While it may be an inconvenience, it is extremely important to have your Check Engine light looked at right away. Ignoring the problem for too long may cause even more damage to your car, resulting in even costlier repairs down the road.

If you’re a typical driver on the road, it may be difficult for you to diagnose exactly what is causing your Check Engine light to illuminate.  However, there is a general rule of thumb: if the light turns on and blinks momentarily, it may be a minor problem. If your light illuminates and continues to stay that way, you may be facing a larger problem.

When to Get Your Engine Checked

Really, there is no way to tell what is wrong with your engine without professional help with a diagnostic scan. If your Check Engine light comes on, it’s best to get it looked at as soon as possible.

Onboard diagnostic systems can be rather complex, thus requiring an in-depth knowledge of auto service, repair, and diagnostics. Given the complexity of auto diagnostic systems, turning to an ASE-Certified mechanic would be the best bet to ensure you’re finding the right problem and the right way to fix it.

How Auto Repair Stores Check Your Engine

Typically, mechanics will plugin to your engine through a diagnostic connector. Most of the time, this area is located in a place that is difficult for a regular car owner to reach and would require some in-depth auto knowledge. For example, it may be under the driver’s seat or the dash. Your mechanic will then “plug in” to you car to find out the nature of the problem.

Once plugged in, a “fault code” is then spit out. Mechanics will look to find out what the fault code means, and checks to perform to isolate the failing part of the engine. There are ways to do this yourself at home, but as mentioned before, it’s best to have a trusted ASE-Certified mechanic take a look to ensure proper diagnosis and repair.

Rick Johnson Auto & Tire: We Fix It All

Did you know that there are over 11,000 parts in the average vehicle? If your Check Engine light comes on or you need one of those 11,000 parts fixed, stop by any one of our ten Southwest Florida locations and our ASE-Certified mechanics will help! We’ve been voted the best in auto repair in Southwest Florida for many years, and we’ll figure out just what to do to get you back on the road – with the Check Engine light off!

I often get asked about nitrogen in tires when customers visit my stores, and more often than not, folks want to know the benefits. Does it save money? Is it good for the environment? Will it really help my car’s performance?

Nitrogen in Tires Will Improve Tire Maintenance

One of the reasons I’m such a big advocate for nitrogen in tires is the improvement it has on tire performance and life. Nothing is more important for your vehicle than routine auto maintenance, and nitrogen in your tires can help.

We all know the effects of conditions on the road for our tires – over time, tires gradually lose tire pressure. When you put nitrogen in your tires, pressure will hold more evenly over time. Given that nitrogen doesn’t leak through the rubber of you tires as easily as oxygen does, you’re likely to hold a more stable tire pressure.

Nitrogen in Tires Will Improve Fuel Economy

It’s no secret that under or over-inflated tires have an effect on your car’s gas mileage. Since nitrogen causes tires to hold a stable pressure, your gas mileage will improve. The way you take care of your tires has a tremendous effect on the performance of your car as a whole, and gas mileage is no exception.

Nitrogen in Tires Will Improve Tire Life

It’s very simple – when you are able to keep tire pressure stable, you will lengthen the life of the tire. It’s extremely important to keep tires properly inflated to ensure proper vehicle performance. With nitrogen in your tires, you can be more at ease.

If you’d like to have your tires filled with nitrogen, you can do so at any of our Southwest Florida locations. We have stores from North Fort Myers to Naples and you can trust us to take care of all your auto needs!

#1: Keep Distractions at Bay

Texting, eating, reading a map, talking on the phone – these are only a few distractions drivers face every day. When driving, it’s important to keep distractions in check and focus on the road. A few seconds of distracted driving can have a terrible, life-altering impact. If you must make a call, do so when you reach your destination or pull over. Many modern vehicles come equipped with hands-free phone technology, but if you use it, make sure to continue paying attention to your surroundings.

#2: Check Your Car’s Safety Features

Nowadays, our cars are equipped with many safety features. Airbags, flashers, seatbelts, and horns are a few, and be sure to check their functionality. If you find that something is not working properly, you can bring it down to us to have a look.

#3: Keep Up with Your Routine Maintenance Schedule

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: routine auto maintenance is key. This includes proper oil changes, tire purchases, tire installation, tire rotations, brake inspections, and many other smaller services that can save your car from a breakdown. Also, when you have routine maintenance, it’s a good idea to have ASE-Certified mechanics to be sure you’re getting the most updated auto service knowledge available.

