What's your comfort zone?

As car owners, we push a few buttons or turn some knobs, and voila, we have warm air blowing on our feet or cool air chilling our face. How does all that happen? Well, it’s all thanks to the air blend box. This box lives behind the dash and conveys just the right temperature of air right where it is wanted.

Let’s break it down. First there is the blower fan that circulates the air through the heating/air conditioning system. The fan can blow at different speeds, depending on how much hot or cold air is required to be comfortable. The blend box can either deliver fresh air from outside, or recirculate air from inside the cabin. Saskatoon auto owners often choose to recirculate air when first starting the vehicle until it starts to either cool down or warm up. In recent weeks it was recommended to only recirculate air in the vehicles due to the forest fires and the high air quality health index.

The next thing the blend box does is convey airflow over the heater core to warm the air, or over the air conditioner evaporator core to chill it – it can also blend both hot and cold to get it just right. From there the blend box can direct the air out into the passenger compartment through the floor vents, the panel vents, the defroster, or a combination. All of this allows drivers to customize the climate just the way the like it.

Some vehicles have different climate control zones, like one for the driver and one for the passenger – or even more zones for the back seat. Additional blend boxes are used for this. Climate controls could be manually adjusted or computer controlled depending on your vehicle.

The blower motor and all of the little actuator motors that open and close the various blend doors can fail and need to be replaced. Most new vehicles come with a cabin air filter. This filter cleans the air before it gets into the blend box. If you neglect changing the cabin air filter, it can get clogged, smelly, and even allow mildew and other microorganisms to build up in the blend box.

At Crestview Auto Service, we can carry out a heating/air conditioning system-cleaning service that will clean and disinfect the system, restoring a fresh clean scent. If you are not getting enough hot or cold air, let us inspect your system, diagnose the cause and set things right. Also, don’t forget to replace the cabin air filter on schedule. Keep in mind; if you live and drive in dusty conditions or where there is a lot of pollen or other pollutants, you may need to replace your cabin air filter more frequently. We are here for you.

Crestview Auto Service
24 23rd St E
Saskatoon, SK S7K 0H5
306-244-6522

www.crestviewautoservice.ca

Driving Tips: Save Money, Stay Safe

Gas may be cheap now but here are a few more ways to help control your vehicle expenses and keep you safe:

On long drives use the cruise control to save gas. The gradual acceleration and deceleration improves your fuel efficiency. To improve the fuel economy of your vehicle, avoid jack rabbit starts and begin slowing down sooner before you get to that red light. The gradual change in speed has a noticeable effect on fuel economy and your wallet.  

Warming up your car in the morning isn't always necessary. Driving your car under normal conditions will naturally bring the car to optimum operating temperature. Cold winter mornings are another thing to consider; warm up the car so you have enough heat to keep the windows clear for safe driving.

Tires aren't just round black things on your car; the tires are what stops, starts and steers your car to keep you out of trouble. New tires start with at least 10/32 of an inch of tread and any time the tread is worn below 5/32 of an inch or (4MM), traction is compromised, especially on wet or snowy roads. When the tread is at 2/32 of an inch or (1.5MM), the tire is legally worn out and needs to be replaced.

Tires make a big difference with how your vehicle handles and rides. When replacing tires make sure to use tires with the same specifications or better than the originals. This information can be found on the driver’s door pillar.

For extending the life of your tires keep in mind that each tire wears differently because of its position on the car. To ensure even wear you should rotate your tires approximately every 10 thousand kilometers. Improperly inflated tires can have a dramatic effect on fuel economy. Test air pressure once a month before you start driving for the day, which will allow you to get an accurate reading and adjust to the specification on the driver’s door pillar.

Proper vehicle maintenance is defined as servicing fluids or components before they cause irreversible wear. For example, flushing the transmission before the oil and chemicals in it break down will save you a lot of money over the life of the vehicle, by not having the expense of the transmission repair, which can easily be thousands of dollars.

Does it seem as if you’re not getting as much heat or air conditioning in your car as you used to? It could be that your cabin air filter is plugging up causing the poor airflow. Each manufacturer has a maintenance schedule for replacing the cabin air filter. Replacing the filter may be all it takes to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Preventative maintenance: The manufacturer’s maintenance schedule is filled with inspections. It is through these inspections that upcoming maintenance items are identified and corrective action can be taken saving you time and money, instead of not inspecting and hoping your car doesn't break down.

