Auto Repairs on the Rise

The decline in new-vehicle sales during the recession is belatedly helping the auto repair and parts business as vehicles on the road are aging.

Carolina Tire & Auto experts say sales of auto repair parts and labor flattened or fell during the recession; while people bought fewer new cars, they also tended to neglect the ones they had. Doug Faulhaber, sales manager at the Carolina Tire & Auto in Pineville, N.C., recalls people coming in with brakes badly worn. "They were overdue," he said.

Now, with new-vehicle sales still well below pre-recession levels and the average vehicle on the road nationwide about a decade old, neglect is catching up with vehicle owners, says Jim Seidel, who tracks the market from the Indian Land office of XL Tire, Inc.

"For a lot of the routine maintenance that makes up the bulk of the products and services in the aftermarket, you've seen deferred maintenance taking place," Seidel said. "Now, people are circling back around, having made the decision to keep their cars a few more years."

Tom Beagan, Charlotte area manager for NAPA, said Tuesday at the Carolina Tire store that high gasoline prices have spurred sales of items that increase fuel efficiency, such as engine air cleaners. "Customers are more interested in their maintenance now," he said.

Ron Rossi, director of research for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association in Bethesda, Md., says industry revenues totaled about $210 billion in 2007, stayed flat in 2008 and fell in 2009 to about $207 billion. They rose to $215 billion last year and are forcast $224 billion for this year.

AutoZone, the repair and parts chain based in Memphis, reported May 24 that its earnings rose by 12 percent in its third fiscal quarter ended May 7, to $227.4 million — exceeding analysts estimates. AutoZone has more than 4,000 locations in 48 states, including 13 on Long Island, according to its website.

In April, Atlanta-based Genuine Parts said its first-quarter profits rose 26 percent from a year earlier, to $126 million. Genuine Parts is majority owner of the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA), a trade group that distributes auto parts nationwide to about 6,000 stores.

As consumers continue to invest their money into their vehicles, they are very interested in what other people say about their auto repair business. Internet search engines and websites like Google and Angie's List allow consumers to post reviews of their experiences at businesses they patronize. Seidel believes that this is the holy grail as it pertains to acquiring new customers. "Our online reputation is second to none in Charlotte for auto repair facilities, which include all the car dealerships." Seidel noted. Carolina Tire & Auto has over 200 positive reviews online and are well on their way to 300 positive reviews. They appear to have discovered the way to work together with customers to help their reviews and business grow in auto repair and tires sales in Charlotte. According to Angie's List website, Carolina Tire & Auto had a perfect score with over 20 customer reviews and is an Angie's List "Super Service Award Winner".

100,000-Mile Maintenance Costs

According to Carolina Tire & Auto data, owners are keeping their cars longer than they did two years ago, a trend that is expected to continue until the economy rebounds. As more of the nation's cars exceed 75,000 miles and approach the celebrated 100,000-mile mark, regular maintenance becomes an increasingly important way to prevent costly car repairs.

To help you coax extra miles out of your current car, we wanted to know what consumers could expect to pay to keep their cars running longer. We estimated the cost of scheduled maintenance (service at specific intervals recommended by the manufacturer) and car repairs (unanticipated fixes) for 75,000 miles of normal use for the nation's 10 best-selling vehicles. Additionally, we estimated how much you would pay in maintenance to push those odometers all the way to five zeros. The results are below.

Repair/Maintenance Costs for Top 10 Best-Selling Vehicles

Make/Model	Repair to 75K Miles	Scheduled Maintenance to 75K Miles	Scheduled Maintenance to 100K Miles
Toyota Camry	$654	$2,028	$2,821
Honda Accord	$654	$1,177	$1,520
Ford F-150	$887	$1,102	$1,781
Honda Civic	$654	$1,163	$1,498
Toyota Corolla	$654	$2,008	$2,802
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	$761	$1,369	$2,336
Nissan Altima	$654	$1,093	$1,490
Honda CR-V	$654	$973	$1,610
Chevrolet Impala	$724	$997	$1,740
Ford Fusion	$752	$1,294	$1,738

2010 estimates based on 2009 year-to-date figures through 12/9/09

What the Data Shows

Five different brands have sedans in the top 10, so we compared their costs and found some interesting contrasts. In fact, through 75,000 miles of use, the Chevrolet Impala costs an estimated 51 percent ($1,031) less in scheduled maintenance than the top-selling Toyota Camry. While some might guess that this is due to foreign cars being more expensive to service generally, the Nissan Altima also costs almost half as much less to maintain — $935 — as the Camry.

