What Auburn Automotive Service Consumers Should Know
Posted June 19, 2012 2:24 PM
There are some things Auburn consumers should know about Auburn automotive service and repair. First and foremost, Dave's Valley Auto Clinic cares about you and your family’s safety. And we really appreciate your business. Dave's Valley Auto Clinic in Auburn wants to build a trusting relationship that becomes the foundation for a mutually beneficial experience for years to come.
Building on that foundation, there are some things that would help you understand the auto service and repair business better. First, it can be really hard to fix cars. The days of shade tree mechanics are long gone. The majority of automotive systems are computerized. It takes a lot of training and very expensive equipment to diagnose and repair modern vehicles. The technicians that work for Dave's Valley Auto Clinic need extensive computer training – not just how to run the diagnostic systems, but also searching for the right parts, networking with other technicians to help them with a difficult problem and pulling together a job order that makes sure that each step of the process is addressed.
The threshold for getting started as a technician gets higher all the time and there is a huge commitment to on-going training every year. This training takes time and money. It contributes to business overhead. The average Kent or Federal Way driver may not realize the business and environmental regulations Dave's Valley Auto Clinic must comply with. Of course that costs money too. Like any business, overhead is a big factor.
When you go into a Auburn restaurant you don’t value the meal by what the food would cost at the grocery store. The restaurant has rent, wages, insurance, taxes, utilities, professional fees, equipment, supplies – you get the picture. The restaurant has to charge enough to not only pay for the ingredients, but for all these other things as well while making enough profit to remain in business. If you value the meal and are satisfied with your dining experience, you’ll come back and tell your friends.
It’s the same for Dave's Valley Auto Clinic. The value of its service is not the cost of the parts they replace, but in your satisfaction with the results. If they deliver a good product at a fair price, Auburn customers are happy to see them succeed as a Washington automotive business.
Contact Dave's Valley Auto Clinic to learn more about our extensive auto service training.
You can find us at:
4725 Auburn Way N. Auburn
Auburn, Washington 98002
Or call us at 253-850-1538
Your Auburn service center loves to see its customers whenever they come in, but they would much rather see them three or four times a year for routine maintenance than once a year on a tow truck. They want to work together with you to avoid breakdowns. Tell your Auburn area friends and family to go in for their scheduled maintenance too. That lowers the service center’s marketing costs and helps keep its labor rates down. That’s good for everyone.
Dave's Valley Auto Clinic appreciates this great review of automotive service from AutoNetTV.
Posted in the Service Standards category
Your Well Trained Technician At Dave's Valley Auto Clinic
Posted April 10, 2012 12:40 PM
When your SUV breaks down, or just needs some routine service, you might get a little nervous. Your car’s so important to your life in Federal Way, you need to back on the road as soon as possible – with the problem fixed right the first time.
If you’ve ever checked into some of the technician training Dave's Valley Auto Clinic professionals receive, you may be surprised at how much knowledge and skill goes into diagnosing and repairing a modern car. Let me give you some perspective. Today there are four cylinder engines that make more power than the V-8’s in luxury cars twenty years ago. I mean a new V-6 Toyota Camry could beat Sonny Crocket’s Ferrari in a race to sixty.
Our engines are more and more powerful and at the same time their fuel economy keeps inching up – even with steep Federal Way gas prices. And they’re so reliable. This is all due to engineering. But the advances come at the price of simplicity. The modern cars driving around Federal Way roads are so much more complex from a mechanical standpoint that it makes your head spin – not to mention the electronics.
Some cars have several networked computers controlling most of the engine functions and many other vehicle functions as well. Federal Way motorists take all of this sophistication for granted – but somebody has to fix it when it breaks. It’s a real challenge for Dave's Valley Auto Clinic technicians to keep up, but we work hard to stay ahead of the technology. It requires a high level of commitment on the part of the technician and the Federal Way service center as well.
