May 18, 2012

Battery Replacement In York

Filed under: Battery — qualitys355 @ 6:14 pm

Battery Replacement In York

Car batteries wear out just like any other battery and need to be replaced. There are a couple of things York pickup owners should know when looking for a new car battery: one is cold cranking amps and the other is reserve capacity.

Let’s start with cold cranking amps. This can be thought of as the power output used to start a cold pickup engine. The number of cold cranking amps you need depends on your vehicle and where you live around York, specifically how cold it is where you live. The two factors are that the colder an engine is, the more power it takes to turn the pickup engine over to get it started. It has all that cold, sluggish oil to contend with. The other factor is that the chemical reaction in the battery that creates electrical energy is less efficient in the cold.

So the colder it gets in York, more power is needed, but the available power drops.

If you live where it’s cold, you need a battery with more cold cranking amps than you do where it’s moderate or hot. You should always get at least as many cold cranking amps as the manufacturer recommends, but may want to upgrade at Quality Service Center if you live where it gets real cold.

An important note: Batteries may also list the Cranking Amps – CA – number. It is the Cold Cranking Amps – or CCA – that is the important number here. CCA is the number to use in your comparisons.

Now with all this talk of cold temperatures in York, it’s important to note that heat is the real enemy of long battery life. In other words, the damage that’s done over the hot summer months in York shows up with the increased demands on the pickup battery when the weather turns cold.

Now on to reserve capacity: It’s a measurement of the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has at a given load. The number is more important these days because of parasitic drain. Parasitic drain is the battery energy that’s used when the key is off. So the power drawn by the pickup security system, the remote start system, even the power the pickup computers require to maintain their memory.

Reserves are also needed when you make very short trips around York. You’re not driving long enough for the battery to recover the energy it used to start the pickup engine.

So go with the minimum recommended by your manufacturer and upgrade if you need more. Talk with your cheerful Quality Service Center service advisor about options. If you need more from your battery, a larger capacity battery may be called for.

Batteries are a big ticket item for most York motorists, so the warranty gives peace of mind. Be sure to ask about the car battery warranty at Quality Service Center so you know what you’re getting. At Quality Service Center, we have been providing quality auto service in York for 10 years.

Give us a call

Quality Service Center
28 South Oxford Street
York, PA 17404

At Quality Service Center in York PA (17404) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 717.792.0948. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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May 11, 2012

Viva la Differential At Quality Service Center

Filed under: Differential Service — qualitys355 @ 5:44 pm

Viva la Differential At Quality Service Center

With front-wheel drive being so common in York these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most York folks don’t even have to think about it. And most rear-wheel drive pickup differentials don’t need to be serviced for many miles, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind. So it’s not uncommon for PA people to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.

To better understand what a differential does, think about a high school track. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the longer distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That’s to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.

The differential compensates for the difference in speeds on drive wheels between the inside wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they have to travel together through slightly different distances.

Many pickup differentials do a lot of work and require very heavy duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool. The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that break down over time. So manufacturers and Quality Service Center technicians recommend intervals for replacing your differential fluid.

Your Quality Service Center service technician will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. He’ll then replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.

York four wheel drive pickups need special attention to their differentials because they have a differential on both the front and rear axles that work at different times and sometimes under heavy loads – so they may need to be serviced at Quality Service Center at different intervals.

Your York service advisor can look up the manufacturer’s recommended service interval or you can check your pickup owner’s manual.

Give us a call

Quality Service Center
717.792.0948
28 South Oxford Street
York, PA 17404

At Quality Service Center in York PA (17404) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 717.792.0948. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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May 1, 2012

Deciphering The Menu Board At Quality Service Center: F to W

Filed under: Making Your Vehicle Last — qualitys355 @ 9:10 pm

Deciphering The Menu Board At Quality Service Center F to W

You may not be familiar with all of the items on Quality Service Center’s menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. Remember, the board is there for reference; speak to your Quality Service Center Service Adviser about other possible needs or services.

Quality Service Center Fuel System Cleaning: Over time, the fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning at Quality Service Center gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas as you drive around York and on Dallastown freeways, by the way.

