Automotive News & Information - Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service

"Been going to Stuart for over five years , all five cars get serviced there. Great, fair and reasonable on time service. No one better that i have found in Midlothian. Highly recommended." -Glenn Riley

TRUE OR FALSE? Until your vehicle is out-of-warranty, it must be serviced by the new car dealer or the factory warranty will be void?
FALSE? Our ASE Certified technicians at Stuart Rolfe Muffler & Auto Service CAN SERVICE your vehicle if it is under warranty with the same tools typically faster and at a better price point plus we are cross trained in multiple lines of vehicles vs. just the brand at the dealership you bought your car or truck giving you more options!

It’s the law that independent repair shops can provide the services to maintain your new car warranty. Consumers are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which prohibits a manufacturer from voiding the vehicle warranty because service was done by a non-dealer.

Cold weather and vehicle performance aren’t necessarily the best of friends. “Every mile is two in winter.” That quote is attributed to the English poet George Herbert. Even though he wasn’t referring to driving an SUV with heated leather seats, his philosophy still applies today. Winters can be hard, cold, long, and dark.

By Harry Wagner JP Magazine on January 1, 2013
We see stretched TJ Wranglers all the time, to the point that they have become somewhat tiresome. Don’t get us wrong, the formula works well for technical terrain and steep climbs. But this same phenomenon has not occurred with the JK, since you can just buy an Unlimited off the showroom floor with a schoolbus-like 116-inch wheelbase. Not everyone wants that much wheelbase though, or the extra sheetmetal and weight that come with the four-door JK. Jack Stanko has one of the first stretched two-door JKs that we have seen, and while we still aren’t too fond of comp-cut corners, there is enough innovation on this vehicle that it is certainly worth sharing.

Car Exterior care tips include:
1. Protect car paint from the sun: Paint does more than make your vehicle look great. It’s also the first line of defense against rusted body panels. Of course, the best way to protect the paint is to park the car in a garage. If that is not possible, park in the shade or purchase a car cover. The sun’s ultraviolet rays break down paint and cause it to fade. Some car covers protect your car from more than sun, moisture, bird droppings, and dust — they also have a thin layer of cushioning that will guard against light impact, such as from a tipped bicycle or small falling tree branch.

2. Touch up nicks sooner rather than later Touch-up paint won’t adhere well to rust. So be sure to keep some matching touch-up paint on hand so you can touch up any minor nicks, often found around door edges, before rust has a chance to form.

Let's talk about air conditioning service and repair issues. Most of us we don't give our air conditioning a second thought as long as it's making cold air. But it's a complex and expensive system that we should think about before it starts blowing hot air in the summer months.

You've probably noticed a bunch of warning lights on your dash when you start your engine. They flash on to test the circuits and then go off if everything's OK. One of the warning lights looks like a car battery. Its job is to tell you if your battery's not charging properly.

Tires, Wheels, and Brakes Care Tips
1. Keep the caps on You step out into driveway ready to start your morning commute only to discover a flat tire. How in the heck did that happen overnight? If the tire valve is missing its cap, the culprit might be a leaky valve. Those little caps keep out dirt and moisture that can cause leaks, so be sure to keep caps on all your tire valves. Another tip: When you replace tires, remind the tire shop that you expect new valves with the tires.