In addition to the training, there’s the financial commitment to purchase the diagnostic and repair tools. Dave's Valley Auto Clinic technicians receive training through a combination of formal classroom training, training provided at Dave's Valley Auto Clinic by parts and equipment manufacturers, on-line courses and home study courses.
There are many independent certifications available at Dave's Valley Auto Clinic all the way up to Master Technician. The ability to repair your SUV requires a strong combination of training and resources. No one can know everything, so Federal Way auto service centers subscribe to data services, technical libraries and even on-line communities that can help them when they run into a difficult problem.
It’s like those medical diagnosis shows on TV. Here are the symptoms – what’s the diagnosis and treatment? Diagnosis is every bit as much an art as a science. At Dave's Valley Auto Clinic, we want everything to be simple, straightforward and cheap – but sometimes it just isn’t.
So try to be more relaxed next time you bring us your SUV. You’re in good hands.
Posted in the Service Standards category
On Board Diagnostics For Your SUV
Posted March 15, 2012 11:30 AM
Make an appointment with Dave's Valley Auto Clinic to have your on board diagnostics analyzed.
4725 Auburn Way N. Auburn
Auburn, Washington 98002
253-850-1538
Today we're going to talk about on-board diagnostics and the questions we hear from folks around Auburn Washington who need answers about diagnostic services. They want to know what diagnostics are, what's involved and what the benefits are. They really want to understand the value of diagnostic scans by a trained technician in Auburn Washington.
These are valid concerns. If you don't understand something it's really hard to know its value. Let's start with some history.
Since 1996, all cars and light trucks in Auburn Washington have been required to use a standardized diagnostic system to help repair technicians determine what's wrong with your vehicle. The diagnostic system works with the vehicle's Engine Control Module – the computer that controls many engine functions.
The computer monitors dozens of components and processes. Depending on what the sensors read, the computer will make adjustments to compensate for conditions and minor problems. When there is a condition that it can't adjust for, the computer will turn on the check engine light.
It is also called the 'service engine soon' light on some vehicles. The warning light signals you to get into your Auburn Washington service center so that the trouble code can be read and the problem can be fixed. Your service center will have a scan tool and powerful software that will help the technician diagnose the problem.
If you've searched for check engine light on the internet, you may have seen that you can buy an inexpensive scanner or go to an auto parts store to have the trouble code read to tell you exactly what's wrong.
That's a common myth. The code itself doesn't tell you what's broken. It starts you looking in the right place. It tells you what engine parameter is out of range – but it won't tell you what's wrong or how to fix it.
Let's say you think your daughter has a fever. You take her temperature and it reads one 102 degrees. You've confirmed a fever, but you don't know what's causing it. Is it a 24 hour flu, an infection, appendicitis or leukemia? A fever is a symptom of all of these medical problems, but it takes a skilled physician's examination and additional diagnostic tests to find out what is actually causing the fever.
An example of a trouble code could be: P0133, which reads 'Bank 1 sensor 1 circuit slow response'. This means that the front oxygen sensor has a slow response time to changes in the air-fuel mix. If that's all you knew about cars, you would think your oxygen sensor was broken and would replace it. Now, it could be the oxygen sensor – but it could also be a bad or contaminated airflow sensor, exhaust leak, electrical problem, an intake manifold leak or any of a number of other things.
You can imagine a lot of oxygen sensors have been replaced because of that code. So the on-board diagnostics point the way to where the trouble lies, but it takes some skill and high-tech equipment to actually pinpoint the problem. The cheap scan tools that a consumer can buy do not have the ability to retrieve some of the operating history that's stored in the engine control computer. That history's very helpful in diagnosing the problem. Service centers like Dave's Valley Auto Clinic invest a lot of money in high-end diagnostic tools to help solve the mystery and get you back on the road as soon as possible without replacing a lot of parts that don't need replacing.
So, on-board diagnostics provide a powerful starting place for a highly-trained, well-equipped technician to get to the bottom of your problem. When your check engine light comes on, get it checked at Dave's Valley Auto Clinic. If the light burns steady – don't panic. Get in to Dave's Valley Auto Clinic soon to have the engine scanned. A flashing check engine light means that there is a severe engine problem. Get in as soon as you can – waiting too long can lead to very expensive damage.
