Tire Care Basics - simple way to improve safety, improved fuel economy and better handling characteristics....

Tires can lose 1 psi (pounds per square inch) per month under normal driving conditions. Additionally tires can lose 1 psi for every 10 degrees temperature drop...

10 months - net effect can mean your tires are 10lbs low....not good!

Low pressure increases heat dramatically....This can be a good reason for unexplained blow outs, with a perfectly good tire....I think you get the picture.

Buy a good tire gauge and take control. Consult the manufacturers recommended inflation chart and adjust as necessary. Check tire pressures cold not hot.

Most people have know idea how to check tread depth. Place a penny in the tire tread groove. if you can see Lincolns head, replace the tire....

Some vehicles (especially Mercedes) have inner tire wear that is very difficult to see....Do not assume your tires are good by only looking at 1/2 the tread face.

Hope these tips are useful

Happy Driving

Holland Car Care is proud to introduce Chris Kapa our new service adviser. She has a degree in automotive technology and brings a wealth of Mercedes Benz experience with her. Please stop by and meet Chris...

Well, winter is arriving and it is time to make sure your car is safe. We will make sure your tires will get you through this potentially wet and slippery season. It is also important to have your battery load tested and serviced. Batteries will fail without notice when the temperature drops, especially when they are 3-5 years old (fact not fiction).Remember that in bad weather, the tendency is to crank up the heater, interior fan, rear window defroster all of which demands more performance from the alternator, which must keep up with the electrical draw demand. My point; we will simulate this condition and make sure your charging system is up to speed, before you launch into the sierras.....
It also might be a good time to replace your wiper blades that are probably hard as a rock and may not work very well. Have a great holiday season!

This past month has been an emotional roller coaster for most of us. Many of our clients have decided to delay a new car purchase and keep there present vehicles.
The result for us is that we are attracting a new, very educated and tech.savvy group of people that are simply tired of high prices and poor service. Great for us!

Remember that today's cars unlike vehicles of the past, last a lot longer if maintained properly. Engines can last indefinitely if serviced at intervals and not overheated. The mentality of the past was turn it in for a new one if the mileage was over a 100,000.

We can set up a realistic maintenance schedule for you and defer items that can wait. Need advise? Give us a call....650-344-8815

As a consumer in search of a new repair facility or an alternative to the franchised dealerships, your main objectives should be to make sure that you are dealing with true professionals. Here is a check list to follow:

How long in business?
level of product knowledge - look for specialists -
Type of diagnostic equipment - there is no substitute for factory test equipment
Trust & Integrity - obvious - check consumer ratings - Yelp.com - bay area check
Parts - original replacement parts only! Especially brake components
Technicians - ask what their backgrounds are and if they are certified masters?

Todays vehicle are just too complex for most general auto repair shops to handle. Years ago, a good mechanic could fix anything. Those days are gone and no longer possible without product knowledge,access to factory bulletins, proper diagnostics and a very high degree of experience.

Even if you don't choose us, I hope that this check list will help you avoid a bad experience.