Car Care
Everything you wanted to know about oil changes, but were afraid to ask.
Do you know how often you should change the oil in your car? How about what kind of oil you should use? Don’t worry, most folks don’t. Read on and I will try to give you some basics on what is really needed to keep your car running great for a long, long time. There has been a lot of advertising on the part of oil companies that say you should be changing your oil every 3000 miles. Well, that might not be totally true. Yes there are some cars whose manufacturers recommend changing the oil every 3000 miles, but the vast majority recommend changing the oil and filter every 7500 miles. We recommend that you check your owner’s manual, and then consult with your technician to determine a schedule that’s right for your vehicle and the type of driving that you do. Oil has come a long way in the past twenty years. Today’s lubricants are chocked full of some really great stuff. Anti oxidants, rust inhibitors, detergents, and a bunch of stuff I have trouble spelling. Choose oil that is right for the ambient temperature and driving conditions. Here in Florida, 10W-30 is a great choice for most cars; check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s needs.
Brakes giving you a fit? Here’s a tip.
It usually happens slowly, over a period of time. At first, you start to feel your brake pedal just doesn’t seem its old self. Then you hear a little noise when you come to a stop. That’s when you know its time for a brake job. It happens to all vehicles sooner or later. The average, depending on how you drive, is about 35,000 miles on front brake pads and about 55,000 miles on rear brake shoes. This article is a little information so that you have an idea of what you need to know to get your vehicles brakes back to original working order. After all, braking is the most important thing that your vehicle can do. You should have your brakes inspected, often, by a trained professional every time you have your tires rotated. We recommend that you rotate your tires every 5,000 miles. That way you can avoid the costly mistake of wearing your pads or shoes past the wear indicators and damaging the rotors or drums. Inspections should include checking the brake lines, wheel cylinders, and master cylinder for leaks, checking the brake pads and shoes for wear, and checking the brake fluid level. (TIP: never add brake fluid to your master cylinder. If its low, there is a reason, and the system should be looked at by a technician.) If your vehicle needs a brake service be sure that the proper pads or shoes are installed, and that they are a quality product. When it comes to brake pads or shoes, you get what you pay for. There a lot of different compositions to brake pads, (organic, semi-metallic, and metallic) Make sure that you get what your vehicle manufacturer recommends.
What is a tune up? What is conducted in tune up services have changed significantly in the past twenty years. On some vehicles a tune up is not needed. At least until 100,000 miles. Many people have expressed to me a bit of confusion on the subject. Most peoples questions are, when does my vehicle need a tune up, what is involved in it, and how much does it cost. Advertising pitches by many auto repair facilities who are vying for your business with a low price sometimes cause more confusion on the part of the consumer. There are basically two types of tune ups. The first type is a minor tune. Most vehicles are due a minor tune up at 30,000 miles and at 90,000 miles. A minor tune up is just that, minor. It involves replacing spark plugs, and making key adjustments such as engine timing. A minor tune up is a preventative service, making sure that your vehicle is taken care of before there is a problem. The second type of tune up is a major tune. Most vehicles are due major tune ups at 60,000 miles and at 120,000 miles. A major tune up consists of the same procedures as a minor tune up, plus, replace the distributor cap, rotor, and spark plug wires. The one thing that I recommend to people is that when a tune up service is performed, make sure that you technician uses quality parts. I recommend using factory plugs. GM’s work best with AC Delco plugs, Ford’s work best with Motocraft plugs, etc. Its not a value if your vehicle doesn’t run well, after the service.
Keeping your car cool during hot weather
Today’s cooling systems are some testaments of engineering feats. Autos pollute less when they run hotter, so automotive manufacturers have developed cooling systems that get your car to operating temperatures faster and stay at higher temps as much as possible. That’s great for the environment, but it also means that you must maintain your cars cooling system fastidiously. Cooling systems are smaller, have more exacting specifications, and are crammed full with enough sensors, switches, and electronic hardware to choke a horse. When they work, they work well. When they don’t, you can have a serious problem on your hands that could cause a lot of engine damage. Your best bet is to have your cooling system inspected by a certified technician at least every 15,000 miles. Ask your auto repair facility to check the specific gravity of your coolant/antifreeze, and have them ensure that the cooling system is full, that there are no leaks, and that no deposits have formed in your radiator. With the proper amount of attention your cooling system will keep your car’s engine running at peak performance for the life of the vehicle.