Tip Tuesday: Tire Pressure

October starts the last quarter of the year and that brings cooler weather. During these brisk mornings you may like to warm up your car before you head out for the day. As you do so, you might notice that you have a tire pressure light on your dash or that you get an alert telling you to check your pressure. That is because for every 10 degrees the temperature drops, we can lose 1 to 2 lbs of air in our tires. Having your tires inflated with the recommended PSI from your manual is very important. Your tires are an important component with how your vehicle moves and without the proper PSI you can have traction, handling, or other issues. During these times and the colder months ahead, it is very important that you check your tire pressure and maintain it.

Checking your tire pressure is pretty easy to do. You can use a tire pressure gauge to measure the PSI. If you do not have one of these tools you can visit your local gas station as they may have an area to the side where you can check your pressure and fill your tires with air if needed. You can also stop by your local auto shop, Jerry Noonan’s Auto Center! If your tire light is on or you can see your tires look a little deflated, we can refill, make sure the pressure is correct according to the recommended PSI for your vehicle, and even make sure you do not have something related to a flat tire. You do not have to make an appointment for needing more air in your tire, but if you think you may have a flat, you should call us ahead and make an appointment so we can help you better. Hope this little tip will benefit you as the weather cools down for the year!

Mini Blog: Wands for Wildlife

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit rehabilitation organization in Western North Carolina. They take in injured and orphaned animals like opossums, bunnies, and owls. They raise and nurse them back to health and set them free! They use mascara wands to remove fly eggs and larvae from the feathers and fur of the animals. They are perfect to use because the bristles are close together and gentle to use on the animals

In our waiting room we have a collection box for your used and cleaned mascara wands. AWR has two collection months because they get so many wands, and one of them is October. So, at the end of this month, we will be sending in our wands. If you would like to bring by your mascara wands to drop in our box make sure you do so by the end of the month. The next collection time is February. Thank you for donating, recycling, and helping animals in need!

Mini Blog: AC Leak

  This vehicle came in for an AC issue. Upon the first visit, the vehicle passed the leak test, however there was still a slight leak as the customer could notice that the AC was not functioning up to par. To pinpoint the location of the leak, we put a dye into the AC system. After some time we checked the vehicle for where the dye was showing. Using yellow goggles and a black light we found the dye which happened to be in the condenser.

To confirm the location of the leak, we used our leak detector tool. The technician pumped nitrogen into the AC system and then used the detector to see where the nitrogen is coming out. Since we had the place marked where we saw the dye, the technician moved the detector around that area and eventually found the exact spot. 

The condenser was replaced and the issue was resolved. Having tools like these are extremely helpful in finding an issue like one of these. Small AC leaks, EVAP leaks, etc are not the easiest to find, but this tool is sensitive enough to locate them.

Mini Blog: Courtesy Check

Here at Jerry Noonan’s Auto Center, we offer a free courtesy check with any service or repair that you come in for. This is a comprehensive visual inspection of your vehicle’s major components and systems. Our knowledgeable technicians will check and rate each item, and document their findings using a red, yellow, and green scale; “red” meaning needs attention now, “yellow” meaning will need attention soon or on the next visit, and “green” meaning its good. The courtesy check itself gets attached to your paperwork for your reference.

During this inspection the technician will examine your headlights, wipers, fluid levels, battery health, tires, brakes (if your tires are being removed during your service or repair) and more. Knowing this information allows the technician to identify any current problems, pinpoint any potential issues early on, and help you plan for upcoming maintenance. It also allows you to have any issues taken care of at the time of your service or schedule it for a future one.

Not only is it our goal to keep your vehicle safe and running at peak performance; we are committed to giving your car the best care possible as well. Utilizing our courtesy check does just that.

Thank you for the privilege of servicing your vehicle!

Mini Blog: Fall Check

Fall is finally here and that means cooler weather. Now is a good time to get some components checked on your vehicle. The cooler weather has a lot of effects on how your vehicle can perform and it is better to make sure you are ready to ride than have an issue. Here at JNAC, we offer a Fall Check. This service costs $29.95 which includes the following:

• Test Electrical System
• Battery
• Alternator
• Starter

• Check Cooling System
• Antifreeze condition 
• Belts and hoses

• Check Tire Condition 
• Adjust air pressure

• Check Wiper Blades, Washer Operation, & All Fluids

• Check All Lights 

Give us a call today at (609)-655-2886 and make your appointment for this seasonal service.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns at all, please do not hesitate to ask us.

Keeping your vehicle ready for your day to day adventures is good practice and we are here to do that for you. Have a safe and happy fall!

Tip Tuesday: Check Your Battery

Fall is finally here, it is a time for pumpkin picking, hay rides, and crisp weather. It’s also a good time to have your battery checked. During the Summer months, your vehicle sits in some grueling heat day in and day out. This can affect your battery causing it to have a lot of strain. If your battery was not the healthiest before the Summer started, the heat could have depleted the life to be almost empty. So when it finally becomes fall and the cooler weather is here, it is important to check your battery.

Here at JNAC we have a battery testing machine that can give you a reading on the health of your battery. If it is low, the battery can be charged. As the weather gets colder, a low battery can freeze at a higher point than a full battery, so it is very important to be on top of your battery health.

Having a clean battery is just as important as having it checked. Over time and through different elements, your battery can build up with dirt, grime, and corrosion. Cooler weather and the buildup of debris on your battery adds resistance causing your battery to work harder; so cleaning is very important. Luckily cleaning your battery is not a very difficult thing to do. You can use a damp cloth, baking soda, and a scrubbing brush. Keeping the battery terminals clean will help prolong the life of your battery.

If you ever have any questions relating to the health and condition of your battery do not hesitate to call us or stop by. We stock batteries and have all the equipment needed to test your battery’s performance on hand. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff will be happy to alleviate any concerns you may have regarding your battery. The health of your battery is vital to the performance of your vehicle so please keep this in mind when you venture out this fall.

*Picture shows corrosion and debris, you would want to avoid your battery looking like this. 

Mini Blog: Atypical Oil Change Service

One of our technicians was working on this 2012 Acura TL for a regular service, more specifically an oil change. As you can see in the photo above, the engine compartment has a cover over it. For him to check any fluids or the battery health, this cover must be removed. Not every vehicle has this feature but it is a simple task to perform.

The technician tested the battery as we do with every oil change service. This battery tested good and passed. Once this is done and a few other items on our courtesy check, the technician will begin to empty the oil and remove the old filter. As I mentioned in previous posts, an oil change is a very important maintenance service that should not be ignored.

If you would like to make an appointment for an oil change but are concerned with the different types of oil, look no further. Here at your local auto shop, Jerry Noonan’s Auto Center, we will be sure to use the correct oil for your specific vehicle. Please give us a call at (609) 655-2886 to schedule your appointment. Just so you know, we offer a few “waiting appointments” in the morning of each day, so if you’d like one of those, please ask!