GUARANTY AUTO - Services Page

Honest, Reliable and Informed Auto Repair Since 1979.
Licensed * Bonded * Insured MA RS# 3077

Battery, Charging Starting Systems: Cold weather increases the strain on the battery, starting and charging systems. Starting with your battery, ask yourself, is it run down? A good battery will accept and hold a charge and deliver the rated number of amps on demand. A bad battery won't accept a charge and cannot supply the amps on demand as the cells are damaged or worn out. Moving from the battery to the alternator, you should know that the alternator is designed to maintain battery charge, not to recharge a dead battery. Overloading the charging system with a dead or significantly low battery can actually cause your alternator to fail from being overworked. That said, your alternator generates 'alternating current' which powers many things in your vehicle such as your headlights, blower motor for the heat, cooling fan, your wipers and defogger to name a few. Even if your alternator malfunctions or dies, your vehicle will still run for a period of time directly off the battery until all the battery's energy is drained. Moving to the Starting System, which includes your battery, starter motor, solenoid, ignition switch and sometimes a starter relay, converts electrical energy from the battery and alternator into mechanical energy to turn the engine over. As you can see, all these systems work together to insure that your vehicle starts, stays running and that things mentioned above such as your heat, wipers and headlights remain working. The object of preventative maintenance is to identify and correct potential problems before they occur. Don't wait until it's the middle of a New England Winter to get caught in the cold! Back to top.

Tires: Regardless of the traction electronics built into today's vehicles, when it comes to snow, traction really boils down to "Rubber Meets The Road". Some all season tires are adequate in the snow however many are not and all too often consumers don't understand the difference or importance between the two. With all of today's traction control and stability control systems, front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive vehicles it can be very confusing when trying to decide the value and importance of snow tires. Various tires that are "rated" all-season have sport tire attributes, and are inadequate in the snow, even dangerous. SUVs with sport tires run into this scenario quite often. In addition, all season tires can stiffen in cold weather. Stiff tires = less traction. When replacing tires, replace all four to maximize safety. Replacing only 2 tires encourages unequal traction which can lead to loss of control. On snow covered roads, a vehicle may only have 0 to 20% traction as compared to that of a dry road surface. With this reduced level of adhesion, a vehicle has a very limited ability to maneuver, whether accelerating, braking or steering. In trying to determine whether you should choose all season or snow tires, consider the following: Do you live in an area where you may have a bad snow storm but the roads are clean a short time after the storm? Do you have an occupation that would require you to be driving your vehicle in a snow storm? Do you take frequent trips to Central or Northern New England (or even further north) where snow is more constant? Is your vehicle rear-wheel drive? Front-wheel drive? All or four-wheel drive? Remember, you don't have to use snow tires but it should be a serious consideration depending on the answers to the above questions. For help making your decision, contact us or Montouri Tire. We'd be happy to discuss it and aid you in your decision! Back to top

Fluids, LOF and Coolant Flush: Cold temperatures test your vehicle's performance and make maintenance even more critical. All your vehicles fluids should be checked before the cold weather sets in. This includes brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze. At Guaranty, all these fluids are checked routinely when you bring your vehicle in for an oil change (LOF). Hot weather in the summer causes fluids to evaporate, hoses, seals, gaskets and other connections to leak. In addition, it's a good idea to get a cooling system flush and be certain the ideal antifreeze is in your vehicle, based on manufacturer's recommendation (see your owners manual). It is recommended that your coolant be flushed every two years (unless using an extended-life coolant in many newer vehicles) and fall is a great time to do it. Lastly, switching to a synthetic oil during cold weather will help your vehicle operate more efficiently and will also make it easier to start in extremely cold weather. Back to top

Belts, Hoses: Belts and hoses, thermostats and clamps should be inspected for damage and wear as well as functionality. Replacing worn or damaged parts now before the cold weather comes will keep you on the road and out of the shop with these repairs which could lead to more costly repairs down the road. Also beware of the 'quickie' change shops and have your belts, hoses and filters inspected by a Guaranty Auto ASE Certified Technician. We promise we won't try to replace something that doesn't need to be! Back to top

Brakes: Few things are more fundamental to your vehicle's safety than a fully functioning brake system, especially in winter where New England roads can be slippery with snow, ice and black ice. Common signs of wear include a low or 'spongy' pedal, brake warning lights and continuous squeals and grinding sounds. Avoiding brake repair can be very dangerous and will eventually cost more to fix later if ignored. Back to top

