The Maintenance-Free Myth

Posted by & filed under Maintenance.

There’s a segment of the population that’s not committed to proper vehicle maintenance. Mistaken perceptions have crept into the WA area over time. Many motorists think the root lies in the fact that modern cars are so reliable. Reliability has improved dramatically in recent years. Quality surveys report fewer problems with new cars than ever before. This leads to the idea that certain cars are “maintenance-free.”

Back when cars spent more time in the repair shop, drivers were more mindful of routine service. Now, it’s much easier to put it off.

maintenance-free myth

Take tune-ups, for example. In the days of mechanical ignition systems, an engine needed to be tuned-up every couple of years. The ignition points had to be replaced, spark plugs and coils replaced and the timing adjusted. If your engine was out of tune, you knew it. It ran poorly and got bad fuel economy.

Now, the ignition system in your SUV is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer. Spark plugs rarely get fouled and will last for as much as a hundred thousand miles. So tune-ups used to force you into the shop for service, and while you were there, you just took care of whatever else was on the list.

Also, in recent years, a large percentage of new cars have been leased. These folks plan on turning the car in after two or three years, so they haven’t focused on the maintenance that helps your car last longer.

Given all that, what’s the benefit to keeping up with factory scheduled maintenance? Well, your SUV will perform better and return better fuel economy.

Those benefits pay for themselves as they go along. The big plus is that major repairs are prevented. And these aren’t just repairs that are a long ways off. Modern SUV engines are far more sophisticated and have many parts that are in critical need of proper lubrication. Missing just one oil change can allow oil sludge to start forming. Sludge clogs small engine passages, robbing parts of the lubrication they need. An expensive failure could easily occur within two or three years.

Modern engines require more sophisticated fluids. Because of the different types of materials that are used to make auto parts, things like aluminum, plastics and steel, different types of additives are required to protect automotive components from corrosion. These additives deplete with time as well as with use.

For example, your SUV engine coolant could actually become so corrosive that it eats holes in your radiator or other cooling system parts. Of course, that could lead to massive engine damage, all for the want of replacing the coolant on schedule.

Taking care of the little things now prevents big problems later. At Central Avenue Automotive, we have been taking care of all those little things for 20 years. Your SUV still needs to be taken care of – it’s just that some of those points of care have changed with automotive advancements. The need for proper maintenance did not go away. Remember — there’s no such thing as maintenance-free.

Photo Credit: Tino Rossini

Are There Blind Spots In Kent WA?

Posted by & filed under Automotive News.


All Kent car owners have blind spots – and no, I’m not talking about the fact that you really don’t sing like Adele. I mean the areas of the road that you can’t see when you’re driving around Kent.

First let’s talk about our own blinds spots, and then we can talk about others…

To begin, we can greatly reduce blind spots by properly adjusting our mirrors to give the widest coverage possible. Make the adjustments in your SUV before you start to drive.

First, Kent drivers should adjust their rear view mirrors to give the best possible view directly to the rear of their SUV. Auburn folks don’t need it to get a better view of either side of the car, the kids in the back seat or their dazzling smile. It’s pretty simple, the rear view mirror should reflect the rear.

Next, lean your head until it almost touches the driver’s side window. Adjust your side mirror so that you can just barely see the side of your car. Now, lean your head to the middle of the car and adjust the outside mirror so that you can barely see the right side of the car.

When Kent drivers adjust their mirrors this way, they’ll have maximum coverage. Of course driving is a dynamic process – things change every second on Auburn roads and busy interstates. So it’s wise to take a quick look to the side when passing to make sure that another SUV hasn’t moved into an area you couldn’t see in your mirrors.

Depending on the kind of vehicle you drive (SUV?), you may still have some blind spots. All vehicles have an area behind them that’s blind when backing up. The bigger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spot. A pick-up or SUV can hide a small child – an RV, bus or tractor-trailer can hide an entire vehicle. So be careful out there on our Auburn streets and in your driveway at your Kent home!

As you drive around the Auburn area, avoid staying in other drivers’ blind spots. You can’t count on them to be watching their mirrors and looking out for you.

Let’s talk about safely sharing our WA roads with heavy trucks and buses. In crashes involving a truck and car, the driver of the car is to blame for about 40 percent of the accidents. But 78 percent of the fatalities are with the car. The laws of physics are against the smaller vehicle, so it is vital for Kent car owners to take extra precautions around trucks and buses.

