
Archive for May 2025Things Aren't Always What They SeemPosted May 25, 2025 3:56 AMIf you drive, you know at some point, something's going to go wrong with your vehicle. And sometimes, it's pretty easy to figure out what's wrong, like a flat tire. But sometimes your vehicle's symptoms can be really puzzling. One driver in WV was heading to work on a hot July day and noticed when he pressed the accelerator, sometimes it wouldn't do anything. He also noticed his cruise control wouldn't work and his traction control light was constantly on, very unusual. He was trying to figure it out, but none of it made any sense. His cruise control had always worked perfectly, his traction light never had gone on before and there was never any issue pressing on the accelerator. It was time to take his car in for a professional diagnosis, and boy, was he surprised that it was a freak accident he'd had the previous WINTER that was the root of his problems. You see, in January, his car had slipped on ice when he was in reverse and had gently tapped a tree. That caused a tiny crack in his rear stoplight. That crack had gone unnoticed until that July day. Turns out a summer rain allowed water to seep into the taillight casing, so this time when he drove to work, there was enough moisture inside it to cause his stop light to stick on. When the stop light is on, the car's computer is programmed to act as if the driver is pressing the brakes. It also disables the cruise, accelerator and cruise control when the brakes are on, producing all of the symptoms. Replacing the stop lamp switch fixed everything. So, while some things that go wrong with your vehicle are pretty obvious, many seemingly defy all logic. That's when a trained technician can scope things out, replace the right part and get you going again. Steve & Stacy's Servicenter
130 Virginia Street W
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 343-4611
DOG FOOD IN YOUR ENGINE (Keeping Rodents out of your Engine)Posted May 18, 2025 3:28 AMA technician was telling us the other day that he was servicing an engine and spotted something he'd never seen before: A collection of dry dog food siting on a horizontal metal ledge near the base of the engine. It was neatly stashed and was in a spot where the food pellets couldn't have simply fallen down in there. Even though it's the first time he'd seen dog food in an engine, he immediately knew what was going on. Critters like mice or chipmunks had found the dog food somewhere nearby and had used the engine as a nice storage unit. Mice, squirrels, chipmunks—you name it—like the heat of the engine. And they'll use that to store up supplies of food for use in cold weather when outside food supplies are scarce. The problem is they'll also chew on engine components while they're there. And they can do a lot of damage if they start gnawing on the wires. Depending on how much of your electrical system needs to be replaced, repairs can mount up to the thousands of dollars. Those electrical problems can be tricky to track down, too, because the rodents can get to spots technicians don't have easy access to. Oh, the signs are there; they'll find mouse droppings, acorns… even full mouse nests in your engine. Yikes. OK, but even if you get your vehicle fixed, how do you keep the critters from simply setting up their personal pantry again? Here are some things to try:
The next time you bring your vehicle into Steve & Stacy's Servicenter for maintenance or service, your technician will be on the lookout, too. Hey, the dog food belongs in the dog's dish, not supplying fast food for little critters with razor-sharp teeth that can create electrical system mayhem. Steve & Stacy's Servicenter A Clean Start (Battery Cleaning)Posted May 11, 2025 3:26 AMYour vehicle is loaded with electrical devices. Computerized components are everywhere, so good electrical connections are important. Those begin with your vehicle's battery, so it's important that its connections are in top shape. Ever had a flashlight that didn't work, took out the old batteries to replace them and noticed the old batteries were all corroded? The same thing can happen to your vehicle's battery. The battery type used in most vehicles is a lead-acid, which can be very corrosive. Corrosion can build up around your battery's terminals that can prevent the electrical connection from being as solid as it needs to be. You may have even seen discoloration around your battery's terminals if you look under the hood, a sign of corrosion. Or you might notice visible signs of fraying or loose battery cables. All of your vehicle's components are affected by vibrations from the engine and road surface imperfections, and the battery cables take a lot of jostling every time you drive. Frayed cables won't conduct as much electricity as intact ones. Plus, there's the possibility that a frayed cable may touch a piece of metal in the engine compartment that can cause shorts and other problems. There are some signs to watch out for that might tell you if your battery terminals are corroded or your cables aren't making good contact with them. You might find your vehicle isn't starting as easily as it used to. You also might see the battery warning light illuminated on your dash. That light looks like a rectangle with a "-" and "+" sign inside. Our technicians can make sure your battery and cables are at optimal operating capability with regular service and cleaning. A technician will clean the terminals and portions of the cables that are connected to them. They may also add an anti-corrosion agent to the cables/terminals. Nothing like giving your vehicle a clean start! Steve & Stacy's Servicenter Straight Ahead (Wheel Alignment)Posted May 4, 2025 3:29 AMIf every road was straight and smooth, we wouldn't have to worry much about wheel alignment. But they're not, so we do. Hitting potholes or driving on rough pavement can knock your vehicle out of alignment and you'll notice it in one of several ways. Your steering wheel may not be centered when you're driving straight ahead, or your vehicle may pull to one side. You may find your tires wearing on one side or they may squeal. All are signs that could point to you needing an alignment. Your wheels should be perpendicular to the road and parallel with each other. If not, your tires will wear out faster and your vehicle won't go straight on a level straightaway. In alignment, there are several factors that must be checked. One is camber. Your wheels should be straight up and down if you look at them from the front. If not, you'll wear your tires unevenly on one side. Another factor is caster, the angle of the steering pivot. Most vehicles have what's called positive caster, when the top of the steering pivot leans toward the rear. Proper caster balances steering effort, stability on the highway and cornering. You may have heard the term "toe" in reference to your wheels. If you looked at your front wheels from straight above, for example, imagine your wheels were your feet. If you were to turn your toes in toward each other, that would be toeing in. The toe of your vehicle should be set to manufacturer's specifications so your vehicle handles well and doesn't prematurely wear out tires. It's a good idea to have your alignment checked periodically since it can get knocked out by one hard knock or a lot of little knocks. It's not just about tire wear, it's about ride comfort and safe handling. You may say a vehicle aligned just feels divine.
