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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Rivers Quoted in Nationally-Syndicated Article


Copley News Service (CNS) is running an article that includes MCC's Toyota/Lexus/Scion program and a quote from auto expert Doug Rivers. The article is part of CNS's annual special section on car care and is available for print reproduction by member media organizations across the U.S. Many thanks to Doug for providing the reporter with valuable information.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Take a proactive approach to protect investment

By Vicky Katz Whitaker

Whether you do-it-yourself or take it to a pro, routine maintenance can prolong the life of your car and help you avoid pricey repair bills in the future.

"Think of routine maintenance as protecting your investment," says veteran automotive expert and race-car driver Bryan Gregory, manager of Consumer Education for one of the nation's largest automotive aftermarket retailers, Advanced Auto Parts. "For most of us, a vehicle is one of our largest expenses. Routine maintenance not only prolongs the life of the investment, it provides a better overall ownership experience."

Checking the oil level and other fluids, replacing wipers or inspecting tires may be simple for most car owners, but taking routine maintenance a step further, such as changing the oil, can pose problems.

"The line between do-it-yourself and do-it-for-me can be wide or very, very thin, depending on the nature of the task, the available tools,and the expertise of the owner," points out Car Clinic Network president and national automotive television and talk show host Bobby Likis. "Done correctly, changing one's own oil, installing new wiper blades, checking fluids and tire pressure can save time and money while providing individual car owners with the satisfaction of knowing what services were done to their cars, when, and how well they were completed."

But, he cautions, "It may be relatively simple to unscrew a drain plug for an oil change, but try safely replacing some engine air filters and you'll quickly learn that carmakers cram too many car parts into too small a space.

"From a technological viewpoint, electronics controlled only 2 percent of an automobile in the early '70s. By 2010, 50 percent of all vehicle operations will be electronically controlled. In Clint Eastwood style, the trick is 'to know your limitations.'"

Beyond having the equipment and skills to change the oil, federal law requires do-it-yourselfers to dispose of used oil and other fluids in an environmentally sound manner. What's more, "Oil spilled on an asphalt driveway can destroy it," warns Douglas Rivers, a lecturer in the Toyota/Lexus/Scion Program at Monroe Community College, Rochester, N.Y. "Coolant spilled on a driveway becomes slippery and can harm animals."

Fortunately there's a lot of car maintenance advice online and in print. The Federal Citizen Information Center https://www.pueblo.gsa provides auto care booklets online and by mail, as do the Automotive Maintenance Repair Association (https://www.motorist.org), the Car Care Council (https://www.carecare.org) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (https://www.ascert.org). You can also get online advice from popular auto care Web sites like https://www.carclinic.com and https://www.about.com.

Anticipated growth in commercial self-service centers, common on military bases, may offer do-it-yourselfers an additional option. Dallas-based DIY Auto Solutions, for example, is opening a chain of do-it-yourself centers where for $15 an hour, motorists can rent a bay and for a few dollars more, use professional tools and diagnostic equipment.

Another alternative is the quick-lube center. "Fast lube centers are set up to perform preventive maintenance quickly and cost-effectively," says Mark Ferner, Jiffy Lube research and development manager.

"Do-it-yourself car care often takes longer than many people expect," he adds. Drive-through operations like Jiffy Lube, which pioneered the fast oil-change industry, often include checks of fluid, tires and wiper blades.

Going to an independent mechanic may be a bit more expensive, but the mechanic will get to know you and your car, recommends online automotive expert Aaron Gold, who provides tips and advice through https://www.about.com. Gold uses independent family-owned shops "where the person working on my car is someone who has an interest in keeping me as a customer."

Letting dealers do routine maintenance is usually the most expensive route, he adds, but there are advantages to using them. "Their technicians are specially trained to service just their cars and they use parts approved by the manufacturer. When your car comes in for routine service, they can check for recalls and service bulletins and perform any necessary work."

© Copley News Service

Visit Copley News Service at https://www.copleynews.com .

Dianne E McConkey
Public Affairs
09/06/2006