How Often Should I Rotate My Tires?

Tire rotation is an important maintenance duty that extends the life of your tires and ensures safe driving.

All that parallel parking. All those three-point turns. With each turn of the steering wheel, pressure is brought to bear on the front tires. Resistance causes friction, which in turn produces heat. The result? The front tires wear quicker than the rears. Because of this, it's necessary to rotate the tires front-to-rear multiple times during their life cycle to 1) equalize tread wear and 2) maximize the life of the tires. Tires work differently, depending on their location on your vehicle. Right-side tires have more exposure to curbs and other road hazards; moving them to the other side of the vehicle prevents excessive outside wear. Front tires will show more wear if you are driving a front-drive vehicle. If your car has staggered wheels - the front and rear tires are two different sizes - you can still swap the tires side-to-side, but not front to back. If your tires are unidirectional (specific to one side of the car) you can rotate them front to back but not side to side. And if you happen to have staggered wheels that are also unidirectional or asymmetrical, you cannot rotate your tires at all! But that's rarely the case.

Every vehicle is different, but most manufacturers recommend that you rotate your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. According to Goodyear, one of the largest manufacturers of tires, "a good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles." Which would equate to about every other oil change. Check with your owner's manual for information specific to your vehicle.Rotating and balancing your tires on a timely basis will help keep maintenance cost down on your vehicle as well as help with lowering fuel consumption and increased safety. Rotating tires is a simple procedure that can be done at a reasonable price with your automotive professional. It is also a good time to perform a tire balance when rotating tires on your vehicle.

It is important to visually inspect your tires on a regular basis. The tread pattern has wear indicators built into it. These are little bumps or nubs manufactured directly into the tread. Inspecting them will tell you how close the tire is to needing replacement. They're located throughout the tread pattern. If the tread is wearing to the point where its height is approaching that of the wear indicator, you'll need to be shopping for tires soon. Obvious signs of wear need immediate attention.

Want more information?  We are here to help -Call us at Autovantage Service Centers 530-823-3456

How Often Should I Change My Oil?

Most automobile manufacturers recommend changing the oil at least once a year or between 3,750 and 7,500 miles (depending on vehicle manufacturer) in passenger car and light truck gasoline engines.

However, you'll discover when your read more closely that the once a year, or between 3,750 and 7,500 mile oil change (depending on vehicle manufacturer) is for vehicles that are driven under ideal circumstances. What most of us think of as "normal" driving is actually "severe service" driving. This includes frequent short trips (less than 10 miles, especially during cold weather), stop-and-go traffic driving, driving in dusty conditions (gravel roads, etc.), driving foothill roads and driving at sustained highway speeds during hot weather. For this type of driving, which is actually "severe service" driving, the recommendation is to change the oil every 3,000 miles or six months.

For maximum protection, most oil companies say to change the oil every 3,000 miles or three to six months regardless of what type of driving you do.

A new engine with little or no wear can probably get by on oil changes between 3,750 and 7,500 miles (depending on vehicle manufacturer). But as an engine accumulates miles, the need increases as blowby occurs. This dumps more unburned fuel into the crankcase which dilutes the oil. This causes the oil to break down. So if the oil isn't changed often enough, you can end up with accelerated wear and all the engine problems that come with it (loss of performance and fuel economy, and increased emissions and oil consumption).

Want more information? We are here to help -Call us at Autovantage Service Centers 530-823-3456

What is a timing belt and when should I have it replaced?

We do our best to protect our vehicles and to keep them maintained against all possible problems. However, one of the greatest dangers to high mileage cars is also one of the least well known. The death of many older or high mileage cars is nothing other than a failure of the timing belt. In order to understand what makes the timing belt so important and how we can prevent it from failing, we first need to discuss what it does and what we can expect in the life expectancy of the belt.

The timing belt serves a very important part to making your engine run. Namely, the timing belt is the belt that controls the camshafts in your engine and keeps the entire operation running smoothly. Timing belts are essential to keep these camshafts turning at the right time with the crankshaft. A camshaft is the shaft that opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves in your engine and the crankshaft controls the movement of the pistons. A timing belt must be properly calibrated in order to keep these components moving together in proper time.

There are two types of engines: Interference & Non-Interference. An Interference Engine is one whose valves extend into the path of the piston. A timing belt failure in an interference engine invariably results in internal engine damage (i.e. bent valves and or damaged pistons). Regardless of the type of motor present in your car, a failure in the timing belt will cause the engine to suddenly stop running and you will not be able to get it started again. In all cases, this means calling a tow truck.

If this sounds like a nightmare, that's because it can turn out to be one. Luckily though, timing belt failure is somewhat easy to prevent, and although it may not be the cheapest or easiest operation in the world, it is definitely a better option than purchasing either a new car or a new engine.

Different manufacturers & different engines have varying timing belt service schedules according to mileage. If you have trouble finding out when exactly the timing belt should be changed in your vehicle; you can consult with your mechanic for the exact mileage requirement. If you are a low mileage driver another good general rule of thumb is that a timing belt should be changed every 7 years. It is best not to let a belt go more than the recommended mileage change point or 7 years, whichever comes first. Along with the timing belt there are other engine components that can be replaced at the same time such as the timing belt pulleys, tensioner, water pump, drive belts & seals. Changing your belt is definitely a lot safer for your engine, and a little money out of pocket can save you a lot of money and a new car in the long run. Service is the key.

