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3860 NJ-27 Princeton, NJ 08540

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Archive for November 2020

3 Winter Windshield Tips (Care of Windshield)

Posted November 29, 2020 12:11 PM

Cold weather can present some real challenges when it comes to your vehicle's windshield.  Think of it.  Your windshield is your window to the world when you're driving, and clear visibility is extraordinarily important for safe travels. So here are 3 tips to ensure that your windshield can do its job during the cold weather.

  1. Don't ever pour hot water on a frozen windshield.  Let's say you head outside and see your vehicle covered with ice. You think, hey, maybe I can heat up a pot of water on the stove and melt that off fast.  Don't do it!  You run the risk of shattering the glass the second that hot water hits the frigid glass.  Ditto for using a propane torch.  Glass does not do well with sudden temperature changes.  Instead, turn on your engine and start the defroster, which heats the windshield up gradually.  Use a plastic scraper designed for windshields (don't EVER use metal to scrape) and be patient.  Don't hammer on the ice to break it into pieces.  Sudden pressure and glass don't mix.
  2. Keep your wiper blades up off the glass.  If you park your vehicle outside and you think there's a chance of frozen precipitation falling, do what smart winter drivers do.  Lift the wiper arms off the glass and leave them extended with the blades not touching the glass at all.  That way when you go back to your vehicle, you won't have to try to pull the wipers off the icy glass (which can damage the rubber blades) or start the wipers with them frozen solid to the windshield.  Many drivers have burned out their wiper motor that way, and that can be a pricey repair.
  3. Keep your windshield washer fluid topped off and use it often.  So you've followed the steps above and you're on the road. Salt, brine and sand can muck up the windshield fast, causing your wiper blades to smear the glass, re-freeze the icy snow and blind you.  It's important to use wiper fluid made for low temperatures so it doesn't freeze on your glass.  Use it often so any road debris won't scratch the glass like sandpaper.  And make sure your defroster is working properly, keeping your windshield warm enough to prevent ice from forming.  

KPS Princeton Garage
3860 NJ-27
Princeton, NJ 08540
732-297-9515



KPS Princeton Garage Helps You Decipher the Menu Board: Part 2

Posted November 22, 2020 8:53 AM

NJ service centers have a menu board that lists the services they provide. Some Princeton 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.

KPS Princeton Garage 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.

KPS Princeton Garage headlamp replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. It's usually good to change them every year or so.

KPS Princeton Garage inspections: Princeton 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 NJ 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.

KPS Princeton Garage oil change: There are several options: Some Princeton 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.

KPS Princeton Garage PCV valve replacement in Princeton: 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.

KPS Princeton Garage power steering service: Often overlooked. Your friendly and knowledgeable KPS Princeton Garage 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.

KPS Princeton Garage 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.

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

KPS Princeton Garage transmission service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It's like an oil change for your transmission.

KPS Princeton Garage 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.

KPS Princeton Garage
3860 NJ-27
Princeton, NJ 08540
732-297-9515



A Sticky Brake Situation (Parking Brake Service and Maintenance)

Posted November 15, 2020 7:41 AM

We've all been there.  You park your vehicle on a steeper than usual hill and worry about it rolling down while you're running your errands.  So you decide you'll use the parking brake.  When you get back, you release the parking brake, hit the ignition, put it in gear and—uh, oh—you can feel the parking brake is still on.  It's stuck.  What do you do now?

Welcome to the world of infrequently-used parking brakes.  Yes, they do stick for several reasons. It's common for components to corrode and get locked up.  Sometimes if you have applied it extra hard, it can jam.  Could be a rusty cable, could be a spring that doesn't return the brake to its disengaged position.  Some pieces just break when they're stressed for the first time in a while. A caliper or the pivot arm it's on can also stick.

There are a few things you can try to unstick it.  Carefully rock your vehicle by putting it first in drive and then reverse.  You have to be careful doing that, though, because sometimes you can damage the transmission.  You can try working the parking brake control a few times to see if that will loosen the corrosion.  If you can't unstick it, you can try driving slowly a short distance to a repair facility near you.  Sometimes it won't cause damage to the brakes but it depends on how tightly the parking brake was applied and what was stuck.  You may also have to have your vehicle towed to a repair facility.

In any case, once you've seen these symptoms, have your vehicle brakes looked at by a professional who can fix the root of the problem.  Better yet, don't let your vehicle get in this condition; regular maintenance and inspections by a trained technician should prevent you from getting in a jam somewhere thanks to a stuck parking brake.  You could use a "brake" like that.

