Some of the tangible benefits that you can expect from regular oil changes are improved gas mileage and a much longer lifespan to your engine overall. You’ll be saving at the pump, in other words, and suffer fewer hassles and inconvenient breakdowns by getting an oil change using synthetic oil blends formulated for your specific vehicle. While regular oil changes might be the most affordable and efficient way to keep your engine in tip-top shape, you might actually need to get regular maintenance at an auto shop like All Around Auto Repair to stay within warranty. A lot of extended manufacturer warranties these days include regular oil changes as a precondition for maintaining coverage. Whether or not you technically need regular oil changes, they’re a great thing to do for your engine and will, all things being equal, save you a lot of money in the long haul.
Think Twice About Skipping
Skipping to work is fine, but skipping oil changes probably isn’t. Why’s that? The oil in your engine will naturally disintegrate over time due to the high temperatures that it takes to run an engine – i.e., thermal breakdown. When that happens, your engine parts aren’t getting the lubrication they need. On a smaller and simpler scale, you could compare an engine that’s experienced thermal breakdown with something like a bike chain that doesn’t enough grease. What happens in both cases is that the metal parts will wear down prematurely because they’re not being lubricated properly. Today’s synthetic oil blends are doing more than lubricating your vehicle’s engine, though. What’s going on is that these oil blends are actually accumulating and essentially neutralizing gunk that can otherwise build up and gradually damage your engine over time. Your engine oil can collect a lot of engine gunk as time goes on, but at some point you need new oil because the old oil has collected and neutralized as much of the bad stuff as it can. As time wears on, gunk and particulate matter will settle and cause long-term engine damage. Old oil that isn’t really doing its job anymore can cause sludge buildup in the engine like a traffic jam that blocks a number of parts from moving properly. Because of the logjam, oil won’t be able to efficiently get to various valvetrain components like your engine’s crank- and camshafts.
What About If You’ve Already Skipped?
If you know or just suspect that you’ve missed an oil change, then what should you do? First, don’t panic. You need to head in to All Around Auto Repair and find out if any damage has been done to your engine, if your parts are properly oiled, and if there’s any sludge buildup. The ASA-certified mechanics at All Around Auto Repair can answer all three questions for you by running a series of tests, such as vacuum and leak-down tests. Both of these tests are designed to give a gauge on engine performance. A vacuum test should technically clue mechanics in to the differences between the ambient atmospheric pressure and the vacuum inside your intake manifold. Basically, a vacuum test can tell mechanics whether there’s something like an intake gasket issue, poor timing, or low compression – vacuum tests are a good indication of your engine’s overall mechanic performance. A leak-down test is somewhat more complicated to do as it involves putting compressed air into the cylinder and gauging the rate at which that compressed air leaks out. Regular oil changes should result in your acing both tests because your engine would literally be working better mechanically and getting properly lubricated the whole time. Schedule an oil change appointment with All Around Auto Repair online or by calling (707) 837 – 0646 today.
