Have You Checked Your Air Filter Lately?

       While doing a routine oil change we found that a bird had flew up in a customer's air vent and landed just under the air filter. Our oil changes here at Rick's Auto consists of changing the oil and oil filter and, we lube all fittings on steering linkage, ball joints & drive shaft(s); we check and correct all fluid levels to include brake fluid; power steering fluid, coolant, battery acid (unless a sealed battery, automatic transmission fluid. Check tire pressure an and install "Next Service Due" sticker. This was quite a surprise and a first in 35 years to see an actual bird in the air filter compartment.

Purpose

Air filters allow as much air as possible to enter the engine while collecting anything that will damage the engine.This part is actually quite a bit more complicated than it may sound. The engine produces a vacuum that pulls it's suction through the air filters tiny holes.

Function

A air filter is like a net (in the picture above we caught a bird). In reality, the air filter's holes would only be big enough to pass the individual oxygen particles through, holding back anything not required for combustion. Oxygen atoms are physically smaller then the nitrogen atoms (which amount to seventy-eight percent of our planet's atosphere by volume). Both are far smaller than any dust particulate which is the main area of concern regarding the safety of your motor.

Materials

Filters are manufactured using several different materials. The most common is dry paper or cotton gauze, but other well-known options include foam and oil-impregnated cotton. Foam filters typically flow very well, but aren't very durable. The oil-impregnated cotton filters helps dust particles to stick to the fibers, meaning that the holes can be larger to flow for better increased air flow. Most aftermarket performance filters are of this type.

Overall

Get your air filter checked at Rick's Auto in Forestville and we will evaluate your intake and air flow to see how your exact vehicle's engine is operating at it's max performance. Furthermore, if somehow we can recommend a better air filter for your engine to maximize fuel efficiency and gas mileage we can do so at this time.

Rick's Complete Automotive Repair: 6560 Railroad Ave. Forestville, C.A. 95436 (707-887-1641) www.ricksauto.blogspot.com

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How Timing Belt Replacement Works

Have you ever heard a band where the trumpets play off-beat, the cymbals slam into each other and the saxophone player simply drops the ball on his job. This is what could happen if the drummer of a band, the keeper of tempo, went missing. In the world of automotive maintenance, visualizing this scenario can help illustrate the timing belt's role and what can go wrong without routine replacement around the 60K-100K mile zone.

The timing belt is a synthetic rubber compound, which is reinforced with fiber cords, and in the car maintenance world much like a drummer of a band -- the timing belt keeps everything in the engine in sync. When the engine is on, it's in constant, timed motion, thanks to the belt, the connection between the crankshaft and camshaft allows the engine to run at it's best.

So is this important to replace? Well, the crankshaft converts linear energy from the pistons, which move up and down, into rotational energy that eventually turns the wheels. The camshaft opens and closes the engine's valves to allow air and gas in and out of the engine. The timing belt links the two in harmony. Without it, the pistons and valves would collide and your engine would stop running leaving you on the side of the road.

Obviously, this is bad news for vehicle maintenance as this internal collision can cause destruction fair amount of engine damage. Therefore, it's important to stay ahead of your belt's lifespan -- traditionally replacing it every four years or 60,000 miles (96,561 kilometers) or, in newer vehicles, every 100,000 miles (160,934 kilometers). Be sure to check your vehicle's maintenance manual to see what your car or truck's manufacturer suggests.

So we've all accepted the timing belt's importance, but that doesn't mean you have to spend your days worrying that your belt will force you to pay a large maintenance bill. Instead, you can act as the band director and keep that timing belt in check by watching its wear and arming yourself with the knowledge to replace it.

A typical timing belt job can eat your pocket book between $400-$800 depending on the vehicle but having maintenance done on your vehicle can extend it's life being reasonably cheaper then a new car.

Contact us here at Rick's Complete Automotive 707-887-1641 or stop by the shop located at 6560 Railroad Ave. Forestville, CA 95436 and we'll take a look at your belt to see how worn it is.

www.ricksauto.blogspot.com

The History of Rick's Auto Race Team

 During the many year Rick's Auto has been in business Rick Tacla used to Race at Petaluma Speedway with his own race car and team for recreational activity. Here are some of the pics from the race team and car that represented Rick's Auto in Forestville, California. Thanks everyone for the memories and hard work!!

These pictures were taken as part of Rick's Auto Race Team in the early 80's. The race car was built at the shop and maintained throughout his race career with various team members. Thanks again to all the sponsors! 

Rick's Complete Automotive

6560 Railroad Ave. 

Forestville, CA 95436

(707)887-1641

Celebrating 35 years in Business!

           Rick's Complete Automotive in Located at 6560 Railroad Ave. Forestville, CA 95436 
                                                     707-887-1641 OR 707-887-2281

 Celebrating 35 years in business!

Owner Rick Tacla has built this small business located in Forestville California's first Fire Department building into a long lasting referral based company well-known in the West Sonoma County area.

Rick started out his career help customers by pumping gas as a teen in Forestville, CA and now has built a stable company surviving the tests of time within an economy that has had it's share of ups and downs. Rick's Auto located in the small town of Forestville, California was established in 1978 and strives to support the local community with thier auto repair needs. 

Rick Tacla, a family man married to Diana Tacla (an RN at Kaiser) had three boys, the oldest son Craig Tacla is teaching at Sacramento State University in the Physical Education Department and his middle son, Devin Tacla is working in the Sports Training Facility for California State University, Chico. His youngest son, Keith Tacla is helping Operations with Rick's Auto in Forestville using his Business Degree given to him for California State University, San Marcos to move the business forward into the next generation.

Rick after recently retiring from coaching El Molino varsity baseball for 30 years decide to shut it down and play more golf with friends and family while only coming into the shop a couple of times a week to support operations. He was born and raised in Sonoma County, California and has lived here his whole life.

The "Honest Approach" he has given his customers throughout the years has kept his doors open and customers know they can trust Rick to repair ONLY what is needed on their vehicles.  Loyal customers have come from all over Northern California to bring their auto repair needs to Rick's Auto in Forestville spanning from all the way north of Fort Ross, CA to the South Bay Area. 

Finally, with this well-known track record he continues to support his community through donations and involvement within Sonoma County non-profit organizations.

Come on by and give this business a chance to exceed your expectations with all your automotive repair needs. 

Income protection insurance

Income protection insurance

BLOG INSURANCE Income protection insurance

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Because, the cheapest car insurance is designed for the car driver or truck drivers. In the most of the cases, the income security comes handy for the unemployed truck drivers who may become unemployed due to the accident of sickness. If the individuals pay the premiums, then the premiums does not come under the tax relief whereas, if the premiums are paid by the employers, then these premiums comes under the tax relief regime. The deferred period of the income insurance policy is very much crucial for the policyholder and the insurance company. The deferred period of the insurance policy is the main determinant of the insurance policy cost. The cheapest car insurance is very much suitable for the car industry. Because it not only cover the driver’s insurance but also the full insurance cover of the car owner.

This cheapest car insurance actually, depends on the criteria of the car owner and its passengers. If the owner comes from the higher up society then the insurance premium will be high and will get the maximum benefits from it. The insurance policy holder may increase the value of the premiums at any time if it requires. Even, the policyholder of the cheapest car insurance can request the insurance company to review it, if the policyholder has any doubt about its benefits and services. The policyholder of the cheapest car insurance is pleased with the insurance company’s service, and then the policyholder can renew the insurance policy. Therefore, the income insurance is not only giving the benefits to the policyholders itself rather it also giving the benefits to the society.