September « 2010 « Brake Buddy's Auto Repair & Maintenance Blog

Archive for September, 2010

What’s The Difference Between Synthetic Oil And Conventional Oil?

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

When we get our vehicle’s oil changed, we sometimes forget to ask what type of oil they are putting in our vehicle’s engine.

There are two types – synthetic oil and conventional/regular oil. Conventional oil is the good old fashion oil that is processed from crude oil out of the ground. Synthetic oil was developed in the 1960s. It is a chemically modified oil that was developed in a lab.

There are two types of synthetic oil – base stocks and semi-synthetic oil. Base stock oils are man-made oils that are purely synthetic. Semi-synthetic oil uses a blend of mineral oil and synthetic oil.

So, which is better synthetic oil or conventional oil?

You should put your money on synthetic oil for the following reasons:

Synthetic oil operates better during any driving conditions
Synthetic oil promotes longer engine life
Synthetic oil reduces evaporative loss
Synthetic oil circulates better than convention oil

While synthetic oil is great, there are some who think conventional oil works just as well. It’s a great topic to discuss with your mechanic while getting a Las Cruces oil change or an El Paso oil change.

Tags: El Paso oil change, Las Cruces oil change
Posted in Oil Change Tips | Comments Off

Ignoring Timing Belt Replacement Will Ruin Your Vehicle

Monday, September 27th, 2010

Your vehicle’s timing belt controls the timing of the engines valves. Not all vehicles have a timing belt. Some have chains. Others have gears. If your vehicle has a timing belt, it will need to be changed every 60,000 to 75,000 miles. It all depends on the vehicle.

Ignoring your timing belt can ruin your vehicle. Disregarding a worn timing belt can cause engine valve issues, which are expensive to repair. Signs of timing belt wear include cracking along the belt.

If your timing belt breaks, the engine will suddenly stop. You’ll have to get a tow truck to bring your vehicle to a mechanic. That is why it is important to get your timing belt replaced every 60,000 to 75,000 miles.

It is sometimes difficult for a novice to diagnose this problem before it is too late. We recommend getting a timing belt replaced by a professional. A Tucson timing belt replacement and a Las Cruces timing belt replacement are good ways to get your timing belt replaced.

When replacing your timing belt, you may want to check on your timing belt tensioner as well as the water pump, if it is belt driven. The timing belt tensioner is the part of the engine that keeps the timing belt moving. Regularly changing your timing belt will get you hundreds of thousands of miles out of your vehicle.

Be sure to write down the mileage of your vehicle when you get your timing belt replaced. That way, you will know when it’s time to replace it again. Remember replacing your timing belt is just as important as changing your car’s oil. You need both to keep your car running.

Tags: Las Cruces timing belt replacement, Timing Belt, Tucson timing belt replacement
Posted in Automotive Maintenance | 1 Comment »

Quickly Change Your Car’s Tire After A Blowout

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

It happens to all of us. You’re driving down the road and all of a sudden you hear a thud, thud, thud noise coming from one of your tires. You’ve got a flat tire.

Changing a flat tire may be a little more difficult than you think. We’ve included the steps you need to follow to change your tire.

Make sure you are on a flat surface. If you are in a busy traffic area drive to another location such as a parking lot or a side street.
Turn off your engine and turn on your hazard lights.
Take the spare tire, tire wrench, and jack out of your vehicle. For some vehicles, the spare tire may be underneath the truck bed or trunk.
Take off the hubcap or wheel cover from your vehicle’s wheel.
Using the tire wrench loosen the lug nuts on the tire. Do not completely take off the lug nuts.
Following the directions for your jack, lift the car up. Be sure to place the jack under the vehicle in the proper place as designated by the owner’s manual.
Remove the lug nuts and the wheel.
Put the spare tire on along with the lug nuts. Be sure to get the lug nuts as tight as you can without spinning the wheel.
Lower the vehicle. Be sure to tighten the lug nuts with the tire wrench.

When driving with a spare tire, do not drive at excessive speeds. Be sure to take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible to replace the tire. To help prevent blown tires, have your mechanic check the tire tread during a Phoenix brake repair or a Albuquerque transmission flush.

Tags: Albuquerque transmission flush, Flat Tire, Phoenix brake repair
Posted in Automotive Maintenance, Car Repair, Tires | Comments Off

Automotive Smartphone Apps That Will Keep Your Car Going

Monday, September 20th, 2010

With more and more people buying smartphones, people can now take better care of their automobiles.

With a smartphone, you can now keep track of your oil changes, brake repairs and other maintenance issues. With an iPhone, BlackBerry, or Android phone, you’ll now know when it’s time for an El Paso oil change or a Santa Fe brake check.

