All posts in Automotive

If you are preparing for a day-trip or an extended vacation to unwind, having a “pre-trip” automotive service will ease your mind and possibly prevent an unexpected automotive repair that leaves you stranded out in the cold. Here is a simple check list to include in an automotive service to get you off to a great start:

* Vehicle Loading & Tire Inspection

Virtually all late model motor vehicles are equipped with a sticker located on the driver’s door or pillar. That sticker determines maximum vehicle capacity, which means the weight of the vehicle along with the combined weight of passengers and cargo. Don’t exceed the recommended load capacity. On the same sticker is also a tire pressure chart. Be sure to check all tires and make certain they are inflated properly. Tire tread depth should also be inspected. If tires are worn to a point where less than 2/32-inch of the tread remains, or if the cord or fabric is showing, it’s time to replace the tires.
* Lights & Horn

Inspect all exterior and interior light/lamp functions. If any bulbs are burned out, and if you are uncomfortable with replacing it yourself, take your vehicle to your automotive service center and have it taken care of. You will want to make sure the horn works properly.
* Windshield Wipers

Test the wiper operation of your vehicle. You will also want to check the wear of the wiper blades. If they are streaking, or squeaking, they probably need to be changed to make sure you have clear visibility in the elements.
* Parking Brake

Test the parking brake with the engine running, transmission in drive and your foot on the brake. With the parking brake engaged slowly release the foot brake. If your vehicle moves forward, then the parking brake is not adequate. To ensure your safety, don’t forget to have it checked as part of the automotive service.
* Spare Tire

Spare tires can lose pressure over time. It’s a good idea to not only check the pressure of the spare, you should also insure it isn’t damaged, as well as checking the tread wear and overall condition.
* Car Jack & Tools

Check the truck to make sure you have the appropriate tools and car jack (and that they are in good working order) for changing flats, etc.

If you have completed the above check-list and had a complete automotive service, make sure you have taken care of any deficient or broken items. Although you can never guarantee that something unforeseen may happen, you will at least be prepared for the unexpected.

Need quality automotive service? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive by calling (608) 221-8321 or go on-line at http://clausenautomotive.com for more information. Since 1975, our family-owned automotive repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and surrounding communities.

If you own a car lot, and are trying to find a way to catch the eye of potential clients, and effectively advertise your company, consider using an automotive flag to do so. The decorative designs of flags will help increase revenue for your business. Designs are available for car dealership logos, license plate inserts, checker flags, message flags, and anything else your auto marketing campaign may require. If you are thinking about using these flags to advertise your business, look at the benefits of designing and ordering custom flags.

Flags work around the clock. The flags will promote your business day and night, and through all types of weather conditions. Customers do not need to have to enter your building to be mindful of what your business offers. Flags will constantly help to promote your company or service to allure prospective clients well after business hours. If your car dealership sells a specific type of car, you might choose to buy nylon flags with the emblem of the car manufacturer, in order to let customers recognize which cars are available on your lot. Place both foreign and domestic manufacturer logos on the flag to entice customers to your car lot.

In case you are organizing a special event or car sale, then flags are the perfect way to promote it. You can opt to custom order your flags to incorporate various logos, slogans or words for the best way to advertise. Clients can see the different announcements on the flags as they move pass them. Several flags are pre-printed, and can be easily ordered and shipped. Even if someone is driving by your car dealership, they will easily see the promotions at your dealership which may entice them to stop and take a peek at your inventory.

Flags are an easy way to catch the eye of your buyers. If you are searching for something with a bit more effect, so that your customers will notice your business easily, think about using flags with vibrant designs and radiant colors. This is also a terrific way to advertise a sale or discount that you’re offering. If you choose huge words against energetic, contrasting colors, it will draw in customers to focus on the message you want to convey to them. These are called POW flags, and therefore are a wonderful way to attract attention directly to your business.

No matter what type of car you sell, utilizing an automotive flags along with your dealership name and logo helps to advertise your business. Also, be sure you print the names of the cars on your flags, along with your company name. Custom flags that are printed with your business, car manufacturer or logo on them will definitely help to attract new customers.

Bear in mind, that in some cases less is more when promoting. The bigger your lot, the greater amount of flags you should order to place around your business. But dont add too many flags in the same area, at the risk of having things overall look confusing and too busy. Sometimes incorporating a simple message on a flag can be the most productive way to market.

If you’re an owner of a car dealership, and you need to attract more customers, the most effective, and efficient way to draw in the interest of potential customers is by utilizing flags as a advertising tool.

Cars right now are advanced, their computer systems can inform us when the tire pressure is low, some give us the precise tire pressure reading. But what about when the low tire pressure warning light stays on after a tire has been repaired or replaced? Tire and auto repair shops nowadays should have the proper auto specialty tool to handle this. Picking a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Program) tool that can reset the warning light on most makes of autos is needed, since most shops work on far more than one sort of automobile.

Direct or Indirect TPM systems are utilised on cars today. Direct tire pressure monitoring systems have sensors that can measure the exact tire pressure in every tire (like the spare on some models). The tire pressure sensors are either mounted by a steel band or built into the valve stem. These variety sensors have a battery that may fail over time like any other battery. The sensors are not serviceable, so when the battery fails the unit is replaced. Caution must be taken when altering tires with all the direct variety TPM sensors, they can be damaged inadvertently when breaking the bead of the tire when utilizing the tire machine. Consumers should also be conscious that “fix a flat” or any similar tire sealer can harm the sensors.

Indirect TPM systems do not have tire pressure sensors on every wheel, they use the vehicle’s ABS (Anti Lock Brake) wheel speed sensors to calculate the speed of every tire. The notion is the fact that equally inflated tires will travel at the same speed. The personal computer detects the slight distinction in speed of the below inflated tire and turns the warning on.

OTC may be the primary OE (original gear) tool manufacturer, therefore OTC makes most of the automobile dealer manufacturer particular important (needed by the manufacturer) TPM diagnostic/reset tools GM’s OTC TPM reset tool number is J-46079 (Kent Moore), Ford’s car specialty tool number for resetting the TPM warning light is Rotunda 204-363 ( Rotunda TKIT-20006V4-FLM). OTC owns both Kent Moore and Rotunda together with other manufacturer specific car specialty tool manufactures. The issue for the typical auto repair shop is the fact that it’s not feasible to personal every of the manufacturer distinct TPMS car specialty tool for each vehicle manufacturer. And, every single manufacturer particular tool is only capable of resetting their certain brand. For example if you have the Ford Rotunda TPMS tool it’ll operate only on Ford and not Chevrolet, Nissan and so on. The OTC 3833 Tire Pressure Monitoring Reset Tool is a very well-liked alternative in relation to TPMS auto specialty tools. The cause is that it is made by OTC and has software that enables it to have a wide range of coverage, not just 1 manufacturer.