Is Your Car Ready for the Winter?

Winter is here, and it's only a matter of time before the winter weather conditions start to hit New Jersey.

Is your vehicle ready for the inclement weather ahead?   We suggest checking these items to prepare for Winter:

• Battery - testing it to ensure it is still working properly
• Alternator and starter
• Antifreeze level and condition
• All belts and hoses
• Tire condition and tread depth
• Wiper blades and windshield washer fluid
• All fluid conditions and levels
• All lights, both interior and exterior

We can help you check all these items by performing our Winter Checkup on your vehicle for $29.95.  We can give you the peace of mind to know that your vehicle will be able to easily make it through another Winter in New Jersey.

Give us a call today and schedule your vehicle for the Winter Checkup!

Traveling for the Holidays - Is Your Car Ready?

With Christmas Eve only seven days away, people are gearing up to travel to their families for the holidays.  Holiday travel can be stressful with traffic and unpredictable weather.  Even though you can't control the traffic or the weather, you can make sure your vehicle is ready for your trip.

To make sure your vehicle is ready for holiday travel, check these items before you go:

• Brake system
• Make sure your battery connection is clean and corrosion free
• All filters and all fluids such as oil, power steering, brake, transmission, windshield washer and antifreeze/coolant
• Check windshield wipers, heaters and defrosters to ensure they are all working properly
• As a general rule, windshield wipers should be replaced every six months
• All hoses and belts
• Tire pressure, and tread on your tires to ensure they are safe for travel
• All interior and exterior lighting, especially headlights, taillights, brake lights, and directionals

Checking your vehicle before your holiday travel will help keep you safe on the road, and be able to spend your time with loved ones.

If you need help checking any of these items, give us a call today and we will make sure you are all ready for your trip!

Preventive Maintenance - Differential Service

Most people don't know what a differential is, and that their car has one.  Every car is equipped with a differential, whether it is front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or all/four wheel drive.  The differential helps the car compensate for the difference in distance between the inner wheels and the outer wheels when the car is going around the corner.  So what exactly does that mean?  Think of a high school track starting lines.  The starting line for the outside lane is farther up than the starting line for the inside line.  This allows for the runners to run the same distance no matter what lane they are in.  

The differential allows for the inner and outer wheels to rotate at different speeds when going around a corner or making a turn.  The wheels have to travel together, but the differential allows them to do this even when they are traveling at slightly different speeds and distances.

For a front wheel drive vehicle, the differential function is handled by your transaxle, which contains both the transmission and differential in the same housing and share the same gear oil.  All wheel drive cars (including 4WD) have differentials on both axles, the front and rear differentials.  Rear wheel drive cars have the differential in the rear, which is pictured above.  

Differentials are built strong, and have heavy duty components because of the amount of work they do when you are driving your car.  All the power of the engine is transferred through the differential.  The differential fluid inside the differential lubricates and protects the gears and keeps them cool.  Eventually this fluid becomes dirty which requires it to be changed to make sure that the differential is working properly.  Fresh differential fluid will extend the life and operation of your differential.

Here at Jerry Noonan's Auto Center, we suggest having your differential fluid changed every 30,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first, to ensure that your differential is working at peak performance.

Have you ever had your differential fluid serviced?  Give us a call today, and we will be happy to help!

Preventive Maintenance - Coolant Service

The cooling system of your vehicle has the very important role of keeping your engine at the proper operating temperature to run smoothly.  If the engine isn't running at the proper temperature, and overheats, it can cause some serious internal damage to the engine. 

It is important to maintain the cooling system by doing regularly scheduled coolant services.  Coolant, or more commonly called antifreeze, is what circulates through the engine to remove the excess heat and protect the system against corrosion.  The key to keeping your cooling system working properly is to make sure that your coolant is fresh, the correct coolant for the vehicle is being used, and always having the correct amount of fluid in the system.  Over time the coolant can break down and lose its anti-corrosion properties and can actually start eating away at the cooling system parts, resulting in having to replace expensive components sooner than normal.

