Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Top Six Vehicle Repairs And How To Prevent Them




Below are the top repairs that we see in our shop day after day. By doing a few simple things, you can help prevent these common repairs, and save you a trip to the repair shop:
  1. Wiper Transmission or Linkage
    Especially in the Winter time, wiper transmission or linkage is one of the most common vehicle repairs. If you turn on your wipers while heavy snow is on them, it wears on your transmission. To prevent this, turn off your wipers every time you turn off your vehicle. Don't turn them back on until the snow is manually cleared off of your windshield.
  2. Charging system
    If the battery is ever ran low, have it charged with a charger. Do not rely on the alternator to do the work. Have your battery tested with the change of seasons, and keep corrosion cleaned off of cables. Know your car and listen to the way it cranks. If there is anything abnormal, have it checked.
  3. Fuel pump
    Keep the fuel filter changed at recommended intervals, and always keep your tank above ¼ full.
  4. Cooling System
    Cooling system problems can be prevented by checking hoses and testing antifreeze every 3,000 miles. Keep your cooling system flushed at recommended intervals or when the ph changes, or if any signs of contamination is present. Antifreeze needs to be tested for freeze point, PH levels, and on some vehicles the level of nitrites.  Anti-freeze should also be changed at the proper mileage interval.  There are many different types of anti-freeze used according to your specific vehicle, so each vehicle has different mileage intervals.
  5. Brakes
    We have many vehicles come in with brake issues.  Brakes are a normal item to wear out, but using them more often or harder than needed will cause them to wear out before they should.  Brake fluid needs to be monitored to make sure it is not wearing down and should be changed at the proper mileage interval.  Brake fluid collects moisture over time and can carry that moisture to the inside of brake parts, allowing them to rust and rupture seals.  When buying brake parts many people do not take into consideration the amount of heat these parts need to withstand.  The engineers of today’s vehicles spend many hours testing and designing every little part they put on cars.  Buying cheap parts that have the correct dimensions, but are built with different materials, is not a very good choice when it comes to brakes.
  6. Steering and Suspension
    Steering and Suspension components are another area of vehicles that we commonly repair.  This is also an area that parts, over time, will wear out as a vehicle is driven.  One of the easiest ways to prolong the life of these parts is proper maintenance.  Many vehicle have grease points that need to be lubed every 3,000 miles; some vehicle do not.  All joints that are lubed on a vehicle's steering system do have boots over them to keep dirt and moisture out.  A properly maintained vehicle will have these inspected at every oil change; not many people realize this needs to be done.  Suspension components are designed to handle the weight of a vehicle and everything inside of it.  If a vehicle is carrying more weight than it was designed for, or continually has excess weight inside of it, the suspension will not last as long.  Driving over or through large bumps on a road faster than needed will also cause the suspension to break prematurely.  
If you ever have questions on what your regular intervals of maintenance are, we are happy to look it up for you. Stop by any time during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 6:00pm), or call us at (801) 966-6021.

Do you have an auto repair question for us? We would love to answer it in our blog! Leave a comment on our Facebook page, or email us at contact@ginesautoservice.com. In the subject line, write "question for blog". 

read more "Top Six Vehicle Repairs And How To Prevent Them"

Thursday, December 6, 2012

REGISTER NOW! Free Women's Auto Care Workshop

Gines Auto Service
4261 W 5415 S
Kearns, UT 84118
(801) 966-6021

Wednesday January 16th 2013
Thursday January 17th 2013 - FULL
6:30pm to 7:00pm - dinner
7:00pm to 9:00pm - workshop, including hands-on activities

(If you are not able to attend these dates, fill out your contact information and we will let you know when the next workshops are scheduled.)

The workshop is free, but you will need to register and reserve your spot in order to attend.

There are many ways to register:
(You only need to do one of these)

To keep the workshops as relaxed and friendly as possible, each workshop will be limited to 35 participants. Our last workshop filled up fast, so register as soon as possible.

If you’re a woman who makes decisions about repairs on your vehicle, you know that knowledge is power. That’s why Gines Auto Service in Kearns, UT  is happy to announce the dates for their semi-annual FREE Women’s Auto Care Workshops, sponsored by ACDelco.

Learn about:
  • The importance of regular maintenance
  • How to recognize problems with your vehicle
  • How to talk to your mechanic
  • A question and answer session (so bring all the questions you may have!)
  • On-hands vehicle instruction
  • Why is maintenance important?
  • Why do some people charge $12 for an oil change when others charge $25, and is there a difference?
  • How do I know what type of tires I need for my specific vehicle? How do I tell the year tire was made so that I know I am not buying an old tire? How do I know the different quality types for tires?
  • How to change a tire
  • How to put air in a tire
  • What is the most important thing I can do to keep my vehicle running a long time
  • Any other subjects you would like to learn about, and much more, all in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere
Get ready for a different kind of “ladies’ night” — the Women’s Auto Care Workshop. Because knowledge really is power. Sponsored by ACDelco automotive parts.

