Auto Guide_Spring 03.8.2024

Casey’s Auto Body

receives certification

Casey’s Auto Body, an establishment in Brentwood for over four decades, is now a Tesla-approved body shop. That means it provides Tesla customers with a local option to service their vehicles.

Prior to this certification, customers in Brentwood would have to drive to Stockton, Livermore, or Concord for Tesla service. With this recent certification, however, Brentwood now has a family-owned and -operated Teslacertified body shop.

“Tesla has seen a lot of growth in the Brentwood market and had been looking for a shop to certify,” said Chris Alioto, co-owner of Alioto’s Garage. “Cars have become increasingly more advanced over the years, between advanced collision avoidance systems and selfdriving features, to different types of metals that require different tools and standards of repair, to the required operations that differ between cars.”

The benefits of a Tesla-certified body shop include the shop following the Tesla-approved outlined procedures when performing repairs, maintaining all Tesla factory warranties, safety standards, and car resale value by maintaining safety features and the structural integrity of the vehicle, according to the Casey’s Auto Body website. The Folsom Street location in San Francisco was the first Alioto’s Garage to be a Tesla-

certified shop in San Francisco in 2013.

“Alioto’s has committed to ensuring that their customers are safe and satisfied,” Alioto said. “A shop must follow the manufacturer procedures for repairs, or else the car may not perform as intended after the repair.”

The process of a shop getting Tesla certified takes time, Alioto said, with capital outlays, and space. Each car manufacturer will have a different set of specialty tools that a shop would need to purchase, such as frame machines, resistance spot welders, and rivet guns that are specified by the original equipment manufacturer to ensure the repairs are correct. Proper training is another major component,

requiring both online general training in addition to in-person training where a technician is sent directly to the factory to learn hands-on.

Additionally, Tesla is one of the high-end vehicles that uses aluminum, which is incapable of being worked on next to normal steel cars due to the danger of steel particles embedded in the aluminum that could lead to corrosion, Alioto said. Hence, this requires a separate quarantined working area that must be curtained off to ensure proper and long-lasting repair for vehicles.

“There is so much to the Tesla cars,” Alioto said. “Our technicians are trained not just on the collision side, but also on the computer, calibration, and technology side to ensure that the body doesn’t just look good, but everything on the inside performs safely and properly for either repair big or small.”

The San Francisco based Alioto’s Garage is an Auto Body Repair Company founded in 1939 by Frank “Babe” Alioto Sr. Led today by the third-generation of Matt and Chris Alioto, Casey’s Auto Body in Brentwood was purchased by the Alioto family in 2023, while also stressing the importance of keeping the “Casey’s Auto Body” name, highlighting its local significance and importance while still being a family-owned and -operated company.

“Casey’s Auto Body is still the same Casey’s,” Alioto said. “When we purchased Casey’s in 2023, we immediately started talking with Tesla to be able to provide a new service to the community. Now, Tesla customers can rest easy knowing that they can keep their repairs in the community.”

For details, visit caseysab.com or call 925-634-2211.

– Advertorial

SEAN TONGSON

Photo courtesy of Chris Alioto

Roberto and Billy, a pair of technicians at Casey’s Auto Body stand with the shop’s new frame rack, resistance spot welder and curtains for aluminum repair.

How to prevent rain from dampening your ride

HEMANANTHANI SIVANANDAM

As the skies open up and rain starts falling, auto experts say it’s time to take a closer look and check your vehicles. Essential maintenance, especially during the wet weather, can keep your vehicles safe and reliable on the roads.

Rob Brandt, the co-owner of Bill Brandt Ford and Quick Lane, a car repair and maintenance service business, says ideally vehicles should be serviced every six months, but it also depends on how many miles a person drives.

“Most people drive around 10,000 to 12,000 miles a year so it’s good to have your vehicle serviced every 5,000 or 6,000 miles. Sometimes they (service centers) recommend more but it just depends upon people’s driving,” said Brandt, who co-owns the business with his brother. The family started the business in 1972 when his father, Bill Brandt, purchased the Ford dealership in Brentwood.