Here at Jerry Noonan's Auto Center, we recommend that our customers do a coolant service on their vehicles every 30,000 miles or every two years, whichever comes first.  Whenever a customer brings in their vehicle we always do a courtesy visual inspection of the cooling system and check to make sure the coolant is at the correct level and is clean.

Not sure if maintenance needs to be done on your vehicle's cooling system?  Give us a call today, and we will be happy to assist you with any questions you may have.

Preventive Maintenance - Air Filters

An air filter, or sometimes called an engine air filter essentially purifies what air is going into your engine.  It makes sure that the air that is reaching your engine is clean.  Clean air helps your engine to work properly, and helps to get the best fuel economy.  A dirty air filter can lower your fuel economy and may cause damage over time, affecting the combustion chamber and mass air flow sensor.

Your air filter can only hold so much dirt before it can't perform it's job correctly, and start to affect the engine's performance.  We recommend changing your air filter every year or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first.  Depending on where you normally drive, an air filter can become dirty faster due to dust, pollution, or pollen in the air.  The air filter housing, which holds the air filter, can also become a nesting ground for little critters during the colder weather.

Not sure if you need to replace your air filter?  Next service, make sure to ask your service writer.  At Jerry Noonan's Auto Center, checking the air filter is part of our Courtesy Check which every vehicle receives when it comes in for any service or repair.

Preventive Maintenance - Cabin Air Filters

What is a cabin air filter and what does it do?

Did you know that cabin air filters are a relatively new filter for cars?  And not all cars have one, unlike an engine air filter.  Every car has an engine air filter, this is what cleans the air that goes into your engine (which is very important to routinely change as well).  The cabin air filter cleans the air going into your passenger cabin.  

The cabin air filter cleans out dust, pollen, spores, and other pollutants from reaching the passenger cabin where you are when you drive.  A cabin air filter can stop particles that are just three microns in size (for comparison, a grain of sand is 2,000 microns).  The cabin air filter makes for a much more pleasant environment and filters the air that you breathe in while in your car.  

When a cabin air filter becomes dirty, it becomes less effective and just needs to be changed to get that pleasant air quality back in your passenger cabin.  A good indicator that your cabin air filter needs to be changed is when you start noticing some smells going on while driving your car.  

We suggest replacing your cabin air filter every year or every 15,000 miles.  While some cabin air filters are easy to replace, some are a little more difficult and take time to replace, since they can be in more complex areas in the dashboard.  

Is it time to change your cabin air filter?  Give us a call today, and we can take a look and replace it if need be!  

Is Your Car Ready for Thanksgiving Travel?

Thanksgiving can be a stressful time to travel with all that traffic and unpredictable weather.  More travelers will be on the roads this year than in the previous 12+ years according to AAA.  Even though you can't control the traffic or the weather, you can make sure your vehicle is ready for your trip.

To make sure your vehicle is ready for all the holiday traveling, check these items before your trip:

• Brake system
• Make sure battery connection is clean, tight, and corrosion free
• All filters and fluids such as oil, power steering, brake, transmission, windshield washer, and antifreeze/coolant
• Check windshield wipers, heaters and defrosters to ensure they are all working properly
• As a general rule, windshield wipers should be replaced every six months
• All hoses and belts
• Tire pressure and tread of your tires
• All interior and exterior lighting, especially headlights, taillights, brake lights, and directionals 

Checking your vehicle before your holiday traveling will help keep you safe on the road, and get you to your Thanksgiving feast.

If you need help checking any of these items, call us today and we will make sure you are all ready for your trip!

Preventive Maintenance - Wheel Alignments

To have a properly aligned vehicle, all your tires should point in the same direction. Your vehicle's alignment can fall out of place over time just by regular driving and hitting small bumps in the road, or hitting those big New Jersey potholes that we are all too familiar with.  Hitting a big pothole or curb can throw your wheel alignment out of whack and your vehicle should be checked right after to ensure safety.

Not having your vehicle properly aligned can mean replacing your tires sooner than anticipated, which can be costly.  When your vehicle is out of alignment, it causes the tires to wear unevenly and faster than they would normally wear. 

