Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Have To Take My New Car To The Dealer For Service?
Absolutely Not! There are a number of law’s on the books which specifically prohibit automobile dealers from suggesting or implying that you have to return to them for service in order to ensure your manufacturer warranty is valid. If you’ve been a long time customer of an independent repair facility and you’re happy and comfortable with the services they provide then keep going to them. They’ll service your new vehicle, and if they spot any problems that should be covered under warranty, then they’ll let you know so you can return to the dealer for warranty repairs.
How Do I Find A Good Repair Facility?
First, ask your friends and neighbors who they use. Get some recommendations. Drive by those shops and stop in to inspect them. Does the shop look busy? Is the shop clean? Are there cars parked every which direction with cobwebs hanging from the rearview mirrors? Are the technicians clean? Are they ASE certified? How did the people at the front counter greet you? Could you be comfortable dealing with them? Automobile repair is a personal preference issue. You can take your vehicle anywhere you want to have it repaired. The answers you give yourself to the above listed questions should help you decide where you want to have it repaired.
Why Is The Expiration Date On My Inspection Stickers Different Than My Registration Expiration?
Upon passing a safety inspection most passenger cars and light trucks will receive an inspection sticker valid for one year from the month of inspection or one year from the expiration of the current inspection sticker on the vehicle. Since 2005, Pennsylvania no longer requires that the inspection sticker expiration and vehicle registration expiration coincide for annually inspected vehicles. Vehicle owners can request that their inspection and registration expirations match, but this may result initially in a shortened inspection cycle.
How Often Should I Have A Wheel Alignment?
Some manufacturers recommend as little as 10,000 miles. Once a year or 15,000 miles is the recommended interval between alignments. A yearly alignment can add thousands of miles to your tires over the years. That’s money in your pocket in tires not bought and extra fuel not burnt. Of course if you buy new tires that’s an excellent time to have your wheels aligned.
When Should I Get My Oil Changed?
You should get your oil changed every 3000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
How Often Should I Rotate My Tires?
Your tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 6000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear.
Is It Necessary To Replace My Timing Belt At The Recommended Interval?
YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.
What Does It Mean If My “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” Light Comes On?
There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the “check engine” light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue addressed to prevent long-term problems.
What Are The Consequences Of Postponing Maintenance?
Most parts on your vehicle are interrelated. Ignoring or neglecting even simple routine maintenance, such as changing the oil or checking the coolant, can lead to poor fuel economy, unreliability, or costly breakdowns. It also may invalidate your warranty.
What Should I Do If My Car Starts To Overheat?
This is a very serious problem – if your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the engine off! DO NOT attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator; the hot fluid can cause severe burns. The best thing to do is have your car towed to Cunningham’s Automotive Repair.
Do You Have 24 Hour Towing?
Yes, call 610-428-8076. You can have your car towed to our lot 24 hours a day. Just ask and the tow truck driver will be happy to put your keys in our key drop next to the front door.
I Need To Replace A Burned Out Fuse, What Should I Do?
Always replace burned-out fuses with ones of the same amperage (printed on the fuse) and note that if a fuse continues to “blow,” you should have the circuit checked professionally by one of our technicians for defects.
Can I Drop My Car Off After Hours?
Yes, we have envelopes and a key drop next to the front door.
What Am I Getting For My Money?
We understand that fixing and maintaining your vehicle can be expensive at times. We do our best to try to explain in terms you can understand the diagnostic procedure and any parts that we replace and more importantly why we are replacing parts that have been worn out, fatigued or broken. It is often difficult for us to gauge the automotive knowledge of our customer, so please don’t be intimidated to ask why, what, how, or when if you have questions about your repairs. Our technicians are ASE certified and have been in the industry for decades. Our labor rates reflect their expertise and experience so that you can be confident that only trained technicians are working on your vehicle.