St J Auto

With average gas prices over $3.00 a gallon,everyone is looking for ways to help save money at the pump. We can offer you many tips to help conserve gas- things you can do and services St J Auto can provide to improve your mileage



1. Go the speed limit. Use cruise control. Speed limits are calculated for maximum safety, they also reward you with maximum gas mileage. You can get up to 20 percent more mileage traveling 55 mph than 70 mph. Using cruise control provides additional gas savings.
2. Drive evenly. Avoid hard stops. Quick starts burn gas while hard stops also cost you. Take your foot off the accelerator and coast a bit before stopping for a traffic light or a stop sign.
3. Avoid idling and rush hour traffic. You're burning fuel while idling-up to a gallon every hour. So, avoid rush hour traffic when possible.
4. Open windows at slow speeds. Use A/C on highways. Around town,turn you air conditioning off and roll down the windows. On the highway, open windows create drag at speeds of 40 mph or more, so roll them up and use the air.
5. Remove junk from the trunk. Added weight in your vehicle affects fuel economy, so take unnecessary items out of your trunk.
6. Fill up when it's cool and before holidays. Cooler temperatures in the early morning or late evening create less vapor. Also, getting a fill up three days before a holiday will help you save on the per gallon price at the pump.
7. Don't top off gas and tighten the cap. When buying gas, stop when the pump shuts off automatically. And remember, your tank needs both fuel and fumes, so tighten the gas cap after every fill-up.
8. Use the correct fuel grade. Use the fuel grade recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. In addition, TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is even better for our vehicle. It is a class of gasoline with enhanced detergency, that exceed detergent requirements imposed by the EPA. It meets voluntary deposit control standards developed by four automotive companies,including General Motors.
9. Don't accelerate up hill. Build up speed before an incline,and then maintain it on the way up. Coast on the way down for additional fuel economy.
10. Avoid rooftop carriers. Approximately one quarter of each gallon of gas is needed to overcome wind resistance, so avoid carrying things on your roof. If necessary, use an aerodynamic carrier to help minimize drag.


Check and change your air filter
Inspect and if necessary, replace a clogged fuel filter.
Adjust tire pressure to manufacturer-recommended specs.
Inspect/clean intake system.
Inspect/replace emissions components and/or a faulty oxygen sensor.
Inspect brakes for proper adjustment.
Inspect power steering system and perform a steering alignment,if necessary.
Align front suspension
Clean or replace dirty or malfunctioning fuel injectors.
Inspect/replace spark plugs and spark plug wires.
Check exhaust for clogged catalytic converter.
Examine exhaust gas recirculation system.
Check automatic transmission/torque converter for proper fluid levels and shifting.
Inspect and clean coils and connections.
Examine/replace cracked or broken vacuum hoses.
Perform diagnostic check for stored problem codes on your vehicle's computer that indicate malfunctioning systems.
Treat your vehicle with our Fuel System Treatment Plus. It cleans carbon deposits from carburetors, fuel injectors, intake valves,intake ports and combustion chambers.

Tire wear depends on several factors, including your driving style and tire maintenance habits.  Wrong size load and speed rating can void your warranty.  But one sure way to know when to replace your tires is when tread wear indicators appear.  A tire's built in tread wear indicators are "wear bars" that look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread and appear when it's time to replace the tire. 

You also need a new tire if:

You can see three or more tread wear indicators around the tire

Cord or fabric is showing through the rubber

The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric

The tire has a bulge or split

The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that can't be repaired correctly

Tire Pressure

    Maximize your tires' performance and durability by monitoring and maintaining correct air pressure. Air is a gas, expanding when heated and contracting when cooled. For most of North America, fall and early winter are especially important times for checking tire pressure as the ambient temperature falls, tire pressure goes down. A good rule of thumb is that every 10 degrees Fahrenheit temperature change, tire pressure changes about 1psi higher as temperature rises, lower as they fall.  Also, check your vehicle's Owner's Manual for recommended tire pressure.

Under-inflated tires can cause:

Premature or irregular wear

Poor handling

Reduced fuel economy

Over-inflated tires can cause:

Unusual wear

Poor handling

Reduced fuel economy

Checking Air Pressure

    Check your vehicle's tires at least once a month, when the tires are cold (let the vehicle sit for at least 3 hours).  Look in your owner's manual for the recommended tire inflation for your vehicle.  Use a quality gauge.  Don't "eyeball" tires>>radial tires can look fine even when they're under-inflated.