And try to not drive at high speed or tow or haul heavy loads with a flashing check engine light.
Posted in the Service Standards category
Handling Distractions While Driving Around Auburn
Posted December 23, 2011 12:23 PM
We've all seen people do crazy things while driving to or from Auburn. A guy shaving in the rear-view mirror, a woman applying makeup, people talking on their phones, texting or drinking from an enormous coffee mug. All of these are an accident waiting to happen.
The truth is everyone in Auburn Washington is distracted when we drive. Traffic, road construction and other things outside the car are beyond our control. But the distractions inside our car are things we can often control.
Here's some things that'll give you more control in your car, and help keep your attention on the roads around Auburn Washington.
- Drivers who are 16 to 20 years old tend to be more distracted by the radio, CD or MP3 player.
- Drivers who are 20 to 29 are more distracted by passengers in the car, including small children.
- And those over age 65 tend to be more distracted by objects or events that are outside of the vehicle.
Other factors like fatigue, stress and lack of sleep make it harder to pay attention to driving – no matter what age we are. People are also distracted by thinking about relationships, family issues, money and bills. So what can we do to manage these distractions? Well, the first thing is to eliminate as many as we can.
When you get in your car, make sure you're belted in; that the seats, steering wheel and mirrors are adjusted; and your radio or CD player is ready.
Secure any loose objects in the car that can fall on the floor and interfere with your driving.
If you have a drink, make sure it's spill-proof and put in a cup holder. Pets should also be contained.
If you're riding with kids, make sure they're wearing seat belts or secured in safety seats. You may want to give em some distractions to keep them quiet and sitting in their seats. Don't get involved in their arguments while you're driving. Pull over if you need to find a toy or break up a fight.
If you eat while driving, keep it to simple finger foods that aren't messy.
Learning your car's controls before you drive is another way to improve your safety. Know how to work the radio by touch. The same goes for heating and air conditioning controls.
If you have to use a cell phone, a hands-free system is best. But remember, the biggest cell phone distraction isn't the phone itself – it's the conversation. Keep conversations brief and light, or pull over if you can. Your reaction time is much slower when talking and driving, so allow more space between you and the car ahead of you. Know your local laws – it may be illegal to be on the phone or text in the Auburn Washington area.
And if you really think you have to shave, change your clothes or put on make-up while driving – you're wrong. Just start getting ready earlier so you have enough time to finish those things before you drive into Auburn Washington.
Dave's Valley Auto Clinic
4725 Auburn Way N. Auburn
Auburn, Washington 98002
253-850-1538
Remember, driving is probably the most dangerous thing you'll do all day – so don't make it any worse. Use these tips to keep you and your loved ones safer behind the wheel.
Posted in the Service Standards category
On Board Diagnostics For Auburn Motorists
Posted November 17, 2011 11:18 AM
Some Auburn motorists are confused by Dave's Valley Auto Clinic charges for diagnostic services for a vehicle repair. Many services at Dave's Valley Auto Clinic and other Auburn automotive repair shops include diagnostic fees.
When you take your laptop into a Auburn computer repair shop for a problem you’ll likely have to leave a deposit for diagnostics. When we visit our Kent doctor for a medical problem, we’re paying him to diagnose our ailment and of course for the tests that go along with it.
So receiving a diagnostic charge at Dave's Valley Auto Clinic for a tricky automotive problem shouldn’t be a surprise. In the Auburn area, automotive diagnostics can cover quite a range. If you hear a noise in your SUV brakes when you slow down in rush-hour traffic on a busy Washington expressway, you pull off the next off-ramp and take a quick visual check. That is usually enough to know what needs to be done. If you’re having an intermittent problem with your SUV engine, Dave's Valley Auto Clinic diagnosis may be much more involved.
