Phoenix Oil Change « Brake Buddy's Auto Repair & Maintenance Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Phoenix Oil Change’

Buyers Guide To Rearview Car Camera Systems

Friday, March 4th, 2011

Rearview cameras for cars, trucks and SUVs are becoming a popular feature. These cameras allow you to see what’s directly behind your vehicle when backing up.

Here’s how it works.

Most commonly, a small video camera is attached near the rear license plate of your vehicle.

When your vehicle is in reverse, you can see a rearview video image on a small monitor inside your vehicle. This helps when backing up, especially in parking lots and tight situations.

A lot of new cars, trucks and SUVs offer rearview cameras as a premium option.

For used car owners, there are a lot of aftermarket options involving rearview cameras.

If you’re looking for a rearview camera for your car here is what you need to know.

Price: Aftermarket rearview cameras can cost between $50 and $350 or more. It all depends on the camera and video screen size. For new cars, they’re usually included in the higher-end classes of vehicle models.

Installation: Some aftermarket cameras are easy to install on your own. Others may require professional help because wiring is required. With new cars, they come pre-installed.

Benefits: Rearview cameras will add an extra level of safety when your vehicle is in reverse. However if you are a safe and cautious driver, you will be just fine without one.

If you’re unsure whether or not to get a rearview camera, try one out while you’re test driving a new vehicle. You could also ask a mechanic during your next Phoenix oil change or Tucson auto air conditioning repair.

Tags: Phoenix Oil Change, rearview camera systems, rearview car camera, Tucson auto air conditioning repair
Posted in Car Technology | 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

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

Can Oil Color Tell You If Your Car Needs An Oil Change?

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Why you don’t need an oil change just because your oil turns brown or black.

When you first pour oil into a vehicle it comes out a nice golden color. However, if you’ve ever checked your dipstick a few days later, you might have noticed that the oil is now dark brown or even black!

So does this mean that you purchased bad motor oil and that you need to get another Phoenix oil change already?

Not a chance.

It’s not uncommon for oil to change colors and darken just miles after it has been changed. Here’s why:

The oil’s job is to circulate through the engine and clean/lubricate all of the parts. That means that oil will instantly start to pick up dirt and other substances that cause it to darken. What’s more, because of the way an internal combustion engine works, small particles are released each time it goes and the oil must pick them up or else they will start to damage the engine. If your oil is not picking up those particles, then it is time to worry.

So the next time that someone tries to tell you that you need a new Tucson oil change just because your oil is darker, don’t immediately go out and do it. Stick to your regular maintenance schedule (generally every 3,000 miles) and rest easy knowing that the oil is doing its job.

One thing you should note is if your oil starts to appear grey, milky, or smell burnt. This could indicate breaks and leaks within the engine and should be checked out by a certified mechanic immediately.

Tags: Phoenix Oil Change, Tucson Oil Change
Posted in Oil Change Tips | Comments Off

The Roar of the Engine

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

There’s nothing quite like the roar of a finely tuned engine as your foot presses down onto the accelerator. The deep resonating sound can be very impressive. Did you know that the roar of an engine, though, could also be hiding some serious problems for your vehicle? This is especially true when the roaring gets louder as you actually accelerate while driving down the road. A Phoenix oil change may not be the first thing that enters your mind when you think of a loud engine during acceleration, but it should be. Low or old oil can lead to a louder engine. When the oil is this low or old, it is a good idea to have it changed before it leads to further engine damage.

Another route to take when considering the cause of the louder engine sounds during acceleration is your exhaust system. A routine Phoenix car tune up can ensure that your exhaust system is in working order and that no pinholes are developing in the exhaust pipe or separating in the exhaust manifold. This is a good time to spot any other developing problems as well. After all, a nicely tuned engine, roaring with power, may be cool, but leaking exhaust and burning oil just aren’t.

Tags: Phoenix Car Tune Up, Phoenix Oil Change
Posted in Car Repair | Comments Off

Does Your Vehicle Need Premium Fuel?

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

With higher octane “premium” fuels costing ten to twenty cents more per gallon, many people wonder whether they really get any value out of shelling out the extra money for gas.

The answer: it depends on your car.

First of all, higher octane simply means that there will be less pre-detonation of fuel when an engine’s pistons are firing. The higher the octane, the less pre-detonation occurs, and so the less chance there is of damage to your engine.

However, before you run off to pay the extra for premium gas, know that most cars on the road today were designed to run perfectly with just 87 octane. That means that going for the higher octane really won’t make a difference in your car’s performance.

In general, you should be able to use regular gas unless you’re driving a sports car or another premium vehicle. Most people would be better off spending that money on getting a regular Phoenix car tune up and staying consistent with getting a Phoenix oil change every 3,000 miles.

For specifics about which gas you should use, check your vehicles owner’s manual and follow its recommendation.

Tags: Phoenix Car Tune Up, Phoenix Oil Change, Premium Fuel
Posted in Automotive Maintenance | Comments Off

Synthetic Oil – What’s the Big Deal?

Friday, March 26th, 2010

You’ve probably heard about people paying a premium price to switch from conventional motor oil to synthetic oil in an attempt to lengthen the time between Phoenix oil changes.

Created in a laboratory, these synthetic oils are said to have the perfect properties to handle a large range of temperatures and degrade far slower normal motor oil. Because of its unique properties, some claim that it performs better at lubricating the engine which allows for more protection and performance, as well as providing a better flow when an engine first starts.

Some synthetic oil manufacturers claim that their synthetic oil only needs to be changed every ten thousand miles or more. While there might be some truth to that, many experts still believe that the oil should be changed far more often regardless.

Ask your mechanic more about types of synthetic oil during your next Tucson oil change.

Tags: Phoenix Oil Change, Tucson Oil Change
Posted in Oil Change Tips | Comments Off

Why Oil Changes Are Important

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

Why you should not wait to get your next oil change.

We get asked a lot why oil changes are important. With pressure to save money, many people wonder if they can get away with waiting for months after their scheduled oil change before replacing their oil.

If you want to save money by not getting your Phoenix oil change then think again. The fact is, oil changes are one of the most important things you can do to keep your car working for longer. Sure avoiding an oil change can save you a few dollars in the short run, but those savings are nothing compared to the massive repairs your car will need without regular oil changes.

Your motor oil is essential to keeping the moving parts in your engine properly lubricated and functioning properly. Without it, the engine parts will grind together resulting in decreased efficiency as well as damaged parts over time due to friction.

Because motor oil is flowing through your engine, over time is picks up metallic particles and soot from the engine. If not replaced regularly, these particles will start to grind against the moving parts of your engine leading to the wearing down of essential parts.

Don’t skimp out on your next Tucson oil change, do things the right way and keep your vehicle running for longer.

Tags: Motor Oil, Phoenix Oil Change, Tuscon Oil Change
Posted in Oil Change Tips | Comments Off