We constantly emphasize preventive maintenance because we strive to minimize the likelihood of having you experience untimely breakdowns on the side of the road. People seldom anticipate a breakdown and far from just an annoyance today, a breakdown is often a safety hazard.

As traffic along the highways increase, roadside shoulders are disappearing altogether to make room for more lanes. Changing a tire, having a belt break, or blowing a radiator hose can be more hazardous than just being late for work.  It can be dangerous!  Statistics show more people are being seriously injured when they are in what's considered the "safe zone".

We have had tremendous success with customers maintaining their vehicle with regular visits to eliminate these issues. I fell the best way to avoid being a "highway statistic" is to maintain your vehicle properly.  We are here for you to keep your vehicle as roadworthy as possible.

Happy motoring

                   -Casey

 

Whether on the road or at home, you need to be equipped some basic survival items and tools that can make driving and living with your car easier, safer and more convenient. Here are some suggestions as a starting place, divided into two categories: Emergency Road Kit and Basic Maintenance Tools. You can customize the list according to your needs and your ambitions.

emergency tool kit

Emergency Road Kit

  • Jumper cables

  • Cellular phone, charger power cord, along with a list of emergency numbers

  • Ice scraper and snow brush (winter months)

  • Flashlight or spotlight with extra set of batteries

  • Rain suit or poncho (brightly-colored)

  • Safety goggles or glasses

  • Pair of disposable work “coveralls”

  • Emergency flares, warning triangle or cones

  • Fire extinguisher

  • First-aid kit

  • Hose-patch kit for emergency mending of coolant hoses. These kits are usually available at auto parts and discount stores.

  • Pressurized can of tire inflator and sealer for emergency filling of a flat tire.

  • Battery-powered air compressor

  • Bottled water and snacks, such as crackers or energy bars (in sub-freezing temperatures, remember that bottles may burst if they freeze).

  • Blankets

  • Roll of duct tape

  • Wheel chocks (placed under the wheels to prevent the car from rolling)

  • Basic tool set including an adjustable wrench, pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches. Many auto parts and retail establishments sell compact “tool kits”, perfect for storage in the trunk of your car.

  • Mini shovel (winter months)

  • Bag or container of sand for traction (winter months)

  • An extra pair of gloves, a scarf and hat

  • Extra windshield washer fluid that can be used in cold weather driving.

  • Funnel for pouring liquids

  • Extra fuses (refer to your owner’s manual to determine amperage sizes needed)

  • Mechanical or elastic tie-down straps

  • Roll of heavy-duty paper towels or rags

  • Pair of work gloves

Basic Maintenance Tools:

  • Oil filter wrench (there are different types, including cap wrenches and strap wrenches). You will have to decide which provides best grip of the filter, based on accessibility.

  • Catch pan (for capturing used oil and coolant)

  • 3/8” basic socket wrench set, including sockets (SAE and metric sizes) ratchets, extensions, adapters, and 5/8” and 13/16” spark-plug sockets

  • Torx® sockets or bits

  • Combination wrench set (SAE and metric sizes)

  • Hex-key wrench set (commonly referred to as Allen® wrenches)

  • Flare-nut fitting wrenches (most commonly used to help prevent the rounding-off of brake line fittings and bleeder fittings)

  • Fender cover (to protect the finish of your car while working under the hood)

  • Basic screwdriver set

  • Test light (for checking the availability of voltage and ground in circuits)

  • Multimeter (a more advanced electrical checking tool that provides readings of voltage, ohms, amps and sometimes more)

  • Slip-joint, groove-joint, needle-nose, and locking pliers

  • Torque wrench (a wrench that indicates the “tightness” of nuts and bolts)

  • Air pressure gauge

  • Radiator hydrometer

  • Penetrating oil (used to help free and lubricate seized or frozen fasteners)

  • Soldering gun & solder

  • Electrical pliers

  • Jack stands

  • Ramps

  • Hydraulic Jack

  • Battery charger

(From CarCare.org)

 

Eight Reason to Invest In An Annual Car "Physical" And Needed Maintenance

1.  Cut repair costs - discover a worn component before it creates major problems and save big money.

2.  Safety - a poorly maintained vehicle can drive you into a serious accident.

3.  Better performance - this translates to improved fuel economy as well as driveability.

4.  Saving the environment - under-maintained vehicles are serious contributors to air pollution.

5.  Improved trade-in/resale value - a well-maintained vehicle could be worth 2-3 times as much as one that has been neglected.

6.  Better handling - incorrect wheel alignment, worn suspension components and/or tires cause poor ride and handling.

7.  Dependability -  a well-maintained vehicle is less likely to stall, fail to start or otherwise leave you stranded.

 

 

The Road to a Long-Lasting Automobile

Auto technicians say the key to keeping vehicles running well-today and down the road-is routine maintenance. Yet many drivers tend to stall when it comes to keeping up with some everyday auto-basics. A recent survey by the Car Care Council found:

  • 38 percent of cars had low or dirty engine oil.
  • 54 percent had low tire pressure.
  • 28 percent had inadequate cooling protection.
  • 19 percent needed new belts.
  • 16 percent had dirty air filters.
  • 10 percent had low or contaminated brake fluid.

For your convenience, the Car Care Council developed a Service Interval Schedule (.pdf/43 KB) to help you keep track of regular maintenance. Most of the checks and services described here can be done at little or no cost. Best of all, they are quick and easy to do.

To help you find your way around the car and under the hood, we've also provided a Vehicle Diagram. Your owner's manual is another excellent reference when performing maintenance on your vehicle. Periodically your car should have a thorough inspection by a qualified technician. 

Know Your Brake System (.pdf/583 KB) - download this detailed illustration of the components in drum and rotor brake assemblies.

To help drivers keep their cars up to par, the council promotes programs such as National Car Care Month in April, to call attention to the benefits of regular vehicle care. During the month of April, vehicle inspection events are held in many communities.

The inspections include volunteers checking fluid levels, tires, lights and other system components. After the inspections are complete, volunteers and motorists review any problems that may have been found and motorists receive information about proper vehicle maintenance and repair.

The inspections are usually held in parking lots at shopping malls, schools and businesses and they're generally sponsored by area repair facilities and auto-shops, as well as other businesses, civic groups and radio stations.

(From Carcare.org)
   

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