HOW TO: Check Your Tire Pressure

NEW FEATURE! Every Tuesday on our blog we will be posting a HOW TO video.

What would YOU like to know how to do?! Let us know by commenting on this post the things that you would like to know how to do, and we will put a video together showing you how. Remember, there is never a dumb question, so if it's something you are wanting to know how to do, chances are somebody else is wondering as well!

We are here to help educate you on how to take better care of your vehicles, so send us any questions you may have!

read more "HOW TO: Check Your Tire Pressure"

Oil Change WINNER!

Congratulations to Melissa Brinkerhoff!

Last week, every person that commented on our facebook posts was entered into a drawing for a FREE oil change. Her name was randomly selected using random.org as the winner of a FREE oil change from us! 

Remember, you could be next, so keep commenting on our posts! :) 

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Have A Safe Memorial Weekend!

Happy Memorial Day! We hope everybody has a safe and fun weekend. For a list of events going on this Memorial Weekend, they are listed HERE. You can also read about the history of Memorial Day HERE.

What fun things are you doing over this long weekend? If only the weather were warmer!

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FRIDAY TIDBIT: Electronic Controlled A/C Compressor For A Hybrid Car

Click on picture to enlarge

The A/C compressor is the main unit for the air conditioning system.   It moves the refrigerant through the Air Conditioning (A/C) system to produce the cold air. (The A/C compressor pictured to the left is from a hybrid car. It has been taken apart to show all of the specific parts.)

Gasoline and diesel powered vehicles have a belt driven compressor that takes power off the engine.  On gas/electric hybrid vehicles they use the high voltage battery to turn the A/C compressor to improve fuel mileage and performance.  This compressor pictured is one off a gas/electric hybrid vehicle.  

Sometimes if your A/C compressor is going bad, it can make a strange "growling" noise. It's always best to have these serviced by a professional, and any time you hear any new or strange noise coming from your vehicle, have it checked out as soon as possible. We are always willing to take a quick drive with you to try to pinpoint the problem as soon as possible; stop by or call and we can check it out for you!

For more tips like this one, visit our Auto Care Tips page.

Chad and Mark attended a hybrid and electric car workshop over the weekend, so we will be bringing you more information that they learned in upcoming tips! Stay tuned for that!

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WHAT IS IT?! picture for May 26th

Here is the picture that will be posted on our Facebook page tomorrow, Thursday May 26th.

The first person to correctly identify this vehicle part will receive $10 off their next service. Remember, do not start guessing until it's posted on our Facebook page tomorrow, and good luck!

(Remember, just by guessing and commenting on our Facebook posts this week gets you entered into a drawing to win a FREE oil change!)

read more "WHAT IS IT?! picture for May 26th"

PRINTABLE Registration and Flyer

Would you like to print out a flyer for our upcoming FREE Women's Auto Care Workshop?

You can find the printable registration and flyer HERE.

Print it out and share it with friends, family, coworkers......anybody! This workshop is great for teenage drivers!

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Road Trip Tips

With Memorial Day coming up, make sure you are ready for that road trip you've been waiting to take!


Drive with caution, and with these driving tips from ACDelco, you can increase your chances of a safe trip.


Nothing can ruin a vacation more than car problems, and by following these few simple steps, you can avoid some major issues along the way:

• Bring your vehicle to us to do a quick check over of the belts, hoses, brakes, lights, engine oil, and coolant. 
• Check your tire pressure. 
• Make sure your trunk has a jack, lug wrench, and other tools needed to change a tire. Make sure your spare tire is properly inflated and not flat!
• Check tire pressure of all tires, including the spare
• Check your windshield wiper fluid and windshield wiper blades. 
• Make sure you have a working flashlight with extra batteries, emergency reflectors, sunglasses and a first aid-kit. ACDelco has a great list of what items to keep in your vehicle at all time. 
• Take your driver's license, vehicle registration and auto and medical insurance cards
• Carry a spare set of vehicle keys. Nothing is worse than locking your keys in your vehicle far from home! Keep the spare set of keys on a designated person at all times!
• Plan your route and leave a copy of your itinerary with a relative or neighbor
• Bring a cellular phone or a sign that tells passersby to “Call Police” in case of trouble
• Have any repairs or vehicle maintenance performed before the trip—see your vehicle's owner's manual for vehicle maintenance schedules.
• You can also safe money on gas by increasing your gas mileage with these tips from ACDelco.
• Good Music: What is a road trip without some good music?! Here is a playlist of Road Trip Songs to keep you going:

Find more tips like this and more from ACDelco and on our Auto Care Tips page.

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Get A FREE Oil Change...Here's How:

This week, comment on any of our posts on our Facebook page, and you will automatically be entered to receive a FREE oil change at Gines Auto Service.

Today we have our trivia question. You don't have to have the correct answer, just take a guess! Thursday we will have our WHAT IS IT?! picture game. Again, you do not need to have the correct answer, you just have to try!

Any thing we post on our Facebook page this week, comment on it, and get entered to win a FREE oil change! The more posts you comment on, the higher your chances!

