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OCTOBER 23, 2009
AUTO CARE GUIDE
Where the rubber meets the road Manager Jeff Robidou of Les Schwab Tire Center in Oakley checks a customer’s tires for signs of wear.
RUTH ROBERTS
every driver should take before
Number one on that list, according to Jeff Robidou, manager of Les Schwab Tires in Oakley, are tires. “The big item that people need to remember are their tires,” said Robidou, whose store was honored as the 2009 Business of the Year by the Oakley Chamber of Commerce. “But because of the economy, a lot of people have had to hold off on that purchase. But it’s not really something you want to do.” Jeff Renner, owner of Big O Tires on Brentwood Boulevard, agreed. Not only do tires need to be routinely checked for signs of wear and tear; they should be checked for adequate inflation. Tires can lose up to 31 pounds of pressure per month, and even if they look fine, they
hitting the road this season.
see Rubber page 7B
Make tires top priority
Photo by Ruth Roberts
T
he first gully washer of the season is behind us, and forecasters are predicting a
wetter-than-average winter. The time
ON THE COVER
to winterize your car is now. Although
East Bay Muscle Cars rebuilt this 1969 Camaro for a customer in Discovery Bay using technology not available 40 years ago. It cranks out 450 horsepower and still gets nearly 20 mpg.
Northern California winters are milder than those in, say, Northern Minnesota, there are safety measures
We Maintain Your Car and Your Trust Ask how you can save time and money with convenient services such as Automatic Transmission Flush, Cooling System Flush, Engine Flush, Gear Box Service, and Wiper Blade Replacement. All our services meet warranty standards.
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OCTOBER 23, 2009
AUTO CARE GUIDE
EAST BAY SMOG “Your Official Smog Station!” • • • • • •
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Photo by Samie Hartley
Rob Brandt, Chris Singh and Jesse Arreola offer efficient, speedy service at Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center now open in Brentwood.
Get ready for winter in the Quick Lane SAMIE HARTLEY
T
he first official day of winter won’t be here until late December, but with the recent
storms, Mother Nature is sending a sign
Routine maintenance is essential to protecting your vehicle year round, so if you haven’t taken your car in for checkup, now is the time. For all your maintenance needs, Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center in Brentwood is the
that it’s time to prepare your vehicle for the winter months ahead.
see Winter page 6B
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MEDA L LD AWARD
2008
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THEPRESS.NET
AUTO CARE GUIDE
OCTOBER 23, 2009
Winter from page 4B
Introducing
Specializing in Mercedes-Benz Service and Parts Obsidian Motors Service Department is staffed with factorytrained technicians in a state-of-the-art service center that provides high quality Mercedes-Benz repairs in Oakley. We understand how much you depend on your vehicle, so our service staff will work to get your Mercedes-Benz back on the road as soon as possible.
1241 Main Street, Oakley
(925) 625-7700 www.obsidianmotors.com
one-stop shop for keeping your car at its top performance level. Quick Lane, an affiliate of the Ford Motor Company, is an extension of the Bill Brandt Ford dealership, but the maintenance shop services all makes and models, and no appointment is required, so the service is convenient and flexible to your schedule regardless of the vehicle you drive. “Quick Lane service offers a 27point check system where we check everything from your brakes and tires to your filters and fluids,” said Parts and Services Director Rob Brandt. “We have factory-trained technicians who are very thorough with their work. We go over everything, and it’s all at a fair price. We try to meet or beat our competitors’ prices whenever possible.” During a Quick Lane in-depth vehicle checkup report, technicians also examine the car’s lighting system, alignment, electrical components, suspension and steering, and battery. This month Quick Lane offers a special on total maintenance inspection known as The Works Fuel Saving Package for $29.95. For more specials, visit www.quicklane.com. During the routine check, each area inspected is graded green, yellow or red. If everything comes out green, you’re good to go after your 30-minute inspection. If something is marked yellow, future maintenance might be
needed and a note goes in the vehicle’s file to check back on the problem area at the next visit. If anything gets a red grade, immediate assistance is required. Most maintenance can be handled at Quick Lane, but if an overhaul is needed, extensive repairs can be handled across the street at the Bill Brandt dealership. Since Quick Lane service lives up to its name and takes less than an hour, most customers relax in the waiting room while the inspection is completed, but a shuttle service is available if you need to get to work or back to your home. In light of the recent storms, Rob recommends routine maintenance for checking the tires, brakes and wiper blades, which should be replaced every 12 to 18 months. It’s also important to make sure all the lighting systems are functioning to help provide good visibility in bad weather. To ensure that your vehicle runs smoothly year round, Rob suggests bringing your vehicle in every six months or 5,000 miles for routine service. Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center, located at 8085 Brentwood Blvd., is open 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 925-634-9900 or visit www.quicklane. com.
OCTOBER 23, 2009
AUTO CARE GUIDE
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7B
Rubber from page 2B could be woefully under-inflated. Signs that they may need some air include screeching sounds when you round corners, and uneven tire wear. Underinflated tires lower fuel efficiency and can result in tire stress, irregular wear and accidents. The recommended pressure is inscribed on the tire itself, but when in doubt, take your car to a mechanic or service center and have it checked out. “Most places will look at your tire pressure, brakes and tread for free. We do,” said Renner. “It’s worth it to have them checked out.” And while few local residents are ponying up for winter tires or even allterrain tires, if you don’t own a fourwheel-drive vehicle, tire chains are a good investment even if you travel to the snow only periodically. For around $70, a set of chains could mean the difference between getting through a storm or sitting it out on the side of the highway. “I don’t think I’ve ever sold a snow tire (here in Oakley),” said Robidou. “But we do sell chains and they’re a good investment. If you have a four-wheel drive you’re usually OK, but you can lose a lot of traction in the snow, and especially with ice. Chains will help you hold your ground.” In addition to the mechanics of winterizing your car, Renner said one of the most effective safety measures on the road is you: “People should use
Brentwood Big O Tires owner Jeff Renner says proper tread and adequate inflation are critical to a tire’s effectiveness and safety.
