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GIG HARBOR Drivers: Get Fresh Air Inside Your Car

Let's talk about air quality in GIG HARBOR. It's a global issue, but affects us wherever we are. Many decades ago, GIG HARBOR drivers began to become aware of how air pollution negatively affects health. But what about the air inside your vehicle?Now, it's only been in the last few years that cabin air filters have become common in GIG HARBOR. You can look in your owner's manual to see if you have one. If you do, there'll be a recommendation for replacing it when it gets dirty. If you live in an area of WA where there's a lot of dust, pollen or pollution, you may need to change it more often.You can also ask your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at Mackert Automotive LLC in GIG HARBOR. How hard is it to change an air filter on a car? It depends on your vehicle. Some are quite accessible; others take some doing to get to them. They're usually in the engine compartment or under the dashboard.Because cabin air filters are so new on the scene, some people ha ... read more

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Cabin Air Filter

Positive Crankcase Ventilation ? PCV Valve Service at Mackert Automotive LLC

Hello GIG HARBOR! Did you know that the first federally-mandated emissions control device was introduced in the 1960's? The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, or PCV valve, has been installed in WA vehicles since 1964 and represents the first legislation by the United States government to regulate harmful emissions as well as to improve performance in the country's vehicles.The PCV valve, as you can probably guess, is located on the crankcase. The crankcase is the lowest part of a vehicle's engine. It houses the crankshaft and the engine oil. The crankshaft connects to the pistons that power the engine.Pistons are pushed down when fuel is burned in an engine. This causes the crankshaft to rotate, which sends power to the transmission.  It ultimately turns the axles and causes the vehicle to move. Some of the gases released by the burning fuel squeeze around the pistons and down into the crankcase.If the escaped gases mix with the engine oil in ... read more

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Exhaust

Mackert Automotive LLC Helps You Decipher the Menu Board: Part 2

WA service centers have a menu board that lists the services they provide. Some GIG HARBOR drivers may not be familiar with all of the items on the board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed.Mackert Automotive LLC fuel system cleaning: Over time, the vehicle fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas, by the way.Mackert Automotive LLC headlamp replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. It's usually good to change them every year or so.Mackert Automotive LLC inspections: GIG HARBOR drivers get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they're going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle's ready for a WA summer or winter. Maybe they just bought a used vehicle and want to give it the once over. An inspection may reveal some things that are broken or are g ... read more

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Maintenance

Fuel Saving Tip: Auto Myths Around GIG HARBOR

Fuel Saving Tip: Auto Myths Around GIG HARBOR

With high fuel prices in GIG HARBOR, WA, comes lots of gas saving advice. Some of it, like what you hear on   is great.  When you get one of those e-mails that's going around telling you how to save gas, try to think it through.Does it really make sense? Does it defy the laws of physics?Do some research on the internet or ask your GIG HARBOR, WA, service advisor at Mackert Automotive LLC.There aren't any magic pills you can drop in your gas tank, and the government hasn't suppressed a device you can clamp on your fuel line to make your vehicle run on air. Not even in GIG HARBOR!So next time you get one of those e-mails, check it out with an automotive professional. You'll get more bang for your buck with an oil change or an engine air filter replacement.We're here for you at Mackert Automotive LLC, so give us a call at 2538513307 for good honest advice about your vehicle. Mackert Automotive LLC 3416 57 STREET CT NW ... read more

Categories:

Fuel System

Good Timing: Proper Timing Belt Replacement Saves Money for GIG HARBOR Drivers

Knowing how their engine works can help GIG HARBOR drivers make informed decisions about auto care and prevent repairs to their vehicles. This is especially true when it comes to timing belts.An engine's power is generated in the cylinders. Inside the cylinder is a piston that moves up and down while the engine is running. Power is generated in a cycle that includes four strokes of the piston. First, the piston drops and a valve at the top of the cylinder opens to let in fuel and air. The piston then rises, which compresses the fuel and air. At this point, the spark plug fires, igniting the fuel and pushing the piston down. This downstroke transfers energy to the engine, which provides the power it needs to run. The piston rises again, and a valve opens to release the exhaust.All of this movement is orchestrated by a timing belt. The timing belt is so named because it keeps the pistons and valves operating in synch with each other, just as a conductor keeps all o ... read more

