Archive for the ‘Car Fluids Info’ Category
Thursday, May 12th, 2011
Do you know what to do if the engine temperature gauge on your car’s dashboard starts rising?
At some point, you might run into an overheating problem with your car. With today’s cars, it’s very important to take the following steps.
Steps to take if your car starts overheating
If you notice that engine temperature gauge on the rise you should:
1. Pull over to the side of the road. If possible find a parking lot.
2. Let the car cool down. You will want to wait at least 20 minutes before opening the radiator cap.
3. Open the radiator cap after the engine has cooled down. Check to see if there is any coolant. If not, you can add coolant or water to the radiator or overflow reservoir.
4. Immediately take your car to an auto repair shop. If you’re noticing serious leaks as you put coolant into the car, you may want to consider a tow truck. You also may want to consider a tow truck if there isn’t an auto repair shop nearby.
Common causes of engine overheating include: low engine coolant, a cracked radiator, broken fans or a broken water pump.
Ignoring a rising engine temperature gauge is the worst thing that you can do. This can lead to tons of costly repairs including fixing a blown head gasket.
Tags: broken radiator, car temperature, engine temperature, overheating car
Posted in Car Fluids Info, Car Repair | Comments Off
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
With the temperatures dropping, it’s time to check your engine coolant.
Engine coolant also known as antifreeze, is just as important as oil. Engine coolant benefits your car in the following ways:
- Engine coolant prevents your engine from overheating.
- Engine coolant has chemicals that prevent the liquid from overheating and turning to ice.
- Engine coolant protects your car’s radiator from corrosion.
You should regularly check the coolant levels of your car. It’s often a good idea to get them checked during an oil change. Every two to three years you should replace all the coolant in your car or truck if you’re using standard engine coolant.
If you visit your local auto parts store, you will see all types and brands of engine coolant for your car or truck. So which one do you choose?
Standard Engine Coolant
Most standard engine coolants use a 50/50 blend of water and ethylene glycol. This chemical helps protect against rust and corrosion. This antifreeze is typically a green color. It helps keep your engine cool at temperatures 34 degrees below zero and 265 degrees. It usually needs to be changed every two to three years.
Premium Engine Coolant
This engine coolant is usually an orange color. Premium engine coolant typically has a longer service life than standard engine coolant. Premium antifreeze can typically last up to five years or up to 100,000 miles.
Which One Do You Choose?
The standard engine coolant is just as effective as the premium engine coolant. The question is: Do you want to change your engine coolant every two to three years or every five years?
Before deciding on which coolant is best for your vehicle, read your owners manual and consult with an auto mechanic.
You can always talk to your mechanic about coolants during your next Santa Fe oil change or Tucson transmission flush.
Tags: antifreeze, Engine Coolant, Santa Fe oil change, Tucson Transmission Flush
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Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
We’ve all seen these numbers at the gas pump … 87, 89, 92, etc. You probably know these as octane ratings.
We all know the higher the number the more you pay per gallon. But have you ever wondered what these grades of gasoline do for your car or truck? Octane ratings rate the volatility of gasoline.
By this we mean burn rate. For example, an 87 grade of gasoline will burn faster than a 92 grade. There are three distinct levels of gasoline. They’re probably familiar:
- Regular – 85 to 88
- Mid/Plus – 89 to 90
- Premium – 92 and over
You may notice different states have different octane levels. For instance in mountainous areas, “Regular” octane grade levels may be at 85. That is because of the altitude.
Changes in altitude, humidity and temperature can affect a car or truck’s engine. Changes octane grades in gasoline from state to state take into account antiknock guidelines. These guidelines help to prevent engine knock.
If you don’t know what engine knock sounds like you can see it here.
So what grade of gasoline should you put in your car or truck?
The rule of thumb is to following your vehicle’s owner’s manual. You also should replace your gas filter. There’s no miles rule like oil changes, but you should try to change the filter at least once a year for preventative purposes.
The next time your getting a Tucson oil change or an El Paso car tune up talk to your mechanic to see what’s the best fuel for your car or truck.
Tags: El Paso Car Tune Up, gas grades, gas octane, gas octane grades, Tucson Oil Change
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Friday, August 13th, 2010
The cost to maintain and repair your vehicle can be expensive. But how do you keep the price low, while still ensuring your vehicle gets the maintenance it needs. Follow these tips and you’ll save lots of money.
We’ve broken them down into two categories: “Preventative Care” and “Care at the Shop.”
