Preventive Maintenance
A Change for the Better? Just Ask Your Brakes.
Changing the many fluids in a vehicle is always a change for the better. Dirty engine oil, transmission fluid or anti-freeze are bad news for a car. But what about brake fluid? Many motorists know that this fluid should be topped off, but changed? Brake fluid in the typical vehicle can become contaminated in two…
Read MoreMyth: Only New Car Dealers Can Do Warranty Service
True or false: Until your vehicle is out-of-warranty, all maintenance services must be done at the car dealership or your factory warranty will be void. Although you may have answered “true,” the correct answer is “false.” By law, any independent repair shop can provide the services to maintain your new car warranty. Douglas Automotive Repair…
Read MoreDo I Need to Re-Pack My Wheel Bearings?
I remember my dad having the shop “pack the bearings” on the family car. Is this something you need to have done? At one time, all wheel bearings were “serviceable” and needed to be taken care of from time to time. It’s a little trickier these days. First off, the wheel bearings in your vehicle…
Read MoreGetting Your Car Ready for College
Students are busy preparing for college and the last thing on their list – if it makes the list at all – is checking out the condition of the car they will take to school. The expectation may be that parents handle the routine auto maintenance, but regardless of who does it, a thorough check-up…
Read MoreWhen Should I Replace My Windshield Wipers?
When should I replace my windshield wipers? Well, most car owners wait until they fail. The problem with that is that you find out they have failed when you actually need them most – a little too late. Wiper blades are really an essential safety system for car owners. As you can imagine, 90% of…
Read MoreAsk the Tech: What is Power Brake Service?
What is power brake service and why do I need to have it done? Imagine: you pour a tablespoon of water in your hand and throw it as hard as you can. Now, suppose you suck up a tablespoon of water into a syringe, push the plunger and squirt it out. Which would go further?…
Read MoreAsk the Tech: What Can I Do to Improve Fuel Efficiency?
There are actually a lot of things you can do – some of them are pretty easy. One of the first things motorists should do is make sure their tires are properly inflated. On the inside of the driver’s door or door jamb is a plate that indicates the correct tire pressure. Careful – there…
Read MoreCaring for Your Car During Summer
Summer can be tough on cars, especially during high temperatures when heat can destroy batteries and stress the cooling system and tires. As a precaution, these vehicle components should be checked periodically during summer to help avoid breakdowns and car problems. Excessive heat and overcharging shorten the life of a battery. Heat causes battery fluid…
Read MoreGet Ready For Winter
Part of parenting is dispensing driving advice. For example, in icy weather young drivers may be told, “Take it slow. Don’t drive any faster than the speed at which you’re willing to hit a brick wall.” Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad. Driving slowly and cautiously is good advice, but Douglas Automotive Repair Inc reminds drivers of…
Read MoreAvoiding Road Debris Could Be Simple With Preventative Vehicle Check
Many of the more than 25,000 vehicle accidents caused by debris on the highway could be avoided by simple maintenance, according to the Car Care Council. “Although avoiding some of the things that might fall off a truck is impossible, there are things a driver can do to be proactive in trying to prevent a…
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