Time to Change Your Cabin Air Filter?

Allergy season in St. Louis can be brutal, and riding in a vehicle can be worse than walking outside. As you drive down the street, pollen and dust can be drawn into your vehicle through its HVAC system concentrating the level of particulates to one greater than that of the outside air.   

Cabin air filters, also called pollen filters,  remove the particulates from the incoming air. These filters should be checked and changed periodically. Many manufacturers list changing the cabin air filter on their scheduled maintenance list, but the amount of pollen that experience has a greater impact on the effective life of your filter than the number of miles drive.

I change my cabin air filters annually, at the beginning of May right before the peak oak levels. Happy motoring. 

Sant Automotive News 021014

Sant Automotive News vol. 16, no. I

“If the Olympics had an official car repair shop, we would be it.”

            Welcome to our inaugural 2014 edition of the Sant Automotive News. In this edition, we will formally welcome our newest team member, John Nelson. We will cover the captivating topic of potholes, discuss challenges that EV vehicle owners face in cold weather, slide nearly seamlessly into a discussion of why you should give a damn about EV vehicles and there owners. Then, we’ll probably get the cow in the barn with some sort of failed nonsequitur that makes the reader wonder why we possibly thought that it would be amusing in the first place. If time permits, though, we will try to come up with something funny to close.

Welcome John Nelson

            We were remiss in out last issue in that we neglected to welcome John Nelson to our team. John earned a Associate of Science degree from Ranken Technicial College and has completed all four levels of advanced automobile diagnostics at the Design Technology Institute. Also, John is an ASE certified master technician. Next time you come in, please consider welcoming John to the team.

Pothole Season

          2014 has been a terrible year for potholes, and things are likely to get worse as the constant rise and drop in temperatures allow moisture to get ever deeper into cracks. Obviously, the best way to avoid damage to your tires and wheels is to avoid potholes, but this is not always possible. Poor visibility and traffic may eliminate the option to steer around the hazard. You are likely to hit a pothole or two, so it is best that your vehicle be prepared. Start with the tires and work up. If your tires are properly inflated, they will do a better job of absorbing the energy created by the tire’s collision with the pothole. Next, make sure that your shocks and struts are in good working order. If you have noticed a decline in either ride comfort or handling ability, you may have worn shock or struts. It is important to catch this deterioration early because shocks also help protect other suspension components and steering components from excessive wear and damage.  Remember that in addition to providing a better ride for you and your passengers, the job of your suspension system is to keep all tires on the road.  A deterioration of any suspension component makes it less likely that all tires will remain on the road. Worn shocks will reduce handling and increase stopping distances under all road conditions. If you have any concerns about how your vehicle handles, make an appointment, and we will check it out.  (To report a pothole in the city, call: 314-622-4800. In the county, call: 314-615-8538.)

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The Effects of Cold Weather on Electric Vehicles

               Colder temperatures can cause a reduction in the range of an electric vehicle of 25% or more. Batteries discharge more quickly and charge more slowly in cold weather.  Also, the additional draw on batteries from electric heaters, electric seats, and electric windshield defrosters further reduces the range of electric vehicles.

               To combat this loss of range, manufactures have come up with a couple of interesting approaches: The Nissan Leaf uses an electric heater to keep the battery warm.  It seems completely counter intuitive that the electric heat used to warm a battery can increase range by a greater amount than the loss of range caused by the electricity needed to generate the heat in the first place, but the Nissan engineers are probably smarter than me, and I think that they probably tested the idea before they put this system in the Leaf. Telsa uses excess heat from the engine to warm its batteries. This process takes longer, though, because the engine must first produce the waste heat.

               Engineers are working on other solutions to this problem as well.  Specifically, they are trying to produce electrolytes that are less susceptible to cold weather discharge and will also charge more quickly in cold weather.  It has also been suggested that manufacturers use thicker glass that will provide better insulation and reduce the amount of heat needed to keep occupants comfortable.