Heavy vehicles have huge blind spots: to the rear, on both sides and up front. They also can’t maneuver like a car. They take twice as long to stop and need twice as much space as you do in your SUV or other type of car. You need to keep wide margins when driving around one of these big rigs on Auburn area expressways.

Here are some tips for passing a heavy vehicle in the Auburn area:

Avoid the blind spots. If you can’t see the Kent car owners’s face in one of his mirrors or in a window, he cannot see you!

Don’t follow too close. If you can’t see one of the truck’s mirrors, you’re too close.

Make sure there is plenty of room to pass. Trucks are long and take time to get around. If you’re on one of our local Kent, WA two-lane highways, wait for a passing zone.

Don’t linger when passing. Because the blind spots are so big on the sides, you want to get through them quickly. If you can’t pass quickly, drop back.

Pass on the left whenever possible. A trucks’ blind spot is much larger on the right.

Be attentive and wear your seat belt while driving anywhere around Kent, even for short drives. Don’t be aggressive when driving around trucks. Because of their size, they appear to be going slower than they really are. Cutting it short around a truck could be disastrous.

Use your turn signals when starting to pass. Once you can see the full truck in your rear view mirror, it’s safe to signal and move over. It’s critical not to cut it short or slow quickly when you pull in front of a truck.

Be careful passing a truck at an intersection in Kent. Trucks need to turn wide to maneuver through Kent streets. Squeezing between a truck and the curb could put your car in your Kent body shop or Central Avenue Automotive. Look for the truck’s turn signals.

The team of automotive professionals at Central Avenue Automotive want you to watch those blind spots – but feel free to sing in the shower all you want.

Central Avenue Automotive
We’re on 1514 Central Ave S Ste A in Kent, WA (98032)
Call us to make an appointment at 253.854.6762.

What to Know About Battery Replacement

Posted by & filed under Battery.

Today’s focus is battery replacement. It seems like everything in Kent runs on batteries. Of course, the batteries we’re most concerned with here at Central Avenue Automotive are those in our customer’s vehicles. Just like the batteries in our smoke detectors or TV remote, car batteries wear out and need to be replaced. There are a couple of things drivers should know when looking for a new battery.

Look for two measurements that come into play: cold cranking amps and reserve capacity.

battery replacement

Let’s start with cold cranking amps. This can be thought of as the power output used to start a cold SUV engine. The number of cold cranking amps you need depends on your vehicle and where you live in WA, specifically how cold it is. (Many WA motorists have first-hand experience trying to start their car on a cold winter morning). The two factors are that the colder your SUV’s engine is, the more power it takes to turn the engine over to get it started. It has all that cold, sluggish oil to contend with.

The other factor is that the chemical reaction in the battery that creates electrical energy is less efficient when the temperature dips. At Central Avenue Automotive, we consult the table shown below. Let’s say it’s eighty degrees Fahrenheit. At that temperature, 100% of the battery’s power is available. At freezing, only 65% of battery power is available, but it requires 155% as much power to start the engine as it did at eighty degrees.

As you can see from the chart, the colder it gets, more power’s needed, but the available power drops.

Percent of Power Available Celsius Fahrenheit Power Required
100 27 80 100
65 0 32 155
40 -22 0 210
25 -32 20 350

 

So if you live where it’s cold in WA, you need a battery with more cold cranking amps than you do where it’s moderate or hot. The battery that originally came with your SUV was based on averages. At Central Avenue Automotive, we like to remind Kent motorists that they should always get at least as many cold cranking amps as their manufacturers recommend, but may want to upgrade if they live where it gets real cold.

And the type of engine you have will impact the battery you need: A six-cylinder engine requires more cold cranking amps than a four. An eight cylinder needs even more. And diesel SUVs require more than a gasoline engine with the same number of cylinders.

Now on to reserve capacity: It’s a measurement of the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has at a given load. The number is more important to Kent motorists these days because of parasitic drain. Parasitic drain is the battery energy that’s used when the key is off in your SUV. So, the power drawn by the security system, the remote start system, even the power the computers require to maintain their memory.

Reserves are also needed when you make very short trips around Kent. You’re not driving long enough for the battery to recover the energy it used to start the engine. So go with the minimum recommended by your manufacturer or Central Avenue Automotive and upgrade if you need more.

