AUTONET TV
Archive for August 2022NOT JUST ANOTHER CUSTOMER (Finding the Right Service Facility)Posted August 28, 2022 1:49 AMYou might remember a hit TV sitcom that was set in a bar, a place where "everybody knows your name." The idea, of course, is people feel more comfortable where they aren't just another customer among many; they're special because their relationship goes back a few years.
That comfortable relationship can extend to professionals you deal with, too. Think of your accountant, your dentist, your doctor. Most people try to stick with the same person or firm in those businesses. They have grown to know their work over the years and they've learned to trust their professionalism, the quality of their work and their track record.
Ideally, you should have that same relationship with your automotive service facility, like your friends here at Long Hill Auto Service. You may have tried several facilities over the years until you found one that did good work at a reasonable price. The longer your relationship with your service facility, the better the people there understand your wants and needs.
And you trust them to only perform repairs you really need and not try to sell you parts and services you don't.
For most of us, it's a great feeling when you walk in the door and you're greeted with a smile. That goes for us at Long Hill Auto Service as well. That history you've established by regularly going to one facility for service and maintenance helps you feel more confident about the work they do. And, at Long Hill Auto Service, we appreciate your loyalty as a customer. Maybe it won't be exactly like that TV sitcom place, and maybe not "everybody knows your name." But your service advisor will, and you won't feel like you're just another customer. Long Hill Auto Service Not So Cool (Air Conditioning Systems)Posted August 21, 2022 8:09 AMThere's nothing quite like getting in your vehicle on a hot day, switching on the air conditioning and having warm air blow out of the vents. You may have had no problem for months and then, one day, you are driving around in a sauna. You're hot stuff, but not in a good way! So what goes wrong when the AC isn't working? It could be a lot of things because the system has many different components. One thing that's a common cause is the vehicle is low on refrigerant (it used to be called Freon). If that's the case, it's not as simple as simply adding more. Sure, it may fix it quickly for a short time, but it's more likely than not that the refrigerant will just leak out again. The original Freon used in air conditioners was destroying the Earth's ozone layer, so that's not used much any more. But the one that's currently used also contributes to global warming, so it's important that as little of that escapes as possible. So a technician will determine if there's a leak in your system, where it is and fix that before adding new refrigerant. Your vehicle also has an evaporator or two, and those can fail. Leaks are often the problem with them as well. The big component that can go bad is the compressor, often a victim of age, wear or neglect. A technician will also check to see that the blower is working correctly. That's what blows that cool air into the cabin. Sometimes the motor will fail, a relay will go bad or a fuse will blow. As you can see, there are lots of different parts involved here! The good news is that your vehicle's service facility has the special equipment to recover the refrigerant and check the system's pressure, both vital to properly servicing the air conditioning system. As with many vehicle components, regular maintenance can go a long way to minimizing problems in the air conditioning system. It can reduce the chance of the compressor having to be replaced, too. Pretty cool, huh? Long Hill Auto Service Economics of Maintenance for Millington Auto OwnersPosted August 14, 2022 3:46 AMBuying a new car in Millington is always a big financial decision. The allure of that new car smell is powerful, to be sure. But what if your current car is still in good shape? How do you decide?
Now, if your vehicle is older than five years, have a chat with your Millington service advisor at Long Hill Auto Service. We see hundreds of vehicles through our bays every month and we know your car. See if there's any particular problem in common with your vehicle that you might see over the next couple of years. Give us a call if you have any questions. Long Hill Auto Service Not Too Hot and Not Too Cold (Temperature Gauge)Posted August 7, 2022 9:54 AMYou know your body temperature is supposed to be 98.6 degrees F, 37 degrees C. Your vehicle has a normal temperature, too, and if you pay attention to it, that can save you some big headaches down the road. Many vehicles have a temperature gauge on the dash that takes the temperature of the engine's coolant. Some have a thermometer symbol, some read C-H (cold to hot). Many will have a red zone that shows when water temperature is getting into the danger zone. Others are digital and have a red warning light that signals overheating. And some vehicles have a light that goes on when the engine temperature is out of the normal range. If your vehicle has a gauge, pay attention to it. If you need help locating it, ask one of our Long Hill Auto Service experts to give you a quick explanation. Chances are when the vehicle has been running for 15 minutes or more, the temperature gauge will settle into its own "normal" zone, often just below the midway point. If you have a digital readout, remember what that "normal" temperature is. Here's why. At any point when you're driving, the temperature gauge is the quickest way to get a sense that the engine is running the way it should, a quick health checkup, as it were. Say you're on a 3-hour trip, glance at that gauge every hour or so. It should always be in the same spot. If it starts to move one way or the other, you may be able to catch a problem before it gets serious. Pay special attention to it moving into the hot zone. The needle on the gauge is the easiest and least distracting way to see an engine heating up, but on a digital gauge, start paying attention if the temperature reaches 240ºF/115ºC or more. Remember, though, that just because the gauge reads "hot" doesn't mean your engine is on the verge of burning up. It could be a bad sensor and the engine will be at a normal temperature. But it also could be a failing water pump, coolant leak or thermostat. By pulling off the road and observing your engine, it will give you a pretty good idea if it's running hot or not. If the gauge is too "cold," it could be a broken gauge or thermostat sticking open. Usually being in the cold range isn't as worrisome, but you should have it checked out since other systems may be affected. Heat is one of a vehicle's worst enemies, especially when it comes from within. Know your vehicle's normal temperature and keep an eye on it.
