Automotive Industry News & Information - Jim Van Dyke's Automotive Center

A light on the dash that doesn't say - washer fluid is low immediately panics you right? It can happen when you don't keep up with standard maintenance and with older vehicles you see it due to the age of the vehicle, however here at Jim Van Dyke in Washington CH we like to keep you driving happy and listening to your favorite songs or talking to friends and family worry-free! Here are some quick tips and hard lines in the sand that you do not need to ignore.

FIRST TIP: Do not ignore a warning light. However, first line of defense is to stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe and then turn the engine off - wait a few minutes then turn it back on. If the light is still there - get your manual out to see what the light means (or Google it).

We all love the sunshine but getting into that HOT car isn't always so wonderful even when you have remote start it will take the breathe out of you when the temperatures are soaring. Makes you want to pack your lunch instead of meeting friends for lunch! We decided that you should meet friends for lunch! So we got together and found some quick ideas for you. It isn't much but enjoy the sunshine on us here at Jim Van Dyke here in Washington CH! Call it our fun day fact!

Easiest Fix By Far......Sunshade. Buy one for the front window and they how have them available for the sides and back windows! It reflects the sun's rays away from the interior of your car or truck keeping the heat level down and bonus feature is that it will help keep your interior looking great longer so you will stay in love with your car or truck longer "plus" it is easy to pack away in seconds out of sight!

Awesome group of guys that will take great care of you. - Justin M.

We are pleased to announce that our shop is able to provide re manufactured engines for the Toyota 1GR-FE gas engine line through our JASPER Engine partnership! This 4.0L, Dual OHC, Single VVT, V6 engine, is available for the following Toyota applications: 2003-2015 (4Runner | Tacoma | FJ Cruiser | Tundra).

I was traveling to Dayton for the Hamvention and had the misfortune of a flashing check engine light and misfiring. While staying in Jeffersonville, I searched for auto service places and saw Jim Van Dyke's Automotive & Tire Center had great reviews, so I decided to give them a shot. My experience was as follows: I arrived around 8:00 AM. Mr and Mrs Van Dyke were very welcoming to me and this was the first time they ever saw me. I explained my issue while on the road and said I am not the mechanic, but think it's a bad coil. Shawn, who was behind the counter and very friendly, took all the needed information so that Brad could fix my vehicle. Mrs. Van Dyke offered me a Pepsi while I waited for my vehicle to get fixed, which took the awful taste out of my mouth from the hotel's continental breakfast watered down orange juice. Within a relatively short period of time, Brad sat down with me and explained he figured out the issue was a bad spark plug. I was very delighted to hear the repair would end up costing much less than replacing a coil. Brad even advised me about the inferior brand of spark plugs currently in my vehicle. Keep in mind, readers, that this shop could easily have replaced the bad spark plug and said you were right John, it was a bad coil and charged me hundreds of dollars. Instead, they took the honest route and charged me for the work they actually performed. I will be telling all of my Ham Radio friends and posting on other Ham radio sites that if they are driving to Hamvention next year and run into car trouble to contact Jim Van Dyke's Automotive &Tire Center as they provided this stranger from Pittsburgh with Superior Service! Thank you again for taking care of me during a time when I felt helpless. - John H.

I have done business with Jim and his team for years, great, friendly people and the highest quality service in town. - Jacob C.

There seems to be a common misconception among many that if you have an aftermarket/extended warranty, that your car, truck, SUV or Jeep must be taken to a dealership. This is not true. Non-dealership / Independent Automotive repair shops can service and repair your new or UNDER WARRANTY/EXTENDED WARRANTY. As a positive, at our shop you can get fast service and work with highly trained technicians! We'd love to take care of your vehicle for you and can do so right here at our automotive shop. Repairs by highly rated and trained automotive technicians with dealer rated diagnostic tools, at BETTER PRICING by a shop that knows you!

There seems to be a common misconception among many that if you have an aftermarket/extended warranty, that your car, truck, SUV, or Jeep must be taken to a dealership. This is not true. Non-dealership / Independent Automotive repair shops can service and repair your new or UNDER WARRANTY/EXTENDED WARRANTY. As a positive, at our shop, you can get fast service and work with highly trained technicians! We'd love to take care of your vehicle for you and can do so right here at our automotive shop. Repairs by highly rated and trained automotive technicians with dealer rated diagnostic tools, at BETTER PRICING by a shop that knows you!

It is a law that independent automotive repair shops can maintain and service your warranty. All consumers are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It prohibits a manufacturer from voiding the new vehicle's warranty or a vehicle's extended warranty because service was performed by a Non-Dealer/Independent Repair shop.

Per the FTC, “It's illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had warranty work or routine maintenance or repairs performed by our automotive shop. Routine maintenance can include anything from oil changes, tire rotations and belt replacement, to fluid checks, flushes, new brake pads, and inspections.” It is also important to note that the “Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act makes it illegal for a company to void your warranty or deny coverage under the warranty for the simple cause that you used an aftermarket or recycled part.”

One of the major perks of bringing your vehicle to an independent repair shop is the ability to make your money go further. Many times, warranties will have a limit or a deductible. Our goal is to make your warranty work for you.

Lastly, If you are on the fence about whether or not to purchase an AFTERMARKET or EXTENDED warranty. We suggest opening a savings account for your car and putting back money for possible breakdowns. While warranties are great the limitations can sometimes outweigh the benefits.

Whichever option you may choose we will be there for you every step of the way! We look forward to taking care of your new or under extended/aftermarket warranty, car, truck, SUV, or Jeep right here. Give us a call today!