Ladies & Wheels NightLadies & Wheels Night

Servicing your VehicleServicing your VehicleWith Bill Salta & Ron O’Connor, Jr.With Bill Salta & Ron O’Connor, Jr.

Topics of Discussion & TipsTopics of Discussion & Tips

• Working with your Service Advisor• Oil Changes – when, what types & which one?• Tires & Tire tread – when & which tires?• Basic Car Care Information & tips• Keeping your car clean & the benefits• Warranty – what is covered?• Extended Warranty Information• Signs you are having vehicle issues

Working with your Service WriterWorking with your Service Writer• Vehicle Noises and Concerns

• Screeching in motor = Loose or worn belt• Clicking noise = Brake wear indicators or CV Shaft• Ticking noise = Exhaust leak, or low oil level• Sounds like a jet = Wheel bearing or bad tires• Thumping & Clanging = Bad suspension parts• Rattles = Suspension parts, exhaust or body fatigue• Whining on turns = Low power steering fluid• Ball rolling around = ball rolling around

Working with your Service WriterWorking with your Service Writer• It is OK to ask Questions in Service Area

• The more information you give, the better chance of the vehicle being repaired right the first time

• Ask to speak directly to the technician, road test with him/her if needed. This usually will lead to better understanding of concern.

• Create an e-mail, word document, hand written note describing concern in great detail, even if arriving in person, to be sure all items requested are communicated and completed.

• No question you ask is too silly or too unimportant in helping the writer understand your concern.

• There is no such thing as “too much” information for the writer• Be wary of what is fixes found on the internet or heard from others• Use the attached “Auto Diagnostic Sheet” for applicable concern

Oil Changes – when, what types & Oil Changes – when, what types & which one should I use? which one should I use?

• 3 Types of Oil Changes – Conventional, Semi-synthetic & Full-synthetic (See Owner’s Manual or Oil Cap for your type of oil)

• Mileage intervals – Conventional & Semi-synthetic are 5,000 miles & Full-synthetic is 10,000 miles (as a rule)

• Know which kind your vehicle takes – You can always move “up” a level or two, but you should not move “down”

• Full Synthetic Benefits – Better fuel economy, longer intervals between changes, more environmentally friendly, less wear

• Maintenance Guide – Follow this so you do not pay for unnecessary items (tire rotation should be every 5,000 miles)

• Next oil change sticker – be sure reflects next mileage interval

Oil Changes – when, what types & Oil Changes – when, what types & which one should I use? which one should I use?

• Oil Filter – it should be changed at every oil change interval• Multi-point Inspections – have become the norm when it

comes to getting a vehicle service. Checks brakes, tires, fluids, leaks and major components of vehicle (electronic version given on each visit to the Irwin Automotive Group)

• What if I drive less than 5,000 miles a year (or 10,000 miles for full synthetic)? – your oil should be changed every 5 months for conventional oil & semi-synthetic or once a year for Full-synthetic oil. Changing oil makes your engine last longer.

• Maintenance light – comes on 500 miles before the 5,000 mile interval. Signifies rotation due on synthetic vehicles, also.

• Next oil change sticker – be sure reflects next mileage interval

Tires & Tire Tread – when to change Tires & Tire Tread – when to change them & what type should I put on?them & what type should I put on?

• Tires are the only thing on your car that touches the ground• Tires affect braking, turning, accelerating & wet weather

driving & driving in snow• Tires aid in obstacle avoidance, short-stopping distances and

road grip in wet & dry conditions• When is it time for new tires? – when tread is at 4/32”, even

though state inspection laws state 2/32” (bare minimum)• Alignments – should be checked each time tires are changed

or when tires show signs of wear• Air pressures – check at least once a month (or when tire light

comes on if you forget)• Tire Rotations – Perform every 5,000 miles for greater tire life

Tires & Tire Tread – when to change Tires & Tire Tread – when to change them & what type should I put on?them & what type should I put on?

• Priorities in choice of tires are – safety, long wear, performance, price & comfort

• All-season tires or Winter tires? All-season tire rubber hardens around 36 degrees. Winter tires have traction no matter what the temperature is.

• Premium tire benefits – lower rolling resistance which means better fuel economy, longer wear mileage & longer mileage warranties against defects

• Why Irwin Automotive Group for tires? - we meet or beat any written tire estimate, lifetime tire rotation, competitively priced, constant rebate program & the tires you need in stock

• Tire hotline – the Lakes Region Tire hotline is 603-581-2907 and Bill Salta is the number one tire expert & source in the Lakes Region

Basic Car Care Information & TipsBasic Car Care Information & Tips• Cabin Filter – filters the outside air coming into your vehicle.

