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Car Care Services
Exposure to heat, vibration and contamination makes belts and hoses wear out faster than any other components in your car. That's why regular inspections are so important. Here are the belt and hose types in your car, along with their applications.
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The key to maintaining engine longevity is simple: frequent oil changes. The oil, along with the filter, should be changed regularly for maximum engine performance.
The oil filter works to trap and remove debris and other contaminants. When the oil filter becomes saturated, the oil is no longer “cleaned” and the risks posed by contaminants intensify. Oil pressure can also suffer once the filter becomes clogged. As a result, fuel economy decreases and the risk of emissions increases along with the potential for engine failure.
Change your oil and oil filters according to the recommendation in your owner's manual or follow the "every 3 months or 3000 miles" rule of thumb for getting an oil change.
Problem:
After 30,000 miles, transmission fluid begins to show its age as it turns brown in color and oxidizes due to the combination of time and heat. Deposits begin to form around the transmission’s many moving parts, resulting in valves that stick and gears that slip or are sluggish and chatter as they shift.
Solution:
Rather than just removing the fluid found in the bottom of the pan, the entire transmission is cleaned and replenished with the use of special equipment. The transmission and its torque converter have all of their old contaminated fluid removed while new fluid and premium conditioners are added.
Accessory Drive Belts
While some accessories in your car are electrically powered by the charging system, others use the engine itself as their power source. The power for these accessories is delivered by a system of pulleys and belts. Examples of these accessories are:
Alternator
Water Pump for engine cooling
Power Steering Pump
Air Conditioning Compressor
Radiator Cooling Fan
Many late model cars use a single serpentine belt in place of individual belts to drive these accessories.
Hoses
The hoses that convey your car's fluids are made of two rubber layers with a layer of fabric in between. Typical hoses include:
Radiator and Heater Hoses-These hoses convey coolant to the engine and heater core.
Fuel Hose- As the name implies, this hose transports gasoline from the tank to the engine.
Power Steering Hose-It connects the power steering pump to the steering gear.
Wheel Balancing
Description: Wheel balance refers to the proper distribution of weight around a revolving tire and wheel assembly. Poor wheel balance can have a marked impact on both your car and your safety.
Purpose: Proper wheel balance ensures that the wheels, while spinning, do not have a heavy spot that can cause vibration and premature wear of tires, struts, shocks and other steering and suspension components. When combined with proper wheel alignment, balanced wheels ensure smooth and enjoyable driving.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: The most common signs of unbalanced tires are vibration and noise problems. When driving with an out-of-balance wheel, the wheel literally bounces down the road rather than spinning smoothly. This can affect the speed, handling and mileage of your car. Many of today's cars have lightweight suspension systems and are therefore, more sensitive to imbalance than older cars. It's a good idea to have your car's wheels balanced when rotating the tires, about every 6,000 miles. It's not uncommon for wheels to lose a wheel weight from time to time; so periodic balancing minimizes the impact of unbalanced wheels on your car.
Wheel Rotation
Description: Tire rotation refers to the regular practice of switching the position of each tire on the car.
Purpose: Tire rotation helps to equalize tread wear and is critical to gain the maximum life from your tire investment.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Refer to your owner's manual for the recommended rotation interval and pattern; generally a rotation interval of 6,000 miles is recommended. The rotation pattern varies with different makes and models, which shows the tire locations during rotation. Some vehicles have different size tires on the front and back or directional tires. This limits the locations that a tire may take on the vehicle. When in doubt, check the owner's manual or consult a professional technician for guidance. Tire rotation time also offers a good opportunity to have the tires and wheels balanced. It's another step you can take to maximize your tire investment.
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