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When it comes time to service your vehicle, there can be a lot of points of confusion. You wonder if you actually need the service or if you could at least hold out until your next paycheck. You wonder how long you can really go until you need to address that check engine light. In order to clear up some of the vehicle maintenance process, we have laid out some frequently asked questions below.
If your question is not listed below, be sure to give us a call at (913) 393-5959. One of our friendly customer service representatives will be happy to answer any questions that you may have!
We try to complete most repairs the same day. If this is not possible, then we will make sure to provide you with an estimate based on the work being performed.
For a long time and sometimes still today, standard practice at many lube shops is to suggest oil changes every three months or 3,000 miles. In order to know when the best time to get your oil changed is, check the owner’s manual of your specific model for manufacturer-recommended intervals.
When your check engine light comes on, there could be a number of issues. It could be something basic, like a loose gas cap, or it could be something serious. The best way to ensure that you are safe behind the wheel is to bring your vehicle into our shop for a multi-point inspection. We can find the issue and make you aware of it so you can choose whether or not you want to take the next steps to getting your vehicle back to peak conditions.
If your tire pressure is low then it can cause uneven wear on your tires. That means that one tire may wear faster than another forcing you to have to replace all of your tires sooner and this can be quite costly. When you drive down the highway you may also feel your vehicle pulling to one side of the road because of this. Also low tire pressure forces your vehicle to use more power to generate the same amount of speed, costing you more gas and money!
It is important to have your brakes checked often. Most people have their brakes checked when they have their tires rotated. One of the mechanics at our service center can check the thickness of your brake pads to ensure that they are running at peak conditions. Your brake pads are essential for maintaining stopping power, so be sure to have them checked every chance that you get.
Your brake pads should be replaced when they are worn down. If you don't replace your brake pads in a timely fashion then it can severely reduce your stopping power. This puts you and people around you in danger. Not replacing your brake pads also means that your brakes will wear on your brake rotors. This will wear them out and cause more costly repairs down the line.
There a few different types of oil. The best way to check to see what oil your vehicle uses is to check the owner's manual. This will tell you whether your vehicle uses synthetic or conventional oil. Conventional oil wears out sooner and needs to be changed more frequently than synthetic oil so be sure to know the distinction.
Oil is the lubricant that keeps your vehicle running. If you choose not to change your oil then it will completely break down and leave sludge in your vehicle's engine. This will wear your engine over time and cause it to break down much sooner.
No! Forget all about that old myth. As long as you follow the specifications given by the manufacturer (which can be found in your handy owner’s manual), your warranty is valid. At In Motion Automotive, we always follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. We’ll make sure your warranty remains valid and your car remains happy - for many miles to come!
The key to keeping your vehicle running well now and in the future--and to saving money on needless repairs--is routine preventive maintenance. Yet many drivers tend to put off maintenance service. A recent survey found that...
- 38% of cars had low or dirty engine oil
- 54% had low tire pressure
- 28% had inadequate cooling protection
- 19% needed new belts
- 16% had dirty air filters
- 10% had low or contaminated brake fluid
A non-starting car is a frustration, pure and simple. But there is a difference between not "cranking" (no sound when turning the key) and not starting. Two typical scenarios follow.
This usually means there's a problem in the starting circuit, which includes the starter motor, battery, switches and wiring--all three areas. Most commonly, drivers want to simply replace the battery as a solution, where, in most cases, doing so will commonly not fix the problem. Only a complete check will pin-point the problem and lead to the appropriate repair solution. Contact us today if you are experiencing any of these issues.
If your car is getting lower gas mileage than it always has, you may need a tune-up. A vehicle with dirty fuel filters, bad spark plugs, or bad fuel injectors can cause significantly lower gas mileage. Squealing noises when you turn the wheel, exhaust odor, pinging sounds in the engine, and black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes can all be clear indicators that your car is in need of a tune-up. Contact us today if you are experiencing any of these issues.
An tune-up per manufacturer specifications can prolong the life of your engine and keep your car in good shape. It can also help you maintain better gas mileage by maintaining the fuel filters and spark plugs. If your vehicle is running rough or you notice gas mileage going down, contact us to schedule a tune-up appointment.
Front and rear tires wear differently because the front tires are in charge of turning the car. More pressure is put on the front tires meaning they'll need to be rotated to extend the life of the tires. Also, tread wear should be equal on both front and rear tires, which only tire rotating can fix. Tires should be rotated every 5,000-10,000 miles, but the owner's manual of each specific vehicle should give exact intervals for tire rotation. Contact us today if you are experiencing any of these issues.
