DON’T BE THIS PERSON?

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!

If you haven’t experienced it, I’m sure you have passed someone who has.

You’re on vacation and the car is packed to the gills with all you need to make a home away from home.

It’s 97 degrees outside and the humidity is thick and heavy. You notice the car’s temperature gauge is creeping higher than it normally does. You feel your heart begin to race and you beg your car not to overheat now. It’s a weekend and the road is jammed with bumper to bumper traffic.

If the car overheats you will have to pull over to make multiple phone calls and wait for a tow truck to take you to a garage. Being a weekend you know it’s highly unlikely a garage will be open. Who knows how long you will be stuck in some dinky little town, and you may get taken advantage of, and the icing on the cake is… this is your vacation. You will be wasting precious vacation time getting the car repaired.

Remember

NEVER, NEVER EVER remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled! The coolant in the radiator is under pressure and you could get seriously burned if it sprays out at your. Be Patient! Let the engine and coolant cool down so much that you can touch the engine without burning your fingers. This will take at least 45 min. to an hour.

IF the radiator is full of coolant, there is not much else you can do except call a two truck and have a professional auto technician diagnose why your vehicle overheated.

There are a number of different reasons a car will overheat. The most common ones are:

• Radiator hoses or fan belts breaking
• Clamp coming loose on one of the radiator hoses
• Malfunction of the cooling fan
• Radiator cap that is not sealing correctly or is worn out.
• Broken thermostat
• Worn out radiator

I highly recommend that you bring your car in for a “Trip Check” before you head out on the road. Then you can be sure your car will be safe and reliable while you relax and have a vacation!

CLICK HERE if you would like a coupon for a FREE Trip Check and $25.00 off any service or repair!

If your car is acting weird then print out this form, fill it out and take it to your auto repair center. This information will help them find out what is wrong with your vehicle quicker, which will save you money!

Contact Information

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Year: _________           Make: ______________             Model: _________________

License Plate number: __________    Current Mileage: ____________________

Phone number you can be reached at: __________________________________

Email address (if best way to reach you): _______________________________

Check as many symptoms as needed to describe what is going on

Describe as best you can:

Weird Noises: _______________________________________________________

Weird Smell: ________________________________________________________

Looks Weird: ________________________________________________________

Feels Weird: ________________________________________________________

Happening outside of the car

____  Driver’s Front        ____ Passenger Front       ____  In engine compartment

____ Driver’s Rear        ____ Passenger Rear        ____ under the vehicle

Happening inside of the car  (indicate which window, door or seat)

____  Front Dash         _____  Windshield        Window ___________________

Door __________________________         Seat _______________________

_____   Feel it in the brake pedal      _____  Feel it in the steering wheel

_____    In the cargo area      _____  In the trunk area

When do you notice it?

_____   All the time      _____ Only when first starting engine

_____  After the car is warmed up            _____ When engine is hot

After driving ______ miles                After driving ______ minutes

_____  On dirt roads                           _____  Going up hills

_____  In stop and go traffic             _____  On the highway

_____  When stopping (braking)    _____  After coming to a complete stop

_____  When accelerating                _____  When decelerating

_____  When turning right             _____  When turning left

_____  Whenever it feels like it (no rhyme or reason)

At ______ mph ¨  Any speed, doesn’t matter

_____  When the A/C is on             _____  When the defrost is on

_____  When the heat is on           _____  When the radio / tape / CD is on

On a 5 Speed Transmission

When in ________ gear                        When shifting from ___ gear to ___ gear

_____  When shifting in reverse

© Auto Craftsmen Ltd  *  326 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602   *   (802) 223-2253

Here is a list of Toyotas that are being recalled for the sticking accelerator pedal:

Rav 4 – 2009-2010

Corolla – 2009-2010

Matrix – 2009-2010

Avalon – 2005-2010

Camry 2007-2010

Highlander 2010

Sequoia – 2008-2010

and the Tundra – 2007-2010

If you have questions you can call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331

or go online to www.toyota.com/recall