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Service Visit Preparation Form

Nothing is more frustrating then going to a local Atlanta Honda Dealer, and not being able to duplicate a noise, or vibration that has been disturbing your Honda or Acura.  Carland Service in Atlanta can help. We recommend that you simply fill out this Service Visit Preparation Form – Printable prior to your visit!  This form will help describe concerns, and help our service advisors and service technicians resolve any issues with your Honda or Acura. 

“No Problem Found” or “Unable to Duplicate” are frustrating for our customers and our service mechanics. The above form will help you decipher your concern. Simply fill out this form and then Print or Email to us. We will pass the Service Visit Preparation Form on to one of our Atlanta Area Honda and Acura Certified Service Technicians. Honda Carland (Roswell, Ga 770-998-2327),  Acura Carland(Duluth, Ga 770-813-5812), Honda Carland North(Cartersville, Ga 678-792-7650) , and Carland Service Center (Alpharetta, Ga 678-624-0050) are eager to help! So please be sure to review the above form, and visit any of our convenient local Honda and Acura Atlanta Service Locations .

Atlanta driving is taxing on the driver and environment. Here are a few tips on how to reduce your impact on the environment and your money. There are several service related practices to help in this area. Properly inflated tires are extremely important to gas economy, tire wear, and above all safety. The Carland Groups offers Nitrogen to help reduce the fluctuations of tire pressure during temperature changes. Not to mention, Nitrogen will extend your tire life.  Scheduled vehicle maintenance will help insure your vehicle is properly tuned. When your vehicle is “running rough” , it may reduce your gas mileage by up to 4%. There are some mechanical issues that can reduce your gas mileage by up to 40%!  It is very important to use OEM recommended oil weight. Gas mileage can reduce by as much as 2% if your oil weight or blend is incorrect. www.CarlandService.com is a service website that will allow you to schedule service appointments at all of our Atlanta Honda and Acura service locations. Our service plans are all Enviro-Friendly, service maintenance recommended by Honda or Acura. – every time you visit.

Mechanical is important, but please look at your driving habits! Planning your  daily trips will greatly reduce unnecessary small trips throughout the day. Carpools are  a great way to reduce emissions and conserve on gas.    So, if you have a sizable commute, and co-worker close… by all means organize a carpool. Evaluate what is in your vehicle. Do you have items in your vehicle that you don’t necessary need in your vehicle.  A reduction of 100lbs can improve your gas mileage by as much as 2%. So, no need to drive around with those cases of water bottles, or the chairs and gear from the baseball game from last week!  Cruise control is also key. By using cruise control, you minimize the pedal play, and you can improve your gas mileage. Atlanta drivers all have seen the aggressive drivers. Not only are they unsafe, but aggressive driving can reduce fuel economy by 33%!  Patience truly is a virtue, and above all a dire responsibility while safely operating a vehicle. Excessive idling not only produces unnecessary emissions, but also reduces your fuel economy. If you pull up to a fast food restaurant, and the line is long. Walk in and place a to-go order. No need to wait 10 minutes in an idling car. Again- Enviro-friendly driving is a commitment! All Hondas and Acuras have a overdrive gear, either 5 or 6 speed transmissions, on the later models. Be sure to allow the engine speed to reduce by driving with overdrive engaged. Driving at less RPMs will stretch fuel economy and lower emissions.

Honda Carland, Acura Carland, and Honda Carland North ( www.shopcarland.com ) all offer highly fuel effecient vehicles with outstanding emmision ratings. When considering your next vehicle. Evaluate your need for size. If you rarely go on a trip that requires a larger vehicle. Look at the many different cargo options of the entire Honda and Acura line-up. Roof Racks are available, so maybe a Honda CRV with a Roof Rack and Cargo Box, might be enough to handle that extra hauling needed once a year . Maybe the CRV’s fuel savings will be enough to pay for the annual road trip to Orlando! Too often you see the family of 4, driving a huge SUV, because of the need for space for a family vacation. Rental Cars and Roof Racks can help you save money and reduce the pollution the other 51 weeks in the year. The “Bigger the Better” is not totally true when it comes to emmissions and fuel economy. Not to mention, a stance here would greatly show family and friends your commitment towards crucial conservation.

