Binder's Automotive Inc.

Check out this fun visitor!! At first I thought is was a leaf (haha!) This little guy remained on the roof of the car for the entire inspection.

Look closely at the oil leaking from this oil filter housing. This first time customer was told to just keep adding engine oil to the crankcase because the leak repair would be too expensive. This advice came from someone who does not understand that an automobile is a system. Overfilling a crankcase for any reason, causes additional damage to related parts and systems, such as seal and gasket failure, catalytic converter contamination and breather system clogging only to nam...e a few. To make matters worse, this particular advice was also incorrect in that a quality oil change service actually repaired the leak. We found the rubber seal inside the oil filter cap, was rock hard because it hadn't been changed during previous oil changes. Low quality oil filters include a low quality seal and low quality processes encourage technicians to skip replacing the seal in favor of getting the job done faster. Consider the reason(s) why an oil change is "value priced". Something else to consider when thinking about your next oil change: " " " $.", , ' . See more

This vehicle was in for a routine oil change and exhibited no symptoms, yet a potentially dangerous situation was developing. Look closely at these brake hoses! There are bubbles evident indicating the hoses are failing from the inside out. All brake hoses are barrier type hoses meaning they are constructed using multiple layers. This provides an opportunity to visually see a failure occurring BEFORE complete failure, resulting in a sudden loss of brake fluid and subsequently... loss of brake function. However, this warning feature is useless if left undetected. Our comprehensive inspection process included with every oil change and PA State Inspection is designed to inspect these critical components. This is essential most importantly for your safety and the safety of your family, but it also provides you with an honest and accurate assessment of your vehicle at every visit. Motorists who choose us for service enjoy the benefits of planning for future maintenance and repairs instead of being unexpectedly surprised. Additionally, all future oil changes, State Inspections/Emissions, maintenance and repairs are entered into your vehicle file along with due dates. This provides you with print mail and text reminders when those services are near due. Click here to learn about everything you should expect from your service provider https://bindersauto.com/binders-automotive-signature-series See more

This is a tough one to make out!! The angle of the pic makes this difficult to determine, but it's a halogen headlight that was not installed correctly. We spotted it while performing an oil change. There is always a reason for poor quality but never an excuse. Halogen headlight bulbs become very hot reaching temperatures of over 1000 degrees! When not installed correctly, this extreme heat can quickly damage surrounding components and wiring. Almost all headlight lens assemblies are constructed of plastic. If the bulb comes in contact with the assembly, it will quickly melt it resulting in permanent damage to the lens. Lenses are expensive! So think carefully about who you allow to replace your headlight bulbs. Low quality bulbs with improper fit &/or low quality installation could cost you much more than you're "saving".

That dreaded Check Engine Light!!!! The range of emotions aroused when this little amber light illuminates can be numerous. This is very likely THE most misunderstood light to illuminate in your vehicle. The average vehicle today has over 5000 different generic and manufacturer specific trouble codes!!! And contrary to very widespread, popular belief, it DOES NOT tell you what's wrong with your car. Pulling a "code" at the local parts store or corner garage and simply replaci...ng parts based solely on the code is a very efficient method of stripping your vehicle of high quality, perfectly working factory parts. It's also very effective at wasting your valuable time and hard earned money. However, the stored trouble code is extremely valuable for a technician who understands your particular vehicle's computer system. This is how the computer reveals to us what it "sees" when a parameter exceeds pre-programmed thresholds. This provides very valuable information required to begin an accurate diagnosis through component and circuit testing. In the case of the picture below, the Check Engine Light was turned on due to a tear in the engines breather diaphragm. See more

These are pics of the rear brakes of a vehicle. Notice the severely uneven brake pad wear inboard to outboard as well as top to bottom? There are various reasons which can lead to this condition. After a complete brake system diagnosis, we determined the rust and corrosion buildup under the abutement hardware was causing the brake pads to bind in the caliper brackets. Thankfully, we were able to recondition the original brackets instead of replacing them. This condition devel...ops as a result of low quality brake pad replacement methods, however it reveals itself long after the job so the motorist never realizes "who" caused this expensive repair. Sadly, conditions like this cause additional premature wear and damage to related components as well. A vehicle is a system. The quality of that system cannot be determined by the quality of the individual parts alone; it can only be determined by how well those individual parts INTERACT. Having a complete understanding of the whole vehicle system, results in the highest quality service and repair. This will save motorists time, aggravation and money over the life of the vehicle. See more

Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. Notice the oil leaking from this oil filter? This is caused by low quality, cheap filters &/or low quality oil change processes. A cheap, quick oil change is typically just that and you will receive exactly what you pay for. A Binder's Signature Series Oil Change Service is a high quality oil change featuring ONLY manufacturer specific, factory oil filters (NOT OE equivalent). You drive a Toyota? You get a Toyota filter. You drive a Ford? You get a Ford Motorcraft filter. Also, we only use the highest quality Mobil Lubricants. For more extensive information about all of the benefits of our high quality oil change service, please visit https://bindersauto.com/binders-automotive-signature-series

This is a leaking transmission oil cooler line we spotted during a Signature Series Oil Change Service. Thankfully we caught it before it turned into a heavy leak or worse yet, complete failure. The danger with not detecting seeping fluid is that over time, the fluid level slowly decreases without any indication to the driver, such as a large, noticeable puddle on the ground or garage floor. Most vehicles today are not equipped with a transmission fluid dipstick for regular f...luid level inspections. This allows a problem like this to escalate into catastrophic transmission damage if left undetected. Be certain the service provider you trust to perform your oil changes, has a thorough inspection process being performed by knowledgeable technicians who understand all of your particular vehicle's systems. Please visit https://bindersauto.com/binders-automotive-signature-series and select "Automatic Transmission Fluid to learn more. See more

So you think assisted parking technology is new? Look again!! Packard Motor Car Company developed this very innovative technology in 1934. It's amazing what we find when we take just a little time to notice history.

