Winter Safety Tips

If you are due for a tune-up, have it done before winter hits! Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling. A routine tune-up will restore a vehicle back to its normal operating state, and contribute to the overall efficiency of the engine and emissions system. Keep your gas tank at least half full. This tip limits condensation in your tank and reduces gas-line freezing. Adding a little gas-line antifreeze every second fill-up will also help prevent gas-line freezing. Heaters, Defrosters and Wipers- Wiper blades that are cracked or torn, or that chatter, streak and don’t properly clean your windshield should be replaced. Some manufacturers offer special winter blades that have a rubber boot covering the arm assembly to keep snow and ice out. When changing the blades, have the windshield wiper system nozzles cleaned and adjusted if necessary, and check the windshield washer reservoir in case it needs fluid. Cooling System-As strange as it sounds your cooling system is one of the most important things to watch in your vehicle during the winter time. There are two things -- the concentration of coolant, and the amount. In most parts of the US, a 50/50 mix of coolant and water keeps the coolant from freezing, lubricates the water pump, and protects the cooling system from corrosion. In very cold areas, it may be necessary to increase the concentration of coolant – but never more than 70% coolant to 30% water. Also, coolant should be flushed and refilled at least every two years in most vehicles. Check battery and charging system for optimum performance. Very cold temperatures will reduce a vehicle's battery power so it’s important to keep the connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. Unfortunately, batteries don't always give warning signs before they fail completely. If your vehicle's battery is more than three years old, it's wise to replace it. When choosing a replacement, make sure the new one has adequate capacity for your exact make and model.

Winter Driving Tips

• Drive according to the weather conditions – which usually means slow down and leave extra space.
• Install four winter tires. Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Plan your route so that you aren't making erratic maneuvers on the road.
• When driving on ice or snow, allow plenty of room to stop and start.
• Drive with headlights on to increase your visibility to other motorists
• Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and others. Stopping takes longer on snowy and icy roads.
• Do not use cruise control on wet, snowy or icy highways.
• Keep your gas tank full to prevent the gas line from freezing and to maximize traction on slick roads.
• Stay on well-travelled roads if possible.
• Be sure all windows, lights, mirrors and license plates are free of snow.
• Keep a Winter Road Side Safety and Emergency Kit in your car at all times, including an ice scraper/snow brush, first aid kit, jumper cables, a flashlight and a warm blanket.
• Let others know about your route and your expected arrival time.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Avoid driving in poor weather conditions whenever possible.
• Avoid driving while you're fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
• If the weather is really bad, just stay home

Not Sure If That Sound Means Trouble Or Not?

While driving your vehicle, you hear a new sound and you’re not quite sure if it’s trouble or not, don’t panic just yet! Here are a couple of sounds and what may be causing them.

That Knock, Knock Sound is no joke – a distant knocking sound that seems to be coming from your engine. This sound could be caused by any number of issues including: bad or stale gas, low oil or it could mean a more severe engine issue. When you hear this sound, you should take your vehicle to a certified service technician at Metric Wrench Billings to find out where the sound is coming from. Squealing doesn’t come just from girls – a high pitch squeal when accelerating, this loud, indisputable sound is more than likely caused by a worn fan belt. You should have your fan belt replaced. As always, we recommend that you check your owner’s manual or bring it in to your certified service technician at Metric Wrench Billings to ensure that it is replaced with the right size. So what do you need to know? – Anytime you hear a strange sound coming from your BMW, Mercedes, Audi or any vehicle, it is best to bring it in to your certified service technician at Metric Wrench Billings to get that sound checked out. This will give you the added peace of mind that you’ve had your vehicle fixed before any further damage can be done and/or you don’t break down on the side of the road.

Timing Belts

With vehicles engines as with life, timing is critical. One vehicle element often overlooked during routine maintenance is the engine-timing belt. If it snaps, the engine will stop and the car will coast to a stop. The unfortunate driver may be stranded on the side of the road until the timing belt can be replaced. But that may be the least of your worries; this could badly damage your engine as well.



This potential disaster can be completely avoided if you have your timing belt checked regularly and having it replaced. Check your owner’s manual and see how often that they recommend replacing your timing belt.

The timing belt is a toothed belt that is connected from the crankshaft to the camshaft. The camshaft is responsible for operating (opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves). When the timing belt breaks or the rubber teeth shear off there is often a collision between the valves and the piston causing major damage.

Check Your Vin Number When Buying a Used Car

When buying a used car, make sure that the VIN on the car matches the VIN stored in the on board control units. In a recent car purchase, the purchaser found out shortly after the purchase the VIN read out of the car with a scan tool was not the same as the VIN displayed on the car in 2 places. The VIN displayed on the car was checked thru Carfax and reported good. However the VIN read out of the car was the correct VIN for the car and as a result the manufactures warranty was void and the history of the car is very questionable. WHAT A MESS! This is one reason for a pre-purchase inspection and it needs to be done at a shop that has the capability to read the internally stored VIN; something we at Metric Wrench Billings have added to our PPI list.



