Maintenance

Think of it this way: Research indicates that the average vehicle is driven about 12,000 miles per year. A car with a toe angle misadjustment of 0.34 degrees (only 0.17 inches) out of specification will drag the tires sideways for more than 68 miles by the end of the year!

Have your vehicle checked if you notice:

Excessive or uneven tire wear.

The vehicle pulls to the left or right.

Feeling of looseness or wandering.

Steering wheel is not centered when the vehicle is moving straight ahead.

Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation noted in your owner’s manual. As a general rule, have your wheel alignment checked every 10,000 miles or at least once a year.

An estimated 23,000 accidents and 535 fatal accidents involve blowouts or flat tires. Maintaining proper tire air pressure is a major safety concern and causes excessive tire wear, which in turn, shortens the life of your tire. It can also affect the handling and performance of your vehicle.

Technicians use special diagnostic tools to test and recalibrate sensors any time a tire is moved from one location on the vehicle to another. A sensor must be tested to ensure it is functioning correctly and must be reprogrammed whenever tires are moved. OEMs recommend a sensor service kit be installed every time a tire is serviced. These kits include replacement parts to properly service the sensor. Sensors are powered by a battery that usually has a life of 6 to 8 years. The sensor has to be replaced when the battery fails because the batteries are not replaceable.

Engine oil is what lubricates a car’s engine, allowing it to run smoothly and last longer. Car owners must maintain a car’s engine by changing the oil and using the oil appropriate for their car's make and model. Every car comes with a “check oil” light and an oil filler under the hood. These components allow car owners to monitor their oil levels.

An important part of routine car maintenance is changing the oil regularly. The necessary frequency of oil changes has become a point of contention among experts. The Engine Oil Bible maintains that engine oil can’t be changed often enough, but the Nordic group insists that some vehicles can go as far as 6,000 miles before needing an oil change. The best course of action is to check the owner’s manual and have a mechanic change your oil at the recommended mileage. If the “check engine oil” light comes on while driving, this is a strong indication that the car is running low on oil. This is when it is time to call us and get an expert oil change.

The brake fluid itself can become dirty or contaminated as it draws rust-causing moisture and picks up other debris. It can also break down from excess heat. Clean brake fluid is either clear or slightly yellow, while dirty brake fluid may be brown or even black. Old and dirty brake fluid can damage ABS brake systems internally.

The brake lines connect to the master cylinder through a combination valve, which combines a metering and proportioning valve. It regulates the pressure on the front and rear wheels to make sure both sets of brakes are applied simultaneously. A malfunctioning combination valve may cause the wheels to lock up.

Brake pads and shoes can be made of ceramic, metal, or organic materials, while the disc rotors and drums they press against are made of metal. Because the pads and shoes create friction to stop the car, they gradually wear down over time and may wear away completely. If this happens, the metal of the calipers and cylinders will grind against the rotors and drums. Some pads have a metal strip attached that sounds a warning whistle when the pad becomes too worn, but this strip sounds only when the car is in motion and the brakes are not applied.