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3 Reasons Oil Changes are 100% Necessary

3 Reasons Oil Changes are 100% Necessary

There are many lessons that get drilled into the heads of young people; respect your elders, no elbows on the table and change your oil every 3,000 miles, to name a few. That last one is less of a mannerism and more of a necessity for your personal vehicle. Oil is the lifeblood of every automobile on the road and it needs to be drained and replaced every so often according to manufacturer's recommendations in order to prevent massive engine damage. But how does oil prevent engine problems? Here are three things that an oil change does to keep your car running smooth! Removes Engine Sludge As oil circulates through the engine block it collects dust, dirt and other contaminants that may have made their way inside the motor. As these things are gathered the oil turns from a silky smooth to a muddy substance that makes the motor struggle to create power and it can potentially become starved for oil. When the old oil is drained during an oil change and the oil filter is replaced all ... read more

How to Tell if it is Time for Suspension Repair

How to Tell if it is Time for Suspension Repair

The suspension system of your car has a few purposes. While it is mainly understood as a comfort feature that helps prevent excessive bouncing by absorbing the bumps and dips in the roadway, it also ensures all four wheels remain on the ground. As a comfort and safety component it is important that you provide it with any repairs and maintenance it may need throughout the car's lifetime. If you ever notice any of the following symptoms of suspension failure be sure to contact your local auto shop. One corner is low Does it seem as if one corner of your car is dipped, but the tire itself is fully inflated? This may indicate failed suspension parts. If the shock or spring has collapsed on itself it will result in the dipping, which can cause the car to be more difficult to control and also cause excessive tire wear. Oil on the shocks Hydraulic shocks use a special oil to help absorb the unevenness of the road. If the your car doesn't seem quite as comfortable as it used to, run a rag ov ... read more

Minor Auto Maintenance to Improve Performance

Minor Auto Maintenance to Improve Performance

Drops in performance are common as cars age and rack up the miles on their odometers. Thankfully a lot of these performance issues, which can result in poor fuel economy or difficulty accelerating, can be reversed with minor auto maintenance. If your vehicle is giving you any sort of performance trouble be sure to contact your local auto shop so that proper diagnostics and services can be conducted, but chances are, it'll take minor maintenance to get you back up to speed. The following are a few simple services that will certainly help restore performance. Fuel Filter A clogged fuel filter is going to prevent the correct amount of gasoline from getting to the engine. This will result in the motor struggling to produce power as it doesn't have enough gas to burn in the combustion chamber. Replacing the fuel filter is relatively simple on most cars and trucks. Air Filter Another issue that can cause problems in the combustion chamber is a dirty air filter. If the filter isn't allowing ... read more

Automotive Safety: Signs of Brake Failure

Automotive Safety: Signs of Brake Failure

Drops in performance are common as cars age and rack up the miles on their odometers. Thankfully a lot of these performance issues, which can result in poor fuel economy or difficulty accelerating, can be reversed with minor auto maintenance. If your vehicle is giving you any sort of performance trouble be sure to contact your local auto shop so that proper diagnostics and services can be conducted, but chances are, it'll take minor maintenance to get you back up to speed. The following are a few simple services that will certainly help restore performance. Fuel Filter A clogged fuel filter is going to prevent the correct amount of gasoline from getting to the engine. This will result in the motor struggling to produce power as it doesn't have enough gas to burn in the combustion chamber. Replacing the fuel filter is relatively simple on most cars and trucks. Air Filter Another issue that can cause problems in the combustion chamber is a dirty air filter. If the fi ... read more

Bad Driving Habits that can Wreak Havoc on Your Transmission

Bad Driving Habits that can Wreak Havoc on Your Transmission

Nearly all people have poor driving habits that can result in damage to their vehicle. However, the more informed you are about what can cause damage the better driver you will become, helping to elongate the life of your car. There are several bad habits that many drivers have that can cause a transmission to suffer from premature wear and tear. These issues could result in a need for transmission repair or even a rebuild much earlier in the life of the transmission than it normally should. Be aware of these bad driving habits that take their toll on the transmission! Driving in traffic While this isn't so much about a bad habit as it's just the way things are in today's stop and go world, driving in traffic, especially with a stick shift, can cause major damage to the transmission. But there are things you can do to help avoid excessive wear on the clutch. Be sure to leave plenty of room between you and the next car so you can continuously drive without having to constan ... read more

