Oil Change Benefits - Why Do You Need to Get One Every 3000 Miles

Getting a basic oil change for your vehicle every 3 months or 3000 miles will provide many benefits to your vehicle and your pocket. It will prevent internal wear of your engine, it will enhance engine performance and improve your gas mileage. Even the cheapest coupon should provide the most essential service of all by replacing the old oil with new oil, and you will see benefits in the long run.

Inside your engine there is multiple moving parts. Crankshaft, connecting rods, lifters and pistons are just a few of the internal parts that are moving at speeds of over 1000 rpms. Good lubrication provided by having clean and good quality engine oil will reduce friction and lower operating temperatures. Reduced friction will prevent wearing of the internal parts, and lower operating temperature will improve the functioning of the cooling system such as the radiator, cooling fan and water pump. Oil changes will increase lifespan of your engine and cooling system.

As engine oil gets old, it will get thicker, oxidate and won't lubricate as well as when you have new engine oil. It will contribute to to low piston compression and cause the engine to have less power, rougher idle and poor acceleration. It is not uncommon to hear from customers that their cars run faster and have more power after getting an oil change. Timely oil changes will restore compression and improve engine power and performance.

After getting an oil change, if the customer uses the manufacturer's recommended grade of engine oil, gas mileage should improve by 1-2 percent. Old, dirty and thick engine oil will increase friction, causing the driver to press the gas pedal more to compensate for more engine friction, and cause decreased gas mileage. Getting an oil change will also keep catalytic converter to stay cleaner and efficient, and a clean converter will cause the engine at lower rpms, improving car emissions and also getting better gas mileage.

As you can see, a 30 - 35 dollar investment to get regular oil changes in your vehicle will provide many benefits. Take the time to find a trusted automotive technician to do oil changes in your car every 3 months or 3000 miles, or make the investment to buy basic tools so you can do your own maintenance. Make sure you buy good quality oil and oil filter. You will save money and enjoy your vehicle for many years to come.

If you live in the north texas area, i invite you to come see our shop Angel's Garage in Irving. To learn more about us please go to our websites. For general Auto Repair in Irving or for VW and Audi Auto Repair

Off Roading Safety Basics

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Off-roading has become one of the most popular summer sports in the world, thanks to the fact that many ATVs are now easily affordable. Off-roading can be loads of fun, but it can also be incredibly dangerous. There are a few things that you need to know about being careful while off-roading, things that can save your life as you have fun going through rough terrain in your ATV.

Safety Gear

The most important thing to remember is that safety is the most important thing. If you aren't well protected, you can get yourself into a serious accident. Eye goggles are one of the most important pieces of safety gear to wear, as they can protect your eyes from flying rocks and dust that could cause you to go blind. Using a safety helmet is also vital, as it will protect you from a head injury if you get into an accident. Wearing the right body armor and suit will help to keep you from any serious injuries to your chest, as well as from tearing up the skin of your legs and arms. Never go off-roading without the correct safety gear.

Be Wary of Stunts

Just because you have ridden an ATV for a few months or years doesn't mean you are ready to do stunts yet. Unless you have some serious stunts training, avoid doing crazy things that can land you in the hospital. A surprising number of people have died or gotten seriously injured thanks to their trying to do something crazy or showing off to their friends.

Learn to Ride Properly

Riding an ATV may look easy when doing it on a track or the road, but off-roading can be extremely dangerous. If your ATV, dirt bike, or mountain bike flips, your injuries can range from broken bones to death, a permanent condition. Consider taking a class or getting tips from an expert before venturing out.

Not all Paths are Crossable

Just because you are riding a dirt bike or ATV doesn't mean that you can go everywhere. There will be terrain that will be impassable, and you need to accept that. Avoid getting into mud or waterholes, even if you think your bike or ATV can take it. Above all, avoid any paths that you know have dangerous drop offs or end near cliffs. As mentioned above, just because you can go off-road and into rough and rugged places, doesn't mean you have to.

Keep Your Vehicle in Good Shape

If you let the condition of your vehicle decline, you could end up getting seriously hurt. Old tires won't grip the road well, and worn out brakes won't allow you to stop in time. A used chassis will cause the ride to be extremely bumpy, and an unchecked motor can leave you stranded out in the middle of nowhere. Keeping your vehicle in good shape is a vital part of staying safe while off-roading.

