Santa Fe oil change « Brake Buddy's Auto Repair & Maintenance Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Santa Fe oil change’

Ways To Remember When It’s Time For An Oil Change

Friday, March 18th, 2011

If there is one thing you shouldn’t forget about, it’s an oil change.

Getting a Las Cruces oil change or a Santa Fe oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is very important. An oil change extends the life of your vehicle and ensures it’s in good working condition.

We know it’s hard to remember when to get an oil change. That is why we’ve come up with a list of some of the best ways to remember when it’s time for an oil change. Here are some of the best ways to remember.

Mark It On A Calendar: If you have trouble remembering when to get an oil change, mark it down on a calendar. Calculate how much you drive a week and then estimate the date you will be at 3,000 miles. Mark it on a calendar or planner that you regularly use.

Don’t Remove Service Stickers: A lot of times, you’ll get a service sticker in your window after an oil change. If you want to remember about your next oil change, don’t remove the sticker. Your mechanics place those stickers on your windshield as a friendly reminder.

Download A Smartphone App: There are plenty of apps for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android phones that can remind you about an oil change. The Oil Change App by Dash Technologies allows you to set reminders for the mileage and estimated date of your next oil change. You can also enter the type of oil that you used on your last oil change.

Set Up An Email Event: If you use a program like Microsoft Outlook at work, set up a reminder on your work calendar. Have it set for a Friday so you can get the oil change during the weekend.

Following any of these tips will help you to remember when it’s time to change your vehicle’s oil. How do you remember when it’s time to get an oil change? Leave a comment below.

Tags: Las Cruces oil change, oil change, oil change reminders, Santa Fe oil change
Posted in Oil Change Tips | Comments Off

U.S. Winter Road Trip Destinations

Monday, January 24th, 2011

skiing Who says vacations have to happen during the summer?

Taking a winter road trip is often a lot cheaper than taking one during the summer time. That’s because gas prices are typically lower during the winter. Also, you won’t have to deal with as much traffic as you typically would during the summer time.

If you’ve never taken a winter road trip, here are some great destinations, you should consider:

Rocky Mountain States

States like Utah and Colorado are great winter road trip destinations. They get plenty of snow up in the Rocky Mountains, which makes it great for skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. Colorado boasts more than 25 ski resorts. If you love winter sports, this is the place you want to visit.

Desert States

If you don’t like the snow, you should visit Arizona, Nevada or New Mexico. These states have warmer winters. There are great national parks and tourist destinations. You can visit the Strip in Las Vegas or you can see the Grand Canyon. If you’re thinking about seeing the Grand Canyon, it’s important to note the North Rim is closed during the winter and there’s always the chance of snow.

Southern California

Southern California is another great winter destination. You can visit San Diego or Los Angeles. There’s plenty to do. You can take the family to Disneyland in the Los Angeles area or you can go down south to the San Diego Zoo. There are also plenty of great parks to visit in California.

Texas

Texas is another excellent place to visit in the winter. There’s the Alamo and River Walk in San Antonio. You can also visit the big cities of Dallas and Houston, which have great shopping and dining. There’s also plenty of Six Flags amusement parks and a Sea World in Texas.

Summary

No matter where you decide to travel this winter, be sure your car or truck is in great working condition. Before you go on any road trips, be sure to have a Santa Fe oil change or a Sacramento car tune up.

Tags: Sacramento car tune up, Santa Fe oil change, winter road trip destinations, winter trip ideas
Posted in Driving Tips | Comments Off

Car Battery Maintenance Tips For Extreme Weather

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

Car Battery

With colder weather right around the corner, it’s important to check your car battery.

A car battery’s power is significantly reduced when temperatures are extremely hot or extremely cold. To save yourself the hassle of pulling out your jumper cables, we’ve listed some of the most important car battery maintenance tips.

Change Your Battery Every Three to Four Years

If there’s one tip you should know about your car batter, it’s that you should change it every three to four years. The lifespan of a car or truck battery depends greatly on where you live.

In warmer places, extreme heat can really drain the life out your battery. Also, if you don’t drive your car or truck often, you may need to pull out the jumper cables to recharge it.

Signs You May Need A New Car Battery

Below are some signs that you may need a new car battery.

The battery is older than three or four years old and you’re having trouble starting the car.
Build up around the terminals.
Corrosion or leaks in battery.

Battery Replacement

Replacing your car or truck’s battery is a simple process. Be sure to visit any auto parts store and speak with a service representative to get the right battery for your car or truck.

For safety purposes, work in a secure environment and wear gloves to protect yourself from dried battery acid.

Step 1 Open trunk and locate battery: The battery is a rectangular box located on one side of the car frame.

Step 2 Locate terminals and disconnect: Find the positive and negative terminals. These should usually be marked and loosen the terminal clamps with a wrench.

