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How often should I change my wiper blades?
For vehicles that are parked inside, car care experts recommend that the wiper blades be replaced at least once a year or when the wiper blades start streaking – which ever comes first. On vehicles kept outside or in areas where the wipers receive excessive use, changing the blades two or even three times a year is recommended for clear vision.
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How often should I have my engine oil/filter changed?
According to the recommended intervals, regularly scheduled oil/filter changes are the single most important item for prolonging engine life. Most new vehicles have recommended oil/filter change intervals of 7,500 miles and some new vehicles have recommended oil change intervals of 11,000 to 15,000 miles under normal operating conditions, with ""normal"" operation described as the operation of the vehicle for at least 20 minutes at a medium speed, with a steady throttle and in a clean driving environment.
Short hops to the store, stop-and-go rush hour driving, driving on dirt roads and inclement-weather operation are all considered severe operating conditions that can cause impurities to build up quickly in the oil, resulting in increased wear and tear on internal parts. That is why most owner's manuals and mechanics recommend changing the oil and filter every three months or 3,000 miles (whichever comes first) to assure that maximum engine lubrication occurs while a minimum of impurities are suspended in the oil. To find out what the recommended oil change frequency is for your vehicle, check your owner's manual or talk with your automotive service professional.
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How often should my car get a tune-up?
The term “tune-up” actually applies only to older cars without electronic ignition (before 1981). On these vehicles a tune-up would generally be required every 15,000 – 20,000 miles and consisted of replacing the spark plugs, ignition contact points, rotor and distributor cap and adjusting the ignition timing as well as the carburetor.
On modern vehicles equipped with electronic ignition, fuel injection and computer controls, the term “engine performance maintenance” is a more accurate term. A “tune-up” for these newer vehicles is an orderly process of inspection, computer diagnosis, testing and adjustment to maintain peak engine performance, maximum operating efficiency and low exhaust emissions. During this process, spark plugs, plug wires, sensors, and modules may be replaced. The frequency at which a newer vehicle needs a tune-up is dependent more upon driving conditions than mileage and recommended tune-up frequencies vary between 30,000 – 100,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer. To learn how often your vehicle needs a tune-up, check your owner’s manual or speak with your local automotive service provider.
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How can I tell if my coolant is OK?
It is impossible to determine the condition of the coolant in the radiator just by looking at it. Coolant, a mixture of ethylene glycol and water, breaks down with age, picks up contaminants that cause sludge, and becomes acidic. When this happens, it can cause corrosion within the radiator and cooling passages of the engine. To determine its condition, coolant must be checked with coolant test strips that measure PH balance. Coolant is an environmentally hazardous substance. It pollutes the water table and is poisonous to people and animals and therefore must be disposed of as a hazardous waste. Your mechanic has special tools and procedures for testing and changing coolant.
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What can I do if my car overheats?
If you are driving at normal highway speed and the vehicle starts to overheat, turn off the air conditioner, turn on the heater and immediately pull over to the shoulder. Odds are if the vehicle starts to overheat at highway speed, there is a problem in the cooling system such as low coolant, a clogged radiator or a broken drive belt or burst hose. Once at the shoulder, shut off the engine, open the hood and let the engine cool down – 20 minutes minimum. Once any over boiling stops and the engine has cooled, look for obvious signs of trouble. DO NOT attempt to open the radiator cap unless the engine is off and the top of the radiator is cold. If there is no noticeable problem such as a broken drive belt or burst hose, you can then add a coolant/water mixture to the radiator or overflow reservoir, start the vehicle and drive slowly to a service facility.
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Does my transmission ever need service?
Mostly it is advised having an automatic transmission’s fluid and filter changed every two years or 24,000 miles, to keep it in good working order. This is especially important if the vehicle is more than five years old. Many vehicles that are five years and newer may need scheduled services less often. We have two transmission services available, listed below. Look it over and we will help determine which service might be right for you and your car.
Also, to find out what the manufacturer recommends, you may also check the owner’s manual. By-the-book service, however, may not be adequate if your vehicle is driven hard, tows a trailer, goes off-road or carries a camper and vice versa. Under harder conditions, the fluid and filter may need to be changed more often because dirt and moisture buildup in the fluid can cause internal damage. Heat buildup can also be a problem. The harder the transmission works, the hotter the fluid gets and the quicker the fluid breaks down.
Manual transmissions generally need no regularly scheduled service, but may need service due to worn clutch and throw-out bearings and broken synchromesh gears. Check your owner’s manual for specific information on manual transmission service or talk with your local automotive service provider.