Visit PhatSportShades for the best in sunglasses for summer eye protection, including ATV and off road goggles and motorcycle goggles.

Maintaining a Car: Air Filter and Battery

Some auto maintenance jobs are simple enough to be done by someone with relatively little technical knowledge. Auto repair services that can be performed with a minimum of tools and knowhow include changing a tire, replacing an air filter, checking and changing oil, checking and topping up transmission fluid, and checking battery, spark plugs and other electrical items.

Some of these things sound quite complicated to someone who has never worked on a car before. But, don't let the unknown scare you. Identifying the problem is often the hardest part of performing auto repair services; keeping a car maintained is often much easier.

The air filter is probably the easiest thing to change or check besides getting gas. On a car such as a Volvo 850, you will not need any tools whatsoever. K&N filters for a Volvo 850 are often rated to a million miles. Maintenance will involve cleaning out the filter and not replacing it. Air filters are mostly just dusty, so cleaning them is simple, and not too messy. Fram filters are cheaper, and are disposable.

Locate the filter case on the top of the engine. It's a box about 9 inches square with a round tube coming out of one side. The box is held shut with three or four metal clips. Unclip these, and open the case. Either clean the filter or replace with a new one. Once the filter is back in place, clip the case shut again.

Checking battery and other electrical connections is important and also quite easy. A car battery is filled with highly corrosive sulfuric acid. This acid is in liquid form and in hot weather will partially evaporate. The evaporating vapor results in adverse effects. One is that the level of liquid in the battery drops. If it gets too low, the battery will not work.

To maintain proper levels in a battery, pop the rectangular caps off the top. Protective eyewear is recommended, since spraying battery acid can cause blindness. Don't smoke or put any open flame near the battery when doing this, and never open the battery when the vehicle is running. Use a flashlight to peer into the holes. There will be three round holes under each rectangular cap. Each hole has a tab that extends downward toward the acid inside. The proper level of liquid will just barely reach the bottom of the tab. If there's a space between the tab and the top of the liquid, add distilled water to make up the difference. Don't use any water other than distilled. To ensure that the water does not become contaminated before getting into the battery, use of a large eye dropper or turkey baster might be helpful.

The other adverse effect of acid vapor is corroded terminals. Clean battery terminals with battery cleaner designated for this purpose to remove any corrosion. Apply a layer of battery terminal protectant to prevent further corrosion. Both battery terminal cleaner and protectant are available in small aerosol cans, and resemble spray paint. These two, basic auto repair services will ensure that your battery continues to operate properly and doesn't go dead prematurely.

Tanner Motors is a great source for auto repair services more complicated than the simple tasks outlined here. Located in Phoenix, AZ, they specialize in Volvos such as the Volvo 850.

How to Know When It Is Time to Change Your Cars Brake Pads and Shoes

Many drivers' biggest fear is to be driving on the highway and coming to a stop, only to find that the brakes are no longer responding when they're pressed on. The fact is, brake failure is a serious cause of collisions on the highway, and while it's less common today than it used to be, it's still a problem to be kept at bay for all motorists.

Older drum brakes were not nearly as reliable as today's braking technology. Drum brakes were susceptible to seasonal and environmental factors which could decimate their ability to stop on time. In the heat of the summer or the cold of winter, drum brakes could easily stop responding or fail to provide the necessary friction to stop the vehicle in a timely manner.

Today's newer anti-lock brakes don't tend to fail nearly as often as the previous standard in braking technology used to. More sophisticated braking systems, along with advanced materials and design used on braking pads and shoes, have led to much safer and much more stable brakes that are better apt to stopping in any weather.

Here are a few signs it might be time to replace a piece or all of your braking system. Brakes and their parts are inexpensive pieces of an automobile that can be easily replaced without a lot of time and hassle, so it pays to make sure they're in good working order (especially when your body will absorb whatever kinetic energy they fail to prevent you from hitting).

Troubling Noises - They're not always the same kind of bad noise, but you can usually hear when your brakes or their components have begun to wear down. Of course you'll notice a sluggish, less complete stopping of your wheels when you press the brake pedal, but you'll also hear grinding, squealing, or whining coming from your wheel well.