Much of the Auburn public’s confusion comes when the problem involves the check engine light. The check engine light comes on when the engine management computer has sensed a problem.
There’s a common misconception among Kent, Federal Way, and Covington drivers that the trouble code tells the Dave's Valley Auto Clinic technician exactly what’s wrong. Why then is there a diagnostic charge, the scanner just gave the diagnosis?
Reality is more involved than that. The computer monitors many sensors throughout the vehicle. When one of these sensors has a reading that’s out of parameters, the computer will record a trouble code and turn on the check engine light.
The SUV computer's trouble code just tells the Dave's Valley Auto Clinic technician what engine parameter is out of range – not what’s causing it. The technician needs to determine the underlying problem that’s causing the symptom.
There are many problems that could cause a troublesome sensor reading for Dave's Valley Auto Clinic Auburn customers. The Dave's Valley Auto Clinic technician makes a list of the most likely causes and begins tracking down the source of the problem.
Auburn service centers subscribe to databases that document possible causes for a given trouble code. They outline procedures for confirming a diagnosis and provide the documented fix. These databases are specific to each vehicle and engine combination.
Some diagnoses are quick and easy. Others are more involved and difficult. Of course Dave's Valley Auto Clinic wants to figure out what’s wrong with your SUV and get you back on the road as quickly as possible.
Posted in the Service Standards category
Auburn Customer Detective Work
Posted August 26, 2011 11:41 AM
One might say the most challenging part of being an automotive service technician at Dave's Valley Auto Clinic in Auburn Washington is diagnosing a problem before it can be fixed.
Cars are made up of a bunch of complex systems. There usually could be a number of reasons for any given symptom. So it's challenging to track down the actual cause of the problem. And it can be frustrating for the vehicle owner because it can take time and money to get to the bottom of a problem. If it's not something obvious, it's easy for the customer to focus on the fixing and not the diagnosing.
Let us introduce you to something we'll call Customer Detective Work – that is helping your Auburn Washington technician find clues to what's wrong.
We start with the detective basics: What, Where and When. Play along with me. You come in to Dave's Valley Auto Clinic and your car is making a funny sound.
- Q: Where's the sound?
- A: Around the right front wheel.
- Q: What kind of sound?
- A: Kind of a clunk, clunk sound.
- Q: When do you hear the sound?
- A: When I turn and accelerate.
- Q: Right and left? Forwards and back?…
Do you see where we're going? You're gathering additional information to help your Auburn Washington technician know where to start. Based on your car and the tech's experience, he'll know where to look and can start with the obvious suspects.
You can see how that would be more helpful than dropping the car off with a note that says "making a funny noise".
When you think you need to bring a vehicle in, make some notes about the problem. Rather than just saying "it's leaking", tell the tech the color of the fluid, and approximately where under the car you see the puddle.
Things like 'the car is stalling or sputtering' are often very hard to diagnose because they're intermittent. They may not happen every time you drive and usually aren't happening when you actually bring the car in. So, it is a big help for you to describe what's happening in as much detail as possible.
Your Auburn Washington technician at Dave's Valley Auto Clinic will need to be able to duplicate the problem if possible so he needs to know details, like 'it stalls after it's been driven for about 20 minutes and I go over 50 miles an hour'.
If the tech can experience the problem personally, he's better able to make a diagnosis and repair. And, then test to see if the repair solved the problem.
Posted in the Service Standards category
Technician Training
Posted March 16, 2011 9:33 AM
Your car is important to you and keeping it running is vital to your lifestyle. That’s why you should have it serviced regularly. And even though it may just be routine maintenance, you want it done right.
It’s also very important to Dave's Valley Auto Clinic to keep you happy and on the road. You might be surprised at the amount of money service centers like Dave's Valley Auto Clinic spend every year to make sure their technicians are properly trained.
Dave's Valley Auto Clinic offers a variety of car care services to many kinds of vehicles. We need to be up to date on the latest techniques and parts so that we can care for your car properly. Dave's Valley Auto Clinic subscribes to data services that list the high quality parts and fluids recommended by your manufacturer.