Crestview Auto Service is a proud partner of Trusted Saskatoon.

"We'll Help Keep Your Car Young A Long Time"

Visit us online at www.crestviewautoservice.ca or call at (306) 244-6522. 

#DrivingTips #Tires #Maintenance #Safety

To change or not to change? (Your cabin air filter)

To change or not to change? (Your cabin air filter)

Cabin air filters are found on most late-model vehicles. The filter cleans the air that comes into the interior through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC). It cat...ches dust, pollen and other airborne material to make your car’s interior cleaner and healthier even more important if you have allergies or other respiratory problems, which can make riding in a car unpleasant. Some have added activated charcoal to the filtering element. These do not just filter particulates, but also odors and some common exhaust gasses.

Some signs that you need a new cabin air filter are reduced airflow through your HVAC system, such as when you turn the fan onto high speed and you get more noise than increased airflow. If you drive in heavy traffic, an area that has poor air quality, or dusty conditions you could need to replace the filter annually or even more often. Recommendations on when it should be replaced vary by manufacturer and depend on your driving conditions.
Many cabin air filters are located behind the glove box and are easily accessible by freeing the glove box from its fasteners. Others are located under the dashboard and may not be easy to reach, or under the hood where fresh air enters the HVAC system.

At Crestview Auto Service, you can expect nothing but the best when it comes to auto repair, maintenance and service! We are a trustedsaskatoon.com partner, upholding all standards and guarantees. Appointments can be scheduled by phone or online at www.crestviewautoservice.com

#CrestviewAutoService #CabinAirFilter #CarRepair #TrustedSaskatoon #partner #allergies #Saskatoon #CleanAir

Breathe Deep With Your Cabin Air Filter

Bad air quality while you're driving around Denver is nothing to sneeze at. But seriously, more and more vehicles these days come equipped with a cabin air filter. Since they're fairly new on the scene, a lot of folks don't know about them yet.

These filters clean the air in the passenger compartment, or cabin, of your car or truck. They do the same job as the furnace filter you have at home. They can filter out particles as small as thee microns. By contrast, a grain of sand is about 200 microns.

So your cabin air filer can clean out dust, pollution, pollen and spores, to keep the air in your car nice and clean. And just like your furnace filter, they need to be replaced when they get dirty. Check your owner's manual, but they typically need to be replaced every 12,000-15,000 miles.

The filter is usually either under the hood or under the dashboard. Some are a little tricky to get to, so you'll want to have your Denver Colorado service center, Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Shop, take care of replacing them.

Many people don't realize they have a cabin air filter and go to their shop complaining about a funky smell in the ventilation system or the air conditioning not getting their car cold enough. It turns out to be a cabin air filter that was long overdue for replacement – really dirty and starting to smell. A quick replacement and they were on their way and smelling fine.

People who are allergy sensitive can really benefit from a cabin air filter, as it keeps allergens to a minimum. If you're one of them, you'll want to stay on top of your filter replacement schedule. It also helps when the air conditioning is functioning properly, but not getting your car cold enough because the air flow is limited by a plugged or dirty cabin air filter.

Of course if you do a lot of driving in dusty or polluted conditions, you'll need to change your cabin air filter more often.

Call us today to schedule your appointment - 

303-297-2886.

Annual Auto Maintenance Schedule: What to Do & When to Do It!

 by Rob, Cars for Keeps




So, you understand the importance of routine auto maintenance, you're ready to start treating your vehicle like the potential investment it is, but you don't know where - or when - to start. What exactly IS routine maintenance, and how often does it need to be performed?

Because not all auto components wear down at the same rate, true "routine maintenance" is a little more complicated than it seems. Routine maintenance for a timing belt, for example, is having it changed every 60-70,000 miles, while routine maintenance for your engine oil requires changing it every 4-7,000 miles. That's a big difference!

To make understanding routine auto maintenance a little easier on drivers, we've put together the following schedule.

Monthly Auto Maintenance

Brake, power steering, transmission, antifreeze and windshield washer fluids. While none of these may need to be changed each month, it's a good idea to have them checked to make sure they're not dirty, sludgy or running low. These fluids - particularly brake, power steering and transmission - are important to your vehicle's safety, and making sure they're clean and topped up can prevent far more serious problems down the road.

