San Diego cars may not need winterization, but there are a few items that need seasonal attention!

How is regular maintenance is good for peace of mind?

Here are some tips to keep rodents at bay!

Turbochargers have become extremely popular in the past decade, with about one in three new cars sold today having this feature. Turbocharges are popular because they increase performance, decrease fuel consumption, and help to reduce emissions. Your turbocharger may spin up to 250,000 RPM, so it needs some special care to extend its life and keep it functioning properly. Most turbocharger failures are the result of preventable problems or adverse operating conditions. Clean air, fresh oil, and proper operating procedures will help your turbo serve you well. Heat is your Turbo’s biggest enemy. Repeated hot shut down after strenuous engine use causes the turbo oil to overheat and breakdown. The problem:  The turbo is spinning after the engine is shut off. But with no engine oil pressure and the extreme temperature inside the turbo, the protective oil film needed for the next start up is burned off by the time the rotating turbines stop. Oil cakes in the turbo oil supply lines, eventually restricting or blocking oil flow to the turbo. On the newer VGT or VNT turbos, the elevated temperatures cause coking from exhaust gasses and gumming up from oil of the moving parts of the VGT/VNT mechanism. This causes the turbo nozzle or vanes to jam in some random position, resulting in poor performance and drivability. The solutions: Prevent engine from running on contaminated oil. Oil and oil filters must be changed regularly. Avoid operating the vehicle for prolonged periods outside of the design performance parameters. Overheating the engine for prolonged periods generates excessive heat that breaks down oil and produces high exhaust gas temperatures. Cool down before shut down. After strenuous high temperature engine use, such as mountainous driving, pulling a load, or racing, the engine should be allowed to idle for at least three minutes before shutting down. This lets the engine, its components, and the oil cool to normal operating temperatures. This will allow the internal turbo components to be properly lubricated, ensuring proper operation and avoiding damage during the next start-up.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that more than 450,000 vehicles are sold annually with false odometer readings, costing Americans more than $1 billion annually. At North County Automotive, we’ve had three customers fall victim to this fraud in recent months – two of them in one day! One thing we noticed in all three of these transactions is that the name of the seller didn’t match the name on the title. Each seller claimed to have bought the vehicle at auction, but never transferred the title to their own name. Also, each one had something suspicious about the odometer record on the certificate of title. On the first, it looked like someone had written over one of the numbers to change it; on the second, they had scratched through the boxes that were supposed to contain the odometer reading, and on the third, the odometer reading boxes were left blank. NHTSA has these tips to help you spot the fraud and whom to contact if you think you’ve been ripped off... When buying a used car:  Ask to see the title and compare the mileage on it with the vehicle’s odometer. Be sure to examine the title closely if the mileage notation seems obscured or is not easy to read. Compare the mileage on the odometer with the mileage indicated on the vehicle’s maintenance or inspection records. Also, search for oil change and maintenance stickers on windows or door frames, in the glove box or under the hood. Check that the numbers on the odometer gauge are aligned correctly. If they’re crooked, contain gaps or jiggle when you bang on the dash with your hand, walk away from the purchase. Examine the tires. If the odometer on your car shows 20,000 or less, it should have the original tires. Look at the wear and tear on the vehicle—especially the gas, brake and clutch pedals—to be sure it seems consistent with and appropriate for the number of miles displayed on the odometer. Request a vehicle history report to check for odometer discrepancies in the vehicle’s history. If the seller does not have a vehicle history report, use the car’s VIN to order a vehicle history report online. If you suspect fraud, contact your State’s enforcement agency. Whom to contact in California: California Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations Division PO Box 932391 Sacramento, California 94232 Phone: 916-657-7244 Website: www.dmv.ca.gov https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/odometer-fraud

IT NEVER RAINS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA  Well, we all know that’s not really true . And even though rain may be an unusual occurrence here, we do need to be prepared and know what to do to drive safely in a downpour. Here are a few reminders: Replace your windshield wipers before the rainy season begins. Even if you never use them, the sun will cause the rubber to deteriorate, and you may discover nothing but big streaks when you turn them on during the first rain storm. Be prepared! Make sure your tires are in good shape and properly inflated. Be extra careful during the first rain following a hot, dry spell. Adding a little rain to the oil build up on the road creates very slippery conditions! Drive in the tracks of the car in front of you when possible. Slow down and stay alert! Allow for longer stopping distances and decreased visibility. Don’t use cruise control, which can cause you car to accelerate when hydroplaning and also tends to reduce your own attentiveness. Avoid standing water on the road. Splashing through puddles can impair your vision, as well as that of other drivers. Standing water may hide potholes or obstructions and can cause damage to your engine or brakes. Keep your windows clear – use your front and rear defrosters to make sure you have the best possible view of the road and the other vehicles around you. Hold on to the steering wheel with both hands. No multi-tasking or distracted driving. Pay full attention to your driving. Be extra cautious when merging or changing lanes. Know what to do if you start to hydroplane. Slowly let off the accelerator and steer straight until you gain control. If your car starts to spin, slowly turn the wheel in the direction that the car is spinning. Don’t jerk the wheel sharply in either direction, which could cause the car to flip. Think ahead: Is this trip in the rain necessary, or can I wait until the weather is better? Is there a safer route to take? Be prepared for traffic to be heavier and move more slowly – bring your patience with you.

