Maintenance at Natomas Automotive

MAINTENANCE

Preventative Maintenance is a schedule of planned maintenance actions aimed at the prevention of breakdowns and failures. The primary goal of preventative maintenance is to help prolong the life of the vehicle and reduce vehicle failures therefore providing a worry free driving experience. Automotive technician say the key to keeping vehicles running well, both today and down the road, is routine, preventative maintenance. Many drivers tend to stall when it comes to keeping up with some everyday automotive basics.

A recent survey by the Car Care Council found that several cars on the road were lacking in simple and routine maintenance areas. Most of the checks and services described here can be done at little or no cost. Best of all, they are quick and easy to do.

The Car Care Council 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

Additionally, check out our recommendations below to keep your ride at its best.

SUMMER TIPS

Radiator Fluid - Hot weather and long drives combine to put particularly high stress on a car's cooling system. Make sure to fill the radiator and overflow canister with a 50/50 mix of a good quality coolant (antifreeze) and water to prevent overheating while on the road.

Engine Oil - Make sure your engine oil level is filled to capacity and is clean to avoid damage to your motor. Remove and clean dipstick. Re-insert; then pull out. The engine oil should reach the top line. If not, add 1/2 a quart of oil at a time and recheck. The oil should also have a rich, honey-like consistency with no clumps.

Transmission Fluid - Check the transmission fluid just as you would the engine oil to prevent blowing your transmission. The transmission fluid should have a deep raspberry color, never feel gritty, and not smell burned.

Tire Tread - Check tires for excessive or uneven wear to prevent a rough, wobbly ride or blow out. If the tread has irregular wear, you may need an alignment or have a suspension problem. An easy test is to insert a penny into the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, you need new tires.

Tire Pressure - Use a tire gauge to make sure pressures are set to the manufacturer's recommendations marked on the sidewall. Also, make sure the car has been sitting idle for at least one to two hours before checking and setting the tire pressure. Under-inflated tires are a hazard and can cut fuel economy, and over-inflated tires can generate more heat, wear out more quickly and can cause a rough ride or blow out. Don't forget to make sure your spare also is properly inflated.

WINTER TIPS

Battery Check - When cold weather approaches moisture in the air will cause battery corrosion on the terminals to make a bad connection and a no start condition.

Tire Tread - You will need proper tread and proper tire pressure in order to have traction when wet weather approaches to keep from hydro-planning and losing control.

Radiator Fluid - Extreme cold weather puts stress on a engine when sitting cold. It could blow out the freeze plugs or even crack the engine block.

Washer Fluid - You should have a mixture of washer fluid to prevent it from freezing up in extreme cold weather.

Wiper Blades - Should be checked for torn, or missing blades. Wiper blades should be flexible so they wipe the water off the windshield. In the summer they get cooked and become hard, not flexible and chatter across the glass causing streaks, becoming a safety issue.

MAINTENANCE

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SUMMER TIPS

WINTER TIPS