Category Archives: Blog

Auto Motive Brake Tip From Custom Import Performance

Custom Import Performance

The brake rotor, or disc, is attached to your wheel. The brake pads rub on the rotor to slow your car when you are driving in. Brake rotors can warp, crack or become misaligned. They can also be damaged by worn out brake pads that scratch grooves into the surface. These conditions result in less contact surface for the brake pads, leaving you with reduced braking power.Over time and miles, rotors can also wear down below safe specifications. It is important for Pennsylvania drivers to know that simply replacing brake pads on a wheel with a bad rotor will not solve the problem. Depending on their condition, rotors may be resurfaced or replaced.

Brake noise or a pulsation in the brake pedal are signs of potential brake problems that should be addressed right away. If you have any brake concerns, please have your friendly and professional CIP tech perform a thorough inspection.

Give us a call.

Custom Import Performance
2295 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
1.570.476.9484

Automotive Tips from Custom Import Performance: Air Conditioning – Common Problem

Automotive Tips from Custom Import Performance: Air Conditioning – Common Problem

Your auto air conditioning system cools and conditions the air in your passenger compartment when you are driving around East Stroudsburg. It also removes moisture from the air to keep your windows from fogging up.

A common A/C problem for Poconos drivers that visit CIP is contaminated refrigerant (the gas that cools the air). The inside of the A/C hoses deteriorates over time and tiny fragments of rubber clog passages. This makes the system less efficient and overworks various components.

Leaks can develop at seals and gaskets and may reduce the amount of refrigerant, causing the system to work too hard to compensate. Dirty components can have the same consequences.

Ask your Custom Import Performance service advisor for an air conditioning system inspection to make sure everything is up to spec.

Custom Import Performance
2295 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
1.570.476.9484

Super Slick at Custom Import Performance in East Stroudsburg, PA: Synthetic Oil

When you get an oil change, it’s always a safe bet to just use the type of oil the manufacturer recommends. But sometimes we’re asked if we’d like conventional or synthetic motor oil. We glance at the price tags on the two options and choose the cheaper one. But in this case, the more expensive oil might be the better bargain for East Stroudsburg, PA drivers.

Conventional oil is made from petroleum. Its molecules form long hydrocarbon chains. Synthetic motor oil is either more highly refined petroleum or completely man-made. Its molecules are more uniform. This provides advantages over conventional motor oil.

First of all, the molecular structure of synthetic motor oil makes it more slippery than conventional oil so it lubricates better. This translates to better wear protection for American Fork drivers, cooler operating temperatures and more engine power.

Further, synthetic oil is more heat-resistant than conventional oil, and it doesn’t vaporize as easily. It provides better protection for severe conditions like stop-and-go driving around East Stroudsburg, PA and very hot or freezing Pennsylvania temperatures.

Also, synthetic oil doesn’t generate oil sludge like conventional oil. This prevents small engine passageways from becoming clogged, which can significantly extend the working life of your vehicle engine.

Manufacturers are aware of the advantages of synthetic oil, and many of them are using it to fill their vehicles before delivering them to be sold. Many owner’s manuals now come with the recommendation to use only synthetic oil. Because synthetic oil wears better and protects better than conventional motor oil, it can be changed less often. If your vehicle came with a recommendation for synthetic oil, you may have noticed that the recommended period between oil changes is longer than what you’re used to. However, if you switch to conventional oil, you need to be aware that you can’t follow this longer service interval. You’ll have to change your oil more often.

On the other hand, if you are using conventional oil and you switch to synthetic oil, you may be able to lengthen the time between oil changes. You can ask the pros at Custom Import Performance Oil Change East Stroudsburg PA,for more information. They can offer you good auto advice about oils and service intervals based on your driving habits and requirements.

