CONTENTS:
Warm Temperatures Are Approaching. Is Your Vehicles
AC System In Need of Service?
Our E-mail Address: samgauto@samscars.com Our Phone Number Is 508-999-3213
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As summer approaches, we would like to be sure our customers will be driving
comfortably this summer season. If your vehicle is equipped with an air
conditioning system, you may want to make sure it is in proper working
condition. Having a properly functioning air conditioning system will ensure
your car's interior temperatures are acceptable as the warm weather arrives.
You will want to be assured your vehicle's a/c system will not be failing
when in need. Although most often, drivers are unable to recognize the
signs of a failing a/c system, we have services available to test, recharge
and inspect for refrigerant leaks. The most common complaint heard in our
service department when it comes to a/c repair is: "My air
conditioning was working fine yesterday, now all I am feeling is
hot air blowing from vents when turning the a/c on" This condition is quite
common and may be due to a small leak in the air conditioning system.
After the leak is found and repaired the system will need recharging. This
involves identifying the current refrigerant used in your vehicle. This
will be either R-12 or R134A. R12 is the most common, and is being slowly
phased out in the automotive industry due to the concern of the deteriorating
effects it has on the earths ozone layer. Late model cars all have the
newer, environmentally safe, R-134A. R134A cannot be used in place
of R-12 without the proper servicing being performed. This
is due to the fact that the compressor oils that the two different refrigerants
use are totally incompatible. An R-12 system would have to be thoroughly
flushed prior to the conversion to R134A. This conversion may also require
the replacement of pressure switches and hoses. If your vehicle is brought
in for refrigerant service, one of the first precautions taken is to identify
the type of refrigerant that exists in your vehicle using our updated equipment
to ensure non-contamination of your vehicles a/c system. Our ASE certified
technicians are ready to service any air conditioning problems that may
occur in your vehicle during the warm temperatures this season. So, the
next time your vehicle is in need of any A/C repair, just call our service
department and ask to speak with our service advisor, and we will
be happy to assist in the comfort of your driving this summer season.
Once again, we take the time here to thank all the customers who have been sending us all those great complimentary letters and e-mails. The following is a recent e-mail from our customer Bob Lawton: Subject: To Sam, Mark, Glenn, and the staff at Giammalvo's
To Sam, Mark, Glenn, and the full staff at Giammalvo's, I would like to take a minute to thank you for the excellent service
you have provided to me over the past three and a half years. I am
sure that my '93 Taurus would not be running as well at 170,000 miles
as it does without your expertise. Regardless of where my job takes
me throughout New England I am always confident that my car will take me
there and back, thanks to you. The professionalism shown by everyone
I have encountered at Giammalvo's is exemplary, and is a reflection
of Sam himself. Regardless of the situation, either an oil change
or new brakes, you always operate at the highest standard.
Sincerely, Bob Lawton
(From The BCC Spring 1999 Briefing Newsletter)
We are pleased to announce that, our customer, Doreen Henry, received
The Heritage Award in honor of Black History Month. Ms. Henry was recognized
for her dedication and service to the minority community and as a New Bedford
citizen. Ms. Henry is a minority recruiter at Bristol Community College
Are you looking for an inexpensive and environmentally correct way to get rid of an unwanted car? Would you like to help a great charity? Now you can do both by donating any unwanted car or truck to Special Olympics Massachusetts. Simply call 1-800-590-1600 to have your unwanted vehicle, in any condition, removed free of charge. Proceeds help support our program of year-round sports training and competition for individuals with mental retardation and over 10,000 athletes.
The four door Toyota Prius is proving to be a success with consumers and rival manufactures. Currently, only available in Japan, the Prius is different than the conventional electric car in that it also has a small 57 horsepower four-cylinder engine. The engine starts up and shuts off by itself, powering the car when needed and charging the batteries as the car drives. Technically, when the engine is off, your driving an electric car. The onboard electric motor is rated at 40 horsepower. A disadvantage to electric cars is running out of battery power with charging stations so few and far between in the country. With the Prius, if the batteries run down to the point where they can't power the car, the gasoline engine continues to run, powering the car as it recharges the batteries. When the engine is off and you put the gas pedal to the floor the engine will start since asking the car to speed up drains the batteries more quickly that gradual acceleration. As you brake the car and come to a stop, the engine turns itself off and the batteries get an additional charge from "regenerative braking" (the electric motor that normally powers the car sends power to the batteries instead of the wheels since no horsepower is needed by the car during braking). Since the gas engine is not running all the time, the car averages 66 miles per gallon. The downside is that the Prius is slow to accelerate and the vehicle is very complex. There have been stories of some braking down and the dealers in Japan are not yet trained to repair them. As you can imagine, a transmission that allows a car to be powered by a gas engine, or an electric engine, or both at the same time, is not one that is going to be repaired at the corner garage. Many automobile manufactures are purchasing them to dissect in order to learn how Toyota has delivered such an innovative vehicle. The price? Currently, under $18,000 in Japan.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved final regulations
instituting an aggressive scrappage program across the state. Under
the new regulation, CARB will crush up to 150,000 cars a year for 10 years
to meet emission reduction goals. Despite California law to the contrary,
the regulations will not allow for salvage or recycling of vehicle parts
or engines.
