*A/C repair
*Brake Repair
*Catalytic convertors
*Cooling system service
*C.V. Axle Service
*Emission – “Tune Up”
*Engine Repair
*Exhaust
*Oil change
*Steering & Suspension
*Tire rotate and balance
*Timing Belt
*Transmission Service
*Used Car Checkout
*30, 60, 90K Mile Services
*Foreign and Domestic
Car Tips by Dr. Jack
10 Commandments of Car Care
Don't Drop the Pan Man!
Hey! It's Not 1965 Anymore
Wallectectomy
Printed in the South GA Advertiser
10 Commandments of Car Care
Don't Drop the Pan Man!
Hey! It's Not 1965 Anymore
Wallectectomy
Printed in the South GA Advertiser
New Car – Observe the “break in” period. Drive Gently during the first 50-100 miles and vary your speed
for the first 500 miles. I personally recommend that the oil be changed at 1,000 miles or less.
This helps remove all of the initial break in microscopic grit that new engines experience.
Change engine oil – Clean oil is the “lifeblood” of your vehicle. Additive packages that are added to oils eventually wear out. Dirty oil contains abrasives which puts additional wear on internal parts. Dusty, dirt roads are extreme environments and require more frequent changes.
Drive smoothly – Avoid sudden starts and stops. As a bonus, you will enjoy much better fuel mileage.
Be patient – Allow a warm up period of at least 30 seconds or longer in cooler weather for oils to flow and parts to warm up before driving.
Keep it cool – Maintaining the cooling system by frequent flushes, inspecting belts and hoses, look for leakages and restricted radiators (externally from grass clippings, weeds, road dirt, etc.). Radiator replacement due to internal corrosion may be necessary. This will pay off in the long run by not overworking the engine and it will last longer.
Drive Train – Transmissions require fluid flushes as well and some more than others. Check your owner’s manual. Transmission fluid oxidizes over time. It is pink when new and needs flushing when it turns caramel or dark brown. There are many internal parts to an automatic transmission. Everything works better with clean fluid.
Maintain Filters – Air and fuel filters need replacing too. A clean air filter helps the engine breathe. A clean fuel filter will help the electric fuel pump last longer by reducing the amount of work the fuel pump has to do.
Nothing is perfect – Not all vehicles are created the same; but, by using a preventative approach and looking for little things before they become big things, this will go a long way in making your vehicle last to the 250,000 mile mark and beyond.
Jack Bergan, who has 38 years of experience in the automobile industry, is an ASE Master Technician and a member of the Automobile Service Association (ASA). Send comments or questions to drjack1@mindspring.com Questions will be answered in future columns.
Change engine oil – Clean oil is the “lifeblood” of your vehicle. Additive packages that are added to oils eventually wear out. Dirty oil contains abrasives which puts additional wear on internal parts. Dusty, dirt roads are extreme environments and require more frequent changes.
Drive smoothly – Avoid sudden starts and stops. As a bonus, you will enjoy much better fuel mileage.
Be patient – Allow a warm up period of at least 30 seconds or longer in cooler weather for oils to flow and parts to warm up before driving.
Keep it cool – Maintaining the cooling system by frequent flushes, inspecting belts and hoses, look for leakages and restricted radiators (externally from grass clippings, weeds, road dirt, etc.). Radiator replacement due to internal corrosion may be necessary. This will pay off in the long run by not overworking the engine and it will last longer.
Drive Train – Transmissions require fluid flushes as well and some more than others. Check your owner’s manual. Transmission fluid oxidizes over time. It is pink when new and needs flushing when it turns caramel or dark brown. There are many internal parts to an automatic transmission. Everything works better with clean fluid.
Maintain Filters – Air and fuel filters need replacing too. A clean air filter helps the engine breathe. A clean fuel filter will help the electric fuel pump last longer by reducing the amount of work the fuel pump has to do.
Nothing is perfect – Not all vehicles are created the same; but, by using a preventative approach and looking for little things before they become big things, this will go a long way in making your vehicle last to the 250,000 mile mark and beyond.
Jack Bergan, who has 38 years of experience in the automobile industry, is an ASE Master Technician and a member of the Automobile Service Association (ASA). Send comments or questions to drjack1@mindspring.com Questions will be answered in future columns.