Furthermore, if you drive a car for a full 100,000 miles, the Altima emerges as the overall savings winner, with an estimated 47 percent ($1,331) less in scheduled maintenance costs than the Camry. While this figure represents a little more than a penny per mile, it adds up to a substantial savings.

Reliability and Warrantees

Many people buy vehicles from Japanese manufacturers because of their reputation for long-term reliability. But is that idea born out within the top 10 best sellers? Not by much. Within the 75,000 miles that our data covers, the difference in repair costs is minimal. The Camry, Honda Accord and Altima each cost an estimated 13 percent less in car repairs over 75,000 miles than the Ford Fusion does — but that's only a $98 difference.

More importantly, should a drivetrain part fail after 60,000 miles — usually an expensive repair — Chevrolet, with its 100,000-mile drivetrain coverage, will protect you. Toyota, Honda and Nissan will not.

Warranty Coverage for Top 10 Best-Selling Vehicle Brands in Years/Miles

Make	Basic	Drivetrain	Rust/Corrosion	Roadside Assistance
Chevrolet	3/36,000	5/100,000	6/100,000	5/100,000
Ford	3/36,000	5/60,000	5/Unlimited	5/60,000
Honda	3/36,000	5/60,000	5/Unlimited	None Available
Nissan	3/36,000	5/60,000	5/Unlimited	3/36,000*
Toyota	3/36,000	5/60,000	5/Unlimited	None Available

*Nissan: Towing to nearest Nissan dealer if your vehicle is inoperative due to the failure of a warrantied part.

In fact, drivetrain reliability for the Camry and the Impala aren't so far apart. While owners of 2002 and 2003 Impalas encountered "moderate problems" with their engines, the owners of 2002-'03 Camrys encountered more "significant problems" — the worst of three possible scores, according to data provider Identifix. One can't help but wonder how many Camry drivers who drove past the 60,000-mile mark would have benefited from the Impala's more generous five-year/100,000-mile drivetrain coverage.

Of course, the cost of maintenance and repairs are only two factors in judging a car's true cost to own. Toyota still enjoys strong resale value, which figures very prominently in a vehicle's overall value. And driving your car for 75,000 or 100,000 miles — even if it costs more to maintain — is almost always a better value proposition than trading it in for a new car.

Spend Now, Save Later

Proper vehicle maintenance is clearly a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but still, tough economic times and busy lifestyles can push car maintenance down on many owners' to-do lists. Recent findings by the Car Care Council found that 38 percent of cars surveyed had low or dirty engine oil, 28 percent had inadequate cooling protection, 19 percent needed new belts and 10 percent had low or contaminated brake fluid — all potentially costly problems that regular maintenance can prevent.

Fortunately, the days of shelling out money for oil changes every 3,000 miles are all but gone. Forget that old rule of thumb. Only your owner's manual, which you can also find online, is the bona fide source of its maintenance schedule, from when to rotate the tires to the frequency of transmission service.

Don't rely solely on more general recommendations, and certainly not the "dealer's recommended schedule," which will cost you more than necessary. If you want to look at extending oil change intervals, you can also have your oil analyzed. Following the manufacturer's schedule carefully not only means fewer problems as a car ages; it also prevents the manufacturer from ever voiding your warranty based on "neglect."

Brake Pads Replacement

Sometimes referred to as Brake, Brakes, Pads, Pad

Brake pads are located in the brake calipers at each wheel. Each time the brakes are applied, brake pad material wears down.

As the brakes are applied, brake pads come into contact with the brake rotor to slow the vehicle down. The brake rotor (or disc) is comparable to the rim of a bicycle tire. And as with a bicycle, the harder the brakes are applied, the quicker the vehicle stops.

Brake pad material wears out over time. Brake pads should be periodically inspected for wear, which is highly variable and depends on vehicle weight and driver habits. Brake pads must be replaced before the friction material is worn away completely. If it isn't, metal-to-metal contact will occur between the brake rotor and the worn-out brake pad. If metal-to-metal contact occurs, the brake rotor will be damaged. It will then need to be resurfaced or replaced.

