Are you wondering if a Car Service is Necessary?

Do you remember the last time you were in an auto shop for some type of car repair?  If it’s been a while, you may think you’re saving money by extending the time between service intervals, but the potential cost of car repair due to lack of maintenance is much greater than the cost of a repair.

The four tips below should answer your question about if a car service is necessary:

• Fuel efficiency can be drastically decreased
• Your car will lack performance power
• The quality of the air inside your vehicle will not be healthy
• A build-up of oil sludge will result in a noisier motor

Some types of engine damage are hidden and do not necessarily impact your ability to drive your car.  For example, if you drive with little or no oil for an extended period of time, you can severely damage the head gasket or the pistons.  The engine repair resulting from this neglect can cost a small fortune.  For just a few dollars, regular oil changes would have prevented the damage in the first place.

A word to the wise:  Don’t wait for the service warning lights to come on before scheduling car service.  Damage could already be taking place.  Follow the maintenance schedule stated in your owner’s manual, or ask your car repair technician to keep you informed as to when your car should be serviced.

Are you wondering if a car service is necessary?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about car repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

Wondering what does an automotive service technician do?

Have you ever wondered just what does an automotive service technician do?  Most car owners know they can change oil and repair tires, but many may not be aware of the extent of their knowledge in helping you take care of your vehicle.  

Consider the typical job description below for a certified automotive repair technician.  You can drive confidently knowing that your vehicle will be well taken care of!  

A certified automotive repair technician.   

• Uses specialized diagnostic equipment to pinpoint issues to ensure that repairs are performed properly.
• Knows the appropriate service intervals to ensure that all the operating systems of your vehicle are thoroughly checked and maintained.
• Is skilled in performing preventative vehicle maintenance, including oil changes, tune-ups, transmission flushes, tire rotations, and much more.
• Has the ability to repair or replace worn-out parts, such as brake pads, rotors, and wheel bearings.
• Can disassemble, clean, and reassemble major vehicle parts, such as transmissions and engines.
• Has the ability to explain to customers in easy-to-understand terms their vehicle issues and the appropriate repair required.
• Is trained to work with electronic systems (such as accident-avoidance sensors) controlled mainly by computers.
• Is knowledgeable about vehicles that run on alternative fuels, such as ethanol and electricity.

So, are you still wondering what does an automotive service technician do?  They can take care of your whole vehicle so that you are driving as safely as possible!  

  

Looking for trained and skilled automotive repair technicians? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about our automotive repair services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

Are you wondering when should transmission fluid be changed?

Just what is transmission fluid, you ask?  It is a slippery liquid that lubricates all the surfaces and components of the transmission system to prevent excessive friction and overheating.  It also serves as a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission.  

Theoretically, transmission fluid can to remain in your vehicle without changing it, although mechanics will tell you that it should be changed about every 50,000 miles.  Given enough time however, your transmission will start to wear out and the fluid can lose its effectiveness.  If it has been a while since you had a transmission service, or maybe never, here are a few signs of transmission issues to watch out for:

1. Delayed Shifting.  There may be a temporary delay after you move the gear stick to reverse or drive. The gear change cannot be activated immediately if there isn’t enough pressure. 
2. Difficult or Erratic Shifting.  If there is a lot of dirt or residue in the transmission fluid, the gears will either change too fast or too slow. Other symptoms include abrupt up/down shifts, unusually high RPMs before a shift, erratic shifting, and groaning or grinding noise coming from the transmission.  
3. Gear Slippage.  After changing gears, it seems to fall back out of that gear. The friction material on the clutches and transmission bands are no lengthier able to securely engage a gear. 
4. Transmission Overheats.  If you notice shifting issues along with an overheated transmission, pullover instantly and let everything cool down. If the temperatures get to be over 240°F, serious damage inside the transmission unit could be taking place.

Has your transmission fluid inspected on a regular basis? If you put a lot of miles on your vehicle or tow heavy loads, then you should have it checked at least every 2 weeks. Otherwise, once a month is sufficient.

Wondering when should transmission fluid be changed?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about transmission repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.