Brake Pad Replacement
You may not spend a lot of time thinking about your brakes – and that’s certainly not what keeps most people up at night! – but your brakes do need to be inspected by a reputable autoshop every once in a while. Signs You Need a Nearby Autoshop How often do you need to repair your brake pads? The auto experts recommend replacing your brake pads every 50,000 miles, but some vehicle owners under rough driving conditions might need new brake pads every 25,000 miles. If you’re unsure whether you need new brake pads, then definitely don’t ignore these tell-tale symptoms: a vibrating brake pedal, a grinding noise when you attempt to engage the brake, the brake indicator light on your dash turns on. While brake pads are critical to your vehicle stopping in time because they provide the actual friction to make it happen, your braking system contains a master cylinder, brake fluid, and brake calipers. There are a lot of moving parts! Bleeding the Brake LinesThere’s something strange about the term “bleeding” to describe a car, but in this sense autoshop technicians are basically only removing air bubbles from the hoses and pipes that comprise your brake lines. The word “bleeding,” as used by auto mechanics at an auto center basically just means removing these air bubbles. The goal in reducing these air bubbles in the braking system is to increase the hydraulic pressure and boost the braking performance of your vehicle, especially the master cylinder (more below). Technically, your brake fluid is a incompressible liquid that doesn’t play nice with a compressible gas like air bubbles, so removing air bubbles is the best thing to do. Come in to an autoshop like All Around Auto Repair to get your brakes lines bled. What will happen is that your vehicle will have the brake fluid drained from it and fresh fluid will take its place. Air bubbles and dirt will also be removed from the braking system. Slow or noisy braking might be a sign that you’re dealing with air bubbles and need to take your vehicle in to an auto center right away. Brake Pad ReplacementYour vehicle’s brake pad lining is made from a material that’s designed to increase friction whenever you depress your brake pedal. When things don’t work properly, you’ll notice a really annoying high-pitched squealing noise and less ability to brake in time. Yikes! Replacing your brake pads is something that you should definitely let an auto center handle because it involves removing your lug nuts, wheels, and caliper fasteners. The mechanics at All Around Auto Repair can do all of that before checking out your vehicle’s brake fluid level and do things like apply caliper grease and check the rotor. Your braking system has a lot of moving parts that are best handled by a professional. Master Cylinder Overhaul at All Around Auto RepairIf you’re reading this thinking something like, “master cylinder…is that something else I might need to replace?” The good news is that the answer should be “no” since the master cylinder in your braking system is usually designed to last through your vehicle’s entire lifetime. Your master cylinder converts the force from your foot depressing the brake pedal into hydraulic pressure. Your vehicle’s master cylinder contains many valves and pistons that, in turn, transfer movement with the help of hydraulic fluid to the so-called slave cylinders. Although your master cylinder shouldn’t have to be replaced outright, grime that gets into the system can harm the performance of the master cylinder’s pistons. Plastic pieces can also wear out and sink performance – more reason to take your vehicle in to All Around Auto Repair for a brake inspection. The ASA-certified mechanics at All Around Auto Repair have inspected and repaired thousands of braking systems on hundreds of different vehicles. Hit the brakes and schedule an appointment today at a full-service auto center!
Making Your Preliminary Inspections
Spending a little bit of money on preventative maintenance now will undoubtedly save you thousands of dollars down the road – pardon the pun – in terms of all the money that you’ll save from not having to replace your engine or (perish the thought) replacement vehicle. Spending a little bit of money on preventative maintenance now will undoubtedly save you thousands of dollars down the road – pardon the pun – in terms of all the money that you’ll save from not having to replace your engine or (perish the thought) replacement vehicle. Basic Visual Inspection Unchanged: Basic Visual Inspection Give your vehicle a quick visual inspection to ensure that all of your head lights, fog lights, tail lights, and brake lights are working, especially when you apply pressure to the brakes. Have someone stand behind the vehicle and confirm that your lights are working properly. Unchanged: Give your vehicle a quick visual inspection to ensure that all of your head lights, fog lights, tail lights, and brake lights are working, especially when you apply pressure to the brakes. Have someone stand behind the vehicle and confirm that your lights are working properly. Next, check the tires. Look for any kind of tilt to your vehicle, which could indicate that one of your tires is under-inflated. Your tires have wear indicators that can clue you in to potential issues early, or you could rely on the penny test to get a rough estimate of your tires’ remaining tread. Unchanged: Next, check the tires. Look for any kind of tilt to your vehicle, which could indicate that one of your tires is under-inflated. Your tires have wear indicators that can clue you in to potential issues early, or you could rely on the penny test to get a rough estimate