Preventive Maintenance
BeltsThe timing belt is a notched rubber belt that allows the crankshaft to turn the camshaft. The camshaft opens and closes the valves in synchronicity with the movement of the pistons. Thus the name, “timing belt.” If your timing belt breaks, your engine will stop working, stranding you wherever you are. Worse yet, it could cause major engine damage. Back> Serpentine belts (drive belts) provide power to the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, cooling fan and air injection pump. If it breaks, the engine parts it powers stop working, the engine could overheat, and damage could occur. During an inspection, we check for wear, cracks, and stripping. Having the serpentine belt inspected at every oil change. Studies have shown serpentine belts fail most often between 36,000-50,000 miles. Back> Hoses provide a connection for coolant to flow between the engine and radiator as well as engine and heating block. Coolant hoses include the upper radiator hose, the lower radiator hose, heater hoses and in some cars the bypass hose. Have your hoses and clamps inspected twice a year. Back> FiltersFuel filters help prevent contaminants from damaging the fuel system - keeping dirt, rust and other contaminants from getting into your engine and your gas tank. Filters should be replaced every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Back> Oil is critical to the life of your vehicle and oil filters are what keeps it clean. Dirty oil will lessen the life of your engine. Your oil and oil filter should be changed every 3,000-5,000 miles. Back> Your engine needs to breathe clean air to function properly. We stock quality air filters and recommend a new one every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Consult your owner's manual for specific service information. Back> FluidsIt’s recommended you change your oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles to help keep your car running at peak performance. It’s a simple thing that will help lengthen the life of your vehicle. We have standard and synthetic oil available to protect your engine and enhance its’ performance. Back> Antifreeze is important all year round. It keeps your engine from freezing and prevents it from getting too hot as well. Cooling system failure is a key cause of engine-related breakdowns so check your antifreeze often. Back> Transmission fluid lubricates the moving parts in your transmission. Automatic transmission fluid also acts as a coolant and helps transmit power from the engine to the transmission. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, or stick shift, your manufacturer recommends changing the fluid every 30,000 to 60,000 miles – for automatic transmissions it is every 60,000-80,000 miles. If your transmission fluid levels drop, you may not know it until it’s too late so have the fluid checked regularly. Back> You know your brakes are extremely important to your safety. Maintaining proper brake fluid levels in your master cylinder reservoir is no exception. Have your brake fluid checked every time you have your oil changed.We’ll also check your brake shoes or pads, drums, rotors, wheel bearing, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and emergency brake system to insure it’s in good, safe condition. It’s also recommended to have a hydraulic system flush periodically. Consult your owner’s manual. Back> Fuel InjectorDirty fuel injectors can result in poor acceleration, lower power, rough idling, an incorrect air/fuel mix, and poor fuel economy. They can also lead to higher carbon monoxide emissions – important if you are required to have an emissions test. Fuel injectors are small – about half the size of a pinhole so it only takes an 8-10% blockage to cause your engine to misfire. Drivers who make a lot of short trips or have a lot of miles on their car are especially susceptible to clogged fuel injectors.Schedule a fuel injector cleaning every 25,000 miles or as often as your owner’s manual suggests. Back> TiresProper tire rotation helps your car drive better, it can save you money. A study by the National Transportation and Safety Administration, (www.nhtsa.dot.gov) reports more than 25% of all passenger cars and more than 33% of all light trucks have under inflated tires. This means
Most experts agree tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles. High performance tires should be rotated more often -every 3,000-5,000 miles. Tire rotation can prevent serious problems.We check your tires for signs of wear, proper inflation and damage.If you need new tires, we carry several brands. Proper balance is also important to extend the life of your tires. If we notice your wheels are out of balance, our trained technicians can perform wheel balancing as well. Back> |
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