Auto Care Guide Spring 2011

2B | THEPRESS.NET AUTO CARE GUIDE MARCH 25, 2011

VornhagenBody & Paint 600 Harvest Park Dr.

Brentwood

(925) 516-1969

www.vornhagenbodypaint.com

Open Monday through

Friday 8am to 5pm

“There is a big difference between

shops. Any shop can give you a

lower estimate by leaving some-

thing out or overlooking parts. Do

not assume you get the quality of

workmanship you want from the

shop offering the lowest estimate.”

- Vornhagen Body & Paint

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Let’s Go RVing!ROAD RUNNER

RV REPAIR

925-240-6773Your Partner in Fun

415 Beatrice Ct., Unit A, Brentwood (Sunset Rd. & Elkins Way)

Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-2

✔ Personalized Parts and Service

✔ Full Fabrication Shop

✔ Over 35 Years of Experience

✔ Warranty Work, Insurance Work

✔ Customized Systems

✔ Appliance Service

✔ Yearly Maintenance Programs

✔ Emergency After Hours Appointments

✔ Outcall Service Available

✔ Service of All Types of Recreational Vehicles

✔ Specials for RV Clubs

EAST COUNTY’S LARGEST FULL SERVICE AND PARTS FACILITY

10% OFF Spring

Check UpCome by for details.

Ends 5/15/11

Hit the open road for an RV adventure

As gas prices continue to

rocket to a national high, a

road trip might be the last

thing on your list of summer vacation

ideas, but it doesn’t need to be.

A road trip, despite rising gas prices, might actually be cheaper this summer, offering an opportunity to make special vacation memories without breaking your budget. All you need are two magic words: recreational vehicle.

Whether you use a motor home or a travel trailer, RVing is an economical form of travel. Let’s say you want to take a trip to Seattle. You’ll need to book a fl ight, rent a car, fi nd a hotel and budget for meals before you even create your activities itiner-ary. If you take an RV, there are no fl ights, no hotels, no need to eat out, and you can bring your own car with you.

Sure, the trip will take longer, but that’s part of the fun, according to Road Runner RV owner Scott Ylitalo. “When you travel in an RV, you get to appreciate the journey,” he said. “When you’re in a plane, you’re missing all of the nature and beauty. They’re just these little specks you see from high above. But when you RV, you get to see the sights and stop at obscure places along the

way. When you take a vacation with an RV, it’s not just a trip; it’s an adventure.”

RVs come in different shapes and sizes and can be customized to meet your traveling needs. It’s like putting your home

on wheels. You have a refrigerator, a bathroom, beds, and with the addition of sideouts – RV extensions that offer up to 3 feet of additional space – there’s room for the whole family to kick back and relax.

And traveling in an RV eliminates many traditional travel troubles.

“RVing gives you the freedom to set

S A M I E H A R T L E Y

see RV page 4B

Roadrunner RV owners Scott and Tamara Ylitalo can help get you, or keep you, on the road to adventure this summer.

Photo by Richard Wisdom

http://www.vornhagenbodypaint.com

MARCH 25, 2011 AUTO CARE GUIDE THEPRESS.NET | 3B

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Tips to save money oninsurance

Early in the year is a great time

to evaluate your car insurance

policy and look for ways to

save money. A few simple tweaks to

your policy could help you fi nd some

extra savings you didn’t know were

possible.

Your local insurance agent can help you formulate the right policy. The experts at car insurance group Progressive offer these tips for chatting with your agent:

Get the right amount of insurance. First, secure the insurance that’s required by the state. Next, ask your agent if you need physical damage coverage for your car. If you’re driving an older model, your car might be worth less than it would cost to insure.

Check your roadside assistance cover-age. If you’re a member of AAA, you likely don’t need to pay for roadside assis-tance on your car insurance policy. The same goes for rental car coverage: if you have access to an alternate form of trans-portation while your car is being repaired following a claim, you might not need to pay for that coverage.

Ask your agent to shop around. Inde-pendent agents represent multiple insur-ance companies, so they can compare different companies and fi nd the policy that’s right for you at the right price.

Update your policy. As your life changes – marriage, children, new cars – check in with your agent. You can maxi-mize your savings by taking advantage of available discounts.

To learn more, talk to a local agent. You can fi nd one near you at www.progressiveagent.com.

– Courtesy of StatePoint Media

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http://www.billbrandtford.com


6945 LONE TREE WAYBRENTWOOD, CA 94513

925-513-7610(OPEN 7 DAYS)

6935 LONE TREE WAYBRENTWOOD, CA 94513

925-513-7028(OPEN M-S 8AM-6PM • SU 9-5)

TRI CITY

EXPRESS LUBE

B R E N T W O O D

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EXPRESS OIL CHANGE WITH FREE WASH

ONLY$3395

Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Expires 4/30/11

Reg. $39.95

EXPRESS OIL CHANGE WITH FREE WASH

ONLY$3395

Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Expires 4/30/11

Reg. $39.95

TRANSMISSION FLUSHWITH FREE WASH

$7995Most vehicles. Cannot be combined with

any other offers. Expires 4/30/11

Reg. $99.95

NOWONLY

FULL SERVICE WASH

$1099Offer not valid with any other discounts.

Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 4/30/11

Reg. $14.99

FULL SERVICE WASH



Reg. $14.99

FULL SERVICE WASH



Reg. $14.99

SUPER WASH

$1099• Full Service Wash • Clear Coat Protectant• Under-Carriage Wash • Wheel Treatment

• Air FreshenerOffer not valid with any other discounts.


Reg. $17.99

SUPER WASH




Reg. $17.99

SUPER WASH




Reg. $17.99

EXECUTIVE WASH

$1199• Full Service Wash • Foam Polish Wax• Tire Dressing • Clear Coat Protectant

• Under-Carriage Wash • Wheel Treatment• Air Freshener

Offer not valid with any other offer discounts. Oversized vehicles are extra. Expires 4/30/11

Reg. $22.99

EXECUTIVE WASH




Reg. $22.99

EXECUTIVE WASH




Reg. $22.99

your own schedule,” Ylitalo said. “There’s no line to get through security, no limit to the number of bags you take, and it’s just a more pleasant way to travel. You can pack your own food and supplies so you don’t have to go to a restaurant every day. And with an RV, you can take your pets with you, which is nice, since most hotels don’t allow animals.”

While gas prices are daunting, Ylitalo suggests that RVers take advantage of local wonders such as Lake Tahoe or Santa Cruz. Plan a trip that involves just one day of driv-ing and then enjoy the ambiance of your destination. Many state and national parks offer an array of activities for the whole family. And many RV parks are located near towns where there are museums, golf courses, movie theaters and other local attractions that you wouldn’t fi nd other-wise. A little research is all that’s needed.

For those new to the RV experience as well as veteran road-trip enthusiasts, Ylitalo offers an advice line, 800-644-7908, so that travelers can check in if they run in to trouble on the road.

But if current gas prices keep you off the road this summer, make sure to properly store your RV. Ylitalo recommends keeping the engine in good condition by installing a fuel stabilizer. Make sure to drain the water system, cover the tires, disconnect all gas appliances, switch off any battery-powered items and close the windows and blinds to avoid sun exposure. And cover the RV if possible to protect it from exterior damage.

When you’re ready to return to the road, Ylitalo recommends a full mainte-nance check to make sure everything’s working. Road Runner RV’s crew has a 20-step inspection checklist to ensure safety and high performance. Open in Brentwood since 1998, Road Runner RV’s parts and accessories shop supplies every-thing you need before hitting the road. For more information, visit www.roadrunnerrv.net.

Road Runner RV, located at 415 Beatrice Court in Brentwood, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To comment, visit www.thepress.net.

RV from page 2B

Roadrunner RV owner Scott Ylitalo, in the background, and technician Mark Riggs install an exterior TV in a 42-foot motor home.

Photo by Richard Wisdom


Approved Repair Facility For All Major Insurance Companies

• Highest Quality, Affordable Rates• Foreign & Domestic Repairs• Laser Accuracy Unibody Repairs• Rental Cars & Towing Available

FREE ESTIMATES • COURTESY SHUTTLE SERVICE

4515 O’Hara Avenue

Brentwood

634-2211Mon - Fri: 7:30-5:30

Direct Repair Network

Serving East County for Over 34 Years

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Voted one of the Best 9 Years in a Row

205 Oak St.Brentwood

(Corner of 2nd & Oak)

516-0417www.kendallautomotivebrentwood.com

• Brake Service• Fuel Injection Service• Tune-ups

• Air Conditioning• Shocks & Struts• General Maintenance

• Manufacture Recommended Service30,60,90,000 mile

“Family Owned And Operated Since 1996”

Foreign & Domestic

Voted One of the Best 8 Years!

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Brentwood Chamber of Commerce

2010 Business of the Year

Take care of your Take care of your carcar… bring it to us… bring it to us

Your Mercedes & BMW SpecialistYour Mercedes & BMW Specialist

925.240.5466415 Beatrice Ct. Ste. F, Brentwoodwww.bermudezautoserviceandrepair.com

All Major and Minor Service

• Transmission

• Electronic Diagnosis

• Brakes

• Clutch Work

• A/C Service & Repair

• Engine Maintenance & Repair

• Oil Services & Safety Inspection

• Factory Trained

“All of my life I have loved cars,” said Bermudez. “When I lived in Costa Rica I worked on them every day, and I learned that if you keep the cars in good shape, they will last a long, long time.”

Especially the high-end cars. And although some of the maintenance items such as oil changes (most luxury cars use synthetic oils, which are more expensive) and brakes and rotors cost a bit more (they need replacement more often because they can’t be refurbished), the end result is a car you can rely on for years to come.

Bermudez utilizes a checklist of mainte-nance items designed to keep cars in tip-top shape. “What I recommend to my customers is an oil change every seven thousand miles for German cars; three thousand for the others,” said Bermudez. “Also, critical to me is a brake fl uid fl ush every two years and a transmission fl ush every 60,000 miles or so.”

