Quality Tune Up Car Care Center REMAINS OPEN
At Quality Tune Up Car Care Center, we want our loyal customers throughout the Bay Area to know that remain open for business during these tough times. We understand the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak and how much it has affected the lives of those in our communities.
While we are all asked to shelter in place and minimize contact with others, we understand that auto care is an essential need for all. Even with shutdowns, those in healthcare, law enforcement, and other vital industries still need a reliable car to get to work. We know many of our customers are relying on their vehicles to get them to the stores to retrieve necessities, which is another reason why we are open to keep your vehicle running.
In order to protect the safety of our customers and our staff, we are implementing stricter sanitization methods to do our part to prevent the spread of this virus, including:
- Sanitizing your vehicle upon entry and delivery
- Using gloves to work on your car
- Regularly cleaning and sanitizing our lobby and desk areas
- Ensuring that any employees who feel the least bit ill are sent home and asked to not return until healthy again
We have also adjusted our hours temporarily while the shelter in place order is in effect:
FREMONT LOCATION HOURS - MONDAY - SATURDAY 9AM TO 5PM, CLOSED SUNDAYS
SAN JOSE MCKEE LOCATION HOURS - MONDAY - SATURDAY 8AM TO 3PM, CLOSED SUNDAYS
MILPITAS LOCATION HOURS - MONDAY - SATURDAY 10AM TO 5PM, CLOSED SUNDAYS
SAN JOSE BLOSSOM HILL - MONDAY - SATURDAY 8AM TO 4PM, CLOSED SUNDAYS
SAN JOSE BASCOM - MONDAY - SATURDAY 9AM TO 5PM, CLOSED SUNDAYS
SAN JOSE WINCHESTER - MONDAY - SATURDAY 10AM TO 5PM, CLOSED SUNDAYS
SHOULD YOU PUT OFF CAR MAINTENANCE?
We all know that car care is the last thing on most people's minds right now. A lot of people aren't driving their vehicles due to Stay At Home or other social distancing orders. So the question is: Should I put off my car maintenance?
According to industry experts, you may be doing more damage than good. Letting your car sit idle can cause many problems. Rich White, executive director at the non-profit Car Care Council says, "Just as it is recommended that people stay active during this time of social distancing, your car should get some activity as well. If your vehicle sits too long, the battery could die, the tires can develop flat spots and the engine oil may start to deteriorate."
White recommends to take short solo drives once a week and doing other car care to help keep your vehicle running efficiently and safely. If your vehicle is going to sit for a long period of time, you should monitor the following areas of your vehicle.
BATTERY- Today's vehicles have many computer systems that draw power even when the vehicle is not running. Your battery could die within a couple of weeks of sitting idle. You can connect a trickle charger to help maintain your battery life while your vehicle sits idle.
TIRES- Tires can lose pressure over time, so checking your tire pressure regularly is always a good habit. If your vehicle loses pressure and sits for a long period of time, your tires could develop flat spots. Flat spots can make your ride bumpy and cause premature bald spots.
OIL- Your engine oil deteriorates over time. That is why there is a time and mileage recommendation for oil changes. White suggests you change your engine oil at the recommended time interval, even if you are not driving the recommended mileage. Check your owner's manual for the maximum time and mileage that you should wait in between oil changes.
BRAKES- If your vehicle sits idle, rust can develop on the brake rotors, especially if it sits outside. Drive your vehicle once a week to keep your rotors clean.
FUEL- Modern fuel systems help prevent oxidation in the tank and preserve the life of your gas. It is still best to top off your tank to prevent condensation build up. If you are still concerned, you can add a gas stabilizer to your tank.
CLEANING- Wash your vehicle to remove any dirt, grime, dust or pollen build up. Applying a coat of wax can also help protect your paint finish. Cleaning the inside of your vehicle is just as important. We recommend that you wipe down the dashboard, cup holders, steering wheel, vents, door handles and console with an all-purpose automotive cleaner that will help disinfect the inside of your vehicle.
PARKING- Be careful where you park your vehicle. Avoid parking under trees that have sap or a lot of birds that congregate. Getting sap off your paint is never fun, especially if the paint is hot. Bird droppings can be killer on your paint as well. Be sure to remove anything of value from your vehicle to eliminate the possibility of a break in. Vehicles are a prime target for thieves as they know most people are leaving their vehicles unattended for long periods of time. It's best to remove anything in the vehicle that was not there the day you bought it. Sunglasses, spare change, phone chargers, gym bags, backpacks, garage door openers, etc. are all items that attract would-be thieves to your vehicle.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your local Quality Tune Up Car Care Center for help. We're here for you when you need us.