Traveling tips and suggestions
Inspections
Monthly Inspections:
- Inspect all fluid levels (engine oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, etc.)
- Inflate tires to proper air pressure, inspect for wear (don’t forget to check the spare tire air pressure)
- Clean windows and inspect wiper blades
- Inspect all lights for proper operation
- A complete and comprehensive vehicle inspection to insure vehicle performance
- An air conditioning system service to protect the system and insure proper operation. It is common for the A/C system to lose small amounts of freon every year. When this happens the system will also lose oil which lubricates internal parts, also will allow moisture to build up inside the system and cause an acid to form which will corrode and damage internal parts.
- A complete vehicle brake system inspection
- A battery, starting and charging system test and inspection
- Replace fuel filter if needed
- Vehicle interior and exterior detail service
Every 24,000 to 30,000 miles or 24 to 36 months - Inspection:
- Vehicle tire/wheel check/alignment
- Automatic transmission flush and fill service, with transmission filter service
- Differential, 4x4 Drivetrain flush and fill service
- Manual transmission fluid service
- Power steering flush and fill service
- ABS / Brake hydraulic system flush and fill service
- Cooling system flush and fill service (most vehicles, some vehicles have extended life coolants and should not be mixed)
- Fuel injection & intake service
- Engine decarbonization service
- Vehicle performance service / tune-up service (this can vary from 12,000 miles on a older vehicle to 100,000 miles on some newer vehicles. Check with us for your vehicles specific performance services.)
- Inspect/Replace drive belt and coolant hoses
- If your vehicle has a Timing Belt it is very important to service and replace it at the proper time. This is commonly a mileage interval and may vary from 50,000 miles to 120,000 miles depending on what type of vehicle. Just ask us what your vehicles timing belt mileage intervals are.
Vehicle Care Tips
Proper maintenance helps protect your car from failure on the road while preserving the value of your automobile.
To keep your car in "good health," you've got to anticipate and address problems before they occur. Repairing a part after it breaks or fails can be expensive and inconvenient. Always remember that your owner's manual is the foremost authority on your car's maintenance requirements. If you're unsure about your car's needs, check the manual or contact the manufacturer for specific advice.
With this in mind, here are some general
guidelines that every car owner should
follow:
- Check the air filter every other month, and replace it when dirty.
- Inspect the belts and hoses monthly. Replace worn, glazed or frayed belts. If a hose feels too soft or too hard, it also should be replaced.
- Several fluid levels should be checked at regular intervals, including:
- Engine oil: every other gasoline fill-up.
- Transmission fluid: monthly.
- Brake fluid: monthly.
- Power-steering fluid: monthly.
- Antifreeze/coolant level: monthly, to ensure a 50/50 solution of antifreeze and water.
- Wiper fluid: monthly, to ensure it is full.
- Change the oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months (whichever comes first), and replace the oil filter at the same time.
- Keep your tires inflated to their recommended pressure, and check them regularly for wear and tear. Always carry a spare tire in good condition.
- Be sure headlights and taillights are clean and working, and carry extra fuses and bulbs as a precaution.
- Replace your wiper blades at least once a year.
Season Maintenance:
Some maintenance habits vary according to the season. In the spring, it's important to prepare your car
for summer conditions. Likewise, you should prepare your car for winter conditions during the fall.
Here are a few maintenance steps that will make your driving safer all year round.
Summer Maintenance:
Here are a few springtime steps that will make summer driving safer:
- Hot pavement can compound minor tire problems, so check your tires for small tears or defects.
- Switch to motor oil with heavier viscosity.
- Check the air conditioning system for leaks.
- Hot weather can shorten the life of a car's battery, so weak or old batteries should be tested and replaced if necessary.
Winter Maintenance:
Here are a couple of thoughts to keep in mind as Autumn comes to a close:
- Again, make sure your car's battery is in proper order. Cold weather can compound battery problems.
- Switch to heavy tread tires before the roads are covered with ice and snow.
- The engine oil, radiator, tires and ignition system must be in top condition to perform in cold weather. The wipers, brakes, tires and exterior lights also should be inspected. Ideally, this should be done by a certified technician.