Preventative Care
- Having regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tune-ups, can keep your car running smoothly and prevent engine damage.
- Be sure all of your vehicle’s liquids are always at proper levels. This can prevent major flare-ups such as an overheated engine down the road.
- When you know your car has a problem, do not wait months to take it to the mechanic. This could only make the problem worse.
- Fill your vehicle with top-quality gasoline. Using a better gasoline grade prevents deposits from building up in your engine.
- Don’t be hard on your vehicle. Driving your vehicle like a NASCAR driver could cause unnecessary damage, especially if you get into an accident.
Care At the Shop
- Visit garage owners and ask about hourly rates. Comparing hourly rates must be balanced against the mechanic’s skill and qualification. You don’t want to skimp just to save money.
- Bring your vehicle to a certified mechanic. Working with a certified mechanic ensures your vehicle gets necessary services that are done right.
- Check with family members to find reputable mechanics with fair prices.
Follow these tips — along with getting a Santa Fe oil change or a Albuquerque oil change – and you’ll save a ton of money over the long haul.
Tags: Albuquerque Oil change, Santa Fe oil change
Posted in Car Fluids Info, Car Lubricant Info, Oil Change Tips | Comments Off
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
You may have thought about doing a car tune up yourself, instead of taking it to a mechanic. Change the spark plugs and the filters and then you’re done. It’s that easy, right?
Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. If you’re going to give your vehicle a tune up here’s what you need to do:
- Replace the fuel filter
- Replace the air filter
- Replace worn belts
- Change the spark plugs
- Service the battery, be sure to clean the filters
- Check and replace fluids, replace oil filter
For some cars you may also have to:
- Adjust the clutch
- Replace the distributor cap
This could be challenging especially if you don’t have the proper tools and equipment to get the job done right. It is not uncommon to see vehicles damaged thanks to the handiwork work of a novice mechanic.
A tune-up can take between two to four hours of labor for a competent mechanic. How long will it take someone working out of their home garage? Don’t get us wrong. A tune-up is something your car needs. It definitely keeps your vehicle running smoothly.
But it’s better to take it to a qualified mechanic to ensure it is done properly. Another benefit: a mechanic can examine the rest of your vehicle to pinpoint a problem that may have gone undetected by an amateur mechanic. Additionally, you will need to properly dispose of old fluids such as oil, which can be a tedious process.
We recommend taking your car to a reputable mechanic for your next tune up. Getting a Tucson car tune up or a Las Cruces car tune up will ensure it’s done right the first time.
Tags: Las Cruces car tune up, Tucson Car Tune Up
Posted in Air and Oil Filters, Automotive Maintenance, Car Fluids Info, Car Lubricant Info | Comments Off
Monday, August 2nd, 2010
If you regularly take your car in for oil changes, you’re bound to be told that your car needs a transmission fluid flush. There’s a lot of conflicting information out there on whether or not transmission flushes are safe for your vehicle.
A transmission fluid flush is a service that replaces your vehicle’s old transmission fluid with new fluid. A fluid flush is meant to prolong the life of the transmission and improve performance. Changing your vehicle’s transmission fluid every 30,000 to 50,000 miles will ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly.
We recommend taking your car to a reputable mechanic when considering a transmission fluid flush because flushes are a unique service. Transmission fluid flushes may not be the best thing for all vehicles. A reputable mechanic could help you determine whether or not this is the right service for your vehicle.
Transmission fluid flushes could cause damage to high-mileage vehicles that have never had a flush before. Build-up in the transmission that has accumulated over the lifetime of the vehicle could become dislodged and decrease performance and possibly even damage your transmission.
As a rule of thumb: If your high-mileage vehicle’s transmission fluid — which has never been changed — smells burnt, it’s probably not best to get a flush.
However, for low to medium mileage vehicles, it’s a good preventative measure to regularly flush your vehicle’s transmission fluid to prevent the buildup that could later cause damage to your vehicle. Regularly getting an Albuquerque transmission flush or a Phoenix transmission flush can add years to your vehicle’s transmission.
Tags: Albuquerque transmission flush, Phoenix Transmission Flush
Posted in Arizona Store Info, Automotive Maintenance, Car Fluids Info, New Mexico Store Info | Comments Off
Friday, July 30th, 2010
So you opted to replace your old vehicle with a new one. Who can blame you – new tires, new brakes, that new-car smell, and best of all … no repair headaches.