Talk with us at Central Avenue Automotive about your options. If you need more from your battery, a larger, heavy-duty battery may be called for. At Central Avenue Automotive in Kent, we remind our customers that it’s very important that the new battery fits your SUV: the terminals can’t be touching other parts.

Batteries are a big ticket item for most WA motorists, so the warranty gives piece of mind. There’re two kinds of car battery warranties: pro-rated and free replacement. With the pro-rated, you get a credit for a portion of the battery if it fails during the warranty period. With a free replacement warranty, you get just that, a free replacement. Be sure to ask us at Central Avenue Automotive about the warranty so you know what you’re getting.

Photo Credit: AndyArmstrong via Compfight cc

Tire Rotation and Balancing at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent

Posted by & filed under Tires and Wheels.

Tires do a lot of essential work for Kent drivers. They transfer engine power and braking forces to the road; they handle steering control; and they cushion all those bumps and jolts while driving around Kent. They also support the entire weight of the vehicle, including you and your passengers. With such vital work to do, you want your tires to do their job well. And since replacing tires is fairly costly, you want them to last as long as possible.

There are three keys to long, even tire wear for Kent drivers:

  • Proper tire inflation
  • Proper wheel alignment
  • Regular tire rotation and balancing

The front tires on a car take the brunt of the steering forces. As they push through turns, the shoulders of the front tires wear down more quickly than the rear tires. Rotating front and rear tires allows them to all wear at about the same rate. That’s especially true of front wheel drive vehicles whose front tires steer, and put the power to the road.

SUVs and pick-ups, especially four wheel drives, also tend to wear their tires more unevenly than cars because of their suspension and drivetrain set-up. Your owner’s manual will likely contain a schedule for tire rotation. It’s usually every 5,000 miles or so.

Also, there are different rotation patterns for different vehicles. Central Avenue Automotive will know which is right for your vehicle. That brings us to wheel balancing. When wheels are balanced, they spin on the axle evenly. When they are out of balance, they wobble a bit. That makes the tires wear unevenly and may transmit a vibration to the car. Your considerate Central Avenue Automotive tech puts weights on your wheels to balance them out so that they turn true and smooth.

Tires are a big investment for Kent auto owners. They’re essential for keeping you safely on the road in Kent. The cost for regular rotation and balancing is more than made up in extended tire life. And, can you really put a price on your safety and that of your passengers?

Proper PCV Valve Service

Posted by & filed under Engine.

Today, we are talking about your PCV valve. The PCV Valve is a little, inexpensive part that does a big job for your car. PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation.

The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the SUV engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase.

pcv valve


These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel. This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause SUV engine corrosion, something we see occasionally at Central Avenue Automotive. At high speeds on Washington freeways, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak.

Back in the old days, car makers simply installed a hose that vented these gases out into the atmosphere. But starting in the 1964 model year, environmental protection laws required that these gases be recycled back into the air intake system to be mixed with fuel and burned in the car or SUV’s engine.

This is much better for air quality and improves fuel economy, as well (budget-conscious drivers take note!). The PCV valve lets gases out of the engine, but won’t let anything back in. Over time, the vented gases will gum up the PCV valve and it won’t work well. That can lead to all of the problems I’ve already described, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption, and decreased fuel economy.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to test the PCV Valve and  it’s quick and inexpensive to replace. Even so, it’s often overlooked because many Kent drivers don’t know about it. Check your SUV owner’s manual or ask your Central Avenue Automotive service adviser. If this is the first time you’ve heard of a PCV valve, you might be in line for a replacement.

There’s another aspect to the PCV system. In order for the valve to work correctly, it needs a little clean air to come in. This is done through a breather tube that gets some filtered air from the engine air filter. Some vehicles have a small separate air filter for the breather tube called the breather element. That’ll need to be replaced at Central Avenue Automotive when it gets dirty.

Please ask your considerate Kent service adviser about your PCV valve. For the price of a couple of burger combo meals, you can avoid some very pricey engine repairs.

Automobile Fluids For Your SUV

Posted by & filed under Fluids.

If you’ve walked through the automotive fluids of an auto parts store in Auburn, you’ll know how overwhelming the sheer number of products available can be. How do you know what’s right for your vehicle?

