As we emerge from 18 months of self-isolation during COVID and get ready to take our family (and our car) on its first vacation in a year and a half, there are some important things to do to ensure that our vehicle is vacation ready.

This is the second article in a series we are producing entitled “Looking Out For You and Your Car.”

This is the first article in a series we are producing entitled “Looking Out For You and Your Car.”

Solving intermittent car problems can be challenging for both the customer and the auto mechanic.

Not long ago, I walked into the reception area at our auto shop and greeted two long-time customers. After chatting for a while, we eventually got around to the reason why they were there. The wife shared with me that she had noticed a constant scraping noise coming from their car that got worse while braking. Then the husband held out his hand and displayed a tiny jagged stone about ¼ inch long.

The other day, one of our auto mechanics, Hernando, was working on a Mercedes SUV. The driver had brought it in for preventive maintenance, and when Hernando checked it out, it turns out the brakes were in terrible condition. The brake material was worn so thin; it was as flat as paper. And then, it just came off!

Recently, one of our customers came in with a “check engine light” on. When a “check engine light” comes on, many drivers think it’s due to an electronic issue, but sometimes it can be a mechanical issue.

Recently a customer brought in their 2010 Lexus GX 460 because the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light was on. The customer had checked each tire with a gauge and found that every tire was determined to be at the correct pressure. The BA auto mechanic who worked on this case was Jon.