Automotive News & Blog
The unprecedented devastation of Hurricane Harvey has left financial and emotional wounds that will remain via southeast Texas for years. In addition to the heartbreaking loss of life, homes and businesses, uncountable vehicles were bruised by the flood waters.
How might that affect you 1,500 miles away in southern California?
Car dealers and individual owners can still sell water-damaged cars that have been totaled in other states.
According to a Popular Mechanics article, the titles of totaled vehicles in most states include a “salvage tag.” But car sellers can wholesale those vehicles to states that issue fresh titles without acknowledging the car as salvage. From there, the bruised car can stir from state to state as a clean vehicle.
So, whenever you’re shopping for a used car, look for signs that it’s been in a flood: dried mud in the trunk; a moldy smell; warped door panels; water marks inwards the instruments, etc.
Flood water – especially salt water – can corrode a car’s sensitive electronics and demolish the cylinders. It can ruin the oil and other fluids, too. And if the car was driven while humid, the engine could be bruised.
Better Gasoline Means Better Spectacle
Just as your figure uses food to create energy, your car converts gasoline into the power it needs.
If you eat low-quality meals, your bod will react negatively. And if you use lower-quality gasoline, your vehicle’s spectacle will suffer.
In fact, testing conducted by AAA has shown that using higher-quality Top Tier gas can make a “significant difference” to your engine.
According to a AAA article, Top Tier gasolines meet specific standards for “robust engine cleanliness and spectacle specification.”
Gasoline brands that did not meet Top Tier standards left nineteen times the amount of deposits in test engines after only Four,000 miles of simulated driving. That type of gunk can affect fuel injectors, intake valves and combustion chambers, and harm a vehicle’s spectacle and responsiveness.
AAA suggests using Top Tier fuel. “Consumers can switch roles some engine deposits simply by switching gasoline brands,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of Automotive Engineering. “After a few thousand miles with Top Tier gasoline, spectacle issues like rough idling or hesitation during acceleration can often be resolved.”
Mountain View Tire and Auto Service in Wildomar
We’re very glad to announce that Mountain View Tire and Auto Service is expanding.
Our newest location will be opening in mid-fall two thousand seventeen at the fresh Wildomar Square shopping center.
Located at Interstate fifteen and Clinton-Keith Road in Wildomar, the fresh sophisticated will also be home to several restaurants, including The Habit Burger Grill, Robeks, Angelo’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and others. That means you can drop off your vehicle and love an effortless walk to a superb meal.
We closed our Montclair location on August 20th, but our beautiful Upland store is only about nine miles to the northeast. If you’re one of our many Montclair-area customers, we invite you to join us in Upland soon.
And here’s more good news: there will be at least four fresh Mountain View Tire and Auto Service stores opening in the next few years.
Thank you for permitting us to serve you and for making that growth possible.
(Photo from Google Earth.)
Thank You for Sharing Your Story
We’ve been telling a story for many years; a story about our employees and the way we serve others.
And because our customers have seen our people and principles in activity, they’ve become storytellers, too.
They send us cards and letters and emails to tell us about the excellent practices they’ve had at Mountain View stores.
They use Yelp to share their appreciation and regard for our automotive technicians who went above and beyond to help.
And they’ve told their friends and family members about the trust they have in us.
You can see a few of the stories that drivers have sent in on our Testimonials page and on our Yelp page.
The movie above also includes kind words from a blessed customer. It features audio from KPLM radio.
If you’re one of the thousands of people who has taken the time to spread the word about Mountain View Tire and Auto Service, thank you.
If you’ve never attempted us before, please stop in. We’ll work hard to inspire you to share your own good news about us.
Driving for the Pleasure
I mean weekend, windows-down, no-place-to-be kind of driving.
And lately, I’ve indeed liked getting lost while I drive. Usually on Saturdays.
About five or six o’clock, I pour a big tumbler of iced tea, hop in the car, and set out to see what I can see; what I haven’t seen during my daily commute.
I turn down back roads and mess roads and barely-a-road roads to explore the countryside, the fields and farms.
My drives have taken me past acres of wildflowers, abandoned cabins and old brick schoolhouses, petite lakes, a waterfall, weather-worn barns, sheep and cows and deer. On the way, I’ve found myself surrounded by rolling green hills, powerful summer thunderstorms, and the all-encompassing glow of breathtaking sunsets.
