You hear about the scary accident rate for teenage drivers, but did you know that more new drivers in Truckee and Lake Tahoe will do damage to their vehicle engines as a result of missed maintenance than will damage the body due to an accident? Let’s face it; most young new drivers are not thinking about what it takes to maintain a car, SUV , truck or four-wheel drive when they pop in a favorite CD. But ignoring general maintenance and not knowing the signs that the vehicle requires professional auto repair service could result in a roadside breakdown, major repairs, or even a fast trip to the junkyard. Parents breathe a sigh of relief that this is not a lecture you need to have with your new driver. Leave it to pros at Quality Automotive Servicing. As your trusted local auto care, we can help new drivers take the wheel in that Subaru, Toyota or Jeep knowing it’s reliable and safe. Join us on May 29 at 5:30 pm for Don’t Blow Up Your Car Sem ... read more

What are you doing be a "green" driver? Here are some tips to consider this Earth Day to make your vehicle more environmentally friendly. Keep the engine running at peak performance. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. Iif your vehicle is not running up to par, have a technician take a look and run a diagnostic test. Also, replace filters and fluids as recommended in the owner’s manual and more often if driving on dusty, dirty roads. Don’t ignore that ‘Check Engine’ light. Vehicles today have much cleaner emissions than they did 30 years ago, but a poorly running engine or faulty exhaust system will give your vehicle the green light to increasd emissions and pollution. Keep tires properly inflated and aligned. Not only will you reduce the engine’s effort and, thus, gasoline consumption, your tires will last longer too, saving you money ... read more

“Thank you Quality Automotive Servicing. We recently had our shocks and struts replaced at your Truckee location during our regular service on our GMC truck. We then loaded up the family and the trailer and drove to Monterey for Spring Break. Can’t tell you how much better our truck handled. But what really impressed me was when we hit sudden traffic in Auburn, the braking response with all that weight behind me saved us from running up on the car in front. Truly it was a lifesaver. My truck has just over 60,000 miles, but now feels like new again.” B. Lidster Whether you are driving dirt and washboard roads or strictly pavement, shocks and struts wear out over the lifetime of a vehicle. You may not even notice the change in handling characteristics as these components become less effective. By replacing worn equipment with new Bilstein shocks and struts, your vehicle will become more responsive and comfortable to drive. More importantly, as you he ... read more

Do You Smell Something? Smells emitted by a vehicle can give Truckee drivers an idea of the health of their vehicle. Unusual smells can mean something is wrong that can result in a vehicle breakdown, usually at the most inconvenient of times. Don’t ignore these warning signs. Some are not only annoying, but can indicate that your Subaru might need the attention of a Quality Automotive Servicing expert. The smell of hot oil could indicate that oil is leaking onto the exhaust manifold. You can check further by looking for oil under the vehicle after it’s park. There may also be smoke coming from under the hood. That burnt rubber smell might be good at a Friday night drag race but when it’s coming from your commuter car, something is up. This could indicate a slipping drive belt or loose hoses rubbing against the drive belt. Have a Quality Automotive Servicing technician check this out ... read more

#10 Vehicle Armor There will be mud. And snow. And slush. And muck. Husky Liners let us mountain drivers do what we do without worrying about the messy consequences. Price range for Toyota Tundra was $95 - $169 for two front compartment heavy duty liners. Cargo liners available too. Check it out at www.huskyliners.com#9 AAA 70 Piece Explorer Road Assistance We learn in grade school to always “be prepared”. You will be one step closer with this emergency roadside kit. There are many to choose from that include booster cables or tow ropes. This one is available at Amazon.com for $49.99, but on sale for 29.00. #8 Wireless Key Finder Do you have a spouse who is always loosing the car keys? A key finder might be the answer to those stressful mornings. Brookstone offers wirele ... read more