As you know, these fluids all serve a function in making your car run as you drive around the Auburn area. Your vehicle manufacturer has specified a particular type of fluid for every system from the motor, to the cooling system, brake fluid and so on. When you realize that not every variation is applicable to your vehicle, the task becomes more manageable.

First let’s talk about why there are so many varieties. Starting with motor oil, we see that manufacturers match the properties of a particular weight or type of oil with the design needs of the engine. For example, engines with sophisticated valve trains often require a thinner weight of oil.

Some vehicles around Auburn come from the factory filled with synthetic oil and the recommendation to use it for life. The safe bet is to always use what the factory recommends. The recommendation is what’s been proven to work in function and durability tests. The recommended oil is also a factor in determining oil change interval schedules.

Kent WA Auto Fluids A good quality oil has more additives that are engineered to clean and protect the engine. They cost a bit more, but are worth the extra protection. If you buy budget oil, you might want to consider shortening your oil change interval.

Sometimes fluids are developed specifically to meet the needs of a particular family of engines. An example would be coolant. Because of the different materials used to build the cooling system, the coolant has to be formulated to protect those parts, which vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, from corrosion. We’ve seen special coolant in Auburn for General Motors, Volkswagen, Chrysler and others.

The same is true of transmission fluid and brake fluid in recent years.

The really good news is that your Auburn service center has databases that tell them the recommended fluids for your vehicle. This takes all the guess work out. If you have some special needs, like a higher mileage engine or want enhanced performance, ask your service advisor for upgrades or additives that’ll meet your needs while being consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Of course, your full-service oil change will top off your fluids. But it’s a good idea to have some of everything at home in case you need to top something off yourself or to take on a trip. Ask your Auburn service advisor at Central Avenue Automotive or check your owner’s manual for fluid specifications.

It’s important to know that there are national warranty laws that say that a manufacturer cannot require you to use their brand of fluid to maintain your warranty. That said, there are two things that may affect your warranty.

Using the wrong type of fluid may void the warranty. Going back to radiator coolant, the correct type protects against corrosion and the wrong type will not. So it’s important to be right.

Also some warranty protections are conditioned on taking care of scheduled preventive maintenance. Please review your warranty if you have questions.

The Most Distracting Things to Eat While Driving

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Quiz time! What is the most distracting food to have in the car while driving around town?

Is it:

  1. A Hamburger
  2. Coffee
  3. A Soft Drink, or
  4. Gummy Bears?

Well, you may be surprised to learn that all but the gummy bears are on the top ten list for most distracting foods to eat while driving, but if you chose coffee, then give yourself an extra two points. Coffee is the number one food distraction for drivers throughout the country

It may also shock you to learn that food distractions cause 25 percent of all car accidents — over a million and a half each year!

Don't Eat and Drive

You’ll notice that all of the top ten distracting food items are messy. Messy foods are the type of food you might spill (very distracting!), then try to clean up (a safe-driving impossibility!). If you gotta eat on the run, take five, then drive — as in, park for five minutes to eat your food before you drive. You’ll thank yourself later for two reasons — first because you can actually relax for just a moment in our fast-paced world, and second because you won’t have to worry about getting that cinnamon roll frosting out of your dashboard after a near miss.

Keep drinks in spill-proof containers, too, so you can keep your eyes on the road without worrying about where that spill is headed.

It’s really a choice between eating your food or filling out accident reports. We don’t have to ask you which you prefer. It’s a no-brainer.

Central Avenue Automotive, along with AutoNetTV, wants you to keep both eyes on the road. Please don’t eat while driving and stay smart.

Photo Credit: Kanko* via Compfight cc

Checking Your Tires and Wheels

Posted by & filed under Tires and Wheels.

Some of us just love tires. All those little rubber hairs on new tires and the smell… it’s wonderful. We live in a great time for tires. No matter how you drive, where you want to go, or the look you’re after, there is a tire for you.

The same is true about wheels. The hardest part is choosing from the thousands of wheels available.

We may not be able to help with that, but we can help you get some things in mind before you consult with your Kent tire professional. Let’s start with function and think about how you drive.

For example, maybe you have a large SUV but you don’t drive off-road, so an off-road tread isn’t important. Also, because you are not out bouncing over rocks in the WA backcountry, you don’t need a high profile tire to protect your rims. So that means you can probably go with the low-wide look.

changing your tires

If you have a winter season with rain and snow or if you find you need better ice and snow performance, they make great, high-performance snow tires that won’t make it look like you are driving a tractor.