Usually changed at 15,000 miles (sometimes earlier)• Engine Air Filter – filters the air going into your engine. Usually

changed at 15,000 miles (sometimes earlier)• Tire rotations – should be done every 5,000 miles, regardless of oil

type in your vehicle.• Engine coolant – varies by the type of coolant. Some are changed

as early as 30,000 miles & some not until 120,000 miles (consult your individual maintenance manual)

• Transmission fluid – varies by type of transmission fluid. Most newer vehicles are 100,000 miles and even lifetime fluid (manual)

• Spark Plugs – vary by spark plug type. Newer vehicles often have platinum or iridium and last 60,000 to 120,000 miles (manual)

Basic Car Care Information & TipsBasic Car Care Information & Tips• Tire wear & damage – check for abnormal tire wear once a month, after

hitting a pothole a curb or running over something in the road• Dash warning lights – remember a simple rule; if it is green it is nothing

critical, if it is yellow it should be addressed as soon as you can & if it is red, then pull over when safe to do so and look in your owner’s manual (see attached chart for universal dash warning light symbols)

• Changing a spare tire – review the procedure in your owner’s manual to find the jacking points & wear your spare tire and jack equipment are. DO NOT CHANGE A SPARE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. Drive to a safe place, get off an exit & go to a well lit and wide open area if possible. We would rather have you ruin a tire and wheel than get killed trying to change one.

• Beware of offers for service that are too low – often times business is slow & they offer a $9.95 special and then sell stuff that is not needed

• Recommended work – ask to see the worn part or component. If resistance, than chances are you do not need it. Get a second opinion.

Keeping Your Vehicle Clean & The Keeping Your Vehicle Clean & The Benefits of Doing SoBenefits of Doing So

• Washing your car – by hand or in a touch less car wash at least once a week. Use car wash soap & not dish detergent, which strips wax. Use a car wash sponge to wash, wheel brush for the wheels and a chamois to dry. Widely available from variety of sources.

• Waxing and/or buffing – once a year. Waxing can be done by you or a pro & buffing should be done by a pro. Irwin Automotive Group has a full reconditioning department.

• Wheels – should be cleaned when black brake dust accumulates. Wheel cleaners are widely available & spray on while washing. Should be scrubbed with a wheel brush.

• Interior – can be spot cleaned as needed or shampooed by a professional if deep stains or dirt. Windows can be washed with paper towels and home glass cleaner.

Keeping Your Vehicle Clean & The Keeping Your Vehicle Clean & The Benefits of Doing SoBenefits of Doing So

• Trade-in value – when you trade your vehicle in, the price allowed in trade is often reflective of the condition you kept your vehicle in. Cleaner cars bring in a higher trade value, as a rule.

• Maintenance cost – keeping your vehicle clean actually REDUCES your overall maintenance costs. Cleaning vehicle keeps rust from forming & rust repairs are extremely costly, not to mention they reduce your trade-in value.

• Fuel savings – Dirt and mud can result in an extra 10 to 20 pounds of weight on a vehicle, which reduces fuel mileage.

• Touch-up paint – keep a tube of touch-up paint that is the color of your vehicle in your home. When you are cleaning your vehicle and notice a chip in the paint, touch it up as soon as you can to reduce the chances of a rust spot developing.

Vehicle Warranty – What is Covered?Vehicle Warranty – What is Covered?

• Warranty varies by vehicle - See you individual vehicle owner’s manual for details.

• Basic Warranty – varies by vehicle, but the basic warranty is usually 3 years or 36,000 miles. Covers most items on vehicle except wear items like tires, wipers and brake pads.

• Powertrain Warranty- varies by vehicle, but the powertrain warranty is usually 5 years/60,000 miles or 10 years/100,000 miles.

• Rust perforation – varies by vehicle, but the rust perforation for most vehicles is 5 years unlimited mileage for rust HOLES, not surface rust or rust spots caused by outside damage.

• Tires – tires on all vehicles are warranted by the tire manufacturer and not the vehicle manufacturer for defects in the tires.

Vehicle Warranty – What is Covered?Vehicle Warranty – What is Covered?

