Your vehicle’s car care provider takes the safety of your vehicle very seriously, providing skilled vehicle inspections and maintenance. You’ve probably chosen your car care professional because you trust them and look to them as the experts in their chosen industry. These pros know you can get your oil changed in about ten minutes at a local Quik-Lube, but that you’re not going to get the level of service you want. Why?
The difference is the young person working at that sort of facility isn’t a skilled technician. The majority of the employees are working their way through college, and the automotive field is not their chosen major. When you choose a shop with certified technicians and certified master technicians, you get experts. These dedicated professionals are educated in the field of vehicle service and repair. They spend money each year on continuing their education so they are always up to date on the latest in vehicle technology, service, and repair.
Their vehicle inspections reflect this. Inspections usually come in two varieties: the “Courtesy Inspection” and the “Bumper-to-Bumper Inspection.” They may have different titles depending on the shop, but whatever they call it, here is the difference! I think you will get the idea.
The Courtesy Inspection is a “visual” inspection and takes a few minutes to perform. The technician will look for obvious problems, such as tires that look low on air, leaks, frayed wiper blades, corroded battery terminals, a dirty air filter, and other easily-spotted issues. If something is obviously wrong, they will tell you about it so you can make an informed decision on fixing it now or later.
The Bumper-to-Bumper Inspection is “hands on” and takes about an hour to perform. This is a very thorough inspection and delves into the more complex systems of the car. An inspection of this sort every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on your vehicle and your driving habits, keeps your car reliable.
Your car is the “patient” of an automotive shop. It is treated much like your doctor or dentist treats you and your health needs, or the way the vet treats your pet’s needs. A good shop will always let you know what can wait, what should be done soon but isn’t critical to your vehicle’s operation at this time, and which item(s) should be serviced or repaired right now.
Hopefully this helps you understand the difference between courtesy and a bumper-to-bumper vehicle inspections more fully. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an inspection, give us a call!
Custom wheels are one way that Kent folks express themselves and personalize their SUV. But they aren’t as cheap and easy as sticking decals on your back window. There are several vital factors need to be considered, including cost, the fit of the wheel, modifications that will have to be made to the SUV, how the new wheels and tires will affect the operation of the vehicle, your driving habits, and, of course, the style of the wheels. Most Kent auto owners start with the last factor: the style of the wheels. But that should be the last thing we choose.
When considering custom wheels, you should first carefully consider your budget. Some wheels may require pricey adjustments to your SUV suspension system, brakes, or traction systems. You need to know what you can afford before you start shopping in Auburn or get your heart set on a particular type of wheel.
There are three basic ways you can change your wheels. First, you choose a wheel that is already the same size as the ones on your SUV. Second, you can choose larger wheels, and third, you can choose smaller wheels. Mounting wheels that are the same size as the ones already on your car sounds easy enough. But, even though the wheel may be the same diameter as your current wheels, but that doesn’t mean it will fit your SUV. Besides diameter, wheels also have an offset. This is the measurement from the inside edge of the wheel to the point at which it bolts on. If your new wheel does not have the same offset as your current wheels, your SUV tires can rub on the inside or outside of the wheel well. This can lead to blowouts, uneven tread wear, and other mechanical problems.
The tire and wheel professionals in Kent at Central Avenue Automotive on 1514 Central Ave S Ste A can help you select a wheel that has both the correct diameter and offset for your SUV. Or, if you really want a specific wheel in spite of the offset difference, your may be able to install adapters that will make the wheels fit.
Mounting larger wheels is a more involved process. There are several ways of doing this. You can mount larger wheels, but keep the overall tire diameter the same. Or you can “supersize” your tire/wheel combo. Mounting larger wheels while maintaining the same overall tire diameter is the easiest way to increase wheel size. You still need to adjust for offset. Generally, this alteration means that your new tires will be wider than the originals, so you will have to install adapters to keep them from rubbing on the wheel wells. Consult your Central Avenue Automotive service professional by calling 253.854.6762.