Driving Enviro-friendly is a commitment to conserve. Earth Day often passes with a small and forgettable reminder of the true magnificence our planet’s gifts. We all need (including myself) to actively pursue a better way. A commitment however small, combined can drastically reduce emissions and help conserve our limited natural resources.

Why would anyone purchase tires at a dealer? A question I have heard, but I ask – “Why would anyone not purchase their tires from a dealership?” I have worked for the Carland Group for over 10 years!  I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most knowledgable mechanics in the industry!

Several myths need to be discussed before we can argue proven reasons. The main reason or argument I hear, is because dealers just rip off or cost too much.  Atlanta Honda and Acura dealerships constantly adjust the prices to match immediate competitors. What happens more often, is Carland Service suggests comprehensive maintenance services that will opitmize the performance of your Honda or Acura in Atlanta. Carland Service will also use OEM parts or in our case- Honda Genuine Parts. This blog  is not condeming after market parts, because some are very comparable to OEM parts. At times, Carland Service in Atlanta may offer aftermarket parts to our customers as a courtesy, to help control costs during these trying times! The difference is we make sure the part meets crucial specifications and warranty at least matches the fantastic Honda Genuine Part’s warranty.  So many of the independant shops will not follow the recommended services of Honda or Acura. They may not inspect or top off, or replace with genuine parts, or even wash your vehicle. So, as the great Warren Buffet states ” Price is what you pay, value is what you get! “  The Carland Group provides Quality and Value! (Yes, we make mistakes like everyone- but we keep trying to improve!) So, check with your local dealer, see what they offer, and then check with the local repair shop. Be sure to check exactly what they are going to do for the $21.95 oil change- many times it is just that … change the oil!

Okay, so getting back to tires! Honda and Acura choose tires that specifically enhance the ride and feel of the vehicle! Carland Service will look at your struts, shocks, and alignment to insure that tire wear is caused by the road and time, rather than replacing your tires- and then replacing them again 25,000 miles down the road. Interesting fact-  weight distribution (Shocks and Struts) is so crucial to brake and tire wear, that the Carland Group will look at the above mentioned items to insure that your new tires will not get cupped or “Chopped” from faulty suspension systems. A 10% improper weight distribution can lower your brake-pad life by 100%  and a loss of 10 feet in braking distance.  Tires are so important to the ride quality, safety, and overall performance of your Honda or Acura. The technicians that the Carland Group employ are extensively trained to insure that the tires that we offer are OEM recommended! Carland Service wants to insure that your vehicle’s performance and safety are not compromised! According to the MAP (Motorist Assurance Program)Organization, struts and shocks should be checked at 50,000 miles. The Carland Group will inspect Alignment, Shocks, and Struts every visit! Some shops may just tell you to purchase a set of $800.oo Michelins, and feel they have completely satisfied your concerns. Since you have so much riding on your tires, please allow Carland Service the opportunity to show you the value of the services we constantly provide!

Here is are some things to consider while looking to purchase tires …http://www.acuracarland.com/j/i/33237/ACURATIRESINATLANTA.html

A lot of that information is from the SafeCar.gov

Please feel free to visit www.CarlandService.com to look for our Atlanta Area Honda and Acura Service Centers!

Automated car washes are great because they are fast, and I always wondered about effectiveness of the upgradable wax option. I have tried a few times, but whenever I would run my finger across the paint, it would never smoothly glide like hand applied waxes. Just recently Honda Carland in Roswell, GA installed a waxing machine called the “Auto Butler”. Upon hearing about the Auto Butler I was very apprehensive, thinking that it will not come close to the effectiveness of a by-hand wax application. Well… I was wrong like many times! I place my own vehicle in the Auto Butler after it was cleaned. The machine covered my vehicle in a liquid, and then the rotating brushes covered every inch of the paint and glass. So, the real tests had to be administered. I ran my finger across the paint, and it glided just like the hand waxes. Not yet content with my latest revelation, I had to see how it worked in the rain. So driving up to New York for the Holidays afforded me rain, snow, and sleet in one trip. The windows repelled the water, and allowed the wipers to clear. The water beaded and streaked of the paint in the rain. So, I was forced to concede, wax can be applied by a machine. Who would have “Thunk”! Read more…