Wondering what does car AC service include?

During the hot temperatures of summer, your AC unit has received a lot of use.  Did you know your vehicle’s A/C system is vital year-round?  Lots of drivers think that the A/C is strictly for cooling air in the summertime. In fact, it is just as vital for the cold and rainy seasons as well.  

A vehicle’s A/C system consists of 5 major parts, all working together to cool you off in summer, and to keep you warm and dry in winter. These major parts include the:

• Compressor
• Condenser
• Receiver dryer or Accumulator
• Orifice Tube or Expansion valve
• Evaporator

Your A/C system also consists of hoses and refrigerant charging ports, but the significant work occurs in the five parts listed above.

Why is the AC so important all year long?

1. For cold air: Refrigerant is compressed in the compressor and turns into a hot gas. In the condenser, this hot gas is cooled to a liquid state and travels to the expansion valve. As the Freon goes through the expansion valve it returns to a low-pressure gas and quickly cools in the evaporator. A fan blows over the evaporator and cools the air that ultimately blows out your vents.
2. For warm air: Hot engine coolant is circulated through a small radiator, called a heater core. A fan in front of the heater core blows cold external air over the fins. As this air travels over the warmer core, it heats up and becomes the hot air which blows out your warmer vents. If the heater core becomes congested with rust, you will no longer have heat. Also, if they're a small leak in the heater core, the passenger cabin can get steamy with fogged-up windows, or you may smell coolant.

If you have not already scheduled an auto AC service, make sure to do so before winter arrives.  The benefits include increased gas mileage, a more environmentally-friendly vehicle, and a more relaxed drive.

So, what does car ac service include?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today 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.

Wondering When Does a Car Battery Need to be replaced?

The car battery is the most underrated, but the most vital piece of equipment your car wants in order to be driven down the street.  The battery is an energy storage device that relies on a chemical reaction within the battery to produce electricity. This stored electrical energy is used to initially operate the starter motor, ignition system, and fuel system. Once the motor is running, the alternator supplies the electricity needed for all the other vehicle systems and re-charges the battery as you operate the car.

Is it safe to drive with a bad battery?  Yes, but if it is weak and dies completely, you could be stranded on the side of the road on a hot summer day. A bad battery may also overload the alternator and adversely affect the operation of the vehicle’s electrical system.

Don’t wait for your battery to fail completely.  When it gets old (3-4 years) you may find yourself in need of a car battery replacement.  Though, if you already have a new battery under your hood and it keeps dying, there may be some other reasons why.  Ask your mechanic to inspect it out!

So when does a car battery need to be replaced?  Generally, a battery will have a service life of 4 to 7 years.  Here are a few positions which indicate it is time for a car battery replacement:

• Your car doesn’t start. As a battery age, the cranking amps become lower than the original rating. Once the cranking amps fall below a critical threshold, it will be difficult, if not impossible to start your vehicle.
• Battery warning light illuminates. If the battery warning light illuminates, ask your auto mechanic to inspect your battery and if it wants to be replaced.
• Electrical components don’t work. Once a battery has started to fail and the voltage produced by the battery drops, the vehicle’s electrical components can malfunction. 

Remember:  Ultimately, every battery will die.  Though, the key to prolonging the life of your battery and avoiding a premature car battery replacement is to keep it well-maintained. 

Wondering when does a car battery need to be replaced?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon for more information about a car battery replacement and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

When Do You Need to Service Your Car?

You may want your car to last a few more years so you want to take good care of it.  You may be wondering when do you need to service your car?  The answer is simple!  Follow the suggested vehicle maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual.  You will find a list of the maintenance items that should be taken care of and the appropriate interval for each service.

• In-vehicle Reminder Systems for Maintenance

Most new cars have an in-vehicle maintenance reminder system so that you no longer have to worry about keeping an eye on your vehicle’s odometer.  This reminder system takes a number of operating conditions into account and delivers an alert on the dash when it is time for an engine oil change, fluid level checks, component checkups, or other maintenance services.  If you don’t drive very many miles in a year, it is strongly suggested that have some maintenance items taken care of, such as oil changes and tire rotations, even if the service light has not come on.

• Mileage-Based Service Intervals

Older cars still have maintenance service intervals based on the number of miles driven within a specified time period. There are generally two different maintenance schedules listed--one for cars driven in “normal” operating conditions; and one for cars driven in “severe” operating conditions.  Severe driving could be described as primarily short trips of five miles or less, extreme hot or cold climates, stop-and-go driving, towing a trailer or carrying heavy loads.  

Tip to Remember:  Find a car repair shop and auto technician you can trust before you actually need them. 

Wondering how often do you need your car serviced?  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.

How often should you do a Tune Up?

Has your vehicle lacked power when trying to go up hills or passing a slower vehicle? Have dashboard lights been flashing on and off?  Today's vehicles are designed with computer processors, microchips and sensors.  The best way to find out what is wrong is to ask your auto repair technician to run a car diagnostics.  This specialized computer will scan the sensors and operating systems, producing the codes which are stored in the car’s memory system, indicating an issue or what might need to be replaced.  This saves a lot of time and money troubleshooting an issue--you don't have to pay for repairs performed on a "trial-and-error" basis.

So how often should you do a tune up?  When you schedule a car tune up, you are basically asking for an inspection of your engine and an analysis of your car’s performance so that any compulsory adjustments can be made. What may be required during a car tune up will vary from car to car, based on age, mileage and unique manufacturer recommendations for that vehicle.

The benefits of asking for a car diagnostic means that the issue can be identified quickly, replacement parts ordered, and the issue fixed before it gets any bigger. 

Are you wondering how often should you do a tune up?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about car diagnostics and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

When the Check Engine Light Comes On?

Are you wondering what is happening to your car when the check engine light comes on?  Should you pull over and call a tow truck, or can you drive on to your destination? This little warning light is an indication that your vehicle is getting poorer fuel economy and polluting the environment more than normal.  Though, the big problem is to make sure that long-term damage is not taking place in your engine and that the safety of your vehicle is not compromised.

So what happens when the check engine light comes on?  When the electronic-control system finds an issue it cannot adjust, the vehicle’s computer stores a diagnostic trouble code in its memory and turns on a yellow warning indicator light. This stored code helps your mechanic pinpoint the source of a potential issue, such as engine misfires, deteriorating spark plugs, evaporative problems, or fuel mixtures.

Here’s what you should do if your Check Engine light comes on:

• Inspect The Gauges -- Is your vehicle experiencing low oil pressure? If so, pull your vehicle over and shut off the engine instantly.
• Inspect Your Gas Cap -- Try tightening your gas cap. Sometimes a broken rubber seal on the gas cap can trigger the check engine light to come on.
• Reduce Speed -- Reduce your speed and avoid towing or transporting heavy cargo.
• Avoid Emissions Testing -- If your check engine light is on, it’s highly likely your vehicle will fail your state’s vehicle emissions test, even for a loose gas cap. Make sure all problems are resolved prior to your test.
• Seek Help -- Is the light constant?  A solid glow indicates your vehicle should be checked sooner rather than later. A blinking light indicates that your vehicle needs instant attention. 

Taking care of your vehicle with routine engine service is the best way to make sure your vehicle gives you good service for many miles.  A potential issue can be diagnosed early before it turns into a major engine repair.  

Don’t leave the light on!  Take care of a wanted engine repair as soon as possible.  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about what happens when the Check Engine light goes on and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

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.