who works on ford f550 near me you ask,

Service a DGI engine before you have to repair it

 

Check engine light, rough running, hard starting, poor performance, failed smog test, low miles per gallon, low mileage, hesitation on acceleration and stumble on acceleration are the most common complaints we hear before a client brings their vehicle for repairs.

This is a serious and common problem to engines with DGI (direct gas injection) and turbochargers. It is caused by engine design. Then why would manufacturers build DGI engines you may ask?  The difference between a DGI engine and one that is not, it's a whopping 15% increase in efficiently for the DGI engine, but it does come at a cost, and there are a lot of DGI engines on the market. Practically all the European cars, Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Porsche all have a DGI offering, Asian such as Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Honda, Nissan, Infinity, Mazda, and Subaru all do as well. Ford, Chrysler, and GM are not immune to it.  Typically, these problems start around 50,000 miles and by 75,000 miles, pretty much they all have the problems          . However, there is a company called BG that offers a kit that works tremendously well to prevent the problem, you just have to be diligent and use that product every 20,000 miles. I conducted a study to find out how the economics of the problem work out for the vehicle owner. And it goes like this.

The cost to do 3 BG services up to the first 60,000 miles is, in today's price, is around $1380.00

The cost to repair the problems caused by the lack of service starts (please notice the word “starts”) at around $1250.00, However, before the vehicle owner gets to the point where the vehicle has been properly diagnosed, they've already spent a large sum of money on repeated check engine lights, repeated replacement of some sensors, e.g., oxygen sensors, range sensors, pressure sensors, all these makes the repair price go up tremendously.

Finally, finding the problems caused by the lack of fuel management service to these engines is not as easy and has a high propensity for a wrong diagnosis, which also causes the prices to go up even higher.

So, how do I know if my car has a DGI engine?  Well! the easiest way, just call us and give us the vehicle id number or the license plate, then we'll tell you if your vehicle has one of those engines.

Want to know how BG combats this problem? click on the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYe6l5mWJkI&ab_channel=BGProducts%2CInc.

 The Pros and Cons of Carbon Ceramic Brakes

The typical average car rolling down the road, is riding with a barely adequate brake system. (I said the typical since there are  exemptions*). Under stressful conditions, they tend to show their shortcomings - brake fade, pulsation, noise, roughness, etc.  All those things can happen when the vehicle is loaded to it's limit or when encountering difficult to drive roads such as on mountains or long downhill grades. So, should you upgrade to Carbon Ceramic Brakes?

 

10 things to consider when upgrading to Carbon Ceramic brakes.

1.  They provide the shortest stopping distances.
2.  With virtually no brake fade. A consistent pedal feel regardless of load or stress.
3.  Increased longevity - often the life of the vehicle.
4.  Cleaner brakes with little propensity for brake dust on the wheels.
5.  Lighter in weight, causing shorter braking stops and faster acceleration.
6.  Little or no propensity to develop lateral run-out (brake rotor warping#).
7.  They are quiet and squeal resistant.
8.  Virtually no rust.
9.  They just plain look cool.
10.  The price to upgrade. Carbon Ceramics are far more expensive.

Carbon ceramic brakes are definitely not for everyone.  They are by far the best choice available today when it comes to performance.  But the price can be prohibitive for the average driver. Typically in the thousands of dollars to upgrade.

*Most high performance vehicles such as  Audi (R8), Porsche and even some of the Corvettes offer Carbon Ceramic brake systems as an upgrade option.  Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Aston Martin, for the most part, come already equipped with Carbon Ceramic Brakes. 

# What people refer to as warped rotors, is actually called "lateral runout" in the trade.

If  you are local to the Ventura county area and you'd like to schedule an appointment or get an estimate, please click on the links below.

Carbon ceramic brake appointment                 Carbon Ceramic brake estimate

Valve cover gasket replacement on a BMW 330 I

Volkswagen GTI Fahrenheit in for repairs at Ventura shop

  A very nice and fast Volkswagen GTI Fahrenheit edition is in for repairs and service. An oil change with factory synthetic oil and a premium oil filter, along with a fuel injection service.

Another video from ABC Auto Care in Ventura, Ca. 93003

Subaru pre purchase inspection at ABC Auto Care in Ventura, California