K-ceps has many services available.
Service Center
At K-ceps Service Center, we can handle anything from simple maintenance to major engine repair.
Brakes
- ASE Certified Mechanics
- On Site Hertz rental Cars
- 6 Months interest free financing
Brakes
- To help prevent brake problems or failures, the following
regular inspections and maintenance should be performed on
your brake system.- Check the fluid levels
- Check the line for rust or punctures.
- Check the brake hoses for brittleness or cracking.
- Check the brake linings and pads for wear, brake fluid or grease.
- Check the wheel bearings and grease seals.
- Adjust the parking brake as required.
with your brake system are:- Squeals – caused by excessive heating of brake pads or linings.
- Rubbing – caused by the metal brake rotor rubbing against the
metal component of the brake pad. This sound means that the
brake pad is completely worn away.
- A soft brake pedal indicating that there may be a brake fluid leak
or air in the lines.
- Brake pull indicating worn linings, stuck pistons in the calipers or
wheel cylinders, or saturated linings (caused by grease or brake fluid).
Shocks and struts are part of the complex steering/suspension system
of the vehicle. Everything within system must conform to specifications
for satisfactory ride control and safety.- Have wheel alignment and balance checked periodically
- Inspect and rotate tires every 6,000 miles or twice a year
- If your vehicle has more than 25,000 miles on the original shock
absorbers or struts, internal parts may be worn - From that point throughout their service life they also should be
inspected at every 6,000 miles or twice a year
A/C Maintenance and Repair
What is the best way to get maximum efficiency from
my air conditioner?
We get asked this a lot. First, let's clarify the terminology of your A/C controls.
The fan speed is controlled by the fan switch or blower switch. The different
modes of air output are usually controlled by either a sliding lever, a rotary
switch or a series of push buttons. These control whether the air comes out
on the floor, through the dash vents, through the defroster vents or a
combination of the above. Some of these automatically turn on the A/C
compressor, while other cars use a separate button to command the
compressor on. Also, some have "MAX" and "NORMAL" positions of the
mode switch, while others have a separate button or lever to change
between "RECIRCULATE" and "OUTSIDE AIR" positions. Even others
automatically go to "MAX" or "RECIRCULATE" when the temperature
control is placed in its coldest setting. These can be the most important
things to remember, because to get the most efficiency from your A/C
system, it's best to cool off a hot car by lowering the windows slightly,
turning the A/C to "NORMAL" or "OUTSIDE AIR" and putting the blower
on a medium speed. This takes outside air, cools it and forces the hotter
inside air out through the open windows. Once the air in the car has
cooled down to a more comfortable temperature, switch to "RECIRCULATE"
or "MAX" so the system can take the already cooled inside air and recirculate
it so it will gradually get colder and colder. Then make yourself comfortable
by adjusting blower speed. This procedure will cool your car quicker, keep it
cooler and even save you some gas by not causing the system to
run continuously.
What about that musty odor?
More and more we hear this question, and it is usually coming from owners
of later model vehicles. The odor is caused by fungus, bacteria and microbes
growing inside the evaporator core case. The moisture-laden environment
caused by condensation is quite conducive to the growth of these organisms.
The automakers downsized these evaporator cases, added more fins and
packed them closer together on the evaporators, which made them more
prone to trap moisture and contribute to the growth of fungus. There are
several methods to combat this growth. Some newer vehicles come with a
device to run the A/C blower for a period of time after the vehicle is shut off.
This dries out the evaporator case. There are also chemical fixes: from as
simple as spraying Lysol into the A/C air intake to as complex as drilling a
hole in the evaporator case, spraying in an expanding foam fungicide then
letting it convert to a hardened shell of fungicide. One of the least expensive,
although not the most practical methods, would be to turn off the A/C
compressor a mile or so before you get where you're going, but leave the
blower running to allow the evaporator to dry out.
Not much air is coming through the vents. What's wrong?
Many late model vehicles now come equipped with "cabin air filters."
These actually work just like your furnace filter at home to reduce dust
and allergens in your vehicle. Many people are unaware that their vehicle
even has one (or two) of these filters. When the filter gets dirty, the
volume of air through the vents is lowered, so check yours today or ask
us to inspect it. Many are very convenient to change, but some require
disassembly of certain components. A clean filter could make a world of
difference on a hot, humid, summer day.
Heating System
The heater in my car won't give any hot air, only cold.
What could be wrong, and how can I fix it?
It could be a number of reasons. It's possible that you do not have the
proper amount of coolant/water in your cooling system. It's also possible
that your heater core could be damaged/broken.
Without knowing anything else, it'd be difficult to say for sure what the
problem is. Either way, I'd recommend that you take the vehicle in to a
mechanic. A broken heater core could lead to coolant leaking into the
car's interior.
My car heater no longer works and white smoke is
coming from under the hood. Are these connected?
If so, what could be the problem?
It is possible they could be connected. Particularly if it was steam and
not smoke.It sounds like a problem with the cooling system. The heater
takes its heat from coolant passing near it. If the amount of coolant goes
down, there will be less heat delivered to the heater. There could be a leak.
