Routine maintenance and being proactive about your vehicle is important at any point in the year, but we always like to focus on keeping your car healthy at the beginning of the summer. With the brutal heat, and likely road trip or two planned, your car works hard throughout the most-relaxed season. Of course, our team of certified prof essionals is always willing to inspect your vehicle, and Multi-Point Inspections (offered with every service) cover many of the suggestions below. But, just to be aware of common summer problems, here are a few things to think about as the temperatures rise: Certified Technician Dennis Miller repairs the air conditioning in a 2013 Dodge Durango. How to Prepare for the Weather In the South, it’s hard to imagine surviving without air conditioning in your home and in your vehicle. However, it’s also difficult to think about your air conditioning until you need it, and chances are, it went through a period of time with little use in your vehicle. Make sure that when you turn your air conditioning on, it blows cold air without any unusual smells or noises. Under the hood, inspect your air conditioning for any damaged belts or fins. Speaking of cooling, it’s also important to to keep your engine cool to prevent the vehicle from overheating. Check that there are no leaks in your radiator, and that you have proper levels of (clear, not cloudy) coolant. While we’re all hoping for a sunny summer, now is also the time for thunderstorms. You may have used your wiper fluid to de-ice your windshield in the winter, so check to see if you still have enough. If your wiper blades are streaking the windshield or peeling in any way, it’s time to replace them. Certified Technician Juan Castillo works to rebuild the engine in a 2012 Scion iQ. How to Prepare for a Road Trip To ensure safety, we recommend a full inspection before embarking on a long or challenging road trip. While it’s always a good idea to have a professional check the battery, engine and any lights that have come to life on the dashboard, there are a few things you can do yourself before entering our Service Lane. Inspect your tires for tread and cuts, and check that the air pressure is in accordance with the numbers listed on the driver’s side door. Be sure to do the same for the spare tire, and check that the jack is still in working order. Pay attention if your brakes are starting to take longer to work, or if you notice noises or pulsations of any kind. A minor brake problem can soon be detrimental, so keep up to date with the state of your brake pads and fluid. If your vacation includes towing of any kind, double check the hitch. Ensure that the safety chains are in order, and that the brakes and lights are working on any trailer you may use. Abide by your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight (GVW), and take special care when packing for proper load distribution.
So you are driving and one of these events happen: check engine light flashes, maintenance reminder lights comes on, steering wheel vibrates, brakes squeal, car vibrates after stop, vehicle starts to get poor gas mileage, or oil light flashes. Here is what these problems could mean: A. Check engine light flashes - Engine damage or catalyst failure. B. Maintenance reminder light – A reminder it's time for regularly scheduled maintenance. C. Vibrating steering wheel – Bad tire or wheel condition. D. Brakes squeal – Time for brake replacement. E. Car vibrates after stop – Motor mounts loose which could result in axle damage or hose leaks. F. Poor gas mileage- Could be as simple as replacing the air filter. G. Oil light flashes- Low on oil which could lead to engine failure. #Stranded Do you: A. Ignore it. It’s probably okay and not a major problem. B. Head to the internet to diagnose it yourself! C. Get the local automotive parts store to pull codes for free. Score! D. Drive to your local dealership for a checkup. E. Kick your car off cliff for insurance payments! If you said anything other than D, you are wasting your time and money. Of course we are supposed to say that, right? But it's the truth. Ignoring your vehicle problems can you leave stranded on the side of the road. The advice you get online might not be accurate, and you may not have the time or interest to fully understand vehicle preventative maintenance. The people at your local automotive part stores are not mechanics and just because your car hits a code, that could just be the symptom not the problem. And, kicking your car off a cliff could land you in jail for fraud…! Always make the choice to go to your local dealership. It is equipped with factory-certified mechanics who have the knowledge, parts, and tools to deal with a wide scope of vehicle problems. You don’t want to have an “oooh baby ” experience.... You want to have a Drive Baby™ experience! This post was co-written by Gerry James, Social Media ; Kevin Woodard, Milton Ruben Chrysler and Toyota Service director; and John Strelec, Chevrolet Technician.
Come on down to our service department and take advantage of the sweet specials! You can even make an appointment online at www.MiltonRuben.com/schedule-toyota-service.aspx and for our parts www.MiltonRubenParts.com Come see Tony Sutphin or Kevin Woodard's service team today for savings!
