Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late: Don’t Ignore Your Check Engine Light
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
You get in your vehicle, ready to go when you see the check engine light illuminated on your dashboard. You can’t help but start to worry — what is wrong with your vehicle? Is it something serious? Your thoughts begin to race, but you can think of your check engine light is your vehicle’s way of trying to talk to you, and the contents of that message can vary. It can be something minor as a faulty oxygen sensor, but it can also mean something more serious. Either way, it is essential not to ignore your vehicle and listen to your car when it is trying to talk to you.
Your check engine light is part of your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics systems or OBD. The check engine light usually indicates when a particular component of your car isn’t working correctly. The typical response to seeing the check engine light symbol is to ignore it, put it off. However, the team at Dick’s Automotive highly recommends bringing your vehicle to our facility, so our technicians can perform a thorough inspection. Failing to have the underlying cause of the light can lead to potentially expensive repair bills and dangerous damage. It might seem like your engine is running normally, minus the check engine light on the dashboard, but your vehicle’s fuel injection, ignition, or emission controls could be malfunctioning. Ignoring your vehicle’s check engine light can severely affect both your safety and wallet.
When the check engine light is on, your vehicle will extra harder to compensate for the problem, which means your fuel economy will suffer, and your vehicle’s emissions can sky-rocket. Your car is easily one of the most significant investments you will make in your life. It makes sense to protect something so precious. When your check engine light begins to flash, don’t panic. Listen to what your car is trying to tell you — they need to see the qualified technicians at Dick’s Automotive.
Our technicians will perform a thorough inspection to identify what is causing your check engine light to illuminate. Contact us today to set up an appointment with our qualified and honest technicians. We are conveniently located at 1550 Tollhouse Road in Clovis, CA. 93611, and we look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon!
Summer Getaways Within Driving Distance of Clovis
This year, summer might be a little different, in the wake of COVID-19. However, that doesn’t mean you and your family shouldn’t enjoy your summer! We are fortunate to be located to many summer getaways within driving distance of Clovis. Before heading out to one of these picturesque destinations, we recommend checking out their website to see their hours and safety measures:
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Forestiere Underground Gardens: This historic landmark within driving distance of Clovis seems to be out of this world — maze-like passages weave underground. You can easily take a break from reality by heading out to this summer getaway.
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Mercey Hot Springs: This summer getaway involves tubs of hot mineral water. If you are looking to relax and rejuvenate, this getaway is for you. You can frisbee golf, hike, or even go mountain biking.
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Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad: This ride will take you through the magnificent Sierra National Pine Forest. If you have a furry friend, even better because the train ride is pet-friendly. It is only an hour away from Clovis!
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Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Nestled against the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains, these two national parks are connected by a single road, leading to 866,000 acres. You can easily spend several days exploring this outdoor paradise.
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Huntington Lake: Huntington Lake is 80 miles northeast of Fresno in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. You can rent a cabin or camp, while enjoying the water.
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Bravo Farms Kettleman City: Located on Highway 99 Tulare, Brave Farms is a fan-favorite roadside attraction. If you are looking for a wild west adventure, this place is for you.
- Shaver Lake: Shaver Lake is located within Fresno County. You can overnight camp, explore the little town of Shaver Lake, rent a cottage along the lake, and take advantage of the all the nature tucked along the lake, including fishing, boating, and hiking.
Before you embark on your summer adventure, stop by Dick’s Automotive for an inspection. We will make sure your vehicle is performing in tip-top shape. We want you to enjoy your summer getaway without any auto repair-related hiccups. Contact us today to set up an appointment with our qualified and honest technicians. We are conveniently located at 1550 Tollhouse Road in Clovis, CA. 93611, and we look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon!
Put a Stop to Forgetting Brake Maintenance
Photo by Jan Kopřiva on Unsplash
When it comes to your vehicle’s overall safety, brake maintenance is an absolute must. It is easy to think of dangerous scenarios in which you step on the brakes, and nothing happens. We like to think that brake maintenance is synonymous with safety, and at Dick’s Automotive, safety always comes first. Well-maintained brakes can be the difference in preventing an accident or a tragedy. Brake maintenance is one of the last services you should forget.
We all know that your brakes are responsible for stopping your vehicle, but how exactly does this system work? The friction between your tires and the road is actually what slows down and stops your car, and your brake pads and brake discs create the necessary resistance to stop your wheels from spinning. Every time you brake, you are advertently causing these discs to wear.
