The function of an air conditioner is to help remove the heat and humidity from inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Powered by a belt, the air conditioning compressor compresses the refrigerant to pressurize it and pump it through the system. The refrigerant is pushed through a valve where pressure and temperature are reduced. The now-cool refrigerant travels through the evaporator in the passenger compartment. As a result, cooled air is blown into your vehicle. This refrigerant returns to the compressor, where the cycle begins once again.

• visually inspect the air conditioning compressor drive belt for cracks or damage
• visually inspect accessible components for leaks or damage
• check the operation of the air conditioning compressor and other air conditioning components
• evacuate refrigerant from the system
• vacuum test the system
• recharge the air conditioning system using the appropriate refrigerant to the system capacity according to the vehicle manufacturer's specifications

* Federal, state and local laws apply.

• visually inspecting the serpentine belt
• removing the old serpentine belt and installing a new serpentine belt

Every time a vehicle's driver presses the gas pedal, they are controlling how much air and fuel enters the engine. The Engine Air Filtration system aids in filtering the air's contaminants and helps to ensure the correct air/fuel mixture.

• Engine Air Filter
• Breather Element, if equipped
• PCV Valve, if equipped

The Engine Air Filter is typically a paper element that reduces harmful dirt particles from entering the engine's air intake system where they may cause engine damage.
The Breather Element is typically a paper or foam element that helps filter the air pulled into the engine crankcase by the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system or a metered orifice.
The PCV Valve or metered orifice regulates the flow of crankcase fumes into the intake manifold so they can be burned and help maintain proper crankcase pressure.

As Engine Air Filtration components become restricted, airflow is reduced, which could lead to poor acceleration, reduced engine performance, reduced fuel economy, oil leaks as well as other issues.

Our service:

As part of the Choice Automotive Signature Service® Oil Change, we visually inspect the Engine Air Filtration System components and recommend replacement, as necessary.

The passenger cabin air filter in your vehicle serves the same purpose as the air conditioning filter in your home. It reduces the amount of contaminants such as pollen, dust, soot and odors that enter your vehicle through the vent system.

The main functions of the Engine Cooling System are to carry heat away from the engine and maintain the correct operating temperature. The system accomplishes this by circulating antifreeze/coolant around the components where heat is generated and carrying it to the radiator to be cooled.

In the engine cooling system, an appropriate amount of an antifreeze/coolant and water mixture is necessary to help reduce the risk of the engine overheating and freezing. Another important feature of antifreeze/coolant is that it inhibits rust and corrosion in the cooling system.

A Radiator Cap, also known as a "pressure cap", controls pressure in the cooling system. The cap may be mounted on the radiator filler neck or on top of the coolant reservoir.

• visually inspecting for antifreeze/coolant leaks and/or damage at the radiator/pressure cap to filler neck or reservoir seals
• visually inspecting the radiator/pressure cap for cracks, seal or thread damage, tab retention damage
• pressure testing the radiator/pressure cap to ensure it holds the proper pressure as designed
• replacing the radiator/pressure cap with a new cap that meets OEM specifications

The drivetrain serves two functions: it transfers power evenly from the engine to all drive wheels and it varies the amount of torque. The drivetrain may include the differential, a transfer case (in four-wheel and all-wheel drive cars) and the transmission (see Transmission Services).

The differential is the mechanical component that spins both the left and right wheels, but lets them rotate at different speeds so that the vehicle can make turns. When a vehicle makes a turn, the outer wheel has to turn faster than the inner wheel, due to the difference in the length of the paths they take. The differential is located between the two wheels, and is attached to each wheel by an axle shaft. Four-wheel drive vehicles have a separate differential for each pair of wheels, connected through a transfer case.

Differential fluid provides lubrication to gears, bearings, shafts and other internal components. Heat, pressure and friction can slowly breakdown the additives in the differential fluid. In addition, small particles of metal and clutch material may come off as they wear and these particles can mix with the fluid. Fluids can also become contaminated with water.

Transfer cases are found on four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. This gearbox divides the transmission power output between the rear differential and the front differential. Most transfer cases allow the front wheels to be disengaged and spin freely during normal driving conditions. When desired, power is transferred to all four wheels.

Transfer case fluid provides lubrication to gears, bearings, shafts, and other internal components. Heat, pressure and friction slowly breakdown the additives in the transfer case fluid. In addition, small particles of metal may come off the gears as they wear; these metal particles can mix with the fluid. Fluids can also become contaminated with water.

The battery supplies electrical power to the starter, along with the rest of the electrical components of the vehicle, which is necessary to start the engine. When the engine starts running, the charging system takes over to provide electricity to the various vehicle electrical systems. The battery cable terminals connect the battery to the electrical system.