Windshield Wipers: You should be scrutinizing your wiper blades every time you fill your gas tank actually. If the rubber is ragged or brittle they should be replaced. Hot, prolonged high temperatures in the summer can actually cause the rubber to melt and attach to the windshield. Additionally, sleet and snow can Cold Back to top

Lights and Signals: Don't get caught in the dark this winter. Check and test your headlights, brake lights, tail lights, directionals and emergency flashers. Replace any weak, damaged or non-functioning bulbs. Also make sure your headlights are aimed correctly for maximum visibility. Back to top

Keep a Winter Emergency Kit with the Following Items in your vehicle:

Jumper Cables

Blanket

Extra gloves/mittens

Water

Kitty Litter or Sand

A Shovel

High Energy Snack Bars

Flashlight

Roadside Warning Devices (such as reflective triangles)

First Aid Kit

Duct or Electrical Tape

Cell Phone

Ice Scraper & Snow Brush

Also, if traveling alone whether daytime or night time, it's always a good idea to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to leave and arrive as well as the route you expect you'll travel.

At Guaranty Auto, YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST.

Please note that there is a fee if we disassemble / reassemble parts during diagnosis at your request and the repair is not authorized.


Guaranty Auto Sales & Service If your need your vehicle repaired but don't know that you can afford the repair, you can apply for a Car One Credit Card on the spot. Instant Approval and Authorization available. Process takes roughly 10 minutes and if you're approved, you'll get a certificate for a FREE OIL CHANGE. Terms are 90 days same as cash. Apply today and make sure your vehicle gets the service it needs!	*115 Chestnut Street Clinton, MA 01510 Ph: 978 365-4787** Honest, Reliable and Informed Auto Repair Since 1979. Licensed * Bonded * Insured MA RS# 3077 Did you know..? AAA recommends having your tires rotated every 6000 miles for maximum life and value of your tire. A tire rotation is also a good time to have your alignment checked. Fall & Winter Special: Bring your vehicle into Guaranty Auto (appointment recommended) for a FREE BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM CHECK. A $30.00 value! Just mention you saw this offer on our website. WINTER CHECK AND INSPECT LIST: Battery, Charging System & Starting System Tires Fluids, LOF, Coolant Flush Belts, Hoses Brakes Windshield Wipers Lights and Signals WOW! Alignment $69.95!Every Day Price We dare you to find a better price in the area! Did you know..? When you take care of your vehicle and schedule regular/seasonal maintenance check ups, you can spare yourself the headache of preventable roadside assistance. Did you know..? Warming your vehicle up in the winter means more than a toasty interior when you get in. Allowing your engine to warm up and idle a few minutes before driving and driving slowly for the first few miles until the oil is fully warmed up reduces emissions and saves fuel! GET A GRIP! Traction comes from your tires gripping the road. No grip, no traction. Traction is important not just for stability but for steering and braking as well. Tires are among the most important and least understood components of your vehicle. Proper inflation, the differences between snow and all season tires, tire and tread types, it can be confusing to the average driver. However, Guaranty Auto in conjunction with Montuori Tire, is here to help. We can explain all these things and help you select the right tires for your vehicle. Stop into or telephone either location for a tire quote and explanation today! Guaranty Auto: Clinton, (978) 365-4787 Montuori Tire: Fitchburg, (978) 343-6971 Both Locations Proudly Offer CHARGE! Cold weather is tough on batteries. At zero degrees Farenheit, a vehicle's battery loses about 60% of its strength. At 32 degrees, a battery is 35% weaker. Keeping battery terminals clean helps but a load test performed by a qualified Guaranty Auto auto technician will help determine whether a vehicle's battery is strong enough for winter starts. Battery, Charging Starting Systems: Cold weather increases the strain on the battery, starting and charging systems. Starting with your battery, ask yourself, is it run down? A good battery will accept and hold a charge and deliver the rated number of amps on demand. A bad battery won't accept a charge and cannot supply the amps on demand as the cells are damaged or worn out. Moving from the battery to the alternator, you should know that the alternator is designed to maintain battery charge, not to recharge a dead battery. Overloading the charging system with a dead or significantly low battery can actually cause your alternator to fail from being overworked. That said, your alternator generates 'alternating current' which powers many things in your vehicle such as your headlights, blower motor for the heat, cooling fan, your wipers and defogger to name a few. Even if your alternator malfunctions or dies, your vehicle will still run for a period of time directly off the battery until all the battery's energy is drained. Moving to the Starting System, which includes your battery, starter motor, solenoid, ignition switch and sometimes a starter relay, converts electrical energy from the battery and alternator into mechanical energy to turn the engine over. As you can see, all these systems work together to insure that your vehicle starts, stays running and that things mentioned above such as your heat, wipers and headlights remain working. The