There are two essential components of brake maintenance: an experienced technician needs to inspect your brake fluid and brake pads and brake discs. Over time, your brake fluid will begin to degrade, and leaving this fluid in your vehicle can ultimately damage your brakes. Our technicians will drain your brake fluid and replace it if needed.
If you are hearing a noise when you brake or your vehicle is vibrating when you slow down to a stop, your brake pads and discs might need a little TLC. If you notice these signs, we recommend contacting the team at Dick’s Automotive right away. If the brake pads are no longer visible to the technician, they will most likely need to be replaced.
We can’t emphasize the importance of brake maintenance enough. Because they play such a vital role in securing the safety of you, your vehicle, and your passengers, you can’t cut any corners. Safety is always the top priority at Dick’s Automotive at Clovis, and brake maintenance is only one piece of the puzzle. Contact us today to set up an appointment with our qualified and honest technicians. We are conveniently located at 1550 Tollhouse Road in Clovis, CA. 93611, and we look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon!
Tips for Sanitizing Your Vehicle
We might not think that our vehicles can trap germs, but they can. In the era of a global pandemic, it is essential to sanitize our cars. We may unknowingly be transferring germs to the high-touch surfaces on our vehicles, after our trip to the grocery store or pharmacy. If you are an essential worker, the need for you to clean your vehicle is even higher. Either way, it is a good idea to take the time to sanitize your vehicle properly. Here are five tips for sanitizing your vehicle:
- Clean high-touch surfaces: Think of all the surfaces you touch more frequently, including your steering wheel, knobs, switches, screen, buttons, or anything else. We recommend cleaning these with a car interior cleaner, or you can also use an ammonia-based solution for the same effect. This is a relatively short process — it only takes 10 minutes!
Don’t forget about the low-contact areas too: Typically, your headliner, headrest, and window glass are low-contact parts, but they also require cleaning, and it can take as little as ten minutes to clean them. Make sure you don’t forget about your interior, and exterior door handles — these regions are regularly touched.
Clean your HVAC unit: Your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) unit’s job is to circulate air throughout your cabin. We love to blast that air conditioning during summer, but you may be surprised to know that this unit can carry germs. It is a lot easier to clean this unit than it sounds — you can use a specialized cleaner or an ammonia-based solution to get the job done to spray your AC vents. Our team at Dick’s Automotive can also make sure your cabin air filter is performing in tip-top shape and doesn’t need to be replaced.
Vacuum out your vehicle: If you have one, we recommend using a portable vacuum cleaner to clean your cabin. If you don’t have one, you can still wash and scrub the floormates. You can also use a disinfectant liquid on the pedals, gear-lever, and handbrake lever. If you have leather seats, you can also use a disinfectant liquid or wipes. Soapy water can also do the trick. This process will take approximately 30 minutes.
It is easy for us to remember to sanitize our homes, but it is more of a challenge for us to remember to clean our cars. The team at Dick’s Automotive is here to remind you, along with provide you with any preventative maintenance or auto repair service you need. We don’t want you to worry about the safety of your vehicle during these trying times. Contact us today to set up an appointment with our qualified and honest technicians. We are conveniently located at 1550 Tollhouse Road in Clovis, CA. 93611, and we look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon!
Here is How We Show Our Love at Dick’s Automotive
We are currently living in a stressful time, and the team at Dick’s Automotive is here to support you each step of the way with our kind, courteous, and accurate service. Since 1971, Dick’s Automotive has built and maintained a loyal customer base from Clovis, Fresno, and the surrounding regions.
How do we show our love at Dick’s Automotive? The answer begins with our commitment to our family, both our personal family and then our extended family, also known as our customers. We are honest and upfront about the services your vehicle needs or doesn’t need, as we are driven, no pun intended, by integrity, hard work, and transparency.
The next part of the answer has to do with our technicians. Our technicians are either ASE-Certified or Master-Certified, which they means they had to undergo rigorous training and tests. When you visit Dick’s Automotive in Clovis, you can expect convenience, value, and time. We are affiliated with ASCCA and iATN. Our auto repair shop in Clovis is outfitted with state-of-the-art tools and technology, and our technicians make sure to attend regular training to stay on the cutting-edge of repair procedures.
