How do you know if your Car needs Oil?

If you want to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, it is essential that you follow the suggested oil change interval stated in your owner’s manual.  Fresh, clean oil optimizes your vehicle’s performance by lubricating parts and extending the life of your engine, so why do people put off a wanted oil change?  

How do you know if your car needs oil?  There are some factors that help determine when to get an oil change, such as mileage, quality of oil, the age of the car, and how the car is driven.  

Over time, oil breaks down and will lose its efficiency in doing its job.  Here are a few warning signs that your car wants an oil change:

1. Check engine or oil change light -- If the level of oil gets too low, either the oil change light or the check engine light will come on.  Inspect the dipstick and top off the oil if it’s not too low. If the oil is too low, the engine is at risk of damage due to a lack of lubrication.
2. Engine noise and knocking -- If your oil isn’t doing its job of lubricating, the engine noise will get louder and louder. Knocking sounds could indicate that there is excessive friction in the engine and may result in overheating and damage.
3. Dark, dirty oil -- Over time, oil becomes filled with particles collected from the engine and turns dark. Inspect your oil at least monthly.  You should see the dipstick through the oil.
4. Oil smell inside the car -- This may indicate an oil leak. If you also smell gas, the vehicle may be overheating. 
5. Exhaust smoke -- If smoke comes from the tailpipe, you may have faulty engine parts or an oil leak.
6. Excessive Mileage -- If you reliably travel a lot of miles, you may want oil changes sooner than the usual schedule. Inspect your owner’s manual for specific guidelines. 

Remember:  Having the right level and quality of oil will prevent excessive wear and tear on your engine, ultimately resulting in fewer repairs down the road.

Are you wondering how do you know if your car needs oil?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about our oil change coupons and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

Top 8 General Car Maintenance Tips for Winter Driving!

Winter will soon be here in full force!  Because preventative vehicle maintenance is so vital for this time of year, ask your auto repair technician to perform a thorough checkup of all the systems of your vehicle.  Of course, be sure to have any compulsory repairs taken care of as soon as potential.  This will ensure that you can drive your car with confidence out on wet and icy roads.

Remember to take care of these general car maintenance tips for safe winter driving:

• Car Battery--Cold temperatures reduce a battery’s cranking power. A battery generally has only about half of the cranking power at 0° F than it has at 80° F.  If your battery is worn out, it may be time to replace it.
• Windshield and Wiper Blades--Wiper blades generally start to lose their effectiveness in as little as six months. Streaks or missed expanses of glass are signs that the blades should be replaced.  Remove ice from the windshield with an ice scraper, not your wiper blades. If you park outside, place the wipers in the raised position to keep them from freezing to the windshield.  Keep your windshield-washer reservoir filled with a washer solution that contains an antifreeze agent.  Also, make sure the heater is functioning properly so that plenty of warm air is being directed to the windshield in the defrost mode.
• Lights--Inspect that all the car's lights are working correctly and that the lenses are clean so that you'll have optimum visibility at night and that other drivers can see you.
• Oil--Oil thickens when cold, making it harder for the engine to turn over. Normally, you should be using multi-viscosity oil that has a "W" in the viscosity, signifying that it's formulated for winter use, providing good oil flow at low temperatures.
• Radiator, Hoses, and Belts--Have the radiator and heater hoses inspected for cracks, leaks, or contamination from oil. The hoses should be firm yet pliable.  Try to keep your coolant mixture at the correct ratio of antifreeze and water to keep it from freezing.  Your mechanic will be happy to inspect it for you.
• Tires-- Inspect your tire traction.  If your area gets occasional snow, a new set of all-season tires rated to perform well in snow and ice tests should be fine.  Or you should consider purchasing snow tires that are designed with special tread patterns and made from rubber compounds that can grip snow and ice for optimum traction.  Keep your tires correctly inflated, as tire pressure declines with the thermometer.
• Brakes--If you feel any vibration, hear screeching, or the brake pedal feels “soft,” have your brakes checked and repaired as soon as potential so you can stop on slick and icy roads.
• Emergency kit--Always carry a supply of water, snacks, jumper cables, flashlight, road flares, first aid kit, blanket, and cell phone and charger.

