September 9/11

September Manager’s Minute

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Hello Dearholt AutoCare Family,

As the proud owner of Dearholt AutoCare, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on everything going on this month. September is a time of changes in season, and it brings with it some important dates that we hold close to our hearts.

First and foremost, Labor Day (September 4th) is a day when we pause to appreciate the hard work and effort that goes into keeping our world turning. At Dearholt AutoCare, we have a team of dedicated professionals whose labor is integral not just to our success, but to your safety and convenience. Their expertise keeps your cars running smoothly, ensuring you can get where you need to go without worries.

So, as you enjoy your Labor Day celebrations, take a moment to appreciate those who put in the hard labor – like our incredible team here at Dearholt AutoCare – to make our lives easier and more comfortable.

With Labor Day weekend being a popular time for road trips, we encourage you to get your vehicle serviced before you hit the road. A quick check-up can make all the difference for a smooth, worry-free journey.

Following Labor Day, we commemorate Patriot’s Day on September 11th. It’s a day to honor and remember those who were affected by the tragic events of 9/11. Our thoughts are with everyone who was, and continues to be, impacted.

Later in the month, the State Fair kicks off! It’s a fantastic event filled with fun, food, and festivities. As you set off to enjoy the fair, remember to check your oil and other vehicle fluids. Regular checks are essential to maintaining your vehicle’s health and ensuring safe travels.

Remember, at Dearholt AutoCare, we’re more than just a service center. We’re a family, committed to looking out for each other and our community. So whether you’re heading out on a road trip, or just driving around town, know that we’re here to keep your vehicle in top shape.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable September!

Best, Jim Dearholt Owner, Dearholt AutoCare

Keep Your Car Running Cool with Dearholt AutoCare’s Radiator Maintenance Services

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As car owners, we often focus on the engine, brakes, and tires, but one crucial component that keeps your vehicle running smoothly is the radiator. The radiator plays an essential role in maintaining the temperature of your engine, and a well-maintained radiator can save you from costly repairs down the line. At Dearholt AutoCare in Albuquerque, NM, we offer top-notch coolant flush services to keep your car’s cooling system in perfect condition.

The Importance of Radiator Maintenance

Your vehicle’s radiator ensures that your engine doesn’t overheat by dissipating heat generated during operation. Over time, solid deposits can accumulate in your radiator, leading to clogged pipes and lines within the cooling system. A quick radiator flush at Dearholt AutoCare can remove these deposits, allowing your cooling system to function efficiently.

Seasonal Antifreeze Change

Antifreeze is another vital component of your cooling system. It prevents the coolant from freezing in cold weather and helps maintain the optimal temperature for your engine. Regularly changing your antifreeze is essential, especially as seasons change. Our experienced auto technicians at Dearholt AutoCare can help you change your antifreeze, ensuring your vehicle stays protected against freezing temperatures.

Comprehensive Cooling System Diagnostics and Repairs

If you suspect that your cooling system has issues beyond a simple flush or antifreeze replacement, our team of automotive experts can diagnose the problem. We can perform a pressure test to determine if your radiator’s pressure is correct. If the pressure test reveals any issues, we will inspect your cooling system’s caps, hoses, and connections to identify any components that need to be replaced or repaired. At Dearholt AutoCare, we provide fair and honest quotes on parts and labor, so you know exactly what to expect.

Trust Dearholt AutoCare for Your Cooling System Needs

Whether you need a simple pressure test, a coolant flush, or a full radiator replacement, Dearholt AutoCare is your go-to destination for reliable cooling system services. Our team of experienced technicians is committed to keeping your car running cool and efficiently, so you can enjoy peace of mind on the road. Visit us today at our Albuquerque, NM location, and let us help you maintain your vehicle’s cooling system.

 

The Brake Breakdown

The Brake Breakdown – Your Guide to Brake Inspection and Maintenance

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When it comes to your vehicle’s health, few things are as crucial as maintaining a reliable and efficient braking system. In this post, we’ll break down the importance of regular brake inspections, the components involved, warning signs of brake problems, and how these issues can be repaired. Let’s dive into “The Brake Breakdown”!

