Why Cars Need Preventive Maintenance

Manufacturers know that a properly maintained car will be more dependable, safer, last longer, and increase your satisfaction with their product.  Regular maintenance helps accomplish these goals by keeping your engine running efficiently and eliminating potential problems that may leave you stranded.

What's in it for you?

• More Dependable Car
• A car that retains the "new car feel"
• Less chance of a costly breakdown
• A safer car for you and your family
• Doing your part for cleaner air
• A car worth more at trade in or sale
• An intact warranty

Manufacturer Maintenance Schedules

The manufacturer creates detailed maintenance schedules outlining specific operations to be performed on various components and systems. This is done at different mileage intervals to ensure proper operation and prevent premature wear. The manufacturer also indicates what services must be done to maintain the factory warranty and extended warranty.

Oil is an essential lubricant in your engine. It lets metal press against metal without damage. For example, it lubricates the pistons as they move up and down in the cylinders. Without oil, the metal-on-metal friction creates so much heat that eventually the surfaces weld themselves together and the engine seizes.

Let's say that your engine has plenty of oil, but you never change it. Two things will definitely happen:

Dirt will accumulate in the oil. The filter will remove the dirt for a while, but eventually the filter will clog and the dirty oil will automatically bypass the filter through a relief valve. Dirty oil is thick and abrasive, so it causes more wear.

Eventually, as the oil gets dirtier and dirtier, it will stop lubricating and the engine will quickly wear and fail. Don't worry, this isn't going to happen if you forget to change your oil one month and it goes over the recommended change interval by 500 miles. You would have to run the same oil through the engine for a long time before it caused catastrophic failure.

Warning Signs You Need New Brakes

They may not be something you think about very often, but your vehicle’s brakes are one feature that should always be in top working condition. Let’s look at how to know when you need new brakes.

Have you ever heard a high-pitched screeching sound when you applied your brakes? That’s a small metal shim, called an indicator, which is giving you an audible warning that you need to replace your brake pads. You should be aware of this sound. If you hear it regularly, make an appointment with your mechanic.

One exception is if your car has been sitting after being exposed to water, such as from rain or from washing it. The moisture can cause a thin layer of rust to develop on the brake rotors. This is normal. When you first apply the brakes, the pads pressing on the rust-covered rotors may cause a squeal for a few stops until the rust is worn off and then the sound will disappear.

Here are some other signs of brake problems.

• Reduced responsiveness or fading. If your brakes are not as responsive as they should be or if the pedal “sinks” toward the floor, this could be an indication of a leak in the braking system. It could be an air leak (in the brake hose) or a brake fluid leak. One telltale sign of a brake fluid leak is the presence of a small puddle of fluid when the car is parked. Brake fluid looks similar to fresh motor oil, but with a less “slimy” texture.

• Pulling. If your vehicle “pulls” to one side while braking, it may be a sign that the brake linings are wearing unevenly or that there is foreign matter in the brake fluid. Your vehicle may need a brake adjustment or to have the fluid drained and replaced.

• Grinding or growling. This loud metallic sound means that you have worn down the pads completely, most likely beyond replacement. The grinding or growling noise is caused by the two pieces of metal (the disc and the caliper) rubbing together. This can “score,” or scratch your rotors, creating an uneven surface. If this happens, do not be surprised if your rotors need to be replaced.

• Vibration. A vibration or pulsating brake pedal is often a symptom of warped rotors (but can also indicate that your vehicle is out of alignment). The vibration can feel similar to the feedback in the brake pedal during a panic stop in a vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes.

It is a sign of warped rotors if the vibration occurs during braking situations when the anti-lock brakes are not engaged. The vibration is felt because the brake pads are not able to grab the surface evenly.

For many owners, maintaining the vehicle’s brakes is something that is often overlooked. But keeping your brakes properly calibrated and in good working order can prevent costly repairs down the line, and, more importantly, help you avoid a collision.

The primary function of your cars suspension and steering systems is to allow the wheels to move independently of the car, while keeping it "suspended" and stable. Any play or uncontrolled motion in these systems results in a deterioration of handling and accelerated tire wear. Vehicle alignment is closely tied to the condition of the suspension and steering systems.

Steering Systems

Worn or loose components affect the ability to control the toe angle, and may result in a loss of directional stability and accelerated tire wear. The main components of a Conventional system are:

• Steering Gear Box
• Center Link
• Center Link
• Pitman Arm
• Idler Arm
• Tie Rods

The main components of a Rack and Pinion steering system are:

• Rack and Pinion Assembly
• Bellows Boots
• Tie Rods

The "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" light comes on the dash when your car's computer detects a problem that affects your vehicle emissions. It could be a problem with the engine, transmission, one of the emission control systems or as simple as your gas cap is not on tight. Think of it as an early warning that may help you catch a problem with your car before it gets worse.

Here are the five most common reasons your "check engine" light might come on.

1. Faulty oxygen sensor
The sensor measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the exhaust and tells the car's computer how much fuel is in the tank. If a faulty one is not repaired, the car's gas mileage could drop, since the sensor is sending incorrect information to the car.

2. Loose or missing gas cap
Technicians will often tighten the gas cap for free, or replace it for a few dollars. If it's not replaced, gas will evaporate from the car and decrease its gas mileage.

3. Broken catalytic converter
The catalytic converter uses a catalyst — most often a precious metal such as platinum  to convert harmful gases left over from combustion to less harmful emissions.

4. Malfunctioning mass air flow sensor
This sensor measures the amount of air supplied to the engine, which determines how much fuel should be delivered. When it malfunctions, it can result in a loss of power to the car, surges during acceleration and a decrease in fuel economy.

5. Misfiring spark plugs
Spark plugs are small but essential, since they make the car go by ign

Your exhaust system is more than a muffler. It is a series of pipes that run under your car, connected to your muffler and catalytic converter. The main function of your exhaust system is to control noise and to funnel exhaust fumes away from passengers.

A car's exhaust system routes waste gases from the engine to the rear of the car, Exhaust gases contain dangerous substances such as carbon monoxide, which can be hazardous if allowed to flow into the passenger housing of the car.

The exhaust system also converts pollutants into less harmful by products, reduces the noise of the engine, and directs exhaust gases so they can be used to heat air and fuel before they go into the engine's cylinders to be burned. Finally, the exhaust system provides just the right amount of backpressure into the engine to improve its fuel-burning efficiency and increase performance. Key components of your exhaust system include:

Exhaust Pipes:

Designed specifically for each car model to properly route exhaust to the back of the car.

Exhaust Manifold:

Acts like a funnel, collecting exhaust gases from all cylinders and releasing it through a single opening. Some engines have two.

Catalytic Converter:

Designed to reduce the amount of harmful emissions products by transforming pollutants into water vapor and less harmful gases.

Muffler:

Metal container with holes, baffles, and chambers that muffles exhaust noise.

Resonator:

Works with the muffler to reduce noise.

Tail Pipe:

Found at the back of the car, the tail pipe is designed to carry exhaust gases away from the vehicle

All components of the exhaust system are connected with a series of clamps, hangers, flanges, and gaskets.