               While waiting for technology to improve, there are a couple things that drivers can do to maintain as much cold weather range as possible.  Some models offer long range battery packages.  These can be expensive and cost $10,000 or more. Drivers can heat their vehicles and clean their windshields while still tethered to their charging stations. Finally, drivers of electric vehicles can throw on a pair on long undies and invest in hats and gloves. It's a cold world out there. Be prepared

So Why the Hell Do I Care About How Long EV Batteries Last?

            That is an excellent question. You care because cold weather will also affect the life of the battery in your car or light truck. Obviously, cold weather has nothing to do with the range that you can travel, but it will affect the rate of charge and discharge, just as it does in an EV. Never fear, however, there are a couple of things that you can do to prolong the life of your battery. If you are storing your vehicle, consider disconnecting the battery to prevent more rapid discharge, or think about using a battery tender which will supply a slow and steady charge to the battery. Several companies sell solar chargers to keep the charge up in your idle vehicle, so you may want to look into purchasing one.

            If you turn off your radio and heater before you start your vehicle, you will reduce the draw at precisely the time that maximum power is required. Also, unplug your cell phone, your GPS, and any other devices any time the engine is not running. Finally, either inspect or have your charging system inspected at least annually. Make sure that your alternator is properly charging your battery and that your battery cables are tightly secured and free of corrosion. OE batteries typically only last three or four years, so you will probably end up needing to buy a battery at some point. Consider an AC Delco Professional 7 Year battery. They come with an unsurpassed 50 months of free replacement.

Happy Birthday George !

Pothole Season

          2014 has been a terrible year for potholes, and things are likely to get worse as the constant rise and drop in temperatures allows moisture to get ever deeper into crack. Obviously, the best way to avoid damage to your tires and wheels is to avoid potholes, but this is not always possible. Poor visibility and traffic may eliminate the option to steer around the hazard. You are likely to hit a pothole or two, so it is best that your vehicle be prepared. Start with the tires and work up. If your tires are properly inflated, they will do a better job of absorbing the energy created by the tire’s collision with the pothole. Next, make sure that your shocks and struts are in good working order. If you have noticed a decline in either ride comfort or handling ability, you may have worn shock or struts. It is important to catch this deterioration early because shocks also help protect other suspension components and steering components from excessive wear and damage.  Remember that in addition to providing a better ride for you and your passengers, the job of your suspension system is to keep all tires on the road.  A deterioration of any suspension component makes it less likely that all tires will remain on the road. Worn shocks will reduce handling and increase stopping distances under all road conditions. If you have any concerns about how your vehicle handles, make an appointment, and we will check it out.

Complete Vehicle Evaluation

            As part of our Complete Vehicle Evaluation, Sant Automotive will subject the vehicle you designate to a 78 point inspection. We check everything from safety items like brakes, power steering systems, suspensions, tires, and lighting to maintenance items like motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and coolant. We check for damage like dents, dings, tears in the seats and upholstery, and we look for signs of hidden damage. We explain which items are safety concerns, which items can wait, and we will make you aware of minor items that you may not have noticed.

            Our Evaluations have utility in two scenarios: when you are considering buying a used vehicle or when you are considering a big investment in the maintenance or repair of an existing one. In either scenario, it is an excellent time for a Complete Vehicle Evaluation.

            Many services will tell you the history of a vehicle, but these services only capture information that is related to a vehicle’s title. A report based on a vehicle’s VIN may tell you if a vehicle has been in a flood but probably only if an insurance claim was made. Our evaluation has the ability to tell you if a vehicle has been in a flood and will likely tell you which specific components have been damaged or are at risk. A VIN based history report may never tell you if the seller’s 18 year old has been four wheeling

in the 2009 Grand Prix that you are considering. The physical condition of the vehicle is almost always more important than the title history.

            We will provide an estimate to fix identified concerns. If that 2009 Grand Prix has a hole in the oil pan plus broken motor mounts and leaking shocks, it may still be a good buy if the price is right.

            We specialize in complete customer satisfaction, and we provide value to our customers with every visit. Make Sant Automotive your choice for peace of mind and satisfaction.

What Are Diagnostics?

