It's easy to think that keeping up on regular oil changes is all your vehicle needs. While regular oil & filter changes are important, at Quality Automotive Servicing in Truckee, we know your vehicle needs more. Let me tell you a true story. My friend has regular oil changes at a “Quick” lube in Reno. Recently he headed to Moab to meet some friends for mountain biking. In eastern Nevada, a belt broke and he became stranded. But that wasn’t the worst of it. When the belt broke, it flung around under the hood and put a hole in the radiator. While all his radiator fluid leaked out, he stood on the side of the road wondering if he even had cell service. While he was seeking bars, and not the drinking kind, he discovered the closest shop that could do the work in a day was in Salt Lake City. He was towed, at his expense, to Salt Lake City where he put his trust in a shop he didn’t know. He purchased a new radiator and belt at considerable expense. This wa ... read more

If you’ve purchase a car and have been told that it has “lifetime fluids” know that this does not mean that you never have to change the fluids. The term “lifetime fluids” is not what it appears. This is a “tricky” term invented by the car manufacturers to imply that the various fluids in your vehicle don’t need changing. The car dealerships use this wording to sell you a car that they say has a “low cost of ownership” or is “maintenance free”. There is nothing further from the truth. Here’s the hard fact; we diagnosis vehicles every day that have vehicle problems related to dirty fluids. Many have only been seen at dealerships and most all are issues that could have been avoided with regular service attention at an independent repair shop. An independent shop like Quality Automotive Servicing will have your best interest in mind and share your vision of keeping your car on the road for a long time. It ... read more

Attention College Students! Don’t Blow Up Your Car Engine It's the end of the school year and the last thing any college student is thinking about is vehicle maintenance and the condition of the auto they took to college. So listen up Mom and Dad, don't be on the hook for a new vehicle for something that could be prevented. Whether your student is driving a newer Subaru or a tired Toyota, insist that they take a look at a few simple things before they drive it home. Check all fluid levels and add fluid if necessary. At Quality Automotive Servicing we see many blown engines because a young driver did not pay attention to this basic vehicle maintenance task. Have the oil changed. Even a vehicle that is not been driven much needs fresh lubricant. Today's oil contain detergents that clean the engine. This used and particle-laden oil can becomes acidic over time and needs to be changed even if the vehicle is not driven much. Most manufacture ... read more

One of the biggest things you can do this Earth Day is pay a little attention to your vehicle. By changing a few habits and paying attention to maintenance, you can do your part in helping the environment. Here’s the Quality Automotive Servicing short list of things you can do to be a “Green Vehicle Owner”. Save gas, save on landfill material, save the planet. 1. Keep the engine running at peak performance. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in the owner’s manual or by your Quality Automotive Servicing service technician. 2. Don’t ignore that ‘Service Engine’ light. Today’s vehicles have much cleaner tailpipe emissions than they did 30 years ago. But it's necessary to maintain that system. A poorly running engine or faulty exhaust system will pollute much more than one that is running clean. One indication of a ... read more

The cooling system of your vehicle will be working hard this summer as temperatures in Truckee and Lake Tahoe heat up. To be sure your truck, SUV or car can take the heat have a qualified technician at Quality Automotive Servicing run through a checklist of items that will keep you on the road. Here are some things to consider in maintaining a healthy cooling system and your safety on the road. The ratio of coolant in the radiator should be 50:50 with the manufacturer recommended coolant for your engine and distilled water. Coolant should be flushed and changed regularly. The professionals at Your Trusted Local Auto Care suggest it be done annually for Glycol systems and every 100K with modern coolants. This keeps the system fresh and free of containements which will prevent corrosion and assures that the coolant has the proper boiling point and protection. If you experience overheating while driving, pull over at the next safe spot. You can do severe damage to your engi ... read more