Good Vehicle Maintenance: Polish or Wax?

It's time for a little TLC (i.e., vehicle maintenance) as spring has finally arrived. Good car maintenance means not only taking care of the inside working parts of your vehicle, but also making sure the outside looks good. The question many drivers ask is, "Do I polish or wax--it's the same thing, right?" No, polishing and waxing are two completely different processes for different reasons.

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When do you Polish?

Polishing is a process that uses abrasives to actually take a VERY thin layer of your paint away. It is during this step that all the shine should appear on your car before wax is applied. Otherwise, any fine scratches in the paint or clearcoat will reappear as the wax wears off. If in doubt as to the type of product to use, ask your car maintenance technician for a recommendation. Remember, the paint layer and clearcloat is very thin, especially on factory paint. So, make sure to always err on the side of too mild abrasive, rather than too harsh.

When do you Wax?

Wax should only be applied AFTER the polishing process above is done. Waxing is used solely to protect the polished shine from the elements. A pure wax will contain zero abrasives and contains just the product necessary to protect your paint and enhance shine. Some products claim to shine and protect in one step. Read the label to make sure what you are buying as these products can compromise the process.

What are the "sight lines?"

Your final polish, and later wax job, should be along the lines that people will use to see the car--basically along the long axis of the car. Your car should now have all the shine you could ever hope for—and with the right waxing, will stay looking that way for weeks.

Need professional advice about good car maintenance to restore the shine? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Price's Precision auto shop today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information about vehicle maintenance. Our Tech-Net professional auto shop in Billings, MT, also serves vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.

Brakes Service: Does “Payload” Affect Brakes?

You've seen the commercials for pickup trucks--heavy-duty machinery hoisting construction materials so hefty that when placed in the bed of the truck, the entire back dips under the weight, and then bounces back up. Most pickup drivers want to be able to carry a large payload. Does payload make a difference when it comes to the efficiency of brakes?

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What is the Payload Effect?

How much Weight -- "Payload capacity" usually refers to how much weight a truck can safely carry in both passengers and cargo in the cab and bed. Overloading a truck changes how it steers and brakes. Even though a payload may be within a safe amount, it still puts a strain on brakes, creating a higher braking temperature. The increased weight can also make steering more difficult.

Distribution of the Load –- The distribution of weight also plays a role in how payload affects steering and braking. A heavy or oddly distributed payload can occasionally cause brakes to lock up.

Shifting/Moving -- Cargo should always be properly secured with padding added as necessary to keep it from moving around. Don't put any unnecessary strain on the brakes, or allow damage to the cargo.

Remember: Take extra care and avoid sudden or hard stops while driving with a heavy load. This will help keep the strain on brakes to a minimum.

If you're not sure as to the correct payload your pickup truck or automobile can handle, be sure to ask your brake service technician for expert advice.

Have questions about brakes and the payload effect? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Price's Precision auto shop today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information about brake service. Our Tech-Net professional auto shop in Billings, MT, also serves vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.

Keep Your Wheel Alignment in Place: Adopt Smart Driving Practices

As we discussed in a previous article, pothole season has arrived along with spring. Drivers need to be extra careful navigating the roads. Loss of the proper wheel alignment is a common issue resulting from the bumpy roads. There are things you can do before, during and after hitting a pothole. Preventive strategy is about preparation, driving skills and reacting appropriately when a pothole sneaks up to surprise you.

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BEFORE: Adopt smarter driving practices:

• Reduce any damage that a poor car alignment or tire failure can cause by following these smart driving tips:
• Check your tire pressure. If a tire is too soft, it handles poorly and a sudden bump may rupture it if the wheel rims pinch against the jagged edge of a pothole. Over-inflated tires are susceptible to damage as well.

• Have a clean windshield! Your field of vision is critical.
• Observe the vehicles ahead of you–if other cars are swerving and stopping, it's because of a problem in the road.
• Beware of puddles–it might have a nasty, deep and sharp-edged pothole lurking below.

• Reduce your speed on roads that are prone to potholes. Slower hits generally involve less damage from a wheel alignment or tire failure.
• Stay focused and pay attention to the traffic in front, behind and alongside you. Don't cause an accident while swerving to avoid a pothole.
• Don't tailgate—this restricts your ability to anticipate potholes or sudden braking by the vehicle in front of you.

DURING: React quickly and intelligently:

• Brake only lightly, if at all, and be sure to let off the brakes entirely the moment before impact. Clamping down on your brakes at higher speeds not only could result in a rear-end collision, but also compresses the front-end suspension system. Hard braking can actually cause greater contact between the tire and the pothole where it might otherwise glide over it.

• Do not swerve in a last ditch attempt to avoid the pothole. Aside from creating a hazard for vehicles immediately behind and beside you, you risk hitting the pothole on an oblique angle, which can cause more damage to the tire, wheel rim and car alignment.

AFTER: Reduce any damage:

Immediately pay attention to whether or not you have a flat tire. Pull off the road as soon as possible to change your tire to minimize the damage to your wheel rim.

Check tire rims to see if they were bent, if there is visible cord material or bulging that could fail later while driving.

Note if your car pulls to one side, suggesting that the wheel alignment is off and needs mechanical attention.

Is a wheel alignment needed? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Price's Precision auto shop today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information. Our Tech-Net professional auto shop in Billings, MT, also serves vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.

Engine Service: Take Care of Your Hardworking Car!

Did you know that an engine replacement can be the costliest engine repair for your car? Sad to say, but most engine malfunctions can be avoided with better preventive maintenance. Take the welfare of your car seriously and have the appropriate engine service on a regular basis and avoid an expensive engine repair.

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Engines are a true marvel consisting of high temperatures, hundreds of moving parts, electrical systems working alongside complicated mechanical systems. It operates at thousands of repetitions per minute while we sit in a comfortable seat relaxing with very minimal effort. Reward your car for its hard work with the appropriate engine service.

Engine Service Tips:

    * Timing belts and timing chains are the most common major engine service. They should be checked every 60,000 miles and again at 100,000 miles.

    * Oil leaks are a clear indicator of a needed engine service. Oil leaks are almost always the direct result of poor maintenance. Seals become hard and dry and do not protect against fluid loss. Leaks can lead to catastrophic engine failures.

    * Make sure you get fluid flushes and fuel injection cleanings as recommended by the manufacturer. Read your owner's manual or check with you auto mechanic for the appropriate intervals.

    * Tune-ups may be a good resource for your vehicle. A tune-up means different things for different cars, but it typically involves spark plug replacement, spark plug wire inspection, setting the timing belt or timing chain, a thorough, diagnostic inspection of engine parts and the replacement of air filters and fuel filters where applicable.

    * Your engine is a complex machine and other components will break down occasionally. Don't forget to take care of repair services for your car's ignition systems, ignition wires, crank case, fuel pump, water pump, sensors (including oxygen sensor, sometimes referred to as an O2 sensor), distributor cap and rotor.

A well maintained vehicle is a fuel efficient vehicle. With the proper engine service and preventative maintenance, your vehicle's fuel mileage can increase significantly and give you smooth driving for many miles to come.

Looking for quality engine repair? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Price's Precision auto shop today by calling (406) 248-2838, or go on-line to www.pricesprecisionauto.com for more information about our engine service. Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also services vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.