Are You Ready For Spring?

Longer days and sunshine also come with rain and mud as we fully embrace springtime in Michigan. The warm weather is welcoming, the potholes less-so. Are you and your vehicle prepared for springtime road trips and road hazards?

Have your emergency kit stocked and ready!

Smart things to have inside your trunk include:

• Fresh bottles of water
• Snacks or meal bars
• Jumper cables
• A spare tire
• Portable battery backup with phone charging cord

Schedule your spring maintenance

You’ll want to have your ArborMotion specialist do a few things to prep for spring including:

• Oil change
• Swap winter tires for summer tires
• Check wheel alignment
• Install fresh windshield wipers

You may also want to consider a wheel alignment before your next road trip!

Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

Springtime Driving Checklist

Are you and your vehicle ready for warmer weather and leisurely drives? Here’s a handy checklist so you can be springtime driving ready:

• Schedule your oil change! We talk a lot about oil changes at ArborMotion, and for good reason. Your engine oil is one of the most important components inside your vehicle. If your oil is dirty or low, it can cause problems that turn into catastrophes if left unchecked. 
• Schedule a tire swap if you use seasonal tires. Keep an eye on weather predictions and schedule your appointment accordingly. Summer tires don’t do well in cold weather, so be sure the ambient temperature is above 40°F consistently before you put your summer tires on. 
• General maintenance is a good idea. Your manufacturer has a schedule of recommended maintenance at 15,000 to 30,000 mile intervals This maintenance is important so your vehicle will perform at its peak for many years to come. 
• Check your emergency kit. Make sure your backup battery is charged, you have a fresh bottle of water stored, and any snacks you have aren’t expired. 
• Get a car wash. Winter roads bring lots of debris, including salt, which can chew up your undercarriage. Going through a carwash and selecting the undercarriage option is one maintenance item that many of us forget about as the weather starts to warm up. 

To ensure you're ready for springtime driving, read more here.

Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

Must-do Maintenance for Infrequent Drivers

Do manufacturer’s recommendations still apply to me, even if I don’t drive very much? What do I have to do to keep my vehicle healthy?

For all infrequent drivers, short commuters, and those of you who have no commute, here are the things your vehicle still needs from you to stay in tip-top shape:

• Oil changes - these are an absolute must every 6 months even if you haven’t driven that much. If your car Isn’t driven much the oil in your engine can collects moisture that may never properly burn off, potentially causing issues for systems that need to be water-free!
• Get up to speed - even if it’s just an occasional drive, get your vehicle up to highway speeds once in a while. That higher speed and bit of distance will work the oil through the engine in a way that city commutes won’t and keeps all rotating parts “exercised” so they don’t atrophy.
• Check your tires because not just tread depth matters. Over time, tires break down, so even if your tread depth looks good, the age of the materials can still cause problems. If you need help with this, give us a call!
• Have all the belts and hoses inspected – we will do this for you at every oil service. Letting a vehicle sit can cause degeneration of anything rubber or plastic. Those parts still go through the weather extremes we get in Michigan, so they to be regularly inspected for wear and cracking. 

In short, even if you don’t use your car often, it still needs some basic care and maintenance so that it works without issues when you’re ready to roll! To ensure you're ready for springtime driving, read more here.

Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

The Cost of Doing, or Not Doing Regular Maintenance

Does it really save you money to do regular maintenance? Will it keep more money in your pocket, and your vehicle on the road longer?

Annual Cost of Operation

When it comes to owning a vehicle, one number you’ll often see is the “annual cost of operation”. This is an estimate of what your regular maintenance will cost each year. It usually includes things like oil changes and filter changes, as well as an estimate on the cost of fuel based on average driving habits. 

Caring for your Vehicle

Regular interval oil changes, brakes, and keeping your wheels aligned all add up in your favor. Standard manufacturer recommended maintenance keeps you on the road, and allows you to arrive at your destination as intended. It also gives you peace of mind, especially when the weather is too cold for comfort. No one wants to be stranded, especially when the ambient temperature are below freezing! Keeping your vehicle in good health saves you both time and money in the long run. 

