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AUTONET TV

Archive for February 2014

L and M Motors Inc Helps You Decipher the Menu Board: Part 2

Posted February 27, 2014 12:00 PM

AK service centers have a menu board that lists the services they provide. Some Anchorage 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.

L and M Motors Inc 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.

L and M Motors Inc headlamp replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. It's usually good to change them every year or so.

L and M Motors Inc inspections: Anchorage 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 AK 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 getting close to having a problem.

L and M Motors Inc oil change: There are several options: Some Anchorage centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. In my way of thinking, the full service option is best because it makes sure you have adequate fluids and may uncover an emerging problem. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

L and M Motors Inc PCV valve replacement in Anchorage: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It's a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. It just needs to be changed now and then.

L and M Motors Inc power steering service: Often overlooked. Your friendly and knowledgeable L and M Motors Inc technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the vehicle system running well for a long time.

L and M Motors Inc serpentine belt service: That's the belt that powers the vehicle engine's accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You'll want to replace the serpentine belt before it breaks, because that'll shut you down.

L and M Motors Inc shocks and struts: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many Anchorage drivers don't notice when it's time to change them. If they're worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

L and M Motors Inc transmission service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It's like an oil change for your transmission.

L and M Motors Inc tire rotation and wheel balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994



Emergency Items for Anchorage

Posted February 25, 2014 12:00 PM

Safe AK travel starts with preventive maintenance and good vehicle care at L and M Motors Inc. But there are other things Anchorage residents can do to prepare for emergencies on the road. Here's some auto advice that can help you plan for emergencies, and just may save your life — or someone else's.

First, Anchorage auto owners should consider keeping an auto emergency kit in their vehicle. The kit should contain items that will allow you to deal with common emergencies on the road.

Some items you should carry in your vehicle include jumper cables (or a booster box), flares, a flashlight and some basic hand tools. Other useful items include gloves, two quarts of oil, some antifreeze, water and everything you need to change a tire. You might also consider a can of tire inflator, which is a great temporary fix for minor flats.

But taking care of your vehicle is only part of emergency preparedness. It is to take care of the people in the car, too. For this reason, you should carry a first aid kit, drinkable water and blankets. Other items to consider include high-calorie food items (like energy bars), toilet paper, a towel, a hat and boots. And, of course, when you travel in AK and out-of-state you should always have your cell phone, some emergency cash and a credit card.

Depending on where you live, you may need to add other items to this list. For example, sunscreen, sunglasses and extra water would be good to have on hand in a hot climate. For the cold and snowy AK season, some salt, a hand shovelemergency blankets and matches might be in order. Also, if your area is prone to severe weather or earthquakes, you should check with your local Red Cross or disaster preparedness office for their recommendations on what to keep on hand in your vehicle for emergencies.

When you travel away from your Anchorage home, you should check the weather forecasts before you leave and pack appropriate emergency supplies. Also, do some research about the areas you will be traveling through so you can be prepared for the climate and terrain. Remember the basics: heat, water, shelter, light and food.

When you travel, it is important to leave your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member. Check in periodically at prearranged checkpoints. That way, if something does happen, someone else will quickly know you are in trouble and will be able to send help. These checkpoints will also help rescuers find you quickly, as they will have a better idea as to where you are.

The automotive professionals at L and M Motors Inc want Anchorage drivers to be safe. Preventive maintenance, proper planning, smart communication: these are the basics of safe travel.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994



Automotive Detective Work in Anchorage

Posted February 12, 2014 12:00 PM

There's a reason we use the word “diagnose” when we talk about fixing cars in Anchorage. Figuring out what's wrong with your vehicle has a lot of similarities to figuring out what's wrong with someone who is ill. Vehicles are a mass of complex systems that can produce a variety of symptoms when something goes wrong. As with human diagnoses, a specific symptom may be indicative of a number of problems, and figuring out the specific cause takes training and experience.

Sometimes the diagnosis of your vehicle's trouble comes down to a matter of trial-and-error. This can be frustrating for Anchorage drivers because time and money are on the line. You may feel you should only be paying for repair work. Of course, you only want to pay for the right repair – and a proper diagnosis is part of getting it right. Like at the doctor's office — some of what you pay for is the doctor's time and effort to figure out what's wrong with you, not for the actual cure.

The good news is that Anchorage drivers can do a lot to help out their friendly and knowledgeable service advisors at L and M Motors Inc in figuring out what's wrong with their vehicle. Again, the medical office is a good analogy. The more information you can give your doctor about where it hurts, when it hurts and how it hurts, the more quickly he will be able to help you. In the same way, the more you can tell your L and M Motors Inc service technician about when the problem occurs, what is sounds like, how often it occurs, where it occurs, etc., the more efficiently he will be able to get you back on the road.

Good preventive maintenance goes a long way to keeping your car out of a Anchorage repair shop, but if you need to get it , good communication will get you back on the road quickly.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994



Getting the Right Tires and Wheels in Anchorage

Posted February 11, 2014 12:00 PM

A lot of people get custom wheels in Anchorage. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you're not careful. Sometimes, once they're mounted, they just don't fit right. The tires rub in turns or on bumps. You don't want that.

Consulting your L and M Motors Inc tire professional can ensure you get the right fit. First he'll ask you a series of questions about your Anchorage driving needs and what you want in your new wheels. Now, not every wheel can go on every car. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside so the tires rub.

If you don't want to make any modifications to your vehicle, you would need to focus on the wheels that would fit. With trucks, some people in Anchorage like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.

Also, most Anchorage drivers don't realize that you need to keep the rolling diameter of your new tires – the overall height of the tire – very close to what came from the factory in order for your vehicle's anti-lock brakes and stability control systems to work properly.

The computers that control these systems are calibrated to a certain size tire. When you go bigger or smaller, the computer doesn't know what changes you made so it can't tell how fast you're going. This, of course, means it sends commands to the brakes and traction control that are based on the wrong speed. If you go with a different rolling diameter, your vehicle engine control computer can be reprogrammed for the new tire size.

Either way, there are hundreds of wheel and tire choices to choose from in AK. You can pick the style of wheel you want and then talk with your friendly and knowledgeable L and M Motors Inc tire professional about how big the wheel should be – and how to select the right tire for your vehicle. Your L and M Motors Inc service advisor will help you find the best tire to meet your style, performance, ride and handling needs in Anchorage.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994



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Testimonials

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Christine is so helpful and the sweetest lady! These guys are amazing! They are honest about what is being done to your car and don't overcharge you like dealerships! I just moved up to Alaska and plan on using these guys forever. Definitely recommend their service and expertise.
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So we started hearing a high pitched noise from the back brakes on a trip to anchorage from seward, after checking out another local shop who was extremely rude I jumped on yelp and stumbled across these lovely people. They got me in right away just to take a peek, saying they couldn't fit me in till later but would take a look just to see if it was still safe to drive and what to expect. They were curtious, friendly, honest and fair. I highly recommend this establishment! Thanks for getting us back to Seward safely xoxo
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