Congratulations go out to our customer, Deon Barrett, for finishing
as the 77th male runner out of 11,300 runners in the ‘99 Boston Marathon.
Deon turned in an impressive time of 2:35:32 considering this is his first
attempt at the marathon. Deon, who now resides in Canton, went to
high school in New Bedford and was a cross country All-American at Umass-Dartmouth
and is also a member of the Greater Boston Track Club. Deon was referred
to us by his grandfather, Puddie Gilmette, who has purchased many cars
from us over the years and is a long time Giammalvo customer. Puddie
stopped by to give us the good news shortly after the marathon. Hat's off
to Deon!
(Obituaries Courtesy The Standard Times) We were saddened to learn of the loss of the following customers: Esther Whitaker, born in Orchard Grove Farm, Ovid, Mich. She graduated from Ovid Public School, received her bachelor of science degree from Central Michigan University in 1936, her master's degree from Teacher's College in Nashville, Tenn., and did other graduate work at Denver University and Sacramento California State College. She was a vocal student of J. Howard Powers at CMU and of Carl Gutekunst and Percy Rector Stephens of New York City. Her work included supervisor of music at Ionia, Mich., public schools and for many years taught music education at New York State University at Oneonta, N.Y. The joy of music ran throughout her life. She was soloist and choir director at the First Presbyterian Church in Ionia, the First Presbyterian Church in Oneonta and at the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven, Mass. She directed both men's and women's choral groups at the University in Oneonta and other communities where she had lived. John E. Vidal Jr., was a lifelong city resident. Mr. Vidal worked at Fairhaven Cleaners more than 15 years and was an assistant foreman at Chamberlain Manufacturing for 18 years; he retired in 1980. After his retirement, he worked part time at Catelli's Dry Cleaning in New Bedford. He was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church, Fairhaven. He was a first sergeant in the Army in World War II and received the Good Conduct Medal and the European African Mideast Campaign Ribbon with four service stars. He served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. Frank "Friday" Francis, born in Fairhaven, he lived in New Bedford for many years, returning to Fairhaven in 1985. He was employed by the former Continental Screw Co. in New Bedford as a yardman from 1946 until he retired in 1981. An Army veteran of World War II, he received the Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, and American Theater Medal. Clifford S. Davis Jr., born and raised in Beverly, he
lived in Dartmouth since 1962. Mr. Davis was the president and chief
executive officer of Charles S. Ashley and Sons Inc. Insurance Agency for
26 years. Mr. Davis was a graduate of Beverly High School, the Maine Maritime
Academy, and Boston University.
Francis P. "Frank" Benedetti, born and educated in New Bedford, he had been a lifelong resident of the city and a communicant of St. James Church. He had been employed by the city of New Bedford Police Department for 32 years and attained the rank of sergeant before his retirement. He was a member of the Massachusetts Police Association, the YMCA, and a former member of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks. He served with the Naval reserves during the Second World War. Yvonne Alice (Lague) Rivet, Mrs. Rivet was born in Westport and lived in New Bedford until moving to Acushnet 31 years ago. She was a communicant of St. John Neumann Church, East Freetown. She was co-owner, with her daughter Norma, of Venus de Milo Coiffures in Acushnet until retiring. Mrs. Rivet and her husband spent their winters in Florida. She enjoyed being with her family and grandchildren. Bertha (Zajac) Debski, she was a lifelong New Bedford resident and communicant of St. Hedwig Church. Mrs. Debski was an office manager for the City of New Bedford, department of public works, until retiring in 1982.
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Recently we
had a customer stop by immediately after an accident with his vehicle.
The customer reported that their right front tire became low on air after
he collided with another car. As you can see, much to our amazement, the
license plate from the car he collided with wedged itself between the tire
and wheel on his car. Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident.
Well, you might say, at least he got the plate!