Binder's Automotive Standard of Excellence is our promise to you! Here is just one example of how we care for everyone who places their trust in us to always do the right thing. This is a copy of a warranty invoice. We replaced a timing chain cover gasket on this vehicle along with a crankshaft oil seal. The crankshaft seal began to leak after the repairs were completed. We covered the entire repair, the car rental, car wash to remove residual oil that was slung underneath the car, as well as sales tax. We believe there is a significant difference between doing something right and doing the right thing. Sometimes mistakes are made &/or parts fail prematurely. When we discover we didn't do something right, we promise to always do the right thing. This is the Binder Way. Please like and share if you agree.

Have you ever been told your vehicle has a broken engine or transmission mount? This vehicle was scheduled for a State Inspection and Emissions Test. We discovered this broken engine mount during our inspection process. Broken or worn mounts cause damage to other related components such as other engine and transmission mounts, CV axle assys., driveshaft universal joints, steering and suspension components. Symptoms include harsh transmission shifts into reverse or drive, bang...ing noises while accelerating or shifting gears and an intermittent shimmy or vibration in the steering wheel while driving. We encourage all motorists to choose a repair shop who has a complete understanding of your vehicles SYSTEMS and how these components interact. This understanding is essential to avoid spending your hard earned money "chasing" a symptom by replacing perfectly good parts. See more

Commitment to high quality service runs deep in Binder's blood. Raymond Barrall is our grandfather on our mother's side. He opened this Sinclair station circa 1947. As you can read, he understood the difference between helping someone and caring for someone. This same commitment, remains our core focus at Binder's today. To learn more about what we believe, and what you can expect at every visit, please check out our Guiding Principles of Leadership at https://bindersauto.com/pledge

Have you ever experienced a wheel coming loose while driving?? Hopefully you never have as it can be very frightening!! We all have heard stories or seen someone on the side of the road with a wheel that came loose. The assumption is always that the mechanic was careless, and this may very well be true considering that flat-rate mechanics and techs who rely on commission for their paycheck, often are pressured to rush through your service and repair. However there is another ...scenario which causes wheels to come loose; CORROSION! Notice the corrosion buildup between the mounting surfaces on the wheel, brake rotor and hub? If this wheel is fastened to the hub in this condition, the wheel could possibly work loose, even after correct torque tightening. If the wheel is over-tightened to compensate for the corrosion, damage to the wheel, wheel studs, lug nuts and brake rotor will occur. It is imperative this corrosion is removed before reassembly to achieve proper clamping force. After cleaning, we take an extra step and apply a synthetic coating to prevent rust and corrosion from returning. Be sure the service provider you trust is aware of this problem. It is very common and unsafe! See more

That is a lot of grease slinging everywhere!! That greenish/black grease is leaking from the front axle inner CV joint. Notice the small hole in the second pic? There are no symptoms at this point which would alert a driver to this failure. If left undetermined, the joint will fail causing vibration, clicking noises and additional wear/damage to bearings and internal transmission components. Early detection through a high quality inspection processes is a win-win. Motorists ...will drastically decrease the likely hood of an unexpected breakdown as well as additional damage caused by a failing component. Early detection also may provide the motorist an opportunity to budget for a needed repair. Ask your service provider what methods are being implemented to ensure you are receiving a high quality inspection. I recommend an inspection based solely on a knowledge and understanding of your vehicles systems, instead of based on sales and compensation. ASK how the Service Advisor and Technicians are compensated. The answer should not be used to determine a "go/no-go", but it is a great place to start a conversation. See more

"Changing your brakes is quick and easy!" Isn't this what all of the commercials state? Understand exactly what quick will cause. This large rust ridge on the inboard side of the brake rotor is caused by low quality/quick n easy, installation processes. A quality brake job consists of so much more than simply replacing the pads and rotors. It requires a complete understanding of the vehicles brake SYSTEM and how it interacts with the other systems on your vehicle. Before you... succumb to a "cheap" brake job, do the same thing you should do regardless of the price... ASK WHY!! Ask why is it so inexpensive; why is it so expensive. If the answers you hear are only based on the quality of the parts and mention nothing about the quality of the labor, you may want to get a second opinion. The importance of knowing exactly what you are exchanging your hard earned money for cannot be overstated. See more

Sometimes we are left scratching our heads!! Now we put the screwdriver in there to show how the cut in the sidewall was clean through. This is the rear tire and the INSIDE edge!! Whatever caused this, didn't damage the rim at all. Your guess is as good as ours to what caused it. The customer was completely unaware. Thankfully we spotted it during an oil change service. Just another reminder to use a service facility that raises your vehicle in the air when servicing and implements a quality inspection process.