#4: Have an Emergency Car Kit

This is something that may slip the minds of many drivers until it’s too late. Having an emergency car kit will come in handy if you ever end up stranded on the side of the road, stuck in a parking garage with a dead battery, or simply to help a friend in need. Car emergency kits are often easy to find and purchase (they can be found in your local auto store). These kits usually come equipped with:

• Emergency care car guide
• Booster cable
• Heavy-duty flashlight
• Batteries (AAs)
• Poncho
• Duct tape
• 2-in-1 screwdriver
• Small first aid kit

Items may vary by manufacturer and brand, but emergency car kits should come with the basics.

The safety of our roads is a responsibility for all drivers, and next time you hit the road, I hope you will keep these auto safety tips in mind. If you think something may be wrong with your car or you need routine auto maintenance performed, bring it on down to one of our 10 Southwest Florida locations. Our techs are ASE-Certified and will know just what to do to keep things running properly and safely.

Now that the age of the Internet is upon us, Yellow Pages has transformed from the big yellow book that gets placed on your doorstep to a full forum for accessing business information, reviews, and much more.

YellowPages.com: More Than Your Average Review Website

We’re all familiar with review websites such as Yelp, Citysearch, and others, but I think Yellow Pages does a fantastic job of incorporating business information into what’s important to the user.

For example, I noticed upon visiting the website today that they have a banner dedicated to something everyone dreads: flu season. Directly on the homepage, there is an article to get answers about how to survive this year’s flu season. In addition to those helpful tips, Yellow Pages also provides location suggestions to get a flu shot. I think this information is invaluable and it shows that Yellow Pages is willing to take the extra step for their visitors.

Yellow Pages Mobile Application

Another trend in the search for local businesses is the availability of mobile apps. It’s more important than ever to be available to consumers on the go, and Yellow Pages provides an app to do just that. The Yellow Pages app is available on most mobile devices such as iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Palm, Android, and Windows. Users also have the option of visiting YP.com on their mobile browser.

Rick Johnson Auto & Tire Yellow Pages Review

We’re extremely interested in learning what our customers think about us and whether they are satisfied with their experience. Customer satisfaction is #1 on our list of priorities, and we’re always happy to see reviews about our services.

“He shocked me with the price of the oil change, $17.95 for synthetic blend oil! There’s no such oil change available to me back in Indiana!! I felt that I was in very good hands and told him to proceed with it all. Am I happy? Absolutely! I have only one complaint, there are no Rick Johnson Auto & Tire stores in Indiana!!!!!!!!!!!”

 -Yellow Pages Review

We strive to treat everyone with fairness and honesty – we do not expect to provide anything less. In doing so, we hope that each and every customer is 100% satisfied with our service – period.

What is Routine Maintenance?

There is no doubt that routine maintenance WILL add life and years to your vehicle. All this talk about routine maintenance is floating around among car owners, but what exactly does it mean? What goes into routine car maintenance?

#1: Oil Changes

Of all routine auto maintenance checks, having the oil changed regularly is definitely one of the most important. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, you may have different oil change schedules.

With advancements in technology, experts claim that vehicles can go up to 6,000 miles between oil changes. However, I am still a big advocate of getting an oil change every 3,000 miles to be safe. It’s better to spend a little right now than to be faced with a huge auto repair bill further down the road!

#2:  Proper Tire Care

Your car’s tires are what get you down the road – literally. Ignoring your tires until they are ready to be replaced is a BIG auto care mistake. Take care to ensure that your tires are properly inflated and rotated. If your tires are underinflated, it may wreak havoc on your gas mileage. In addition, front and rear tires wear differently. To offset this, it’s important to have your tires rotated (your local Rick Johnson Auto & Tire shop can take care of that for you!).

#3: Ignoring Fuel and Air Filters

When you ignore fuel and air filters in your vehicle, you may be asking for trouble. Similar to changing the air filters in your home, it’s just as important to change filters in your vehicle. A dirty or clogged fuel filter can seriously damage your engine, and can lead to poor fuel mileage. In addition, having a dirty air filter can cause dirt and other foreign objects to get sucked into your car’s engine.

The Most Important Way to Care for Your Vehicle

When it comes right down to it, there are very few people (if any!) who like to be faced with major auto repairs. The good news is that you can be proactive and properly care for your vehicle with routine maintenance.

The three items mentioned above are simply a fraction of the routine maintenance checks that should be performed. When you visit Rick Johnson Auto & Tire, you can rest assured in knowing that we are doing everything to take care of you and your vehicle. Our 25-point inspection will keep your vehicle running smoothly and if there’s something wrong, we’ll let you know!

