Tips and Info
Component Service
Check fluid level with engine running and transmission in park. If low, add the type of automatic transmission fluid specified in the owner’s manual and/or on dipstick. For maximum performance, change every two years or 24,000 miles, or as directed in owner’s manual.
V-belts and serpentine belts for looseness and condition. Replace when cracked, frayed, glazed or showing signs of excessive wear. Replace timing belt per interval specified in owner’s manual. Typically this is 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Not replacing the belt as required could cause a breakdown or serious engine damage.
Replace annually, or more often in areas with heavy airborne contaminants or whenever heating or cooling efficiency is reduced.
If light comes on while driving or remains on, your vehicle may have an emissions or sensor problem and should be analyzed. If light flashes, the condition is more severe and must be checked immediately to prevent catalytic converter damage.
Check level at reservoir. Never open a hot radiator cap. If low, add 50/50 mix of approved antifreeze and distilled water. Change coolant annually on most vehicles.
Check fluid level monthly. Some vehicles have two reservoirs. Do not use water. Use washer fluid only.
Inspect filter at each oil change. Replace if restricted or water contaminated or once a year on cars with carburetors. On cars with fuel injection, replace filter every two years or 24,000 miles.
Replace bulb immediately if light is out. Check fuses first.
Check the fluid with the car warmed up. Add correct type of fluid if low. If frequent topping off is required, inspect for leaks and replace if contaminated.
Inspect system annually, including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts, such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components. Replace if leaks, damage and loose mounting hardware are found. Symptoms of worn suspension include uneven tire wear and excessive bouncing after bumps.
Battery should be securely mounted. Battery connection should be clean, tight and corrosion free. If the battery is three years old or more, it should be tested and replaced if necessary.
Check the entire brake system every year, including brake linings, rotors and drums.
Many newer cars are lubed-for-life; some still require this service. Check owner’s manual. Replacement steering and suspension components may require periodic lubrication.
To prevent stripping the vehicle’s wax finish, use only automotive car wash products, not dishwashing liquids. Polish at least twice a year to maintain and protect the finish.
Inspect filter at each oil change. Replace annually or when leaking, torn, water or oil soaked, dirty or showing other signs of wear.
Inspect for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.
Inspect hoses at each oil change and replace when leaking, brittle, cracked, rusted, swollen or restricted.
Replace at interval as recommended in owner’s manual or when other conditions dictate, such as failing an emissions test. Some cars have an oxygen sensor replacement light that appears when oxygen sensor replacement is needed.1996 and newer cars have more than one oxygen sensor.
Typical replacement intervals range between 30,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on the vehicle and type of spark plug. Always consult your owner’s manual for your specific vehicle.
Check the pressure of all tires, including the spare, at every oil change. Check the tread for uneven or irregular wear and cuts or bruises along the sidewalls. Inflate tires and maintain at recommended pressure. Replace tires if worn or damaged
Tips for winter driving
Automotive Services Tips
Go to Dublin Autos and change your motor oil to a viscosity appropriate for your local temperatures. The lower viscosity oils (noted on the container by number i.e. 5W-30) flow better and will therefore offer more protection in lower temperatures
Go to Dublin Autos to have your cooling system drained and flushed. Refill the system with a fresh mixture of 50:50 antifreeze and water. The antifreeze will keep the fluids from freezing up and thereby protect your engine and its moving parts in cold weather conditions.
Go to Dublin Autos and ask for a safety inspection that includes belts, hoses, fluids, tires, lights, and battery check. Replacing these low cost parts before they are needed can often save you a much higher cost of inconvenience and repair in the event of a breakdown.
Go to Dublin Autos and have your windshield wiper blades replaced and wiper fluid reservoir filled. These low cost items can drastically improve your vision in winter conditions and thereby prevent accidents. Wiper blades should be replaced every 6 months because the rubber hardens over time and becomes ineffective.
In areas exposed to freezing temperatures, spray door locks with lubricant to prevent freeze-ups. You don’t want to be stuck on a freezing winter night not being able to unlock your door.