DIY Auto Maintenance: Fluid Checks

DIY Auto Maintenance: Fluid Checks

First of all unless your a confident and competent DIY mechanic, most automotive services should be left to a professional auto technician in order to keep your car safe and reliable. However, there are some minor maintenance procedures you can do at home to ensure that your vehicle is good to go, such as checking the various fluids used by your car. From time to time these specialized fluids need to be drained and refilled to keep them clean and ensure they aren't losing the properties they need to do their job, such as viscosity. It's also important to check fluids to ensure they are at the proper level. Discovering your car is low on a liquid could indicate a leak! Let's look at five common fluids you can check under the hood of your car. Engine Oil Oil typically needs to be changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but it's a good idea to check on it in the meantime to ensure it is clean and at the right level. To check the oil shut the engine off and wait a few minutes for it to cool ... read more

If this happens your car may need exhaust repair

If this happens your car may need exhaust repair

The exhaust system is one of the hardest worked systems in a car. While it has no moving parts, it is tasked with transferring highly hazardous exhaust fumes from the engine, past the passenger cabin, convert them to less harmful emissions and emit them out of the tailpipe. That is quite a large task for some metal piping. The exhaust system usually does not require much maintenance, but it can develop problems if the vehicle is subject to certain operating circumstances that result in a crack in the pipes, which may include an accident or rust.It is important to pay attention for signs of exhaust trouble as a leak may result in exhaust fumes entering the passenger cabin. If this were to happen you could be at risk of inhaling for toxic fumes that could quickly kill you. If you experience any of these signs of an exhaust leak get in touch with your local auto shop right away to have the issue resolved before bigger problems occur. Increased Engine Noise One of the most common symptoms ... read more

Common Signs of Car Trouble

Common Signs of Car Trouble

Your car is pretty smart, but despite all of its sensors, computers and gadgets, it still doesn't have the ability to tell you about every problem it is encountering. It is important to pay attention to any signs of car trouble that your vehicle may encounter so that you can visit a trusted auto repair shop before your car bites the dust completely. If you notice any of these symptoms of car trouble, head to the shop ASAP, or else you could be stuck on the side of the road before you know it. Strange Noises Odd noises are one of the most common signs of car trouble. Based on what you're doing at the time the weird noise occurs you can often figure out what is causing it. For example, if you hit the brakes and hear a grinding noise, it is likely time for new brake pads. Or if you hear a whining noise as your car shifts, it may be time for transmission maintenance. Leaks Nothing should ever be leaking from your car. If you notice a drip head to the auto shop immediately. Common automoti ... read more

What is Leaking from My Car?

What is Leaking from My Car?

Did you know that your car uses a variety of specialized fluids to help ensure its smooth, safe and reliable operation? While it is gas that you put in the tank, these other fluids have just as important of jobs. If you ever spot something dripping from your car it is critical that you visit a local auto repair shop for proper diagnostics and repairs. Putting off automotive fluid leak repair could result in massive damage to your car. Here's a look at five of the most common vehicle fluid leaks. Oil leak Oil is the lifeblood of the engine. It is what keeps the moving parts lubricated to prevent harsh metal on metal friction. If you spot a black or dark brown spot on your driveway it is likely engine oil. While a small leak won't be immediately devastating, it is necessary to have it repaired to prevent additional oil loss. Coolant leak If you see a bright green or yellow liquid dripping from your car that has a sweet smell to it, then it is likely coolant. Coolant is pumped through th ... read more

Auto Maintenance You Should Never Skip

Auto Maintenance You Should Never Skip

No matter what you drive it is going to need routine service at one point or another. All cars, trucks and SUVs require a variety of specialized treatments at certain mileage points to help prevent unsafe operating conditions and breakdowns. While you should never skip any scheduled auto maintenance required by your vehicle, the missing out on the following could be particularly devastating to your vehicle. Check your owner's manual to see when your car is due for certain services. Oil Change Oil changes do a couple things for your vehicle. First of all, during an oil change the old oil is drained from the motor, bringing with it engine buildup that can decrease performance. Secondly, the oil filter is changed, ensuring proper oil flow throughout the engine. Finally the new oil that is added to the motor will ensure that there isn't excessive friction between the moving parts. Missing oil changes can result in massive engine wear and tear, resulting in a need for extensive engine repa ... read more