Along with the scenery and the smell of the warm wind, it’s the freedom and the randomness of the practice that make this type of aimless travel so appealing. The journey is the destination.
The idea for these trips came to me when I realized that I’d been driving only the same roads for years. It occurred to me how little of my own county I’d seen; that I didn’t know enough about what was just left or right of the highway.
In this life, there’s a lot to take in. Everyday beauty. Elementary adventures. And so many of those delights are where we choose to find them. Often only a brief car journey away.
So now I’m making more time to take the roads less traveled.
And it’s been a wonderful rail.
Ernesto Castaneda: twenty Years on the Job
“The best part of working for Mountain View Tire and Auto Service is the peace of mind; knowing that I’m with a reliable and caring company.”
Those are the words of Granada Hills automotive technician Ernesto Castaneda, but that sentiment is collective by so many of our other team members. Maybe that’s why so many of our employees have been with us for twenty years or more.
On August 18th, 2017, Ernesto joined that two-decade club.
Two keys to his success: keep a fine attitude and keep learning.
“I stay up-to-date with fresh automotive technology by reading online,” said Ernesto. He’s also grown and improved in other ways over the years. “I’ve learned to be patient and respect everybody I work with so everyone can have a good day.”
That’s a pretty elementary idea, indeed, yet it’s so significant to the success of our team environment.
“I like to see customers leave blessed,” Ernesto said, “especially when they come in worried that a repair is going to be expensive and we’re able to fix it for less than they expect.”
As a long-time automotive technician, Ernesto has taken care of innumerable vehicles, so he has a few recommendations. “Keep the correct pressure in all your tires,” he said. “Check all fluids before a long journey, and check your headlights and brake lights so you can be seen on the road.”
Thank you, Ernesto, for all that you’ve done for the Mountain View family and so many of our customers. Blessed 20th.
Is Your Car Making You Jumpy?
When I drove into work on Monday, my brake pedal felt soft. Too soft.
In fact, it made for a stressfull rail.
I began thinking about how I’d react if my brakes couldn’t stop my car quickly enough or – worse yet – if they failed entirely.
I permitted a lot more room inbetween my car and the vehicle in front of me.
As I approached stopping situations, I stayed ready to downshift into a lower gear.
I kept an eye on the side of the road in case I had to steer off into the grass.
It wasn’t a good feeling.
So, I had my brakes looked at right away. Turns out, one of my brake lines needed to be substituted.
Prompt forward to Five:30pm Monday.
My excursion home was a fully different practice from the drive in that morning.
My stress was gone.
I drove with confidence, knowing that I could stop on a dime if I needed to.
And I loved my hour-long commute and the beautiful weather, grateful for automotive experts whose work keeps us all safer on the road.
Is there a car repair that you’ve been putting off? Or maybe you know it’s time for fresh tires. Is it making you a little anxious or even fearful of driving?
Come in and see us. If money is taut, let us know. We suggest payment options, including the Goodyear credit card.
Please don’t put it off. Stay safe out there.
Sam Kim: Welcome to the 20-Year Club
“Wow! I can’t believe it’s been twenty years since I walked into our Rancho store and began as a technician.”
But it’s true. Sam Kim has been a part of the Mountain View family for two decades. And he can confirm that time flies when you love what you’re doing.
Sam has been the manager of our Rowland Heights store for many years.
“The best part of my job is the interaction with our customers,” he says. “It’s the satisfaction of being able to help them and earn their trust and positive referrals.
“I want our customers to know that we’re a company that cares for their well-being; that we go above and beyond their expectations to accommodate their needs.”
A key aspect of that care is staying current with technology. “Our management team provides us with constant updates on automotive repair,” Kim says.
And it pays off. “Being here for so many years, I’ve seen more than my share of loyal customers. I’m utterly grateful when they come in and tell us that we’re the only automotive shop they trust.”
Sure, modern vehicles provide constant updates on their various systems, but Kim likes to remind drivers that “many problems can be solved by routine maintenance: checking tire pressure, wheel alignments, tire rotation. Many people rely too much on their vehicle to tell them that something is wrong,” he says. “But being proactive can help prevent costly repairs down the line.”
