Here at Gill’s Automotive Service Center, we do our best to make sure that you are as informed as possible when it comes to regular vehicle maintenance. This is important, not only for day-to-day maintenance, but so you can better understand what we do when you trust us to keep your car in tip-top shape.
In this post, we’ll cover typical maintenance and repair. You can think of these items as some of the most common maintenance procedures and repairs necessary to keep your car operating safely and optimally.
Oil Filters and Fluids
Periodic oil and filter changes keep your engine clean on the inside. Additives, which break down over time, are also subject to contamination. You want to change your engine oil and filter on a regular basis. Check your owner’s manual for their recommendation. There are other car fluids that will require periodic replacement as well. Automatic transmission failures are heat-related, and automatic transmission fluid breaks down rapidly when subjected to high temperatures. You may also think about periodically flushing and filling the brake hydraulic system as contaminated brake fluid may lead to corrosion and other problems in the hydraulic system, especially on cars with antilock brakes (ABS).
Belts and Hoses
We urge you to replace belts as well as radiator and heater hoses at specific recommended intervals to prevent your car from breaking down. Losing a belt today means big trouble for the engine because serpentine belts (drive belts) are used on most engines to turn the water pump, alternator, power steering and air conditioning compressor. Older cars use individual V-belts for these various accessories. A blown hose can result in an overheated engine and will lead to additional damage to the engine that can become very costly. It’s not easy to know the true condition of a belt or hose by outward appearance because most fail from the inside out. Rubber hoses can become hard and brittle, deteriorating with age and heat exposure causing them to split, blister or leak while belts can also break down with heat, mileage and age.
Brake Service
The brake system is your car’s most important safety system. Never put off routine brake inspections!
Brakes are a normal wear item for any car. Eventually, they will need to be replaced for both performance and safety reasons. Planning for this can help save you money as you can prevent your brakes from reaching the “metal-to-metal” point, which typically means accelerating the need for rotor or drum replacement.
Have your brake linings, drums and rotors and brake fluid inspected at each tune up or oil change. Your car owner’s manual may also specify periodic flushing and filling of the brake hydraulic system.
Wheel Alignment
Maintaining your car’s wheel alignment reduces tire wear, improves fuel economy and handling, and increases drive safety. Normal wear and road conditions take their toll on your car’s steering and suspension system. Throwing the alignment settings out of specifications can damage steering and suspension parts long term.
If you’re a current customer of Gill’s Automotive, Thank You! If not, come say hello to us, and consider building that relationship we have with all our customers.
