Maybe you’ve done well with your New Year’s resolution…or maybe you haven’t. Either way, St. Louis AAMCO encourages you to add another to the list – be aware of the scheduled maintenance your car, truck or SUV needs to stay happy and healthy! While your vehicle’s owner manual will give you all of these specifications, we wanted to provide some suggestions that you just may overlook!
We suggest every two years or 24,000 miles. Our transmission filter and fluid change service includes: transmission fluid drain, fluid refill, filter replacement and leak check.
Keep an eye out for batteries three years old and older. We throw in alternator and starter work in our Power System Service which includes: battery, alternator, starter and starter component testing and replacement, plus fuse locator service and replacement.
Having St. Louis AAMCO doing a brake fluid flush about once a year is ideal, but when it comes to specific brake system repairs and checks, it’s best to bring it into your nearest St. Louis AAMCO location if you’re experiencing some trouble. From there, our Brake System Service should cover any problems!
We think it’s best to check once a year. Leaks, damage or loose mounting hardware can arise and cause big trouble. Our Shocks and Struts Service covers all aspects of the system when you need it.
While cracks, leaks, looseness or glazing can occur on those belts and hoses at any time, we suggest a check and possible replacement at least every four years. Typically between every 36,000-60,000 miles, these items need attention. St. Louis AAMCO’s Tune Up Service includes a thorough check!
Some of the more common (and less overlooked!) maintenance services include:
Fuel, engine, cabin air filter replacement, coolant/antifreeze check, headlight and taillight bulb replacement, wiper blade replacement, windshield washer and power steering fluid refill and of course, the undeniable oil and filter change.
You’re in luck. St. Louis AAMCO can be your one-stop for all these maintenance tasks. Stop in and see us at any of our locations to get taken care of!
In addition to general maintenance that car owners must perform for the upkeep of their vehicle, Illinois and Missouri have some specifications as well. Odds are you’ve heard a thing or two about Emissions Testing!
Emissions Testing was enabled as a continuing effort to regulate the amount of pollution emitted from motor vehicles in the St. Louis and Metro-East areas. With motor vehicles being the leading source of air pollution in our area, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated certain counties in both states to undergo an emissions and safety inspection. These areas include St. Louis City, Franklin, Jefferson, St. Louis and St. Charles counties, as well as the majority of Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties in Illinois.
How do I know if my vehicle needs Emissions Testing?
More often than not, the Missouri or Illinois Secretary of State will issue the need for emissions testing (when necessary) prior to renewing your license plates. As a general rule, all 1996 and newer gas-powered passenger vehicles require testing. Diesel-powered vehicles that require testing differ from state to state. To see the required and exempt vehicles list, please click your appropriate state: Missouri or Illinois.
There are several locations in the St. Louis and Metro-East area. Testing for Illinois is performed at an Air Team test station at no cost. Locations can be found here. In Missouri, testing can be performed by certified repair and diagnostic shops of your choice. The emissions testing fee in Missouri should not exceed $24 and the safety inspection should not exceed $12. Results from your tests should be brought along when renewing your license plates. Various AAMCO locations throughout the area can provide testing, such as St. Charles Center, Oakville, Arnold (safety inspection only) and Ballwin. Be sure to check with your nearest location!
What is my vehicle fails?
If your vehicle fails, the inspector will provide a Vehicle Inspection Report containing detailed test results. In most cases, repairs need to be made in order to retest and successfully pass. These repairs can be performed by a professional or by the car’s owner. In some cases, a waiver can be provided if a vehicle fails the first test and the re-test. State specifications can be found here: Missouri or Illinois.
We want our current and potential customers to know that AAMCO is always ready and willing to diagnose and provide repairs, or just answer a simple question about your vehicle. The years we’ve put in provide us with great experience and suggestions to pass along.
We’re sure the idea of using an arc instead of your vehicle to navigate the flash flood waters of the St. Louis area has crossed your mind once or twice in the past couple weeks. Floodwaters covering the roadway are quite an annoyance, but they’re also not something that any driver should take lightly. The truth of the matter is, you are potentially putting yourself in extreme danger, and the damage to your car can be significant. Practicing preventative roadside safety before you even encounter a flooded roadway could keep you and your vehicle from danger. Here are some points AAMCO has compiled to keep you aware of the risks.
See a warning? Turn around!
