Posts Tagged ‘Preventive Maintenance’
Making Your Vehicle Last With Regular Service
A lot of people in Illinois have older vehicles. They’re good commuters, grocery-getters or toy-haulers. They enjoy that fact that they’re paid off, or soon will be. They would gladly like to keep their vehicles for 200,000 miles or more – as long as it’s economical to do so. There are plenty of people whose…
Read MoreIf It Looks Like A Flat, Feels Like A Flat, And Sounds Like A Flat, Guess What…!
A flat tire shouldn’t be reason for panic. “In schools where drivers’ education isn’t available,” observes one educator, “tire changing ought to be included in home economics.” It is suggested that motorists who are unprepared to deal with a flat tire are faced not only with added expense and inconvenience; they also are more vulnerable…
Read MoreThe ABCs of Car Care for New Drivers
It’s never too early to learn the ABCs of car care. A – Always follow a preventative vehicle maintenance plan. B – Be sure to have your car inspected when you suspect there is a problem. C – Correct the problem to help avoid the inconvenience and potential safety hazards of breaking down away from…
Read MoreDoes Your Car Make The Grade?
As the end of summer nears, students are getting ready to head back to school. Whether it’s driving to college or carpooling with other neighborhood families, a properly maintained car is the safest, most dependable way to go. When your passengers are your children and their classmates, making sure your car gets more than a…
Read MoreHeadlamp Replacement and Restoration
Way too many accidents happen at night. There are a lot of factors, but a big one is simply visibility; if you can’t see something, it’s hard to avoid hitting it. There are some things you can do to make sure you see as much as possible when driving in the dark. First of all, keep your windshield clean.…
Read MoreDid You Know About Timing Belt?
They say timing is everything. That’s doubly true when it comes to your timing belt. First, your timing belt keeps your valves operating in time with your engine so that it runs properly. Second, if you replace your timing belt on schedule, you’ll likely avoid the downtime and expense that can result from a broken…
Read MoreA 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 MoreThe Super 7 Air Conditioning Checklist
Hours spent in a hot, stifling vehicle can spoil a weekend getaway or vacation. Conducting a periodic under-hood inspection may help you spot air conditioning problems before they spoil your trip. Here’s what to look for. Note: Always be extremely careful any time you’re under the hood while the engine is running. Stay away from…
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…
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