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Transmission drain and fill
Only removes fluid from transmission oil pan, and refills fluid that was drained out. THIS SERVICE DOES NOT REPLACE ALL FLUID IN TRANSMISSION. It can only be performed on vehicles with a drain-plug. Most new vehicles and SUV’s may not have a drain-plug.
Transmission flush
Recommended: every 30,000 miles, depending on driving habits. If your vehicle does not have a drain plug or needs more than just a drain and fill service, we offer a flush. Our technician attaches a machine to the transmission cooler lines and to remove all of the old “contaminated” fluid. Once the fluid has been drawn out, the technician will run a cleanser through the complete transmission system that removes any remaining fluid, particles, dirt, etc. The next thing that is run through is a conditioning fluid that pumps up the seals and conditions the entire transmission system. There’s no need to even change the filter! We then add new premium fluid. This is the only way to replace all fluid in the transmission system. This is a great service to maintaining your transmission and is recommended every 30,000 miles or so.
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What’s the correct tire pressure for my vehicle?
The correct tire pressure for a vehicle is determined by the size and weight of the vehicle, the type of tires it uses, load hauled, and the type of driving the vehicle is intended for. The vehicle manufacturer places a tire inflation placard in each vehicle that gives the proper tire inflation pressures for that vehicle. This placard is located on the inside of the glove box door, inside the fuel-filler door, or on the driver’s side doorpost (depending upon manufacturer). Most manufacturers also list tire inflation levels in the owner’s manual.
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Why is heat coming out of my air conditioner?
If your air conditioning system is blowing hot air instead of cool, the refrigerant gas may have leaked out, you may have a clogged condenser, or the air conditioner's blend door may be stuck. Whatever the cause of the problem, the air conditioning system needs immediate service. Turn the system off. You can cool the vehicle interior by putting the ventilation control in the ""vent"" position and/or opening the windows.
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Why are my brakes making noise?
If you hear a grinding or squealing sound when the pedal is applied, you probably need new brake shoes or pads. Brakes shouldn’t make any noise as they operate. Even if the actual problem turns out to be something minor, the only safe assumption is this one: noisy brakes are unsafe brakes. Postponing service is unsafe and could raise the cost of repairs later. If your brakes are making noise, get them inspected or serviced right away. Heavier vehicles like SUV’s usually require service sooner than you’ll experience with lighter vehicles.
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Is your steering out of line?
When driving straight, if your steering wheel is left hand or right hand down, more than likely it is time for an alignment. Alignments should be checked every 12,000 miles.
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Do you get uneven tire wear?
If our car is suffering excessive or uneven tire wear on any wheel, front or rear, an alignment is needed.
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Does your vehicle pull or drift?
If your car drifts to one side or the other and requires constant force to the steering wheel to keep it straight, it needs an alignment.
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What is a “bleed and flush”?
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This service is more or less an oil change for your hydraulic system. This is preventative maintenance for the entire hydraulic braking system. The fluid in this system is hygroscopic, meaning that it attracts water, and pulls water out of the atmosphere. Especially since it stays pretty humid here in Texas, it is good to do this about once a year or so, depending on your driving habits.
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Is your check engine light on, did you fail the Emissions part of the State Inspection?There could be several reasons why these things are happening. A computer diagnostic is needed to figure out why your car is indicating something is wrong. We can perform this diagnostic and let you know what’s going on. The computer diagnostic allows the technician to investigate codes set by your engine’s computer. He will then run a series of tests to insure that these codes are accurate. For example, if your vehicle’s computer indicates a specific oxygen sensor is not working properly, we want to make sure it’s the oxygen sensor, not something leading up to there as it is very possible for another part of the system to be causing it not to work.
The reason for failure of the inspection will be indicated on the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). A qualified service technician should diagnose your vehicle’s problem and recommend the appropriate repairs. After the repairs have been made, take your vehicle back to the same inspection station within 15 days of the initial inspection for a free retest. You only get one free retest.
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What do I do if I can’t afford Emissions related repairs for the Inspection?
The next step is to check out Texas’s financial assistance program for certain owners of vehicles that fail the emissions test. It is called the AirCheck Texas Repair & Replacement Assistance Program.
If your vehicle failed the emissions test and your annual income is below the national poverty level, you may be granted a one-year Low-Income Time Extension. However, a second extension is available the following year.
Sugar Creek Auto Performance is a Recognized Emissions Repair Facility and can repair your vehicle for the State Inspection. For the repairs to take place, you must first apply and qualify for assistance. For more information please visit the AirCheck website:
http://www.h-gac.com/HGAC/Programs/AirCheck+Texas/default.htm