Poor Road Traction - If you've ever depressed your brakes only to feel your car try, but fail to stop, you know how scary bad traction can be. Perhaps what's most scary about these situations is that they tend to be more common in inclement weather, which is not how you want to discover a crucial flaw in your biggest safety system.

Brakes will keep you and your car safe, but they need some TLC with regular upkeep in order to continue doing their job. Make sure you get yours checked out before you find out they need work the hard way.

Your car's braking system is probably the most important function of your vehicle. You'll want to use a qualified car repair shop to inspect or replace brake parts. If you need a brake job, then stop in the Shawnee Service Center in Wilmette Illinois.

Tips to Get Your Motor Running

If your car has been feeling a little sluggish lately, there are some things you can do to get your motor running right again.

First change your oil and oil filter. Make sure to use the grade of oil that is recommended by the maker of your car. If you do not have the owner's manual for your car, you can probably find out what grade of oil is recommended from the manufacturer's website. Using the wrong grade of oil can reduce the performance of your car and its gas mileage.

Now that most gas stations no longer check the oil when they fill up our cars, most people rely on the check oil light to tell us if our car is low on oil. By the time that light goes on, some damage to your engine may already have been done. To prevent this damage, check the oil in your car often. When you check the oil, you should also check the brake fluid and transmission fluid levels in your car and top them off if necessary. Most car manufacturers recommend flushing the brake fluid, transmission fluid and coolant system every 2 years or 30,000 miles. Keeping fresh, clean fluids in your car will keep your motor running smoothly.

Two other things that will also help your motor run smoothly are replacing your air filter and fuel filter frequently. Clean filters will help keep dirt out of your fuel injectors, fuel pump and engine. That will help your car to run better and give you better gas mileage. If too much dirt accumulates, it will lead to expensive repairs.

You should also change your spark plugs every other year unless your car has long life plugs. Worn spark plugs will cause your engine to misfire and waste a lot of gas. While you are replacing the spark plugs, check the plug wires for signs of wear.

Also, check all the belts and hoses in your car, especially the timing belt or timing chain. If that breaks, it can destroy your engine. Many car makers suggest replacing the timing belt every 75,000 to 100,000 miles. When you do replace it, replace the water pump too since the procedure for each is the same.

You can do many of these maintenance procedures yourself. You do not have to be an ace mechanic or have a lot of experience. You just need the desire, a how to manual and a few tools. Then, when you get your motor running right, you can head on down the highway looking for adventure and be able to handle whatever comes your way.

If your car will no longer run on down the highway, please consider donating your car to charity. If you do donate your car, it will be picked up fast and free and you will get a tax deduction of at least $500 if you itemize on your federal tax return. The process is very easy and there are a great many charities that can benefit from your car donation.

Karen Campese is the Co-founder and CEO of Cars4Charities, a not for profit car donation center. They have over 1,000 respected charities that you can donate car to. When you donate your car, you get a tax deduction and help a good cause.

Bleeding Brake Fluid For Optimal Car Performance

Choosing the right brake fluid is crucial. Most general-use cars should use a DOT-3, which has a dry boiling point of 205 degrees Celsius and a wet boiling point of 140 degrees Celsius. DOT-4 has a slightly higher boiling point, but is also much more viscous, making it a poor choice for some vehicles. DOT-5 fluids, which are silicone-based, are best for cars which are not driven often, such as older cars which are being restored. Silicone-based fluids should never be used in a car with an anti-lock braking system.

The process is easiest when all four car wheels are off of the ground. However, since most home mechanics don't have that capability, the car can stay on the ground, as long as there's room to use a wrench on bleeder valves. Loosening bleeder valves may be a challenge, so a drizzle of penetrating oil the day before brakes are bled will help to budge the bolts. A box wrench which fits the brake bolts is the best tool for the job. Tapping lightly with a hammer will help to loosen bolts, and break through corrosion.

In the beginning, bleeder valves should be loosened, but not open. Then, utilizing a disposable turkey baster from the kitchen, car owners should suck out as much of the old, inky liquid as possible, from the top of the master cylinder reservoir. Any visible contaminants within the reservoir should be cleaned with a lint-free rag. Also, car owners must be careful with brake fluid, which will immediately ruin any painted surface.

