​When it comes to vehicle warranties, there’s a lot of mud in the water. It isn’t always clear what you need to do to get the best care, at the best price, and with the best service for your vehicle. How do you separate truth from myth when it comes to vehicle warranties?

Our team of car care experts are here to help. Here’s the TRUTH your family needs to know when it comes to your vehicle’s warranty.

MYTH: You MUST use the dealership to keep your warranty.

FACT: Dealers often claim that you must bring your car to them to preserve your warranty. This is not true! Thanks to the Magnusson Moss Warranty Act of 1975, you can have your maintenance services done anywhere without risking your manufacturer’s warranty.

Bring your car in to our shop instead of the dealership for quality service at a better price and still maintain your warranty! As long as you keep records and receipts of the services done, your warranty won’t be voided.

MYTH: The dealer will disclose any necessary work under warranty.

FACT: Unfortunately, not always. When a dealership performs a warrantied repair, they don’t make any money… which means they have an incentive NOT to tell you when your vehicle needs a repair that would be covered under warranty.

Which is why you should have your vehicle thoroughly inspected by a third-party, independent auto repair shop, like Motorcar Makeovers. Our certified technicians have your best interest at heart. We’ll provide a detailed report of our inspection including any recommended maintenance that may be covered by your warranty. Our technicians will then work with you to take your vehicle back to the manufacturer to have these repairs performed under your warranty!

MYTH: Skipping maintenance can void your warranty.

FACT: True! Thanks to the act mentioned above, you are not required to take your vehicle to the manufacture for maintenance services. However, skipping regular maintenance all together could void your warranty, so follow the recommended schedule and keep up with preventative care.

Stop by Motorcar Makeovers and our team will help you understand and follow the terms of your warranty. With a thorough inspection, our certified and experienced technicians can help you understand the condition of your vehicle and any needed repairs or services that may be covered under warranty.

When you bring your vehicle to Motorcar Makeovers for auto maintenance or auto repair, all of our services are covered by our 24 month / 24,000 mile warranty on all parts and labor. If you ever have any questions about your vehicle or your car warranty, call us at 215-699-8383.

A battery check today can keep the tow truck away, says the Car Care Council, as it advises vehicle owners to have their battery tested and replaced if necessary this fall to avoid being stranded this winter.

Sooner or later all batteries have to be replaced, and excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, thus damaging the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high of a charging rate, leading to slow death for a battery. Colder temperatures increase the thickness of the engine oil, making the engine harder to turn over and the battery work harder, leading to harder starting.

To get the most life out of a battery, the Car Care Council suggests the following:

• Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.
• If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.
• Always replace a battery with one that’s rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
• Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.

Source: carcare.org

As the seasons change, shifting temperatures take a toll on our roads the freezing and thawing of water creates cracks and potholes in the roads across Blue Bell.

But they are more than just a nuisance — potholes can be a serious danger to your vehicle and your safety on the road.

Tires/Wheels
Hitting a pothole at full speed can cause torn tread and irreparable holes in your tire, leaving you stuck with a flat tire on the side of the road. Potholes can also damage your wheels… and you can’t fix a bent rim.
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Alignment
The jar of driving over a pothole can throw off the alignment of your wheels. Misaligned wheels can result in uneven tire wear, increased risk of a flat tire, and extensive damage to your suspension and reduced miles per gallon. Having your car inspected right away after you hit a pothole can mean catching and fixing issues BEFORE they become costly repairs.

Shocks
Shocks keep your car stable on the road. The reason you don’t bounce down the road is the work of your shocks/struts. The impact from a pothole can put lots of pressure on the shocks. Damage to one means your vehicle can no longer maintain equal pressure on all four tires, leading to more extensive damage. Catching damage to your shocks early with an inspection can save you from further harm (and more expensive repairs), like uneven tire wear and reduced MPG.

Steering
Any one of the above issues can also result in damage to the steering system in your vehicle. Misaligned wheels or damaged shocks can make it extremely difficult to control your vehicle, putting you and your family at risk. Minor damage can snowball into major repairs so save yourself money, hassle, and stress by having a thorough inspection from certified technicians as soon as possible.

Potholes can cause immediate damage to your tires, wheels, and even the body of your vehicle but the far more dangerous threat is the damage you may not see or notice right away.

If you’ve hit a pothole, schedule a thorough inspection the auto repair experts at Motorcar Makeovers as soon as possible: call 215-699-8383.