- Prepare a winter kit for your car including a flashlight, ice scrapers, blankets, booster cables, flares, a large bag of salt or sand for traction, warm clothing and a small shovel.
- Remember, the fuel tank should always be at least half full in cold weather, and the car should be warmed up for several minutes in cold temperatures. Never warm up your car in a garage or other enclosed environment. Carbon monoxide fumes can be fatal.
Good Maintenance Isn't Foolproof
The most common causes of breakdowns include overheated engines and flat tires, which even the best measures can't always prevent. Sometimes, bad luck takes over. Because of that, the Automobile Association of America (AAA) recommends that you keep items in your car such as a first-aid kit, flares, jumper cables, a spare tire, and a jack in case of a breakdown. Also, learn how to change a flat tire and how to jump-start your car.
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Automotive FAQ
Good independent shops generally have more diagnostic equipment than dealerships and are better diagnosticians, because they have to know about many kinds of vehicles. These are usually your best bet for out-of-warranty repairs and even repairs done under some extended service contracts that you may have purchased from your car dealer.
Your technician should be like a your doctor. He should know everything about your car, so that when you have a problem it is easier to diagnose. No one knows your car better than you, so don't ignore small warning signs.
- Let them know about weird smells, sounds, drips, leaks, warning lights, unusual gauge readings and smoke
- Tell him about your car's acceleration, gas mileage, change in fluid levels, change in steering, handling and braking.
- Tell him when problems first became apparent and under what driving conditions.
- Consider writing down a list of symptoms or keeping a log of possible problems.
All of this information will be helpful to your technician and will save you a lot of money over the life of your vehicle.
Finding a shop you trust can be difficult, especially if you are new to an area. If you are like most people, referrals from friends and family are important. Other criteria to consider are:
- Experience of the technician and the owner/manager. Good shops will have the credentials of their technicians on display.
- The type of warranty offered on parts and labor for work performed.
- Condition of the facilities.
- Availability of the necessary tools and equipment to do the job right. Ask for references.
I Want 200,000 Miles Plus Out of My Car
With the cost associated with any vehicle it becomes very important to protect that investment. To keep your
vehicle dependable, safe and performing at its best is no accident. The average vehicle on the road today is 8
to 10 years old and the average driver drives between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year. This is why proper care and
maintenance is so important. Industry studies have shown it is more economical to properly maintain a vehicle for
100,000 to 200,000 miles than it is to trade in this vehicle every 2 to 4 years. Listed below are some basic vehicle
care and maintenance ideas
- Purchasing the proper vehicle for your needs, you would not want to buy a half ton truck if you wanted to carry one ton of equipment all the time, or buy a high performance sports car to use in a newspaper route. You need to assess your needs and do your homework before you buy.
- Use a good grade of fuel and the proper fuel in your vehicle. Most vehicles
on the road today are designed to use the regular grade or 87 octane grades. There can be some advantages
to using a higher grade fuel or the higher octane levels. To find out what fuel grade is recommended for
your vehicle refer to your owner’s manual
Fuel injection systems are used in most vehicles on the road today. The proper fuel is very important. It is also very important to keep the injector clean and keep the intake clean from carbon buildup. A fuel injection service and decarbonization service should be performed every 12 to 24 months.
Fuel injection systems are used in most vehicles on the road today. The proper fuel is very important. It is also very important to keep the injector clean and keep the intake clean from carbon buildup. A fuel injection service and decarbonization service should be performed every 12 to 24 months.
To help keep the fuel injection system clean it is a good idea to add a good fuel injector cleaner and conditioner to your fuel tank every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. A good time to do this is at your oil service intervals.
- The condition of the exterior and interior of your vehicle will add value when it comes time to trade; as well as make it more pleasurable to drive. There is no logic to the statement “a clean, good looking vehicle performs better,” but it does! I guess that’s human nature.
- Vehicle maintenance is one of the most important aspects to vehicle safety, longevity, and
value. It is also one of the most neglected areas in vehicle care. With any vehicle you will have the normal
wear items such as brakes, tires, drive belts, etc; in addition to the needed repairs that accompany any mechanical
vehicle from your first wagon you played with as a child to the space shuttle.