object of preventative maintenance is to identify and correct potential problems before they occur. Don't wait until it's the middle of a New England Winter to get caught in the cold! Back to top. Tires: Regardless of the traction electronics built into today's vehicles, when it comes to snow, traction really boils down to "Rubber Meets The Road". Some all season tires are adequate in the snow however many are not and all too often consumers don't understand the difference or importance between the two. With all of today's traction control and stability control systems, front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive vehicles it can be very confusing when trying to decide the value and importance of snow tires. Various tires that are "rated" all-season have sport tire attributes, and are inadequate in the snow, even dangerous. SUVs with sport tires run into this scenario quite often. In addition, all season tires can stiffen in cold weather. Stiff tires = less traction. When replacing tires, replace all four to maximize safety. Replacing only 2 tires encourages unequal traction which can lead to loss of control. On snow covered roads, a vehicle may only have 0 to 20% traction as compared to that of a dry road surface. With this reduced level of adhesion, a vehicle has a very limited ability to maneuver, whether accelerating, braking or steering. In trying to determine whether you should choose all season or snow tires, consider the following: Do you live in an area where you may have a bad snow storm but the roads are clean a short time after the storm? Do you have an occupation that would require you to be driving your vehicle in a snow storm? Do you take frequent trips to Central or Northern New England (or even further north) where snow is more constant? Is your vehicle rear-wheel drive? Front-wheel drive? All or four-wheel drive? Remember, you don't have to use snow tires but it should be a serious consideration depending on the answers to the above questions. For help making your decision, contact us or Montouri Tire. We'd be happy to discuss it and aid you in your decision! Back to top Fluids, LOF and Coolant Flush: Cold temperatures test your vehicle's performance and make maintenance even more critical. All your vehicles fluids should be checked before the cold weather sets in. This includes brake fluid, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze. At Guaranty, all these fluids are checked routinely when you bring your vehicle in for an oil change (LOF). Hot weather in the summer causes fluids to evaporate, hoses, seals, gaskets and other connections to leak. In addition, it's a good idea to get a cooling system flush and be certain the ideal antifreeze is in your vehicle, based on manufacturer's recommendation (see your owners manual). It is recommended that your coolant be flushed every two years (unless using an extended-life coolant in many newer vehicles) and fall is a great time to do it. Lastly, switching to a synthetic oil during cold weather will help your vehicle operate more efficiently and will also make it easier to start in extremely cold weather. Back to top Belts, Hoses: Belts and hoses, thermostats and clamps should be inspected for damage and wear as well as functionality. Replacing worn or damaged parts now before the cold weather comes will keep you on the road and out of the shop with these repairs which could lead to more costly repairs down the road. Also beware of the 'quickie' change shops and have your belts, hoses and filters inspected by a Guaranty Auto ASE Certified Technician. We promise we won't try to replace something that doesn't need to be! Back to top Brakes: Few things are more fundamental to your vehicle's safety than a fully functioning brake system, especially in winter where New England roads can be slippery with snow, ice and black ice. Common signs of wear include a low or 'spongy' pedal, brake warning lights and continuous squeals and grinding sounds. Avoiding brake repair can be very dangerous and will eventually cost more to fix later if ignored. Back to top Windshield Wipers: You should be scrutinizing your wiper blades every time you fill your gas tank actually. If the rubber is ragged or brittle they should be replaced. Hot, prolonged high temperatures in the summer can actually cause the rubber to melt and attach to the windshield. Additionally, sleet and snow can Cold Back to top Lights and Signals: Don't get caught in the dark this winter. Check and test your headlights, brake lights, tail lights, directionals and emergency flashers. Replace any weak, damaged or non-functioning bulbs. Also make sure your headlights are aimed correctly for maximum visibility. Back to top Keep a Winter Emergency Kit with the Following Items in your vehicle: Jumper Cables Blanket Extra gloves/mittens Water Kitty Litter or Sand A Shovel High Energy Snack Bars Flashlight Roadside Warning Devices (such as reflective triangles) First Aid Kit Duct or Electrical Tape Cell Phone Ice Scraper & Snow Brush Also, if traveling alone whether daytime or night time, it's always a good idea to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to leave and arrive as well as the route you expect you'll travel. At Guaranty Auto, YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST. We accept: Personal Checks are Accepted only from Established Customers (at the authorization of the owner only.) Labor Rate: $67.00 per hour f Please note that there is a fee if we disassemble / reassemble parts during diagnosis at your request and the repair is not authorized.