If you want to install larger wheels and increase the overall tire diameter, it is essential that the package fits in the wheel well: you may have to do some minor modifications to your suspension. More importantly, you will have to reprogram your SUV engine’s computer to calibrate for the larger tire size. The computer calculates your speed based on the rotation of your tires, so increasing the size of the tires will render it inaccurate. Inaccurate speed calculations can mess up your anti-lock brakes and your stability control systems, as well as your speedometer and odometer.
As you can see, the more modifications you make, the more important it becomes to have your considerate Central Avenue Automotive tech tire and wheel professional help you with your car care.
If you really want those “super-sized” tires, great: just factor in the issues listed above, plus you may have to have modifications done to your suspension system.
The larger wheels and tires will add weight to your vehicle. This weight is not held up by the suspension system, so is referred to as “unsprung” weight. Adding unsprung weight affects your car differently than just adding loads inside of your car. Unsprung weight can affect acceleration and braking. Putting large wheels on your SUV may require an upgraded brake system.
Also, you may not get the performance from your SUV that you’ve been used to. It may be sluggish when accelerating or harder to handle when turning. You may also find that the ride is bumpier than it was before. Of course, done right at Central Avenue Automotive, a good wheel job can sometimes improve a vehicle’s ride or performance. It just depends on your vehicle, the type of wheels you choose, and what you are hoping to accomplish.
Now let’s suppose you want smaller wheels on your vehicle. That should be easier, right? Not really. You still have to worry about offset, and it is critical that your computer be reprogrammed to account for calibration issues. And you may need adjustments to your suspension system.
Remember your budget? All of these scenarios require that you shell out some money. Perhaps now you can see why it is good auto advice for Burton auto owners to make that consideration first, before setting their heart on a specific type of wheel.
Another consideration should always be your driving habits. Do you do a lot of off-roading on the outskirts of Auburn? Do you carry heavy loads? Do you tow a trailer on WA highways? All of these factors must be considered when replacing your tires and wheels. Some wheels just may not be up to the work you need them to do.
For example, if you mount large rims on your vehicle, then add low-profile tires to avoid major adjustments to other systems, they won’t be able to handle off-roading as well as larger tires. There won’t be enough sidewall on the tires to absorb the impact from off-roading. You could end up with dented or broken rims.
At the end of the day, Kent drivers should always put safety ahead of appearance. That’s why you shouldn’t add custom wheels to your vehicle without consulting with your Central Avenue Automotive tire and wheel professional. Cutting corners when installing custom wheels by not making necessary adjustments to all of the systems impacted by the change can result in dangerous operating conditions as well as pricey repairs down the road.
The considerate auto professionals at Central Avenue Automotive want to remind Kent car owners of the basics of vehicle safety: preventive maintenance, emergency preparedness and professional repairs. Stay safe, and stay on the road.
Most of us are familiar with the extended warranties we are asked to purchase at a dealership when we buy a new or used car. There are many aftermarket extended warranties being offered these days, as well. An extended warranty is insurance against the possibility of a major repair. It’s there just in case you need it.
In the past few years, a new type of vehicle service contract has come out that offers to extend your dealership warranty when it expires. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration estimate that car repairs total $36 billion annually and that the number one cause of consumer credit card debt is car repair. Today’s cars are made up of 70% electrical and high-tech components, so people are tempted to have these contracts just in case a major component fails.
The Better Business Bureau, however, is receiving a large number of complaints against these contract providers, so they took a nationwide survey and found that 92% of respondents considered the selling tactics to be misleading or improper. Many said they were under the impression this service was through the auto manufacturer of their vehicle. Others said the contracts were very confusing. The consumers who purchased these contracts have lost about $5 million collectively, or about $1,430 per person.
If you are considering purchasing a Vehicle Service Contract that claims to extend your warranty, do so with caution. Ask these questions and always get something in writing!
How easy is it to use?
Can I use it at any repair shop anywhere I choose?
Do I have to pay the repair bill up front and be reimbursed? If not, how will the payment be handled?
What plan options are available and which repairs are included with each plan?