If the white smoke was actually steam, then a leak could cause that as well.
A worst case scenario is that your block heater, if you have one,
broke/popped out.
Cooling System Maintenance
Antifreeze
Remember antifreeze is a deadly poison. It’s sweet taste unfortunately
attracts animals. If they lick it, they may become seriously or fatally ill.
Please remember to pick up any spills you see.
Engine overheating causes serious engine damage.
In order to avoid the engine overheating:
Check the coolant level periodically. It should be at least at the "min"
point in the coolant reservoir. If it's lower, add the coolant bringing the
level to the "max" point.
Caution: Never open the radiator or the coolant overflow
reservoir when engine is hot!
If you discover a coolant leak, have it fixed as soon as possible –
it may cause engine overheating.
If you note that the engine temperature starts rising higher than normal,
have your engine inspected before it will cause serious problems.
Check the front of the radiator - sometimes it may be obstructed with
leaves or dust. It's one of the possible reasons for the overheating.
Try to avoid using front end covers - they cause restrictions to the
air flow through the radiator
Complete Engine Diagnostics- Coolant Leaks
- Oil Leaks
- Trans Fluid Leaks
- Gear Fluid Leaks
- Noise & Vibrations
- Smog Test Diagnostics
- Computer Controls
- Antilock Brakes
- Engine Diagnostics
- Climate Controls
A few basic maintenance tips- Regular oil changes is I'd say the first and most important
aspect of keeping your engine in a good shape. By doing so you
eliminate so many other problems.
- Wash your car regularly, wax it once in a while to keep the car
exterior shiny and free from corrosion.
- Take care of any minor concerns as soon as you can, so it won't
cause serious problems and an expensive repair later
- Use only original or OEM approved parts
Exhaust Maintenance
Your car’s frame, steering and suspension components (the chassis system)
all depend on each other, because they all affect alignment and steering
response. A change in any one component can affect the others. Since all
of these parts work together as a system, it is necessary to have each
component checked when making adjustments or replacing parts.
Which Parts Solve Which Problems?
Idler Arms hold the steering linkage in place. By replacing worn idler arms,
you can reduce vehicle wander, excessive play in the steering wheel and
abnormal tire wear.
Ball Joints are the pivot points on which the front wheels turn.
By replacing worn ball joints, you can reduce front-end noise,
looseness and tire wear.
Tie Rod Ends connect the steering arm to the linkage.
By replacing worn tie rod ends, you can reduce front-end
looseness, vibration, misalignment and excessive tire wear.
Bushings help dampen front-end movement, keep body roll to a minimum
and help dampen wheel shock and vibration. Replacing worn bushings helps
eliminate noise and play and makes handling safer and more predictable.
Your Tires — Are They Worn Like This?
Cupped Tire Wear: Produced by an unbalanced tire condition,
faulty wheel bearings or weak shock absorbers.
Scrubbed Tire Wear: Usually caused by excessively loose, worn or
bent tie rod ends, idler arms or steering linkage components.
Uneven Tire Wear: A result of incorrect alignment or
worn ball joints and bushings.
Variable Tire Wear: Caused by a combination of misalignment,
weak shocks, worn control arm bushings and excessively loose ball joints
Oil Changes
Why regular oil changes so important?
What will happen if I miss my oil change? Engine oil has limited life -
after a certain point it starts losing lubricating qualities and carbonizes.
Once it happens, the engine gets contaminated with carbon deposits
(sludge) that significantly shorten engine's life. When you change oil at
or before manufacturer suggested interval, you change the oil before this
"carbonizing" point, engine remains clean and once refilled with new oil
ready to work hard again. When you miss your oil change, carbon deposits
start clogging the oil pick-up screen decreasing oil supply and increasing
friction. Through the engine ventilation system the same carbon deposits
build up inside the trottle body and EGR system causing rough idle and
possible check engine light. Compression decreases and engine start
wearing much faster.
If you don't remember when you changed the oil in your car last time –
just check the oil on the dipstick. And every time you change the oil,
the oil filter should be replaced as well.
Alignments
A Front-End Alignment is a service that precisely adjusts your vehicle's
front and rear wheels to the manufacturer's specifications. Without proper
alignment your tires will wear faster, steering and suspension components
will fail prematurely, and the smooth ride you were used to will be gone.
Front-End Alignments are needed when you notice that your car:- Pulls to one side or the other
- Vibrates while driving normally
- Has irregular wear patterns on the tires
Tire rotation can be beneficial in several ways. When done at the
recommended times, it can preserve balanced handling and traction
of the tires and even out tire wear. It can even provide performance
advantages.
When should tires be rotated ?
We recommend that high performance tires be rotated every 3,000 to
5,000 miles, even if they don't show signs of wear. Tire rotation can often
be done with oil change intervals while the vehicle is off the ground anyway.
Tire rotation helps even out tire wear by allowing each tire to serve in as
many of the vehicle's wheel positions as possible. Remember, tire rotation
can't correct wear problems due to worn mechanical parts or incorrect
inflation pressures.
Tires and Wheels
Selecting the right tires for your vehicle is an important decision.
