Summer Means More Car Washes

Here are some things to consider:

- Use products sold specifically for automobiles. Household cleaners can contain harsh detergents, abrasives and additives that strip the wax from the paint and damage the finish.

- Clean your wheels with a wheel cleaner that removes brake dust, which can blacken your front tires.

- Be sure to follow the directions on the container of your cleaning products because applications can vary.

- Once your vehicle is clean and dry, check the vehicle for foreign particles on the paint, then apply a wax as directed. The wax will protect the finish and make subsequent washing easier.

Washing Your Car This Weekend…

Planning on washing your car this weekend? Here are some things to think about:



- Use products sold specifically for cars/trucks. Household cleaners can contain harsh detergents, abrasives and additives that strip the wax from the paint and damage the finish.



- Clean your wheels with a wheel cleaner that removes brake dust, which can blacken your front tires.



- Be sure to follow the directions on the container of your cleaning products because applications can vary.



- Once your vehicle is clean and dry, check the vehicle for foreign particles on the paint, then apply a wax as directed.

The wax will protect the finish and make subsequent washing easier.

Hope you have a great weekend!

The Service Schedule is Just a Way For Service People to Make Money-MYTH!

Your vehicle’s service schedule was designed by automotive engineers, not service technicians. Maintaining your car according to your owner’s manual provides you with peace of mind while protecting your investment.

The Service Schedule was created to maintain your vehicle’s high level of dependability and safety, to protect the environment, and to enhance and maintain the value of your automobile.

 A properly maintainedvehicle maintains and enhances vehicle value and saves money in the long term. For example, an un-serviced timing chain can lead to moderate to catastrophic engine damage and a $2000 engine repair bill. Replacing a worn exhaust system bracket can cost considerably less than replacing the entire exhaust system.

What is Torquing?

Yes we said tourquing and not twerking! Have you ever had an entire wheel fall off while driving? Hopefully not – however without proper and accurate torquing and retorquing you, you and whoever is riding with you as well as other motorists could possibly be looking at a very dangerous situation.  And it happens more than you think! That’s why at Metric Wrench Billings we encourage you to bring your vehicle to a professional when removing the wheels.

What is torquing?

Torquing is the process of specifically tightening your lug nuts at the proper pressure. Each vehicle has different manufacturer specifications for how the lug nuts should be torqued. Problems that can occur:

·      Under and overtorquing-The studs your wheel is secured to are actually designed to have a specific amount of “stretch”. The proper torque stretches the stud JUST enough for it to securely lock with the bolts. An under-torqued lug nut will not lock correctly and an over-torqued lug nut will over stretch the stud, both cause stress.

·      Broken studs- The extra movement caused by a loose nut can stress the stud and cause it to fail. The overly tightened lugnuts can over stretcha nd stress the lugnut, causing failure as well. Replacement will be needed immediately and this can also cause the wheel to fall off while traveling.

·      Expensive Brake Problems- The biggest issue with over torquing is warped brake rotors. This is often caused by mechanics who tighten lugs improperly using a pneumatic gun.  This can cause uneven tightening accross the hub surface of the rotor. Because one or more wheel nuts is not as tight as the other the rotor pressure is unbalance when you apply the brakes. Once a rotor warps it can be difficult and costly to undo.

·      Stressed bolts- Without proper torquing to stretch the wheel stud, you are putting extra stress on the bolt and the hole the stud passed through. This is seen while driving, as it stresses the wheel assembly. This can also lead to a wheel falling off.

·      Extra stress on steering system- Under torquing can cause the wheel/tire to slightly “wobble” while driving and can cause the car to pull to one side while driving. All in all, this puts extra stress on the steering system.

To Maintain My Warranty I can Only Have My Car Serviced at a Dealership

Service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in effect. Maintenance may be done by any qualified service facility or person who is skilled in automotive service. Keep all receipts as proof of completion, and have the service provider fill out the Maintenance Record.

The Maintenance Schedule in your vehicle owner’s manual specifies how often you should have your car serviced and what areas need attention. It is essential that you have your car serviced as scheduled to retain its high level of dependability and safety, to protect the environment, and to enhance and maintain your vehicle’s value.  The Certified Service Technicians at Metric Wrench are qualified to meet your service requirements. Build a long-term relationship with your Certified Service Technicians at Metric Wrench.

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?