The Camarillo area has seen a spike in thefts of Catalytic Converters from underneath of cars.  Catalytic Converters are an essential component in vehicles to prevent engine exhaust gasses from polluting the environment.  These components contain precious metals that fetch high prices when recycled.  Many contain platinum that can bring more than $1,000 per ounce.
The theft of catalytic converters is easy because removal is often as simple as removing a few bolts.  The thieves can conceal their actions because the converters are underneath of the car.

Very High Replacement Costs

Some vehicle makes and models are bigger targets because of the value of the catalytic converter and the ease of removal.  For example, currently Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra and Toyota Sequoia are very common targets.  To replace a catalytic converter can cost as much as $1500 to $2500.

Here’s How Camarillo Car Care is Helping You Deter a Theft in Your Vehicle

We’ve been in communication with the Camarillo Police Department on the topic.  With their guidance, we have started a program that will make the theft of your catalytic converter much less likely.  The service is free and must be scheduled.  The service involves two parts.
First, we engrave your license plate number into the catalytic converter.  This will help police connect your vehicle to your catalytic converter.  Also, an engraved license number acts as a deterrent to theft because the thief knows they will have trouble selling it on the black market.
Second, we will paint with high-temperature paint, in large lettering , the word POLICE.  When a thief slides under a car to steal the catalytic converter and sees the word POLICE, they will move on to the next vehicle.

Additional Help We Provide

For vehicles with catalytic converters that can easily be unbolted, we offer a low-fee service.  For a small charge (probably around $40) we can add tack welds to the mounting surface on your converter.  The thief may still be able to remove the bolts, but they won’t be able to remove the converter without using a grinder or a torch.
Of course, for vehicles that have experienced a theft, we provide the service to replace them for you.  Additionally, we will perform this extra service of tack welding at no additional charge so you can prevent the problem in the future.

Please call to schedule an appointment.

These services are while-you-wait services.  Additionally, if you are a current Camarillo Car Care customer, and you would like to have this service performed, please ask your service advisor on your next visit.

Help Troubleshoot Your Vehicle With This Vehicle Sounds Chart

As you drive your vehicle be aware of its operating characteristics and normal sounds from the engine, transmission, driveline, exhaust system and tires.  Excessively loud or abnormal sounds fall into the category of “noises.”  They can be very helpful to service technicians when diagnosing the cause of a problem.  The following definitions of common noises are provided to assist you in completing the diagnostic worksheet:

• Boom:  Rhythms sound like a drum roll or distant thunder.  May cause pressure on ear drum.
• Buzz: Low pitched sound, something like a bee.  Usually associated with vibrations.
• Chatter:  Rapidly repeating metallic sound.
• Chuckle: Rapid noise that sounds like a stick against spokes of a spinning bicycle wheel.
• Chirp: High-pitched rapidly repeating sound like chirping birds.
• Click: Light sound like a ball point pen being clicked.
• Clunk/Thump: Heavy metal-to-metal sound, like a hammer striking steel.
• Grind: Abrasive sound, like a grinding wheel or sandpaper rubbing against wood.
• Groan/Moan: Continuous, low-pitched humming sound.
• Growl/Howl: Low, guttural sound like an angry dog.
• Hiss: Continuous sound like air escaping from a balloon.
• Hum: Continuous sound of varying frequencies like a humming in the wind.
• Knock:  heavy, loud, repeating sound like a knock on the door.
• Ping:  Similar to knock except at a higher frequency.
• Rattle: A sound suggesting looseness, such as marbles rolling around in a can.
• Roar: Deep, long, prolonged sound like an animal or winds and ocean waves.
• Rumble:  Low, heavy continuous sound like that made by wagons or thunder.
• Squeak:  High-pitched sound like rubbing a clean window.
• Squeal:  Continuous, high pitched sound like running finger nails across a chalkboard.
• Tap: Light, hammering sound like tapping pencil on the edge of a table.  May be rhythmic or intermittent.
• Whir/Whine: high-pitched buzzing sound like an electric motor or drill.
• Whistle:  Sharp, shrill sound like wind passing through a small opening.

The leading cause of death for children ages 3 and older

The greatest threat children face today is motor vehicle crashes. While walking, cycling, or as a passenger in a motor vehicle, these crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages three and older. As a community, we need to work together to create safer school zones for our kids during the school season and all year round.

Camarillo Car Care, a AAA approved auto repair facility for the past 25 years, and The Auto Club are proud to support the “Schools Open-Drive Carefully” safety campaign. This campaign is part of the national AAA Traffic Safety Program designed to inform and raise visibility of the increased hazards children face when driving or walking to or from school or school bus stops.

Camarillo Car Care and The Auto Club encourage motorists to follow these safety tips:

• Slow down near schools and in residential areas.
• Look for clues such as bicycles, crossing guards and playgrounds that indicate children could be in the area.
• Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs of children.
• Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students.
• It is illegal to pass a school bus when its red lights are flashing.

Some tips for parents:

• Load and unload children on the same side of the street as the school or school bus stop. Have children exit from curb side doors.
• Carpool to reduce the number of cars at the school or bus stop.
• Request school officials set up a pick up and drop off area.
• If your child walks to school, walk the route with them several times. Use these walks to point out traffic hazards, teach and practice safe walking habits and find the safest walking route.
• Do not double park, stop on crosswalks or block visibility for children or other motorists.

Maximize your gas mileage with these  helpful tips

With the price of gasoline today, the subject of fuel economy has become more important.  Here at Camarillo Car Care, we have made a checklist of a few of the most important factors in maximizing your MPG’s.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call our staff.  Enjoy.

Also, you’ll probably be surprised at how many miles you can drive for $1.00 of gas today.  Check out these calculators.

• Maintain proper air pressure in your tires: Think of how much harder a bicycle is to pedal with low tire pressure. Well, your car has to work harder when its tires are lower too. Of course when it works harder to go the same distance, it uses more gas. Proper tire pressure can improve your mileage by up to 3%.
• Regularly check and replace dirty air filters: An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a “rich” fuel mixture. This means too much fuel is burned for the amount of air. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%.
• Keep your car’s engine properly tuned: A well tuned engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy. Having your tune-up components such as spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, etc. replaced when needed can improve gas mileage by as much as 4%.
• Don’t be an aggressive driver: Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33% on the highway and 5% on city streets.
• Avoid excessive idling: Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient. You can use more gas by idling for one minute than you would by turning off the engine then restarting it a minute later.
• Observe the speed limit: Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each mpg driven over 60 will result in an additional 10 cents per gallon. To maintain a constant speed on the highway, cruise control is recommended.
• Combining errands into one trip saves gas and time: Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multi-purpose trip covering the same distance.
• Avoid carrying unneeded heavy items in the trunk: An extra 100 pounds can cut fuel efficiency by a percent or two.
• All of the above. One of these tips can help increase your mileage. When you use many or all of them, you can significantly increase your mileage and save.