Wednesday, 28 March 2012

Oil changes: Why should I know about the 3 types of oil?

To keep the moving parts of your engine lubricated, oil changes are very important. To prevent excessive engine wear and tear, auto mechanics will recommend an oil change on a regular basis. This is vital to keep your vehicle functioning efficiently.
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Here are some basic facts about oil changes:

Grades: Each type of oil is graded by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The higher the grade number–up to 70–the higher the viscosity (or thickness). These numbers are often referred to as weight. Some common weights include 5W-30, 10W-20 and 10W-30.
Viscosity: This is an important factor in determining which type of oil is right for your car. Too thin, and it won’t lubricate the engine parts well enough when it heats up. Most vehicles can use “multi-viscosity,” which has passed the SAE specifications--thinner at lower temperatures and thicker at higher temperatures. When choosing the proper type for your next oil change, you will want to consider the climate in which you drive your vehicle.

What kind is the best to use?

There are three main kinds–-conventional, synthetic and synthetic blend.

  • Conventional is organic and limited in its capabilities, and is highly reactive to temperatures.
  • Synthetic gives you better engine performance, as it is more slippery than conventional and has fewer imperfections in its chemical buildup. Synthetic can cost up to three times as much as conventional; but you don’t have to have an oil change quite as often.
  • Synthetic blend is a combination of conventional and synthetic. This type is usually less expensive, and it provides some of the performance enhancement you get from a synthetic.
If you’re in doubt, it is best to follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, When it’s time for your next oil change, consult your local auto mechanic for the final say--they’ll know what’s right for your vehicle.
Need expert advice about oil changes? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Precision Automotive today. Call (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information and to find our oil change coupons. Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also services vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Car Maintenance: 4 Tools to Have on Hand!

For the ambitious and cost-conscious vehicle owner, you could save yourself some money by taking care of basic vehicle maintenance in your driveway. But it helps to have the right tools on hand and just a little bit of know-how,.

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Here are four Do-It-Yourself tools for the casual home mechanic:


Shop Towels-You should always keep a roll of shop towels handy at home, and make sure you’ve got a few in your glove box, too. Shop towels are useful for all sorts of tasks, but especially when it’s time to check your car’s oil. When you initially pull the dipstick out, it’ll be coated with oil, so you’ll need to wipe it off before reinserting it for accurate measurement.

A Funnel-When it’s time to add a bit of oil, an all-purpose funnel comes in handy. You really want to avoid dumping flammable liquid all over your hot engine if you can help it. A funnel also comes in handy if, your car overheats and you need to add water or coolant. Again, checking and adding fluids will save you expensive vehicle maintenance costs in the future.

A Tire Pressure Gauge-Flat tires are safety hazards of course, so checking them regularly is important. Radial tires especially, need to be checked with a tire pressure gauge. If you want to avoid expensive car maintenance and premature tire purchases, take the time and effort to regularly check the pressure in your vehicle’s tires.

Pair of Jack Stands-If you start hearing the mournful groan of dying brake pads, for example, quality jack stands will come in handy for doing minor brake repair or other simple vehicle maintenance jobs. Jack stands are also useful if you plan on changing your own oil. For safety, use a pair of jack stands, one for each side of your vehicle.

Taking care of minor vehicle maintenance jobs can save you a considerable amount of money in the long run. It also can give you a positive sense of accomplishment as you personally take care of your automobile. You will find repeated use for these do-it-yourself tools as you continue to service your car.

Do you need professional advice on vehicle maintenance? To make sure your vehicle has the proper car maintenance and is operating as safe as possible, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Precision Automotive today. Call (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information. Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also services vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.

Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Car Service: Is a Car Repair needed for a car that won’t start?

Before you call a tow truck to take you to the nearest auto shop for an inconvenient car repair, a little bit of effort on your part can save your auto mechanic a lot of time trying to guess what happened and why. You might actually avoid a costly car service if you can find the problem yourself.

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If your car won’t start, here are some simple things to check:


  • Headlights? If they are on and are bright, then the battery is working efficiently. Most likely there is a problem with the starter, or something is hampering the course of the electricity from the battery to the starter. The starter takes electricity from the battery and turns the engine over to start the piston explosion process. In this case, a car repair will be necessary to take care of a faulty starter.
  • Fuel Gauge? If the motor turns over but won’t start, first make sure you haven’t run out of gas before assuming the worst!
  • Compression? Does the engine sound like it is turning over fully, or does it sound too fast or too slow? A broken timing belt or chain will cause the engine to turn over very easily and fast because the compression process is not taking place. You will definitely need to schedule a car repair if this is the case.
  • Tires? Are the front tires up against the curb? Sometimes it is hard to turn the key if the tires are in a bind on a curb, or if the car has rolled back a bit after placed in PARK. In this case, turn the steering wheel hard to the right, or try to physically move or rock the car forward to release the key.

At this point you have ruled out the battery, belts, lack of fuel, and position of the tires. If your car still won’t start, it’s time to call that tow truck for an inevitable car repair. When you call for help, be specific about the nature of the "no start" problem you've experienced. Saving your mechanic time should save you dollars on a car repair.

Need a quality car service by expert auto mechanics? Contact the ASE Certified Technicians at Precision Automotive today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information. Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also services vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.