Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Is your vehicle ready for your vacation? - Sonny's Muffler and Hitches is here to help

Before your family zooms off on a road trip this summer, Sonny Johnson, owner of Sonny’s Muffler and Hitches, strongly suggests getting a checkup on your vehicle.

“You should always get your car up on a lift for an inspection before a vacation,” said Johnson. He recommends that people be as diligent about getting a vehicle analysis as they are about checking their tire pressure before they hit the highways.

Johnson warned if an exhaust problem is disregarded, many negative things may happen to a vehicle and the occupants within that car.

“The muffler could fall off,” Johnson said. “The driver and passenger(s) could be put to sleep due to carbon monoxide poisoning.” The elderly and very young are highly susceptible to the effects of this toxicity, he says.

Johnson recommends that people not overlook the different smells a car releases, because they may not be normal odors; neither should car owners ignore a rusty tail pipe, which is like a cancer to an exhaust system. A faulty muffler can also cause bad gas mileage, which can hurt one’s pocketbook – especially these days.

“I have seen cars that are only a couple of years old that need some type of attention,” said Johnson.

Even though cars are built to run 100,000 miles these days, this does not necessarily guarantee that your vehicle will not need some type of repair. Johnson said many drivers are unaware of any type of damage that can be done while driving, such as hitting a curb stop or a rock or driving into a pothole.

“It could even be your son who took his buddies off-roading in your car,” said Johnson. “And I get a lot of that.”

“My specialty is exhaust work,” explained Johnson. This specialty includes the manifold all the way down to the chrome tips. Johnson is well experienced in servicing vehicles, such as cars, trucks, classics, exotics, hot rods and motor homes.

Being skilled in exhaust systems is very valuable to Johnson’s customers. Johnson explained that an exhaust system is split into two parts, the front and back. Rather than replacing the whole unit when a component is broken, Johnson can perform a more unique repair. Such adeptness can save people money.

“In a specialty shop, you cut out the bad section and zone in on where the repair needs to be,” he said, adding that custom exhaust work is not pricey, either.

The other half of Johnson’s business is trailer hitch installation, wiring and electrical brake systems. He performs hitch modifications so people can tow their toys and trailers.

“If a vehicle already has a hitch on it, then I can either upgrade the hitch or add the necessary accessories to it,” he said. Johnson works on frame, fifth wheel and gooseneck hitches.

Johnson opened Sonny’s Muffler and Hitches in 1999 but has been involved in the field of motor vehicles for a total of 20 years. This family-owned business also offers free inspections and is proud to have a strong following of repeat customers and referrals.

“I am in this business because I genuinely care about people being treated fairly and giving them the right service for their needs,” Johnson said.

Sonny’s Muffler and Hitches is located at 212 West Beech Street, Fallbrook. The company can be contacted by phone at (760) 728-1234.

 

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