Be sure to look for objects that have become wedged in the tread>they can work themselves further into the tire and cause air loss...

And don't forget to check the spare!!!!!

Tire rotation

    Since each tire performs different tasks (such as steering or front versus rear wheel drive). Tires wear at different rates.  Rotation your tires at recommended intervals extend their useful life and achieve more uniform tire wear.

It's important to rotate your tires according to the correct tire rotation pattern.  Front tires encounter different tasks than the rear tires.  And a front-wheel-drive car's tires perform different tasks than those on a rear-wheel-drive car.  Your owner's manual specifies which rotation pattern is right for your vehicle.

Your vehicle's front and rear tires may also use different pressures> make sure to adjust individual tire pressure to the recommendation for each wheel position.  See your Owner's Manual for recommendations.

Wheel Rust or Dirt

    Rust or dirt may not allow proper tightening of the lug nuts and a wheel may loosen over time.  When you have your tires rotated, are sure to remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle and torque the wheel lug nuts to the specification in your Owner's Manual.  In an emergency, you can use a cloth or paper towel, but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later to remove all rust or dirt and torque to specifications.

Also remember that rotation your tires won't correct wear problems caused by worn mechanical parts or incorrect inflation pressures.

Wheel Alignment & Tire Balance

    Scheduled alignment and balancing are not needed, since your vehicle's wheels were aligned and balanced at the factory.  But if you notice unusual tire wear or that your vehicle "pulls" one way or the other, the wheel alignment may need to be reset.  If you notice your vehicle vibration on a smooths road, your wheels may be out of balance.

A tire that is out of balance often affects ride quality and can shorten the life of tires, bearings, shocks, and other suspension components.  A speed dependent vibration becoming noticeable around 45 mph and increasing as speed increases is probably balance related.

Tire Alignment

    Alignment is CRITICAL for ensuring that you get maximum wear and performance from your tires. Poor alignment results from your car's suspension and steering system becoming out of adjustment with each other.  The biggest indicators of your vehicle being out of alignment are a "pulling" one way or the other as you drive or unusual tire wear.  Improper tire inflation can also cause unusual tire wear.

Your vehicle may have both front and rear wheel alignment specifications.  St J Auto can recommend the alignment type that's right for your vehicle.

Do you have our "Oil Punch Card"? If not please ask for one. With 5 oil changes, you get your 6^th one FREE!!!!!  What a savings that could be, up to or over $37.00 value. 

 

 Our FREE multi-point inspection is done at every visit  for your continued driving pleasure, one of OUR EXPERT technicians will perform a multi-point inspection of your vehicle to keep you informed of your vehicles condition. You are under NO OBLIGATION to purchase any of these

Recommended repairs, this is only done to keep you informed so you may protect your investment.

WHY A TOTAL ALIGNMENT??

*REDUCED TIRE WEAR…Improper alignment is a major cause of premature tire wear.  Over years, a properly aligned vehicle can add thousands of miles to tire life. Most tires are replaced prematurely due to adverse wear.

*BETTER GAS MILAGE…Gas mileage increases as rolling resistance decreases. Total Alignment sets all four wheels parallel, which along with proper inflation, minimizes rolling resistance.

IMPROVED HANDLING…Does your car pull to one side?? Do you constantly have to move the steering wheel to keep your car traveling straight ahead?  Many handling problems can be corrected by Total Alignment Service. With all the vehicle components aligned properly, road shock is more efficiently absorbed for smoother ride.

*SAFER DRIVING…A suspension system inspection is part of the alignment procedure. This allows worn parts to be detected before they cause costly problems.

HERE'S WHAT WE DO:

FOR VEHICLES WITH NON-ADJUSTABLE REAR SUSPENSION:

1. Alignment angle readings are measured at all wheels.
2.  The steering wheel is centered.
3. Adjustable front wheel alignment angles are referenced to the rear thrust line and set to the vehicle manufacturer's specification.

Result: All four wheels are parallel to one another and the steering wheel is centered.