Key factors to tell if you need a wheel alignment is if your car is pulling to one side or the other, and if you can see the outer or inner edges of your tires being worn down quicker than the rest of the tire. 

Maintaining your wheel alignment can help you get the most out of your tires, and also ensure that all steering and suspension components are safe.  These can also play a role in your alignment.  At Jerry Noonan's Auto Center, we suggest having an alignment performed once a year or every 15,000 miles.

When Should You Replace Your Tires?

When it comes to figuring out when to replace your vehicle's tires, there are some factors to consider such as tread depth and the age of your tires. 

Tread Depth

To measure the tread of your tires, first do the penny test.  Take a penny and with Lincoln's head facing town, place it into the middle grooves of your tire.  If you see Lincoln's complete head, it means your tread is very low and you need tires as soon as possible.

The Age of Your Tires

You also want to consider how long you have had the same tires on the vehicle, especially if you do not drive many miles.  The tires may look alright, and they may have a good amount of tread after performing the penny test, but depending on their age, they can be unsafe. 

Most manufacturers suggest replacing tires six years after their production date, regardless of tread.  Old tires can become dry rotted and unsafe.  These tires can start to deteriorate, and eventually cause the steel belts in the tread to separate from the rest of the tire.  When this happens, it can result loss of control of your vehicle and can lead to an accident.

Tire Tread Separation

To find out the age of your tires, look for the DOT number.  You will see four digits which is the production date of your tires; the first two are the week made, and the last two are the year made.  If the production date is older than five years, have your tires checked out for dry rot, and start thinking of getting replacements.

Proper maintenance of your tires, such as rotations, balancing, and wheel alignments, will also help with keeping your tires in the best shape, and allowing them to be used for longer periods of time.  Make sure to always have your tires inflated to the proper amount that your car requires.  Over inflation as well as under inflation can drastically affect how your tires wear during use, and can lead to having to replace tires sooner.

Not sure if you need new tires?  Not sure if you are due for routine maintenance for your tires?  Contact us today, and we will be more than happy to assist with any of your tire needs!

Checking Your Car Headlights

With the colder weather approaching, that means it gets darker sooner each day and we will be driving more in the dark.  Check your headlights and all other lights often to make sure they are working properly.

All outside car lights are important, but the lights that are legally required to work are side and tail lights, headlights, brake lights, direction indicators, and license plate lights.

Before hopping into your vehicle, turn the lights on, including directionals, and do a walk-around to make sure everything is good to go.  To check your brake lights, ask someone to step on the brake pedal while you check the back of the vehicle. 

One of your lights out and need a replacement?  Stop by today and we can change it out for you.  We carry most lights in stock and will be able to get you in and out in no time!

National Teen Driver Safety Week

This week is National Teen Driver Safety week.  This week, remind the teen in your life about the important rules they should follow to stay safe behind the wheel. 

The greatest dangers for teen drivers are alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted driving, drowsy driving, speeding, and having passengers that can cause distractions.

Motor vehicle accidents are the #1 cause of teenage deaths in the United States.  Informing your teen on the dangers of driving, and going over safe practices while driving could save lives.  Take the time this week to address the greatest dangers for teens while operating a motor vehicle, and how those dangers can be prevented.

Jerry Noonan's Auto Center is an Auto Body Shop too!

We don't only do mechanical and auto repair work.  We are also a full service auto body and collision repair shop.  We strive to give our customers a wide variety of quality services so that they can have a "one stop auto center" that they trust with their vehicle.

No matter which insurance company you may have, we work directly with your insurance company during the collision repair process.  We make sure to use the best quality parts, and ensure we do each repair correctly and properly to meet manufacturer standards for each vehicle.

No matter if the repair is big or small, our highly qualified technicians treat your vehicle like their own, and get the vehicle looking like new again.

Need a repair done?  Stop by our shop with your vehicle for a free estimate!

Due for an NJ state inspection? Make an appointment today!

Looking for an inspection station?  Jerry Noonan's Auto Center is a state licensed Private Inspection Facility as well as an Emissions Repair Facility.

