The Dyno Shop

Is my car problem covered under the factory warranty? This is a very common question that we receive here at The Dyno Shop. In most cases this is a question that we can only shed some light on because ultimately this is a question that the dealership has to answer.
For example, let’s say the Crankshaft Position Sensor has failed on your vehicle causing it not to start. Parts and labor, including towing would be covered under the base factory warranty. But what if external damage is what caused the part to fail?
External damage is considered an accident and not covered under the base warranty. It is up to the dealership to determine what has caused the part to fail and whether it will be covered under warranty.
The base warranty on most vehicles today to 5 years and 50,000 miles. In order for the manufacturer to honor the warranty the failure must occur within the time and miles of the promised warranty. Often this is not cut and dry because manufacturers provide several levels of warranty coverage. The two most popular are the bumper-to-bumper warranty and the power train warranty. Power train warranties usually last longer but cover less items whereas bumper-to-bumper coverage will last for shorter periods of time but cover more items.
If you have questions on whether or not an issue with your vehicle is covered under the factory warranty give us a call, we can help 619-562-3933!!! Have a great week!

San Diego County is expecting thunderstorms this week. We want you to feel safe in your vehicle during this first rain of the season, so here are some tips to make your commute safe in the rain:

1. Check your tires for tread wear and the proper air pressure
2. Check your windshield wipers (the summer heat has probably left the rubber dry and cracked)
3. Add rain repellent to your windshield to give you the extra clear view
4. Check all exterior lighting, you will need headlights & tail lights during the rain

We can do all of this for you and much, much more!  Bring your vehicle in for our 55-point inspection and lube, oil, filter change and we will apply the Rain-X rain repellent to your windshield for free!  This is good until this Saturday (10/8/11). Give us a call anytime to set up an appointment 619-562-3933.  Drive safe!

Taking the time for regular under-the-hood vehicle checks will help prevent problems later. Spending just 15 minutes every month may prevent 70% of problems that lead to highway breakdowns. The best preventative maintenance is to catch problems early before they become a large/expensive issue for you and your vehicle.  Run through the following list every month or every 1,000 miles:

• Check Air Filter
• Check all accessory belts
• Check the battery and its connections
• Check the coolant level and color/smell
• Check the hoses (make sure they are not dry and cracking)
• Check the oil level on the dipstick
• Check the automatic transmission fluid on the dipstick
• Check the brake fluid level and smell
• Check the tires
• Check the windshield wipers for wear and the wiper fluid level

Give us a call for further information/questions 619-562-3933

If your Check Engine light is illuminated, your vehicles computer has found a problem and it has stored a code in it’s memory. Many shops and parts stores advertise that they will scan your computer for free. We too can perform this task for you, but this is not always an accurate diagnosis.
In today’s vehicles there can be hundreds of different codes that can be stored for various reasons for different vehicles, and many times the inexpensive code readers cannot retrieve them all.
The summarized code description is only meant to be a “starting point” in the diagnostic process. With every code there is a diagnostic process/check list that needs to be worked through. This process can be time consuming, but it will help to pinpoint the specific component at fault within that particular system that has set the code in your vehicles computer. With a proper in-depth scan and diagnosis you will avoid “throwing” parts at the problem hoping that one will be the fix.
By using the latest diagnostic equipment, our trained technicians can accurately find the problem, fix it and get you back on the road again. Give us a call anytime with questions or to set-up an appointment 619-562-3933. We are here to help you keep your vehicle running at it’s best!

The weather has been brutally hot this summer! With all of this hot weather, here are some maintenance procedures that will keep your vehicle healthy and on the road. First, keeping your cooling system filled with clean, good coolant is a must. If you haven’t flushed your radiator this year now’s a great time. Second, most people don’t know how important clean oil is to keeping their vehicle cool. Low oil levels or dirty oil can increase friction in your engine, causing it to work harder. The harder your engine works the hotter it gets. Changing your engine oil every 4 months or 5,000 miles is imperative to keeping your engine healthy, happy and cool. Now for keeping you and your passengers cool. If your air conditioner hasn’t been blowing as cold as it use to you may be in need of an A/C recharge. Come in before September 1st and we will give you 10% off any of the above listed services!!!