Quality Service Center Headlamp Replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. When one burns out, replace both so they’ll have the same brightness. Also, if your headlamp lenses are yellowed or cloudy, you can have them professionally restored to like new-condition. As your cheerful Quality Service Center advisor for information.

Quality Service Center Inspections: York drivers get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they’re going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle’s ready for summer or winter in York. Maybe they just bought a used car and want to give it the once over. An inspection at Quality Service Center may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

Quality Service Center Oil Change Service – there are several options: Some York auto service centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

Quality Service Center PCV Valve Service: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It’s a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. Just needs to be changed now and then.

Quality Service Center Power Steering Service: Often overlooked. Your Quality Service Center technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the system running well for a long time.

Quality Service Center Serpentine Belt Replacement: That’s the belt that powers the engine’s accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You’ll want to replace the serpentine belt at Quality Service Center before it breaks or wears down too much, because that’ll lead to other problems.

Quality Service Center Shocks and Struts Replacement: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many York motorists don’t notice when it’s time to change them. If they’re worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

Quality Service Center Transmission Service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It’s like an oil change for your transmission.

Quality Service Center Tire Rotation and Wheel Balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear as you drive around York.

Give us a call

Quality Service Center
717.792.0948
28 South Oxford Street
York, PA 17404

At Quality Service Center in York PA (17404) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 717.792.0948. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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April 24, 2012

Wheel Alignment Service At Quality Service Center In York

Filed under: Alignment — qualitys355 @ 4:09 pm

Wheel Alignment Service At Quality Service Center In York

When all of a vehicle’s wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment. Hitting a road hazard in York or even just the normal bumps and bounces of everyday PA driving can cause your pickup wheels to be out of alignment. This can lead to expensive premature tire and suspension wear.

Here are some alignment basics from Quality Service Center:
The first angle is called toe: do the wheels point in towards each other or away from each other at the front of the tire.
The next angle is called camber: do the wheels tip in or out at the top.
And finally, there is castor. Castor measures the angle where the front axles attach to the vehicle.

The ideal alignment for your pickup was designed by its engineers. Quality Service Center alignment service starts with an inspection of the steering and suspension – so see if anything’s bent, broken or worn out. Then the Quality Service Center technician will look at tire condition. From there, the pickup is put on an alignment rack and an initial alignment reading is taken. The wheels are then aligned to manufacturer’s specifications.

Your owner’s manual probably has a recommendation for how often your pickup alignment should be checked – usually every couple of years. If you suspect an alignment problem with your pickup, get it checked at Quality Service Center before you suffer expensive tire or suspension damage.

Give us a call

Quality Service Center
717.792.0948
28 South Oxford Street
York, PA 17404

At Quality Service Center in York PA (17404) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 717.792.0948. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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April 20, 2012

Why Is My Check Engine Light On? Quality Service Center Has Answers

Filed under: Check Engine Light — qualitys355 @ 8:39 pm

Why Is My Check Engine Light On Quality Service Center Has Answers

The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some York drivers and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most of us in PA.

First, if your pickup check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Get that taken care of right away. If your check engine light is flashing, you shouldn’t drive at York highway speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to Quality Service Center in York.

If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, schedule an appointment with your York service advisor to get it checked out.

Some more information from Quality Service Center on how the Check Engine Light works may be informative. Most of your pickup engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive in York.

In order to make these adjustments, the pickup computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Check Engine Light.

The pickup computer will also try to make adjustments to compensate for some readings. If it can do so, it’ll then turn off the Check Engine Light.

If the problem can’t be resolved then the light will remain on and you should get your pickup looked at at Quality Service Center. Your cheerful service technician will plug a scanner into the on-board diagnostic port and read the trouble code stored in the computer. The trouble code will give your Quality Service Center technician a starting place as he diagnoses the cause of the problem.

At Quality Service Center, we also offer cabin air filter and electrical system test.

Give us a call

Quality Service Center
717.792.0948
28 South Oxford Street
York, PA 17404

At Quality Service Center in York PA (17404) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 717.792.0948. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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