Shocks and Struts - Maintenance 101

South Kingstown, Wakefield and Narragansett residents know that shocks and struts are an important part of your vehicles overall safety and performance.  They help to keep your wheels in contact with the road surface which gives you greater control over the vehicle and a smoother ride.  Shocks and struts also help to give your vehicle better gas mileage. 

Shocks and struts may look like brand new equipment on the outside, but it is what is going on inside the shock or strut that matters.  They literally take a beating every time you drive your car or truck down the road.  It is estimated that even on a smooth road, shocks cycle through their range of motion about 1,750 times for every mile travelled.  This means that the shocks and struts on your vehicle will cycle about 9 million times every 50, 000 miles.  (stats and figures from - www.BrakeandFrontEnd.com)

The question I often hear is, “when should I change my shocks or struts?” The answer according to a recent article from Brakes and Front End is every 50,000 miles. 

At Quad's Automotive Service and Repair we can service the shocks or struts on virtually any vehicle.  We offer such name brand equipment as KYB, Bilstein, Rancho and NAPA Quickstruts.  If you haven't changed your shocks and/or struts in 50,000 miles - or if you have no idea if your shocks have ever been changed - NOW is the time to install new shocks and struts on your vehicle.

Call today to set up an appointment to get a FREE quote on shocks or struts for your vehicle. 

401-782-2018

Air Conditioning Service

It has been a cool Spring here in Rhode Island, but the Summer heat is just around the corner. Is your car's Air Conditioning ready to keep you cool this Summer?

At Quad's Automotive Service and Repair we have everything your car needs to keep you comfortable and cool through the summer months.

Our Air Conditioning Service includes:

Remove old refrigerant from the system

Recharge the system using the appropriate refrigerant

Test the system for leaks

Inspect system for any necessary service on compressor, evaporator, condenser, belts and electrical control

Recheck the system to make sure you are ready for the HOT months ahead

Call Quad's Automotive Service and Repair to make an appointment today! 

(401) 782-2018

Cabin Air Filter – Time to Change?

Cabin air filters are found in most of today's newer cars (2000 or newer).  The cabin air filter removes dust, pollen, bugs, grass, sand and other airborne particles that would otherwise enter your car's cabin through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.  Many of today's cabin air filters feature odor control using activated carbon to absorb bad odors before they get to you in the car.  If you or your family members suffer from allergies or seasonal allergies, regular changing of your cabin air filter can help to make the time they spend in your vehicle more enjoyable. 

Your car's cabin air filter should be changed at regular intervals.  Most car manufacturers recommend changing the cabin air filter every 12,000 - 15,000 miles.  Check your owner's manual to find out at what interval your filter should be changed.  It is also good to keep in mind the kind of driving you do on a regular basis and where the car is being driven when thinking about replacing your cabin air filter.  A car that is driven where sand, dust and other air-born materials are present may need to be changed more frequently.  (Yes - South Kingstown, Wakefield and Narragansett residents - this means you!)

Changing your cabin air filter may be a job that you can do yourself as many of these filters are accessibly by removing the glove box in your car.  (Check your owner's manual for instructions on how to do this properly.)  Other cabin air filters are not so easy to service and may require professional attention in order to replace.

Here at Quad's Automotive Service and Repair we are ready to help you take care of your car's cabin air filter.  Feel free to ask us to see the old one as you would be surprised at the amount of debris your filter has helped keep from reaching the inside of your car.  We would be glad to show it to you.

Call us today to make an appointment (401) 782-2018 or make an appointment online.

Serpentine Belts: Preventative Maintenance 101

Hearing a loud squeaking noise from underneath the hood?  A terrible squeal when you turn your wheel?  All of a sudden lose your power steering or Air Conditioning?  You may be in need of a new serpentine belt or part of the belt system for your car.

The serpentine belt or belts on your car, like the tires on your car, wear out over time.  True, many of today's belts may have a lifetime of 100,000 miles or more, but many wear out sooner and it is a good idea to have your automotive technician inspect your belts whenever you have your car in for service.

The belt is not the only part of your serpentine belt system that can wear over time.  The pulleys and tensioners that allow the belt to travel smoothly through its track have bearings that can wear out and often lead to squeaking or mis-alignment of the belt which can create excessive wear on both the belt and the rest of the system.

At Quad's Automotive Service and Repair we can replace your belt today with trusted and long lasting belts by Bando, Dayco, NAPA and more.  We can also check to make sure that your pulleys and belt tensioners are in proper working condition so that you get the most out of your new belt.

Call today to set up an appointment- 401-782-2018

How to SAVE MONEY on Brake Work

ATTENTION - South Kingstown, Wakefield and Narragansett residents!  According to Brake and Front End Magazine's March 2014 edition:

CHEAP BRAKES = CHEAP RESULTS

Brake jobs finished in less than 54 minutes require short cuts that are not recommended, such as . . . . not cleaning the wheel hub, not cleaning and lubricating the guide pin and slides.

Buying a quality brake pad is like buying medicine. When you are buying a legal drug, you are not just paying the cost to manufacture, package and market the pill. The bulk of what you are paying for is research and development. The same is true for brake pads.

The bottom line is that the way to save money on brakes is not to spend less money when it is time to replace them. Low quality pads wear out faster and tend to have more squeaking issues than a quality pad. Low quality rotors tend to become uneven and don't wear evenly with the pad. When your pads and rotors wear out faster, you have to replace your brakes more often. This means that you will be spending the same amount in labor more often to keep brakes on your car. Buying low quality pads and rotors is not the way to save time or money when it comes to your car's brakes.

At Quad's Automotive Service and Repair we make sure that our certified technicians take the time necessary to do your brake job right. We use high quality rotors and pads that result in reliable stopping power, quiet ride and longer brake life for your vehicle. We don't claim to offer the cheapest brake job in town, but we strive to do the best quality brake job on your vehicle every time. Your satisfaction, and you and your family's safety are our number one priority.

Call or use our online app to make an appointment for a FREE BRAKE INSPECTION today! 401-782-2018