• providing power to the starter motor, ignition system, fuel system and other electrical devices during engine starting
• storing energy
• providing power to the electronic components as required when the vehicle is off (e.g., digital radios, clocks, door locks, alarms, vehicle computers, etc)

• using test equipment to check cranking amp1 capacity of the battery
• testing the electrical draw of the starter
• testing the electrical output of the alternator

• visually inspecting the battery
• using test equipment to check cranking amp1 capacity of the battery
• connecting an external electrical power source to the system when necessary, to prevent loss of electric memory in digital radios, clocks, door locks, alarms and other systems
• removing the old battery and replacing with a new one

• visually inspecting the battery cable terminals
• connecting an external electrical power source to the system when necessary to prevent the loss of electric memory in digital radios, clocks, door locks, alarms and other systems
• removing the battery cable terminals from battery
• cleaning the battery posts and cable terminals
• reconnecting the battery cable terminals to battery
• coating of battery posts and cable terminals with a protective spray

• visual inspection of battery cable terminals
• connecting an external electrical power source to the system when necessary to prevent the loss of electric memory in digital radios, clocks, door locks, alarms and other systems
• removing the battery cable terminal(s) from the battery
• cleaning the battery post(s)
• replacing battery terminal(s)
• reconnecting the battery cable terminal(s) to the battery
• coating the battery post(s) and cable terminal(s) with a protective spray

Proper operating light bulbs and headlamps are important to one's safety. Headlights help notify other drivers of your location while also improving your vision. Parking lamps, taillights and turn signals identify when you're braking, changing lanes or making a turn. Most states require exterior lights to be functional.

• visually inspecting the exterior lights of the vehicle
• replacing non-working light bulbs when they are verified to be burned out

Every time a vehicle's driver presses the gas pedal, they are controlling how much air and fuel enters the engine. The air filter helps keep debris from entering the engine and a fuel filter helps protect the fuel system.

The fuel from the fuel tank is typically pumped from a pump inside the fuel tank to the engine. In the line between the fuel tank and the engine, a fuel filter is typically present to help protect the fuel system. As a fuel filter slowly becomes clogged, the restricted fuel flow could lead to poor acceleration and reduced engine performance as well as other issues.

Every time a vehicle's driver presses the gas pedal, they are controlling how much fuel and air the engine takes in. The pedal tells the throttle valve how much air to let in and the computer tells the fuel system how much fuel to deliver. These calculated amounts of air and fuel are typically mixed together before being sucked into the combustion chamber of an engine cylinder. There the spark plug ignites the mixture, producing the controlled burn that powers the vehicle.

It's important for the fuel in the vehicle to be as clean as possible.

• helps remove fuel varnish build-up
• helps remove intake valve deposits
• helps reduce cylinder head deposits
• cleans the fuel system

Tire rotation helps protect tires against uneven wear by moving the tire location on the vehicle. Most tires will exhibit some form of wear based on numerous factors including: wheel alignment, miles driven, driving style and habits, and tire location on the vehicle. By moving or "rotating" the tires as recommended by the vehicle manufacturers, tires may wear more evenly; helping extend the life of the tires.

• checking tire pressure
• inspecting tires to identify visible damage or abnormal wear patterns
• rotating tires according to the pattern recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer
• installing lug nuts/bolts to the proper torque specifications*

• removing the transmission fill/drain plug to remove the old automatic transmission fluid
• reinstalling transmission fill/drain plug
• refilling the transmission with new automatic transmission fluid to the proper level

• removing the transmission pan
• removing the old transmission filter and replacing it with a new transmission filter
• removing the old gasket material
• replacing the pan gasket with a new gasket and reinstalling the pan
• refilling the transmission with new automatic transmission fluid to the proper level

• Changing the fluid in the transmission system, including the torque converter and transmission cooler

• changing the fluid in the transmission system, including the torque converter and transmission cooler
• removing the transmission pan
• removing the old transmission filter and replacing it with a new transmission filter
• removing the old gasket material
• replacing the pan gasket with a new gasket and reinstalling the pan
• refilling the transmission with new automatic transmission fluid to the proper level

A transmission is a speed and power-changing device located between the engine and the driving wheels of a vehicle. It provides a means for changing the ratio between engine RPM and driving wheel RPM to best meet each particular driving situation.

Manual transmission fluid provides lubrication to gears, bearings, shafts, and other internal components. Heat, pressure and friction can slowly breakdown the additives in the manual transmission fluid. In addition, small particles of metal may come off the gears as they wear and these metal particles can mix with the fluid. Fluids can also become contaminated with water.

• evacuating the old manual transmission fluid
• filling the manual transmission fluid with the manufacturer's recommended type and quantity of new fluid

•