Don’t run the risk of buying used cars with costly hidden problems. Get your VIN number checked before purchasing a used vehicle

How to Improve Your Fuel Efficiency

Summer is fast upon us and so is driving season. We tend to take more road trips to enjoy the nice weather during the summer months. With gas prices so high we wanted to provide you with a few money saving tips to help your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. 1. Remove Excess Weight – get rid of all that junk that you are carrying around like winter snow tires, winter gear, anything that you don’t need in your car. 2. Use Cruise Control Where Appropriate 3. Avoid Sudden Starts and Stops – drive responsible and anticipate when the lights will change to avoid sudden acceleration. By applying light throttle and avoiding heavy braking, you can reduce both fuel consumption and wear and tear. 4. Check Your Tires – if your tires aren’t inflated properly, it will cost you more money in fuel. 5. Avoid Excessive Idling – It’s not cold outside, so your car doesn’t need to idle to warm up. Idling can consume half-a-gallon (1.89 L) to one gallon (3.79 L) of gas per hour and pumps needless CO2 into the atmosphere. 6. It’s a good time to change out your air filters, this can assist your engine in running more efficiently. 7. Limit Air Conditioner Use – when driving at lower speeds an air conditioner that is on dramatically reduces fuel economy.

Extended Warranties

An extended warranty, sometimes called a service agreement, a service contract, or a maintenance agreement, is a prolonged warranty offered to consumers when they purchase a vehicle. While you want to get as much value out of your new purchase as possible, is it necessary to purchase an extended warranty?
Keep in mind that in most cases the manufacturers warranty is sufficient. A typical manufacturers warranty lasts a year and if something is going to happen it’s typically in the first year or much later after the extended warranty has expired. The other issue with Extended Warranties is the fine print, they often don’t cover much, so you’re stuck with the cost anyway. If you want to purchase one of these for your own peace of mind, be sure to read all of the terms and conditions. Consumer Reports has done studies on repair rates for a variety of small electronics and home appliances, and the percentages range from 5 to 37 percent, which generally indicates that you're more than likely not going to need a repair. Wouldn’t it make more sense to start an auto repair savings account and put that money aside for repairs if you need them in the future?

Is It OK to Run Your Car Low on Gas

So the question of the day is, is it OK to run your car low on gas? Many people wait until the very last possible moment to add gas to their vehicles. Whether because of cost or time or there are even more reasons why you should fill it at the ¼ mark.

The truth is that if you wait until your car is flashing empty before you fill it, could be very dangerous. You risk get stranded or cause an accident if your car stalls in busy traffic because you don’t have gas. Driving with a nearly empty tank could possibly cause early fuel pump failure for the following reasons; up until recently unburned fuel is returned to the fuel tank, the fuel takes on heat while in the engine compartment, fuel is used to cool the fuel pump motor, the smaller quantity of fuel the quicker it becomes hot and less cooling occurs

If there is any contamination in the tank (silt) the concentration is greater with a low fuel level possibly causing premature wear to the fuel pump. Fuel pump pick fuel up from the bottom of the tank, with less fuel in the tank there is less effect of gravity - although the pump is designed to work with very little fuel all of the above will cause more strain on the pump. Many technicians believe that if a car is ran out of gas the fuel pump is damage due to lack of lubrication and will decrease the life of the fuel pump.

Many vehicles that come into Metric Wrench Billings very low or almost out of gas. This becomes a definite problem and is very inconvenient if the car needs to be test driven for diagnostic purposes; we have to take extra time to get fuel.

Helpful Tips:

It doesn’t cost any more to keep the top half of the tank filled than the bottom half.

Fill up before leaving town on a road trip or if you have a long commute.

Use the called GasBuddy and it will tell you where the cheapest gas in your area is so that you’re not driving around checking all the prices.

It’s good idea to keep the fuel level above the 1/4th mark

If you have questions about repairing your vehicle, please call Metric Wrench Billings today and talk to a Certified Service Technician.

Repairing Your Old Car vs. Buying a New or Newer One

As a car owner, there comes that inevitable time in which you will be faced with the dilemma: Repair your current car or buy a new one?

It is at this point in history, coming out of a recession, when we are starting to see more and more used cars on the road. And I have to say that these drivers may be on to something, but you decide…

At Metric Wrench Billings, we think that you should consider the value of your broken car that needs a $4000 repair(s), probably about $0. Add to that the cost of repair $4000 in this case and another $1000 for unexpected failures in the next year. So what would you rather have, your car fixed or the car that you could buy for $5000, or the car you could buy with the $5000, plus monthly payments. And suppose you spend $5000 and the car only goes for another year, that’s about $420 per month, a high price to pay for transportation in an older car. So if you're facing that type of repair do the math first.