Below are some of the popular smartphone apps that will help you take better care of your car.

Gas Buddy: With this app for the iPhone, you can find the best gas prices. All you have to do is enter your ZIP code or let the app locate your current location. This app costs $2.99.
aCar: With this app for Android phones, you can keep track of your car’s maintenance schedule. It also keeps track of vehicle information such as license plate number.
Car Minder Plus: With this app for the iPhone, you can log maintenance information, so you always know when to get your vehicle’s oil changed. This app costs $2.99.

These are just a few apps to get you started. Check the app store on your smartphone for other apps. There are plenty out there. Whether it’s for parking, driving lessons or finding a car wash, there is an app for you.

What type of apps do you use to help with car maintenance issues? Which phone has the best automotive apps – the iPhone, BlackBerry or Android phones?

Tags: automotive smartphone apps, El Paso oil change, Santa Fe Brake Check
Posted in Automotive Maintenance | Comments Off

Why These Ignition Parts Need To Be Changed In Your Next Automotive Tune Up

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

A few days ago, we had an automotive checklist that looked at when you should replace your oil, air, fuel and transmission filters. Today we’re looking at ignition parts.

Regularly inspecting your spark plugs, spark plug wires and distributor cap can help improve your vehicle’s performance and keep it on the road longer. Below is a checklist on replacing ignition parts for you to follow. Be sure to check your vehicle’s operations manual to see if it has different recommendations. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, replacements may need to be done sooner.

Ignition Parts Replacement Checklist

Spark Plugs: Change every 50,000 miles for standard spark plugs. Change every 100,000 miles for platinum spark plugs.
Spark Plug Wires: Change spark plug wires every 50,000 miles.
Distributor Cap: Change when showing wear and tear.

Besides filters and ignition parts, you should also check your oxygen and temperature sensors as well as coolant hoses and belts. Making sure these parts are working properly will add more miles onto your vehicle.

Changing these parts helps to maintain power to your engine as well as fuel efficiency. The next time you need an El Paso car tune up or an Albuquerque car tune up, be sure your mechanic checks your spark plugs, spark plug wires and distributor cap.

Tags: Albuquerque Car Tune Up, El Paso Car Tune Up, spark plugs
Posted in Automotive Maintenance | Comments Off

Replace Your Filters To Increase Your Vehicle’s Lifespan

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

We all know that we are supposed to replace our vehicle’s filters to increase its lifespan. But how often should we replace these filters?

We’ve included a checklist to help you keep track of all of the different filters and when you should replace them. Be sure to read your vehicle’s manual to see its recommendations. Filter changes differ from vehicle to vehicle. For one type of vehicle, it may be every 3,000 miles. For another type of vehicle, it may be every 5,000 miles.

Filter Replacement Checklist

Oil Filter: Change every 3,000 miles. The oil filter catches any dirt and contaminants that may be in your vehicle’s oil.
Air Filter: Change every 20,000-25,000 miles. The air filter protects against dirt traveling into your vehicle’s air intake system.
Fuel Filter: Change every 30,000 miles. The fuel filter traps any dirt or particles traveling in the fuel before it gets to the engine.
Transmission Filter: Change every 30,000 miles. A transmission filter protects against a clogged and dirty transmission.

By regularly changing these filters, you will add miles to your vehicle’s lifespan. Filters remove the bad from the good allowing your vehicle’s engine to run properly. The best thing about all of these filters is the price. Filters are inexpensive parts that keep your vehicle in good shape. A filter is well worth its price.

Next time you’re thinking about a Santa Fe oil change or a Phoenix oil change, check with your mechanic to see if any filters besides the oil filter need to be replaced. Changing a filter can go a long way in improving the performance of your vehicle.

Tags: Oil Filter, Phoenix Oil Change, Santa Fe oil change
Posted in Air and Oil Filters | Comments Off

Is A No-Cost Maintenance Plan Right For You?

Thursday, September 9th, 2010

A lot of high-end auto dealerships offer no-cost maintenance plans as promotions when buying a new car. When opting into one of these plans you get a variety of services including:

• Oil Changes

• Engine Inspection Services

• Fluid Inspection and Replacement

• Belt Inspection

These deals vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some include brake inspection and pad replacements. Others do not. There are claims out there that these services are not free. The claims say that the no-cost services are included in the overall price of the vehicle.

Whether or not this is true, it comes down to this: Do you want dealer servicing your vehicle or do you want to take your vehicle somewhere else? Going to a dealer has its benefits as does going to an ASE certified mechanic.