Oil changes are the hallmark of preventive maintenance at Custom Import Performance (CIP). All drivers need them. So we should get excited about a product that reduces how often we need them. Synthetic oil is more expensive, yes, but it can pay for itself by lasting longer than conventional oil. And when you add in the hidden savings of an extended engine life and improved fuel economy, not to mention increased engine power, there’s a good chance that synthetic oil actually saves cash in the long run. All Pennsylvania drivers pay for vehicle care. But understanding what we’re paying for can make us more savvy shoppers.

Custom Import Performance
2295 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
1.570.476.9484

Automotive Tips from Custom Import Performance (CIP): Causes of Wheel Misalignment

When properly aligned, all of your wheels are pointed in the same direction. Your vehicle will track true and handle the way it is designed. East Stroudsburg, PA drivers often associate our wheels being “knocked” out of alignment with an event like a major crash, hitting a pothole, curb or some other object. While these can certainly take your wheels out of alignment, the bumps and bounces of everyday Pennsylvania driving take their toll on wheel alignment as well. Your car can lose alignment over time with just normal driving.

When your wheels are out of alignment, the team of automotive professionals at CIP in East Stroudsburg can return your wheels to the factory settings. Most owners’ manuals suggest an inspection every year or two.

Give us a call.

Custom Import Performance
2295 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
1.570.476.9484

Right or Left? CIP’s Power Steering Service

Have you ever driven a vehicle without power steering? If you have, then you probably appreciate how much easier it is to drive today’s modern vehicles. Before power steering, all of the force to turn a vehicle had to come from the driver’s arms. That’s why old cars had such large steering wheels: they needed plenty of leverage to steer. There were some Pocono, PA  folks who had difficulty driving because they just weren’t strong enough.

Power steering is now standard on all vehicles, but there are several ways that power can be delivered. Most vehicles use a hydraulic power steering system system. In this system, a serpentine belt from the engine powers a pump that pressurizes the power steering fluid. The pressure activates hydraulics that provides steering power.

Other vehicles use an electric pump to pressurize the power steering fluid rather than the belt-driven pump. Some newer vehicles actually have electric motors that provide steering power and don’t use steering fluid at all, especially in the increasingly popular hybrid and electric vehicles.

Poconos, PA drivers who own a vehicle that uses power steering fluid need to have it changed regularly. Over time, moisture accumulates in the power steering fluid, which affects steering performance and can corrode steering components. Dirt and other contaminants can also accumulate in the power steering fluid, which will also negatively affect steering performance. A good power steering service at Custom Import Performance in East Stroudsburg, PA will flush out the old fluid and get rid of dirt and other deposits in the system. Clean fluid will then be added. Fresh fluid provides lubricants that help protect the steering system as well as prevent corrosion.

For recommendations on how often your power steering fluid should be replaced, consult your owner’s manual. It varies by vehicle model and manufacturer. For more auto advice on steering fluid changes—and other preventive maintenance—you can talk with your service advisor at Custom Import Performance. You may need to change your fluid more often depending on the driving and weather conditions in your area.

Pennsylvania drivers who believe in good vehicle care will add power steering service to their preventive maintenance schedule. This will prevent damage to your steering system and extend its working life. The old days of double-handed cranking on a huge steering wheel may be over, but our new comfort and convenience are not maintenance-free. Do yourself and your vehicle a favor. Keep the power steering fluid clean.

Custom Import Performance (CIP)
2295 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
1.570.476.9484

 

Wheel Balancing at Custom Import Performance (CIP)

So you love your job, and your family life is great. Congratulations! You have achieved balance. But can you say the same for your wheels? Pennsylvania drivers can tell if their tires are out of balance by vibrations at higher speeds on Pennsylvania roads. If one of the front tires is out, you feel the vibration in the steering wheel. If it’s a back tire, you’ll feel the vibration in your seat.

Tires and wheels are pretty heavy. When a tire is mounted on a wheel at Custom Import Performance (CIP), it is usually not perfectly balanced. So the technician will spin the tire on a machine to determine where it’s too heavy. He will then place weights on the wheels in strategic locations to balance it out. When a tire is out of balance, it actually bounces down the road instead of rolling smoothly. Since the average size tire rotates at about 850 revolutions per minute at 60 mph/97 kph, it is actually slamming into the pavement 14 times a second. That’s where you get your vibration.

