Spring Cooling Maintenance - Radiator Flush

Most people know that the coolant in your radiator keeps your engine from freezing in the winter but it also helps keep things cool in the summer. All too often people are driving with the incorrect mixture or old coolant in their vehicles because they have not been educated on the service needs of their vehicle.

Radiator coolant actually raises the boiling point of the water, allowing it to carry more heat away from the engine, and that means a cooler running engine. If you're running low on coolant, things can get steamy fast. It only takes a second to check your coolant level. Most cars have an opaque coolant overflow tank right next to the radiator. It's white plastic, but you can see inside to see if there's enough fluid to keep things safe. You'll also see markings on the side telling you the low and high levels. Always check your coolant level when the car is cold.

What about a Radiator Flush and when do I do a radiator flush? A Cooling System Flush Service is important because the coolant in your radiator can break down and start to corrode the interior of your radiator and engine leading to cooling problems and preventable repairs. A cooling system flush once a year is an affordable insurance against cooling system repairs.Your car's radiator and cooling system needs to be clean to be cool. Your car's radiator builds solid deposits that can clog the cooling system. A cooling system flush can keep the system in shape.

Have more questions about auto repairs and maintenance – Call us at Autovantage Service Center Auburn, CA 530-823-3456

Spring Windshield Maintenance for your Car

With money a little tighter, many families who might have jumped onto a plane for a jaunt to places far away are opting for a road trip to visit family and friends or a different region of the country. Driving trips can be fun, what a great chance to get to know your family – probably more than you wanted but indeed an opportunity for bonding. Whether you're looking forward to 7 hours in the car with them or not, you do want everyone to arrive safely. Windshield maintenance is an often overlooked chore.

 

In snowy regions, we know that before we even take a short winter trip, we must have at least a half a tank of windshield washer fluid. Salty, muddy road conditions can affect your vision instantly without good wipers and washers. But in temperate weather, we seem to forget that we need things to be up to snuff. Since in most cases, you'll be traveling to an area you don't frequent, take a minute to check out your needs. If you're caught off guard by a storm, that's no time to realize your wipers are worn out. Do these quick jobs and you'll have some added peace of mind on your next road trip.

1. Replace your windshield wipers.

2. Top off your washer fluid.

3. Make sure your windshield washer nozzles aren't clogged and are aimed correctly.

Have more questions about repairs and maintenance – Call us at Autovantage Service Center 530-823-3456

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