The Importance of Regular Brake Inspections Your brakes are one of the most critical safety features of your car. Regular brake inspections not only ensure the safety of you and your passengers but also help prevent costly repairs down the road. Experts recommend having your brakes checked at least once a year or following your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

Components Examined During a Brake Inspection During a brake inspection, a technician will examine several key components of your vehicle’s brake system, including:

  1. Brake Pads: These help create friction to slow down or stop your car. Over time, they wear down and need replacement.
  2. Calipers: These hold the brake pads against the rotors to create friction. They can become damaged or corroded over time.
  3. Rotors: These metal discs work with the brake pads to slow down your vehicle. Warped or unevenly worn rotors can cause reduced braking performance.
  4. Brake Lines: These transfer brake fluid from the master cylinder to the calipers. Damaged or leaking lines can lead to a loss of brake pressure.

Warning Signs of Brake Problems Here are some common warning signs that indicate a potential issue with your brakes:

  1. Screeching or Squealing: This noise typically occurs when your brake pads have worn down and need replacement.
  2. Grinding: A grinding sound may indicate worn-down brake pads or a damaged rotor.
  3. Vibrations: If your brake pedal vibrates while braking, it could be due to a warped rotor or worn brake pads.
  4. Reduced Brake Performance: If your car takes longer to stop than usual, it’s a clear sign that your brakes need attention.

Brake Component Wear and Repair Different brake components may experience wear and tear over time. Here’s how they’re commonly repaired:

  1. Brake Pads: Worn-out brake pads are replaced with new ones to restore braking performance.
  2. Calipers: If damaged or corroded, calipers may be rebuilt or replaced.
  3. Rotors: Warped or unevenly worn rotors can be resurfaced or replaced, depending on the severity of the issue.
  4. Brake Lines: Damaged or leaking brake lines should be replaced immediately to prevent loss of brake pressure.

Regular brake inspections are essential for your vehicle’s overall health and safety. By understanding the components involved, warning signs of brake problems, and repair methods, you can ensure a safe driving experience for yourself and your passengers. Trust Dearholt AutoCare for all your brake inspection and maintenance needs!

$50 Back On NAPA Brake Installation

New Headlights

Cloudy Headlights?

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Happy New Year Everyone,

We are excited to kick off 2023 with you, as you prepare for the thousands of miles ahead of you this year. We are happy to be your AutoCare Center and we want to keep you all informed about your vehicle maintenance, service and specials. As the car industry continue to be in flux, used cars are still pricey and the right new vehicles are hard to find. Right now, staying on top of maintenance and repairs on your existing vehicle is probably a lot more economical than buying at least for the majority of this year. And, according to AAA, “the average yearly cost to own and operate a new vehicle in 2022 is $10,728, or $894 per month.”

We are here for you to keep your vehicle running safely and reliably. Top tips for winter weather include, 1) Check your tire’s tread and pressure. Cold icy conditions are no time to need tires. Talk to us about a winter or all season tire that is right for your vehicle. 2) Our number one mechanical issue in cold weather is the dead battery.  Ask us about our batteries, including the AAA battery available through NAPA. 3) Headlights, during the dark days of January, your headlights are vital equipment. Cloudy headlights can impede visibility by as much as 80%. Keep those dark nights at bay, ask us about headlights.

Thank you for your business,

Your AutoCare Team

AAA NAPA Battery

coolant flush

Coolant Flush Basics

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Coolant Flush

You need to have your engine cooling system flushed occasionally to protect, de-scale and replace your coolant/anti-freeze. This is vital to maintaining quality engine cooling levels and protecting your vehicle from summer heat and winter cold. Over time and extreme temperature, your coolant begins to break down. It begins to leave deposits. If not maintained, the deposits can clog and restrict flow, may plug the radiator or heater core. An overheating event can destroy your engine, crack your head or block. These are expensive repairs that could be avoided with a simple preventative flush service.