| ||
SearchArchiveApril 2016 (16)May 2016 (5) June 2016 (4) July 2016 (5) August 2016 (4) September 2016 (4) October 2016 (5) November 2016 (4) December 2016 (4) January 2017 (5) February 2017 (4) March 2017 (4) April 2017 (3) May 2017 (4) June 2017 (5) July 2017 (5) August 2017 (3) September 2017 (3) October 2017 (5) November 2017 (4) December 2017 (3) January 2018 (5) February 2018 (4) March 2018 (4) April 2018 (5) May 2018 (4) June 2018 (4) July 2018 (5) August 2018 (4) September 2018 (5) October 2018 (4) November 2018 (4) December 2018 (5) January 2019 (5) February 2019 (4) March 2019 (4) April 2019 (4) May 2019 (4) June 2019 (5) July 2019 (4) August 2019 (4) September 2019 (5) October 2019 (4) November 2019 (4) December 2019 (5) January 2020 (5) February 2020 (4) March 2020 (5) April 2020 (4) May 2020 (5) June 2020 (4) July 2020 (4) August 2020 (5) September 2020 (3) October 2020 (4) November 2020 (5) December 2020 (4) January 2021 (6) February 2021 (4) March 2021 (4) April 2021 (4) May 2021 (5) June 2021 (4) July 2021 (4) August 2021 (5) September 2021 (4) October 2021 (5) November 2021 (3) December 2021 (4) January 2022 (6) February 2022 (4) March 2022 (4) April 2022 (4) May 2022 (5) June 2022 (4) July 2022 (5) August 2022 (4) September 2022 (4) October 2022 (5) November 2022 (4) December 2022 (4) January 2023 (5) February 2023 (4) March 2023 (4) April 2023 (5) May 2023 (4) June 2023 (4) July 2023 (5) August 2023 (4) September 2023 (4) October 2023 (5) November 2023 (4) December 2023 (5) January 2024 (5) February 2024 (4) March 2024 (5) April 2024 (4) May 2024 (4) June 2024 (5) July 2024 (4) August 2024 (4) September 2024 (5) October 2024 (4) November 2024 (4) December 2024 (5) January 2025 (4) February 2025 (4) March 2025 (5) April 2025 (4) May 2025 (4) June 2025 (5) July 2025 (1) | CategoriesMaintenance (8)Service Intervals (2)Service Standards (2)Steering (6)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (2)Air Conditioning (7)Fuel Economy (4)Fuel System (5)Battery (9)Alignment (7)What Customers Should Know (67)Transmission (3)Brakes (14)Dashboard (1)Headlamps (4)Auto Safety (4)Safety (2)Fluids (6)Alternator (5)Oil Change (8)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (2)Tires and Wheels (4)Cooling System (7)Drive Train (4)Winter Prep (2)Inspection (2)Windshield Wipers (2)Check Engine Light (3)Tires (10)Timing Belt (2)Automotive News (1)Exhaust (9)Winter Tires (1)Older Vehicles (1)Water Pump (2)Wheel Bearings (1)Suspension (2)Transfer Case Service (1)Spark Plugs (2)TPMS (3)Shocks & Struts (1)Brake Service (4)Tire Rotation and Balancing (2)Differential Service (1)Serpentine Belt (1)Shocks and Struts (2)Fuel Filter (1)Engine Air Filter (1)Trip Inspection (1) |
What our clients are saying about us
We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!
Awesome staff! They are so kind and helpful and went out of their way to help me out when I was in a pinch nearby.

I am a repeat customer - went to get my oil changed and they reminded me that I was not yet time! I very much appreciate the honesty and looking out for me!
