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!

Here in Vermont we have a fairly short season of hot and humid weather. Mostly we can get by rolling down our windows and letting fresh air in to keep us comfortable. But on those wicked hot days most of us really appreciate having the air condition working in our cars to keep us cool

Trying to explain how the air conditioning system of your car works is not an easy task. This is because it’s fairly complicated and counter-intuitive.

Basically, when you push the A/C button in your car, you are starting a chain reaction that removes the heat from inside your vehicle and transfers that heat to the outside air. Once all the hot air and humidity has been removed the air becomes cooler. It can be a real ahhhhhhhhhhhh moment once the hot air is removed & you’re left with cool refreshing air.

Here is a more technical explanation of how your Air Conditioning works is from Edmunds.com:

There are six basic components in the A/C System:  compressor, condenser, receiver-drier, expansion valve, the evaporator and the life-blood of the A/C system, the refrigerant.

Step One: The compressor is the power unit of the A/C system. It is powered by a drive belt connected to the  engine’s crankshaft. When the A/C system is turned on, the compressor pumps out refrigerant vapor under high pressure and high heat to the condenser.

Step Two: The condenser is a device used to change the high-pressure refrigerant vapor to a liquid. It is mounted ahead of the engine’s radiator, and it looks very similar to a radiator with its parallel tubing and tiny cooling fins. If you look through the grille of a car and see what you think is a radiator, it is most likely the condenser. As the car moves, air flowing through the condenser removes heat from the refrigerant, changing it to a liquid state.

Step Three: Refrigerant moves to the receiver-drier. This is the storage tank for the liquid refrigerant. It also removes moisture from the refrigerant. Moisture in the system can freeze and then act similarly to cholesterol in the human blood stream, causing blockage.

Step Four: As the compressor continues to pressurize the system, liquid refrigerant under high pressure is circulated from the receiver-drier to the thermostatic expansion valve. The valve removes pressure from the liquid refrigerant so that it can expand and become refrigerant vapor in the evaporator.

Step Five: The evaporator is very similar to the condenser. It consists of tubes and fins and is usually mounted inside the passenger compartment. As the cold low-pressure refrigerant is released into the evaporator, it vaporizes and absorbs heat from the air in the passenger compartment. As the heat is absorbed, cool air will be available for the occupants of the vehicle. A blower fan inside the passenger compartment helps to distribute the cooler air.

Step Six: The heat-laden, low-pressure refrigerant vapor is then drawn into the compressor to start another refrigeration cycle

If your car has an A/C problem, it is pretty much one of two things: No cool air or insufficient cool air.

No Cool Air

• Loose or broken drive belt
• Inoperative compressor or slipping compressor clutch
• Defective expansion valve
• Clogged expansion valve, receiver-drier or liquid refrigerant line
• Blown fuse
• Leaking component: any of the parts listed above or one of the A/C lines, hoses or seals

Insufficient Cool Air

• Low refrigerant charge
• Loose drive belt
• Slipping compressor clutch
• Clogged condenser
• Clogged evaporator
• Slow leak in system
• Partially clogged filter or expansion valve

I hope Edmunds.com’s explanation is helpful.

If your car’s air conditioning is not blowing cool enough or not at all, make an appointment with Auto Craftsmen and we will make it blow cold or figure out why it’s not working.

Call 223-2253 or email: service@autocraftsmen.com

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.

1.  Slowly charge the battery by using a battery charger.

2. Use a booster pack to jump the battery.

3. Call an expert mobile service to jump the battery.

4. If you must use jumper cables then I highly suggest you invest in MICHELIN’S Smart Jumper Cables™.

If you hook up ordinary jumper cables incorrectly it can result in sparking or shorting which could seriously hurt you. This could also produce a power surge that could kill your car’s expensive electrical system. I like to call modern cars – Computers on Wheels. And we all know that computers hate power surges.

This is why I highly recommend  MICHELIN’S new Smart Jumper Cables ™. These idiot proof jumper cables eliminate the guesswork of how to hook them up the right way.

*They cost only $40.00 at auto supply retailers.

*The cable clamps can attach to either the positive or negative connections. How cool is that!

*They have these LED indicators that light up to tell you that the cables are hooked up right and you’re ready to start the cars and jump the battery.

*The textured grips make them easy to handle, especially in cold weather.

*The heavy-duty cable with insulated clamps stays flexible, tangle free, even in the winter’s cold.

Why does a battery die?

