At some point in your life, some well-meaning "car experts" probably told you that you need to get your oil changed every 3,000 miles or every three months.
While this advice was probably spot on a few decades back, modern cars don't need their oil changed anywhere near that often.
So, the question remains, how often should you get a regular oil change?
It always happens at the worst times, on the hottest days. You're driving your car when all of a sudden you realize: "Hey, my car AC is not cooling!"
With record temperatures that have topped 130° F, a working air conditioner is pretty much a necessity here in the United States. Unfortunately though, when you're talking about the delicate AC system in a vehicle, a lot can go wrong. One small malfunction can wind up leaving you frustrated, hot, and stuck to your seat.
If you've got a broken car AC, though, don't sweat it. It might be a complicated fix, but it can usually be done. First, you'll need to pinpoint the cause.
Read on to learn the possible reasons why your car's AC is not cooling.
Your vehicle is a well-oiled machine. Or at least it should be. But what happens when you ignore an oil change?
Your car's engine relies on oil to reduce friction between moving parts, but it loses its effectiveness over time due to heat and other factors. This means all the components of your engine may not be protected as they should be, as sludge can form that decreases the flow of the oil. This can lead to a variety of issues.
Because of this, it's recommended that you change your oil at regular intervals as outlined by the manufacturer. If you think you don't need to, read on to learn some of the consequences of failing to add fresh oil and replacement filters.
Misaligned wheels are one of the most common causes of uneven or premature tire wear.
Uneven tread can be a safety issue as well as making your car’s ride less comfortable. Not to mention the cost of replacing your tires sooner than expected.
Proper wheel alignment will help avoid unnecessary expenses and dangerous driving conditions. Let’s look at 5 signs your car needs wheel alignment service.
The only thing more important than making sure your car goes is making sure it can stop. Considering this, it can be a bit nerve-wracking when your car starts shaking every time you brake. It leaves you scratching your head, asking, "Why does my car shake when I brake?"
Let's diagnose.
Most drivers want to keep their vehicles running at the highest performance level possible. This means that all the recommended vehicle maintenance items should be kept up-to-date, which includes an inspection and maintenance of the exhaust system. Today’s newer vehicles have a computer sensor that monitors fuel economy and overall performance, pinpointing a problem before it gets serious, which means that problems in the exhaust system can be detected early on.
Are you wondering what are the symptoms of a bad muffler? When mufflers become worn out, they are unable to effectively "muffler" the sound of the vehicle's exhaust. The exhaust system is most effective when it is operating quietly in the background. Unfortunately, this means it is often “out of sight; out of mind” until a problem starts to develop. Mufflers could last from five to seven years, but there are several issues that can cause them to wear out prematurely.
Until they are no longer able to drive their car or have an unexpected tire repair, some drivers may not think about the condition of their tires. However, unknown to them, they could be endangering themselves and their passengers. It is a proven fact that tire failure caused by uneven tread wear is the cause of thousands of accidents every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has even published a statement encouraging drivers to include tire rotation service in their regular car maintenance routine.
New drivers may not understand exactly what rotating tires even means. It is simply moving the tires around to a different position on the vehicle so that the tread wears in an even pattern on all four tires. For example, the front tires will be moved to the rear and the rear tires moved to the front.
This is a question that many drivers often wonder about. If you can’t remember the last visit to your auto shop for some type of car repair or maintenance, it may be time to schedule a visit. Some drivers think they can save money by extending the time between maintenance service intervals. Unfortunately, this may only result in costing more money in the long run as the potential cost of car repair would be even more than the service itself.
Is your car slowing down when you are accelerating to go up a hill or try to pass a slower vehicle? This can be a little frustrating, if not scary. If this is happening to you, ask your auto mechanic to run a car diagnostics to determine what is going on under the hood. It could be time for a tune up!
You may be wondering just how often should you get a tune up on your car? Today’s vehicles differ significantly from older vehicles that required a tune-up every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. Certain manufacturer-recommended service intervals can now stretch to 100,000 miles before they need to be done, such as replacing spark plugs.
Take the time to read your owner’s manual. This little book explains the recommended mileage and time intervals for all your vehicle’s maintenance items. Of course, your auto mechanic also knows the service schedule for your vehicle and will be able to give you guidelines.
Not only will routine auto service keep the dollars in your wallet, but will also help protect our environment. By spending a little up front on routine auto service, your auto shop will help you reach your goal of keeping your car running clean and performing stronger and longer, while keeping our atmosphere a little cleaner.
