Vehicle Maintenance
- Oil Change - Timing Belt
- Tune-up - Tire Rotation
- Fluid Changes - Fuel Injection Service
- Filter Changes - Belts and Hoses
-Mileage 30-60-90k
-OIL CHANGE: Frequency of your oil change really depends on several factors.
-MILEAGE: The every 3 months or 3,000 miles may not be suited for your driving habits if you can hit 3,000 miles in a month. A good alternative may be 5,000 - 6,000 mile intervals.
-TIME: On the other hand if you seldom drive your car and barely hit 1,000 miles in 3 months I would recommend a longer time interval there too. I generally recommend twice a year in that case. The reason being, unless you are automotive savy, it's a good idea to have the car looked over, fluids checked, tire pressures set and so on.
-USE: This may also affect the statement above. If you are a majority city driver with a lot of short trips but extended run time and don't hit 3,000 miles the 3 months. I would recommend not straying to far from the 3 months. City stop and go driving takes it toll.
-OIL TYPE: If you use a synthetic oil I would expect a longer change interval.
-MANUFACTURE RECOMMENDED INTERVALS: I would always suggest knowing what the manufacturer recommends for oil change intervals because you don't want to exceed that and void your warranty. Many engine and powertrains carry longer warranties then the standard 3yr - 36,000 miles. I do however, have some reservations about intervals over 8,000 miles even though the manufacturer may suggest it.
TUNE-UP: Modern vehicles do not require what most would consider to be a tune-up nearly as frequently as in the past. The ignition system for instance has very little, if any, adjustments. The same can be said of the fuel system. These systems are controlled by the vehicles computer. The computer monitors and changes the fuel delivery and ignition system to provide the most efficient and cleanest running engine possible. This combined with better, more advanced parts allows for less frequent service. Since service intervals on fuel and ignition systems vary from manufacturer to manufacturer we follow their recommendations on a case by case basis.
TUNE UP MAY INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF:
-Spark Plugs -Spark Plug Wires -Air Filter
- Fuel Filter -PCV Valve - Fuel Injection Clean
- Throttle Body Service -Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaning
-Cabin Air Filter - Distributor Cap and Rotor
-Decarbonize Intake System
FLUID CHANGES: Most vehicle manufactures recommend mileage or time intervals for just about any system that uses fluid as a lubricant. These components maybe the Transmission, Transfer Case, Front and Rear Differential, and Cooling System to name a few. On today’s vehicles regular fluid changes are important because repair or replacement of these components can far exceed the cost of regular maintenance.
TIRE ROTATION: Tires should be rotated every 5,000-8,000 miles. This is imperative to the life of the tire. Rotating make sure the tires wear evenly. Some other factors that effect tire life are inflation, wheel alignment, worn steering or suspension and weight.
TIMING BELT: The timing belt is a multi-toothed belt used to keep the crankshaft in time (in sync) with the camshaft(s) Years ago this was typically done with gears and a chain. Some modern vehicles still utilize the gear and chain set up, but many have gone with the belt instead. Timing belts generally get replaced at certain mileage intervals depending upon the manufacturers recommendations. The timing belt, composed of rubber, is prone to fatigue and wear just like your accessory drive belts. The difference between an accessory belt failure and timing belt failure though is drastically different. If a timing belt fails it will cause the engine to stall and will not restart. If the engine in your vehicle is an interference engine or close tolerance engine a belt failure can mean valve to piston contact in which case extensive damage can be done. Timing belts are covered to keep the operating environment as clean as possible which makes a through inspection of the belt difficult. So manufacturers will typically suggest a mileage, at which time, the belt should be discarded and replaced. It is not uncommon, when replacing the timing belt, to also replace these components:
-Accessory Drive Belts
-Timing Belt Tensioner
-Timing Belt Idler Pulleys
-Seals
-Valve Cover Gasket
-Water Pump
Typical Timing Belt Diagram
Fuel Injection Flush: Optimal spray patterns of the vehicles fuel injectors over time can diminish. One of the factors that causes this is build up in the extra fine tip of the injector itself. If the injector isn’t spraying fuel correctly it can cause lack of power, engine misfires, starting problems, poor fuel mileage and Service Engine Soon lights. We typically suggest a fuel injection service as regular maintenance and especially when the spark plugs are being replaced. Our fuel injection service is a 2 part system. First we disable the vehicles fuel pump, and plumb into the fuel system. We then run the engine off of a pressurized cleaning detergent. We will vary the RPMs from idle up to 3,000. Engine run time varies but typically it will run for 10-15 minutes on the cleaning detergent, before it is gone. We will then allow the injectors to soak for awhile before enabling the fuel pump again. Second part of our system is a tank cleaner that will work to clean any residual deposits as you drive. Below is a comparision of a good spray pattern (lower) and one that will cause driveability problems (upper).