Brandt said during the maintenance checks, owners should get their oil changed, tires rotated, and brakes inspected.

However, in rainy weather, it is also important to

check on other parts such as wiper blades, tire treads, front suspension components, and cabin air filters, among others.

Here are some tips from Brandt on what to look out for and how to keep your vehicles properly maintained.

Photo

Weather from page 4B

According to the governor’s Office of Emergency Services, wiper blades are often overlooked, especially in California where rain can be intermittent. However, the office noted that replacing wiper blades regularly can help with visibility in wet conditions. In addition to that, the office said to make sure the windshield washer fluid tank is filled with a washer fluid designed not just for bug or dirt removal, but also for rain.

Check your tires:

According to Brandt, the depth of tread on a vehicle’s tires is an important factor for traction in rainy conditions.

“Tires with tread of 4/32 or greater are key for safety while driving in wet conditions.

“If you put a quarter in the tire tread and you can see Washington’s head, then you need new tires. That’s just an old rule,” Brandt said.

Inspect your brakes:

Your brakes are your lifeline, especially during wet conditions. Hence, it is always a good practice to have your brake system inspected from time to time to ensure they are working properly.

“If your brakes are not stopping like they had in the past or if you have a squeaking sound, then that’s not good. You should inspect it,” he said. “The only way to find out if your brake pads are (in working conditions) is to inspect them, you can’t tell by certain characteristics.

“There are tools to measure them.”

If the brake pads are three millimeters or less, then it’s time to replace them.

Cabin air filter:

Replacing the cabin air filter can help prevent mildew smell from the

damp weather. Most newer cars have the cabin air filter installed to help keep the vehicle air clean and fresh. These air filters also help prevent pollen and dust from getting into the air you breathe.

“Changing the air filter, maybe once a year, keeps your vehicle fresher, especially if you have allergies,” Brandt said.

Check your front suspension and alignment:

One way to know if your alignment and suspension should get checked is when you feel like your wheels are steering in one direction when you’re on the road. Brandt also advised people to take extra precautions when it comes to the road conditions, such as potholes.

Check your lights:

Visibility is important when driving in wet weather, so make sure all your vehicle’s lights are functioning. Sometimes, the surface of the lights, especially the headlights, might get oxidized so it’s always good to ensure they are well-kept.

“It’s just like a cataract in an eyeball after a long time, but there is a service where you can sand that down, polish it out, and put a (protective) coating on it,” said Brandt, adding that the service is offered at Bill Brandt Ford and QuikLane.

Bill Brandt Ford and Quick Lane are offering an inspection package, called the “Works Package,” which includes oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, and suspension, among others. For more information, visit https://www.billbrandtford.com/ or call 925-634-9900.

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Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that California has surpassed 100,000 public and shared private electric vehicle (EV) chargers installed statewide. This milestone comes just weeks after unprecedented funding was approved to build a bigger, better network of charging and refueling infrastructure for zeroemission cars, trucks and buses – the most extensive network in the nation.

This is on top of more than 500,000 at-home chargers that Californians have installed for personal use. In East County, both Brentwood and Oakley already have chargers installed at their city halls. According to

Plugshare.com, a website devoted to electric vehicle information, Brentwood has 46 electric charging stations (18 of them new), along with 29 in Antioch and three in Oakley. According to Brentwood City Manager Tim Ogden, these

electric vehicle charging stations were purchased by the city and then installed by manufacturers. Nine were recently installed in the City of Brentwood parking garage as of 2022, according to a Brentwood Press story.

One in every four new cars sold last year in California were zero-emission, the governor said in a press release. Last year, the state also surpassed its goal of selling 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles and its goal to install 10,000 fast chargers for electric vehicles — both ahead of schedule.

“No other state in the nation is doing as much as California to make our tailpipe-free future a reality,” Newsom said.

This milestone follows approval of a $1.9 billion investment plan that accelerates progress on the state’s electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling goals. The plan details how the money will be spent with at least 50% dedicated to benefiting communities disproportionately impacted by pollution. With this funding, the state

What first-time electric car buyers need to consider

Tesla EVs might be the most visible electric cars on the road today, but most major auto manufacturers, including Nissan and Chevrolet, produce EVs as well.