But we wanted a few more opinions so we found them for you, all evidence points toward going with a used car, repairing and maintaining it as you go along. The Car Care Council (CCC) and Engine Repower Council (ERC) both highly recommend repairing over buying new. Having a well-maintained used car and a little extra money in your pocket is a great feeling, and a choice that has continued to grow in popularity.

If you have questions about repairing your vehicle, please call Metric Wrench Billings today and talk to a Certified Service Technician.

The Service Record Dilemma

So you want to know what the truth is about servicing your vehicle and keeping your records up to date. The dealerships would have you believe that you have to go to them, but that just isn’t the truth.

Don’t buy into the myth that only the dealership can keep your service record current!

Have you ever been told that you have to go to the dealership to keep your service record up to date? Well, that’s just not true. At Metric Wrench Billings, we’ll maintain your service history and have it available to you. We have access, through many on-line services, to your recommended service schedule. And this allows us to see exactly what needs to be done and when.

You need to have your vehicle serviced at the manufacturers recommended intervals. But you don’t have to find a BMW, Mercedes, Audi or Volkswagen dealership. You can still come to Metric Wrench where you have come to trust our certified service technicians. We strive to always provide your vehicle with quality care and keep you and your service record up to date!

If you have questions about the high-tech fluids in your vehicle, please call Metric Wrench Billings today and talk to a Certified Service Technician.

Is The Service Schedule For Your Vehicle Just a Way For Mechanics/Garages to Make Money?

So is the service schedule for your vehicle just a way for mechanics or your service provider to make money? The answer is no. Automotive engineers, not service technicians, for that matter designed a service schedule your Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Mini or VW or whatever type vehicle that you may have.

Sustaining your car according to the schedules given in your owner’s manual helps to keep your driving trouble-free as well as safeguarding your investment.

The Service Schedule was intended to maintain your vehicle’s high level of dependability and safety, to protect the environment, and to improve and preserve your vehicle’s value.

A properly maintained vehicle improves and preserves vehicle value and saves money in the long run. Taking care of the minor upkeep and services can save your from bigger problems down the road!

If you have questions about the high-tech fluids in your vehicle, please call Metric WrenchBillings today and talk to a Certified ServiceTechnician.

High-tech fluids help to keep vehicles healthy

Your automobile depends on the productiveness of its vital fluids to help its moving parts to operate at its peak level, as well as being reliable and safe and if you ignore them, it could cost you dearly!

Some of the fluids for your vehicle includes motor oil, anti-freeze, windshield wiper fluid, brake fluid, automatic transmission fluid, specific lubricants for manual gearboxes, the transfer cases in four-wheel-drive vehicles and the differential in rear-drive vehicles and power steering fluid.

All of these fluids are specifically formulated drinks for your vehicle and it’s very important that you use the correct type and grade, because they can break down with time and usage, at Metric Wrench Billings, we recommend that you replace them at the specified times in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Most of us don’t think about the fuel or correct octane rating that is vital to engine operation especially in your BMWs, Audis, Mercedes and other high-end vehicles, poor quality fuel may not contain the additives necessary to meet changing elements as well as keeping fuel injection systems functioning properly.

The life blood of your engine is its motor oil. It not only lubricates, reducing wear, but  allows combustion contaminants, metal fragments, dirt and other debris in suspension to be carried to the filter or removed when the oil is changed. Another reason to have your oil changed is that over time the oil itself begins to break down.

Transmission fluidperforms a variety of functions. It lubricates, transmits drive in the torque converter, acts as a hydraulic pressure medium and as a coolant. Again, at Metric Wrench Billings we recommend that you change out the transmission fluid at the specified time in your vehicle’s owner manual.

Lets don’t forget about changing out your anti-freeze either! Anti-freeze not only acts a coolant, allowing your vehicle to run at a higher temperature, but it too is a lubricant and has anti-corrosion properties that assists water pumps and radiators to last longer and run better. But like all the other fluids in your vehicle, it can weaken and break down over time.

Brake fluid is something we rarely think about, but it too is a complex product that transmits hydraulic

pressure to and also lubricates brake components. It also has to deal with extremely high temperatures and

resist contamination by moisture. It must be checked regularly (if it needs topping up leak should be suspected

and dealt with) and changed as required.

Brake fluid is probably one of the fluids that we think little about, but it is a fundamental product that transmits hydraulic pressure to your breaks as well as lubricating them. Brake fluid is exposed to extremely high temperatures and can be contaminated by moisture. It should be checked regularly!

Power steering fluid levels should also be looked at frequently and changed according to manufacturers

recommendations.

Power steering fluid levels should be checked often and changed at the specified time your vehicle’s owner manual.

Windshield washer fluid, well most of us use this daily and don’t have a need to change it out, but to refill the container on vehicle. Just be sure to use a good quality windshield wash fluid for the elements in your area.

If you have questions about the high-tech fluids in your vehicle, please call Metric WrenchBillings today and talk to a Certified Service Technician.