Attention College Students! Don’t Blow Up Your Car Engine It's the end of the school year and the last thing any college student is thinking about is vehicle maintenance and the condition of the auto they took to college. So listen up Mom and Dad, don't be on the hook for a new vehicle for something that could be prevented. Whether your student is driving a newer Subaru or a tired Toyota, insist that they take a look at a few simple things before they drive it home. Check all fluid levels and add fluid if necessary. At Quality Automotive Servicing we see many blown engines because a young driver did not pay attention to this basic vehicle maintenance task. Have the oil changed. Even a vehicle that is not been driven much needs fresh lubricant. Today's oil contain detergents that clean the engine. This used and particle-laden oil can becomes acidic over time and needs to be changed even if the vehicle is not driven much. Most manufacture ... read more

If your Truckee or Lake Tahoe student is heading off to college and bringing a vehicle, now is the time to start preparing. As a parent of a future college freshman, I know that there is alot to think about in getting ready to send them off. Sometimes the last thing on the to-do list is the vehicle they may be taking. Here are some hints from the folks at Quality Automotive Servicing that will make your students trip back and forth to school safe and worry free. Have the oil serviced and get an inspection: The last thing you need is for your student to be seeking out a mechanic and dealing with a repair while at school. Before they leave, have the vehicle in for an oil service and complimentary Red Check Inspect at Quality Automotive Servicing. We will rack to vehicle and give it an overall look. You receive a report giving you an idea of the condition of the vehicle and alerting you to any issues. Do this well before they leave so you have time to fix any items that need atte ... read more

One of the biggest things you can do this Earth Day is pay a little attention to your vehicle. By changing a few habits and paying attention to maintenance, you can do your part in helping the environment. Here’s the Quality Automotive Servicing short list of things you can do to be a “Green Vehicle Owner”. Save gas, save on landfill material, save the planet. 1. Keep the engine running at peak performance. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in the owner’s manual or by your Quality Automotive Servicing service technician. 2. Don’t ignore that ‘Service Engine’ light. Today’s vehicles have much cleaner tailpipe emissions than they did 30 years ago. But it's necessary to maintain that system. A poorly running engine or faulty exhaust system will pollute much more than one that is running clean. One indication of a ... read more

The cooling system of your vehicle will be working hard this summer as temperatures in Truckee and Lake Tahoe heat up. To be sure your truck, SUV or car can take the heat have a qualified technician at Quality Automotive Servicing run through a checklist of items that will keep you on the road. Here are some things to consider in maintaining a healthy cooling system and your safety on the road. The ratio of coolant in the radiator should be 50:50 with the manufacturer recommended coolant for your engine and distilled water. Coolant should be flushed and changed regularly. The professionals at Your Trusted Local Auto Care suggest it be done annually for Glycol systems and every 100K with modern coolants. This keeps the system fresh and free of containements which will prevent corrosion and assures that the coolant has the proper boiling point and protection. If you experience overheating while driving, pull over at the next safe spot. You can do severe damage to your engi ... read more