GOOD LUCK! The winner will be announced Monday morning on the blog and Facebook page.

read more "Get A FREE Oil Change...Here's How:"

FRIDAY TIDBIT: Water Pump

Water Pump

WHAT DOES IT DO?!

The water pump's main function is to pump water from the radiator to the engine to keep it cool. It also pumps water into the heater core to provide heat inside the car.

HOW DO I MAKE IT LAST?!

Preventative maintenance is the best thing to ensure the water pump functions properly. Every oil change, the PH level of the antifreeze needs to be checked to make sure it doesn't become acidic. 

For more tidbits and tips like this one, visit our Auto Care Tips Page.

Stay tuned to our Facebook page next Thursday for another WHAT IS IT?! picture, and for your chance to receive $10 off your next service! (You can get a sneak peek of the part on Wednesday afternoon by visiting our blog!)

read more "FRIDAY TIDBIT: Water Pump"

WHAT IS IT?! Picture For May 19th

Here is the picture that will be posted on our Facebook page tomorrow, Thursday May 19th.

The first person to correctly identify this vehicle part will receive $10 off their next service. Remember, do not start guessing until it's posted on our Facebook page tomorrow, and good luck!

read more "WHAT IS IT?! Picture For May 19th"

NEW! On The Spot Renewal

STARTING TODAY we now have "On The Spot Renewal" available at the shop! When you come in to get your vehicle ready to register each year, you no longer have to wait for your decal in the mail, and forget waiting in lines at the DMV! We have your sticker ready to give you right in the shop! Book your appointment or call us today!

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WINNER! Day Out With Thomas

Congratulations to Jessica!

(She did not provide her last name, but she did provide her email. If your name is Jessica and you did not receive an email, you are not the winner.)

She is the winner of our last family four-pack of tickets to "Day Out With Thomas" on the Heber Valley Railroad!


Congratulations!


If you did not win tickets, don't worry! You can still purchase tickets to "Day Out With Thomas"!

read more "WINNER! Day Out With Thomas"

Recreate This Video?

I just came across this video today. Who thinks the "Men Of Gines Auto Service" should recreate this video?! Me me! Not so sure they'll be on board with it! Whatcha think?!?!

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FRIDAY TIDBIT: ABS Control Module

Anti Lock Brake (ABS) Control Module

The ABS controller is the main hydraulic pump that allow the anti-lock brakes to work. 

The ABS system watches the speed of each wheel.  If any wheel goes into a skid while braking the ABS controller will release the brakes for that wheel to prevent the vehicle from going into a skid.

On many newer model cars the ABS system also is used for stability control.  If the vehicle starts to go into a spin during normal driving the ABS computer will apply the brakes on a wheel to help pull out of the spin.

For more tips and tidbits like this one, visit our Auto Care Tips page.

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Day Out With Thomas Contest ENDING SOON!

You only have a few more days to enter to win a family four-pack to Day Out With Thomas on the Heber Valley Railroad! Our last winner will be chosen this Monday, May 16th. The deadline to enter is Sunday May 15th at 11:59pm.

If you have not entered, get entered as soon as possible! If you have already entered, watch for your name on Monday, and good luck!

read more "Day Out With Thomas Contest ENDING SOON!"

Studio 5 Segment: DIY Car Care

I saw this on Studio 5 yesterday, and thought how interesting it was that they are stressing the importance of women knowing how to do basic car care stuff! I especially like how Brooke said at the end that "Knowledge Is Power", the exact theme for our upcoming FREE Women's Auto Care Workshops!

It looks like the rest of the world is recognizing the importance of knowledge when it comes to auto care!

read more "Studio 5 Segment: DIY Car Care"

Happy Mothers' Day!

Happy Mothers' Day!

We wish all you women and happy and relaxing day!

read more "Happy Mothers' Day!"

FRIDAY TIDBIT: Radiator Reserve Tank and Coolant



Radiator Reserve Tank

 The radiator reserve tank is the tank the coolant is in for the radiator.The radiator's purpose is to cool down the anti-freeze coming out of the engine.

Cooling system neglect is a big cause of many vehicle break downs. The cooling system should be checked with every oil change. If the coolant is getting discolored, or if the PH tests at incorrect levels, the system should be flushed. This is another reason why it's a good idea to have a professional change your oil instead of doing it yourself. Many people know how to change their own oil, but they do not know to check many things like the coolant and PH levels.

Coolant should also be flushed at the correct mileage interval. This changes with every vehicle. Some vehicles have regular coolant and should be changed every 30,000 miles, other vehicles have long life coolant that is expected to last 100,000 miles but does not always do that.

For more tidbits and tips like this one, visit our Auto Care Tips page.

read more "FRIDAY TIDBIT: Radiator Reserve Tank and Coolant"

WHAT IS IT?! picture for May 5th

Here is the picture that will be posted on our Facebook page tomorrow, Thursday May 5th.

The first person to correctly identify this vehicle part will receive $10 off their next service. Remember, do not start guessing until it's posted on our Facebook page tomorrow, and good luck!

read more "WHAT IS IT?! picture for May 5th"