Skip to main content

AUTONET TV


Archive for July 2021

Power Steering Service in Jupiter

Posted July 25, 2021 8:42 AM



Most Jupiter drivers are too young to remember life before power steering - cranking those great big steering wheels! It was a pretty good workout. Now power steering is standard. Let's look at how it works. The heart of any power steering system is its pump. The pump pressurizes the power steering fluid that provides assist for steering. Most pumps are driven by a belt that is run by the engine; a few are electrically powered. A high-pressure hose passes fluid from the pump to the steering gear. A low pressure hose returns the fluid back to the pump.

These hoses can develop leaks, so it is a good idea for Jupiter drivers to have them inspected at every oil change. Low fluid can damage the power steering pump. That is why power steering fluid level is on the checklist for a full-service oil change. The fluid needs to be compatible with the hoses and seals, so check your owner's manual for the right type - or just ask your friendly and knowledgeable pros at East Coast Automotive Services in Jupiter.

The fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. It breaks down as the years go by and collects unwanted moisture, so Jupiter drivers need to replace it from time to time. Many vehicle manufacturers specify power steering service intervals. Unfortunately, this important service is sometimes left off the car maintenance schedule for many of us. So, when in doubt, every 25,000 miles/40,000 km or two years is a good fallback. Your technician at East Coast Automotive Services will use a detergent to clean the system, flush out the old fluid and replace it with the good stuff.

Here are some  warning signs of trouble with your power steering: It's harder to turn the wheel, there's erratic power assist, you hear loud whining coming from the pump (which may be difficult to hear over the loud whining coming from the backseat), you have to top-off the fluid frequently, or you hear squealing belts. Remember to never hold the steering wheel to the far right or left for more than a few seconds at a time. That will wear out your power steering pump quickly.

Other steering components can be bent or damaged from wear or hard knocks: ball-joint, idler-arm, steering-gear, steering-knuckle and tie rod to name a few. Warning signs here are steering play, wandering, uneven tire wear and an off-center steering wheel. An annual alignment check at East Coast Automotive Services in Jupiter will reveal bent or damaged steering components.

Most SUV's, pick-ups and rear-wheel-drive cars need regular front-wheel-bearing service.

The bearings should be cleaned and inspected. If they are excessively worn, they need to be replaced. The bearings are then repacked in clean grease. The team at East Coast Automotive Services also recommends the wheel-seal be replaced when the bearings are serviced. Like everything else, check your owners' manual maintenance schedule. It's usually required around every two years or 40,000 miles/64,000 km. If you drive through water in the Jupiter area, the bearings will need service more often.

East Coast Automotive Services
134 Fern St
Jupiter, FL 33458
(561) 743-1178
http://www.eastcoastautoservices.com

 



All About Your TPMS in Jupiter

Posted July 18, 2021 11:45 AM



Jupiter drivers know that underinflated tires wear out more quickly. Underinflation is also a major cause of tire failure for FL auto owners. More flats, blow outs, skids and longer stopping distances are all results of underinflated tires.

It's hard for many Jupiter drivers to tell when a radial tire is underinflated. If your owner’s manual recommends 35 pounds of pressure, your tire is considered significantly under-inflated at 26 pounds. The tire may not look low until it gets below 20 pounds.

Uncle Sam to the rescue! A recent U.S. federal law required vehicle manufacturer’s to include a Tire Pressure Monitoring System - or TPMS system - in all vehicles. Many Canadian vehicles have them as well.  The system is a dashboard mounted warning light that goes off if one or more of the tires falls 25% below its pressure recommendations.

Obviously, all of this doesn't come free for Jupiter car owners. Government studies have estimated the net costs. Of course, the TPMS system itself will cost something. Maintaining the system will have a cost, replacement of worn or broken parts and tire repair cost increases. The net cost is estimated to be between $27 and $100.

FL service centers have purchased new scanning equipment to work with the TPMS sensors and updated expensive tire change equipment to better service wheels equipped with the new monitoring systems.

East Coast Automotive Services service advisors have been trained on many systems and new tire-changing techniques. All of this adds up to significantly increased cost to the service center to perform what was once a very inexpensive service. So if you've noticed the cost of flat repairs, tire changes, and rotations going up, please keep in mind that it's because of government mandated safety equipment. Your Jupiter service center just wants to keep you safely on the road - and it's committed to do so at a fair price. Remember, this change will help you avoid the most common vehicle failure, and possibly a catastrophic accident.

East Coast Automotive Services
134 Fern St
Jupiter, FL 33458
(561) 743-1178
http://www.eastcoastautoservices.com



Battery Basics for Jupiter

Posted July 11, 2021 12:10 PM

drive

It's important for Jupiter drivers to know battery basics. First, let's talk about which is harder on a battery – hot or cold FL weather. Most Jupiter area drivers think it's cold weather because that's when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold vehicle engine.