At Dick’s Automotive, we truly care about you and your vehicle. We are here to play our part in keeping the streets safe in Clovis, Fresno, and beyond. We consider you part of our extended family, and we will service your vehicle as if it were our mother’s, uncle’s, or sister’s. We are committed to the health and well-being of our community, and the first step to ensuring this begins with your vehicle.
This how we show our love at Dick’s Automotive — we go that extra mile by being honest, respectful, and committed to the safety of you and your vehicle. During these tough times, the last thing you should worry about is the condition of your car. The team at Dick’s Automotive is here to help lift at least one of the burdens off your shoulders.
Contact us today to set up an appointment with our qualified and honest technicians. We are conveniently located at 1550 Tollhouse Road in Clovis, CA. 93611, and we look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon!
5 Engine Noises You Need to Pay Attention To
When your car talks to you, it would be smart to take a moment and listen, and we aren’t just talking about your vehicle’s speakers! Sometimes, our car will make an unusual noise, and it means something. If your vehicle is making an unusual noise, we recommend bringing your vehicle to our team at Dick’s Automotive right away. It is our job to decipher what that noise means, and we take our job very seriously.
If you are hearing any of these noises, we recommend bringing your vehicle to our auto repair shop in Clovis right away:
- Squealing or screeching when you brake: if you are hearing this noise when you brake, it can indicate that some part of your braking system is worn down, resulting in a pad not properly releasing, which in turn causes excessive heat and noise. This noise can mean that you need new brake pads, or your brake rotors need to be resurfaced or replaced. These repairs will make sure you can stop safely and quietly.
- Grinding sounds when you brake: If you hear grinding noises as soon as you step on the brakes, it usually means the pads need to be replaced or something is rubbing against the brake rotors the wrong way. Your brake pads may be extremely worn, or it can even indicate that your brake calipers or pistons are grinding against the rotor.
- Rumbling or rattling exhaust noises from under your car: If your vehicle sounds louder than normal, it may mean that there is a hole somewhere in your exhaust system. Exhaust system are usually simple — our team might reattach a loose pipe, replaced a corroded pipe, or attach a new muffler.
- Chirping or squealing noise from under your hood: Your vehicle’s serpentine belt is a single belt that transfers power produced from your engine to components throughout your vehicle, such as your air conditioning, power steering, and alternator systems. Over time, your serpentine belt can wear down and slip, which can result in a squealing sound.
- Growling or roaring noise when driving down the Clovis streets: Tires that are beyond their time will make a growling or roaring noise. However, this noise can also indicate a problem with your wheel bearings. Either way, our technicians will figure out the root cause of that pesky noise and put your mind at ease.
These noises can indicate a variety of different issues — sometimes they can signal a more serious repair or a simple fix. The team at Dick’s Automotive is here to be your vehicle translator, to figure out what your car is trying to tell us! Contact us today to set up an appointment with our qualified and honest technicians. We are conveniently located at 1550 Tollhouse Road in Clovis, CA. 93611, and we look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon!
It is Always Better to Be Safe than Sorry: Here is What to Put in Your Roadside Emergency Kit
When it comes to your vehicle, it always better to be safe than sorry. If you are planning any road trips anytime soon, an emergency kit is a definite must. The team at Dick’s Automotive is here to help. We don’t want you to leave out any essentials if you ever find yourself in a sticky situation. Here is what to put in your roadside emergency kit:
- Jumper cables.
- Flares or triangle reflectors.
- A quart or more of motor oil
- A gallon of coolant
- First-aid kit
- Blanket or space blanket
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Tool kit with screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, pocket knife
- A can of tire inflator and sealant.
- Tire pressure gauge
- Paper towels
- Spray bottle with washer fluid
- Ice scraper (if you live in an area with snow)
- Pen and paper
- Granola or energy bars
- Bottled water
The team at Dick’s Automotive wants you to avoid being broken down on the side of the road. Preventative maintenance is the key to doing so — it will keep you and your vehicle happy and healthy cruising down the Clovis streets.
Contact us today to set up an appointment with our qualified and honest technicians. We are conveniently located at 1550 Tollhouse Road in Clovis, CA. 93611, and we look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon!
What Makes an Excellent Technician
It can be a challenge to find a truly excellent technician — a technician that goes above and beyond for their customers and puts their safety above anything else. Fortunately, the team at Dick’s Automotive strives only for excellence, and we meet and exceed that standard each time you visit our auto repair shop in Clovis.