There really are a lot of options for any given vehicle. You will find it very helpful to have a discussion like this with your Auburn-area tire pro when you need new tires. You can find the best solutions for your driving needs and to make improvements in ride or handling.

Picking a wheel that is the same size as what you are using now is pretty simple. But, it gets trickier if you want to upsize. Just get some help when you go bigger. The tire and wheel still need to fit in the available space. You do not want your tires to rub when you turn or hit a bump. You also need to make sure your brakes and suspension bits will fit with your wheel of choice. It doesn’t matter how great your car looks if it’s not drivable.

Taller, wider wheels and tires probably weigh more than your stock shoes. The “unsprung” weight has a big impact on brake performance. The upsized shoes increase rotational inertia – if you go too big, you may need to upgrade your brakes to compensate.

Another possible problem is an inaccurate speedometer. This happens because the number of rotations can change with the new wheels. Fortunately, speedometers and odometers are all controlled by the engine computer, so it is simple to get it reprogrammed and compensate for the bigger tires.

No matter what you’re after — low cost, long life, high performance, traction, or stunning good looks — your wheel and tire professional at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent, WA can help you identify your needs and give you a custom fit. With all the options available, you don’t have to compromise. There is a tire out there with your name on it!

Photo Credit: Paul L Dineen via Compfight cc

Go Big or Go Home: Upsize Your Wheels at Central Avenue Automotive

Posted by & filed under Tires and Wheels.

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A lot of us Kent auto owners like our vehicles to reflect our personalities. We’re picky about color and body style. We’ll customize anything from floor mats to window tints to license plates. One popular way for WA auto owners to customize a vehicle is to get new wheels.

Wheels come in thousands of designs. Custom wheels can add personality, style or sass to a vehicle. Many of these customizations involve getting a bigger wheel.

Fifteen or sixteen-inch wheels used to be the factory standard, But today, because a lot of Kent auto owners like the look of larger wheels, many vehicles are available with seventeen or eighteen-inch wheels. Optional wheel packages of twenty inches or more are also available in Kent.

If you want to upsize the wheels on your current vehicle, however, you should know it’s not a do-it-yourself project. There are critical factors involved in ensuring your wheel change doesn’t jeopardize the safety of your vehicle.

First of all, it’s vital for WA motorists to understand rolling diameter. The rolling diameter is the overall height of a tire. If you increase the rolling diameter of your tires when you upsize your wheels, you may have to modify your suspension to make sure the larger tires fit in the space and don’t rub in turns or over bumps. If that’s more work than you’re willing to do or pay for, then you need to maintain rolling diameter when you change your wheels.

It’s not as hard for Kent auto owners as it sounds. Imagine a doughnut. That doughnut represents rolling diameter, so you can’t make the doughnut bigger. However, you can increase the size of the doughnut hole. That gives you a bigger wheel. Tires with reduced sidewall on larger wheels will preserve your rolling diameter.

Rolling diameter is important because your wheels and tires still need to fit inside the wheel well. Also, your speedometer, odometer and anti-lock brakes are all programmed to work with a specific rolling diameter. You’ll throw off the readings on your speedometer and odometer if you change your rolling diameter. And for your anti-lock brakes to work properly, your rolling diameter has to be within 3% of factory recommendations. While some Kent car owners who upsize may not be concerned about meter readings, throwing off the brake system is a serious safety hazard.

Further, many vehicles in Kent are now equipped with electronically controlled suspensions. Changing the rolling diameter will negatively affect this system as well, which can lead to a less smooth ride and lower handling performance as well as detrimental safety concerns.

Your considerate Central Avenue Automotive tire professional may be able to reprogram your vehicle’s computer to adjust for a larger (or smaller) rolling diameter.

So to maintain rolling diameter, you’ll need tires with a shorter sidewall. These tires will be designed to give the sidewalls the strength they need to maintain ride quality. Consider that doughnut again. As the wheel (the doughnut hole) gets bigger, the sidewall of the tire (the width of remaining doughnut) gets shorter. That means the tire holds less air. The sidewalls have to be made stiffer to compensate for the decreased air capacity.