However, heat does more damage to a battery than cold. Truth is, our batteries start to die a little from day one. Keeping a full charge slows the process, which is hard with short Jupiter trips because the alternator doesn't have time to fully recharge the battery from starting the engine. Jupiter drivers can top off the charge with a computer controlled battery charger – say, once a month in the summer and every three months during the winter.

As far as how long a battery will last, statistics show that 70% have given up the ghost within four years. By that time, they aren't capable of taking a full charge like they used to, and your vehicle alternator has to work overtime to keep up. This causes your alternator to wear out early.

If you're pushing 4 to 5 years on your battery, see your friendly and knowledgeable East Coast Automotive Services service assistant for a battery test to see if it's recommended to replace it. Not only can you avoid getting stranded with a dead battery on a FL road, but you'll save unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle alternator.

Give us a call.

East Coast Automotive Services
134 Fern St
Jupiter, FL 33458
(561) 743-1178
http://www.eastcoastautoservices.com

 



Which Item Is Most Stolen from Vehicles in Jupiter?

Posted July 4, 2021 8:43 AM


 

Which item is most often stolen from vehicles in Jupiter?

Is it:

  1. Stereo
  2. Wheels
  3. Air Bag
  4. DVD System

Well, if you said stereo – you used to be right. But airbags have now surpassed stereos as the biggest target for theft in FL – approximately 50,000 a year are stolen across the country. New airbags cost about $1,000, but go for $50 to $200 on the black market in FL.

Stolen airbags are making their way back into cars that have been in an accident. Of course, the danger to the consumer of having a stolen airbag installed is that you can never be sure what may have previously affected them and if they will work right when you need them.

Contact us at East Coast Automotive Services for more information about where to get your airbags checked or replaced.
Find us at 134 Fern St, Jupiter, FL 33458
You can reach us by phone at: (561) 743-1178

There are reports that 1 in 25 airbag replacements are stolen or salvaged airbags – or no airbag is installed at all.

That is definitely one car part you don't want to take a chance with, so East Coast Automotive Services recommends following these guidelines:

  • Use a reputable collision repair center that employs ASE certified mechanics (we can offer recommendations at East Coast Automotive Services).

 

  • Inspect the invoice to ensure that the repair shop purchased the airbag from a manufacturer, dealer or recycler. If you can inspect the airbag prior to installation, it should be packaged in a sealed container from the manufacturer.

 

  • You will see the SRS light (Supplemental Restraint System) when you first start your vehicle up. This tells you that the airbag system is activated. If you do not see the SRS light, there is likely a problem with the airbag system.

 

East Coast Automotive Services
134 Fern St
Jupiter, FL 33458
(561) 743-1178
http://www.eastcoastautoservices.com



Search



Archive

September 2020 (17)
October 2020 (4)
November 2020 (5)
December 2020 (4)
January 2021 (6)
February 2021 (4)
March 2021 (4)
April 2021 (4)
May 2021 (5)
June 2021 (4)
July 2021 (4)
August 2021 (5)
September 2021 (4)
October 2021 (5)
November 2021 (4)
December 2021 (4)
January 2022 (6)
February 2022 (4)
March 2022 (4)
April 2022 (4)
May 2022 (5)
June 2022 (4)
July 2022 (5)
August 2022 (4)
September 2022 (4)
October 2022 (5)
November 2022 (4)
December 2022 (4)
January 2023 (5)
February 2023 (4)
March 2023 (4)
April 2023 (5)
May 2023 (4)
June 2023 (4)
July 2023 (5)
August 2023 (4)
September 2023 (4)
October 2023 (5)
November 2023 (4)
December 2023 (5)
January 2024 (5)
February 2024 (4)
March 2024 (4)

Categories

Air Conditioning (4)Alignment (4)Alternator (3)Auto Safety (5)Automotive News (4)Battery (8)Brakes (10)Cabin Air Filter (3)Check Engine Light (1)Cooling System (7)Diagnostics (2)Differential Service (1)Drive Train (4)Exhaust (5)Fluids (6)Fuel Economy (7)Fuel Pump (1)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (2)Fuel System (20)Inspection (2)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (3)Maintenance (16)Monitoring System (3)Oil Change (3)Older Vehicles (1)Parts (2)Safety (2)Service Intervals (1)Service Standards (3)Shocks & Struts (4)Steering (5)Suspension (1)Timing Belt (2)Tire Rotation and Balancing (1)Tires (2)Tires and Wheels (16)TPMS (3)Transmission (2)Trip Inspection (1)What Customers Should Know (25)Wheel Bearings (1)Windshield Wipers (1)Winter Prep (2)

image-people-driving

OUR REVIEWS

 (199 Reviews)
image-quotes
reviewicon

I’m new to the area and needed somebody to work on my truck. Not only did they fit me into their busy schedule and around mine to take care of my needs , they also are very knowledgeable , super honest and extremely fair. By far the best in the business. Thank you

, 03/06/2024

join our team

We are currently on the lookout for the following:

  • Technicians
  • General Employment
  • partners

    ACDelco
    ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
    Nationwide
    continental
    General
    Car Care Aware