Technician's Corner

Welcome to the third edition of Technichian’s Corner

Welcome to our monthly blog, hope you have been getting out and enjoying the Springish weather!

Dave Landon Motors has always been committed to delivering you the best service possible through continuous upgades in equipment, training and technology.

Driving an Asian or Domestic vehicle? Is there an annoying warning light that stays on all the time on your dash? Don’t feel like driving south and waiting around for it to be fixed? We have the solution right here in Port Hardy at Dave Landon Motors. I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that we are now offering diagnostic service and repair for almost all Domestic and Asian vehicles, using our brand-new Snap-On Diagnostic Equipment. This allows us to diagnose and repair Check Engine, Air Bag, and Antilock Brake concerns on your Domestic or Asian vehicle. No longer do you need to go back Down Island to have these problems diagnosed and repaired. Talk about convenience!

We have recently purchased a brand new Hofmann Wheel Alignment machine to meet our customer’s needs. We have also installed a new extra-long, high capacity hoist to accompany it. The hoist is built to handle crew cabs, some motor homes, and other longer wheelbase vehicles with ease. Improper alignment can result in poor handling, uneven and excessive tire wear, and poor fuel economy. If you vehicle has any of these symptoms, let us check to be sure it is properly aligned. Contact our Service Department for an appointment.

Warmer weather always seems to bring us a fresh bunch of Air Conditioning related work. What most folks aren’t aware of is the fact that your A/C system is actually at work all year round. Any time you turn your heater control to Defrost, the A/C is engaged. This is done to dehumidfy the air and this defrosts your windshield quicker than using heat alone, especially in the first few minutes after a cold start. Many A/C systems seem to develop very minor (and therefore difficult to detect) leaks, and over time enough of the refrigerant gas (R-134a) escapes to render your A/C system ineffective.

This is typically what happens when you bring your car in with an A/C concern. We first attempt to verify the concern. Next, we perform a visual inspection for obvious problems, then hook up our A/C Diagnostic machine to your vehicle, and monitor what is, (or isn’t) happening. We monitor system pressures, how cold the air coming from the dash vents is, how often the compressor cycles, then remove the refrigerant from your vehicle to find out how much was in the system. We then leak test the system by applying vacuum, and if no leaks are found, inject a small amount of leak sealer, and some lubricant into the system and recharge with the factory recommended amount of R-134a. Then the system is tested again for proper pressures, dash vent temperature, etc. and returned to you blowing frigid air.

Some of you may be planning road trips this year. Now is the time to start preparing your vehicle for the trip. We see surprising number of people every year who bring their vehicle to us for a pre-trip checkover the day before they plan to drive to Halifax (or somewhere else far away). Really, I’m not kidding. More often than not, the vehicle requires repairs. Perhaps brake work, or maybe it has worn suspension components, needs a transmission fluid and filter change, or needs other work that may leave you waiting on the side of the road for a tow truck if not repaired. Book your appointment at least a week before you plan to leave, that way there is ample time for us to inspect your vehicle, and order parts, which can sometimes take a few days, and then perform the repairs. Murphy clearly states that if it can go wrong, it will, and at the least convenient time, too. We’ve all had experience with Murphy and you can lessen his chances by planning ahead to have your vehicle in top condition well before you leave.

See you next month!

-Tom Cook holds Ford Master Technichian Certification, the highest level of training available to a Dealership Technichian, and has been with Dave Landon Motors for ten years.