Remember, even though you may get your oil changed every 3,000 miles, and do all of your scheduled repair services, nothing can save you from a timing belt failure. Make sure to get your timing belt replaced regularly and by a certified mechanic. It can mean the difference between a good running car or a very expensive repair.

For more information - call the experts at Autovantage Service Center @ 530-823-3456

The Check Engine Light Came On - What do I do?

You're driving along in your car or truck and suddenly your dash shows a light to check or service your engine. If you're like most car owners, you have little idea about what that light is trying to tell you or exactly how you should react.

Call it the most misunderstood indicator on your dashboard, the "check engine" light can mean many different things, from a loose gas cap to a seriously misfiring engine.

"It doesn't mean you have to pull the car over to the side of the road and call a tow truck. It does mean you should get the car checked out as soon as possible," says Dave Cappert of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, a Virginia-based organization that tests and certifies auto technicians.

Ignore the warning, and you could end up damaging expensive components. It also can be a sign that your car is getting poor fuel economy and emitting higher levels of pollutants. Service is needed.

What the Light Means

The "check engine" light is part of your car's onboard diagnostics (OBD) system. Since the 1980s, computers increasingly have controlled and monitored vehicle performance, regulating such variables as engine speed (RPM), fuel mixture, and ignition timing. In some cars, the computer also tells the automatic transmission when to shift.

When it finds a problem in the electronic-control system that it can't correct, the computer turns on a yellow warning indicator that's labeled "check engine," "service engine soon" or "check powertrain." Or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, known as the International Check Engine Symbol, perhaps with the word "Check." In addition to turning on the light, the computer also stores a "trouble code" in its memory. The code can be read with an electronic scan tool or a diagnostic computer which aids technicians in starting the diagnostic process.

Exactly what the OBD system looks for depends on the make, model and year. The original systems varied widely in their capabilities. Some did little more than check whether the various electronic sensors and actuators were hooked up and working.

That changed by 1996, when, under OBD II regulations, carmakers were required to install a much more sophisticated system that essentially acts like a built-in state emissions testing station. The computer monitors and adjusts dozens of components and processes. For example, it continually samples exhaust emissions as they come out of the engine and again when they leave the catalytic converter, a device that removes carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon pollutants from the exhaust. The system also monitors your car's fuel system to ensure that gasoline vapors are not escaping into the atmosphere through a leak or even a loose or missing gas cap. In most cases, if a problem occurs, the computer will wait to see if it corrects itself before turning on the light.

Some states are considering an advanced OBD system that would allow them to do away with emissions testing. If the "check engine" light comes on, the system automatically would send a remote signal to state officials, who would contact motorists who don't have the problem corrected within a reasonable amount of time. Privacy advocates are criticizing the idea as being too intrusive. Depending on the system, officials might be able to trace where the vehicle had been. Proponents say the system would free motorists from the time and expense of having to undergo annual or biennial emission testing, and it would help ensure that emission-related problems are detected and fixed more quickly.

What to do

If the "check engine" light illuminates, it will either blink or remain constant, depending on the problem. Either way, you should have the vehicle checked by a mechanic. A blinking light indicates a problem that needs immediate attention. In late-model cars, a blinking light usually indicates an engine misfire so severe that unburned fuel is being dumped into the exhaust system, where it can quickly damage the catalytic converter, requiring an expensive repair. If that happens, you should reduce power and have the car or truck looked at as soon as possible. If the light is steady, the problem is not an emergency, but you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Today's automotive computers often try to compensate when there's a problem; so you may not notice deterioration in performance, even though your fuel mileage is suffering and your vehicle is emitting unacceptable levels of hydrocarbons and other pollutants.

"The customer is really, in the long run, potentially hurting their pocket book by leaving that light on and ignoring it," says Jim Collins, a national training team leader for Ford Motor Company. In some extreme cases, the car's computer may reduce power for you, as it tries to limit the risk of damage.

If the check-engine light comes on, here are some tips on what you should do:

• Check your dashboard gauges and lights for indications of low oil pressure or overheating. These conditions mean you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon as you can find a safe place to do so.
• Reduce speed and load. If the "check engine" light is blinking or you notice any serious performance problems, such as a loss of power, reduce your speed and try to reduce the load on the engine. When safe pull over, shut off the engine & have the vehicle towed to your automotive repair facility to have the code read, problem diagnosed and the correct repair made. For example, it would be a good idea to stop towing a trailer. Have the car checked as soon as possible to prevent expensive damage.
• Don't go for a state emissions test. In a late-model car, an illuminated "check engine" light is a sure sign your car will fail the test. In California, it's an automatic failure, even if the problem was nothing more than a loose gas cap. By the way, don't bother trying to fool the inspection station by disconnecting the battery or using any other method to erase the trouble code and turn off the "check engine" light. Your vehicle's computer will let the inspection station know that its codes have been erased, and you'll just have to go back again.

For more information, call Autovantage Service Center - 530-823-3456   Ask about our Specials