When the temperatures is in the single digits, you don't think about your vehicle air conditioning system. But your air conditioning system is filled with parts that were meant to move. As with our bodies, if we stop moving for a while muscles start aching, we lose circulation. The same is true for your car. If you don't use your air conditioner for a few months, some components (such as the A/C compressor clutch) may become seized. It's a good idea to get that liquid flowing every now and again and keep those air conditioning components lubricated. Also, bacteria and mold tend to build up in a system that is not regularly used. Ever turn on your A/C after not using it for a while and notice a bad odor? This winter, as part of maintenance, use your car's air conditioning regularly avoid potential repair costs for your air conditioning system. Hi ... read more

Something we hear quite frequently from Truckee and Lake Tahoe drivers is that their fuel economy is down and their four-wheel drive just doesn’t have the pep it used to. When that happens, one of the things we look for is clogged fuel injectors. The engine management computer tells your fuel injectors exactly when to squirt fuel into your engine. It is key that clean fuel injectors spray the right amount of gasoline or diesel fuel in a nice, specific spray pattern. A dirty injector can’t spray enough fuel and it comes out in an uneven, weak pattern. When fuel injectors are dirty or clogged, the fuel burns less efficiently, which causes gas mileage to drop. This result in less power from your Subaru or Toyota. It’s normal for fuel injectors to get dirty over time and possibly more likely on the dirty, dusty roads we drive everyday. Gas and diesel fuel may cause varnish and gum to build up in your fuel injectors, especially if you buy bargain gas in R ... read more

Never heard of it? Lack of familiarity is central to the sometimes emotional debate that erupts when talking about the zipper merge, aka late merging. Say there are two lanes of highway traffic and because of construction a section of one lane is closed, narrowing traffic to one lane. It's rush hour and traffic flow has slowed dramatically. You see the sign well before the merge telling you traffic is reduced to one lane ahead. What's the safest, most polite course of action? A) Put your turn signal on and move from the ending lane to the continuing lane when there's a natural break or another motorist waves you over, or B) Continue in the ending lane all the way to the merge point, then make your way over. Conventional wisdom or common courtesy dictates that you follow procedure A, getting over as early as possible to keep traffic flowing and be fair to everyone. And that presumptuous driver who motors all the way up to the front and then expects someone who got over early and paid t ... read more

One of the hardest working devices on your car, truck or SUV is the windshield wiper blade. Add to that our dry climate and intense high altitude sun and wiper blades become dry and brittle quickly. Don’t wait for that first Sierra snowstorm to find that you can’t see the road ahead. Invest in new winter blades now and relax knowing you’ll have clear vision when you need it. This fall all Red Check Club members, receive one blade free with the purchase of a blade. Or purchase your front wiper blades and we will take care of the rear. It’s important that you replace those old blades before the onset of weather. Visit Quality Automotive Servicing today. What’s the Red Check Club? The Quality Automotive Servicing red check stands for quality customer service and workmanship. When you join the FREE Red Check Club, you know you are not only getting the best service, you are also getting the best warranty. Our extended 36 month/36,000 mile warranty assures you t ... read more

It’s back to school and it’s easy for college students to remember to get new clothes, school supplies and dorm and apartment furniture, but what about preparing the car that’s going to haul all that stuff? Quality Automotive Servicing reminds students and their parents not to overlook Vehicle Maintenance 101. “Making sure the college-bound vehicle gets a passing grade will give both the student and their parents peace of mind for the drive back to school and the first semester of bombing around,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It’s always a good idea to inspect a vehicle and have any repairs done near home, at familiar repair shop”. Quality Automotive Servicing recommends that the following items be checked before hitting the road: • Tires and tire pressure • Hoses and belts • Air filters • Wipers • Exterior and interior lighting • Fluid levels, including engine oil, power steering, brake, transmission, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant ... read more