If you don’t do anything else for your car, keep up with changes of oil and air filters, and maintenance of your brakes and tires.
Now that things are returning to a semblence of “normal” after the spring and summer lockdown, it’s time to catch up on all those routine chores we’ve let go. Chores like routine car care.
If you’re one of the many people who have put off their routine auto maintenance during the past few months you might be wondering if it’s really necessary. After all, your car seems to be working just fine. And it’s probably true. While sticking to an auto care schedule is ideal, you’re not going to ruin your car if you let things slide for a short time.
You may also be wondering if you really need to keep up with all those maintenance chores for every little item in your car. Again, it’s wise to do so. But, you can let many of them slide for a bit, primermagazine.com says, if you pay special attention to four main areas: oil changes, air filter changes, brakes and tires.
Primermagazine.com explains:
- “Oil is what keeps your engine’s parts rotating smoothly and working properly. Over time, exhaust gasses from the cylinders and even small bits of metal will contaminate the oil and reduce its effectiveness. Heat from the engine also breaks down the oil. Just like any other fluid, heat will reduce the viscosity (thickness) of the oil. If the oil becomes too thin, it won’t lubricate the engine as well as it should, and parts wear out faster.”
- “Breathe in through your mouth. Breathe out. Now, take off one of your shoes and a sock. Now, place your sock over your mouth. Now, breathe in. You didn’t get as much air as the first time and you now feel a little gross right? Well, the same thing happens to your engine when your air filter gets clogged with dirt and dust. A clogged air filter can reduce your gas mileage, your horsepower, and even cause your engine to run rough and stall out.”
- “The only rule for how long brake pads will last is this: There are no rules. How often you need to change your brake pads varies based on your driving style, the type of driving you do, the weight of your vehicle, the quality of the brake pads, and the condition of your brake rotors.”
- “The life expectancy of tires, just like everything else on the list, varies. … Most normal passenger car tires are rated for between 40,000 and 50,000 miles, but the reality of that is hard to judge. Tires go flat, cars get sold, other problems contribute to premature wear, and heck, after three or four years you’ll probably forget when you actually bought them anyway.”
If you’re not big on record keeping or remembering when you last checked your tires and brakes or changed your oil and air filter, your best bet is to find an auto care mechanic you can trust to keep your car in good shape and to repair it when things go wrong. If you don’t have such a person, you need to call Tracy’s Automotive to make an appointment with one of the trusted Wichita auto care pros there.
Tracy’s Automotive is here to help you. If you don’t have time or feel you caon take your car to the shop, Tracy’s Automotive will pick it up at your home or work. Then, after your car is serviced or repaired, Tracy’s Automotive will bring it back to you thoroughly cleaned.
Tracy’s passion for a better tire buying, auto care and auto repair experience drove us to develop the model of Tracy’s Automotive Tire Pros. Tracy’s has turned hard work and inspiration into a booming tire and auto repair provider. Now Tracy’s has three locations and serves customers all over Wichita and Goddard. Tracy’s is thrilled to be a part of your family’s trusted brands for all auto repair and tire needs.
While you’re at Tracy’s Automotive, be sure to sign up for our giveaway of a Weber Spirit II E-210 gas grill. The Weber Spirit II E-210 is a two-burner grill that’s built to fit small spaces, and packed with features such as the powerful GS4 grilling system, iGrill capability, and convenient side tables for placing serving trays.
Once you fall in love with the Spirit II E-210, fill out a form. We’ll be giving away one grill at each of our locations in November. No purchase necessary but you must enter at one of our service centers. Stay tuned for more details or ask one of the auto pros when you visit one of our service centers.
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