The Cheat Sheet

Coolant or antifreeze? Oil or lube? Do you know what your fluids are? Truth is, many people are unsure about which fluids go where and what exactly they do which could be detremental if one ever gets stranded. It is always good to know the difference in your fluids because knowledge can make all the difference in emergency situations.

Oil: Motor oil is derived from crude oil and mixed with specially formulated additives to lubricate the engine and reduce friction of the moving parts. Which brand to use? It depends on buyer preference, price set, performance standard, and engine size. The various types of motor oil can be difficult to maneuver and choose, which is why we recommend asking a automotive specialist based on your vehicle.

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF): Obviously, automatic and manual transmission are different so they require different lubrication as well. With an automatic, the fluid level will rarely be low as this is a sealed system requiring little maintenance. If your fluid is low, you may have a leak in the system or a crack somewhere. Clean and "healthy" ATF should be very dark almost black. If you see stains in your driveway of a reddish color, call an automotive specialist as soon as possible. A manual transmission is a little more labor intensive and requires additional autmotive knowledge.

Coolant: AKA Antifreeze. Many people confuse the two for seperate things, but they are both used to cool the engine compartment. Most common colors of coolant are green and red, but can vary based on manufacturer. Coolant works to keep the engine from overheating with a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant. This specially formulated fluid keeps heat from the engine and transfers it to the radiator to prevent the engine from overheating. Coolant is extremely toxic to humans and animals alike. If you plan on keeping your own supply around, keep it in a secured and locked cabinet.

Power Steering Fluid: This fluid makes manuevering the vehicle much easier. If this is low, you will notice right away as your steering wheel will be difficult to bring back to "center" after a turn. The fluid is usually red and can sometimes be interchanged with ATF.

Brake Fluid: A vital part of stopping your car, the brake fluid transfers pressure from the internal pedal to the external pads. You will know when you need to fill your brake fluid because your pedal will begin to get "mushy" and sink closer to the floor than normal.

We advise our customers to have these fluids checked and filled by a automotive repair professional as some of these fluids are toxic and need to be recycled and handled properly. If you are experiencing any of these problems, call today to make an appointment at 559-292-2028.

KISS Country Concert Winner

Congratulations to our KISS Country Summer Concert tickets winner Theresa & Garry Eurich! They won two exclusive tickets to see Joe Nichols, Scotty McCreery, and more next Thursday at Woodward Park.

All they did was enter into our Facebook contest and viola!

"Like" us on Facebook for an opportunity to enter for our various sweepstakes and maybe you could go to a free concert too!

We Love Our Pet Customers!

We love our pet customers who stop by to see us (with their owners of course!) We love animals!

Summer Concert in the Park!

We are raffling away 2 tickets to the KISS Country Summer Concert Series! This event is the 3rd show of the summer and has already sold out, matching the attendance of the previous two. But not to worry! Auto House of Clovis has 2 tickets reserved for the taking! The concert features big name artists such as Joe Nichols and American Idol winner Scotty McCreery along with some local country inspired groups. The event is on Thursday July, 19th at 6:45 PM at the scenic Woodward Park in the Rotary Ampitheater. This concert has been named one of the best events at the best price. Don't miss out on your opportunity to see some great performers right here in the valley!

Enter here


We've added some videos to inspire your attendance!

Father's Day 2012

Father's Day is this Sunday, June 17th, what are you getting your dad? All dads are different so what to get? Golf balls? Beer mugs? Yeah but what does Dad really want? Why not get him something he can use all year round on his beloved car? This father's day we will be sending out to a select few father's day coupons for $10, $15, $20, maybe even $50 off any repair from Auto House of Clovis, Inc.! Want in on this offer? Message us on Facebook with your email address to be entered in our contact list.

Happy Father's Day everyone!

Summer & Gas Mileage

 Many people are unaware of the harmful affects the summer heat can have on their vehicle let alone their wallets. Now that we are getting into the middle of summer and vacation season, we want to inform our readers to 'prepare for the sun' to avoid any mishaps while on the road this summer.

Rule 1:Direct Sun. Try to avoid leaving your car in the direct sun for extended periods of time. Not only does the interior get extremely hot, but the sun can also fade and crack your dashboard, upholstery, and melt other internal components like stereo knobs.

Rule 2: Safety Check. Extreme heat and long drives can be lethal to cars- new and old. Cracked hoses, leaky radiators, under inflated tires, and dirty filters are all signs of wear and can significantly reduce fuel mileage. Be sure to have a certified mechanic inspect your vehicle before a long drive to ensure the safety of you and your passengers.

Rule 3: Antifreeze. The key to keeping your vehicle running smoothly during the summer months is keeping the engine cool. Various belts and hoses that make this function possible are very susceptible to cracking under heat and will definitely leave you stranded. Sitting in traffic on a hot day is the quickest way to overheat your car. Cars are designed to run hot but there's a limit to how long they can run. If an engine is allowed to get too hot, the internal components can melt and fuse together and create a mess of problems. Luckily, most modern vehicles have antifreeze systems to keep the car running at a working temperature. This component is very important and any problems- missing radiator cap, leaky radiator, cracked belts, etc. will cause your engine to overheat.

Rule 4: Battery. Hot weather is tough on your battery. Heat speeds up the chemical reaction inside the battery, causing the battery to overcharge and dramatically reducing the life of your battery. Heat can also damage the battery by evaporating internal battery fluid, giving you a dead battery.

Rule 5: Air Conditioning. The most common cause of an air conditioning problem is the lack of refrigerant in the system. This is usually caused by a leak in the system. Back in 1994, the Federal government banned the use of Freon (R-12), a chemical that is dangerous to the environment. Most of the consumers of Freon had internal leaks which pumped nothing but Freon into the environment. If your car was built before 1994, then you need to have your refrigerant inspected by a professional who knows how to legally recycle Freon. In some states, its illegal to refill a leaky system with R-12. However, even older cars can be retrofitted to use the newer, safer type of refrigerant called R-134a.

Of course, all of these issue are addressed in our 25 point safety inspection that we give complimentary to our customers who request oil changes. Beat the heat this summer and be proactive.

Call us today at 559-292-2028 to make an appointment or get an estimate.

HowStuffWorks. Web. 05 June 2012. <http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/summer-car-maintenance10.htm>.

Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day is a day to remember all that this nation has accomplished as one of the largest super powers of the world. Whether you agree or disagree with the principles of our past does not supersede the collective need to bring our troops home and back into their families arms. Memorial Day is a unique occasion because within its 24 hour period, it summons reflection on the last 250+ years of rich American history and those who have fought and fallen in war.

It is those who have put the call of duty before themselves that are responsible for our everyday freedoms. Those who look into the face of death and charge head on into the unknown and are ambivalent if they come out on the other end. It is the mothers and fathers, wives and husbands of the soldiers that never returned that have also paid the highest price.

Memorial Day is a bittersweet remembrance of all of the American milestones and the turbulence along the way. Those who have visited the nation's historical sites have felt the deep patriotic passion for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country. The 400,000 soldiers carved among the thousands of solid white stones, the 58,272 soldiers engraved in granite, the names in the halls of Pearl Harbor, along with all of the war memorials across the country all fortified for generations and generations to reflect on each and every Memorial Day.

The following video is a collaboration of our American history produced to illicit pride and rememberance.