What are the Basic Car Maintenance Items Needed for Your Vehicle?

Knowing the right vehicle maintenance items that are suggested for your car is the first step in keeping your car operating stronger and longer than usual.  You may be wondering what are the basic car maintenance items needed for your vehicle?  The first place to look is in your owner’s manual. This little book outlines a schedule of vehicle maintenance for easy reference.  

About every 12,000 miles, or every 12 months, ask your auto mechanic to perform a full inspection of your vehicle to evaluate the components and operating systems for general wear and tear. This inspection should include:

• Oil changes, including filter replacement
• Lights, tires, exhaust system
• Brakes and steering systems
• The engine—a tune up may be needed
• Condition of fluids, such as the hydraulic fluid, transmission, and coolant
• Cooling system, including the radiator, Serpentine belts, and hoses
• Suspension system--shocks, struts, axles
• Wheel alignment and tire balancing
• Condition of the battery—including the alternator

Today’s newer vehicles will usually have an in-vehicle service reminder that will illuminate on the dashboard for certain maintenance services, such as oil changes, fluid level inspects, brakes, transmission, etc.  If you have an older vehicle, follow the vehicle maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual as these service intervals are still based on the number of miles driven within a certain time period.

By taking care of routine vehicle maintenance before an issue turns into an expensive repair, you will save time and money spent at an auto shop. It can also help prevent accidents and even save lives!

Do you want to know what are the basic car maintenance intervals for your vehicle? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon for more information about regular vehicle maintenance and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

Why Your Car AC is not Blowing Cold Air?

The hot days of summer are almost here!  Even though we are looking forward to warmer temperatures, most people want to stay cool and relaxed in their car even for a short commute to work or to the store.  It’s especially important if you’re still planning a summer road trip.  Your car air conditioner will get a lot of use over the summer so don’t find yourself why your car is not blowing cold air.

So wondering why your car AC is not blowing cold air?  One easy solution may just be that fresh coolant is needed in the radiator. Other reasons may include:

• There is not sufficient pressure in the AC’s compressor for the refrigerant to cool correctly.
• There is a clog in the system allowing the high-pressure refrigerant to slowly decompress through the block. 
• The AC unit is exposed to stress from the heat of the engine, road debris, dirt, vibrations, quick stops, or even run-ins with curbs or other obstacles in the road, creating small cracks through which the refrigerant is escaping.  
• The cooling fans could be burned out, badly mounted, a chipped blade, or a blown fuse or burnt-out relay.
• Faulty signals received from the electrical system caused by a broken wire or bad module, bad sensors tripping off your system or causing the system to shut off inadvertently.  

Because today’s car air conditioners are much more complex than in years past, it is vital that you schedule auto AC service with a mechanic that is certified to handle refrigerants. You will reap the benefits of a more relaxed ride, increased gas mileage, and a more environmentally-friendly vehicle.

So if you’re wondering why your car AC is not blowing cold air, call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon for more information about auto AC service and to Make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.