I often times equate taking your car in to be serviced much like going to the dentist. It can be a drag. You know that when you go in it potentially can be painful to your pocket book and most of the time what needs to be done is something you may not fully understand. For this reason many people put off making an apppointment to get their vehicle serviced until they have a major problem, much like waiting to go to the dentist until you are in pain. I talk to people all of the time about the likelihood that an expensive problem may occur on their vehicle. While I have no crystal ball to predict when a problem may arise, customers often times want to know if a service is needed the severity of it and what may happen in the event that it is put off. Lets face it, everyone is still in a bit of a pinch right now and who wants to spend money unnecessarily on something you may not need right away. I know that if you go into a place like a chain shop or a dealership they almost always will come back with a laundry list of recommended maintenance services and the car seems to be running fine. A lot of times they are just looking at your mileage and compiling the list based on what the manufacturer recommends not what the vehicle actually needs. It has always been my position that your money is best spent on what needs to be done at that time, what is the priority, not what it may potentially need in the future. Summer is hard on cars in Arizona. When the restaurant and hotel business slows down, we here at the shop get busy. We get a lot of overheats, broken belts, busted hoses and Air Conditioning systems that suddenly blow hot. All become top priority and at times can be expensive when these problems occur.
There are a few things over the years that I have learned make sense to do in the way of maintenance to not only ready your car for the hot temperatures but also to avoid a more expensive problem later.. these are the things that just make sense and are tried and true , the secrets to keeping your car healthy. It can be a pain to get that twice yearly maintenance service on your car much like getting your teeth cleaned, however the last thing anyone wants is to be stuck without a vehicle with an expensive bill that follows. Here are a few ways to go about avoiding this:
A/C: Many people don't realize that your air conditioning system needs to be serviced much like the fluids in other areas of your vehicle. Freon is pressurized within your A/C system which is comprised of not only electrical and mechanical parts but also rubber lines and o-rings that tend to dry out over time. This is usually the culprit when you have a small leak. I recommend a service be done every 2 years which evacuates your system completely and then re-charges it with new freon and a sealant which helps to lubricate and keep your system running in optimum condition. By doing so you may very well be able to avoid the costly repair of a new A/C compressor for instance. I also recommend you have your system checked and re-charged if needed in the Spring before we see the triple digits. As soon as Spring is nearing an end the compressor manufacturers jack up the prices on their replacement parts and freon much like the units for which you would have replaced in your home. When the weather is hot it becomes a necessity as you would have to be crazy to go without A/C out here. Believe me they know this and capitalize on that, so if you did have a problem you are best to have it found not only before you find yourself in the heat but before it leads to something more expensive. An A/C Evacuate & Re-charge service which includes a flush, additive and up to 3 lbs of R134 freon is only $149.99 not expensive and a worthwhile investment to do every 24 months.
Your Fluids: It seems like every one under the sun is doing a transmission flush these days. You are pushed things like coolant flushes, and transmission flushes, brake flushes..you name it every time you go to one of the bigger chains to get your car washed, pull through a jiffy lube or get your tires rotated. The fact of the matter is these are being done excessively and usually aren't needed as often as they'd like you to believe. First off lets talk transmission fluid.I cannot tell you how many times a customer has come in with a transmission problem only after a service has been performed with the wrong fluid, one that probably didn't need to be done in the first place. So let me clarify a few things in hopes that you become not only better informed but don't spend your money unnecessarily. No matter what vehicle you are in you only need to service this fluid every 60k miles. There is a difference between a flush and a full service. A flush just means that a cleaner is ran through your transmission after the old fluid is drained and the fluid is put back into it. This is usually done by a machine. A service includes removing the transmission pan and replacing the filter and gasket as well. A full service should only be done at 120k miles and then every other time thereafter depending on the condition of your fluid which should be checked once a year. Most vehicles 2000 and up are very specific as to what kind of transmission fluid be used. The last thing you want is a problem to occur because of something so stupid as the wrong fluid being put into your expensive transmission. Make sure your get your service done by someone who is knowledgable, meaning not the guy that is washing your car or works at Jiffy Lube, the McDonalds of car repairs. If you own a German or European vehicle most often these are lifetime filled, sealed systems meaning they do not require a service be done as often, if at all.You cannot check the condition in most German and European vehicle because there is no dipstick however following manufacturers recommendations or following a timeline is a good rule of thumb in this case. I service my lifetime filled system in my BMW every 2 years because I am neurotic like that but anything less than that would be excessive and costly. If all else fails get your fluid checked if possible, if it is clear and red don't worry about it. If it looks burnt or brown more than likely it's time for a service. Ask to see the condition of the fluid before you agree to have one done.. At $99.00 for a flush and $149.99 for a full service ($199.99 for German & European vehicles) you don't want to be throwing your money down the toilet.