Do I have a deductible, and if so, how much?
Is the deductible per visit or per repair?
Do I have roadside assistance with my plan?
Do I have a rental car provided with my plan?
Is the contract transferable if I sell my vehicle?
Is the cost of the contract more than the car’s value?
Who is the seller of the plan, their address, administers, and insurers?
In June of 2012, the principals at US Fidelis, which used to be the largest retailer of vehicle service contracts, were indicted on 27 criminal counts based on deception and fraud while marketing these contracts.
There are a lot of new features, both optional and standard, on Kent auto owners’ vehicles these days. One you may not have heard of is called a cabin air filter. Simply put, its job is to keep the air in the passenger compartment of your car nice and clean.
A cabin air filter is similar to the filter you use on your furnace at home in Kent. Cabin air filters can catch particles down to three microns. By comparison, a grain of sand is 200 microns. So cabin air filters are effective against dust, dirt, pollen, mold spores and most pollutants in our Auburn atmosphere. Good news if you suffer from any types of allergies, or if you live in an area in Kent prone to air pollution.
Cabin air filters are generally located in the engine compartment or under the dashboard. They can be tricky to access and replace, so you’ll probably want to go to your considerate Central Avenue Automotive technician to get it done. Check your SUV owner’s manual to find out if your SUV is equipped with a cabin air filter and how often it should be changed. Recommendations vary, but generally a cabin air filter should be changed every twelve to fifteen thousand miles.
Of course, if you are an allergy sufferer in Federal Way, you may want to replace it more often. Also, if you do a lot of driving in polluted or dusty areas in WA, you’ll also want to shorten the cabin air filter replacement period. Dirty air filters just don’t work well, and they can exude an unpleasant odor if ignored for too long.
Most Kent folks know that good car care includes keeping your SUV clean, including the air inside the passenger compartment, so changing your cabin air filter should be part of your routine preventive maintenance. It’s good auto advice as well as good medical advice that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You really shouldn’t wait until the interior of your car starts to smell and your eyes start to water before you change your filter. And trying to cover it up with a dangling green pine tree is not the right answer, either!
Cabin air filters can be a welcome relief to Kent allergy sufferers, but they’re also a great idea for anyone in Auburn who just wants to breathe better.
With car dealers practically giving away vehicles — or so they make it seem until you read the fine print, and let’s be honest, most of us don’t — and car and truck buyers getting approved for low and even no-interest car loans, a shiny new set of wheels might look tempting these days. However, just like that questionable TV that goes on sale for $80, it’s a purchase that isn’t for everyone.
Should you ever buy a brand new car? The short answer is NO. Surprised? We’ll explain. There are times when buying a newer car becomes a necessity, but you should always buy something at least four years old. There are also money-saving motives for hanging on to an older car a little longer. Here are five reasons why you might want to rethink making that drive to the car dealership.
1) It used to be that once a car hit 100,000 miles, it was destined for the junkyard. These days, 100,000 miles is merely the quarter point for a lot of vehicles. That’s because many of the cars that rolled off the assembly lines in the past 10 years were designed to last much longer than the older cars from the 70s and the 80s. For us at Central Ave Automotive, it’s not uncommon to see cars with 150,000, 200,000, or even 300,000 miles come into our shop that are still running great.
Even economy brands such as Hyundai, Kia, and Suzuki have much better quality than they did 10 years ago and are still in good shape even at the 100,000-mile mark. It all comes down to car maintenance. If the owner follows the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, a vehicle can survive well into the 100,000 mile range. If you don’t do the maintenance, you’re going to pay for it either in repairs or by having to buy a new car.
2) The size of the monthly payment might be the first thing people consider when buying a new car. Even so, they always overlook a whole other set of expenses that are seldom considered when buying a car, such as auto insurance and taxes. Car insurance is based in part on the value of the vehicle. Newer cars will cost more to insure because they have more value and cost more to repair if they are in an accident. Gas prices are another consideration, especially if you’re looking at a new car that calls for premium gasoline. Then there are the taxes and fees associated with buying a car. People don’t realize that the fees to make the transaction are going to be expensive in Washington — the purchasing process alone can set you back more than $1,000 on a $10,000 car. King County’s sales tax on a $10,000 car is 9.5 percent, which comes out to $950.