• How do you know? – when you are asked to pay for a repair that is on a vehicle still within basic warranty, reference your owner’s manual to verify it is not a covered component. If there is a question, ask your service advisor. If the service advisor does not give what you feel is a satisfactory answer, ask for the service manager.

• When an item is just past the warranty – most manufacturers will make a provision to help with goodwill funds. Ask the dealership first (they have limited funds from the factory to assist good, loyal customers). Each manufacturer has a 1-800 number and their decisions are often based on how loyal you are to the manufacturer and the dealership. Another important reason to service at the dealership.

• Items not covered by most warranty provisions – damage from accidents, brake pads, tires, broken glass, scratched paint, damaged upholstery, broken mirrors, dents and dings in body panels, amongst other things.

Signs Your Vehicle is Having IssuesSigns Your Vehicle is Having Issues• Brake pulsation – brake pulsation results from the brake rotor

becoming out of round. Often times the rotors can be machined & sometimes they require replacing. Brake pads may also need to be replaced at the same time.

• Brake pull – the vehicle pulls to one side when braking. Often times this is because a brake caliper is either frozen or sticking. Often times brake pads and/or rotors need replacing at the same time.

• Dash warning lights – Any dash warning light often indicates either an item requiring service or an item requiring repair. If they are red, you should immediately review the cause and seek a remedy.

• Noises that are new and unfamiliar – usually an indication that a component is starting to go. Early detection and correction can save you money versus a major repair from “letting it go awhile”.

Signs Your Vehicle is Having IssuesSigns Your Vehicle is Having Issues• Smell of oil – often signs of an oil leak. Early detection and

diagnosis is key. Running an engine out of oil is catastrophic and a major dollar repair.

• Smoke out of vehicle – never a good sign. Could be a coolant leak, oil leak or internal engine issues if coming out tailpipe. Once again, early detection and correction is key.

• Brake pedal feels soft – often accompanied by the brake light being on. Often signs of a fluid leak, component failure or brakes being worn out. Serious concern and should be addresses immediately.

• Transmission shifts odd, no power – could be transmission issue or an engine running condition concern. Can be beneficial to correct early into the problem to avoid major failure or being stranded.

Extended Warranty InformationExtended Warranty Information• Extended Warranty Eligibility – Most manufacturers allow you to

purchase an extended warranty for your vehicle up until the end of the basic warranty period. You can usually extend your coverage up to 100,000 miles. Extended Warranty Coverages start at the Powertrain level and move all the way up to a Premium coverage, which covers the expensive computers and modules in most modern vehicles.

• Long-term peace of mind – Extended Warranties are designed for the customer that plans on keeping the vehicle for the length of the contract and wants to have control of the expenses during that time or to simply cover the major, unexpected repairs that can happen to any vehicle in any vehicle line.

Airbag SRS

Battery warning

Brake system

Check engine

Cruise control

Driving ready

Headlight

High beam

Low oil

Low tire pressure

Maintenance required

Master warning

Slip indicator

Transmission

Note: Red indicator means immediate action. Refer to your vehicle-specific Owner’s Manual for more information.

INDICATOR SYMBOLS

Contact Information for Irwin Automotive Group

• Ron O’Connor – Service Manager 603-581-2937 or ron.oconnor@irwinzone.com• Bill Salta – Quick Lane Manager 603-581-2907 or laconiaquicklane5@gmail.com • Chris Irwin – Vice President 603-581-2969 or chris.irwin@irwinzone.com • Alex Gow – Hyundai General Manager 603-581-2994 or alex.gow@irwinzone.com • Rick Dion – Hyundai Service Manager 603-581-2980 or hyundaiservice@irwinzone.com • Al Faro – General Sales Manager 603-581-2935 or al.faro@irwinzone.com • Betty Ballantyne – Used Car Manager 603-581-2968 or betty.ballantyne@irwinzone.com• Ed Kelley – Warranty & Cust Relations 603-581-2953 or edward.kelley@irwinzone.com • John Lobdell – Ford Parts Manager 603-581-2924 or john.lobdell@irwinzone.com • Ricky Rayno – Toyota Parts Manager 603-581-2957 or rick.rayno@irwinzone.com • Tim Russell – Hyundai Parts Manager 603-581-2983 or hyundaiparts@irwinzone.com• Glenn Strom – Body Shop Manager 603-581-2944 or bodyshop@irwinzone.com • Jason Foss - Reconditioning Manager 603-581-2955 or detail@irwinzone.com

Questions and comments?