Need to know more general car maintenance tips?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about our vehicle maintenance services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

What are the Signs of Engine Problems?

Has your vehicle lost its power when going up an incline or trying to pass a slower vehicle?  If you’re experiencing engine issues, your auto shop is a good place to start in finding out what to do to help restore its performance.  The first piece of advice you will possibly hear is to make sure you are taking care of all suggested engine service items. This is the most important thing you can do to keep your car running strong and prevent a major engine repair.  

So what are the signs of engine problems?  The “Check Engine” light will possibly be the first sign of a problem in the engine.  Even though you may be a little fearful about what could be happening under the hood, don’t put off calling your auto shop and scheduling a diagnostic service.  This will help your mechanic pinpoint were any pending issues are occurring.

Here are a few other signs of engine problems you may start to notice:  

1. Loss of Power –There could be a glitch in the combustion process so that gasoline is not being converted into the power needed to make your vehicle go. 
2. Decreased Fuel Economy – There could be a problem in the compression stroke of the engine. 
3. Noisy Engine – If there is something starting to fail in the combustion flow, you may start to hear strange sounds during the ignition process, such as knocking, backfiring, hissing, spitting.
4. Engine Stalling – The intake stroke is not receiving the right spark or air/fuel mixture. 
5. Noxious Odors – Bad odors from the exhaust may be detected if the exhaust stroke of your internal combustion engine is starting to fail. 
6. Engine Keeps Running After Motor Is Turned Off – The octane in the gas is incorrect, a solenoid is failing, or the carburetor wants an adjustment.
7. Engine Runs Rough – This is generally caused by a blockage in the system, old spark plugs, and an incorrect octane level.

Are you looking for quality engine repair?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon for more information about what are the signs of engine problems and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves car owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

How Do You Know If You Need Transmission Fluid?

You should first understand the two main purposes of what transmission fluid is and what it does.  First, it lubricates all the surfaces and components of the transmission system to help prevent excessive friction and overheating. Secondly, it transmits power from the engine to the transmission.  

Theoretically, transmission fluid never needs to be changed.  Though, some auto mechanics do not agree with this concept.  Many manufacturers recommend changing the transmission fluid at about 100,000 miles.  Some auto mechanics say that it should be changed at least every 50,000 miles.  Read your owner’s manual and discuss your concerns with your mechanic.

Though, it is a fact that transmission fluid does deteriorate over time.  There are certain driving conditions, such as frequent stop-and-go city driving, hauling heavy loads, or trailer towing, raise the transmission’s operating temperature and put more strain on the transmission and the fluid.   Also, if the transmission is wearing out, a leak could be developing.  

Transmission fluid can come in several colors, but it is most often red in color.  It will become darker as it deteriorates. You may also start to notice a burned odor.  This could be an indication that the fluid wants to be changed or that the transmission is developing issues.

How do you know if you need transmission fluid replaced?  Here are five common issues that could develop:

1. Grinding or squealing noises while shifting
2. Shifting is difficult
3. Inexplicable surging
4. Gears slipping
5. Delay in movement after shifting

It is a good idea to have your transmission fluid checked about once a month.  If there are any of the signs listed above, especially if you have already topped off the transmission fluid, you may be facing a costly transmission repair. 

Are you wondering how do you know if you need transmission fluid?  Contact 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.

What are the Symptoms of a Bad Strut?

Is your vehicle’s ride not quite as comfortable as it once was?  You may be noticing that your car is bouncing more than it used to when you drive over potholes and bumps in the road.  Your car seems to “lunge” forward when you step on the brake pedal.  Are you wondering what is wrong?  Is it an issue with the shocks or struts?  What about the other components of your vehicle’s suspension system, including the car axles?

