Keeping a vehicle on the road should always be one of its owner’s top priorities. This is why we strive so hard to keep our cars in the best of health that they can possibly be. One of the most important elements of doing this is keeping the engine strong and functioning properly, especially since replacing or repairing an engine can sometimes be more expensive than just purchasing a whole new car. So how [...]
With the coming of summer means a whole new set of driving conditions and concerns for your car. It’s always a great idea to have your car thoroughly inspected at the start of any new season, but here are some of the main things you should inspect on your car before the summer months hit. […]
If you’re new to car maintenance, you may have questions on how to keep up with your car’s oil levels—one of the most important aspects of car maintenance. Here is a quick guide to checking your oil and knowing when to top it off versus get an oil change. […]
According to a 2013 report from AAA, the cost of owning a car is up about 2% over 2012, driven largely by higher maintenance costs. All told, this same AAA reports goes on to say, on average, the cost of driving 15,000 miles a year rose 1.17 cents in 2013 to 60.8 cents per mile, or $9,122 per year. […]
The weather’s warming up and everyone’s getting antsy to get outside. With spring fever comes a need for freedom, and this is the season for planning out the road trips we’ll be taking for the rest of the year. Before you heed the call of the open road, you need to make sure your car is up to the challenge with a pre-trip checklist. […]
Having your car aligned is part of normal maintenance, and manufacturers recommend your alignment be checked periodically, and adjusted whenever a problem crops up. Having your car aligned is an inexpensive repair, while ignoring an alignment problem can end up costing you a lot of money. The Mechanic’s Job in Aligning While many people refer to alignment adjustments as a “wheel alignment,” it’s actually the suspension that’s being measured and balanced. In state-of-the-art shops, [...]
The oil in your engine keeps the pistons moving smoothly within the cylinders. It allows the pistons to come in close contact with the cylinder walls without causing damage. Depending on manufacturer’s recommendations, the engine oil and filter in your car need to be changed about every 5k miles. Missing this deadline by a few hundred miles or so won’t make much of a difference, but the longer you go without an oil change, [...]
Regular maintenance on your car needs to be performed every 15,000 miles, but which tasks need to be completed depend on the number of miles on your car. Some services are done every 15k miles, while others only need to be done every 30k, 45k, or 60k. Let’s take a look at what you can expect from your next trip to the mechanic. Service at 15k Miles Oil and Filter Change: This service should [...]
One of the most important parts of your car is your battery. It gives life to your car and ensures that you aren't left stranded by the side of the road. So, when your battery dies, it can lead to a lot of worry, stress, and expense. While every battery will have a certain life span and will need to be replaced eventually, there are regular maintenance steps you can take to help improve [...]
Hot summer days are great to spend out at the pool, lake, or indoor shopping mall. However, when you take your car to one of these locations and then leave it under the hot summer sun, you have the potential to do some serious damage. In this article we’ll take a look at the two most common problems that occur due to the sun's rays and heat and how to avoid them. Problem #1: [...]