Tire air pressure. Did you know that under inflated tires can cause your vehicle to not only run less efficiently, but also have unsafe "splashy" steering? Checking your tires for proper inflation is fast, simple and free, so monthly checkups are definitely worth it!

Head & tail lights. Sure, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to check to make sure all your vehicle's lights are working properly - but it still needs to be done! Faulty lights pose safety risks - not to mention the risk of getting ticketed - so it's a good idea to either check or have these checked monthly.

The Free Cars for Keeps Pit Stop takes care of these whenever you need it.

3 Month Maintenance

Oil changes. Three months is a general guideline, and necessary intervals can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Older autos often require oil changes more often - every 3,000 miles or so - while some newer vehicles may be able to go as far as 7,000 miles before an oil change is necessary. Check your vehicle's manual, or ask your auto technician about your vehicle model. Of course, it certainly doesn't hurt to have your oil changed every 3 months - just ask our High Mile Club members!

Chassis lubrication. Again, it may not be necessary to have this performed as often as three months, but it depends on your vehicle's model and age. Many newer autos are "lubed for life", while some older cars still require it. The chassis' steering and suspension components may, however, require periodic replacement to prevent further damage, so it's a good idea to have the chassis inspected every 3 months just in case.

Battery maintenance and cleaning. Just because your battery isn't dead doesn't mean something isn't wrong. Dirty or corroded batter cable posts can create a poor connection, causing faulty ignition start or inefficient power use.

6 Month Maintenance

Air filters. Air filters essentially help vehicles "breathe" clean air. When these filters become dirty or clogged over time, they make it more difficult for engines to get the oxygen they need, causing inefficient mileage and poor performance. Different air filter brands last for different periods of time, so it's best to have them checked at least twice every year.

Wiper Blades. Do we need to say it?! Wiper blades inevitably become stiff and cracked over time - typically about six months - causing chattering and streaking, which can cause dangerously poor visibility during inclement weather. Have these replaced twice each year.
Yearly Maintenance

Engine tuning. Faulty spark plugs and gummed up fuel injectors - both engine components - can reduce fuel efficiency as much as thirty percent. Most people won't notice the change because today's computers keep things adjusted right up to the point of failure (when the computer can no longer adjust for them) the best way to make sure all spark plugs and engine components are working properly is to have them checked every one year.

Engine belts. While most engine belts don't need to be replaced each year, it's a good idea to have an auto technician take a look at those that are accessible, and to keep tabs on how long less accessible belts have been installed. V-belts typically need to be replaced every four years or 35,000 miles, serpentine belts every four years or 50,000 (or sooner), and timing belts every five years or 60,000 miles - whichever comes first. Over time, these belts become stiff, loose and cracked or worn, and if they break while your vehicle is running, they can cause serious damage.

Shock absorbers and struts. Worn shock absorbers and struts can not only make for a bumpier ride, but they can cause fuel inefficiency, misalignment and a host of other safety problems. For best performance, have these inspected by an auto technician each year.
 
Wheel Alignment. The average price of a newly mounted and balanced tire with a new valve stem is roughly $125 per tire. That’s $500 for the set of four. If your wheel alignment is out, you could lose that $500 in short order. That’s why you should, at the very least, check wheel alignment before venturing out on a new set of tires. So how could you lose money by not having an alignment done? By significantly decreasing the life of your new tires. The steering and suspension of your vehicle has wear points. They are bushings, ball & socket joints, and miscellaneous mechanical links. When the steering and suspension system is new and adjusted according to factory specs, the rate at which the tires wear is minimized and the vehicle corners and handles smoothly. Over time, the steering and suspension systems are jostled and hammered (compliments of America’s highways). This produces wear in the parts listed above, causing the alignment to go out from factory specs. This results in poor cornering and handling, and a significant increase in tire wear.

Cabin Air Filter(s). The filter in your dashboard is much like your furnace filter… If you drove your furnace through bugs & other road debris. Gross. If it's plugged, the passenger compartment might as well be a sealed cabin—and with a carload of friends the glass will fog in minutes. Filter life depends on the air quality in your area, but a year, or 12,000 to 15,000 miles, typically is the recommended replacement interval.


Of course, the best way to make sure all your vehicle's routine maintenance needs are taken care of is to sit down with your auto technician(s) and create an annual auto maintenance schedule. We can help you by scheduling maintenance at intervals which are customized to your vehicle's age and specific maintenance needs.