Cost of Neglect

If you don’t do regular maintenance, you’re throwing money away! Not doing regular maintenance, like standard oil changes and mileage based maintenance services, can severely impact your fuel mileage as well as cause premature engine wear. With fuel prices up, and the added time of warming up your engine during the cold months, everything you can do to preserve your fuel mileage matters!

To learn more about maintenance schedule guidelines, visit our website!

Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

Pay Attention to Your Check Engine Light!

What is your Check Engine Light trying to tell you? It could indicate a wide array of problems, from low fluid levels to a catastrophic engine failure. How do you know what is causing it to light up?

Many people know about “code readers” that repair shops and auto parts supply shops use. What most aren’t aware of is that the codes are just a starting point. 

What’s a person to do with that pesky check engine light?

• If you’re feeling handy, have the code read by a digital reader, so you know what general area is causing the a problem. Or skip this step and move right to step two. 
• Schedule your diagnosis appointment with us or give us a call to talk through any issues your vehicle is having. 
• Bring your vehicle in for a diagnosis appointment and we’ll tell you what’s happening, and what it will take to fix the issue! You’ll even get a written estimate, so you can see the cost before any repair work begins. 

Sometimes the Check Engine light is a minor issue and a quick fix. But sometimes it can be an indication that something big is brewing under your hood. The quicker you get it diagnosed, the quicker you can get it solved so you can be back on the road. 

To learn more about maintenance schedule guidelines to avoid check engine lights, visit our website!

Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

Winter Maintenance You Can DIY

When it comes to winter driving, everything you do to keep your vehicle in top-notch condition matters. There’s a handful of little things you can do to keep your vehicle running smoothly, even when it’s cold. 

These simple and important maintenance things include:

• Check your windshield wipers and make sure they’re in good shape. If you see streaking – or you notice that water droplets aren’t clearing from your windshield – it’s time to replace your wipers. You can visually inspect the rubber on the blades, too. If they’re cracked or there’s bits of rubber missing, it’s time for a new set.
• Check your tires regularly. There shouldn’t be any cracking or fraying. Use a tire gauge to check your tire pressure and keep them inflated based on your vehicle recommendations (this is found on a sticker on the frame where your driver’s side door closes).  Check your treads using the penny test, and if you can see Lincoln’s head, you need new tires asap! 
• Keep your gas tank full. In bad weather, it may take longer to get where you're going, and you want to make it all the way there. Plus, you don't want gas to freeze in the line!
• Check all your exterior lights. Having a headlight, brake light, or blinker out could mean you’re harder to see on the road, which could cause issues. 

As always, prevention is easier than fixing a major issue after it occurs. Taking care of the little things and scheduling regular maintenance for your vehicle will keep you happily rolling along even when it’s chilly. 

Learn more about the basics of winter maintenance for your Asian or European vehicle here.

Schedule Winter Maintenance on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

Is Your Battery Still Good?

When was the last time you replaced the battery in your car? Is it going to keep you rolling through the rest of the winter and beyond?

Vehicle Batteries Last for About Four Years

We ask a lot of our batteries, and when they give out, we’re stuck. Regardless of your vehicle, you have at least one battery (or more!) that you depend on to get you where you’re headed. Extreme temperatures can cause the chemicals in your battery to evaporate or separate, which decreases the lifespan of the battery. Shorter trips, lots of starting of the engine (this is when the battery draw is most significant), and long periods without being used and recharged by the alternator, all shorten your battery’s lifespan. 

Signs It’s Time for a New Battery

If you notice any of the following signs, it’s time to start shopping for a new battery: 

• You realize it’s been at least four years since you replaced the battery
• Corrosion on the terminals
• Staining anywhere on the battery box, indicating a potential leak
• Longer than “normal” start times in the winter
• Issues with the sound system
• Dimming headlights
• Sluggish engine cranking

Your battery is the linchpin that gets your vehicle started day after day. If you aren’t sure how long you’ve had your battery, or how much longer it will last, you can always schedule a battery load test and we can give you a good idea of your battery health!

Learn more about the basics of winter maintenance for your Asian or European vehicle here.

Schedule Winter Maintenacne on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!