An avid golfer, Kim says, “I love the game because there are always things to improve on.” Working at Mountain View Tire and Auto Service is kinda’ the same. “Our concentrate on customer service is 2nd to none,” says Kim. “We attempt to be empathetic to our customers’ needs.”
That’s a skill we work to master every day.
A Mountain View Story: “Michael”
Eddie Reyes, Jr., manager of our Duarte store, shares a story about Michael, a seven-year-old boy who looked to him for a special form of “permission” and guidance. Take a look at the movie above.
eight Tips for Traveling Cheaper
Is it time to get away for a weekend road journey or family vacation?
If you’d choose to spend as little money as possible on your travels, consider these suggestions.
1) Detect nature. For a very reasonable fee, you can purchase passes to our national parks. Details here. Or love any of California’s state parks. Find admission info here. Pitching a tent or renting a cabin will be much less expensive than staying in a hotel, and it’ll provide a more unique practice.
Two) Pack a cooler. The cost of eating at restaurants can indeed add up. So, bring your own food, or if you’ll be staying in a motel, make sure your room is an efficiency with a stove and fridge.
Three) Give yourself a daily budget. Keep the credit card tucked away, and accept the challenge of living on a certain amount of money each day. It may force you to slow down and look for other options, but you never know where that mindset will lead you.
Four) Find the free stuff. Plan your excursion around no-cost or low-cost events, like fairs and festivals, concerts in the park, local theatre productions, and minor league sports. You’re likely to find these activities loosening and charming.
Five) Use your gifts. For Christmas and birthdays, ask for hotel, gas station and chain restaurant bounty cards that you can use while traveling.
6) Plan the old-school way. Call a travel agent for input on less-expensive destinations, discounts, and money-saving options you might not otherwise learn about.
7) Concentrate on your family. Rather than stopping at expensive tourist catches sight of, use your time on the road to re-discover your loved ones. Play car games. Recall fond memories. Have those long talks you never seem to have time for during the work week. Simply driving through a fresh part of the country can inspire some excellent conversations. Oh, and – dare we say it? – attempt leaving the electronic devices at home.
8) Avoid unexpected costs. Let us check your vehicle at least a few days before you leave, so your excursion isn’t ruined by an expensive breakdown and tow. You’ll also breathe lighter knowing that your car is safe and ready for the road. Make an online appointment or find your nearest Mountain View Tire and Auto Service location here.
Why You Should Feast National Tire Safety Week
You don’t need to give gifts to anyone during National Tire Safety Week.
There are no cards to send. No traditional foods to prepare.
But you should still feast this annual event.
That’s because it could save you gas, money, and even your life.
National Tire Safety Week is all about taking a few minutes to make sure your tires are in good condition, whether you inspect them yourself or have us do it. (Find your location here.)
1) The sidewalls should be checked for cuts, gouges, bulges, and other signs of harm that could lead to a dangerous blowout. (Learn “How to Sustain a Tire Blowout.”)
Two) The tread depth should be measured to determine if your tires can grip the road and funnel rainwater effectively.
Trio) Any wear patterns should be analyzed to see if you need wheel balancing, a wheel alignment or another type of corrective service.
Four) And, of course, the pressure should be checked since improperly inflated tires reduce gas mileage, negatively affect treating, and wear out sooner.
National Tire Safety Week two thousand seventeen is May 28th through June 3rd. Pull into any Mountain View Tire and Auto Service location and we’ll be blessed to inspect and pack your tires for you.
Cris Lepe: Celebrating twenty Years with Mountain View Tire and Auto Service
As of May 19th, 2017, Cris Lepe has been a member of the Mountain View Tire and Auto Service family for twenty years!
The manager of our Long Beach store, Cris works to leave customers with a very specific impression: “We want people to know that we will be there for them whenever they need us. It’s about the WOW practice, and making sure our customers know that they’re talking with a friend who’s going to help them.”
We asked Cris if he has a dearest customer service story that comes to mind. “There’s a fresh story every day,” he said. “Honestly, there is. I believe we go out of our way to help our customers every day, and I know they appreciate it.”
And the best part of his job? “The people,” Cris said. “The crews that I’ve worked with via my career here; the guys in Culver City, Lakewood, Long Beach, all of them. Also, the people at corporate. Everyone works together as one big family. I love it!”