  • Coolant is extracted.
  • Then your system is flushed with our proprietary solution to remove dirt, rust and build up.
  • Your system gets flushed of all the impurities and build up and fluids.
  • We replace with high quality coolant.

 

Now Hiring

April – Manager’s Minute

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Hey Everybody,

Jim DearholtSpring is here and we are excited about it. I believe everyone knows me well enough to know that Easter is an important time of year to me. It marks the renewal of our spirit and the promise of our salvation. It’s a special time for us to reflect on the people in our lives, the things we have, and to care for those things. To be good stewards of the resources God gives us.

Of course, I’m a mechanic so that makes me think of taking care of vehicles. And taking care of your big investments, like cars and trucks is part of stewardship. Every year we see a job come through that could have been prevented with regular maintenance or an inspection. We just want to say to them, “if you would have gotten the oil changed, you would have know the oil was low and maybe that connecting-rod would not be on the outside of your engine block.” Earth Day is on the 22nd of April every year and it is about being good stewards of the planet. One of the number one ranked ways for reducing emissions and reducing fuel consumption, according to AAA, is regular maintenance and repair. 

We welcome to our staff Harley Chatman, as our new front desk Customer Service Representative. More great news, Cheryl Montoya has been promoted to Service Advisor. Come in and meet Harley and congratulate Cheryl on her new position. We have recently brought on Nate Martinez and an additional Technician. We are thrilled to have these new employees on board, and having Cheryl taking on a new role in the company.

And it’s National Car Care Month, so we are offering our Annual VIP Car Care Club for 25% Off. Ask Harley for the details of everything that’s included in your membership.

We hope you enjoy the spring and have a wonderful Easter. We want to thank you for being our customer and welcome you into the shop anytime.

—Jim

gas prices

3 Ways To Save Gas

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3 Tips To Save Gas

As fuel prices go higher, our customers are asking about how they can save gas. There are lots of opportunities to save money with your vehicle:

  1. Keep up with the standard maintenance of your vehicle. The better operating condition of your vehicle, the better your gas mileage will be. Tire pressure and alignment are good examples of services that can improve fuel efficiency.
  2. Reduce your speed and acceleration. We know it might take the fun out of driving, but the harder you push that pedal to the metal, the more fuel you are burning.
  3. Share a ride. Car pool. Team up with co-workers and family members to share trips and commutes.

At Dearholt AutoCare, our commitment is to keep your vehicle in the best condition we can and keep you informed of how you can improve vehicle performance. Schedule your service today.

505.857.0868

Ownership, Maintenance & Repairs

► When buying a car, look for models that offer the best fuel economy in their class. For most drivers, an optional larger and/or more-powerful engine is unnecessary.

► Maintain your car according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Modern cars don’t need “tune ups,” but regular service will ensure optimum fuel economy, performance and longevity.

► Take your car to a repair shop as soon as possible if the “Check Engine” light comes on. This indicates a problem that is causing excessive emissions and likely reducing fuel economy.

Winter Maintenance

Winter Maintenance Tips

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WINTER IS HERE!

Cold temperatures, freezing liquids, dry conditions all effect your automobile. The top priorities on your winter maintenance checklist should include:

  • Heater Check – You don’t want to be cold when you are driving. Let’s make sure your heating system is fully operational.
  • Battery Check – Don’t get stranded from a dead battery that can’t take the cold. Summer heat damages batteries, winter cold finishes them off.
  • Windshield Wiper Check – Don’t be caught off guard by rain and snow. This month we have an offer for buy one set, get one set FREE NAPA PROformance Wiper Blades.
  • Fluids Check – Windshield Wiper fluid, oil, anti-freeze levels; belts and hoses.

Our Maintenance Oil Change includes a full inspection of these items and more. A fresh oil change is always a good start to winter maintenance.