Your safety, as well as driving enjoyment over the next years and
thousands of miles will be determined by this decision. The information
provided here and the advice/recommendations from the experts at
Grismer will ensure you select tires that match your vehicle . . .
and the way you drive it!
"How many tires do I need?"
Since tires affect the personality and performance of your vehicle,
all four tires should be as identical as possible or handling problems
may arise. If your tires don't match, it is possible that one end of your
vehicle won't respond as quickly or completely as the other,
making it more difficult to control.
Consider the following:
JUST ONE TIRE?
If your tires have a lot of remaining tread depth, but you need to replace
just one that has been damaged by an accident, road hazard or a vandal,
you should replace it with a tire that exactly matches the others. Select a
replacement tire of the same brand, line, size and speed rating. While there
may be a less expensive tire available, it wouldn't be a bargain this time
because it would be different than the other three tires on your vehicle.
A PAIR OF TIRES?
If two of your tires have a lot of remaining tread depth, but you need to
replace the other two because they were damaged or have worn out,
you should replace them with a pair of tires that come as close as possible
to matching your existing tires. While identical new tires are desirable,
others of the same size and type can also provide good results. Only
consider selecting new tires that are from the same tire category as
your existing tires. New tires should be installed on the rear axle.
While your vehicle is being serviced ask your mechanic why one pair of tires
have worn faster than the others. Was it caused by a lack of tire rotation,
out-of-spec wheel alignment or loose mechanical parts? Once the problem
has been found, it can be corrected before it damages your new tires.
Keep in mind that your ultimate goal is that all of your tires always wear
out at the same time so they can be replaced as a set.
A SET OF TIRES?
If all of your tires are wearing out together, you have the greatest flexibility
in tire selection. If you were happy with the original tires, simply replace them.
If you want longer treadwear, a smoother ride or more handling, there are
probably tires that will help you accomplish that.
Tune-Ups
There are certain vehicle components that need
periodical replacement such as:- Fuel filter - Dirty fuel filter may cause engine stalling
and loss of engine power.
- Air filter - Dirty air filter causes loss of engine power,
increased fuel consumption, causes air flow sensor failure, etc.
- Engine coolant - Old engine coolant loses its anticorrosive and
other characteristics and may cause coolant pump to fail.
- Spark plugs - Simply spark plugs replacement can significantly
improve the engine performance.
- Timing belt - Timing belt failure may cause serious engine damage,
especially if it's diesel engine.
rough idle on a high mileage car?
Try fuel injectors service. You will note the difference right away.
Transmission Maintenance and Repair
Always check your parking space for leaks. Doesn't matter is it the
engine oil leak, power steering fluid or transmission fluid – if you discover
any, get it fixed before it caused something serious.- Once in a while check the transmission fluid level and condition.
- If the level is too low, there is a leak somewhere that needs to be fixed.
- Change the fluid as often as it said in your owner's manual or
when it becomes too dark (rather brown than red) or dirty.
completely - there is always some transmission fluid left inside the
transmission (the torque converter, in the valve body, etc.) which
means you only can change about %60 of the fluid at once.
This is one more reason to change it more often.- Use only the same type of the transmission fluid as specified in
the owner's manual or on the dipstick. Some vehicles
(eg. Dodge Caravan) are very sensitive to fluid type
- Never shift to the Reverse or Parking until the car comes to a
complete stop.
- Never shift from the Parking mode when engine rpm is higher
than normal idle.
- Always hold a brakes down when shifting from Parking.
- The automatic transmission can be damaged if towing with the
drive wheels on the road. Always use a dolly or place powered
wheels on the towing platform (if the vehicle is front wheel drive –
tow it from the front leaving rear wheels on the road.
Suspension
The suspension system has two basic functions, to keep the car's wheels
in firm contact with the road and to provide a comfortable ride for the
passengers. A lot of the system's work is done by the springs. Under normal
conditions, the springs support the body of the car evenly by compressing
and rebounding with every up-and-down movement. This up-and-down
movement, however, causes bouncing and swaying after each bump
and is very uncomfortable to the passenger. These undesirable effects
are reduced by the shock absorbers.
How do you know if your vehicle's suspension should be checked?
If you go over a large bump & notice your vehicle continues to bounce,
your shock absorbers are not doing their job.
When you drive over a bump or turn and hear clunks or squeaks,
it's time for maintenance.
Steering Systems
The manual steering system incorporates:- Steering wheel and column,
- A manual gearbox and pitman arm or a rack and pinion assembly,
- Linkages; steering knuckles and ball joints; and
- The wheel spindle assemblies.
lines; and either a power assist unit mounted on, or integral with,
a power steering gear assembly.
Can you imagine not being able to steer your car
while training down the highway at 60 mph?
It is not a situation that any of us want to experience. Most problems
with steering are caused by the tires or front end alignment. Our automobile
service experts can quickly diagnose and repair any steering problems
before they become nightmares
Autobody
K-ceps Autobody has earned a reputation as the areas best collision repair facility. Stop in for a fast free estimate to see why.
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- Lifetime Warranty
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