Those people are the same reasons Cris doesn’t hesitate to recommend Mountain View to his friends and family when they need tires or auto service. “We’re fair, and we don’t steer customers wrong.”
When he’s not serving our customers, Cris likes to hit the road himself. “I’ve traveled to races in Mexico and Italy. So I’ve been able to combine both of my hobbies into one.”
Thank you, Cris, for all that you do for Mountain View Tire and Auto Service and our customers. Blessed 20th anniversary!
Car Care with a Higher Level of Care
You may have heard us talk about that “higher level of care” in our radio commercials.
And it’s not just talk.
Yes, it’s one thing for us to say we supply better service every day, but it’s another thing entirely when our customers say it – again and again and again!
Check our Yelp page.
You’ll see they’re both utter of unsolicited glowing comments from our customers; people who have taken time out of their busy days to write often detailed emails and online reviews about their excellent practice with Mountain View Tire and Auto Service.
That’s significant to know when you’re looking for an fair, dependable automotive service provider.
Delivering a higher level of customer care every day is one of our founding principles! And we must be doing it well, because two thousand seventeen is our 30th year in business.
We’re ready to showcase you car care with a higher level of care.
How-To Movies from Cooper Tires
The team at Cooper Tires has put together a movie series that’s ideal for newer drivers. And even if you’ve been behind the wheel for a few years, these movies may serve as good reminders. Take a look.
What To Do If Your Engine Light Comes On
What To Do If You’re In an Accident
What To Put In Your Car Emergency Kit
Mountain View Tire Trio Celebrates Their 20-Year Anniversaries
We wouldn’t be celebrating our 30th year in business in two thousand seventeen if it weren’t for our excellent employees.
So we’re glad to announce that, as of April 11th, three more Mountain View team members have joined our 20-year club!
Dam Huynh (left) and Emilio Galeazzi (below right) serve as auto technicians in our Glendale store, and Rod Sowell (below left) works as an auto tech at our Culver City location.
Rod especially loves engine, brake and suspension work, as well as electrical repair and computer diagnostics. Staying current with all those systems “keeps you knowledgeable,” he said.
“I take pride in every vehicle I service,” Rod said. “It’s significant to listen to customers and ensure that all of their questions have been answered. When I recommend MVT, I know that the customer will receive the service they’re expecting.”
“Dam is a brake specialist,” said Emilio. Plus, “he’s a good listener and always looking for a way to make people smile.” Dam finds superb joy in his work as well. “I feel blessed knowing that I helped a customer get back on the road securely,” he said.
And all three fellows understand the importance of serving customers in need.
“A few weeks ago,” Emilio remembered, “a stranded customer needed a leap embark about three miles from here. We don’t usually do roadside assistance, but we still found him and helped him.”
There’s the story of how Dam assisted a customer with a vapid tire after hours – a situation that has happened many times for the Mountain View team. “It was past closing time, but the customer was stranded two hours away from home.”
“A customer came in and was expecting the problem to be much worse with her vehicle,” said Rod, “but she only needed a minor brake job. She was so excited that we were fair with her. That brightened my day, knowing that I had eased her stress and represented MVT well. She came back later and told me that she recommended two of her co-workers to us.”
Thank you, Emilio, Rod and Dam, for twenty years of serving the drivers of Southern California as members of the Mountain View Tire and Auto Service family.
Long Beach Automotive Techs Mark Two-Decade Milestone
Good News for Luxury Car Owners
If you drive a luxury vehicle, we have good news for you: you’ll have more options, plus save time and maybe even money at Mountain View Tire and Auto Service.
Luxury vehicles, by the way, are defined as these brands: Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo.
A two thousand seventeen explore by J.D. Power found that 46% of luxury vehicle owners are likely to comeback to the dealer when they need fresh tires. But car dealers can’t match our selection of tire brands and sizes. In fact, we suggest seventeen brands of tires!
So, if freedom of choice is significant to you, please stop in when it’s time for fresh tires. You can also make an online appointment right here.
“We’re less expensive than most dealers on auto service across the board, from oil switches to wheel alignments to brakes, and more,” according to our vice president Chris Mitsos.
“Also, we can generally perform the work and come back the vehicle to our customer much quicker than an auto dealership,” said Mitsos. “It’s very common for a dealership to keep a vehicle for two to three days. We attempt to comeback every vehicle we work on the same day.”