3) Depreciation is one of the biggest expenses of owning a car. On average, a car loses 15-25% of its value each year for the first five years. When you step into a new car, it’s almost like you buy new depreciation. Even with the occasionally steep repair bill, you’re usually better off keeping an older vehicle if it’s paid off. Once a car is 5 to 7 years old, it’s lost most of the value it’s going to lose. So, as long as you’re getting reliable transportation out of it and performing the maintenance, it’s a good idea to keep that car for as long as possible.
You have to factor in realistic cost. If you’re paying $300-$400 per month on repairs on a car that’s paid off, you’re still only paying about half as much as you would for a payment on a new economy SUV, and that’s not even counting the increased insurance and other fees associated with the new car. A good gauge to decide whether you should keep the car is when the car repairs reach 100% of value of the car, it’s time to move on, but a running car is always worth something.
4) It depends on the type of car you drive. Of the cars Central Avenue Automotive sees, European imports tend to be the most expensive to maintain, costing more than American and Japanese cars typically do. Some cars are simply built better than others. Japanese cars are usually the most reliable and the least expensive to fix. If it’s a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry with 100,000 miles or so, the car is just being broken in. If it’s a Ford Taurus, it’s probably used up half its life.
5) If you’re planning to buy a new house or refinance the one you have, adding a car loan to your debt load will lower your borrowing abilities. Jumping to get that tempting car loan could price you out of the house you want or the interest rate you hope to get on a refinance. Interest rates on a mortgage or refinance are based not only on your credit score, but also on your debt obligations. Lenders these days are a lot more cautious. If you’ve just taken out a car loan, the bank may not be too keen on giving you an even bigger loan. Even at a 5% interest rate, that new 2016 Chevy Tahoe comes in at a whopping $73,000. If you put $5,000 down on this vehicle and finance it at 5%, this equals payments of over $1,200 a month for 72 months, and when it’s all over, you will have spent $87,278.40. If you want to lower your payment and extend the schedule to 84 months, which appears tempting in the short term, you would actually end up with an overall vehicle cost of $89,362.56, not including the cost of insurance.
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons to stick to your older, reliable vehicle rather than buying a shiny new one. For more information about maintaining your high-mileage or older car, give us a call or make an appointment online!
Road trip, anyone? Nothing spoils a great vacation for us Kent motorists then ending up stranded on the side of the road or spending a week in a rundown motel while our vehicle sits in the shop. Long days on the road can bring out the worst in your vehicle, so before you leave, prepare it for the journey by getting an inspection at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent. After all, you wouldn’t travel without clean socks, why ask your vehicle to travel with a load of harmful dirty oil?
The first step in a trip inspection at Central Avenue Automotive is to look at your travel plans. What kinds of roads will you be driving on? Will you be in the WA backcountry or on the freeway? Will you be crossing mountains? Off-roading? What will the weather be like? How many miles away from Kent will you be traveling? How much are you hauling? Will you be towing a trailer or lugging a rooftop carrier? Will you encounter dust, mud, snow or sea salt? All of these questions can help Kent car owners confirm which Central Avenue Automotive services are the most needed. And don’t hesitate to speak with your Central Avenue Automotive service advisor. He can give you good auto advice on what trip conditions are hardest on what systems of your car and what kinds of services your vehicle realistically needs. Start with the tires and review them for tread wear and proper inflation. Replace or rotate them as needed. If you need to change them out for winter tires, then do so.
Then inspect your shocks or struts for wear. Replace them if needed. You’ll want that extra comfort on your trip. Be sure to check your alignment. Steering a vehicle that is out of alignment is tiring, and dangerous. Don’t overlook your brakes. With extra passengers and baggage, your brakes are going to get a workout. You want them in top condition.