of your tires’ remaining tread. Check Your Fluid LevelsChecking your antifreeze (a.k.a., coolant) and wiper fluid levels isn’t that difficult, and topping off those fluids is actually pretty easy. Many of your fluids will have gauges, dipsticks, and notches that indicate whether you’re running low. Unchanged: Checking your antifreeze (a.k.a., coolant) and wiper fluid levels isn’t that difficult, and topping off those fluids is actually pretty easy. Many of your fluids will have gauges, dipsticks, and notches that indicate whether you’re running low. Checking your power steering fluid (small tank by firewall), transmission fluid (front of engine by transaxle), and engine oil can be more challenging, and if you’re not feeling adventurous you may simply want to take your vehicle in to All Around Auto Repair for inspection, routine maintenance, and auto service. Unchanged: Checking your power steering fluid (small tank by firewall), transmission fluid (front of engine by transaxle), and engine oil can be more challenging, and if you’re not feeling adventurous you may simply want to take your vehicle in to All Around Auto Repair for inspection, routine maintenance, and auto service. Coolant With your coolant, you’ll want to look near the overflow container by the radiator and make sure that the liquid level is above the minimum level. Coolant is the yellow or green fluid by the radiator and works to keep the radiator from overheating or freezing. With your coolant, you’ll want to look near the overflow container by the radiator and make sure that the liquid level is above the minimum level. Coolant is the yellow or green fluid by the radiator and works to keep the radiator from overheating or freezing. If your coolant’s below what your vehicle needs, then all that you need to typically do is create a 50/50 mix with water/antifreeze and slowly fill the level to be above the line. Unchanged: If your coolant’s below what your vehicle needs, then all that you need to typically do is create a 50/50 mix with water/antifreeze and slowly fill the level to be above the line. Engine Oil Moving on to engine oil, that’s probably the most important of all but something that you might want to leave to the certified mechanics at All Around Auto Repair if you’re not completely confident. Unchanged: Moving on to engine oil, that’s probably the most important of all but something that you might want to leave to the certified mechanics at All Around Auto Repair if you’re not completely confident. Engine oil, after all, is the lifeblood of your vehicle’s engine in that it prevents gunk buildup and overheating. Unchanged: Engine oil, after all, is the lifeblood of your vehicle’s engine in that it prevents gunk buildup and overheating. Important note: Always follow your owner’s manual when it comes to the procedure to follow for checking your engine oil. Some vehicle’s owner’s manuals will tell you to check the oil while the engine is cold whereas others will say to check the oil when the vehicle has warmed up. Unchanged: Important note: Always follow your owner’s manual when it comes to the procedure to follow for checking your engine oil. Some vehicle’s owner’s manuals will tell you to check the oil while the engine is cold whereas others will say to check the oil when the vehicle has warmed up. Some vehicles also have an electronic oil monitor whereas older vehicles will have a dipstick with a low/high or max/min icon that will indicate proper oil level. Unchanged: Some vehicles also have an electronic oil monitor whereas older vehicles will have a dipstick with a low/high or max/min icon that will indicate proper oil level. While most vehicle owners might be able to change their coolant and windshield washer fluid themselves, changing the engine oil or power steering fluid can be much more complicated. When in doubt, rely on All Around Auto Repair. Schedule routine maintenance, oil changes, or auto service today.
If It Ain’t Broken… Something Still Might Be Wrong
Not all vehicle diagnostics reports indicate that a part is broken or missing. Other issues to consider:
New part not working? Some after-market parts (third-party, not OEM) fit where they’re supposed to go, but still do not work well in every make and model. You have an accurate diagnosis, but need to try a different parts brand.
Have you made DIY repairs? Tell your mechanic if you’ve been tinkering under the hood. There’s no shame in finding out that you made a small mistake. Perhaps some wiring got re-connected in the wrong order or you failed to tighten something enough. If we know what’s been altered, we can avoid a wild goose hunt.
Not sure what OBD-II error codes mean? Most of the error codes indicate a symptom—that is, they tell us what is failing but not why. Cars have dozens of parts involved in every function. so it might not be the most obvious reason.
Advanced Vehicle Diagnostics Tell Us MoreThese days, there are mobile apps that function as simple OBD-II code readers, and you can purchase your own scan tool. However, a basic code reader does not pull as much information as the enhanced vehicle diagnostics at your local auto repair shop. Our diagnostics include detailed data about vehicle performance. This gives context to the error code. Again, it’s all about cutting to the chase without making false assumptions or ignoring what’s actually happening under the hood. Have you been struggling with a check engine light that won’t go away or want fast auto repair in Sonoma County? Contact us at All Around Auto Repair. Our knowledgeable mechanics will deep-dive to make accurate vehicle diagnostics and fix your car or truck correctly the first time.