Sweetheart Deal 2022

FREE Car Battery Check

Should I Upgrade My Car Battery

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Car Battery Upgrades

When that car battery finally gives up the ghost and it’s time to replace it, drivers have options. First, let’s be clear that you should always get a replacement battery that meets or exceeds your vehicle’s specifications. But you may have some special needs. When they first put the battery into your vehicle at the factory, they had no idea where it would end up over its life or how YOU would use it where you drive in New Mexico. That battery was chosen to meet the needs of a wide range of motorists. Replacement time is a good opportunity to talk to your service advisor at Dearholt AutoCare about how you use your vehicle so you can get just the right battery.

An obvious criterion is where you live, whether in or somewhere else. Cold starts require a lot of power from your battery. The colder the climate, the more power needed. This comes from a combination of cold sluggish oil and the slower chemical reaction within the battery itself when it is cold. If this sounds like you, talk to your service advisor Dearholt AutoCare about a battery with more Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).

The next consideration for drivers is reserve capacity. This is the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has under a particular load. If your driving is mostly short stop-and-go trips around Albuquerque, your battery may not have time to fully recharge while driving. You may need to tap into those reserves to get started again. Also, modern vehicles have a lot of always-on systems that draw on the battery – things like the security system, remote sensors, and vehicle computers. These combine with the electronic entertainment system, sensors, heated seats and even chargers for phones, tablets and computers to put a fairly high load on the battery. Your service advisor Dearholt AutoCare can give you advice on the reserve capacity you might need.

Most standard batteries are “wet-cell,” meaning they are filled with liquid battery acid. New Absorbed Gas Mat (AGM) batteries are “non-spillable” which makes them safer.  They also have a longer life span and greater cycle life than wet-cell batteries. Off-roaders like these batteries because their performance is not affected by steep inclines and odd angles. They are also well suited for RV and boat owners.

Lastly, consideration for drivers is warranty.  Premium batteries come with a longer warranty. Warranties are typically either full-replacement (the battery is replaced if it fails within the warranty period) or pro-rated (a partial credit is given for the failed battery depending on how far into the warranty period you are when it fails).

When the battery is replaced,  your friendly and knowledgeable Dearholt AutoCare technician may need to recalibrate some accessories such as power windows and sunroofs. Also, some vehicles may need to have the battery registered into the engine computer.

Your Dearholt AutoCare service advisor can help you know how to decide which battery is right for you and your vehicle.

Serpentine Belt

Serpentine Belt

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Accessory Belt

You know that long belt that snakes around the front of your engine?  It’s called the serpentine belt.  The belt’s driven by the engine as it turns.  It powers your alternator, air conditioning compressor, and power steering pump.  On some vehicles it also runs the water pump, radiator fan, and power brakes.  Sounds like a lot of important stuff doesn’t it? They should call it the Accessory Belt!

If your serpentine belt were to break, your battery would die in a few miles.  If it runs your fan or water pump, your engine could overheat.  And steering and braking could be more difficult.  Obviously, the best thing is to replace your serpentine belt before it breaks.

Check your owner’s manual for when it’s recommended to replace your serpentine belt – or just ask your service advisor.  He can inspect the belt as well to see if it’s in trouble.  You may have been told to look for cracks in your belt to see if it needs to be replaced.  Of course, cracks are still a concern, but modern belt material doesn’t crack as often as old belts did.  What we look for these days is the thickness of the belt.  We have a special little tool that measures the depth of the grooves in the belt to see if it needs replacing.

A worn belt can slip or be misaligned, putting undue stress on the accessories it runs.

Now you can imagine it’s important for the belt to be tight, so there’s a tensioner pulley on your engine that puts pressure on the belt to keep it at the right tension.  The spring on the tensioner wears out over time so we recommend replacing the tensioner pulley at the same time as the serpentine belt.

Replacing your serpentine belt on schedule, or when an inspection warrants it, will keep you from an unexpected breakdown.