Power steering & brake fluid flushes: I never do them.. they are a waste of money and time..in rare occasions you find that the fluid is contaminated but this is almost always due to something being wrong that has caused this which warrants the fluid be replaced anyways when it is repaired. Do not expect to be charged extra for this. If done it takes 10 min and costs less than $20.00.. some chains charge $60.00 and up for this and 99% of the time it is unnessecary. Note if you drive a German or European car you take a specialized fluid in both systems. Do not allow anyone to top them off or flush with anything else other than what manufacturer recommends.
Cooling System & Belts: Once a year get them checked before Summer along with your oil change. This should be done as a courtesy free of charge. Flush your coolant and do a good additive every 2 years.At $69.99 it is a reasonable expense. Have your belts and hoses checked as well. Radiator hoses should be replaced every 4 years regardless. Last thing you want to happen is have a stupid hose blow which causes a bigger problem when a $13.00 hose could have avoided this. Cooling systems are pressurized, have them make sure the pressure is normal and that the water pump does not show any signs of leakage. Consider if it becomes time to do your timing belt doing the water pump too. You find more than likely the new pump will be updated and is not costly, this avoids extra labor in the long run if something were to happen and gives you the peace of mind in knowing it has been done. If your belts are older than 2 years and are showing signs of cracks replace them. A lot of vehicles have a main belt whiuch controls things like your compressor for air conditioning, alternator and cooling system...and when they go you are calling a tow truck, I cannot tell you how many belts I have had to untangle from cooling fans and parts I have to then replace because of this. Belts are cheap to do..and take less than an hour, save yourself the hassle that one snapping will create later.
The Full Service Oil Change: What does that include? If in doubt ask. If you just purchased the vehicle or if it is your first time in a new shop it should include a full inspection and an honest and realistic assesment if anything is found along with an educated explanation as to the priority it falls under.Most often this is done even if you are a repeat customer and they have seen your vehcile many times before for safekeeping. A full inspection should tell you how much you have left on your brake pads for instance, adjusting your tire pressure and checking for things like screws, looking at the fluids, the belts and hoses, topping off whatever is low and lubricating your suspension if needed.It should include a visual inspection of your suspension system and they should keep an eye out for anything that may be leaking. Anymore I recommend full synthetic oil changes be done under normal driving conditions every 5-6 months. They run about twice as much as regular oil changes but need to be done half as often. If you are considering switching to full synthetic, I couldn't agree more! Instead of going to the shop 4 times a year you go in twice, have everything looked over and be on your way and back to life. Besides it is better for your vehicle, make sure the shop is using the proper weight of oil for your car. When in doubt ask. It really is apples to oranges when it comes to oil, stick with the name brands like Castrol, Mobile One and Royal Purple, Lubrimolly for German cars. And by all means stay away from the $14.99 oil change special, they are using what is called "recycled oil" meaning it was ran through someone elses care until it was supposedly cleaned. Not even the guys that sell it use it in their own vehicles hence why they can afford to do these oil changes "on the cheap."
Well thanks for stopping by and reading my first post! I am excited to get this Blog up and going and go live. If you have a question or concern with your vehicle don't hestiate to ask. Feel free to post it, e-mail me or give me a call. I actually enjoy listening and giving advice. It doesn't matter if you are at another shop trying to decide what to do, are out of state, or are one of my customers. I will give you an up front and honest assesment and may be able to make you aware of options you didn't know existed. I can't take care of that pesky bill collector that keeps calling, fix nuclear reactors or mend broken hearts but if it comes to your car I got you handled!
Make it a great week!
Gina
Subscribe