| ||
SearchArchiveMay 2016 (19)June 2016 (4) July 2016 (4) August 2016 (5) September 2016 (4) October 2016 (5) November 2016 (4) December 2016 (4) January 2017 (5) February 2017 (4) March 2017 (4) April 2017 (4) May 2017 (5) June 2017 (4) July 2017 (5) August 2017 (3) September 2017 (3) October 2017 (5) November 2017 (4) December 2017 (3) January 2018 (5) February 2018 (4) March 2018 (4) April 2018 (4) May 2018 (5) June 2018 (4) July 2018 (5) August 2018 (4) September 2018 (5) October 2018 (4) November 2018 (4) December 2018 (5) January 2019 (5) February 2019 (4) March 2019 (5) April 2019 (4) May 2019 (4) June 2019 (5) July 2019 (4) August 2019 (4) September 2019 (5) October 2019 (4) November 2019 (4) December 2019 (5) January 2020 (5) February 2020 (4) March 2020 (5) April 2020 (4) May 2020 (5) June 2020 (4) July 2020 (4) August 2020 (5) September 2020 (4) October 2020 (4) November 2020 (5) December 2020 (4) January 2021 (6) February 2021 (4) March 2021 (4) April 2021 (4) May 2021 (5) June 2021 (4) July 2021 (4) August 2021 (5) September 2021 (4) October 2021 (5) November 2021 (4) December 2021 (4) January 2022 (6) February 2022 (4) March 2022 (4) April 2022 (4) May 2022 (5) June 2022 (4) July 2022 (5) August 2022 (4) September 2022 (4) October 2022 (5) November 2022 (4) December 2022 (4) January 2023 (5) February 2023 (4) March 2023 (4) April 2023 (5) May 2023 (4) June 2023 (4) July 2023 (5) August 2023 (4) September 2023 (4) October 2023 (5) November 2023 (4) December 2023 (5) January 2024 (5) February 2024 (4) March 2024 (5) April 2024 (3) | CategoriesAir Conditioning (11)Alignment (12)Alternator (5)Auto Safety (5)Automotive News (6)Battery (13)Brake Service (1)Brakes (14)Cabin Air Filter (8)Check Engine Light (5)Cooling System (18)Dashboard (2)Diagnostics (4)Differential Service (3)Drive Train (9)Emergency Items (1)Engine Air Filter (2)Exhaust (9)Fluids (10)Fuel Economy (8)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (1)Fuel System (38)Headlamps (4)Inspection (6)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (1)Maintenance (42)Monitoring System (2)Oil Change (4)Older Vehicles (2)Parts (5)PCV Valve (1)Safe Driving (1)Safety (5)Serpentine Belt (5)Service Intervals (8)Service Standards (10)Shocks & Struts (7)Spark Plugs (1)Steering (10)Suspension (2)Timing Belt (5)Tire Rotation and Balancing (2)Tires (4)Tires and Wheels (39)Transfer Case Service (1)Transmission (7)Trip Inspection (4)Water Pump (1)What Customers Should Know (52)Wheel Bearings (1)Windshield Wipers (6)Winter Prep (6) |
Reviews
This was my first experience with Long Hill Auto Body and I can confidently say it's a gem!! Without ever meeting me, Bob (owner) went out of his way to help fix a problem with my daughter's car and was so generous with his time and the advice he offered (problem solved). You can see this business runs like a well-oiled machine and Bob is the heart behind it, a genuine and caring owner who puts customers first. For my family, there's no question...we've found our trusted auto shop. Thanks again Bob and everyone at Long Hill Auto Body! Jeff S., 04/06/2024 |
I called to have a photo inspection for my car and I called and the person answering phone was polite and told me when to come over. When I got there I was greeted and helped right away. They did my inspection quickly and I was on my way. Very pleasant gentlemen working there! Donna Catanzaro, 04/06/2024 |
A few weeks back my wife was driving from PA to NYC by herself and started to have some car trouble. She called me from route 78 and I advised her to get off at the next exit and head to the closest repair shop. Thankfully it was Longhill Auto. At the end of their business day they got right on checking the car out, and were gracious with my wife who was having a very stressful experience. They were in touch with me every step of the way. Ultimately performed the necessary repairs and thoroughly test drove the car to give us peace of mind it was in good shape before making the hour plus drive out to pick it up. Would definitely recommend them and even going out of your way to work with them as it isn’t always easy to find a good shop with great people. Darel Cragnolin, 03/13/2024 |