AUTONET TV

It Is Time to Check Your Intervals

Part of the engineering that goes into designing a vehicle is testing the components to ensure that they meet durability and safety standards. Because of this, manufacturers have a good idea as to how long the parts in your vehicle will last under normal driving conditions. For this reason, they give us guidelines to follow regarding how often to inspect the various parts and systems on our vehicles.

Vehicular components are required to meet certain standards. The government mandates some of these standards. Others are set by the auto industry. Recommended car maintenance schedules are designed to help Syracuse vehicle owners maintain these standards. Disregarding routine maintenance or procrastinating preventive maintenance will result in lowered performance and reduced safety for a vehicle.

Maintenance schedules are designed to ensure three areas of automotive performance for Syracuse drivers: protection of the vehicle itself, efficiency and safety.

Protection

Your vehicle's components need protection from dirt, road damage, rust, corrosion and fuel and combustion by-products. Protective components include filters and fluids.

Most of the fluids in your vehicle are there to keep the vehicle running smoothly and to protect the vehicle from corrosion, damage or harmful contaminants. These fluids need to be changed regularly in order to continue protecting your vehicle.

For example, motor oil lubricates your engine; that keeps it running well, but it also contains detergents and other additives that clean your engine and protect it from corrosion. Your vehicle's engine was engineered for best performance with a specific weight and type of motor oil. Syracuse drivers should always be careful to use the right motor oil for their engine.

Over time, the  additives in motor oil are depleted, and the oil becomes contaminated by dirt, water and waste gases from combustion. So in order to keep your engine clean and to continue to protect it from corrosion, the oil has to be changed periodically.

Efficiency

Over time, your vehicle's systems will get dirty and parts will wear down. Cleaning dirty systems and replacing worn parts will improve the efficiency of your vehicle, which is usually measured in terms of and power output.

For example, your fuel system components gradually get clogged up with gum and varnish from gasoline. This restricts fuel flow, which lowers your engine's efficiency. Gas mileage drops as a result. Cleaning your fuel system will restore and improve gas mileage.

Safety

Some of your vehicle's systems must be maintained for safety reasons. Your brakes are a prime example of this. Brake pads and brake fluid need to be replaced in order to ensure good braking power. Poorly maintained brakes lead to accidents.

Your owner's manual is your first resource when it comes to knowing when and how to maintain your vehicle. Of course, you can consult with your S T Foreign Auto Service service advisor. He can give you good auto advice on how to adjust your service schedule to account for climate, local road conditions and your driving distances.

Beyond routine maintenance, your vehicle also requires regular inspections. These inspections are usually recommended at specific mileage intervals, like 15,000 or 20.000 miles (24,000 km or 32,000 km). The interval is based on the known life expectancy for particular components in your vehicle. Regular inspections will identify vehicular components that need to be repaired or replaced before damage is done to the vehicle or safety is compromised. They are also designed to safeguard the efficiency and performance of your vehicle.

The multi-point inspection that comes with a full-service oil change does not cover all of the regular inspections your vehicle needs for peak performance and safety. Check with the automotive professionals at S T Foreign Auto Service in Syracuse to find out what additional inspections your vehicle needs and how often. Good car care requires regular and consistent maintenance. But good maintenance pays for itself in better and fewer repairs. It may even save your life.

S T Foreign Auto Service
415 E Brighton Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-478-2161
www.stforeignauto.com

Step Up your Stops

Let’s face it.  Many of us take our vehicle’s brakes for granted.  We step on the pedal, the brakes slow us down and stop us.  They’re also vital to helping us control our vehicles.  That’s why it’s important to think about brakes as one of the most important safety systems we have.  

Malfunctioning brakes increase our risk of accidents, can lower our fuel efficiency because of increased friction and can prematurely wear the other components of our vehicles.  

One of the ways we can keep our brake systems working properly is by periodically having the brake fluid replaced.  That means the old brake fluid in a hydraulic braking system is removed and replaced with clean, fresh fluid.  Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, which lowers its boiling point and may cause the inside of the brake system to corrode. 

