How Often Do You Need To Replace A Muffler?

A key part of the exhaust system, the job of the muffler is to minimize the noise produced during the exhaust process and to direct the exhaust out of the vehicle.  In addition to a lot of noise, a defective muffler can cause issues for the driver and the passengers due to toxic fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle.  Thus, it is important that your exhaust system is checked frequently to inspect for issues.  

Replacing the muffler or other repairs to the exhaust system can be expensive depending on the make, model, and general condition of your vehicle. However, it is not wise to ignore the issue.  Not only will the problem get bigger and more expensive to fix, but it could also develop into more serious problems for the people inside the vehicle. 

But how often do mufflers need to be replaced?  Mufflers are like all other auto components—they wear out over time.  So be alert to some of the signs of a bad muffler: 

• Listen! The most noticeable sign of a bad muffler is noise. The car will sudden rattling noises could be the sound of a loose or broken muffler.
• Look! Ask your auto mechanic to raise your vehicle and visually check the muffler.  Any major problems, such as holes or rust are generally easily noticeable. Although condensation is normal, water leaking from several places on the muffler is definitely trouble.
• Temperature.  If the temperature rises unusually high while the motor is running, it can cause overheating of the engine.

Are you wondering how often do mufflers need to be replaced?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about exhaust systems and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

When the Car Battery Should be Replaced?

You may be wondering how do you know when the car battery should be replaced?  Inappropriately, a car battery may take only 3 to 5 years to become worn out and becomes unreliable around the 4-year mark.  Just like a mobile phone battery, it becomes less efficient with each charge.  

How do you know when the car battery should be replaced?  Battery manufacturers deliver advice on the lifespan of each battery produced.  Although, there are some things that drivers can do to help your battery last as long as possible:  

1. Limit short trips.  Batteries are not able to fully charge during short tours.  But driving regularly and for longer periods of time help maintain the charge in your battery.  
2. Tighten battery connections. A loose battery can vibrate, causing damage to the engine and electrical circuits.  
3. Turn off accessories & lights—shut the door.  Leaving the headlights on, the door open with a light on, or accessories plugged in for extended periods of time can drain a battery’s charge.  
4. Clean off terminals.  Keep the battery terminals free of corrosion.  A DIY tip:  Scrub with a mixture of baking soda and water, rinse and dry thoroughly. 
5. Test output voltage.  Test the output voltage of your battery regularly so you know if it is holding a strong charge.
6. Avoid using electronic accessories while idling.  Turn off accessories when you’re idling.  Turn the motor off if you will be sitting for more than 5 or 10 minutes. 
7. Regular tune-ups.  Regular tune-ups to change spark plugs, clean wires, etc. will help avoid overcapacity of the battery.  
8. Storing your car.  Keeping your car warm and dry will help your battery last longer. 

Remember:  Inspect the condition of your battery frequently so you are not left stranded in your driveway or a dark parking lot.

Do you want to know more about when the car battery should be replaced?   Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about a car battery replacement and to request an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

How Often Should A Car AC Be Serviced?

The warm days of summer have finally arrived!  It is not too late to schedule an inspection of your car’s air conditioner.  Whether you are planning a summer road trip, or just for a short commute to work, you don’t want to find yourself melting in a hot car! Whether you just need fresh coolant added to the radiator, or you want to have it totally drained and flushed, make sure that any needed car AC repair has been taken care of so that your car is ready for the rising temperatures.   

So you wonder how often should a car AC be serviced?  Many certified AC repair mechanics recommend having your car’s air conditioner inspected at least once a year, if not twice.  In the fall after summer’s hot temperatures and in the spring after winter’s freezing temperatures.  Not only will you be sure you stay cool (or warm) and relaxed in your car, you can save money with improved gas mileage.  

Your vehicle will have to endure numerous road and driving conditions, such as:

• Constant heat from the engine,
• Dirt and debris from the road contaminating the coolant,
• Vehicle’s constant vibrations loosening connections,
• Stress from quick and hard stopping,
• Running over an obstacle in the road, hitting a curb, or going too fast over a speed bump or pothole,
• The condenser becomes blocked so that refrigerant can’t flow through the connections,
• A broken cooling fan, and
• Faulty electrical connections 

If any of the problems above occur, refrigerant can leak out through loose connections, cracks in a hose, or even a tiny crack in the AC unit.  In this case, there will not be sufficient pressure in the compressor to push the heated refrigerant throughout the system to cool it down and repeat the cycle.  

Have more questions about how often should a car AC be serviced?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care to request an appointment for car AC repair. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

How Often Should Car Service Be Done?

If you’re wondering how often should car service be done, it is important to remember that there are some factors that have an impact on the needed frequency of service.  The primary considerations would be:

• How many miles you drive in a year;
• If you adhere to the recommended car maintenance schedule; and
• The condition of the roads you travel on a consistent basis.

However, most auto mechanics would tell you that typically, it is wise to have your car serviced every 12 months or 12K miles (whichever comes first).  Of course, as referenced above, if you drive a lot more miles during the year, then you should schedule a service every 6 months or 6K miles.  

One great feature of today’s vehicles is the built-in computer that will alert you when your car has reached certain service intervals. If your car doesn’t have this feature, ask your car repair specialist to help you keep track of the specific maintenance requirements for your vehicle. Or, you will find the manufacturer’s recommended service guidelines in your owner’s manual for the maintenance of your vehicle. 