Car owners should push one end of a piece of cheap aquarium tubing, over one of the bleeder bolts. The other end should be placed into a clear plastic bottle, into which about an inch of clean brake fluid has been poured. Under the pedal, a one-by-four piece of wood should be placed, to keep the pedal from being depressed too far, when line pressure is released. Then, fresh brake fluid should be poured into the master cylinder reservoir, before replacing the cap.

The next steps in the process are easiest with a helper, to push the pedal. The car owner should signal the helper to push the pedal down, and, when the pedal is pushed down, should turn the bleeder bolt about a quarter turn. Old liquid will trickle into the clear container, through the aquarium tubing. When the trickle stops, the car owner should signal the helper to release the pedal, and should close the bleeder valve. This process should be repeated, until clean liquid begins to come through the tubing, into the container.

After five pushes of the pedal, the fluid in the master cylinder reservoir should be topped off. Allowing the reservoir to be less than half full invites more air into the system, which defeats the purpose of bleeding the brakes. When clean fluid is coming from the brake, then the bleeder bolt should be tightened. Then, the bleeding process should be started on another wheel, until all four wheels have been bled of contaminated fluid.

To dispose of old or unused liquid, pour it into a container of kitty litter. The liquid will evaporate within a few days, and the contaminated litter may be thrown in the garbage, in a closed plastic grocery bag. To decrease the likelihood of waste, car owners should always purchase eight-ounce containers of fluids, instead of purchasing larger containers. Always, old fluids, even when drying in kitty litter, must be kept away from animals and children. Also, fluids are extremely flammable, and must be kept away from any ignition source.

Bleeding an anti-lock braking system may be more complicated, so car owners should consult their owner's manual before making an attempt. By bleeding the lines every two years, or every 24,000 miles, car owners will ensure that components, including calipers and the master cylinder, last for a long time. The right fluid, the right tools, and the right helper will make bleeding brake fluid an easier, if not less dirty, job.

Prevent breakdowns by keeping your car in top condition. AutoWerks of America is a great source of replacement parts for German cars and other imports.

Should You Extend Your Auto Warranty

There are more and more advertisements these days telling us to extend our car warranty. The marketing pitches make it sound like we'll never have to pay for car repair again. While extending a car warranty may make one feel better, it is, in many cases, a waste of money. Here are a few things to consider.

Extend Car Warranty - 3 Points to Consider:

1) The first and most important point to consider is money. Auto warranty advertisements state "we'll never have to pay for car repairs again;" yet, we will have to pay a significant dollar amount up front for the warranty. Some car repairs may indeed cost $2,000, but many extended warranties cost significantly more than this. In other words, "we are" paying for auto repairs. In fact, they're asking us to pay now, rather than keep our money in the bank.

2) Although many extended warranties list off an impressive amount of items covered, many expensive and very common auto repairs and maintenance are not covered. This would include items such as tires, brakes, and maintenance services. Also, repair shops often charge above and beyond what our warranty company suggests, leaving us to pay the balance.

3) Even though a particular car repair is covered under an agreement, it may still cost us money. For example, most of these extended warranties have deductibles. Some will not cover what's known as "tear down" charges. This is when a shop has to disassemble our vehicle in order to determine the root cause. Also, many car warranties have caps on the hourly labor charge, which again, leave us to pay the difference.

Extended Auto Warranty - Additional Thoughts:

If the above doesn't deter us, consider too that an extended auto warranty is time and mileage sensitive. It's a race against the clock to get any actual monetary value from an auto warranty. Put another way, if we spend $3,500 for a warranty, our car needs to have at least $3,500 worth of "covered repairs" during the coverage period to break even. Not sure we want to even be driving a vehicle that needs this amount of work in such a short period of time.

Are there times when extending a car warranty makes sense? Yes...

1) when it's included with a certified used vehicle one is considering purchasing.

2) If we can get a significant discount, as these warranties are heavily marked up.

3) If it can be rolled into low finance rates.

Finally, if money is not an issue, and it makes you feel protected, go for it. Personally, I'd prefer to keep my money.

-Theodore P. Olson
RepairTrust
Making sense of Auto Repair Prices