop $4.00
• Stickers are always an even number. So if you have #2 on your windshield, you have from Jan. 1^st to Feb 28^th to get your vehicle inspected.
• There are seventy five things inspectors need to check on your vehicle for the official Vermont State Vehicle Inspection sheet.
• This year the state has added ‘worn, frayed or cracked belts’ to the “don’t pass” inspection list.
• You need to show the inspection station proof of car registration & proof of car insurance to get your car inspected.
• No items are allowed to be hanging from the rearview mirror – so take off your fuzzy dice before you take your rig in for its annual state inspection!
• Vermont does not require a smog check per se, but 1996 and newer vehicles include an on-board diagnostics (OBDII) inspection.
• If you have a vehicle newly registered in Vermont the state gives you 10 days to get the vehicle inspected.
• To get a copy of the Vermont State Vehicle Inspection sheet, go online to: dmv.vermont.gov/sites/dmv/files/pdf/DMV-Inspection_Guide.pdf

Whether you think having a mandatory state safety inspection is smart or stupid, it is the law and if you get caught with an expired sticker on your windshield it is a $99.00 fine.

Safe and Happy Motoring,

Amy Mattinat
Owner: www.AutoCraftsmen.com
Author: How To Buy A Great Used Car
Automotive Expert Advisor on www.AskPatty.com
Join me: www.facebook.com/autocraftsmen

My Friend Greg Buckley sent this to me, and I wanted to share it with you!

By now all of us are awe struck and saddened by the horrible earthquake and tsunami that the people of Japan have recently suffered. There are no words to describe what a tragedy like this can mean to the lives of the thousands living in the heart of the stricken area or the families that are watching, waiting and praying from afar. The American Red Cross is actively taking donations online to support the rescue mission. You can click here for more information. http://www.redcross.org/

The Aftershocks For The Auto Industry And You

As much as we should focus on the human element of such a catastrophe, it’s also responsible on our part to alert you of the very real possibility of delays in acquiring parts and supplies to repair and maintain your vehicle in a timely manner. We want to make you aware of how the automotive trade could be impacted for a foreseeable future.

The prefecture where the devastation had occurred, Fukushima, is a major hub for Toyota/Lexus, Nissan/Infiniti, Honda/Acura and Subaru manufacturing and distribution. This includes the making of vehicles, body panels, engines, service parts and electronics. As an example, Toyota sources over 50% of its global production from that area, while Honda and Nissan source 25%. That’s a very big percentage for any distribution network to overcome without some sort of downstream pressure. To complicate matters, all shipping ports to these sites have been seriously compromised.

Although the automotive aftermarket is one of the most resourceful worldwide networks and operated with experienced individuals throughout, we anticipate that many of us will be affected either through delays in acquiring parts or through price spikes due to scarcity of inventory. Our desire will be for the gaps in the inventory to be quickly filled by shifting production to other parts of the world that are capable of producing quality replacement parts. Like all of us, we too will have to wait for the outcome. Our alliance with the recognized leader for quality parts, strong warranties and major purchasing power here in the U.S and abroad, make us confident that delays will be minimized if they should materialize at all.

Auto Craftsmen is committed to quality when servicing all makes and models with parts from both the original equipment manufacturer and aftermarket manufacturers that meet the highest standards and are recognized as leaders by our industry trade standards.

We will keep you updated as to how the situation progresses. It’s important to have all of our clients understand just what market interruptions can do. The more we all know and understand, the better we can manage your time and your vehicle’s maintenance or repairs. Please look for updates on all of our social streams including Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/autocraftsmen
and our website blog: http://www.AutoCraftsmen.com

Thank you,

Amy MattinatAuto Craftsmen
(802) 223-2253

Please feel free to share this with others. It’s very important to have everyone understand regardless of where they have their vehicle serviced.

Her auto technician told her 3xs that she should get the timing belt changed on her 2002 PT Cruiser.

But she kept putting it off – because she did not want to spend the money.

While driving to work – the timing belt broke… and because this vehicle has an interference engine, the engine is probably toast. The vehicle got towed to Auto Craftsmen.

The only way to find out if the engine survived is to put a new timing belt on the engine (approx. a five hour job). It is will either be OK – or not Ok – It’s about a $500 gamble!  So Sad!

You asked for it… and we listened!

We now have an exercise room (air conditioned too) so you can get a work out while waiting for an oil change or other minor service on your car.

If the service or repairs are going to take too long to wait – we have a shuttle service into the greater Montpelier area & five loaner cars available for you to use!

You’re driving to work, taking the kids to a ballgame, or running a routine errand… and then you see it – the Check Engine Light turns on. Ugh. For many people, the sight of a Check Engine Light triggers visions of a costly repair bill and a sense of worry, since most folks don’t really know what it means.

The Check Engine Light turns on when your vehicle’s computer (which monitors your vehicle’s performance) finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t correct. There are hundreds of sensors in your car, any of which can send a signal to your car’s computer telling it that something isn’t quite right.

In your owner’s manual, there will be a section with recommendations on what to do if the Check Engine Light comes on for your car that will give you a better idea of what to expect.

A common question I hear is: how long can I wait to take my car in when that Check Engine light comes on?
My standard answer is:

• If there are no drivability problems then you can keep driving and bring it to your automotive service provider to get the computer scanned in the next couple of days.

• But, if the check engine light starts flashing or your vehicle is having drivability problems (stalling, hard to start, slow to accelerate, black smoke coming out the back, etc.) you should immediately pull off the road, turn off the engine & have the vehicle towed in for repairs.

• If you continue driving when the light is flashing or the vehicle is having drivability issues, you can do catastrophic damage which could require an expensive repair. The longer you drive, the more expensive it becomes.

If you do have your vehicle towed, be sure to take it to your dealer if you’re under warranty. Engine work done by a shop other than your dealer can void your warranty.

In short, don’t panic if the Check Engine Light comes on. The Check Engine Light is really your friend. The car’s computer is working hard monitoring your car’s engine and making adjustments so you can jump in your car and rush off to where ever you need to be without a thought to your car’s performance. So, if that light comes on to tell you there is a problem, don’t ignore it.

We are still working to get everything up and running.

We hope you have found some fun and interesting facts or information on here.

Please check back soon, as we are working on adding more content everyday.

Thanks and have fun looking around.

Amy Mattinat

(Owner of Auto Craftsmen)