Photo by Ruth Roberts
common sense when driving. That’s the number-one thing. When it rains, slow down, even if you drive an SUV with big tires. When the weather is bad, you can lose friction on the road. Be smart and slow down when it’s slick. People think they’re invincible, but they’re not. Take you’re time.” Les Schwab Tire Center in Oakley is located at 80 Carol Lane. Call 925625-4532, for days and hours. Schwab’s Brentwood center is located at 6361 Lone Tree Way. For store days and hours, call 925-513-3432, or visit www. lesschwab.com. Big O Tire Center is located at 8040 Brentwood Boulevard in Brentwood. For store days and hours, call 925-634-4344 or log on to www.bigotires.com.
Vornhagen “There is a big difference between shops. Any shop can give you a lower estimate by leaving something out or overlooking parts. Do not assume you get the quality of workmanship you want from the shop offering the lowest estimate.” - Vornhagen Body & Paint
600 Harvest Park Dr. Brentwood (925) 516-1969 www.vornhagenbodypaint.com Open Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm
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Body & Paint
MEDA L LD AWARD
2008
Vintage Trans & Gear “We’ll get you shifting Again” Even “Rear Ends!” Manual & Auto Transmissions • Classic Car • General Repair
• 4 Speeds • Overdrives • Hydromatics • 3 Speeds • Powerglides • Borg-Warner “Commuters to Classics We do ‘em all.” 925-513-4095 “Ask for Larry” 560 Valdry Ct., Unit B7, Brentwood vintagetrans1@aol.com
We do UPS shipping repairs.
We Love to Work on Street Rods and Classics!
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Muscle from page 1B “Most of our customers are 40-to-60-year-old guys who had these cars, or cars like them, in high school and they want to relive that time,” said Keefer. “A lot of these cars are modified, and what they (owners) end up with are cars that will look like a factory model, but with better mileage and performance. And they’re much safer. It’s the best of both worlds.” A world that Keefer knows well. As a teen, he became hooked on cars while working on a variety of models with his dad, but he saved the best project for himself. “I had the fastest car in high school (a 1970 Mach 1 Mustang),” he laughed. And while it was always in the back of his mind to own and operate a custom shop, it took Keefer a while to get there. He opted first for a 25-year career in the auto industry, including working as a BMW mechanic. But as he began to see the dealerships slowly downsizing due to the dwindling economy, he figured the time was right to take the plunge. Today, Keefer maintains four full-time employees and a customer waiting list. He’s an ASA master certified mechanic and holds a degree in automotive technology. He’s won multiple awards for design and builds, and has personally built and owned several cars featured on the covers of custom-car magazines. Passing on his knowledge has made for a thriving business and satisfied customers. “The timing just ended up being good, and I’m glad we did it,” said the Discovery Bay resident. “We love what we do
OCTOBER 23, 2009
AUTO CARE GUIDE
here, and we bring an understanding of how it all works, how all the pieces come together. And that’s really the hardest part because everything affects everything else. It’s not like working on a new Camry, where you just order a stock water pump and put it in. It can get pretty complicated.” Keefer recalled a recent customer who brought in his 1968 Firebird and a bag of engine parts. Figuring it would be a fairly simple job, Keefer got a surprise when he put it up on the lift.
There’s nothing like seeing the face of a customer who gets a look at his finished product. – Steve Keefer “I immediately saw that the car was completely unsafe, full of suspension problems and other issues, and I told him that if I couldn’t fix it completely for him I wasn’t going to work on it,” said Keefer. “There are some cars I will refuse to work on if the customer won’t allow us to make it safe. In the end, the owner agreed and we did it up right.” Making it right can be expensive, but most of these custom
cars are more than a passing interest; they’re a passion. “All the wives hate me because their husbands end up spending all their money in here,” laughed Keefer, who said a client can spend anywhere from $1,000 to $100,000 on a custom classic. “But for these guys, it’s their hobby, it’s what they spend their money on.” And because it can be an expensive undertaking, Keefer urges prospective clients to do their homework. “People should make sure that the company is properly licensed and insured. They should make sure to get references and to talk to some past customers,” he said. “And take a look at the work; that’s your proof of customer satisfaction.” Keefer also cautioned customers to check out the facilities to make sure there are proper security alarms and measures in place to ensure that your car is safe for the time it’s on the property. And finally, “Visit your car,” he said. “A lot of businesses don’t like customers to just pop in and check on their progress, but I encourage it. It’s your car and your investment. You have a right to see what’s going on. “Every car is unique, and that’s part of what I love about this job. There’s nothing like seeing the face of a customer who gets a look at his finished product. It brings people back to their youth, and that’s a great feeling.” East Bay Muscle Cars is located at 560 Valdry Court, Unit B4 in Brentwood. Call 925-516-2277 for additional information, or visit www.eastbaymusclecars.com.
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