Often times, you may believe the water on the road is shallow enough to cross, but as AAMCO suggests – don’t risk it! Water has the power to hide dips and uneven roadways, so you’re exposing yourself to further danger. A simple six inches of water can reach of bottom of most passenger vehicles and has the power to cause stalling or loss of traction control. Anywhere from six inches to one foot of water can surpass the tire of a vehicle and cause it to float, and two feet of rushing water can completely relocate a car, truck or SUV. If you have the ability to safely exit the vehicle after it stalls, do so as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Any amount of excess water entering your vehicle can potentially cause an issue. If your car stalls or shuts down while in water – do not try to restart it. This can ultimately cause further ‘flooding’ problems. Be sure to wait for roadside assistance. By steering clear of flooded roadways, you’re avoiding electrical, mechanical and even interior battles that you’ll face.
Following a battle with a flood, our best advice is to have the vehicle transferred to an AAMCO facility so we can assess any damages. Again, starting your vehicle following flood damage can cause additional problems!
While it may be a rare occurrence to encounter a flooded roadway, sometimes other car problems such as that awful flat tire, can arise while on a long trip or a simple trip to the grocery store that may unexpectedly require a little roadside safety. It’s important as a driver to practice efficient roadside safety and have information on necessary resources for roadside assistance. You not only need to care for your car, but for yourself and other motorists as well.
Whether you find yourself amidst a flooded roadway or stranded because of a flat tire, remember these few essential roadside safety tips:
Immediately turn on your emergency signals.
Pull as far to the right shoulder as possible.
Turn off your car to avoid wasting gas and potentially worsening the reason for the break down.
Reference your list of contact numbers for roadside assistance.
If it’s safe, stay in your car with the doors locked until roadside assistance arrives.
Be aware of your location if you need to call for roadside assistance.
Do not try to change a tire if it is too close to the roadway with passing motorists.
Furthering your roadside safety preparedness, it is wise to have an emergency roadside kit on-hand with items such as flares, flashlight, batteries, gloves, blanket, emergency triangles, a small tool kit, Fix-a-Flat tire inflator and first-aid kit. And of course, a list of AAMCO locations!
Keep safe this summer St. Louis, and remember, AAMCO is here to serve when you need us.
The possibility of transmission trouble is an issue that nearly all car owners loathe. The entire mechanism is similar to the body’s circulatory system – essential to the overall function of the body, or in this case, your vehicle. Without the system functioning correctly, you’re bound to run into issues that, if ignored, will only get worse!
The most promising part of transmission trouble is that, when caught early, further (and extensive) damage can be averted. Here are five tell-tale signs that trouble is brewing under your hood.
The Check Engine Light wasn’t installed in your vehicle for fun. Seeing this alert when you start up the car may feel a bit daunting, but it’s for good reason. While some sensors can be touchy, they’re meant to pick up irregularities in the function of the vehicle. For situations like this, AAMCO provides a FREE Check Engine Light Scan.
Noticing a little fluid on your driveway? Dark, ‘burnt’ smelling fluid is a signal that the transmission isn’t functioning as it should. Be sure to check your fluids under the hood. If you see the transmission fluid is lower than normal, you most likely have a leak.
Do you ever notice a noise that just doesn’t “sound right”? A whining or humming noise when your foot is on the gas pedal could mean something could be trying to work overtime to get the job done. Usually when you hear something out of the norm, there very well may be an issue.
Your transmission has a great deal to do with the way your car shifts into higher or lower gears. Generally, these shifts are almost unnoticeable. When you feel that jerking when accelerating or decelerating, the transmission could be malfunctioning.
Your car (if automatic) has the innate ability to know when to shift gears. If you’re having trouble getting up or down in gears, such as shifting to/from ‘park’ or ‘drive’, the transmission just may be missing its cue and needs attention.
The summer heat can only add to the possibility of transmission trouble. Cooling the system can be a bit more labor intensive, so be aware of the signs mentioned. At AAMCO, transmissions just happen to be our specialty. If you have any question at all about your transmission’s performance, be sure to call us or schedule an appointment online!
Have you walked into a St. Louis AAMCO location to tell the closest mechanic that your car is chug…chug…chugging at the stop sign or your car is clicking under the right front seat?
Today’s technicians use the latest diagnostic tools to analyze your total car care needs. AAMCO understands you drive everywhere; not just in the metro St. Louis area. To ensure confidence in each expert technicians work, AAMCO offers a nationwide warranty.
STOP in or call today to inquire about your vroom, vroom.
You should always get a Check/Service Engine Light looked at as soon as is convenient. However, if a Check/Service Engine Light starts to flash off and on, this usually indicates there is a very serious problem with your vehicle, and you should consider parking the vehicle as soon as it is safe, and call your local AAMCO Center for advice and possibly a tow.