Things to have on hand especially in the winter months include 1) Jumper cables 2) Windshield Scrapers 3) Flashlight w/ batteries 4) Traction aids i.e. chains.
Don’t try to force turn a frozen lock, you can break the key off inside it. Instead, try one of these tricks: Use another door, Use a cigarette lighter or match to heat up your key before inserting it into the lock , Spray commercial deicer onto the key.
Tips for Traction control
If the car moves even slightly, avoid applying too much power, which can spin the tyres in place. Spinning wheels offer less traction. Patiently move the car out of the area and back onto more solid ground.
If the wheels spin and the car is not moving, try “rocking” the car. Slowly give the car power to the point that the tires begin to spin then immediately release power. You will notice that the car slightly rocked forward then back. Do this repeatedly as you try to gain momentum in each rocking cycle. Just like a child pushing a swing, you synchronize the accelerator so that the rocking motion is increased. With a bit of timing and luck, you could rock just enough to regain traction. (In cars with automatic transmission, rocking requires shifting back and forth between forward and reverse. In a manual, simply engage and disengage the clutch while stepping on the accelerator)
If your car is stuck with one wheel spinning while the other is not, try this trick: Engage the parking brakes two or three clicks. Step on the accelerator slowly to get the car moving. As soon as the car starts to move, release the parking brake completely. Because spinning wheels don’t have traction, what you are doing by engaging the parking brake is allowing a clutch in the differentials to energize allowing the car to adjust for increased traction.
Tips for Starting
If you had run out of fuel before adding new fuel, your car may need a little help in getting started. If you have a fuel injection system, turn the key on then off a few times without actually starting the car. This will pressurise the fuel system and assist in starting the car. If you have an old carburetor system, give the accelerator pedal a couple of pumps before turning the key.
Jump-starting a car can get you out of tough situations, but it can also be quite dangerous. Follow precautions before doing so: Remove loose clothing, jewelry, watches, and necklaces as they might get caught in moving parts. Do NOT attach the negative jumper cable to the negative post on the dead battery. The sparks given off could ignite the battery gasses and cause an explosion.
Tips for Fuel Efficiency
On long drives, use the cruise control to save fuel the gradual acceleration and deceleration improves your fuel efficiency.
Putting luggage and other items on top of your vehicle creates drag. To reduce these effects, put the luggage/items inside of a roof top container or wrap them in a tarp secured by rope. This not only causes less drag, but also protects your items from weather. Warming up your car in the morning is an old myth. As long as you are not putting the car under excessive loads right away, driving your car under normal conditions will naturally bring the car to optimum operating temperature. Idle warm-up periods waste fuel and add to air pollution.
Keep your tyres properly inflated to keep your gas mileage high. Driving with low tire pressure is like riding a bike with a flat. Besides wearing down your tyres, it simply wastes energy.
The manufacturer determines proper tyre inflation levels.
Tips for long Engine life
Your timing belt coordinates various functions in your engine. If it breaks, your engine stops.
You should prevent this by changing your timing belt at 60,000-90,000 service intervals. Depending on your manufacturer’s specifications, you may even need to change it sooner.
If your car has a timing chain, the breakage could cause engine damage. Have your mechanic check to see if your timing belt or chain needs replacement.
Do It Yourself
Work outdoors if you need to have your car running. Exhaust gases can be lethal if you are working inside your closed garage.
Don’t wear loose clothing or wear your hair long while working on a car. Not only will it get dirty, it could get caught on moving parts.
Work outdoors if you need to have your car running. Exhaust gases can be lethal if you are working inside your closed garage.
Don’t smoke while working on your car. There are many flammable substances that could ignite.
Don’t open the cap on the radiator when it’s hot (right after the car has been running for a while). The hot fluid inside is under tremendous pressure and can shoot out and burn you.
Use a jack stand or drive up ramps to support your car if you need to go underneath it. Factory jacks are only for changing tires.
Most fluids around a car are toxic. Keep kids and pets away while working to avoid accidental poisoning.
Electric cooling fans mounted on the radiator can turn on and off at any time. (There’s actually a thermostat switch that controls the fan) Avoid the fan when working or disconnect the fan motor from the power source.