Cascading Water is Beautiful but Cascading Auto Repair is Not Cascade is a beautiful sounding word, something that evokes images of a misting waterfall, just the way it sounds as rolls off the tongue when you say it. For some of us, it sparks memories of back packing in the Cascades. I love the memories […]
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Random musings on life, automobiles, automotive service and anything else.
Pre-Purchase Inspection, again Pre…Purchase Inspection. Please.
I feel a little guilty for repeating a subject that I have covered previously. However, I have to tell ya’ll again and again and again. That is, to make sure you get that car inspected before you buy, especially if you are buying from a private party. Before means, prior to paying money, making a deal […]
Oil and Filter Common Sense Maintenance
Maintenance for Life My father insisted that I change oil and filter every 1,500 miles. Seems extreme, most people and the professionals would have recommended about twice that interval, 3,000 miles. Dad was a believer in regular and disciplined maintenance of his cars. Back then, it was common for a car to see an engine […]
DIESEL POWER BIGGER BETTER AND STRONGER
Hallmarks of Diesel power are grunt power, long life and simplicity The modern diesel engine is delivers grunt power like never before and amazing long running life, yes, but simple? No, only for skilled, knowledgeable and experienced professionals. In fact, modern fuel systems are much like the fuel control systems of the latest turbine engines […]
Buying Used Cars or Lemonade without Lemons
I’m asked about how to buy used cars, often, and I try to give good answers to these questions. Most of the questions revolve around how to buy, where, from who and what to expect in a used car. Buying a used care is a little on the scary side; there is a usually a […]
Automotive’s Dumb Blond Syndrome
I’ve lost count, but a number of our lady customers tell me that they really, really appreciate the time we take to explain things. We provide factual and useful information. Our service writers and technicians treat everyone with respect as smart customers, “not like a dumb blond.” That’s a quote from one of our customers and […]
Planking: Still Legal in the State of Washington
Planking, is it art? Or the new automotive. “I plank, therefore, I am.” “To plank or not to plank? That is the question.” Or the biblical, “Planking will set you free.” My very favorite planking expression: “Live plank or die.” Bryan’s Automotive is in full compliance with the international planking standard and is a […]
Vetrans Day Every Day
Veterans’ Day is every day. The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, my grandfather survived to go home. A young Lieutenant in the Army Air Service, he flew observation balloons over the front to call in artillery and relay battlefield intelligence. Before him, his father road with Teddy Roosevelt an participated […]
Parts, Profit and Quality
Wow, yes, Parts, Profit and Quality count. I have insisted on using only Original Equipment (OE) components. It makes a difference, more so than I ever thought it would. Many shops will use specification level parts for a repair, but not OE or Original Manufacturer (OM). The assumption is that the specification component will function […]
Second Opinion…YES!
Buyer beware and, of course, beware the upselling service writer when appropriate. Unfortunately, there are some shops where the recommendation is exaggerated or possibly fabricated. That is the fear we all live with when we take our car in for service. Choose wisely, there are many formats for service recommendations on line or from people […]