Why wait at the Motor Vehicle Commission to get your car inspected when you can schedule an appointment with our state licensed technicians?  We also perform our courtesy check inspection on your vehicle while here.  Know the overall health of your vehicle and get your inspection sticker, its a win win!

If your vehicle doesn't pass inspection, that's no problem either.  We are a state licensed Emissions Repair Facility.  If there is any reason your vehicle doesn't pass, we can provide you with an estimate on the repair to get your vehicle in tip-top shape to pass inspection.

Finding a Local Auto Repair Shop You Can Trust

The best way to maintain your vehicle and keep it running the best it can for the longest amount of time is to choose a quality full-service auto repair shop that you can trust.  The best time to look for an auto repair shop is before you actually need one. 

Here are some guidelines to think of when looking for and finding a local auto repair shop:

• Ask your friends, family, and co-workers
• Check local repair shops' reviews online and visit their social media pages like Facebook
• See how long the auto repair shop has been in business for.  This is a good indicator of shop quality.
• Look for an auto repair shop that has a clean, well-organized, and professional appearance
• See what amenities they offer, such as a comfortable waiting room, clean bathroom, shuttle service for their customers
• Ensure that the auto repair shop has employed professional technicians.  Look for ASE certifications or any other certifications.

Our lead technician's ASE Certification for Master Automobile Technician

Trust in Jerry Noonan's Auto Center to be your local auto repair shop!  

We receive many referrals from customers throughout the Monroe Township area.  Most of our customers have been trusting us with their vehicles for over 5+ years. 

We have wonderful customers who have left great reviews throughout Google and social media.  Please take a look for yourself. 

Jerry Noonan's Auto Center opened in 1987, and has been in business ever since.  We strive to give our customers the best experience we can provide, and have done so for 31 years.

We pride ourselves in maintaining a clean and professional environment for our customers and employees.   

Our technicians are always training and learning to keep up with industry standards and to be able to properly service any vehicle our customers bring to us.  Our technicians are well versified on a large variety of makes and models as well as all repairs and maintenance services to keep your vehicle in the best shape.

Did we mention that we are also a full service auto body and collision facility?  We want to truly provide all of our customers with being a "one stop auto center" for all of their automotive needs, no matter if it is mechanical or collision related.

Always do your research before trusting an auto repair shop to work on your vehicle.  We hope these guidelines will help in your search to find an auto repair shop that you can trust. 

Need Tires? We've Got You Covered.

Let's talk tires.  Jerry Noonan's Auto Center is a "One Stop Auto Center", which includes being a tire shop as well.  We provide all tire services such as mounting, balancing, rotations, flat repairs, and wheel alignments, and are able to supply virtually any kind of tire your vehicle needs.

We all know how big of a role tires play for making your vehicle go, so our staff at Jerry Noonan's Auto Center take tires and tire maintenance seriously.  Any time a vehicle comes in for any service or repair we check the overall condition of each tire, inspecting the tread depth, look for any uneven wear patterns that could shorten the life of the tires, and ensure that the tires are inflated to the proper PSI for best performance.  We help maintain our customers' tires by recommending routine rotations every 6,000 miles and routine alignments every 15,000 miles to keep your vehicle and tires performing the best they can for as long as possible.

Have any tire questions or concerns?  Reach out to us today! 

What Do You Get Out Of Your Oil Change?

Here at Jerry Noonan's Auto Center, oil changes are second nature to us.  We provide oil changes for all makes and models, foreign and domestic, and they are one of the most popular services that our certified mechanics perform on a daily basis. 

With every oil change, we do a complimentary "look over" of your vehicle which we call a Courtesy Check. 

During our Courtesy Check, we visually inspect:

• If any dash warning lights are on
• Condition of battery
• Condition of wiper blades
• Condition of tires, tread depth, and proper inflation of tires
• All fluid levels and condition of fluids
• All vehicle lights
• Air filter
• Cabin filter
• Condition of suspension components
• Condition of all belts and hoses

When our mechanics perform an oil change on your vehicle, we want to make sure we thoroughly inspect the whole vehicle for condition and overall safety, because you and your family are our #1 priority.

Contact us today to schedule your next oil change appointment!