If you need a few more reasons to trust your vehicle to the Mountain View team, take a look at some of the testimonials our customers have sent to us. We invite you to search for us on Yelp as well.
Own a Car? It’s Time for Spring Cleaning
Goodyear’s two thousand seventeen Highway Hero
Goodyear’s annual Highway Hero Award celebrates an idea we pursue every day: serving others in need.
With the help of another motorist, Webb pulled the unconscious dump truck driver from the cab and administered CPR, while Webb’s wifey Carol called 911. The truck driver survived and no one was hurt during the incident.
“David took instantaneous activity to save a fellow truck driver and stop an out-of-control truck that could have injured others,” said Goodyear Marketing Director Gary Medalis. “For his quick thinking and courage, we are proud to name him our 34th Goodyear Highway Hero.”
At a March 23rd ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, Mr. Webb received a special Highway Hero ring, a $Five,000 prize, and other items.
RELATED POSTS: Goodyear Names its 32nd Highway Hero
Save On All Tires Saturday, February 25th!
The rain kept a lot of people away last weekend! So, we’ve extended our Presidents’ Day Tire Sale for one more day!
Saturday, February 25, 2017, you’ll save money on every tire in stock at all Mountain View Tire and Auto Service locations in Southern California.
Moist roads are very dangerous when your tires have shallow tread. The grooves in your tires can’t funnel the rainwater rapid enough, and you end up railing on a sheet of water with no control over your steering.
Don’t risk your family’s safety. Stop in Saturday, February 25th and we’ll measure your tread depth free of charge. If you need fresh tires, you’ll save money, no matter which models you choose.
Vincent Nobile: Rocketing Toward Success
Ever wonder what it’s like to drive a Pro Stock car down a haul unwrap at 200+ miles per hour?
“It’s almost indescribable!” said Vincent Nobile. “It’s indeed something you need to feel to believe.”
Vincent drives the Mountain View Racing (MVR) team’s Chevy Camaro at haul racing events across the country. And since his professional debut in 2010, he’s earned a reputation as one of the most titillating youthful drivers on the NHRA circuit.
Vincent is taut with the Mitsos family – the owners of MVR and Mountain View Tire and Auto Service. He’s also very close to his dad, John Nobile (at right with Vincent), who’s an significant member of the MVR team, too. “Being able to work with my father and drive for the Mitsos family has been a wish come true,” he said. “It made learning a thousand times lighter because there was no pressure. The family environment made it much lighter to learn and be as good a driver as I can be.”
That family connection has been key to the success of Mountain View Tire and Auto Service as well, not only at the corporate level, but in several of our stores where a few sets of brothers and even a father and his sons work side by side.
One of our responsibilities is keeping families safe while on the road. So, we asked Vincent if he has any driving tips. “One thing haul racing has instructed me is how quick things can happen,” he said. “Naturally, everything happens ten times swifter in a race car, so you have no other option than to be one hundred percent focused on what you’re doing. But there’s only one other driver on the race track, and thousands of other people on the road, so you need to be just as focused while driving down the highway. Not only do you need to pay attention to your own driving, but you need to be aware of everyone else around you in order to stay safe.”
And what are Vincent’s goals for the two thousand seventeen NHRA season?
“I have the same three goals every year: have a safe, joy and winning year. Other than that, our team wants to win a world championship. I predict this year will be one of the most competitive years ever for Pro Stock, so it’ll be truly joy to observe and challenge in. I have a lot of faith in my team, and I think we’re going to do a lot of winning this year!”
“Not Just Repair Guys, Good Friends”
We’re very fortunate. Every day we get to make a difference in people’s lives.
We understand that when you walk into one of our stores, you’d very likely rather not be there. Maybe your vehicle has cracked down or one of your tires picked up a poke. Maybe a belt snapped or steam embarked pouring out of your radiator and now you’re stranded.
Yeah, we get it: car troubles can be very frustrating.
So we attempt to ease that frustration as best as we can. We work to turn your bad practice into a WOW practice. Friendly people who put you very first. Skilled automotive technicians. A preparedness to go above and beyond. Fine tires and effortless financing options that make buying them lighter on your budget. And a commitment to earning your lifelong loyalty. That’s how we do it.
And then, when we get letters like this, we know all that effort is worth it.