            In car repair shops, “diagnostics” generally means either determining the

cause of an illuminated “Check Engine Light,” determining why your car is

performing poorly, or determining why your car failed an emissions test. A vehicle

may come in for all three conditions, and the cause of each may be the same.

Sometimes, it is easy to diagnose the root cause of these problems; more often, it is

not. Problems can be complex and may only present themselves under

certain conditions. They may be intermittent, and they may be caused by

multiple interacting systems. Also, the computer input devices, fuel system

components, and ignition & engine control system parts that are the likely

causes of your concern are expensive. Usually, when you buy one of these

parts, it is yours to keep whether it is the cause of your problem or not.

Don’t throw expensive parts at your automotive problem and hope for a fix.

Have your concern diagnosed correctly the first time. This will save you

money.

            Some lower end repair shops, parts, and tire stores offer “free

diagnostics.” Generally “free diagnostics” means that an untrained oil

changer, tire buster, or parts changer will use a generic scanner and tell you

what codes are stored in your vehicles on board computer. Occasionally,

this work. Stored codes indicate that your vehicles computer has received a

signal that is outside of the expected parameters. But the codes set can be

deceptive. On many Chevy products, for example, the code P0171 indicates

that the oxygen sensor on bank one of your engine is reporting a “lean”

condition. Does this mean that there is a restriction in the fuel system, a

problem with the fuel injectors, a problem with the ignition system, or is

the oxygen sensor defective and giving an inaccurate reading? The likely

answer is that the intake manifold gaskets are leaking, allowing air to

bypass the Mass Air Flow sensor. Further testing is required to confirm

this guess.

             Modern vehicles require highly trained and experienced technicians

armed with up to date proprietary equipment and correct testing and repair

information including factory technical service bulletins (TSBs) and repair

manuals. This means that repair shops, like Sant Automotive, that tackle

complex problems requiring diagnostics must invest heavily in terms of

personnel, equipment, training, software subscriptions, and subscriptions

to information sources. Let our expertise work for you. It will save you

money.

Sant Automotive News, Vol 13, no.1

www.santauto.com
Sant Automotive News Vol. XIII, no. 1
Happy New Year!

Welcome to another New Year’s edition of the Sant Automotive News. In this edition, we will quickly review the last year and then jump to a discussion of teen drivers.

2010 was a banner year for Sant Automotive. Rick Speth was added late in 2009 as our third ASE certified, Master Technician. So 2010 was the first full year that Greg served as Service Manager. The move allowed Greg to better utilize the communication skills that have made him a successful radio talk show host. Greg takes the information that is reported to him by our ASE certified Master Technicians and uses that information to more accurately research alternative courses of action that can then be presented to our customers who make the final decisions about the services that they would like to have performed. This was not a change in philosophy but an improvement in execution.

In addition to improving performance within the shop, the addition of
Rick and the reassignment of Greg allowed me, Dick, to spend more time in the community. This is something that we think both helps the community and helps us to meet new people and potential customers. 2010 was a great year in that regard, and I enjoyed the opportunity to meet a lot of small business owners, their employees, and area residents.

I joined on the Board of the Webster Groves-Shrewsbury Area Chamber of Commerce in 2010 and very much enjoyed the opportunity to meet business leaders in the community. As a small business owner, I have always wanted to support small business and feel good about doing it, but in 2010, I realized the benefit that customers receive from supporting small business. By dealing with small businesses, customers get a degree of product knowledge and customer service that is rare in larger businesses. Also, when dealing with small businesses, customers can look the business owner in the eye with the knowledge that regardless of the outcome of a certain transaction, they will look him or her in the eye again.

In 2010, Sant Automotive also rejoined the Crestwood-Sunset Hills Area Chamber of Commerce. We had previously been members but had quit because we were not seeing a direct benefit from our membership. In retrospect, we realized that chambers of commerce are venues that provide the opportunity to make acquaintances but that ultimately the benefit that members receive from chamber relationships is related directly to the effort expended. For membership in a chamber to be an effective, you must have the time and energy to attend the events and to make friends.

