Do You Want to Know How Often You Should Service Your Car?

There are some drivers on the road who think that as long as their car gets them from Point A to Point B, they don’t need to worry about vehicle maintenance.  They either don’t even think about how often you should service your car, or they may not have the money in their budget to pay for seemingly unnecessary items.  

However, there could be damage occurring in the engine, transmission, or suspension systems by neglecting regular vehicle maintenance.  The cost of repairs (i.e., engine or transmission rebuild) is significantly more than the suggested service.  It really doesn’t save you money by extending the time between the suggested service intervals. 

Do you want to know how often you should service your car?  Normally, minor services are commonly performed at 7,500, 15,000, 45,000 and 75,000 miles while major services are performed at 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000-mile intervals.  This will protect the warranty, maintain safety, and boost the resale value of your vehicle.

Minor vehicle maintenance generally includes the following items:

• Changing the oil and filter
• Tire service--rotation, alignment, balancing, air pressure (including the spare)
• Inspecting and cleaning the battery
• A checkup of all fluids, filters, belts, hoses, brakes, and emissions
• Windshield wipers
• Replacing burned out lights

Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, major vehicle maintenance commonly includes the following, in addition to the minor services listed above:

• Replacement of various filters, fluids and spark plugs.
• Replacing the timing belt and/or serpentine belt at the suggested mileage interval.
• Servicing the air conditioner/heater
• Other services related to the fuel delivery, emissions and ignition systems.

There are two main benefits of keeping up with car maintenance.  First, your mechanic can let you know what it may need to be replaced right away, or what can wait awhile. Secondly, you can drive with confidence knowing that you have a dependable and safe source of transportation. 

Want to know more about how often should you service your car?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about vehicle maintenance and to make an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

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.

Are you wondering when should you Replace Your Brakes?

Are you concerned about the safety of your vehicle’s stopping capabilities and wondering when should you replace your brakes?  A brake repair expert will be happy to check your braking system.  A simple and relatively inexpensive brake repair, such as replacing the pads or having the rotors turned, may be all that is wanted to restore your stopping performance. 

If you are noticing any of the issues listed below, it is time to be concerned! Schedule a brake repair service as soon as probable:

• Brake light comes on and stays on. 
• Squealing, squeaking or grinding noises when braking. 
• Wobbling, vibration or scraping when braking.
• Fluid leaks. 
• Spongy or soft brake pedal.
• A car pulls to one side when braking. 
• Bouncing up and down when you make a hard stop.
• Burning smell while driving. 

Here a few factors that impact when you should replace your brakes:

• Driving style – If you’re an aggressive driver who brakes hard reliably or drives in a lot of stop-and-go traffic, the components of the brake system, such as pads, rotors, and calipers, will tend to wear out more quickly than on long smooth drives on the open road.
• Weight – The optimum stopping power of a vehicle is generally determined by the manufacturer.  Don’t overload your vehicle with too much cargo.
• Quality of materials – The quality of the brake pads mainly determines when you want to replace your brakes. Ceramic brake pads are the most costly but are longer lasting.  Semi-metallic pads don’t cost as much, but also don’t last as long.
• Purpose of the vehicle – If you pull heavy loads, drive mostly in mountainous terrain, or make frequent stop-and-go trips, you will be applying the brakes harder and more frequently, causing the brake pads and rotors to wear more quickly.

Wondering when should you replace your brakes?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about our brake repair service and to Make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

Are you wondering what Happens When a CV Joint Goes Bad?

Many drivers are not aware that the performance of their car's wheel system is basically dependent on the condition of the CV joints and car axles.  These components are involved in the steering, driving, and braking of the car, linking the power from the engine to the wheels. They must be able to carry the whole weight of the vehicle, plus passengers and cargo.  If undamaged, these joints can last up to 100,000 miles without want for a replacement.  Preventing CV joint failure is probable by knowing what to listen for and where to look. 

What are CV joints, you ask?  Simply stated, CV joints are an intricate ball and socket joints, connecting the axles to the front wheels, essential for transferring the torque from the transmission to the drive wheels at a stable speed.  To ensure smooth operation, a CV joint is packed with grease and sealed with a rubber "boot".  So long as this boot stays intact, your joints are secure and power is supplied to your wheels. But what happens when it fails?  If CV joints fail, the effect is instant and at times risky, since power will no longer transfer from the engine to the tires. 

What happens when a CV joint goes bad?

If a CV joint begins to fail while driving, your car will start to pull to one side as one wheel loses power. When the joint breaks completely its corresponding wheel will no longer turn and although the engine may still run, the car won't move.  You may see smoke coming from the broken joint and your front tires won't point in the same direction since one will be completely disconnected from its drive axle.  You may feel vibrations or a loud clunking sound when you accelerate, along with grinding or clicking noises when you turn.

Failing CV joints pose a serious risk so be sure to get your car off the road as safely as possible and then call a tow truck.   If there is only a small crack in the outer CV joint, it may be possible to simply replace the CV boot and repack the grease.  For any major damage, a totally new joint is compulsory.

Wondering what happens when a CV joint goes bad?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about car axles and to schedule an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves car owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

How to save money on Oil Changes for your vehicle in Canby, OR?

Car Maintenance is extremely important, but it all starts with the most vital service of scheduling regular oil changes for your car. Although oil changes are not too costly, there may be a few things you didn’t know about how to save money on oil changes.  Every penny saved can make a huge difference in your budget.

For starters, learning how to save money on oil changes is really very simple. The lifetime of an automobile can be extended but only if proper vehicle maintenance is performed on a regular basis. If important recommended car maintenance is neglected, of course you will find that the life of your car will be shortened.  Not surprisingly, motor oils break down and become dirty over time. So therefore, one of the easiest and most low-cost ways to save the huge expense of a possible engine repair or replacement is to spend a little upfront with oil changes at the appropriate times.

Here’s two tips to help you save money on oil changes: 

Get an oil change as recommended: The First and Important thing you should know about saving money on oil changes is that intervals for getting an oil change may vary from 7500 – 10000 miles, not typically the 3000 miles that most oil change shops put on your dash window sticker.  You’ll want to make sure you check your vehicles manual for what is recommended.  By doing this you could save money by not getting an oil change more often then you need it.

Look for value in Oil changes coupons:  Many shops may offer quality oil changes at a discount.  Perhaps a quick glance for oil changes coupons in the local newspaper, or search online and you could find savings.  We’ve found that by doing this, you can save 30%, 40% even 50% OFF on your next oil change.  In fact, we found that Auto repair shops in Canby, Oregon even offer Online Oil change coupons that you can use or text to your mobile phone so you save on oil changes too.

Now remember, don’t skip too far ahead you will not want to avoid your recommended oil changes if it is recommended.  That will lead to even bigger expenses down the road.  It may be necessary to get a consultation, why not reach out to the ASE-Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about oil changes. They even let you schedule an appointment online for a Quality Oil Change.  Don’t forget, check out their specials page too if you want to some money on oil changes.