To become ASE-Certified, technicians and mechanics must prove their knowledge through special tests and training to receive the sought-after ASE Blue Seal of Excellence©.

ASE-Certified Technician Expertise

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is dedicated to providing repair shop and vehicle owners with only the best in auto care and service. To have your car serviced by ASE-Certified technicians means that you are receiving the most updated service available and that your car will be taken care of.

At Rick Johnson Auto & Tire, we want only the best for our employees and customers. As such, we provide the necessary funding for each of our technicians to take the required testing and to become official ASE-Certified technicians.

What You Can Expect From Us

In addition to providing our customers with ASE-Certified technicians, we strive to provide the best auto service experience to any customer that comes through our doors. We empower individuals with the information they need to make the right decision about their vehicle. We believe that by being fair and honest, we will earn your business.

We’re locally owned and operated, so you can count on receiving a personal auto service experience. To do so, we’ve made sure that you can expect top treatment while visiting your local Rick Johnson Auto & Tire store.

Each of our waiting rooms is equipped with flat-screen TVs, premium coffee, free Wi-Fi, and an array of (current) magazines. In addition, you can expect to pay less when you come to any of our stores. We are ALWAYS less expensive than the car dealerships and strive to provide the most pleasant customer experience around.

Visit Our ASE-Certified Technicians for All Your Automotive Needs

Our technicians and mechanics are experts at what they do. Bring your car to Rick Johnson Auto & Tire to have our ASE-Certified technicians have a look – they have the skills and expertise, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the wait!

Tires are an investment for your car, and as such, it’s important to make them last as long as possible. We’re always here to provide you with new tires, but I’d like to take the time to give instructions on how to check tire pressure on your vehicle.

Purchase a Tire Pressure Gauge

If you don’t already have one, you can find tire pressure gauges at most auto stores and even in some larger superstores. There are some different kinds of tire pressure gauges, and which one you pick will depend on personal preference.  I often recommend digital tire pressure gauges to ensure ease-of-use.

Check the Tire Pressure

PSI, or pound-per-square-inch, is the measurement used to define tire pressure. Each type of tire has an ideal PSI, so it’s important to refer to your owner’s manual or the sticker found on the driver’s side door.

When you check your tire pressure, you should do so when the tires are cold. Your tires should not have been driven on for at least 3 hours; otherwise this could provide a false tire pressure reading. To get a PSI reading, follow these instructions:

• Place the tire pressure gauge onto the tire’s valve stem.
• Place the gauge evenly onto the valve stem.
• Air will escape, but press firmly on the gauge to stop airflow and give your gauge a reading.

How Will I Know If I Have The Correct Tire Pressure?

Tire inflation should never be above or under five the recommended PSI. If under-inflated, a tire’s sides may wear out and cause damage. Over-inflated tires will wear quickly, and can also increase the possibility of a blowout. Smaller cars and sedans can usually have PSI levels between 30 and 40. Larger vehicles will have higher PSI, somewhere around 45. But, it’s still vital to note the recommended PSI for your own vehicle based on your owner’s manual.

An Oxygen Alternative for Tires

A new trend is making waves in the automotive industry: nitrogen-filled tires. Because nitrogen is made up of larger molecules and because the temperature never changes regardless of weather, tire pressure is held longer. When using oxygen to fill tires, air can leak out up to 3-4 times faster than when they are filled with nitrogen. Nitrogen is currently used on shuttles, racecars, bicycle racers, and airplanes. Why? It’s simple: because nitrogen is the better way to go when filling your tires. If you’d like to have your tires filled with nitrogen, feel free to stop by one of our locations today!

If you’re unsure about the condition of your tires or tire pressure, feel free to bring your vehicle over to your local Rick Johnson Auto & Tire. We’ll have a look and let you know if any action needs to be taken!

#1: Perform Routine Auto Maintenance

Performing routine auto maintenance is the key to adding life and years to your car, but did you know that it could also play a role in your car’s gas mileage? A well-maintained car will help improve gas mileage and the life of your engine long-term. Follow your manufacturer’s recommended service schedule and bring your car down to any Rick Johnson Auto & Tire – we’ll make sure that everything is up-to-par!

#2: Take Proper Care of Your Tires

Tires play an important role in your car’s gas mileage. Be sure that your tires are properly inflated and aligned. When your tires are in jeopardy, this causes your engine to work a little harder, causing your car to use more gas. If you’re unsure about your tires or need help fixing them, our ASE-Certified technicians can take a look and have you back on the road (with great tire performance!).

