Automotive News & Information - Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service

There seems to be a common misconception among many that if you have an aftermarket/extended warranty, that your car, truck, SUV or Jeep must be taken to a dealership. This is not true. Non-dealership / Independent Automotive repair shops can service and repair your new or UNDER WARRANTY/EXTENDED WARRANTY. As a positive, at our shop you can get fast service and work with highly trained technicians! We'd love to take care of your vehicle for you and can do so right here at our automotive shop. Repairs by highly rated and trained automotive technicians with dealer rated diagnostic tools, at BETTER PRICING by a shop that knows you!

It is a law that independent automotive repairs shops can maintain and service your warranty. All consumers are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, that is enforced by Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It prohibits a manufacturer from voiding the new vehicles warranty or a vehicles extended warranty because service was performed by a Non-Dealer/Independent Repair shop.

Per the FTC, “It's illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had warranty work or routine maintenance or repairs performed by our automotive shop. Routine maintenance can include anything from oil changes, tire rotations and belt replacement, to fluid checks, flushes, new brake pads and inspections.” It is also important to note that the “Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for a company to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty for the simple cause that you used an aftermarket or recycled part.”

One of the major perks to bringing your vehicle to an independent repair shop is the ability to make your money go further. Many times, warranties will have a limit or a deductible. Our goal is to make your warranty work for you.

Lastly, If you are on the fence about whether or not to purchase an AFTERMARKET or EXTENDED warranty. We suggest opening a savings account for your car and putting back money for possible breakdowns. While warranties are great the limitations can sometimes outweigh the benefits.

Whichever option you may choose we will be there for you every step of the way! We look forward to taking care of your new or under extended/aftermarket warranty, car, truck, SUV or Jeep right here. Give us a call today!

It’s not always easy to recognize when your vehicle is suffering from a simple problem that requires a little maintenance and TLC or there is real engine damage as symptoms can be overlooked and seen as “normal.” While not all sounds and smells may threaten the life of your car or truck engine, there are some obvious warning signs that require a vehicle inspection here at the shop right away.

We have great pride in our military and veterans and honor them on Veterans Day each November 11th. Did you know how and why it is on November 11th? The reason dates back to 1918 and pays homage to the date and time the WW I cease fire went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month when a temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect. November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars” eventhough the official end of the what we refer to as "The Great War" ended with the Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France.

Have you checked your brakes lately? I know you expect them to stop your car or truck when you step on that brake pedal, but when they don't work as expected it's too late and then you have an accident with damage to your vehicle but more importantly to the people inside your car and those on the road who may be in your path.

Let's avoid that issue! Test your brakes by lightly tapping them in different situations when the roads are both wet and dry. If your vehicle is pulling to one side, your brake pedal pulses up and down or the steering wheel shakes when the brakes are applied, you are very much overdue for a brake check. Getting in early will save you money as it is always easier to fix a problem before it becomes a huge issue and your brakes are gone requiring new brakes, pads, rotars, and drums.

When in doubt stop by our shop and have one of our professional automotive repair technicians take a look. Don't wait until it's too late to solve these problems and let us help you stay safe on the road! After all, that is the reason we raise these garage doors every day and open these tool boxes. We love what we do and want to ensure our drivers can stay on the roads longer with their vehicles safer and more cost efficiently.

How often should you get your transmission fluid changed? The transmission industry's standard is 25,000 to 30,000 miles or every two years. If you tow a trailer, 15,000 to 20,000 miles is recommended depending on the amount of towing. Motorhomes can vary with the amount that they are driven. The best thing that you can do is check the fluid regularly; notice the color, odor and level of the fluid. If you notice a change in the color, odor or level, have it checked by one of our trained technicians.

What type of fluid should you use? The suggested fluids differ from one manufacturer to another and you can check the owner's manual to ensure the correct transmission fluid is utilized per your specific auto or truck make and model. However, here our technicians have a computer program that will insure the right fluid goes into your transmission. We offer a full line of transmission fluids to cover all the various demands of any car or truck.

Care and Maintenance Tips Keep Your Car Running in Top-Notch Condition: We’ve compiled our best expert advice, surprising tricks, and car care tips to prolong the life of your automobile!

1. Be patient during the break-in period: You’ve bought your dream car and now you want to make it last at long as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember as you pull it out of the dealer’s lot:

During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials.
Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods — this is good advice for the life of your car, but especially during breakin. The oil pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of your engine.
Use only light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine rpms below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving.

We’ve all heard a car or truck in our neighborhoods that needs a new muffler. But there’s more to the exhaust system than just the muffler. The exhaust system has three main functions:

To safely get hot exhaust gas from the engine out the tailpipe
Treats the exhaust to remove harmful pollutants
Muffle the engine noise

"A great, honest place to take your car. They get the work done fast, but if you have to wait a few minutes, they have a big TV and WiFi." -Ryan Hooley