That means auto buyers have more options now than ever before, which can make the process of buying such a car more exciting, but also more difficult. Narrowing

down a growing number of options may not come easily to first-time EV buyers, who can keep these tips in mind as they begin this exciting journey.

♦ Look into subsidies. The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy notes that allelectric and plug-in hybrid cars purchased new in or after 2010 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit that could be as high as $7,500. State and/or local incentives also may apply. The Canadian Automobile Association reports that the Government of Canada offers

point-of-sale incentives of as much as $5,000 for drivers who buy or lease an EV. These subsidies can help bring the cost of EV ownership down by a significant amount and are worth exploring as drivers decide which electric car or truck to buy.

♦ Consider your parking situation. Homeowners who own single-family homes with a garage that can accommodate at least one vehicle can easily charge their EVs so long as they clear space in the garage where the car can be parked. Auto Trader notes that some

garages may need to be upgraded with a level two charger, and that can be expensive. Drivers who must park their EVs outdoors overnight should know that this, too, may require more money for electric vehicle service equipment. Local building codes may govern the installation of such equipment, which is best performed by an electrician. These are some additional costs of EV ownership that first-time buyers must consider and research before they switch to an electric car or truck.

– Metro Creative

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

ANDREW RULLODA

The 2024 riding season is upon us, and here are some questions to ask and areas to inspect, when purchasing a used motorcycle from a private seller.

California has one of the largest and continuously growing riding communities in the nation, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. California outpaced the rest of the nation with more than 952,000 road bikes in 2021. With so many bikes on the road, it also means a lot of bikes are being sold privately. You can typically find a lot of used motorcycles for sale through websites and apps like Facebook marketplace, Offerup, and Cycle Trader.

There are many good reasons to purchase a used motorcycle, such as:

♦ cheaper insurance rates

♦ a starter bike for those who do not mind something cheap to learn on

♦ you may be looking for a cheap project bike to build and customize and call your own.

But before you give money to a private seller or a dealership, here are some tips from Bad Billy Cycles in Brentwood to help ease any risks of buying a bad used motorcycle.

Start with visual inspections.

Visually inspecting a motorcycle enables you to look for cracks, leaks, and any external damage that may need immediate attention. Important areas to inspect that can affect operations are:

♦ Tires (looking for tread depth and expiration date normally indicated by four

numbers representing week and year it was manufactured

♦ Final drive (chain & sprocket, belt drive, shaft drive)

♦ Front and rear suspension (checking for any leaks, broken seals, bent fork tubes)

♦ Clutch and throttle cables

♦ Motor oil

♦ Frame and sub frame

♦ Dash, headlights, turn signals

It’s important to sit on the bike, so you can try it on for size. Doing so will make sure you can touch the ground with your

feet, reach the handle bars, and feel the suspension sag.

Ask Ask Ask: The more you ask, the more you will

know. If you are buying from a private seller, ask the owner such questions as.

♦ What was the main purpose of the bike? Was it a commuter, a weekend warrior, or perhaps a stunt bike?

♦ Has the bike ever been dropped? If the bike was ever dropped, how bad was the fall? Also, cosmetic damage does not equal mechanical damage.

♦ “What was the last major service performed and when?” This helps you determine in more detail the condition of the bike.

♦ How many owners did the bike have? It’s likely that the bike you’re interested in may have one or two previous owners. But for older bikes, they can have three or more previous owners. Having a lot of past owners may make knowing the bike’s true condition more trivial. If the current owner has it available, ask to see if they have any records on maintenance, and have a motorcycle technician do a full 20-point inspection prior to purchase.

The thought of buying a new motorcycle is always exciting knowing you’ll have the latest model with fresh parts and technology money can buy. But If you’re a rider on a budget, you may find it more financially palatable to consider buying a used motorcycle that fits your riding style for a lower price.

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Photo by Andrew Rulloda