FOR VEHICLES WITH ADJUSTABLE REAR SUSPENSION:

1. Alignment angle readings are measured at all wheels.
2. Adjustable rear alignment angles are set to the manufacturer's specification. (Rear thrust line corresponds to vehicle centerline.)
3. Steering wheel is centered.
4. Adjustable front wheel alignment angles are referenced to the rear thrust line and set to the manufacturer's specification.

Result: all four wheels are positioned straight ahead and parallel, and the steering wheel is centered.

HOW OUR HUNTER DIGITAL IMAGING WHEEL ALIGNMENT TECHNOLOGY WORKS:

Hunters DSP600 Picture Perfect digital imaging technology uses four precision cameras in the aligner "tower" to measure the position and orientation of reflection targets mounted on each wheel of your car.

The aligner computer uses this information to calculate your car's current alignment measurements and then compares these measurements to the car manufacturers (OEM) alignment specifications.

If it determines that your car's wheel alignment is outside factory specifications, the aligner provides the technician with the exact information needed do make the proper adjustments and return the alignment angles to the manufacturer's specifications

Stopping power is crucial to a safe and successful driving experience.  Need A set of brakes?  Then you'll want a great set of brakes that are always available down the Goodwrench lane at any GM dealer.  You can have your brakes replaced or serviced by GM-vehicle experts.  Our Goodwrench technicians are GM trained to understand your vehicle's brakes better than anyone.

If your brake pedal feels different than normal or if you've noticed any change in the way your vehicle brakes (pulls to one side when braking or requires more pressure on the brake pedal), have the brake system inspected at your local GM dealer immediately.

 

When is Brake Noise Signaling a Problem?

Sometimes, you're GM or other vehicle's brakes will alert you when there's trouble. Whistling noises, chirping sounds or grinding are indications that maintenance is required. Here are some common causes of brake noise.

*Worn brake pads

*Heat cracked or worn "un-true" rotors

*Rough finish on resurfaced rotors

*Loose fitting brake pads in the caliper

*Lack of silicone compound on back of brake pad

*Missing springs or anti-rattle clips that should be on the caliper or pad

*Improper tightening sequence of lug nuts or caliper hardware

 

Vehicles often come equipped with a small thin piece of metal attached to the brake pad to act as a warning indicator when the pad material is getting low and the brake pads should be replaced.  This device makes a loud noise on brake application, letting you know it is time to have your brakes serviced.

Did you know?

When you step on your brake pedal, you command a stopping force 10 times as powerful as the force that puts the car in motion. The braking system can exert as much as 1,000 pounds (450kg) of hydraulic pressure on each of the four brakes.

As with exhausts, when your brakes have a problem, they will let you know. Common symptoms include:

*A squealing or grinding noise when braking may indicate an accumulation of brake lining dust.  Excessive rust build up on a brake disc. Worn brake pads or linings. Glazed pads or linings. Anti-squeal shims missing or incorrectly fitted on disc pads.

Brakes juddering when applied could indicate worn brake linings, warped brake discs or drums. An accumulation of lining dust inside brake drums. Brake pads sticking in caliper on disc brakes. Broken shoe return springs inside brake drums or loose or worn suspension.

If the vehicle pulls to one side when braking, this may be an indication of an incorrect front drum

Brake adjustment, unequal front tire pressures or contaminated brake shoe linings due to leaking hydraulic wheel cylinder. Additionally, the brake pad may have seized in the caliper, caliper piston or wheel cylinder may have seized or there could be air in the system.

A grinding noise when the brakes are applied could be a result of the brake pads being worn down to the backing plates. Brake linings worn down to the shoes, a stone lodged between the caliper and disc or rust on the discs or drums.

A grinding noise when the brakes are off may mean a stone is lodged between the caliper or splash shield and the disc. Also, it may indicate an excessively slack or worn out front wheel bearing.

A loss of efficiency during heavy breaking or on a long descent may be a result of a worn brake pad or lining material, the hydraulic fluid boiling, producing a vapor lock in the hydraulic system (caused by old or contaminated fluid). It may also be a result of the handbrake being left on or air the system.

A high hard brake pedal may indicate that your brake servo (power assistance) is defective.

Rear wheels locking upon braking may indicate grease on your brake shoes or over adjusted rear brakes.

If you have any of the above symptoms or any concerns at all please drive to your GM dealer and one of our qualified brake specialists will be able to help you.