Spring Auto Tips
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1907 Van Vranken Avenue
Schenectady, New York 12308
518-377-4722
Located in Schenectady, NY
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Spring Tips

Regular maintenance keeps you safe, is cheaper than emergency repairs, and can increase the car’s resale value. We offer a 10% discount on services listed here. Schedule your car’s maintenance using these tips or your owner’s manual.

Write it on your calendar

  1. Tires are so important, check them three ways:
    1. Check air pressures monthly.
    2. Check tire treads for uneven wear, indicating worn suspension parts or bad wheel alignment.
    3. Check treads depth; we recommend treads be at least a quarter inch deep.
  2. If you need tires, we sell Dunlop and Kelly tires. We have used tires too.
  3. As it ages, antifreeze build up acids that eat away at the metals in your engine and cooling system, causing the parts to fail. Change antifreeze every two to three years.
  4. Brake fluid absorbs moisture that will destroy all the components in the brake system. Flush and replace every two to three years.

Check before trips

  1. Belts and hoses that fail can leave you stranded on the road. Before traveling, check belts for cracks, fraying, and glazing. Check hoses for cracks and weak spots.
  2. Nothing is worse than getting a flat tire and not having a good spare. Before loading the car, make sure you have a jack in the trunk and a spare tire with enough air pressure.
  3. Your car’s battery and battery cables need to be in good condition in the summer because hot engines are hard to start. Check cable ends for corrosion. Ask us to load-test your battery.

Count the miles

  1. Engine oil becomes contaminated with acids, carbon, gas, and dirt as you drive. Your engine will last a long time if the moving parts are well lubricated with good, clean oil. Change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles.
  2. Brakes are your car’s #1 safety feature. Make sure they work at their best. If you change the brakes before they start grinding, it will cost less and you’ll be safer. Check every 20,000 miles or six months. (Always ask for all four wheels to be checked.)
  3. Transmission fluid doesn’t last forever. Gears, bearings, and clutches wear out faster when the fluid is old. Replace transmission fluid every 30,000 miles.
  4. The timing belt usually gives no warning before breaking. When it does, the engine stops and will not start. On some cars the valves hit the tops of the pistons and bend, requiring a $800 to $1,500 valve job. Changing the timing belt on schedule is good insurance at $150 to $300. Most manufacturers recommend timing belt replacement every 60,000 miles.

In the event of an emergency

  1. If any dashboard warning lights come on, don’t keep driving. You could ruin the engine! Pull over and ask for help. A tow is cheaper than an engine.
  2. Shock absorbers and struts in good shape give you a comfortable ride and keep your tires in contract with the road. Have your shocks and struts checked if you feel your car bouncing over dips in the road or shuddering when going around a bumpy corner.
Call us for FREE estimates!
518-377-4722
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