*You left something on or connected in the car that drained all the energy from your battery.

*The vehicle has a bad alternator.

*The serpentine belt is bad.

*The battery is old. They only last about 3-5 years.

*You got a defective battery and need to return it for a good one.

*You leave the car idling all the time or you drive the car on short trips not allowing the battery to recharge – so you wore out the battery before its time.

*Your battery is not strong enough for all the add-ons like monster stereo systems etc. that you have had installed.

*The battery has dirty connector/terminals.

*The vehicle has a bad computer.

*The battery was damaged in an accident.

Getting Prepared to Use Jumper Cables!

*** Read your owners manual*** It will give you information you need, like – where the battery is located. Some vehicles have the battery under the hood, some behind the cab, under the seat or even in the trunk. ALSO, find out if there is an   anti-theft system. Some alarms will activate whenever the battery is low or disconnected. That would be very annoying!

VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure that both the dead battery and the rescue battery have the “same” voltage. Car batteries are usually 12 Volts. Trucks may operate on a 24 volt system. Do not attach 12V to 24V.

DANGER! Never jump a battery that is frozen or has insufficient battery acid in it.

*Wear eye protection. Wear gloves.

*Make sure both cars are close enough for cables to reach BUT the cars are NOT touching.

*Set an auto transmission vehicle in “Park” position.

*Set a manual (5 speed) transmission in “neutral”.

*Set the emergency brake on both cars.

*Turn off the headlights, wipers, radios, and all accessories on both cars.

*Unplug anything that is connected to the cigarette lighter.

*Leave on the emergency flashers if needed.

*Turn off both cars’ engines.

*Open the hood of each of the cars and secure them.

Jumping a Battery using MICHELIN Smart Cables™

1.Connect one set of clamps to the assisting vehicle’s  battery.   Put one clamp to each battery  terminal – polarity doesn’t matter

2. Then go to the disabled vehicle: Connect the first clamp to the Positive Battery Terminal (red). The other clamp is attached to some metal on the dead vehicle’s engine block or frame. Painted, oily, or rusted metal will not work. Nuts, bolts, or other protruding shiny metal is best.

3. Both green indicator lights should be lit on the MICHELIN Smart Cables Center Module. If not – re-adjust the clamps until they do. If the green LED lights still do not glow after you have firmly connected the clamps, then your battery  is damaged, completely drained or has less than the 6 residual volts required for boosting. Don’t try to jump  this battery – you could do damage to your car or the  assisting vehicle. Time to call the tow truck!

4. Start the assisting vehicle and let it idle at least 1 minute.

5. Then start the disabled car’s engine. Chances are that if there aren’t any other problems, the car will start easily.

6. Once the disabled vehicle is running, disconnect the clamp attached to the engine block first, then disconnect the remaining clamps in any order.

How is that for EASY!

Please Note:

If the vehicle does not start after cranking for 30 seconds. STOP! Call a tow truck!

Once you get your car running, drive it somewhere safe and secure before shutting off the engine. You will want to get the battery tested to see its  condition, starting and charging voltage. If it was really dead, then you should have it slowly and completely charged using a battery charger.

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!

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

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): _________________________)_____

When was the last time you had any engine performance work done on your car? (tune-up / new spark plugs)

____ 0-3 months         ____ 3-9 months        ____ 1 year         ____ 2 years        ____ longer

The starting problem happens when:

____ 1st start of the day ¨  1st start after sitting for a while

____ When engine is hot ¨  Always

Starting Problems:

____    The engine is cranking very slow, but will eventually start

____   The engine is cranking very slow, and won’t start at all

____   Have to jump start the car to get it started

____   The engine is cranking fine, but is hard to start when cold

____   The engine is cranking fine, but is hard to start when hot

____   The engine is cranking fine, but is always hard to start

____   The engine makes a weird clicking noise

Running Problems:

___   The engine stalls when cold ¨  The engine stalls when hot

____   The engine stalls with A/C on ¨  It stalls all the time

____   Runs rough when engine is cold ¨  Runs rough when engine is hot

____   Runs rough driving slowly ¨  Runs rough when driving fast

____   Runs rough when idling

Other Symptoms:

____   Smells like rotten eggs ¨  Makes pinging noise

____   Makes a backfire pop ¨  Makes a backfire sputter

____   Gets poor gas mileage ¨  Smoke coming out of the rear

Dash lights that are on:

____   Check engine light ¨  Alternator light

____   Temperature gauge light

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

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

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)