Most people in Pennsylvania are surprised at how smoothly their car rides after balancing all four wheels.

Most high-quality tires sold in Pennsylvania hold their balance pretty well. They just get out of balance gradually with normal wear and tear. If you suddenly feel a vibration, it is probably because you lost a wheel balancing weight along the way. Definitely get a balance at Custom Import Performance in East Stroudsburg, PA if you feel a vibration, change your rims or have a flat repaired. Putting off a needed balance job leads to excessive and tire wear, wear to your shocks, struts, steering and suspension parts. Wheel balancing not only improves your ride and handling, but also can save you some repair bills and possibly an accident. Additionally, you will get better fuel economy.

Some Pennsylvania area drivers have their tires balanced at every rotation. Others do it every other time. Check your owner’s manual for your requirements, or ask your friendly service advisor at CIP. Doing this will put you on the path to mechanical wheel balance.

Custom Import Performance (CIP)
2295 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
1-570-476-9484

 

Water Pump

Your cooling system is very important. It circulates coolant through the radiator and your engine to protect your car from overheating. There are five main components to the cooling system:

  • the radiator
  • the radiator cap
  • the hoses
  • the thermostat and
  • the water pump

The water pump’s like the heart of your cooling system, circulating the fluid throughout your vehicle. It’s a small pump that’s driven by the engine; usually by belt, but sometimes by a chain or gear.

The water pump only operates when the engine’s running. Water pump failure is pretty routine. We see it often at CIP. Some start failing at around 40,000 miles, but most fail by 100,000 miles. Consult your owners’ manual or friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at CIP to see what’s recommended.

Since a water pump either works or it doesn’t, you need to change it when it fails. Water pumps fail in one of two ways: the bearings fail or they begin to leak. It’s possible to have a leak from a cracked water pump, but it usually leaks at the gasket where it attaches to the engine.

So how can drivers tell when the water pump is failing? If you can hear a low-pitched grinding sound coming from the water pump – it’s got a problem. If you can see coolant in that area, you’ve got a leak.

Some water pumps are driven off the timing belt. They might be under a plastic cover so you can’t see the water pump. Look for coolant on the driveway. If you see some, have CIP check it out.

Most timing belts need to be changed at 60,000 miles – some longer. It’s a good idea to change your water pump at the same time if it’s one of those that’s driven off the timing belt. To start with, 90% of the work’s already done with the timing belt change. And, if you don’t, and develop a leak later, you’ll have to change the belt again along with the water pump because the belt will have been contaminated by the leaking coolant.

CIP can replace a failed water pump with a brand spankin’ new one or with a rebuilt pump. Rebuilt will save you some money, but ask your service advisor at CIP what he thinks. Don’t feel too bad if your water pump gives out. They will all wear out eventually. We can get you back on the road and on with your life.

Custom Import Performance (CIP)
2295 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
1.570.476.9484

 

How Do You Save Gas?

Higher fuel prices aren’t going away any time soon. That’s not good news for our wallets. A lot of drivers are trying to find ways to cut down on fuel consumption and hang on to some of their hard-earned money.

Driver drive billions of miles less during months of high fuel prices. That’s right, billions. Of course vehicle owners can’t stop driving altogether, so we still need to find other ways to cut fuel bills.

Preventive maintenance at Custom Import Performance can actually pay for themselves by lowering our fuel consumption. Here’s a real-life example of how that can work.

A family planned a four-day camping trip. Before leaving, they took their SUV into Custom Import Performance for an oil change. They flushed the cooling system, serviced all three differentials and cleaned the fuel system. They replaced the PCV valve and breather element. Then they checked the tires to ensure they had enough air.