Every vehicle comes with an owner’s manual which is a good source for maintenance schedules. I think this is a guideline that should be used, but if you are looking for those 100,000 to 200,000 miles plus out of your vehicle you need to improve on that basic maintenance plan.
Most mechanical and hydraulic system failures in your vehicle is related to heat or poor lubrication that comes with either normal wear, lack of service or fluid contamination. It is very important to keep all fluids and hydraulic systems at the proper level, clean, free of contamination and moisture build up and serviced properly. You want to keep moving parts lubricated and inspected for wear. Keep all ignition and fuel systems performing properly.This not only adds to the longevity of your vehicle, but also has the hidden advantage of better fuel mileage which will save on fuel cost. That can be a major savings today. Have your vehicle repaired when the problem starts and do not wait until it becomes a major repair problem. This will help with the cost of repairs in most cases. An annual complete comprehensive vehicle inspection will help in all areas above and in the long run, your vehicle will be less costly to operate, more reliable, last longer and you will be driving a safer vehicle; an advantage to everyone on the road today.
- Find a good professional repair shop that you can trust and build a working relationship with. This is an advantage for you, your family and the repair shop. The repair shop will get to know you, your vehicle, how the vehicle is used, and has the repair history on your vehicle. Vehicle history and the way your vehicle is used can be very important in the maintenance requirements of your vehicle and vehicle longevity.
- Use the proper oils and fluids in your vehicle. Today’s vehicles use many different types of oils and fluids in their newer or improved systems. The best source for this information is your owner’s manual or a reference guide most repair shops have. It is not recommended to mix some fluids and this may vary from car to car. If you are not sure please consult your manual.
The TUNE UP isn’t what it used to be.
NO TUNE-UP FOR 100,000 MILES! Sounds incredible? But that’s what some
carmakers are claiming.
Has new technology rendered the tune-up unnecessary? The truth is, the term tune-up – as we’ve known it – has become
obsolete. The term dates back to the days when engines were cranked by hand and the spark to fire the spark plugs was
generated in a fancy-looking, varnished wooden box.
The ignition box often need to be adjusted to the right pitch, hence the tune-up. In those days before electronic engine controls and onboard computers, the basic engine timing, distributor point gap, fast idle and automatic choke often needed to be adjusted, usually at the same time the spark plugs needed replacing. A tune-up meant changing the plugs, points and condenser and making any necessary adjustments for the engine to run at peak power and efficiency. Modern computer controlled and fuel injected engines don’t need those adjustments. The computer does all the adjusting. When it comes to the 100,000 mile tune-up, carmakers mean that under normal driving conditions, they anticipate that the spark plugs on certain engine models will not need to be changed for 100,000 miles.
Today’s sophisticated engines are held to higher standards of efficiency. To meet ever-stricter emission controls, they need to be checked periodically to ensure they are operating efficiently. A simple vacuum leak or dirty air filter could dramatically decrease fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. A lump of carbon or small quantity of oil could foul a spark plug. Left unrepaired until the recommended tune-up interval, increased fuel consumption costs and potential damage to expensive parts, like the oxygen sensor or catalytic converter, far exceed any money saved by assuming nothing need to be done until a tune-up is recommended. Remember, potentially longer-lasting spark plugs don’t guarantee an engine will run efficiently without any attention.
Generally, aside from spark plugs, the need for servicing remains the same. Filters should be changed regularly and at about 50,000 miles, ignition wires may need replacing. The distributor cap and rotor may show some wear and fuel
Important Items to Carry in Your Vehicle:
In case of road-side emergencies, accidents or bad weather, always have in your vehicle the following items:
- Jumper cables
- Pliers, an adjustable wrench and a screwdriver
- A first-aid kit
- Blankets
- A supply of any regularly needed or taken medications
- Candles and matches
- Sand or kitty litter for climates with snow or ice
- Clean water
- Canned fruit or nuts and a can opener
Source Automotive Service Association (ASA)
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