To improve their strength, the shorter tires will also be slightly wider than your previous tires. But this means you’ll have a larger contact patch, or, in other words, a larger area of tire making contact with the road. This can actually increase your handling performance and decrease braking distances. Many WA auto buffs customize their wheels just for this reason—they want the improved performance rather than looks or style. If you drive a truck or an SUV around Kent, you might be interested in the extra control an upsized wheel can provide.

Now, that larger contact patch still has to fit inside your wheel well without rubbing when cornering or when bouncing over bumps or potholes on Kent roads. This is termed fitment, and you may need a few essential adjustments so your new wheels will fit properly. You may need spacers so that your brakes will fit inside the new wheels, as well.

Central Avenue Automotive tire professionals are experts at mounting, adjusting and customizing wheels. They can give you a lot of good auto advice about wheels and tires and how they affect driving performance and car care. They can help Kent car owners select wheels and tires that will suit their driving needs and habits.

For example, if you drive off-road around Auburn, you should consider a higher profile tire. This type of tire will protect your rims from costly damage while you’re bouncing over rocks. Or, if you tow a trailer or haul heavy loads around WA, you’ll want a tire with a load rating equal to your demands. Your considerate Central Avenue Automotive tire professional can help you with these types of concerns.

Once you’ve got your new wheels, have your considerate Central Avenue Automotive service advisor inspect to see if you need an alignment. You don’t want those new wheels and your higher performance compromised by poor alignment. Get the most out of your investment by getting the work done right at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent.

Last but not least, remember tire pressure. With larger wheels, your new tires will hold less air and they’ll need slightly higher pressure. You’ll need to stay on top of vital preventive maintenance and keep them properly inflated. Be sure to check their pressure at least once a week. If you don’t keep your tires at their correct pressure, they will wear out really fast. It will also lessen your braking and handling performance.

So smile and show off your vehicle around Auburn. Make it all yours. Bumper stickers, vanity license plates, custom wheels — strut your stuff!

The Auto Maintenance Mindset

Posted by & filed under Service Intervals, Service Standards.

When it comes to their vehicles, some auto owners don’t have an auto maintenance mindset. They know they need to take care of their cars, but it’s always very difficult to get them to remember to do it. Auburn drivers generally accept that many things in life require regular maintenance, but just may have not applied it to their SUVs.

For example: the lawn. You water it and mow it every week. You weed the flower beds and rake the leaves. This is just one of the things that Auburn residents are diligent about. Going to the dentist twice a year. Clothes to the dry cleaner. Flu shots. Taking the kids to the doctor for a checkup before school starts.

suv auto maintenance

If they do all this, then they are, in fact, maintenance-minded. They just have to learn to apply that mindset to cars. I mean, if you never brush your teeth or go to the dentist, you’ll become painfully aware of your neglect when you get a big cavity. Once the damage is done, most of us learn our lesson and shape up.

Unfortunately, car owners too often learn a hard automotive lesson when they bring their vehicle to Central Avenue Automotive on a tow truck. So many times a little routine auto maintenance would have prevented a breakdown.

So how can local drivers get into the habit of taking care of their SUV? It’s so easy to forget. If you skip cutting the grass, you see it every time you pull in the driveway. The same can’t be said for a car that may not show any outward signs of trouble.

Here’s something that will help: The key to good vehicle maintenance starts with an oil change. Think about it – when you go in for a full-service oil change, your Central Avenue Automotive tech will check all your fluids. If one of them is low, he can look for the reason why. If your serpentine belt is cracked, he’ll see it and let you know. Corroded battery cable – they’ve got you covered. At Central Avenue Automotive, we check to see if your SUV manufacturer has recommended any services at your current mileage.

The oil change becomes kind of a focal point, a way to check in to see what needs to be done. Vehicle inspection surveys consistently reveal that over 80% of vehicles have one or more unperformed repair or maintenance service. Vehicles are generally very reliable and can take a lot of abuse and neglect, but you’ve got to remember that SUVs are complicated machines. There are parts and fluids that are critical to their operation. Without them, the SUV won’t run at all.

So when you come in to Central Avenue Automotive for an oil change, you get an automotive analysis from your considerate service adviser and a reminder for recommended services so you can avoid a total failure. Remember that your Central Avenue Automotive technician can help you work out a maintenance and repair plan, prioritizing and scheduling the work to make sure you and your family are safe, and helping you avoid expensive breakdowns.

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