Brake checkups are a little more subjective and depend upon how much the customer drives the vehicle and where. “Someone who drives on a fl at surface most of the time will be able to go longer without replacing their brakes than someone who drives in, say, San Francisco up and down the hills all day,” said Bermudez. “But the best thing to do is have your brakes checked when you have the oil changed. That should be something you do every time.”

And the good news, said Bermudez, is that even for customers feeling the economic pinch, tune-ups and maintenance work don’t need to be done all at once. Items such as oil-changes, spark plugs, transmission work and

even brakes can be done a little at a time.“That’s what’s good about choosing a

mechanic to do all the work and service on your car,” said Bermudez. “I always recom-mend that people keep their car in one shop so that they can get to know and understand the car and be able to see whatever is wrong and let them know before they need a major repair. If you go to different places all the time, no one gets to know your car.”

So if you’re shopping for a new service shop or mechanic, Bermudez recommends choosing someone with a solid reputation and a history of experience working on your particular model. Bermudez is a certifi ed technician, as is his staff, and has experience working on domestic and Japanese cars as well as the high-end luxury cars.

But in the end, you should feel comfort-able with the auto shop you choose and confi -dence in your mechanic. “If a customer doesn’t have a good experience, then they won’t come back,” said Bermudez. “Once my customers come to me, they stay, and that’s because we are equipped to handle whatever they need. We do all our work here in the shop so we don’t have to send it out to other stores.

“I love what I do and I believe it shows. When I fi x a car and see the face of the customer and I know they’re happy and I can send them on the road safe and sound, then I know I’ve done a good job.”

Bermudez’s Auto Service & Repair, located at 415 Beatrice Court in Brentwood, is open Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For addi-tional information, call 925-240-5466.

High-end from page 1B

http://www.bermudezautoserviceandrepair.com

http://www.kendallautomotivebrentwood.com


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Remember when $4 seemed

like an outrageous amount

to spend on a gallon of

gasoline? Not so much these days. But

while you can’t do anything to control

the unrest in the Middle East or oil rig

explosions that could lead to sudden

price spikes, there are a few things you

can do to help ease the pain of high

gas prices.

Trim the wings of soaring gas prices

Small things can add up to big savings, especially with gas prices driving past $4 per gallon in East County.

Photo courtesy of ARA Content

http://www.paintlessdentking.com

http://www.brentwoodtransmission.com

http://www.eastbaymusclecars.com


Obsidian Motors Service Department is staffed with factory-trained technicians in a state-of-the-art service center that provides high quality Mercedes-Benz repairs in Oakley. We understand how much you depend on your vehicle, so our service staff will work to get your Mercedes-Benz back on the road as soon as possible.

Specializing in Mercedes-Benz Service and Parts

1241 Main Street, Oakley

(925) 625-7700www.obsidianmotors.com

Introducing

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While buying a more fuel-efficient car might be an option for some, new and used cars that get more miles per gallon tend to be more in demand – and more expensive – when gas prices are high. If a new car isn’t an option for you, implementing the following changes can help you get the most from the fuel in your gas tank:

Keep the gas you buy in your car. When gas prices are low, stealing gas would likely be more trouble than it’s worth, but when prices are high, it’s not uncommon for thieves to siphon gas from vehicles, especially those with larger tanks. Adding a locking gas cap can be done for much less than the cost of a tank of gas. In addition to prevent-ing theft, locking fuel tank caps can also prevent anyone from tampering with your gas tank.

Keep your tank full. While you’re looking to reduce the amount of gaso-line you’re using, constantly running your car with the tank close to empty can wear down your fuel pump. “The gasoline in the tank keeps the fuel pump cool,” says Tom Taylor, engineer and vice president of RockAuto.com. “Take away the gas and the fuel pump runs hot and has a shorter life.” If you drive an older car that has accumulated dirt and rust at the bottom of the tank, keeping a full tank can help your fuel burn cleaner.

Keep your car in shape. Keeping your engine properly tuned improves fuel efficiency by an average of 4 percent,

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and repairing a major problem such as a faulty oxygen sensor could improve ef-ficiency by up to 40 percent, according the U.S. Department of Energy. Especial-ly if you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you could quickly recoup the cost of an oxygen sensor or other repair after as little as one tank of gas through improved fuel economy.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Maintaining optimal tire pressure not only keeps you safer, but can improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent, according to the Department of Energy. Your owner’s manual should tell you the proper PSI (pounds per square inch) levels for your vehicle.

Drive for optimal gas mileage. How you drive can affect how much gas you use. Most cars run at peak efficiency at around 60 mph. Fuel economy decreas-es sharply when you drive faster. Ag-gressive driving and rapid acceleration/deceleration also lower fuel economy.

Reduce weight and drag. Getting rid of items such as roof equipment when they aren’t being used can help your car become more aerodynamic and run more efficiently. Keeping unnecessary items in your car, especially if they’re heavy, can also make your car work harder and use more fuel than it needs to.

By adding up the small savings gained by each of these tips, you can save money at the pump, especially over a long period of time.

– Courtesy of ARA Content

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http://www.obsidianmotors.com

http://www.dkautomotiverepair.com

Documents

Auto Care Guide Spring 2011