In addition, inspect belts and hoses. If any of them are close to wearing out, have them replaced before your long trip does them in.
Change your engine air filter if it needs it or if it’s close to needing it. For every gallon of gas you burn, your air filter processes 12,000 gallons of air. A clean air filter will protect vital electronic sensors that effect how your engine runs.
Get an oil change at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent if it’s coming due. Make it a full-service oil change while you’re at it. That way, all of your fluids will get checked and topped off. Change any dirty or old fluids. Kent auto owners don’t want to overstress their cooling systems or transmissions with dangerous dirty fluid during a long trip.
Does your vehicle smell? Check the cabin air filter. The bad smell could also indicate an exhaust leak, which can be fatal on a long trip. So don’t ignore bad odors; check them out.
If your air conditioning hasn’t been up to snuff, then give it an overhaul. You want your vacation to be relaxed and pleasant, and that means keeping the passenger compartment comfortable.
And be sure to review your wiper blades and your headlamps. You may find yourself driving in unfamiliar territory at night after a long day. You’ll want to be able to see as much as possible.
Of course, almost everything listed here is just part of vital preventive maintenance for smart Kent auto owners. If you keep up with your car care on a regular basis, a trip inspection will be a breeze at Central Avenue Automotive.
Taking care of your vehicle before you leave for a road trip will pay you back in safety, peace of mind, improved comfort and better MPG. It will also help your vacation go as planned by keeping you on the road and headed for that next great adventure. Just don’t forget to pack your socks.
Once on a trip to Maui, we took a day trip to the Haleakala Volcano. This is a road that goes from Sea level to over 10,000 feet in about 27 miles, with plenty of pedaling on and off the brakes. I noticed several signs that suggested to downshift instead of using my brakes and I thought to myself, “that would be a great blog post!”
The reason that you want to downshift is to protect the brakes. When your brakes are applied, they create friction, and this friction is what slows the vehicle down. But friction also creates heat, and too much heat will damage the brakes. Too much heat can also make brakes completely fail. Brake failure happens when brake fluid gets too hot and starts to boil. When brake fluid boils, brake pedal fade will occur, or complete brake failure can happen while driving downhill.
A vehicle’s downhill speed will increase due to gravity. Heavier use of the vehicle’s brakes is needed in order to slow down the vehicle’s progress. Under heavy braking, brake fade can occur. Brake fade is a result of overheating and reduces friction between the brake pads and discs. When brake fade happens, it reduces the effectiveness of the brakes, which is dangerous and often more common in larger vehicles.
The good news is that you can descend down most any hill without ever using your brakes. This is done by a method of “downshifting,” or selecting a lower gear. This method uses the vehicle’s drivetrain to slow the vehicle. Large trucks have been using the downshifting technique for years.
How To “Engine Brake”
If your car has a manual 5-speed transmission, you would typically use 3rd gear if you want to descend a hill around a 40mph speed limit. Most of the time, that will help you maintain your speed, and you may even have to accelerate a few times. If you are going too fast, then a 5 second push of the pedal will slow you down without overheating the brakes. When you downshift into a lower gear, the brakes will have a chance to cool before you use them again. If you hold onto the brakes by riding the pedal for an extended period, the brakes will overheat and will become damaged. When you get to the bottom of the hill, simply put the vehicle back into drive and it will go back to computer-controlled shifting for optimum fuel economy.
Several types of vehicles, like the Acura MDX and BMW x5, come with sport modes that give you enhanced control over the vehicle’s transmission. Most Automatic Volkswagens use a tiptronic transmission switch. When you shift into that mode, it allows you to select the gear you want like a manual transmission without a clutch pedal to push.
If you have questions about downshifting and using the engine to help slow you down hills, contact one of our experienced technicians at Central Avenue Automotive. You can give us a call at (253) 854-6762, or schedule an appointment using our convenient online appointment booking service. You can also come into our repair shop, located at 1514 Central Ave. Kent, Washington 98032.
WHY IS IT BAD TO DRIVE MY CAR WHEN MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS BLINKING?