What exactly makes an excellent technician? Here are 4 key qualities:
Technicians have strong work ethics. They get the job done right the first time, making sure to go above and beyond for their clients to ensure their safety and security.
An excellent technician solve even the trickiest of problems on the finickiest of vehicles. They don’t balk when faced with a tough problem; instead, they love the challenge and eager to get you back on the road as soon as possible.
An excellent technician will have strong technical skills. Nowadays, cars are more like computers on wheels, and technicians need a firm grasp and understanding of technology.
Communication is essential, not only to their team members, but to customers. An excellent technician will be transparent and upfront about the services their vehicles need immediately, and which services can wait until next time.
For a team of excellent technicians, you are in the right place. The team at Dick’s Automotive possess those four qualities and more. Contact us today to set up an appointment with our qualified and honest technicians. We are conveniently located at 1550 Tollhouse Road in Clovis, CA. 93611, and we look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon!
New Year’s Resolutions for Becoming a Safer Driver
The team at Dick’s Automotive is here to wish you a happy and healthy New Year’s! We wish you and your vehicle only the best in 2020 and the new decade! An imperative part of New Year’s is holding yourself accountable, and the team at Dick’s Automotive is here to help. We have developed a list of four New Year’s Resolutions that will help you become a better driver:
- No more speeding. This one sounds relatively easy to accomplish but it is much harder than it seems, especially when you are running late to that morning meeting. These speed limits are posted there for a reason. Try to follow them as much as possible in the New Year.
- Don’t forget your turn signals! As we older, we can’t help but become more confident in our abilities as drivers, and we sometimes “forget” to use our turn signals. Not only is it better to be safe than sorry, but other, less confident drivers need to know where you are going, and turn signals do just that.
- Put down the phone! This resolution may seem obvious but you would be surprised by how many people don’t follow this important rule. Out of sight, out of mind! Put your phone away in a spot you can’t reach for while driving.
- Keep up with regular maintenance. So many expensive and complicated auto repairs could have been prevented with preventative maintenance. You can think of it as bringing your car to the doctors — just like how you need physicals, your vehicle does too! A properly, well-maintained vehicle means you can drive safer.
Start 2020 off right with the team at Dick’s Automotive! Contact us today to set up an appointment with our qualified and honest technicians. We are conveniently located at 1550 Tollhouse Road in Clovis, CA. 93611, and we look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon!
New Year’s Resolutions for Being a Better Car Owner
2020 was a year like we never expected. The team at Dick’s Automotive is so appreciative of each of our clients who continue to choose our shop for service. We couldn’t be more grateful for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year for your next service. We want to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year!
The team at Dick’s Automotive wants you to get the most out of 2021, and the best way to start the New Year off on the right foot is coming up with resolutions. We are here to help, as we have compiled New Year’s resolutions for being a better car owner:
- Pay close attention to preventive maintenance. To keep your vehicle running in pristine condition for as long as possible, regularly scheduled visits at Dick’s Automotive is of utmost importance. By routinely servicing your vehicle, we can prevent bigger and often more costly problems from happening.
- Drive courteously and kindly. This year has been hectic, to say the least. We know how easy it is to feel frustrated while driving, but the team at Dick’s Automotive encourages you to take a moment, breathe, and remember to treat other drivers on the road how you would want to be treated.
- Don’t forget about your fluids! Just like you need fluids to stay happy and healthy, your vehicle does too! Certain fluids in your vehicle, including your oil, brake fluid, and coolant, need to be serviced at regular intervals. The team at Dick’s Automotive can help you stay on top of maintaining these essential fluids.
- No more distracted driving. Did you know that, on average, nine people die a day from distracted driving? We can’t emphasize this enough — put your phone away, and keep your eye on the road. Distracted driving is more than just texting and driving; but it also includes eating and drinking and changing your music while driving.
- Safety first for your little ones. If your child is age eight and under, they should be in a car seat, and if your child is age 12 and under, they should be in the back seat. We recommend following these rules for optimal safety.
Together, we can start 2021 off on the right foot by bringing your vehicle to our shop for preventive maintenance. Contact us today to set up an appointment with our qualified and honest technicians. We are conveniently located at 1550 Tollhouse Road in Clovis, CA. 93611, and we look forward to seeing you and your vehicle soon!
