Back to School: Local Auto Expert Shares his Checklist for Your Car

BLAINE, Wash. — Back-to-school preparation is not just about buying supplies and getting the kids ready for the first day.

Your vehicle needs a checkup, too.

With school traffic about to return, PNW Daily spoke with Rich Eacret, owner of Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service in Blaine, about what drivers should look for before they get back into the daily routine of school drop-offs, pickups and commuting.

Rich said drivers do not have to wait until something goes seriously wrong before bringing a vehicle into the shop.

“We do everything from diagnostic, check engine lights, alignments, the whole nine yards.”

Rich Eacret, Owner, Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service

“We do everything from diagnostic, check engine lights, alignments, the whole nine yards,” Rich said.

That includes helping drivers figure out what is happening when a vehicle suddenly starts making an unfamiliar noise.

This feature is sponsored by Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service, the official tire partner of PNW Daily.

Hearing a Knock or Tick? Get It Checked

One of the easiest things for a driver to notice is also one of the easiest to ignore: a new sound.

Rich explained what happens when a customer brings in a vehicle with a noise they cannot identify.

“So a customer comes in basically and says, ‘Hey, I got this knock knock or tick tick in their car.’ We just write up a quick little quote to find out about them, get their information,” Rich said.

From there, the technicians begin the diagnostic process.

“Our mechanics will take the car for a drive, figure out what it is, put it back on the rack, discover what the problem is, let the customer know that he’s got a thingamajig and a whatchamacallit that’s…” Rich said, laughing.

“We lift those things up, give them a price for removal and reinstall, and then the customer says yes or no, whatever they want to do.”

Rich said the process is designed to identify the problem and give the customer a chance to decide what they want to do next.

“And then we get the car fixed up and get them on the road again,” he said.

That kind of diagnostic work can be particularly useful before school starts. A strange noise that seems minor during a short trip could become a bigger problem during weeks of daily commuting.

Give Your Tires a Check

Tires should be near the top of any back-to-school vehicle checklist.

Check the air pressure on all four tires and inspect the tread. Drivers should also make sure their spare tire is properly inflated and ready to use.

Proper tire inflation helps with handling and fuel economy, while adequate tread becomes increasingly important as fall rain returns to the Pacific Northwest.

Alley Auto handles tire installation, wheel alignments and TPMS service. The shop carries brands including Falken, Nokian, Nexen, Hankook, Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear and Continental.

Make Sure Your Brakes Are Ready

School traffic means more stopping.

Drivers should pay attention to squeaking, grinding or other unusual brake noises. Changes in braking performance are another reason to have the vehicle inspected.

Alley Auto also handles brake repair as part of its automotive service work.

A brake inspection before the school year can help identify worn components before they become a bigger problem.

Check the Battery Before It Leaves You Stranded

Summer heat can be tough on automotive batteries, and an aging battery can fail without much warning.

If your battery is more than a few years old, consider having it tested before school starts.

Alley Auto offers battery replacement along with its other automotive services.

This feature is sponsored by Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service, the official tire partner of PNW Daily.

Check Fluids, Lights and Wipers

Drivers should also check their engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and windshield washer fluid.

Make sure headlights, brake lights and turn signals work properly. Check the windshield wipers, too.

Fall brings more rain and shorter days to Whatcom County, so maintaining good visibility is an important part of getting ready for the school commute.

Keep an Emergency Kit in the Car

A basic emergency kit can also make an unexpected problem easier to handle.

Keep a flashlight, jumper cables, first-aid supplies and a phone charger in the vehicle. Water and a few basic tools are also worth considering.

Three ASE-Certified Technicians

Rich said Alley Auto has also expanded its staff with another ASE-certified technician.

“Three ASE-certified techs, two guys with 40-plus years, another guy with almost about 25 years under his belt,” Rich said. “Been doing it for a long time, so they know what they’re doing.”

That experience gives local drivers access to technicians who have spent decades working on vehicles.

The shop is locally owned and located in Blaine, serving drivers from Blaine and throughout Whatcom County.

“So whether you’re in Bellingham or the surrounding area in Whatcom County, come right here,” Rich said.

Alley Auto Point S Tire & Auto Service provides tire installation, wheel alignments, oil changes, brake repair, battery replacement, TPMS service, diagnostics and other automotive repairs.

Alley Auto Point S is the official tire of PNW Daily.

Before the first school bell rings, take a few minutes to look over your vehicle. And if that old Jeep suddenly develops a “knock knock” or “tick tick,” Rich and his team know where to start looking.

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