KPS Princeton Garage
3860 NJ-27
Princeton, NJ 08540
732-297-9515



Clean Air for Your Engine: Engine Air Filters In Princeton

Posted November 8, 2020 11:02 AM

Every Princeton car owner who has taken their car in for an oil change has been told that their engine air filter's dirty.

Here's what goes into the determination of when to change the filter: First, your vehicle owner's manual will have a recommendation of when the filter should be replaced.

So between your owner's manual and your Princeton technician's inspection there's really no guesswork involved for Princeton drivers.

Now, most air filters purchased in Princeton don't cost a lot to replace. It's just that NJ people hate getting caught with an unexpected expense. On the plus side, though, changing a dirty air filter at KPS Princeton Garage can often save enough on gas to pay for itself before your next oil change in Princeton.

Think about a dirty furnace filter in your Princeton home. When it's all clogged up, enough clean air can't get through. In your vehicle, that means that your engine can't get as much air as it needs to burn the fuel efficiently. So it makes do with less air and has to use more gas to move your vehicle around Princeton roads.

Your vehicle actually needs about 12,000 times more air than fuel to run. Engine air filters don't cost much in Princeton at KPS Princeton Garage. When it's time to change yours, just get it done. You'll get better fuel economy, have better performance and protect your vehicle engine.

KPS Princeton Garage
3860 NJ-27
Princeton, NJ 08540
732-297-9515



Introduction to Diesels for Princeton, NJ

Posted November 1, 2020 2:57 AM



Something you're going to be hearing a lot about around Princeton, NJ, is diesel engines. We're not talking about semi-trucks and buses; we're talking about diesel engine cars, pick-ups and SUVs.

Most people in NJ are surprised to learn that around half the cars on the road in Europe have diesel engines. Nearly all import brands offer a range of diesel engines abroad – even the ultra-luxury brands like Mercedes and BMW. For the most part, these diesel engines haven't been available in Princeton, NJ. But that's about to change.

In the past, North American diesel fuel has had a much higher sulfur content than European fuel. Recent environmental laws have required changes in diesel formulation and emissions standards here in Princeton, NJ, so we are now ready to start seeing more diesel options offered over the next few years.

Why are so many Princeton drivers interested in diesel engines? Well first off, diesel fuel is more energy dense. There's more power in a barrel of diesel fuel than there is in a barrel of gasoline. The result? Better performance and improved fuel economy.

Diesel powered vehicles get about 20 percent better fuel economy. And as for power – why do you think that the majority of new heavy duty pick-up trucks are being sold in Princeton with diesel engines?

If you think back to the late 1970's and early 1980's, you may shudder when you think of the diesel powered cars of the day – noisy, smoky, under-powered beasts that rattled and shook their passengers. Modern diesels sold in NJ have evolved considerably.

They are quiet, clean – and powerful. They're so refined that many Princeton drivers can't even tell they're riding in a diesel powered vehicle. In addition to fuel savings, diesels generally last longer than gasoline engines because of their heavy duty construction.

Another thing the Princeton green crowd takes advantage of is the use of bio-diesel in diesel vehicles. Bio-diesel is made from vegetable oil – even recycled cooking oil from Princeton restaurants. There is a lot of buzz about hybrid cars in NJ. Look to diesel-electric hybrids in years to come to make a good idea even better.

Every year, manufacturers introduce new diesel models. Look for diesels in domestic light trucks, SUVs and passenger cars. Import brands have plans to bring more of their outstanding diesel engines to NJ as well.

New Princeton diesel owners need to know that properly maintaining a diesel engine is somewhat different than a gasoline engine. Fluid change intervals are different. Emissions control devices have to work harder to filter diesel fuel and to scrub the exhaust so you will need to pay attention to that. And the fuel injection system operates at much higher pressures than gas fuel injection systems, so it's important to keep your fuel system clean with a diesel.

The good news is that KPS Princeton Garage in Princeton is keeping up with the new diesel technology and will be able to advise you on maintaining your diesel.

When we tell you to look for more diesels on Princeton streets, you won't be looking for smoky tail pipes as a clue. You also won't be listening for that familiar big rig rattle. And, you certainly won't be waiting for them at the stoplight, because modern diesels are as quick as their gasoline counterparts.

KPS Princeton Garage
3860 NJ-27
Princeton, NJ 08540
732-297-9515



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, 03/08/2024
Every interaction has been perfect. My old car drives perfectly. Numerous repairs (all appropriate in light of the age of the vehicle) and routine maintenance all perfect experience with these folks.
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