And each service has a checklist of standard procedures. Technicians at Dave's Valley Auto Clinic follow these procedures so we can safely deliver a consistent level of high-quality service.
Some services require the use of specialized equipment. Technicians at Dave's Valley Auto Clinic are trained extensively on this equipment so that they can service your car quickly and efficiently.
Classroom, video and hands-on training is provided by Dave's Valley Auto Clinic and outside trainers. It’s not only important that service technicians be able to perform a given task, they also need to be thoroughly trained in inspection and diagnostic techniques. One of the great services they perform is to spot potential problems before they become serious.
The automotive service industry has standards for classifying and communicating problems to customers. For example, it’s one thing to learn that your manufacturer recommends that you change your serpentine belt belt every 30,000 miles and another to learn that the belt is on the verge of failure. These standards help you understand the urgency of recommendations, letting you make better service decisions.
You may be interested to know that service technicians are trained in compliance with federal and local laws and regulations, including environmental regulations regarding the disposal of used parts and fluids.
It’s the goal of Dave's Valley Auto Clinic to provide fast, courteous service. You should feel free to ask your Dave's Valley Auto Clinic technician or one of our managers about your service or for more information about our recommendations.
Well-trained service providers, established procedures, industry standards, and, of course, AutoNetTV, combine to give you the best service experience possible.
Give Dave's Valley Auto Clinic a call by dialing 253-850-1538.
Posted in the Service Standards category
Ethics of Automotive Repair in Auburn
Posted March 2, 2011 1:49 PM
We're going to be talking about the ethics of automotive repair. It seems like news outlets really like hit-and-run reporting; they hit everyone from groceries stores to retail to physicians. And the Auburn automotive service and repair industry hasn't been given a pass either.
Unfortunately, every profession in Auburn has some bad actors that hurt the reputation of everyone else. On the automotive side, industry associations and professional licensing organizations are very committed to high ethical standards.
Yet some people remain uncomfortable with Auburn automotive service and repair. It may start with the fact that our vehicles are a big investment and we rely on them for so much in our lives. That alone guarantees our attention. And how well we understand the recommendations really impacts our comfort level.
If we understand what's recommended and the benefits of taking care of the work – and the pitfalls of putting it off – we'll have more trust in the recommendation. So communication is key. It's like going to the doctor; If she's using medical jargon and takes a lot of basic medical knowledge for granted, we have a hard time following her train of thought. It can be like that with your Auburn service advisor too. He's so familiar with all things automotive, he may forget you don't know a PCV from an EGT.
If you don't understand what your doctor's talking about: ask some questions. If you don't understand what your Auburn automotive advisor's talking about: ask some questions.
Let's go back to those ethical standards; when we hear a repair recommendation, we always ask ourselves, "Is this really necessary?" Well, here's the industry standard:
If a technician tells you that a repair or replacement is required it must meet the following criteria:
- The part no longer performs its intended purpose
- The part does not meet a design specification
- The part is missing
For example, it you take your car in for a grinding noise when you step on the brakes, you may just think you need new brake pads. After the inspection, the technician at Dave's Valley Auto Clinic says that you have a cracked rotor and need to replace it.
If you tried to get him to simply put new pads on, he would say that if you didn't want to replace the rotor; Dave's Valley Auto Clinic would ethically have to refuse the repair.
To just put pads on a cracked rotor would have been very wrong. The brakes could've failed at anytime and needed to be repaired – not just have a band-aid slapped on them.
Now, looking at something not so serious, the technician may suggest repair or replacement if:
- The part is close to the end of its useful life – just above discard specifications or likely to fail soon
- To address a customer need or request – like for better ride or increased performance
- To comply with maintenance recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer
- Based on the technician's informed experience
Of course, the technician has the burden of making ethical recommendations and properly educating their customers. For the customer, if you are uncomfortable with a recommendation, ask some questions. More information is always a good thing.
Posted in the Service Standards category