This was several hundred dollars in maintenance and repair. You may be thinking how the family could possibly recoup the cost in gas and save money. First of all, the repairs all needed to be done anyway. Even if the costs aren’t recouped, many of them will pay for themselves by preventing even more costly repairs later. Also, the family had planned and budgeted for the routine maintenance, so it didn’t cut into their trip allowance.

The SUV pulled a one-ton trailer and hauled everything the family needed on their camping trip. At the end of the trip, the owner was surprised to learn the SUV had actually gotten better gas mileage than it ever had before—even with that heavy load. The repairs and maintenance at Custom Import Performance had improved the gas mileage by 25%! The family saved $48.00 in gas on their four-day trip. And they are continuing to reap rewards from the improved mileage.

So what can you do to save fuel? First, stay caught up on routine maintenance at Custom Import Performance. Almost every maintenance item listed in your owner’s manual will maintain or improve your fuel economy. Second, take your vehicle into CIP for scheduled tune-ups. And third, take care of needed repairs. You may be surprised at how much you save at the pump and probably with the improved vehicle performance as well.

If your check engine light is on, find out why and take care of it. Some of the problems that set off that warning light can seriously reduce fuel efficiency.

As you schedule preventive maintenance, don’t forget your tires. Proper tire pressure and wheel alignment are both essential to good fuel economy.

Here’s some more auto advice about some simple things you can do to improve fuel economy, beyond maintenance and repairs:

Dump the junk. More weight in your car equals more fuel. You’d be surprised how much stuff people carry around in their cars. That adds up to a lot of extra fuel. One hundred pounds of extra stuff in your vehicle can add up to the loss of one mile per gallon of fuel.

Get the lead out. No, don’t speed up, slow down. Get the lead out of your right foot. The single biggest drain for most vehicles is speeding or sudden accelerations. Slow down and go easy on turns and lane changes, and don’t treat every stoplight and stop sign like a green flag. These small changes can add up to quite a bit of change in your pockets.

We haven’t mentioned the pills you can drop in your gas tank or special devices you can hook on your fuel line in order to increase fuel efficiency. There’s a simple reason for that: they don’t exist. There may be some truth behind some of these claims, but most of them are full-out scams. And if any of these things do actually help, it’s not nearly as much as the things we’ve listed here.

Be smart. Your vehicle and your wallet will thank you for it.

Custom Import Performance
2295 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
1.570.476.9484

Custom Import Performance, Inc. Launches NEW Website!

We got a new look! Custom Import Performance, Inc. of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvinia, has launched a new website. We understand that the web is taking over how our customers are looking for businesses and services. Our goal is to make sure that our quality collision repair services can be easily found on the web!

Feel free to browse around our new website and let us know what you think. Please come back frequently to check out the latest news, photos, advice & promotions.

By taking your vehicle to a Custom Import Performance, Inc., you’re getting the best of both worlds. All AutoCare Centers are independently owned shops that take pride in their communities and customers while still being backed up by a national warranty and the trusted NAPA brand.

Clean Air for Your Engine

All of us in Pennsylvania know we have to get the oil changed in our vehicles periodically. That’s just part of good car care. But when CIP technicians change your oil, they also usually inspect your air filter. That’s why they sometimes let you know that your air filter needs to be changed before releasing your vehicle.

Don’t just chock this up to trying to sell you something else. Pennsylvania area drivers really do need to change their air filter when it gets dirty. You can check your owner’s manual to see how often your air filter should need to be changed, but remember, if you live in an area in Pennsylvania  with poor air quality, or if you drive a lot or drive under harsh conditions in the East Stroudsburg, PA area you may need to change that filter more often than is recommended.

Changing an air filter isn’t guesswork. If a filter’s dirty, it needs to be replaced. Air filters aren’t very expensive at CIP. But the problems they cause if auto owners don’t change them can get to be.

Custom Import Performance
2295 Milford Rd
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
570.476-9484

www.cipautorepair.com