Marc's Shop Talk ~ Issue III 2005

Maintenance Pays Off

Did you know that spending money to care for your car, SUV, or pickup truck now can actually save you money and trouble later? With today’s modern vehicles you still need to do basic routine actions called maintenance to keep it healthy and safe. Why is it then that some cars go a year or more without even having an oil change done? Truth is we are all busy people leading busy lives and we tend to forget about our vehicle maintenance. Just like brushing your teeth, regular car maintenance can save more expensive and more painful problems down the road.

Oil Change

The first thing with regular maintenance is an oil change. Changing the engine oil and filter regularly will help the engine last longer and run more efficiently. It is recommended to have your vehicle’s oil changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes sooner. You should also check your oil level every other time you fill up your gas tank.

Tune-Ups

First let me mention that a tune-up is not a cure all for all vehicle problems, however if you put off the maintenance for too long, eventually your vehicle could lead to bigger problems. Tuning up your vehicle means replacing worn parts and making adjustments to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Tune-Ups vary among vehicles however it is recommended that vehicles are at least checked every 2 years or 30,000-60,000 miles, whichever comes first. A tune-up at Marc’s Garage can include replacing ignition wires, spark plugs, fuel filter and/or PCV valve, and in some older vehicles the distributor cap and rotor.

Brakes

Brakes make your vehicle stop and everyone wants to be able to stop on demand. Make sure and have your brakes checked at least twice a year.

Fluids

Having the fluids checked and maintained is also crucial to the life of your vehicle. It is important to have your transmission fluid serviced every 30,000-50,000 miles depending on the manufacturer.

There is also the coolant which helps protect the engine, radiator and water pumps against rust, corrosion and heat. It is recommended to have your cooling system flushed every 24,000 miles, or two years, whichever comes first.

There is also power steering fluid which helps steer your vehicle more easily. This should be replaced or flushed when it becomes discolored to save damage to the power steering pump and rack and pinion.

All of your fluids are checked with every oil change at Marc’s Garage. If you perform your own oil change, you should check these fluids with every oil change.

Other Tips for a better running car

Some other little things you can do to help improve gas mileage and help keep your car running at it’s maximum performance are:

• Check and adjust tire pressure to the proper pressure. The proper pressure is usually located on the tag that is on the driver’s door.
• Excessive idling wastes fuel. If sitting for a period of time, turn off the engine.
• Slow down and use the cruise control.
• Make sure your front wheels are aligned properly. A misaligned front end increases fuel consumption.
• Have your belts and hoses checked on a regular basis.
• Keep your windshield washer fluid level full and inspect your wiper blades.

If you are ever in doubt or not sure on how to check these items on your vehicle, give Marc’s Garage a call and we would be glad to check them out for you.

Meet the Staff at Marc’s

Did you ever wonder just who was working underneath your car or servicing you at the counter when you come in to Marc’s Garage. Well, we would like to introduce you to the staff at Marc’s Garage and also let you know that your very own Marc Davis is back to wrenching on cars. He missed working on everyone’s cars and wants to spend more time in the shop for quality control.

Connie is the chipper female face you see when you come in to the office. Connie is the secretary at Marc’s Garage. She backs up Mike as a service writer and handles all of the inventory in the shop. Connie is married to Hugh Lenox and has two children, Jason and Elizabeth. She has been with Marc’s Garage since July 2003. Connie also makes the coffee at the shop for those who like to come in just to chat and enjoy some coffee!

Next is Kristi Davis. Kristi is Marc’s wife and she does all of the bookkeeping and newsletters for the shop. Marc and Kristi have two children, Spencer who is going to be 3 in May and Jordyn who is 5 months old.

Next is Mike Frame. He joined Marc’s Garage in July 2005 as a service writer. He is the main person you will see greet you when you come in the office. He comes to the shop with 3 years experience as a service writer. Mike and his girlfriend Jamie just had their very own child on February 12, 2006. They had a baby girl named Alivia and she is welcomed in to the world by her big sister, Hannah.

Ryan Czupowski joined the ranks as a technician in October 2003. Ryan just recently received his ASE master technician certification. This is a huge accomplishment as a technician. Ryan also has five years experience as a technician.

Nick Miller is also a technician at Marc’s Garage. He has been with us since January 2002. Nick is an ASE certified technician and he specializes in Chryslers. He has sixteen years of experience as an automotive technician. Nick is married to Wendy and they have three wonderful children; Emily, Molly and Nate.

Chad Haas is a technician who has been with Marc’s Garage since March 2004. Chad has ten years of experience as an automotive technician. Chad is married to Brenda and they have three wonderful children, Logan who is 4 and Chloe and Shelby, twin girls who are 9 months old. They are also expecting their fourth child around September 13, 2006.

Lastly is Marc Davis. Marc started the shop in November 1995 in the barn at his parent’s house. He moved the business into town in September 2003. He worked in the office for a short period and is now back diagnosing and repairing vehicles.

Neighborhood Bulletin Board

• Mike Frame, service writer at Marc’s and his girlfriend Jamie had a baby girl on Sunday, February 12th. Her name is Alivia Reese and she weighs in at 7lbs 13oz and is 19.5 inches in length. Congratulations Mike and Jamie!
• Ryan Czupowski, technician at Marc’s Garage received his ASE certification for a master technician on December 30, 2005. Congratulations Ryan!