Month: July 2019

When you get a vehicle you have an obligation to take the best care of it possible while it is in your possession. This means that getting your vehicle’s oil changed comes with the territory. If you don’t know much about cars or when you need to get your oil changed, we can help you with that. Often times when you get your oil changed, the company you went to will put a sticker in your drivers’ side window in the left-hand corner that will tell you when they recommend coming back and at how many miles. This is not the exact number you should come back on, but it is pretty close usually to when you should think about heading in again. During an oil change, you will have several things done. Every place is different with what they do, but one thing’s for sure, that they will always change your filter, oil, and top off the fluids that may be getting low. If something is wrong, they will usually tell you what it is and throw in a price for reference. This is a great way to also tell if you need something more or your car will live to see another day.

Do You Need an Oil Change?

First and foremost, the length of time and miles you have driven since your last one is a major factor. If 3 months have passed, but you hardly drive your car, you can probably afford to skip it this time. If you are a commuter, you probably need to have your oil changed more regularly than that. One thing you can do right at home is pop your hood and pull the oil stick out yourself. There, you can check to see if your oil is low and if it is, go get your oil changed right away. Without oil in your motor, your vehicle engine will lock up and no longer work; talk about expensive. This is not a problem you want to have. An easy solution is to run over to Carotech Automotive and Tires and have us change your oil. Give us a call at (424) 283-4303 to set an appointment or just stop by.

Last month, we discussed the the ins and outs of changing fluids for car maintenance. However, there are several other aspects of car maintenance that it is also important to remember. Today we will go over the car maintenance basics that you need to know if you want your car to last! If you need any help with vehicle maintenance services, you can always contact our professional team here at (424) 283-4303!

Scheduled Tune Ups

Just like we need regular checkups with the doctor to make sure we are healthy, your vehicle needs regular tuneups with a mechanic to make sure it is in good condition. Your owner’s manual will give you a good idea of how often you need to have your vehicle professionally taken care of.

Wiper Replacement
At the end of a hot summer, always remember to take a look at your wipers. Here in LA, rain isn’t very common, so it’s easy to forget that you even have windshield wipers, but they do become unusable with age and heat. By checking them at the end of summer every year, and replacing them when they become dry, cracked, or warped, you can make sure you’ll be prepared when it finally does rain!

Battery Checks
You should also check your vehicle’s battery at the end of summer. The heat can slowly corrode the battery, and the first cold snap could be the end of the line for it! Have it checked out before the first cold wind, just to make sure it won’t accidentally leave you stranded.

Tire Maintenance
Tire maintenance includes monitoring the tire pressure, as well as keeping an eye out for worn out tread. Proper tire pressure makes sure you are safe when driving, and that you aren’t putting too much wear and tear on your tires.

Headlight Checks
Last but not least, make sure your headlights are working properly. Check them every couple of months to make sure all of your headlights and brake lights work like they are supposed to. This can help you avoid accidents, as well as tickets!

Car maintenance is very important. You depend on your car to get you to work, get your kids to school, as well as drive you across the country for your annual road trip. If your car isn’t well maintained, any of these excursions could cause a serious malfunction in the engine, transmission or other systems in your car. Proper car maintenance can prevent a serious breakdown. Carotech Automotive and Tires offers a variety of car maintenance services.

Which Fluid Changes Are Part of Car Maintenance?

One of the biggest aspects of car maintenance is checking the fluids in your car. Here are three different types of fluid that lubricate different parts of your car. Here are the different fluids you should check and how often they need to be changed:

Oil
It is recommended that you checks the oil levels in your car once a month. This helps you to know when you should add oil. Usually, you will need to change your oil every 3,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first.

Transmission Fluid
The fluid in your transmission keeps the gears lubricated, which prevents wear and tear. You should check your transmission fluid levels at least once a month and have it changed every 50,000 miles.

Brake Fluid
The brake fluid lubricates the components of the brakes system to make sure the car stops properly. You should check the brake fluid for cleanness every time you get the oil changed and have brake fluid changed every two years.

Other fluids that you can check in your car include the power steering fluid and radiator coolant. Keeping up with the levels of fluid in your car can greatly extend the life of your engine. If you need fluid checks or other car maintenance, contact Carotech Automotive and Tires at (424) 283-4303.