To replace the brake pads, the wheel is removed to gain access to the brake calipers. The brake pads are withdrawn from the brake calipers, and the calipers, brake hardware, and brake rotors are inspected for damage and wear.

About this Repair: Brake Pad(s) Replacement

Best Practices

• Repair shops will often refer to brake pad wear as a percentage of material remaining. We recommend replacing the brake pads when there is 25 percent or less material remaining.

• The brake rotors should be inspected when the pads are replaced, and depending on their condition, they may need resurfacing or replacement.

• We recommend braking gently for the first 40 to 50 miles of driving on new pads. This will allow them to adjust to the rotors and help prevent squeaking.

• Brake pads will wear out more quickly as they age. The second half of a brake pad will wear away more quickly than the first.

• Brake repairs are commonly offered at promotional prices that may be lower than the RepairPrice Estimate. Make sure you understand exactly which services are included/excluded in the advertised price.

Common Symptoms

• Worn brake pads can result in a loud squeaking or grinding noise while driving, especially at low speeds. Replacing your brake pads early may prevent the brake rotors from being worn or damaged beyond repair.

Want info on Good Brakes?

Good brakes are crucial to keeping a vehicle under control when driving—especially on snow- or ice-covered roads. In recognition of October as Car Care Month, Carolina Tire & Auto encourages motorists to have our certified technicians inspect your brakes to ensure they are ready for any slick roads in Charlotte during Winter.

"Brake components that are badly worn, or a brake system in need of hydraulic fluid, may not provide the level of control needed for safe winter driving," said Jim Seidel, president, Carolina Tire & Auto. "Slick roads can magnify brake system problems, so it's important to have brakes inspected annually by a qualified technician. There's no better time to do that than before winter weather arrives."

Warning Signs

Often the first sign of worn brakes is a brake pedal that seems to require more pressure to stop the vehicle. Scraping, squeaking or chirping noises that come from the wheels when the brakes are applied are other signs of potentially excessive brake wear. A car that pulls to the left or right when the brakes are applied also could mean trouble.

Motorists should not wait until the brake warning light in their vehicle illuminates to have their brakes inspected.

Brake for Careful Inspection, Maintenance

Because brakes cannot be thoroughly inspected without removing the wheels, Charlotte, NC motorists should specifically ask for an annual brake inspection when taking their vehicle into Carolina Tire & Auto for service. The braking components that our certified technician should inspect include:

Master Cylinder – The brake fluid reservoir should be checked periodically to ensure proper fluid levels.

Brake Lines – Steel brake tubing running from the master cylinder to all four wheels should be inspected for leaks caused by damage or rust.

Brake Hoses – Rubber brake hoses running from the brake lines to the brake calipers and wheel cylinders should be inspected for wearing or cracking.

Lining and Pads – Brake components that create friction and dissipate heat should be checked for uneven or excessive wear. Glazing or contamination from leaking brake fluid or grease seals are other potential problems.

Parking Brake –The parking brake operation should be checked and adjusted if necessary.

Having the brake fluid flushed is an important maintenance item that many Charlotte drivers overlook. Brake fluid absorbs water that collects at low points in the hydraulic system where it can cause rust, fluid leaks and, if not prevented, brake failure. On vehicles with antilock brakes, moisture in the brake fluid also can damage expensive electro-hydraulic control units. For this reason, most manufacturers recommend that the brake system be flushed and new fluid installed every two to three years. Check the owner's manual in your car for the recommended service interval.

Save Your Brakes, and Money, with Good Driving Habits

The same friction that brakes use to stop a vehicle causes brake components to wear out and need replacement. However, good driving habits can make brakes last longer and reduce repair expenses.

When stopping, slow the vehicle gradually instead of suddenly. It's also a good idea not to "ride" the brakes on steep hills. Downshifting can help slow the car and limit the amount of braking that is needed.

Brush up on Winter Braking Techniques

Before winter weather gets here, it's important for drivers to brush on the proper braking and steering techniques that can be critical to their safety when driving on ice on snow.

As Charlotte's # 1 ranked auto repair and service center, trust Carolina Tire & Auto to give you the best in car care in all of Charlotte, even surpassing all new car dealerships.

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