Avoiding performing recommended
maintenance service can come with a hefty price tag. Here are four important steps you can take to protect your
vehicle.
Change the Oil Regularly
First up is the simple
oil change. Bottom line – if you change your oil on schedule, your engine will be
properly protected. Go past the recommended mileage interval, typically every 3,000 to 5,000 miles depending on
driving conditions, and sludge begins to build up in your engine. This sludge can clog small oil passages that keep
important parts of the engine from being cooled and lubricated. That is never good for your engine. If your engine has
variable valve timing, as most do nowadays, or a turbocharger, then these expensive components are at high risk for
failure and expensive replacement. If you’re not sure how often you should change your vehicle’s oil, contact our
Service Advisor at Sparks Tire & Auto for our recommendation.
Change Timing Belts and Chains Timely
Many vehicles come equipped with a timing belt. These belts wear out over
time and must be replaced, along with the belt tensioner and other system components. If this belt breaks, you could
end up with extensive engine damage that can cost thousands in repairs. Most manufacturers recommend changing the belt
or chain every 60,000 to 100,00 miles, depending on the make, model and age of the vehicle. If you don’t know if your
engine has a timing belt, as opposed to a timing chain, or when it should be replaced, ask us and we advise you of
your vehicles recommended maintenance.
Clean Fuel Systems Regularly
More than half of all new vehicles sold have Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI)
engines, which can be susceptible to extensive hard carbon buildup on the intake valves. Regular fuel system cleaning
can keep the deposits in check, and improve fuel economy, performance, and emissions at the same time. Neglecting this
important service for too long may require an engine teardown to media blast, or “sandblast,” the carbon deposits from
the valves and cylinder head. And yep, that costs a lot.
Trust Your Check Engine Light
This last item may seem harmless, but it could have serious consequences: your vehicle’s
Check Engine Light. Many of the troubles that can trigger a Check Engine
Light are related to emissions. The light warns you when the engine is not running efficiently, due to unburned fuel
and oil vapors accumulating in the exhaust system’s catalytic converter. When these accumulations get hot enough, they
can burn up and damage the catalytic converter. The initial problem may be something as simple as a failed oxygen
sensor or even an extremely dirty engine air filter. Ignoring that Check Engine Light could lead to some very
expensive repairs.
Set Up a Service Plan with Your Service Advisor at Sparks Tire & Auto in St. Charles, Mo.
Performing recommended maintenance can prevent costly repairs. Ask a Service Advisor at Sparks about your recommended
maintenance schedule and set up a plan to get caught up on any services you may have missed.
Few things are more annoying than something happening that could have been easily prevented. Sound familiar? Here
are three things that can happen to your vehicle that you can, and should, avoid.
Check Your Tires Regularly
First, let’s talk about your tires. Tire problems, like a flat tire, usually come with a lot
of hassle or expense and rarely occur in convenient locations like near our St. Charles, Missouri service center.
There is usually a hassle or cost involved with taking care of a flat tire and failing a safety inspection because of
worn tires is a bother. Get in the habit of checking your tires every month. Make sure they have the proper air
pressure and look for excess or unusual wear. Rotating your tires on schedule and a
routine alignment check will extend tire life. Of course, you always want to
replace your tires before they become worn to that point that they are unsafe.
Check the Battery Every Three Years
Next up is your battery. Simply knowing how old it is can help you avoid being
inconvenienced by a dead battery. Most batteries last about four years – after that, your battery is living on
borrowed time. Many experts recommend that you replace your battery every five years as a routine maintenance item
rather than waiting for it to fail. If you think your battery is older than three years, ask us to check it and gauge
its health.
Deal with That Chipped Windshield
Finally, let's talk about those little rock chips in your windshield. When the chip is small, it can be repaired and
stabilized. If left unattended, the little chip can start to crack. When the crack is in the driver’s line of sight,
it could impair vision. Some cracks can lead to a ticket or a failed safety inspection. That inexpensive rock chip
repair looks pretty good compared to the cost and hassle of replacing a windshield.
Preventive maintenance may seem like
an unnecessary car expense, but it often involves matters that
you'll have to take care of sooner or later, and paying for them
sooner will often be a less expensive undertaking. Most important is
the fact that preventive maintenance will help keep you and others
safe. And if you don't keep up with your car's preventive
maintenance, you may find yourself stuck or in need of repair when
you can least afford it.
Fluids Check all of your fluids
regularly. You may need some assistance from a parent or
mechanic to show you where to check if you are unfamiliar with the
process. You should check your oil, antifreeze, steering fluid and
brake fluid regularly. It's also a good idea to check your wiper
fluid. It is of the utmost importance that your car not run out of
oil, as this can destroy your engine. Your oil can get very dirty
and should be changed about every 3-5,000 miles or three months.
Antifreeze should not be allowed to get too low or your car engine
will overheat, which can do severe damage. Antifreeze should be
changed about once every two years.
Wheels
Check your tire pressure often--at least once a week is a good idea.
Buy a simple tire gauge, then just stick it into your valve stem to
get a reading. The amount of pressure that your tires should be
inflated to can be found on the inside door jamb on the driver's
side of your car. Low inflation is dangerous because it can cause
loss of control and blowouts. It also causes poor gas mileage. You
should also check the tire tread for uneven wear and to see if there
is enough tread on the tires. Stick a penny in the tire tread, and
if you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's time to get a new tire.
It's
also important to have your brake pads changed regularly.
Brake pads can last anywhere from 20,000 and 60,000 miles. You
should also listen to see if you hear any screeching or grinding.
These signs will let you know if there is a problem, but it makes
sense to check often and get pads changed early rather than late.
Air Filter and Battery
Two other important areas to check are your air filter and your
battery. Have our Technicians test your battery if it is over 3
years old. A battery will usually last about five years or more.
Take a look to see if there is any corrosion around the battery or
battery cables. If you think your battery is getting up there in
age, just go ahead and replace it. Spending a little bit of money
early is better than being stranded somewhere.
Your air filter is what keeps the air that runs through your engine
clean. The filter can get very dirty, and replacing it will make
your car run better. A dirty air filter can rob you of gas mileage.
There are a lot of pieces to a car, and everything should be kept in
good order. Bring your car in to our service center and we will
perform a vehicle inspection to ensure you are aware of any
potential problems with your car or light truck. Always, pay attention to any
dashboard trouble lights that come on and have them checked out
right away.
Cabin Air Filter
The
cabin air filter is the filter
responsible for filtering the air that is fed into your car or light
truck's heating and air conditioning systems. The filter traps dust,
pollen, and other foreign particles, preventing them from entering
the vehicle and polluting the cabin. Since they work in essentially
the same fashion as a regular engine air filter, cabin air filters
get dirty and should be replaced when they become excessively
contaminated, or at the regular service interval recommended by the
manufacturer.
NAPA Service Assistant
- Spark Plugs
Spark plugs provide the spark needed to
burn gas in your engine. Both these and their wires wear out over time. Make sure that your service adviser helps you
choose the appropriate spark plug for your vehicle based on your engine's needs and design.
(Watch video on left, for more details)
Check Your Tires Regularly
Wheels