SPECIAL NOTE:
Just to clarify, this is an auto CARE workshop, not an auto REPAIR workshop. For those that want to learn how to do their own repairs, we refer them to community classes such as Granite Peaks, or the Salt Lake Community College. The workshop we are holding is specifically for educating you on taking care of your vehicle, with topics such as those listed above.

DOOR PRIZES will also be given out!

Gines Auto Service is providing a night out and some excellent advice on vehicle maintenance for busy women. As part of the ACDelco "Knowledge Is Power" women's initiative, Gines Auto Service is offering free workshops. The workshop is designed to better acquaint women with vehicle maintenance needs and instill confidence in their ability to manage vehicle service needs.
read more "REGISTER NOW! Free Women's Auto Care Workshop"

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The Story Behind This Year's Christmas Tree

100_3604Every year we purchase a tree from the Festival Of Trees to display in our office. This year we are going to give YOU a chance to win the tree and the items that came with it!

The Festival of Trees was inspired 42 years ago by a group of 15 women from along the Wasatch Front.  These women were challenged by Lewis M. Jones, Chairman of the hospital's Men's Endowment Board, to identify a way to raise funds for Primary Childrens' Hospital. Thousands of people join efforts by contributing countless hours and means to give “A Gift of Love" to children.  In 2011, the Festival raised $1,655,931.40 for children at Primary Children's Medical Center.

Most of the trees donated have a story behind the meaning of the tree. Here is the story that came with this year's tree:

By, The Hansen Familiy

This year I lost two great uncles. They both ran ranches, raised beautiful large families, and were true cowboys. Both ranches we would gather peacock feathers, ride horses, and see dragonflies often.

Homer Jones would be 103 years old this December. He was the brother to Lewis Jones (a past Primary Childrens' Hospital board member that originally started the Festival Of The Trees). Homer ran a ranch in southern Utah, and when he was ready to retire, he was kind enough to sell his shares of the ranch to my dad so we could keep the ranch in our family. On his 100th birthday, he told me that "he only golfs 9 holes instead of 18; other than that, it's not hard being 100 years old."

Blane Hickman was 98 when he died this summer. He ran a ranch on the border of Utah and Idaho. He grew up riding horses to school. Once, he hooked up a team of horses for his mom to go to Relief Society. The ladies were all dressed up to go to a church dinner. The horses got spooked and all the ladies ended up in the snow. When my grandma was faced with having to have assisted living, she begged for her brother Blaine because "He would get her out of this place!" He was a great brother too.

God bless the American Cowboy. My great uncles really were great!

Thank you to the Hansen Family for sharing these memories, and donating to the Festival Of Trees. We are honored to continue the memories of these two great men, and remember them this holiday season.  
read more "The Story Behind This Year's Christmas Tree"

ENTER TO WIN Our Christmas Tree and Other Items!

100_3604
Every year we purchase a tree from the Festival Of Trees to display in our office. This year we are going to give YOU a chance to win the tree and the items that came with it!


The Festival of Trees was inspired 42 years ago by a group of 15 women from along the Wasatch Front.  These women were challenged by Lewis M. Jones, Chairman of the hospital's Men's Endowment Board, to identify a way to raise funds for Primary Childrens' Hospital. Thousands of people join efforts by contributing countless hours and means to give “A Gift of Love" to children.  In 2011, the Festival raised $1,655,931.40 for children at Primary Children's Medical Center.


Stop by our office during regular business hours and enter your name into the drawing. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 19th, and winners will have the 20th and 21st to pick up their items.

We are located at 4261 W 5415 S in Kearns.

Here are the different prize packs that we will be drawing winners for:

"Country Christmas" Tree
Tree skirt included


Cowboy pack:
Cowboy coffee
Horses calendar
George Strait CD
Elvis Presley country CD
Johnny Cash CD

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Kitchen Pack:
Decorative bowl
2 bottles of sparkling cider
Horse picture frame
Candle holder
Jar of Hershey's Kisses
Decorative planter
Kitchen towel


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Snuggly Pack
Decorative pillow
Soft throw blanket
Happy Holidays plaque
Microwavable cow hot pad pack

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Country Christmas Pack:
Large horse plush animal
Country Christmas decorative stacked boxes
Horse shoe bookends


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Toy pack:
My Little Pony toy
Cowboy magnets
Pig plush toy
Ornaments
Toy sleigh
Jar filled with snowflake ornaments and more cowboy magnets

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Wreath Pack:
Large decorative wreath
Uncle Sam Santa decorative glass figurine
Red horse decorative glass figurine
American flag
Recipe box
3 packs of Christmas cards
2 white cowboy decorative glass figurines
Small decorative wreath
read more "ENTER TO WIN Our Christmas Tree and Other Items!"

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