Also, the shift in personnel allowed me to take a more active role in the Rotary Club of Webster Groves. Thanks to the Rotary Club of Webster Groves, my wife, Katy, and I were able to attend the Rotary International Convention in Montreal. This was a transformative experience. In addition to meeting Rotarians from around the world who converged upon Montreal to celebrate the motto “Service Above Self,” we were given the opportunity to personally meet and talk with people who make huge difference in the lives of thousands of people. Specifically, we met and had dinner with Tom Henderson, a Rotarian from Cornwall, England, who started an international relief organization in 1999. I asked Tom how he could start an organization and in 10 years turn it into one of the most respected disaster relief organizations in the world. Henderson told me that he has a motto which is “Keep it simple. Do it now.” That’s a pretty good motto. He also says, “Don’t do nothing.”

For more information about ShelterBox, go to www.ShelterBox.org, or give me a call at 314-849-2900. I would be happy to tell you more about it.

Also, through Rotary, I was provided the opportunity to meet Ed Johnson from the Webster Rock Hill Ministries and to see the good work that he does in the Webster Groves/Rockhill Area. Meetings with Ed led to the creation of the Rotary Duck Races which funded a water safety program for underprivileged kids in the area. The program was conducted by the Webster Groves Parks and Recreation Department. Due to the success of the Duck Races and the Water Safety Program, we look forward to expanding each in 2011.

In short 2010 was a special year for us, and it was possible only because of the support that we received from our customers.

On New Year’s Eve, my youngest daughter turned 16. This led to a re-examination of what it takes to keep a kid safe when you turn over your keys to them. Aside from the state mandated 40 hours of parental instruction, which provided me the opportunity to impart timeless wisdom that transcends mere drivers safety while simultaneously teaching my daughter to tune out unneeded distractions, we covered the usual topics which ranged from when and where to fill up the tank, what to do in case of an emergency or accident, what to keep in the car, how to change a spare tire, and a few very basic maintenance tips. Also, we purchased a GSP. Specifically, I bought a Garmin 1390T.

I believe that a GPS is a valuable safety tool for teen drivers and a great convenience as well. A risk is that drivers will concentrate on the screen and not pay attention to the road, but I believe that this potential hazard is outweighed by the benefit of having a planned route and of being warned of upcoming turns. I tested the GPS personally, and it never yells, “Turn, turn, turn now, Go!” Anyway, I will keep you all informed and let you know if my position of the device evolves.

Next issue, I will talk about our plans for 2011 and also discuss the safety of “hands free” cell phone technology. Thanks again from all of us at Sant Automotive, and have a happy new year.

Flushing Power Steering

www.santauto.com
Flushing a vehicle’s power steering system is something that was virtually unheard of a decade ago, but the practice is common place today. Most well equipped automotive shops have the equipment to flush these systems. Two relatively new developments in power steering systems are four wheel steering and variable assist steering. The former is a system in which all four wheels move laterally either in the same direction at high speeds or in opposite directions at lower speeds. This allows for tighter turning in parking lots and better handing on the highway. Variable assist steering uses valves to change the amount of effort required to move the wheels a set distance. At low speeds, wheels will turn more than they will at greater speeds with the same amount of force applied to the steering wheel. The presence of valves in each of the systems increases the urgency of servicing the systems; however, the primary reason for service remains the same.

Power steering systems work under extremely high pressure. Many systems operate at up to 1500 pounds per square inch, enough to pull a one ton truck out of quick sand. As the high pressure hoses and metal parts wear, small metal filings and pieces of rubber become suspended in the hydraulic power steering fluid and are circulated through the system under extreme pressure. Like thousands of tiny razor blades, this insidious debris will, without mercy or remorse, seek out and destroy expensive power steering components. To get even with these nasty infiltrators, we pump them out of power steering systems, feed them into our blast furnace, and replace the evil villains with fresh fluid that is as clean and pure as the driven snow. Aside from oil changes, transmission service, brake service, timing & drive belt replacement, expert advice, and maybe tire rotation and balance, power steering service is one of the most valuable services that we offer.