If you are like most drivers, you may have experienced the frightening moment when you’re confronted with a blinking engine light. Many people realize that “blinking” means “emergency” and get their cars into the shop right away. Others may take awhile to get the light investigated, whether it’s because they do not have the time to take their car in or do not think they can afford a costly repair. This post is going to tell you why it is never a good idea to drive your car while the service light is blinking.
When the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light starts blinking (as opposed to staying steadily illuminated), this means that a catalytic converter-damaging condition is occurring. Usually you will be able to feel a noticeable difference in the way your vehicle is running. When this Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light flashes, you should pull over safely and shut the vehicle off as soon as possible. Have the vehicle towed to your trusted repair facility for a diagnosis and repair. Continuing to drive this vehicle in this condition will do more damage and will cost more to repair. Depending on the type and age of vehicle you drive, there can be a huge variance on the replacement cost of a catalytic converter. Some converters may cost over $2000 per converter, and many cars use 2, 3, or even 4 converters.
The other thing to consider is that a lot of the vehicles we drive in the Puget Sound are built to meet California Emissions Standards. That means if the catalytic converter in your vehicle fails, it needs to be replaced with a catalytic converter that meets California Emissions Standards, and these cost even more than a vehicle that conforms to Federal Emission Standards. California Emission Standards are much more strict than federal, and if you don’t replace the faulty part with the correct part, it will not work with the emissions calibration on your vehicle’s computer. This could still signal a catalytic converter efficiency code, which will illuminate your Check Engine or Service Engine Soon light, and you will not pass the emission test. When your light is illuminated, or if there are current codes stored in the computer of your vehicle, it will not pass DEQ. There are pros and cons to your vehicle being built to California Emissions Standards. The upside is that your vehicle runs much cleaner for our environment, since California holds higher standards. The downside is that the vehicles are more expensive to repair.
The service light is there for a reason: to alert you when there is an issue with your vehicle so that you can take it in for service. There are many reasons why the service engine light may blink on. These reasons can range from quick and inexpensive fixes to extensive and costly repairs. Some of the most common culprits behind a blinking engine light are as follows:
Ignition coil has failed
Fuel injector has failed
Engine computer has failed
Spark plug
Spark plug wire
Bad engine valves
If your check engine light is on and not flashing, this means you need to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have the vehicle diagnosed. A diagnostic procedure on most vehicles typically takes 1-2 hours, and should cost $80 – $100 dollars in most cases. Driving a car with a blinking engine light will cost you the amount of the repair, plus the cost of a new catalytic converter. A Mini Cooper converter will range from $700 to $1500, while an Audi converter can range from $700 to $2400. A tow bill is usually under $100, and at Central Ave Auto, we offer free towing service to our shop in our designated area.
Whatever the cause of your blinking service light, rest assured that our experienced technicians are trained to handle it in a professional and timely manner. Give us a call at (253) 854-6762 or schedule an appointment using our convenient online appointment booking service. You can also come into our repair shop, located at 1514 Central Ave in Kent, for a diagnostic.
As fuel prices in the Kent area climb, so does the amount of gas saving tips and tricks. Some of it, like what you hear on AutoNetTV, is really great. Some is pure myth. Some is just designed to prey on local drivers desperate to save some money on gas.
When you get one of those emails that goes around telling you how to save gas, try to think it through.
Does it really make sense? Does it defy the laws of physics?
Do some research on the internet, check Snopes, or ask your favorite local service advisor at Central Avenue Automotive.
There aren’t any magic pills you can drop in your gas tank and the government hasn’t suppressed a device you can clamp on your fuel line to make your car run on air. Not even in Kent! If it sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is.
So next time you get one of those emails, check it out with an automotive professional. You’ll get more bang for your buck with an oil change or an engine air filter replacement. Keeping your car well-maintained is the best way to improve your fuel efficiency and save gas. You can also always consider a hybrid or fuel-efficient car next time your lease is up or you’re purchasing new! Make sure to bring any new or new-to-you car in for a second opinion and initial inspection.
