Frequently Asked Questions About Scott’s Automotive and Tire Services

When purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, it is extremely important to know exactly what you are getting yourself into. You don’t want to end up with a lemon and get more than you bargained for. Scott’s Automotive can provide you with a thorough pre-buy inspection: We check for body damage which may invisible to the untrained eye, covered by bondo and paint. We inspect the vehicle’s mechanical soundness by checking the engine, drivetrain, belts, hoses, and search for oil leakes. Additionally, we do a comprehensive safety check including brake and lights testing, suspension examination, as well as frame examination for damage and wear. No one wants surprises after the purchase of a new used vehicle!

Why are they selling the vehicle?

• breaks down often, bought a new car, too expensive, gas guzzler, etc.

Where has the mileage of the car been accrued?

• city driving, highway driving (best!), off road

What repairs have been done and do they have invoices?

• Good Recordkeeping speaks volumes!

What accidents or damage has the vehicle had? Where and how was it repaired?

• Again, invoices that detail the repair are extremely helpful.

What type of gas have they used?

• You may not want to purchase a vehicle that requires the most expensive gas available to run properly.

Ask to test drive the vehicle.

• Be alert to unusual noises, jerking, pulling, & abnormal shifting.

Ask the seller to take the vehicle, or let you take the vehicle, to Scott’s Automotive for a pre-purchase inspection.

If the smoke is gray or black in color, it typically means the vehicle is running rich (too much gasoline and not enough air). If you only experience this when the car is started, it is typically an issue with the settings of the fuel injection system. If you get black smoke all the time, there are additional problems with the fuel injection system that needs to be checked (oxygen sensors, map sensors, fuel injectors, fuel pressure regulators, air filter, etc). If this is allowed to continue, it could cause damage to the catalytic converter as well. If the smoke is blue, it means the vehicle is burning oil. This can be caused by bad pistons and rings, damaged cylinder walls, or other internal engine damage. If the smoke is white, it is a sign of a coolant leak or coolant is being forced into the cylinders and burned. Typical causes of white smoke are faulty head gaskets, a cracked head, or a broken cylinder wall.

Always follow your manufacturer’s recommendations as outlined in the owner’s manual. Typically, the cooling system should be flushed out at least once every two years or 30,000 miles. The best time is to have this service performed is in the spring or fall. A flush should never be done as a repair for an overheating problem. A coolant flush after the repair is recommended to clean the entire system and replace it with the proper anti-foaming agents, rust inhibitors, and water pump lubricants.

That really depends upon the type of spark plugs that are in your vehicle. Vehicles 15+ years old are more likely to have standard plugs with approximate life expectancy of 12,000-15,000 miles. Newer model vehicles up to 2000 are usually platinum tipped, lasting approximately 30,000 miles. Some 2001 and newer vehicles come with iridium tipped plugs which could last up to 90,000 miles.

Spark plugs, wires, distributor caps and rotors break down and fail over time due to exposure to moisture, oil, grease and under hood temperatures that can reach as much as 550 to 700 degrees. Worn spark plugs require higher voltage, forcing the ignition module and coil to produce increasingly higher and higher voltages to overcome the resistance. This breaks down the spark plug wire’s insulation, creating an easier path to ground. This causes the ignition module and coil to produce even more voltage, creating even higher temperatures within them. The increased resistance weakens transistors and electrical insulation within modules, coils and computers, resulting in intermittent and premature failure. If your vehicle has over 60,000 miles and you haven’t replaced your spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, you may experience a variety of drivability problems that are often difficult and very costly to diagnose and repair.

We recommend making an appointment so we can promptly take care of your vehicles needs. Of course, sometimes things come up and you need to get in right away, so give us a call and we will do our best to get you taken care of.

Here at Scott’s Automotive, we take pride in ensuring that your vehicle is properly maintained and safe to drive. Every time your vehicle comes in for a service, we perform a detailed digital safety and reliability inspection. This report is provided to you, free of charge, so that you can see what the technician is seeing. We believe in being open and transparent with our clients so they stay aware of their vehicles condition and any upcoming recommendations or safety concerns. You’re not just getting an oil change, but peace of mind.

Yes we do! We want to make your service as easy as possible for you. Whether you simply need a ride to/from work or have a longer repair that may involve a loaner, we can take care of you. The loaner service is based on availability, however, so please discuss this with your service advisor.

All of them. Here at Scott’s Automotive, we service every make and model, 1996 and newer. We can do everything that your dealership can do, often for a lot less.

Scott’s is your dealership alternative!