A Gift for your Car: A Timely Tune-up!

This is the season for gift giving.  Don’t forget your vehicle, whether it’s old or new.  If it’s been squealing, sluggish, vibrating, and generally unreliable, it’s time to give it a tune-up.  Today’s vehicles differ significantly from older models that required a car tune up every 10,000 or 20,000 miles.  It’s now more common for manufacturer- recommended service intervals to stretch to 100,000 miles before certain maintenance items, such as replacing the spark plugs, need to be taken care of. 

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That doesn’t mean that routine maintenance or potential warning signs should be ignored.  Replacing a vehicle is expensive. A more economical alternative is to take care of the one you have. Start by paying attention to what your vehicle might be trying to tell you and by recognizing the signs that it’s tune-up time.

 1. Dashboard Warning lights.  These lights signal that a problem needs some attention.  Diagnosing and fixing a minor problem can help you avoid a much bigger and costlier problem down the road. 

2. Stalling.  Could be caused by fouled spark plugs or a clogged fuel filter. 

3. Hard starts.  Possibly due to a weak battery or a defective starter. 

4. Poor fuel mileage.  A sudden decrease in fuel mileage could be due to improper tire pressure, or it’s simply time for a tune-up.

5. Soft or noisy brakes. Brake pads, rotors and brake fluid will wear out over time and need to be maintained and replaced periodically.

6. Other strange noises.  Common noises include squealing when turning the steering wheel at low speeds (could be low power steering fluid level), squealing from under the hood when starting (possibly a loose or worn belt), noise from a wheel (maybe an unbalanced tire or a failing CV joint). Listen to your vehicle and get that noise checked out! 

7. Rough shifting.  Transmission fluid, filters and screens, all require periodic maintenance for protection and a long life. 

8. Loss of power.  Regular maintenance, or a car tune up, can help prevent loss of power, especially needed when merging onto a highway, overtaking a vehicle on a two-lane road, or towing a trailer uphill. 

9. Vibration.  The sudden appearance of a vibration in the steering wheel or throughout the whole car could indicate worn or unbalanced tires, a tire going flat, or a failing universal joint. 

Tip to Remember:  Read your owner’s manual.  In addition to advice from your auto repair technician, refer to your owner’s manual and follow its recommendations for maintenance service intervals, listen to what your vehicle is trying to tell you, and act on those warning signs. 

To learn more about the tune-up procedure that’s right for your vehicle, contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Precision Auto for more information about a car tune up and to schedule an appointment. Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also serves vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel, MT.

Routine Vehicle Maintenance: A Wise Investment!

With the holiday season and budgets stretched tight, many vehicle owners put routine car maintenance on the back burner, so to speak.  They believe they are saving money.  In actuality, they will probably end up spending more than ever with unexpected repairs as they start experiencing problems, such as with brakes or steering.  Consider routine vehicle maintenance as an investment that can offer you a big return with a reliable vehicle and less dollars spent on major auto repairs.

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 Why spend money on vehicle maintenance?  It will. . .

• enhance the safety of you and your passengers, and other motorists
• increase gas mileage
• ensure a smoother running vehicle
• ensures your vehicle will come to a stop quickly.

Pay attention to the four important vehicle maintenance items listed below:

1. Tires – Good tires are crucial to a vehicle’s ability to stop and turn effectively.  Invest in a tire pressure gauge and check the pressure about every 1,000 miles. The proper inflation pressure will give you better mileage!  For uniform tread-wear, rotate the tires on a regular basis.  If you see the wear bars, it’s time for a new set of tires.  You may want to consider purchasing all- weather or snow tires for winter driving.
2. Oil and Filter – Don’t neglect regular oil changes and a quality filter.  Read your owner’s manual or follow your mechanic’s advice for the correct interval for your vehicle.  Cold weather makes dirty oil more sluggish. 
3. Brakes -- Have the brakes inspected at each visit to your auto repair shop.  Watch for signs of brake failure, such as squealing noises, pedal softness, or vibration.  A fully operational braking system is critical in snowy and icy conditions.
4. Transmission – Typically, most mechanics do not road-test vehicles for transmission problems.  It’s up to you to report any signs of problems.  Don’t wait until you have a major breakdown!

Remember:  Even though scheduled car maintenance can sometimes cost more than is comfortable for your budget, it will save you money in the long run by prolonging the life of all the systems and parts that make your car function safely.

Invest in regular car maintenance!  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at http://www.precisionautomt.com for more information about basic vehicle maintenance and to schedule an appointment .  Our Tech-Net professional auto repair shop in Billings, MT, also serves vehicle owners in the areas of Shepherd and Laurel,MT.