Oil Changes Save Vehicles

February 2, 2017   |   Author: Bluegrass Precision   |   No comments   |   Categories: Services

Lexington Oil Change

Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It keeps the many components of the engine working efficiently, and it helps reduce the accumulation of varnish and carbon from collecting on the engine. As you’re aware, the engine can get very hot from the thousands of small explosions taking place every minute; oil helps pull the heat away from the combustion chamber essentially preventing the engine from blowing up. As oil collects heat, varnish and carbons during the course of protecting and keeping the engine running smoothly, it eventually becomes less like liquid and more like sludge. No matter how good the oil is, eventually it degrades as the additives get used up. That’s when you should have your oil changed.

How often and what kind of oil should be used? It will depend on the type of oil you choose to use, what kind of car, and how often you drive. This is where your owner’s manual will come in handy. The old adage suggests every 3 months or 3,000 miles. The amount of mileage you drive is more important than the amount of time. You may go on a road trip and burn through a few thousand miles in a few weeks, or it may take five months before you reach the recommended mileage. Pay attention to the odometer and how you’ve been driving your vehicle. Driving in extreme weather or towing a lot of weight behind your car will affect your oil too.

If you don’t think you have the time or money to get your oil changed and you choose to wait, eventually the oil will get worse and worse, becoming more like sludge and clog your engine. Engines are expensive to clean, and replacing a worn-out piston is not an auto repair bill you want to receive. Bottom line: It’s worth the time and minimal cost of maintenance.

Plain and simple, routine maintenance makes your vehicle last longer. Buildup from dirty oil robs a vehicle’s fuel economy and power, and makes internal components work harder. An engine that works too hard will end up having more problems down the road as well as a shorter life span. According to Kelley Blue Book, car valuation increases at resale time if regular maintenance has been upheld.

Contact Bluegrass Precision of Lexington, KY today to schedule your automotive repair. | (859) 333-1015

Free Brake Inspections

November 9, 2014   |   Author: Bluegrass Precision   |   No comments   |   Categories: Services

The only thing better than a car that goes is a car that stops.

Which is why we offer free brake inspections. Routine inspections keep your vehicle stopping safer, longer. How often you have to change your brakes depends on a lot of things: driving conditions, rotor thickness, quality of brake pads, and more. A routine brake inspection with every other oil change makes certain that your braking system is safe. If you wait too long between services, you might have to get your brake rotors machined or even replaced, which gets expensive. So stop in for routine brake check-ups before you can’t stop anymore.

Free Brake Inspection

Let us check out your brakes today!

What Is ASA?

November 3, 2014   |   Author: Bluegrass Precision   |   No comments   |   Categories: Certifications

About ASA

The Automotive Service Association was founded to help automotive shop owners nationwide through resources, training, legislative representation, networking, communication efforts and more. Since our inception, our members have come to count on us to help them maintain the highest level of professionalism as their shops grow and change as new technology is introduced. We encourage all of our shops to strictly adhere to our Code of Ethics to ensure quality service to their customer.

Code of Ethics

The owners and managers of automotive service businesses that belong to the Automotive Service Association (ASA) agree to adhere to a Code of Ethics which is the automotive service industry’s standard for professional business practices.

  • To perform high quality repair service at a fair and just price.
  • To use only proven merchandise of high quality distributed by reputable firms.
  • To employ the best skilled technicians obtainable.
  • To furnish an itemized invoice for fairly priced parts and services that clearly identifies any used or remanufactured parts. Replaced parts may be inspected upon request.
  • To have a sense of personal obligation to each customer.
  • To promote good will between the motorist and members of the association.
  • To recommend corrective and maintenance services, explaining to the customer which of these are required to correct existing problems and which are for preventive maintenance.
  • To offer the customer a price estimate for work to be performed.
  • To furnish or post copies of any warranties covering parts or services.
  • To obtain prior authorization for all work done, in writing, or by other means satisfactory to the customer.
  • To notify the customer if appointments or completion promises cannot be kept.
  • To maintain customer service records for one year or more.
  • To exercise reasonable care for the customer’s property while in our possession.
  • To maintain a system for fair settlement of customer’s complaints.
  • To cooperate with established consumer complaint mediation activities.
  • To uphold the high standards of our profession and always seek to correct any and all abuses within the automotive industry.

Why Choose an ASA Shop?

Whether it’s a collision shop or a mechanical shop, when your vehicle is repaired by an Automotive Service Association (ASA) member-business, you can expect the following:

  • An attentiveness to you, the customer. ASA members work to earn and keep your satisfaction and trust. In fact, an average of 78 percent of customers are repeat customers.
  • Repairs and service backed by years of experience. The average ASA mechanical repair shop is 24 years old and 94 percent of ASA mechanical members are part of family-owned businesses.The average ASA collision repair shop is 32 years old and 95 percent of ASA collision members are part of family-owned businesses. Ninety-four percent of the shops operate a website and 61 percent of their customers are repeat customers.
  • Adherence to ASA’s Code of Ethics that outlines professional business practices.
  • Accurate diagnosis and repairs. ASA members stay up-to-date with evolving vehicle technology by attending technical education classes.
  • Access to information. By belonging to ASA, members have access to more than 30 association benefits, including the latest technical and management education and regulatory information.

9 Steps For a Winter Ready Car

November 3, 2014   |   Author: Bluegrass Precision   |   No comments   |   Categories: Preventative Maintenance

The last thing any driver needs is to break down in cold, harsh winter weather. A vehicle check now before winter arrives is a sensible way to be car care aware and avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold and with the unexpected expense of emergency repairs.

Bluegrass Precision Auto Care recommends the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:

  • If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
  • Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.
  • Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
  • Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
  • Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
  • Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.
  • Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.
  • Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and headlights are properly aimed.
  • Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Consider changing to “winter weight” oil if you live in a cold climate. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.

Motorists should also keep the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.

Why Choose ASE Certified Technicians?

November 3, 2014   |   Author: Bluegrass Precision   |   No comments   |   Categories: Certifications

Why Choose ASE Certified Technicians?

auto mechanicThe US National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is the top certifying body for technicians in the United States today. Also called ASE, when you come across a technician who has been certified by the US National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, you know that you are dealing with a highly trained technician who has learned just about everything there is to know about cars in regards to service.

Don’t Risk It – Use A Certified Mechanic!

You should never use a mechanic who is not ASE certified, as anyone could pick up a wrench and call themselves a mechanic; it is the certification which lets you know that the technician knows what he is doing.

Check With Your Favorite Shop

Most automotive shops will not hire a technician who is not certified in some way, and some shops such as Bluegrass Precision Auto Care will not hire a technician who is not specifically certified by ASE because of the shop’s high standards.

This is one of the reasons that Bluegrass Precision Auto Care is one of the top automotive shops in Lexington, KY. If you are comparing automotive shops, consider choosing one that employs ASE certified techs over any other.  Then you can be assured that the technician is trained and knowledgeable in his field.