What the Check Engine Light indicates
(see list of OBDII codes)
Since the 1996 model year, cars and trucks sold in the U.S. have featured an on-board computer system to capture problem reports from various systems and to alert the driver to a problem with the vehicle by turning on a Check Engine or Service Engine Light. Known as the On-Board Diagnostic system – Generation II or OBDII, this computer system has enough memory to retain code error reports even after the engine is shut off. This is also true for a short period of time when the problem goes away and then the light goes off on its own.
Earlier generations do not have this memory and require a scanner reading while the light is on. Your AAMCO Center will work on the pre-1996 cars, but the method of diagnosing a problem will sometimes slightly change.
Cars and trucks may have 2-4 computer systems in addition to the OBDII computer. These other computers monitor and control a vehicle’s major systems, such as the engine, transmission, electrical and electronic devices. These system computers all talk to the OBDII computer and will tell it to turn on the Check Engine Light if a problem is detected.
So, if you have a spark plug that fails, the engine-control computer will detect a misfire in a particular cylinder. After a set number of errors are reported, the engine control computer will send the misfire code to the OBDII system, and it will turn on the check engine light.
In our OBII Transmission Codes post, you will find translation for popular Check Engine Light code numbers. This listing may help you gain some understanding of what problem may be igniting the Check Engine Light.
AAMCO Complimentary Check Engine Light Service
When an AAMCO Center offers a free Check Engine Light service, a technician will plug a scanner into your vehicle. The technician will tell you what code(s) is triggering the light and advise about next steps. In some cases, a problem has an obvious solution. Other times, additional diagnostic time may be needed as some systems are large or complex. Also, if multiple codes appear, an experienced technician needs to determine if single repair may be the solution or if there are multiple problems with your vehicle.
My error code starts with a 1 not a 0. What now?
This will actually happen much of the time. A four-number error starting with ‘0’ is a generic error code. If the number starts with a ‘1’, this indicates the manufacturer is using this code to indicate a specific problem(s). For example, the code P0350 and P1350 both indicate a problem with the ignition coil system. The ‘1’ indicates that the manufacturer (Ford, GM, Toyota, etc.) has additional information about this problem, and this may include subsequent tests that need to be done,. Your AAMCO store has this information in the databases it uses to support the code reading systems it has in Centers.
The AAMCO 36-Point ProtectCheck is a free service provided with any AAMCO repair and includes a thorough review of all major systems in your car, including your automobile’s recommended factory maintenance services. The AAMCO ProtectCheck tests the following:
It’s easy to be intimidated about topics, such as your car, where you don’t have a lot of expertise. This AAMCO YouTube commercial provides tips for talking to your auto technician.
Primary, your experience is what counts most. Don’t feel intimidated to say the car is making a “thunk, thunk” sound or to mention that there is a sweet or burning smell associated with a problem. Just like a visit to the doctor, AAMCO technicians are trained to translate the symptoms you provide about your car, truck or SUV and solve the problem.
We hope these tips provide you with more confidence the next time your vehicle is in need of maintenance or a repair.
P0700 Transmission Control System Error/Request for MIL
Commonly Occurring OBDII Codes
NOTE: - a “0″ in the second position indicates a generic industry standard code
- a “1″ in the second position indicates the code is manufacturer specific and requires access to a database for a more detailed description
- Every AAMCO Center has access to manufacturer databases.
P0121 Throttle/Pedal Position Error
P0131 O2 Sensor Circuit, Low Voltage, Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0132 O2 Sensor Circuit, High Voltage, Bank 1 Sensor 1
P0133 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0134 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0135 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0136 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0137 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0138 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0139 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0140 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0141 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0142 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0143 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0144 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0145 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0146 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0147 O2 Sensor Circuit
P0171 System Too Lean, Bank 1
P0174 System Too Lean, Bank 2
P0316 Misfire on Start
P0325 Knock Sensor
P0326 Knock Sensor
P0327 Knock Sensor
P0328 Knock Sensor
P0329 Knock Sensor
P0330 Knock Sensor
P0331 Knock Sensor
P0332 Knock Sensor
P0333 Knock Sensor
P0334 Knock Sensor
P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor Error
P0340 Camshaft Position Sensor Error
P0350 Ignition Coil Primary/Secondary Circuit
P0401 Insufficient EGR Flow
P0420 Catalytic Converter Efficiency Error, Bank 1
P0422 Main Catalyst Efficiency Error
P0440 General Evaporative Emission-System Error
P0442 Evaporative Emission-System Leak Detected, Small Leak
P0455 Evaporative Emission-System Leak Detected, Large Leak
