Auto Focus
by Leslee Jaquette
 Remember the old days when you rolled into a service station and attendants automatically checked under the hood? With a glance or touch they could diagnose hose leaks, frayed belts or low oil on the dipstick.
But during the past 20 to 30 years that car care scenario has been reinvented. These days, self-service gas stations don’t offer hands-on maintenance. In addition, most cars built since the 1980s and 1990s have increasingly sophisticated computer systems at the helm of every move from braking to radio operation.
Despite the changes and growing complexities of modern vehicles, some auto maintenance rules still apply. Local auto maintenance experts agree that the old standby, routine maintenance, continues to be the single, most important action owners can take. Ray Ewert, operations manager of Ron’s Automotive and Marty Heintz, shop foreman and technician at Just Right Auto, took time to share tips about what seniors need to know to maintain vehicles of any age in good working order.
Basic rules of maintenance
Randall Strutz of Yacolt has taken his beloved 1998 Chevy, three-quarter-ton, four-by-four to Ron’s Automotive for years. The 56-year-old nurse says that the key to the truck’s longevity (177,000 miles) has been regular maintenance, “Ron’s sends me a reminder so every six months I take it in for a courtesy check on the basics such as brakes and fluids.”
Strutz observes that he’s not a “car” guy so he appreciates straightforward solutions when it comes to truck and car care, “If you need an injection you go to a nurse. But if you need vehicle maintenance, you go to a pro you trust.”
Identifying a trustworthy automotive operation is the trick. Ewert underscores several important maintenance and service characteristics to keep in mind when evaluating a car care center. Foremost, does the business stress routine, maintenance every year or 15,000 miles that uses physical inspection? In other words, do the techs get under the hood and look, smell and feel parts and systems. They should be looking for fluid leaks, dirty sparkplugs and worn brakes as well as at the shocks, belts and hoses.
“This is a valuable starting point that gives us a foundation and can help us prioritize repairs, depending on budget to maintain the vehicle as safe, reliable and in good condition,” says Ewert. “Our goal at Ron’s is to give all our customers an unbiased opinion about their vehicle and its needs.”
Computer analysis points the direction
The voice of the popular the Car Care Clinic on KEX 1190’s for 14 years “At Your Service Saturday,” Heintz explains that computers made their way into cars in the late 1970s and went full swing in the 1980s. At first computers controlled functions such as timing and carburetion.
“These days computers must talk to all systems with hundreds of applications,” observes Heintz, who drives a 1968 Ford pickup and a 2005 Ranger. “It takes a lot of expensive equipment to do diagnosis because manufacturers use so many different codes.”
Oh, yes, Heintz misses the old days when he could use his senses to diagnose ignition or tailpipe problems. And, yes, the team at Just Right Auto is a steadfast proponent of regular maintenance as the best defense against problems.
Still, computer analysis has its place and he recommends that seniors not be afraid of what it offers. Computers help point in the direction of a circuit of a problem, they cannot isolate an exact problem. For example, the computer may point in the direction of the oxygen sensor, but the specific problem could be a dirty air filter or spark plug or that the engine needs the oil changed. Technicians are still the backbone of the industry. “If a light comes on, go to your auto care center and find out why,” offers Heintz. “If you drive with the light on for a long time, it can damage something else.”
When computers came along, observes Heintz, they made diagnosis more complicated, more expensive and sometimes left technicians and owners high and dry with no definitive answers. However, notes Heintz the benefits of computerized cars have been great, especially in the realm of lowering emissions, providing smoother running engines as well as increasing power while enjoying greater fuel efficiency.
Just Right Auto Repair: 4706 N.E. Minnehaha St., Vancouver, WA 98661, 360-695-2011
Ron’s Automotive: Cascade Park, 16211 S.E. 1st St., Vancouver, WA 98684, 360-253-6000; Hazel Dell: 7818 N.E. 30th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98665 360-574-2233
How to protect your vehicle from heat-related problems
As thousands of motorists hit the roads during the rest of the summer, AAA encourages them to take extra precautions before leaving home that may prevent vehicle breakdowns and heat related illnesses.
AAA recommends motorists check the following items before hitting the road:
• Antifreeze/Coolant. Check the level and condition, making sure the proper 50-50 mixture of water and coolant is present. In some cases a coolant flush may be required to remove contaminants.
• Air Conditioning. If needed, have the air conditioning serviced by a qualified technician using the proper refrigerant.
• Battery. Hot weather takes a toll on older batteries, or those with low fluid levels. Weak or old batteries should be tested by a technician and replaced, if necessary.
• Engine Oil. Check the level and condition. If driving under extreme conditions — such as very hot temperatures or towing a heavy trailer – change the oil and filter more frequently. Check the owner’s manual for specific oil recommendations.
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