
Archive for May 2023Start Me Up (Ignition Systems)Posted May 28, 2023 7:29 AMWhen you start up your gasoline engine car, you may not know that it's using the same ignition principles as it has for decades. You have spark plugs that require enough power so a spark can jump across a gap at its tip. Years ago, a vehicle's 12-volt system had to produce 15,000-25,000 volts to do that, so engineers came up with something called an ignition coil that bumps up the voltage. It also has to be done at just the right interval called timing. The first systems had a distributor, a mechanical device with a rotating disc that switched the power to the ignition coil on and off. That higher voltage then was sent to the spark plugs at the correct time interval. But the mechanical "points" had to be replaced and adjusted every 12,000 miles/20,000 kilometers. Engineers later replaced the switching mechanism with solid state ones, but they still needed replacement after 120,000 miles/200,000 kilometers. The next evolution came in the 80's when the distributor was replaced with a couple of sensors which talked to a computer. This "DIS" (distributor-less automotive ignition system) was a big advance. Plus, it didn't use just one ignition coil for all the cylinders. It had coil "packs" that each provided spark to two cylinders. That way, the voltage could be boosted even higher, to 30,000 volts, which helped engines be able to ignite a leaner fuel/air mixture. Recently have come even more improvements. Now instead of coil packs, there's a coil that's attached to each spark plug. No more spark plug wires means less maintenance. Plus, a stronger, hotter spark of 50,000 volts can make an engine more reliable, increase fuel economy and reduce emissions. No matter what ignition system your vehicle uses, your vehicle service facility has a staff of technicians trained to work on the latest technology. Make sure to have your vehicle maintained regularly so you can take full advantage of these modern engineering marvels. Darrell's Firestone Trip Inspection at Darrell's Firestone in FarmingtonPosted May 21, 2023 11:26 AMFarmington area drivers love their vehicles. And one of the most enjoyable things about them is taking a road trip. Freedom from daily schedules, new sights and the open road – it's great! But there's nothing like vehicle trouble to bring the fun to a grinding halt. Prepared with answers to these questions, you can schedule a trip inspection at Darrell's Firestone in Farmington to help you prepare your vehicle for your big adventure. A lot of our Farmington customers prefer to go through this exercise with their friendly and knowledgeable service advisor to get their input and make sure they haven't overlooked anything. Shocks and struts play a major role in both driving comfort and safety. If they need to be replaced, you'll really be glad you did once you hit the road. Is it time for a wheel alignment? Fighting a car that's pulling to one side all day can be tiring and dangerous. And don't forget your brakes. Any strange noises, grabbing, soft or hard peddle feel? If there is any doubt, get a brake inspection at Darrell's Firestone in Farmington before you leave. Moving under the hood, have a belts and hoses inspection. If something is excessively worn or near failure, the stress of a long road trip might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Talk to your service advisor at Darrell's Firestone. Do you notice any unusual odors in your vehicle? If so, it could be as harmless as a dirty cabin air filter. But if it's an exhaust leak, it could be fatal for Farmington drivers and their passengers on a long trip. Of course you'll want to be comfortable, so get an air conditioning service if you aren't getting the cold air you’re used to. Are your wiper blades still working well? If not, that is a quick and inexpensive fix for Farmington drivers. Headlamps are often overlooked when planning for a trip. If you haven't changed the bulb in six months or so, replacement bulbs will really light up the night on your trip and provide the necessary after-sundown visibility. All the items mentioned are part of any good vehicle maintenance plan. These are things that you want to take care of anyway, but they all become more important as you plan for your trip. Darrell's Firestone How to Get Better Gas Mileage in FarmingtonPosted May 14, 2023 10:27 AMThere is no escaping it: things work better when you take care of them. Something most of us in Farmington can relate to is our computers. You've probably noticed how they get slower and slower over time. It takes longer to start up and programs take forever to load. Eventually, many of us just get a new computer at our nearest Farmington computer store. But computer experts know that there are things you can do to delay the need for a new computer purchase. You can run utilities that clean off temporary files and clean your memory registry. You can optimize your hard drive and a number of other things. All of these things can help you save money on gas at Farmington pumps. Give us a call. Darrell's Firestone Go Big or Go Home: Upsize Your Wheels at Darrell's FirestonePosted May 7, 2023 11:56 AMA lot of us Farmington drivers like our vehicles to reflect our personalities. We're picky about color and body style. We'll customize anything from floor mats to window tints to license plates. One popular way for MI motorists to customize a vehicle is to get new wheels. Darrell's Firestone | ||
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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!
Had an appointment to have 4 new tires installed. Was told on arrival that it might take longer than usual due to staffing issue. Decided to wait anyway. I made it a bit more complicated by bringing extra wheels for the new tires. Waiting area is clean and pleasant. They understood what I wanted and handled it with no confusion. Job was completed within estimated time. I will be back.
Thank You Jason, all I needed was air in my tire and Jason got me right in and out. I will definitely be going back to purchase my tires.

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