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Timing Belt

GIG HARBOR Road Trip Preparation

People from GIG HARBOR, WA, love their cars. And nothing goes with cars better than a WA road trip. Freedom from daily schedules, new sights and the open road – it's great! But there's nothing like car trouble to bring the fun to a grinding halt.You can't always avoid problems, but you can take steps to reduce the probability of getting sidelined on your trip. Heading out on a WA road trip? Stop by Mackert Automotive LLC before you head out to make sure everything is in good repair. Let's look at some of the auto maintenance related problems you might encounter on a road trip in WA and what you might do to avoid them.The most common vehicle component to fail is the tires. Of course, you can't always avoid a road hazard that leads to a flat, but you may be able to head off some maintenance-connected tire problems.A good tire inspection at Mackert Automotive LLC will start with lookin ... read more

Categories:

Inspection

The Vivacious Vernal Vehicle (Preparing Vehicle for Spring)

Most of us look forward to spring because the days are longer, the weather's warmer and we can finally get our vehicles into warm weather mode.  Here are a few things that will breathe fresh energy into anyone's car, SUV, truck or van. First thing is a good cleaning, especially underneath. If you live where salt and brine are used on the roads, it's important to get that off.  One thing to note… if you hose off your undercarriage, be careful not to get your spark plugs/wires wet.  You could notice your vehicle running rough plus the Check Engine light may come on. It usually dries out quickly, but if the engine light stays on for more than a couple of days, have your service facility check it out. Next, replace your windshield wipers.  They've taken a beating through the winter. New ones will have fresh rubber and you'll see clearly (and safely) out your windshield again. Have your brakes inspected.  That salt doesn't do your brake's metal components any ... read more

Categories:

Inspection

Clean Air for Your Engine: A New Engine Air Filter at Mackert Automotive LLC

All of us in GIG HARBOR know we have to get the oil changed in our vehicles periodically. That's just part of good vehicle care. But when Mackert Automotive LLC technicians change your oil, they also usually inspect your air filter. That's why they sometimes let you know that your air filter needs to be changed before releasing your vehicle.Don't just chock this up to trying to sell you something else. GIG HARBOR area drivers really do need to change their air filter when it gets dirty. You can check your owner's manual to see how often your air filter should need to be changed, but remember, if you live in an area in WA with poor air quality, or if you drive a lot or drive under harsh conditions in the GIG HARBOR area, you may need to change that filter more often than is recommended.Changing an air filter isn't guesswork. If a filter's dirty, it needs to be replaced. Air filters aren't very expensiv ... read more

Weather Station on Wheels (Vehicle Sensor Maintenance)

You probably never thought about it, but your vehicle is like a rolling weather station.  It can check the outside temperature, let you know when the roads are slippery and help you deal with rain. And how it does all those things is pretty cool. First, just like any weather station, a vehicle has sensors that measure the driving and weather conditions you find yourself in.  Some of those sensors can control computerized systems in your vehicle to react to the weather.  It depends on whether you have a 2-wheel, 4-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle how those sensors will respond. Let's start with temperature.  Most vehicles now have a thermometer that measures the temperature outside.  It's usually in the front, and likely will tell you on the instrument panel what the outside temperature measures.  But a temperature sensor will also tell your vehicle's computers to turn on or off certain systems like the heating or air conditioning.  If your ambient tem ... read more

Mackert Automotive LLC: Good Service and Good Fuel Economy

Most GIG HARBOR auto owners want to save on gas and seek our advice on improving economy. At Mackert Automotive LLC, we are frequently asked, however, if it is really worth the extra effort. Just how much money can GIG HARBOR drivers actually save?In today's Mackert Automotive LLC article, we're focusing on the things you can do to improve your vehicle’s economydriving around WA. We'll tell you the potential savings per gallon of gas at $3.50, and we'll show a chart that also shows the savings at $3.00 and $4.00.   DOLLARS PER GALLON $3.00 / $3.50 / $4.00 TUNE UP 4%.12.14.16 The next item is replacing a clogged engine air filter. Your engine needs enough air to burn fuel efficiently for the best mileage. A clean air filter means you get plenty of air. The fact that the air's clean protects your engine. That can save you up to 10 percent or 35 cents a gallon.   DOLLARS PER GALLON ... read more

Categories:

Fuel System
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