So what are the symptoms of a bad strut?  Here are a few problems to be aware of when your car struts or shocks are wearing out:

1. Excessive bouncing when hitting a bump.
2. Vehicle nosedives forward when braking or accelerating.
3. Tire "cupping" as the rubber wears off the tire every time it hits the ground.
4. Leaking hydraulic fluid from inside the shock.

What causes a strut to go bad?  Shocks or struts do wear out over time in the normal course of driving as the miles add up on your vehicle.  But if you are consistently driving over bumpy streets, hitting potholes, or other obstacles in the road, they will wear out even more speedily.  When struts go bad, the results can be risky, as it impacts the steering and stopping the performance of your vehicle, as well as adding stress to the car axles.  

You don’t have to worry about these problems any longer than it takes to get your vehicle to your auto repair shop.  Replacing your car’s struts or shocks as needed will increase stopping the performance as well as increase the safety of your vehicle!

Need to know more about what are the symptoms of a bad strut?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about suspension systems, including car axles, and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

What causes front end alignment problems?

When your car is first manufactured, the wheels are aligned, tested, adjusted and eventually verified at the factory. But over time, many drivers will find that their wheels fall out of alignment, a condition when tires are not pointing in the same direction as the steering wheel.  It can shorten the life of your tires by thousands of miles and compromise essential steering and suspension parts.  

So what causes front end alignment problems?  There are several reasons for wheels to fall out of alignment, most of which have to do with driving conditions. Driving down a poorly maintained road can cause wheels to become misaligned. Hitting potholes, going too fast over speed bumps, running into curbs, or having an accident, no matter how minor, can also affect your car alignment.  You will more than likely find yourself struggling to keep your vehicle going straight down the road.

Some drivers are not aware of how damaging car alignment issues can be.  It not only affects how your vehicle handles, but it also adds excessive wear to your tires, suspension, and steering systems. Has your wheel alignment checked about every 6,000 miles?  At the very least, have it checked at the first sign of premature tire wear. 

By maintaining the alignment of your vehicle, you will:

• Boost your car’s handling and safety, 
• Increase fuel efficiency,
• Prevent damage to important vehicle components, and 
• Extend the life of your tires.  

Remember, the price of an alignment service is much more cost-effective than paying for a new set of tires!

Need to know more about what causes front end alignment problems?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Auto Max of Oregon today for more information about our car alignment service and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Canby, OR and surrounding areas.

Wondering how often should you have your car serviced?

If you are like most drivers, you want a safe and trustworthy vehicle.  But you may be wondering, “How often should you have your car serviced?”  The answer is quite simple. Follow the factory suggested vehicle maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.  Adhering as close as potential to this schedule will help prevent an expensive car repair and ensure that you are driving as safe as potential, especially during winter’s cold days.

Many newer cars have an in-vehicle maintenance reminder system that provides an alert on the dash when it is time for certain services, such oil changes, fluid level inspects, component checkups and other car maintenance services.  This reminder system makes mileage-based schedules obsolete and also takes a number of vehicle operating conditions into account.  Although you should be able to trust these reminder systems to guide your maintenance visits, it is still wise to double-check with your car repair technician, especially if you don’t put many miles on your car during a year’s time.

Older cars commonly still rely on mileage for service intervals. There are commonly two different maintenance schedules, one for cars driven in “normal” conditions and another for those used in “severe” conditions. Normal conditions would be straight level ground with little stop-and-go traffic.  Though, many drivers possibly meet the definition of severe conditions, involving one or more of the following conditions:

• Primarily short trips stop-and-go driving 
• Extremely hot, cold, or dusty climates
• Mountainous terrain
• Carrying heavy loads or towing a trailer.

Plan ahead for car repair and maintenance by finding an auto shop and technician you can trust before you want them. Inspect them out for an appearance, technician training and certification, insurance coverage and customer satisfaction. 

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