It’s a tough decision. We recommend talking with family or friends that use no-cost maintenance plans. If you have a good relationship with an outside mechanic, a no-cost maintenance plan may not be the best option for you.

When thinking about a no-cost maintenance plan see what is offered. Are there enough incentives to justify the extra mark-up in price? It is our experience that these plans do not offer enough.

In the long run, an Albuquerque brake repair or an El Paso car tune up may be the best option. Remember, to seriously consider all your options when purchasing a new vehicle.

A lot of high-end auto dealerships offer no-cost maintenance plans as promotions when buying a new car. When opting into one of these plans you get a variety of services including:

Oil Changes
Engine Inspection Services
Fluid Inspection and Replacement
Belt Inspection

These deals vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some include brake inspection and pad replacements. Others do not. There are claims out there that these services are not free. The claims say that no-cost services are included in the overall price of the vehicle.

Whether or not this is true, it comes down to this: Do you want the dealer servicing your vehicle or do you want to take your vehicle somewhere else? Going to a dealer has its benefits as does going to an ASE certified mechanic.

When thinking about a no-cost maintenance plan, see what is offered. Are there enough incentives to justify the extra mark-up in price? It is our experience that these plans do not offer enough.

In the long run, an Albuquerque brake repair or an El Paso car tune up may be the best option. Remember, to seriously consider all your options when purchasing a new vehicle.

Tags: Albuquerque Brake Repair, ASE Certified Mechanic, El Paso Car Tune Up, No Cost Maintenance Plan
Posted in Car Repair | Comments Off

Maintenance Tips That Keep Your Brakes From Failing

Monday, September 6th, 2010

Your vehicle’s brakes are one of the most important parts. Old malfunctioning brakes are a threat to your safety.

To make sure your vehicle’s brakes are working properly, you should check your brakes every six months. We recommend using the “Sound” and “Sight” method to do the job right.

Brake Sounds

When driving your vehicle, you may hear some strange sounds coming from your vehicle’s wheels. Here’s the “Sound” diagnosis:

Squeaking and Scratching Sounds: These sounds may be due to worn brake pads or dirt or dust on the brakes.
Rhythmic Thumping Sounds: This sound may be due to a warped rotor.

If you hear either of these two sounds get your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. Holding off on brake repairs can be dangerous.

Brake Sights

If you have some automotive maintenance experience, we recommend looking at the following parts to help diagnose your brake problem. Here’s the “Sight” method:

Brake Pads: Look for wearing and cracking. If you see wearing and cracking, the brake pads could be the problem.
Rotors: Look for any scratches or grooves. If you see either of these, it’s time to replace your rotors.

During your six-month check, also be sure to examine your vehicle’s brake fluid. Also check your repair log to see the last time your brakes were repaired. If you do not have a repair log, we suggest you start one.

If you are keeping a log, be sure to write down your vehicle’s mileage for all repairs, especially brake repairs.

Following these steps will help let you know when it’s time for an El Paso brake check or a Las Cruces brake check. Remember, don’t sit on brake problems.

Tags: brake diagnosis, El Paso Brake Check, Las Cruces Brake Check
Posted in Brake Repair Tips | Comments Off

Car Repairs And Auto Insurance Costs: What To Look For When Buying A New Car

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

That brand new car you’re eying may have a great sticker price, but do you know what it will cost you once you drive it off the showroom floor? When purchasing a new or pre-owned vehicle, it is very important to think about the repair and insurance costs.

It may seem obvious to think about repair and insurance costs, but many people become distracted when they see their dream car at a price too good to be true. Here are a few things to consider, so your repair and insurance costs are not through the roof:

Luxury vs. Necessity – Luxury cars are great, but are the repair costs in your price range? Luxury cars typically cost more to repair. These cars also carry higher insurance costs.
Technology – Those automatic/computer features may seem cool when you purchase your new car, but they will sometimes cost a pretty penny to repair.
Domestic vs. Imported – Imported car parts typically run a little higher than domestic car parts. This sometimes adds to the price of repair bills.

To help you learn more about the insurance and repair costs for a new vehicle, we recommend talking with your mechanic and your auto insurance representative. Talking with these people can help you decide whether it’s better to go for the $20,000 car vs. the $30,000 car.

After you buy the car, be sure to keep up on regular maintenance issues. Having a Phoenix oil change or a Tucson car tune up can go a long way in increasing the life of your new vehicle.

Tags: New Car, Phoenix Oil Change, Repair And Insurance Costs, Tucson Car Tune Up
Posted in Car Repair | Comments Off