It’s important to take care of your tires, and it’s just as important to find tires that will help you save gas. Our friends at Bridgestone have developed a fuel calculator that will help you see just how much you can save in fuel. Through lower rolling resistance in Bridgestone tires, you can save up to $550 on fuel during the life of your tires. We have these tires and recommend them highly to our customers!

#3: Use Your Car AC and Windows With Care

I find that a majority of people assumes that driving with the windows down saves gas, but it depends on the traffic you’re in. For example, if you’re driving on a highway, it’s best to keep the windows closed to reduce air drag on the car. Leaving the air conditioner on is okay, but as long as it is in proper working order (and has a good air filter – part of the routine maintenance listed above).

#4: Drive Smoothly

When you jerk your car, make sudden stops, or simply drive erratically, this can have a negative impact on your gas mileage. This may be an unbreakable habit for some, but attempt to drive a little more smoothly and see just how much gas you can save!

It’s simple tips and tricks like this that can help both improve your car’s gas mileage and the life of your car overall. We provide a wide variety of auto services, and if you need any help whatsoever with the items mentioned above, bring your car by one of our stores and we’ll take look for you!

I have and will always recommend getting the oil changed every 3,000 miles – it’s what will maintain your vehicle and give your investment the long-lasting life it deserves.

When you bring your car for an oil change, you likely go by the sticker you’ve been given to remind you of when the oil change is due. Most vehicles come equipped with an oil change sensor that alerts you when it’s time for an oil change, and some more modern vehicles have a meter that tells you the percentage of oil life left.

All of these tools are great and have helped improve the life of cars, but it’s also important to know to check the oil in your car frequently to ensure proper oil life. Checking the oil is very simple, and I’m going to give a quick review of how to do it.

When checking the oil, you will receive the most accurate results if:

1. The car has been sitting (the engine should sit NOT running for at least 60 seconds – the oil takes time to return to the oil pan since tolerances are too tight).
2. It’s cooler outside (best to check in the morning).
3. The car is on level ground.

The first step is to pop the hood of your car. Also, make sure have an old rag or paper towel available, as things can get a little messy! Once you’ve popped the hood, look for the oil dipstick. It’s likely toward the front-end of the engine and will have a ring on the top.

Next, pull the oil dipstick out of the engine. Wipe down the oil, and stick the oil dipstick back into the pipe. Pull the dipstick out again to retrieve your oil level.

There will likely be lines indicating oil levels, but it all depends on the make and model of your car. If you think your oil is low, bring your car on in to one of our ten Southwest Florida locations, and we’ll take care of you!

Rick Johnson Auto & Tire: Your Oil Change Destination

When you bring your car to us for an oil change, you can be sure that we’re taking care of all your auto needs. With each oil change, you can expect the following:

• 5 quarts of synthetic or synthetic blend oil.
• A new oil filter.
• A top-off of most fluids.
• A free tire rotation.
• Our 25-point inspection.

Bring your car in to experience the Rick Johnson difference today! Also, don’t forget to check our specials for oil change coupons.

Keep Auto Service Records

While this won’t let you know if your tires need to be replaced, it can be a helpful measure. It can be difficult to remember when we last got auto service done, so it’s important to keep auto service records to help keep track. When you keep these records, you can tell exactly when you last replaced your tires and can be a good way to measure whether or not you need new tires.

Bring Your Car to Your Local Auto Repair Shop

While there are other ways to check tires yourself (the outdated penny trick you may have heard of), your best bet is to bring your car to Rick Johnson Auto & Tire. We have the experience, the expertise, and the know-how to know exactly what to look for and will let you know if you need new tires or any other tire services.

Whether you’re unsure about your tires or ready to have new ones installed, you can always bring your vehicle into any of our ten Southwest Florida locations. Tires can be tricky, and our ASE-Certified technicians can take a look and give you peace of mind.

We carry top tire brands, including Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin, Dunlop, Goodyear, and more, and have new tire discounts every month. Since we’re a local auto repair shop with a local focus, we treat each customer that visits our stores like our friends. When you choose Rick Johnson Auto & Tire for your tire purchase and installation needs, you can be sure that we’re taking the best care of you and your vehicle.

In addition to new tire purchase and installation, we also provide a variety of other tire services, including:

• Tire Repair
• Wheel Alignment
• Tire Rotation
• Wheel Balancing

Any tire services from us will give you peace of mind in knowing that your car is getting the best in automotive and tire service. Visit your local Rick Johnson Auto & Tire store today!