You'll first need a pressure gauge to check your tire pressure. Test your tires after the vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours. Insert the pressure gauge into the small stem sticking out of the tire. Compare the pounds per square inch (psi) of the tire to the recommended psi found within the driver's door on your vehicle. This will tell you if you need more or less air in your tires. Contact us today if you are experiencing any of these issues.
Extended idling is simply wasting your gas, and it's not doing any favors to the environment either. Every two minutes that you leave your car idling uses the same amount of fuel as driving about a mile. It is not true that extending idling is good for your engine. According to the Consumer Energy Center of the California Energy Commission, "Excessive idling can actually damage your engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems."
Typically the engine is not receiving sufficient spark, fuel, compression, timing, or computer control. This circumstance requires a thorough engine and computer diagnosis to pinpoint the problem and derive a recommended solution. Contact us today if you are experiencing any of these issues.
Most new car manufactures recommend spark replacement at 100k miles. Our opinion is that between 50k - 75k miles is a better interval. The spark electrodes wear out before the higher mileage, and this can cause wear on other parts--we frequently see coils needing replacement on engines with high mileage plugs.
An up-and-down movement of the brake pedal can be caused by two factors, one to be expected, the other a cause for concern. An antilock brake system (ABS) engaging on a slippery road normally produces pulsation. But pulsation on a dry road is probably cause for concern. It might be caused by a warped rotor, which can be repaired by resurfacing of the rotor on a brake lathe or complete replacement.
Absolutely! If you don't fix the cause of the leak quickly, you could have a major repair on your hands such as a complete engine replacement. Transmission fluid, for example, keeps the transmission cool and helps the car run smoothly. Don't ignore a leak.
This color is an indication that coolant is in the oil. This is a serious problem that needs to be checked and fixed immediately. It could have been caused by numerous other issues.
An overheated engine can cause major damage. Shut the engine off as soon as you can. From here, it's best to have your car towed to our In Motion Automotive facility for a full inspection. Attempting to check the coolant fluid level could be dangerous. If the engine is hot, it could result in severe burns.
Think about how much you get in and out of your car every day. During the winter months, you will probably be tracking in snow, sleet, or rain every time you get in. To protect your interior, consider purchasing some all-weather floor mats. Also, make sure you have a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water in your car to keep components running smoothly in the cold winter temperatures. It's always better to be safe than sorry in the winter so it's recommended to keep supplies in your car such as the following: a blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight, chains, a first-aid kit, a small knife, flares, water gloves, a small shovel, and an ice scraper.
Warming up your car before driving is a leftover practice from a time when carbureted engines dominated the roads. But it's been about 30 years since carbureted engines were common in cars. When your engine is cold, the gasoline is less likely to evaporate and create the correct ratio of air and vaporized fuel for combustion. Engines with electronic fuel injection have sensors that compensate for the cold by pumping more gasoline into the mixture. The engine continues to run rich in this way until it heats up to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. That's a problem because you're actually putting extra fuel into the combustion chamber to make it burn and some of it can get onto the cylinder walls. It can actually wash protective oil off the cylinder walls if you run it in those cold idle conditions for an extended period of time. Driving your car is the fastest way to warm the engine up to 40 degrees so it switches back to a normal fuel to air ratio. Of course, hopping into your car and gunning it down the road will put unnecessary strain on your engine. It takes 5 to 15 minutes for your engine to warm up, so take it nice and easy for the first part of your drive.
There are many precautions to take while driving in the wintery weather. Most people may not be aware of this, but it is unsafe to use your cruise control on icy roads. Decrease your speed when roads are not dry. Also, don't try parking or stopping on a steep incline. You may find yourself in a precarious situation, speeding backwards down an icy hill.
Spring car care is just as important as winter care. There's a good chance that you've put off getting an oil change or brake repair because of the cold weather, so first and foremost, take care of these immediate repair issues. After the harsh winter conditions, it's important to check tire pressure and fluid levels as well. The outside of your car will need extra care after driving on roads that had been salted for most of the winter. Ignoring the salt can cause damaging rust if your car isn't properly cleansed.
Related incidents can happen when pumping gas during cold and dry climate conditions. The most important rule to remember is not to get back into the vehicle while filling the car.