Whether you purchased a brand-new car or a used one, here are a few things you should be doing so you don’t encounter any major problems down the road.
Every Three Months
Every three months, be sure to check your fluids. You should also change your oil every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. Three-month fluid inspection should include:
- Oil
- Brake fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Window washer fluid
Also, be sure to check the coolant. Your coolant should be about 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water. If you’re not up to mixing a coolant cocktail, your auto-parts store should sell some pre-mixed coolant.
Every Six Months
At the six-month mark, you should check your battery as well as your tire depth. Without the proper tire depth, you may not be able to make a quick, sudden stop with your vehicle. Be sure to also check if it’s time for another oil change.
Every Year
At year end, you should flush your radiator, which prevents rust and corrosion in the radiator, which can lead to expensive repairs. You will also want to check your:
- Spark plugs
- Fuel filter
- Brake pads
- Windshield wipers
If confident enough, some of this you can do on your own, but always have a trusted mechanic on speed-dial should you run into any problems.
Follow these steps and you won’t need Tucson brake repair or Albuquerque brake repair for a long time. The only possible headaches, you’ll be having is from the new-car smell.
Tags: Albuquerque Brake Repair, Tucson brake repair, Vehicle Maintenance
Posted in Car Fluids Info, Car Lubricant Info, Oil Change Tips | Comments Off
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
The other day we wrote a blog about the importance of brake fluid flushes. In it, we mentioned that not having your brake fluid flushed regularly can cause major damage to your brakes and can be very expensive to repair.
Since then, we’ve received a number of questions about just how often your brake fluid needs to be flushed and how to tell when you need to do it.
At Brake Masters, we recommend that you have your brake fluid flushed every 30,000 miles or during your next Phoenix brake check or El Paso brake check.
If you’re not sure when you’re last fluid flush was, there are a few easy ways to check for yourself. Some auto parts stores will sell you test strips that will tell you how high the moisture is in your brake fluid is. If it’s too high, it’s time for a flush.
The other method, which is less precise, but also less expensive, is simply looking at the fluid. Remove the cap from your brake master cylinder and examine your vehicle’s fluid. If it’s black or very dark, it’s time for a change. If it’s clear or has a slightly yellow color, you still have time before your next fluid flush.
Tags: Brake Fluid Flush, El Paso Brake Check, Phoenix Brake Check
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Fluids Info | Comments Off
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
Nobody wants to pay for services that they really don’t need. Unfortunately, since some dishonest mechanics have ruined it for everyone else, many people are skeptical about having certain services done.
One of those services is the brake fluid flush. We hear from people all the time about whether the service is actually necessary or if it’s just a way for shops like ours to make more money.
The fact is that brake fluid flushes *are* important and they’ve actually become even more important in recent years.
You see, over time moisture buildup from the brake fluid causes rust and debris that can do a lot of damage to your brake system. As the braking systems within cars have grown increasingly complicated, the risk of damage has grown as well.
By doing a brake fluid flush, your mechanic is emptying out the old fluid that’s filled with damaging substances and adding fresh fluid to keep your brakes running smoothly for years to come.
It’s one of the best ways to make sure you won’t need Tucson brake repair or Albuquerque brake repair for a long time.
Tags: Albuquerque Brake Repair, Brake Fluid Flush, Tucson brake repair
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Fluids Info | Comments Off
Monday, May 17th, 2010
Everyone has heard the saying, “If you can’t find ‘em, grind ‘em!” at some point in their lives. This, of course, refers to shifting a manual transmission. If you can’t find the gears, just grind them until the transmission goes into the proper gear. Automatic transmissions have alleviated much of this wear and tear on your car’s gears, though. To ensure your transmission stays in proper working order, a Tucson transmission flush may be in order.
A transmission flush can be done in one of two main ways. Your mechanic can recycle fluids through the cooling line without removing the transmission pan. This procedure is faster and less expensive, but could miss problems, especially on older model vehicles. The second procedure involves your mechanic dropping the transmission pan. This process takes slightly longer and may have a larger investment, but is helpful in finding things like metal shavings in the transmission fluid or discolored or burnt transmission fluid. These may be signs of a more serious concern that can be corrected with a Tucson car tune up before you’re left stranded.
Either way, your mechanic can tell you, based on your vehicle’s make, model, and age, which procedure is best for you.
Tags: Tucson Car Tune Up, Tucson Transmission Flush
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