Remember:  To help prevent costly car repair as much as possible, make it a habit to keep up with regular car service.  Small issues can be noticed early and taken care of before they turn into a major car repair.  This habit will also increase the safety and trustworthiness of your vehicle.  Plus, research indicates that vehicles with a good service history retain their value in case you want to sell or trade in your vehicle. 

So how often should car service be done?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about car repair services and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

What Are the Signs of Bad Tires?

Have you been visiting your auto repair shop more frequently than typical for urgent tire repair?  If so, it is probably time to change your old tires with new tires that will provide you with a smoother ride and a safer vehicle.  

What are the signs of bad tires, you ask?  Rare vibrations, feeling of loss of control, squealing around corners are all signs of bad tires.  What should you do?  First of all, slow down!  Then drive with caution to a tire repair shop.  Or, you may want to take off the bad tire and put the spare on if you can’t keep driving safely.  In the worst-case scenario, you might want to contact a tow truck.

Here are two easy methods of determining when it’s time to buy new tires:

• Penny test – Place a Lincoln penny upside down into the tread on some spots about 15 inches apart around the tire. If you see most of Lincoln’s head in several positions, it’s time for new tires.
• Wear Bars – Many of the new tires today have built-in “wear bars.”  If this bar is visible it’s definitely time for new tires.

Shopping for new tires is often an anxious situation for a lot of car owners. They cringe at the thought of how much it prices for tires. And how do you choose the best kind of tire for your vehicle?  Here are several questions to consider when choosing tires:

• What is the purpose of the tire?  
• How many miles do you drive? 
• What kind of road do you usually drive on (gravel, smooth pavement, etc.? 
• What kinds of weather do you consistently drive in? 
• How do you store your tires when not in use?

Need to know more about what are the signs of bad tires?  Call our ASE Certified mechanics at Expert Car Care for more information about new tires and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

How Often Do You Need to Change Your Tires?

Buying new tires is a big investment in your car.  A whole set of tires normally includes four matching tires and a spare.  If you are like many people, it may be hard to come up with that much money very often.  So a question often asked by car owners is, “How often do you need to change your tires?”  

It is a common practice for tire manufacturers to list the specific lifespan of a tire, which is normally about 25,000 to 50,000 miles.  However, the number of miles driven every year plus the quality of the tires are two factors in determining how many miles your tires will actually last.  

Here are several easy and inexpensive tips that will help you take care of your tires:    

• Visual Checkup – Look for excessive tread wear, nicks in the rubber, or nails or punctures.  
• Inspect Inflation Pressure – The right inflation pressure ensures optimal contact with the road, improves fuel economy, and helps the tread wear more evenly.  Icy temperatures cause air pressure to fluctuate more speedily so inspect the air pressure frequently as winter approaches.
• Load Index – This is the amount of weight your tires are designed to withstand.  Overcapacity can lead to overheating and damage to your tires.  Consult your owner’s manual for the right size of tire for your vehicle.  
• Rotating Tires – Moving tires around to a different position on your car protects against uneven tread wear.  Have your tires rotated about every 6 months or 6,000 to 8,000 miles?  
• Car Alignment – Alignment refers to an adjustment of the car’s suspension so that the angles of the tires affect how they make contact with the road.  
• Tire Balancing – Keep your tires in balance for smooth rolling of the tire. 

Compared to the cost of new tires, inspecting your tires on a regular basis is relatively inexpensive and will help prevent emergency tire repairs that could leave you stranded on the side of the road.  The time and frustration you may experience are not worth trying to save a few dollars.

Are you worried about how often do you need to change your tires?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about needed tire repair service and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

When Should You Get Transmission Service?

Noticing shifting issues lately?  Many car drivers really don’t think too much about their transmission until they start to notice issues while shifting gears.  That’s when drivers start to worry about the cost of a potential transmission repair.  Because transmission components are subjected reliably to friction and high temperatures, clean fluid is vital to keep them lubricated, which helps to prevent extreme friction and overheating.  

So when should you get transmission service?  Do you want to flush the entire transmission unit, or simply replace the transmission fluid?  Many transmission repair specialists will say that transmission fluid never wants to be changed while others may recommend changing it about every 50K miles.  A good compromise is to have your transmission fluid inspected between 50K and 100K miles to make sure it’s still effective.  Even if it is considered to be what’s called “lifespan” transmission fluid, moisture and dust can still contaminate it by getting into the vent tubes. 

What is the difference between a transmission fluid change and a transmission flush, you ask?  

During a transmission fluid change, only about 40 to 50% of the fluid really drains out.  The rest of it remains in the valves and other parts of the transmission.  By comparison, a transmission flush service totally removes all of the old fluid which is then replaced with fresh fluid.  Though, flushing a transmission, rather than simply changing the fluid, is only recommended if the fluid is in good condition and shows no signs of damage. If there is transmission material in the fluid, it can cause issues in the valves, leading to an expensive transmission repair.

Ask your auto mechanic to inspect the color of your vehicle’s transmission fluid on a regular basis.  The bright pink color indicates it is still fresh and does not want to be changed. Light brown means it would be good to change it.  Though, if the transmission fluid is a dark brown color, it means it has possibly never been changed.  In addition, it could have metal particles in it from the transmission floating around.  If this is the case, you could be looking at an expensive transmission repair. 

Tip to Remember:  Because all vehicles are different, read the transmission service guidelines in your owner’s manual to find what is recommended for your vehicle!  

Do you want to know more about when should you get transmission service?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about the transmission repair service and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.