Step 3 Remove the battery: Remove any fasteners holding the battery in place and remove the battery. Be sure to be careful when removing the battery. Dropping the battery could cause serious injury.

Step 4 Install new battery: Place the new car battery in place. Be sure you place the positive and negative terminals on the proper sides.

Step 5 Reconnect the clamps: Once you have the battery in place, reconnect the terminal clamps to the terminals. Apply some battery grease to protect against corrosion. Battery grease comes in spray cans. You can usually find it at any auto parts store.

Installing a battery is a simple process. However, if you are having difficulties we recommend going to a reputable mechanic during your next Las Cruces car tune up or your next Santa Fe oil change.

Tags: car battery maintenance, Las Cruces car tune up, Santa Fe oil change
Posted in Automotive Maintenance | Comments Off

Selecting The Right Engine Coolant

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

anti freeze

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
Posted in Car Fluids Info | Comments Off

How To Replace A Fuse In Your Car Or Truck

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

If you’ve been driving your car or truck long enough, you’re bound to encounter a blown fuse.

A blown fuse means some electrical feature of your car is no longer working. Often it’s the radio, interior lights or turn signals. Checking to see if a fuse is blown is an easy process.

Following these steps will help to determine if you need to replace your fuse.

Step 1: Find your owner’s manual and locate the section on fuses. Your owner’s manual will tell you where the fuse box is located. The fuse box is often somewhere below the dash. It’s usually to the left of the steering wheel or near the parking brake.

Step 2: After locating the fuse box, remove the fuse box cover. It should usually snap open. You may need to open it with a screwdriver.

Step 3: Using your owner’s manual, locate the diagram. The diagram will tell you which fuse corresponds with the stereo, interior lighting, etc. Sometimes the fuse diagram is on the lid of the fuse box.

Step 4: Remove the fuse for the electrical feature that is no longer working. You may need tweezers to remove the fuse.

Step 5: After removing a fuse, turn it over to see if it is blown. Check the metal link inside the fuse. If it is separated, the fuse is broken and needs to be replaced.

Buying Fuses

Every parts store should carry fuses. Visit any nearby parts store to purchase replacement fuses. Before buying, check to see if your car has some extra fuses. Some cars come with extras.

Installing the Fuse

Installing a new fuse is easy. Just push the new fuse into place and reattach the fuse box lid. Check to see if the malfunctioning part is now working. If it’s not, you may have some other electrical issue. For lights, it may be the light bulb.

If you’re having any trouble diagnosing an electrical problem, a technician can help you during an El Paso car tune up or a Santa Fe oil change.

Tags: car fuse, El Paso Car Tune Up, fuse replacement, replace car fuse, Santa Fe oil change
Posted in Car Repair | 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

How To Decrease Auto Repair Costs

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.

Research prospective mechanics. Check the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints.

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

How To Check Your Engine Coolant

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Engine coolant is an important yet often overlooked liquid that keeps your vehicle from overheating and causing a great deal of damage. It is a part of a standard Santa Fe car tune up but most people pay much less attention to it than their Santa Fe oil change. To prevent that from happening, it is important that you check your coolant levels regularly and immediately address any problems.

Remember that before doing any work around your engine, you need to turn off your vehicle and wait for the engine to cool.

Once you have opened the hood and located coolant overflow tank, locate the “full” and “low” marks on the tank. The blue liquid in the tank is the coolant should be as close to the full line as possible.

If the tank is well below the full line, refill it with new coolant to full and also take note of how low it is. If you are finding that you are constantly having to replace your coolant, or if there is nearly no coolant in the tank, you may have a leak.

If this happens, it’s important that you head to a mechanic to get the problem addresses right away.

Tags: Engine Coolant, Santa Fe Car Tune Up, Santa Fe oil change
Posted in Car Fluids Info | 2 Comments »

Changing the Type of Oil in Your Car

Monday, March 8th, 2010

When getting a Las Cruces oil change many people wonder if it’s a good idea to mix oils. There is an idea that some people have that if you mix synthetic and regular oil together then you will end up with a combined oil in your vehicle that gives you the benefits of both.

This idea seems to be little more than guesswork and may even be harmful to your vehicle. Without a strong understanding of your vehicle’s engine, mixing together different oils to create some superior formula is best left to the scientists. While it may not always cause a real problem, it certainly can and the risk is not worth the reward.

The best thing you can do to insure the longevity of your vehicle is to choose one type of oil and stick with it. If you have been getting your Santa Fe oil change from the same place for awhile, chances are that this is already what they are doing. Ask them what they use and try to stick with it.

Tags: Las Cruces oil change, oil changes, Santa Fe oil change
Posted in Oil Change Tips | 1 Comment »