We’re Central Avenue Automotive, give us a call at 253.854.6762 for good, honest advice about your car, including gas saving tips.
The price of gas and the uncertain economy are both causing WA residents to review their finances. More and more Kent auto owners are opting to keep their vehicles longer and put off purchasing a newer car. It is estimated that two-thirds of the vehicles on the roads of North America today have over 75,000 miles on them. And the average age of vehicles is now over eleven years. That translates to some car care issues that many Kent men and women haven’t dealt with in the past. Older vehicles simply have different maintenance requirements than newer ones. Learning those requirements presents a challenge for Kent auto owners because many owner’s manuals only publish maintenance schedules up to 60,000 or 90,000 miles. Vehicle owners have to keep good records and be more involved in planning preventive maintenance if they want to keep their SUVs on the road. First of all, any service in your owner’s manual that comes with a recommended mileage interval should be continued at that interval.
For example, if it is recommended that you change your oil every 5,000 miles, you should continue to change your oil every 5,000 miles. The owner of an older vehicle has to recognize that his engine is operating under higher stress than a new one. It’s just starting to show its age. So many experts suggest that the “severe service schedule” should be followed once a vehicle has racked up some serious miles. On this schedule, the mileage interval for many services is shortened or should be performed more often. Check with your considerate Central Avenue Automotive service professional.
Kent motorists who own older vehicles should also be careful not to neglect or postpone oil changes. A full-service oil change is more critical for an older SUV than for a new one. Older engines have had a lot of time to build up sludge in their oil compartment, so changing the oil at regular intervals is a must. Skipping an oil change compounds the sludge problem. With a full-service oil change, the vehicle’s fluids are also checked and topped off. Your considerate Central Avenue Automotive service professional will also let you know if these fluids need to be replaced. Older SUVs have older seals and gaskets, which often develop tiny leaks. Regularly checking fluids will compensate for these leaks and offer a heads-up about any serious ones. So, again, it is important to stay on schedule and not skip or procrastinate a fluid check.
Older seals and gaskets begin to dry out and show their age by becoming brittle. High-mileage formulation oils and fluids can help extend the lives of these gaskets and seals. These products contain additives that recondition seals and gaskets and keep them from leaking. High-mileage formulas cost more than standard products, but in the long run they can pay for themselves by preventing more costly repair bills.
If a vehicle is getting on in years or mileage, its parts are as well. High-mileage car maintenance requires necessary repairs and replacements. Timing belts, radiator hoses, parts of the suspension system, anti-lock brakes, air bags, water pumps, alternators and batteries will not last forever and will wear out in higher-mileage vehicles. They need to be inspected regularly by your considerate Central Avenue Automotive service professional and replaced as necessary.
But don’t go running for the new car lot just yet. These repairs may sound like a lot, but in total, they’re still cheaper for Kent motorists than new car payments. And if you stay on top of them and budget for them, they aren’t as burdensome as it may appear.
If you plan on driving your vehicle into its high-mileage years, there are two relationships you need to develop. The first is with your Kent service center. Your Central Avenue Automotive service specialist can offer you invaluable auto advice and help you develop a service plan that is right for you and your vehicle. Second, you need to develop a relationship with your SUV itself. You don’t need to name it, but you should become familiar with its noises and idiosyncrasies. Pay attention to changes in its habits such as new or unusual sounds, smells, vibrations, etc. Taking note of such things and sharing them with your service advisor can help stave off a lot of big-ticket repair issues.
As we get older, keeping up with a diet and exercise plan becomes more and more critical to maintaining good health. It’s the same with our vehicles. A preventive maintenance plan and smart car care will keep them on the road and keep them safe for a good many years to come.
Central Avenue Automotive is ASE Certified, and AAA Auto Repair center. We are a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business with an A+ rating and Authorized Vehicle Emissions Repair Facility.
Central Avenue Automotive is ASE Certified, and AAA Auto Repair center. We are a Better Business Bureau Accredited Business with an A+ rating and Authorized Vehicle Emissions Repair Facility.