Replacing the brake fluid is not as simple as just draining the old fluid out and putting new in. Our technician uses specially-designed equipment to push the old fluid and contaminants (rust particles, dirt, air bubbles) out of the brake lines, calipers, wheel cylinder and master cylinder.  

When you come to us for a brake fluid replacement, you will find your braking performance will be as consistent and responsive as it used to be.  Your risk of brake fade or failure when you brake hard will be reduced. And brake fluid replacement will help prevent internal rust and corrosion in brake components. 

Some manufacturers recommend brake fluid replacement every 2 to 3 years, but it depends on what vehicle you drive, how you drive it and in what conditions. Your advisor will be glad to help you set up your next brake fluid service.

S T Foreign Auto Service
415 E Brighton Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-478-2161
www.stforeignauto.com

Keeping Your Cool

Most vehicles on the road use an engine coolant to help get the heat out of the engine so it can run at the temperature it’s designed to. Coolant also prevents your engine from freezing in cold weather and reduces corrosion in some components such as the radiator and water pump.  

After you’ve driven your vehicle for a while, the coolant’s chemicals break down and can’t do the job they’re supposed to. If it’s been a long time since your coolant was last changed, you notice your vehicle is running a little hotter than it used to or your cabin heater isn’t working the way it once did, it may be time to have one of our technicians examine your coolant. It may need a coolant exchange.  What that means is draining out your old coolant and replacing it with new.  

In addition to simply replacing the fluid, the radiator, heater core, hoses and passages in the engine block should also be flushed.  That ensures that rust, corrosion and debris buildup will be removed so your cooling system can do its job more efficiently.

Conventional coolants (they’re usually a green color) typically last about 2-3 years.  Another longer-life coolant may last 5 years or more.  Many manufacturers recommend a coolant change every 5 years or 50,000-100,000 miles/80,000-160,000 km.  Our technicians will make sure your vehicle gets the correct coolant for your engine.

Once your coolant is replaced, your engine stays protected from extreme temperatures.  It shouldn’t overheat in summer or freeze in winter.  You should notice better heater performance, less corrosion in the cooling system and a longer lifespan for your water pump and radiator.

S T Foreign Auto Service
415 E Brighton Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-478-2161
www.stforeignauto.com

That Clunk Isn’t Normal: Why Your U-Joints Need Lubrication (Lubricate U-Joints)

If you’ve noticed a clunk when shifting from park to drive, accelerating from a stop or letting off on your accelerator, it may be your vehicle warning you about dry or failing U-joints. Those are small, critical components in your drivetrain that allow the driveshaft to flex as your suspension moves, transferring power smoothly from the transmission to the wheels. 

They take a licking every time your vehicle is on the road since they’re always moving and bearing a heavy load.  The key to keeping U-joints healthy is making sure they’re lubricated.

If they’re not, they’ll be at the mercy of their main nemesis: friction.  Bearings inside then begin to wear, which can cause a lot of play in the joint.  That play is what makes the clunk you can hear and feel.  If they don’t get lubricated, a dry U-joint can overheat, seize or even fail completely.  That can lead to damage to other systems, such as your driveshaft, differential or driveshaft. 

Another sign you may have a U-joint that’s failing is vibration at highway speeds. The more wear it gets, the less smoothly your driveshaft rotates. You may hear a stutter or hum when you go faster. Your driveshaft may even come loose, leaving you in a very unsafe situation.

U-joints that can be serviced have grease fittings.  We recommend you have us lubricate yours at regular intervals.  That’s especially important on trucks, SUVs and if you tow with your vehicle. 

If it’s been a while since your drivetrain has been inspected and you notice clunking noises or vibrations, have one of our technicians check your U-joints. Taking care of the issue early can prevent other costly repairs and keep you on the road safely and smoothly.

S T Foreign Auto Service
415 E Brighton Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-478-2161
www.stforeignauto.com