Two Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint on the Road

In honor of Earth Day, we at JA Autowerks wanted to share some helpful tips on how to limit your carbon footprint on the road, without driving a hybrid. Not only will these tips help the environment, but they will ensure that your European ride is running at optimal performance. 

Here’s how: 

Tip #1: Keep that CEL (Check Engine Light) off! 

Did you know that your Check Engine Light not only causes a rough running car, but it also has a negative effect on the environment? While our cars naturally produce emission gases, which are a by-product of gasoline engine combustion, our vehicles will produce more of these harmful gasses when your CEL is on. Of the many molecules and compounds coming out of the tail pipe, here are the three primary emissions you should know of: 

• Hydrocarbons (HC): This is un-burnt fuel caused by misfires. HC's smell like raw gas out the tailpipe. Excessive exposure to HC’s usually cause eye and respiratory irritations and help with the creation of smog.
• Carbon Monoxide (CO): A normal byproduct of combustion, high CO is usually indicated by a strong rotten egg smell. High exposer can lead to negative health effects and possible death.  CO occurs when the atmosphere reacts with hydroxyl radical and forms the stronger greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.
• Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx): This is an odorless gas that is also a normal byproduct of combustion, but high NOx’s react to form smog, acid rain and fine particles (PM) and ground ozone, with can cause adverse health effects. 

CEL On? Can you smell that smell? Call us today to speak with one our of qualified automotive repair professionals to schedule an appointment. We’ll get that light off and get you driving back on the road with a greener running car! 

Tip #2: Keep it Cool & Environmentally Cautious. 

As the weather warms up, we want our cars to cool down, but it’s only cool if your air conditioning is working correctly. Commonly, when we experience weak air conditioning its due to a freon leak, which is really not cool for our environment. While we have made some great progress in the automotive world to improve the way we keep our vehicles at a comfortable temp, it’s important to understand how refrigerants can negatively impact our natural world and why we need to keep them in the car. 

Here are the most commonly used refrigerants in the automotive Industry:

• R12, aka Freon-12: This was used in most vehicles up to year 1995.   R12 or Freon was made with a mixture of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon, aka (CFC), which contributes to ozone depletion.  When R12 leaks out of an A/C system, it is bad for the environment! Thanks to the Montreal Protocol, effective in 1989, most CFCs that depleted the Ozone Layer were phased out by the late 1990’s, including R12.  Most vehicles originally equipped with Freon have been retrofitted with R134a refrigerant.
• R134a: The automotive replacement for R12 was R134a refrigerant. Auto manufacturers began using R134a in the mid 1990’s and it is still used today by most manufacturers.  R134a is made with a mixture of hydrogen, fluorine and carbon, aka HFC, which does not deplete the ozone but is found to be a “Super Greenhouse Gas”; when R134a is leaked into the atmosphere it has 1500 times more greenhouse potential than carbon dioxide (CO2).
• HFO: The future of automotive refrigerants will be HFO, unsaturated organic compounds of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon and maybe in the far future CO2, carbon dioxide.  The current HFO refrigerants the auto industry is using is 1234YF .  Beginning in 2013, auto manufacturers began using 1234YF in some of their fleets and will continue to phase out R134a in years to come.  The reason is 1234yf ’s greenhouse potential is only four times higher than carbon dioxide, compared to R134a at 1500 time higher. 1234YF also has zero ozone depletion potential.  The only issue with these HFO refrigerants is the cost.  To service and recharge an HFO system cost 5 to 6 times more than the R134a systems.

Is your A/C blowing warm? Call us today to receive our Air Condition Service Special.  Offer expires 05/19/2017

Not only does our team want you to reduce your carbon footprint, but we are taking action as well. This month JA Autowerks will be donating 2% of all repair sales made by April 30th 2017 to EarthDay.org, because we need a beautiful world to experience behind the wheel!

6 European Auto Safety Tips You Should Know

Did you know that American drivers spend an average of more than 17,600 minutes behind the wheel each year? That’s equivalent to seven 40-hour weeks at the office - you heard us right! 

Whether you are commuting to and from the office, driving the kids to soccer practice, or planning a fun family road-trip, your car safety should be of the utmost importance. 

Knowing the open road will be calling your name when the spring season arrives, our new Service Advisor, Jeff Cooper at JA Autowerks recommend the following six tips for all European car drivers to follow:

1. Check Fluid Levels - At least once a month, be sure to check all of your fluid levels with your car on level ground. You want to address your engine oil, coolant (anti-freeze), power steering fluid, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid. Using the proper OEM fluids for top offs are important because the wrong fluids can and do lead to expensive repairs down the road.  Whenever you are in doubt, feel free to reach out to us and we can make sure you that you know the right fluid to use.
2. Proper Tire Pressure: Check your tire pressure every month to keep you safely on the road during a variety of weather conditions. Use the inflation pressure recommended by your Euro vehicle’s manufacturer found on the inside of your door panel or inside your fuel door. 
3. Fresh Wiper Blades: A clear, unobstructed view of the road is the main factor in your driving decisions. Make sure your car’s wipers provide you with the cleanest windshield possible - and don’t forget the wiper fluid!
4. Technology Savvy: While all of the technological advancements have enhanced the way we travel in our cars, it is crucial to understand how your in-car user interface works. Take the time to read through your owner’s manual and get acclimated with your media system before you hit the road to prevent distractions. Need a little help? Our factory trained technicians can walk you through all the functions of your in-car interface at the shop - just give us a call to set an appointment!
5. Listen To Your Car: Do you hear an abnormal grinding or chatters? Is there a weird vibration? If so, your car is letting you know it is having some problems. Schedule a multi-point inspection and get those checked early to prevent a future breakdown.
6. Plan Ahead: Just like looking at the weather to know what to pack in your suitcase, you should always plan ahead before a trip. A simple safety inspection by your favorite mechanic will save you time, money and a lot of hassle down the road. 

Getting ready to put the pedal to the medal? Contact JA Autowerks for a complimentary multi-point inspection today. Call (732) 268-7381 or visit www.JAAutowerks.com to schedule an appointment and be ready for your next adventure on the road!