CAR CARE TIPS BLOG

The mechanical needs of your vehicle are on-going. While no one likes spending their hard earned money on mundane preventative maintenance measures, such as a car alignment, it is perhaps the most proactive thing you can do to protect the investment you have made in your automobile.

By being in tune with the look and feel of your vehicle, you can better self-diagnose when an alignment is needed. If you allow your vehicle to remain unbalanced, it poses safety threats and will be significantly more expensive to fix later.

There are four main reasons why car maintenance is important. The first and foremost reason is that there are less chances of breaking down somewhere unexpectedly. There are a variety of even small things that could go wrong with your car that might cause problems, such as a dirty air filter, dead battery, corroded spark plugs, worn-out tires and a lost wheel alignment.

The second reason for regular vehicle maintenance is that your car isn't going to have to sit in the auto shop quite as often for costly repairs. Because you are keeping up with preventative maintenance services, your auto repair technician will be able to find small problems before they get bad enough to cause problems. Something as simple as a dirty filter can allow debris and dirt inside of the engine, which means that not a lot of air is going to be able to reach the engine.

You are driving along and all of a sudden you notice a dashboard light come on.  It is the dreaded “Check Engine” light!  What should you do?  It is important to understand what the check engine light means and what to do about it. You want to make sure that long-term damage isn’t taking place in the engine and that you aren't compromising the safety of your vehicle.

So, just what does the "Check Engine" light mean?

The "check engine" light is the most misunderstood indicator on your dashboard. It can mean various things, from a loose gas cap to a seriously misfiring engine.  Don’t ignore it because it could mean that expensive components of the engine are being damaged. It is also an indicator that your vehicle is experiencing poor fuel economy and emitting higher levels of toxic pollutants.

Driving with good car struts and shocks is important for the safety and control of your vehicle. There are various ways of how to tell if shocks need to be replaced. You cannot control the road that you are driving on, but you can make sure your shock absorbers are letting you have a good experience when driving.

How to Tell If Shocks Need to be Replaced

Shocks are vulnerable to wear and tear like all other car parts. It takes a driver’s keenness to notice a deteriorating shock. There are various signs that alert the driver of shocks that need attention or replacement. These include;

• Changes in the way your car maneuvers over bumps and potholes. Worn out shocks cause your car to bottom out over railroad tracks, speed bumps, and dips. 
• Abnormal sounds from your car when going over bumps
• Abnormal lean of the car when making turns and changes when coming to an abrupt halt. The front end of a weary vehicle tends to dive sharply

Don't Neglect Regular Car Service!

As a car owner, you need to know the benefits relating to having the recommended car service performed on a regular basis. Even though your car may seem to be operating without any problems, this will ensure that there is nothing going on that you can't see. The problem is however, many vehicle owners are concerned about interruptions to their busy schedules and wonder how long does car repair take and can they take the time needed?

Don't Forget Tire Rotation During Your Next Tire Service!

Having your tires serviced is an essential part of proper car care. Tire service commonly includes some fairly basic services including tire inspection and repair (looking for tears and pinholes in your tires), checking and adjusting your tire inflation, and making sure that you have the right tires on your vehicle. One of the commonly overlooked forms of tire service is tire rotation which sometimes falls by the wayside during your tire care.

What is Tire Rotation?

A tire rotation involves moving the tires on your car around to different locations so that a different part of the tires touched the road and experiences friction with the road. The friction from the road wears down the tires but typically only touches a portion of the road. By rotating the tires you can reduce the wear on one spot and allocate it to a different part of the tire which lengthens the life of the tire significantly.

How Long Does a Tire Rotation Take?

While many people worry about how long does a tire rotation take, the answer is a relatively short period of time, typically it takes less than an 1 hour of total time. 

Don't Neglect A Needed Car Repair: Getting A Diagnostic Test

"How much does it cost?" "How long does a car diagnostic test take?" These are two common questions vehicle owners often ask when they are unsure what type of repair their vehicle needs. In most cases, a diagnostic test costs less than $100 and can be completed in a matter of minutes. It is a wise investment of time and money if you suspect your car is starting to have problems. The diagnostic test can pinpoint exactly what is wrong. Your mechanic can then be assured of knowing exactly what needs to be repaired, and you are able to make an informed decision as to whether the problem needs to be taken care of immediately or if it can wait a while longer.

One piece of car maintenance is essential for your vehicle and generally should be done about every three months. That is, of course, an engine oil change! Fortunately, an oil change doesn't cost much and doesn't take too much time. But the benefits of regular oil changes are impressive!

Do you know How long does an Oil Change Take?

Oil changes help to extend the life of your engine by providing lubrication to your engine and preventing dirt and build up. The added lubrication keeps your engine operating effectively and preventing friction in your engine from wearing down the components of your engine. It is an essential bit of maintenance that should be completed after about 3,000 miles or three months of driving.

At some point, everyone is likely to have to ponder how to how to find a good auto repair shop when their car starts having some troubles. It can be a difficult process to gauge which auto repair shops are trustworthy and reliable from those who may be less than honest or qualified to work on your auto. Ensuring you choose qualified professionals who get the job done right the first time will save you time and money. Do a little research before you head to an auto shop.

A good tip is to ask your friends, family, and co-workers who they take their vehicles to.  Word of mouth is a powerful indicator, especially if you trust the person giving you the advice to be savvy and reliable.

The Real Importance of Transmission Service

Transmission maintenance is one of the more commonly neglected parts of keeping a vehicle operating in a safe and effective manner. When a vehicle needs the gas refilled, it's quick to alert the driver. But transmission fluid is another matter. Some vehicles do have an automated reminder. However, for most people, it's something that they're going to have to remember on their own.

Transmission service refers to work on a variety of different parts of a vehicle's basic transmission system. In the simplest terms, the transmission transmits energy from the engine to the wheels. When people refer to a vehicle as manual or automatic, they're referring to the way the driver operates the transmission system. They either do it manually or rely on automated systems to handle it.