For most kids, Halloween is one of the most fun days of the year. What could be more fun than dressing up as a pirate, princess, witch, or zombie and going around the neighborhood collecting candy? But costumes, candy, dark streets, and excited children can also add up to tragedy. Did you know that a child is more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year? Here are some suggestions to help you keep kids – yours and everyone else’s – safe on Halloween:  Turn your headlights on even earlier than you normally would. This will help you see children from farther away and will also help them see you. Drive slowly and watch for children who may suddenly dart into the street in front of you. Supervise your children carefully, don’t let them run off on their own. Carry flash lights, glow sticks, and use reflective tape on costumes and bags to make children more visible in the dark. Make sure that costumes fit well – tripping over a too-long costume can lead to a serious injury. Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them, and to only cross the street at corners and crosswalks, and never between parked cars. Choose face make up instead of masks, which can obstruct vision. Put your phone down and keep your head up when walking! Don’t be so busy taking pictures or recording video of the event that you forget to be a part of the fun! Have a fun and safe Halloween!

The main attraction in Southern California is the beautiful weather, year-round. But sometimes, it’s fun to visit the Winter – either with a trip to the local mountains or visiting another state that isn’t blessed with our endless summer. If you’re planning a trip to visit the snow, the California Highway Patrol has some advice:  Make sure your brakes, windshield wipers, defroster, heater and exhaust system are in top condition. Check your antifreeze and be ready for colder temperatures. You may want to add special solvent to your windshield washer reservoir to prevent icing. Check your tires. Make sure they are properly inflated and the tread is in good condition. Always carry chains. Make sure they are the proper size for your tires and are in working order. Carry a flashlight and chain repair links. Chains must be installed on the drive wheels. Make sure you know if your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive. Other suggested items to carry in your car are an ice scraper or commercial deicer, a broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel to free your car if it's "snowed in," sand or burlap for traction if your wheels should become mired in snow; and an old towel to clean your hands. It is also a good idea to take along water, food, warm blankets and extra clothing. A lengthy delay will make you glad you have them. Put an extra car key in your pocket. A number of motorists have locked themselves out of their cars when putting on chains and at ski areas. Allow enough time. Trips to the mountains can take longer during winter than other times of year, especially if you encounter storm conditions or icy roads. Get an early start and allow plenty of time to reach your destination. Keep your gas tank full. It may be necessary to change routes or turn back during a bad storm or you may be caught in a traffic delay. Keep windshield and windows clear. You may want to stop at a safe turnout to use a snow or ice scraper. Use the car defroster and a clean cloth to keep the windows free of fog. Slow down. A highway speed of 55 miles an hour may be safe in dry weather - but an invitation for trouble on snow and ice. Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, so keep your seat belt buckled and leave more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Bridge decks and shady spots can be icy when other areas are not. Remember to avoid sudden stops and quick direction changes. Be more observant. Visibility is often limited in winter by weather conditions. Slow down and watch for other vehicles and for snow equipment. Even though snow removal vehicles have flashing lights, visibility may be so restricted during a storm that it is difficult to see the slow moving equipment. When stalled, stay with your vehicle and try to conserve fuel while maintaining warmth. Be alert to any possible exhaust or monoxide problems. What you need to know about chains: You must stop and put on chains when highway signs indicate chains are required. You can be cited by the California Highway Patrol and fined if you don't. You will usually have about a mile between "Chains Required" signs and the checkpoint to install your chains. Control areas can change rapidly from place to place because of changing weather and road conditions. The speed limit when chains are required is 25 or 30 miles an hour and will be posted along the highway. When you must put on chains, wait until you can pull completely off the roadway to the right. Do not stop in a traffic lane where you will endanger yourself and block traffic. Chain Installers: If you use the services of a chain installer, be sure to get a receipt and jot the installer's badge number on it. Remember, chain installers are independent business people, not CHP employees. Having the badge number may help with any misunderstandings later. Chain installers are NOT allowed to sell or rent chains. When removing chains, drive beyond the signs reading "End Chain Control" to a pull-off area where you can safely remove them.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is an independent non-profit organization working to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals. Currently, almost 300,000 Automotive Technicians and Service Professionals hold ASE Certifications. ASE Certified Professionals work in every part of the automotive service industry. ASE certifies automotive technicians and service professionals, not the auto shops. ASE’s aim is to protect the automotive service consumer, shop owner, and the automotive technician. They test and certify automotive professionals so that shop owners and service customers can better gauge a technician’s level of expertise before contracting the technician’s services. They certify the automotive technician professional to offer tangible proof of their technical knowledge. ASE Certification testing means peace of mind for auto service managers and customers alike. In addition to passing an ASE Certification test, automotive technicians must have two years of on the job training or one year of on the job training and a two-year degree in automotive repair to qualify for certification. The tests are challenging, with only two out of three test takers passing on their first attempt. To remain ASE certified, professionals must retest every five years to keep up with ever-advancing automotive technology. ASE Certification tests are written in workshops by a national panel of seasoned automotive industry professionals and executives, including working technicians, automobile manufacturers, aftermarket manufacturers, and educators. Exams are segmented by sub-specialty such as automobile, medium/heavy truck, truck equipment, school bus, collision repair, and more. There are 40-plus exams each designed to discern the automotive service technician’s knowledge of job-related skills. Here at North County Automotive, we’re proud of Erik’s ASE certification! He’s a certified Master Automobile Technician in all of the following skills: Engine Repair Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Manual Drive Train and Axles Suspension and Steering Brakes Electrical/Electronic Systems Heating and Air Conditioning  Engine Performance Learn more about ASE certification here: https://www.ase.com/About-ASE.aspx