Are you wondering when should you replace tires?

There are a few signs that are indicators as to when you should replace tires.  There are some factors that determine the lifetime of a tire.

• Design of the tire, 
• Driving habits, 
• Climate, 
• Road conditions, and 
• Maintenance, such as periodic tire rotation.

As the miles add up on your tires, keep these tips in mind:

1. Note 5 Years - After five years or so, make sure to have your tires thoroughly checked at least once a year by a tire repair technician.
2. Maximum of 10 years - As a precaution, replace your tires after 10 years even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator. 
3. Proper care - You can increase the lifetime of your tires by maintaining the correct air pressure, periodic tire rotation, and regular inspections for tread wear and damaged areas.

If you are starting to notice vibrations or other issues while driving, slow down and drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road.  If a tire is damaged, replace it with your spare and then drive to the nearest tire repair shop for a thorough inspection. Has your whole vehicle checked if you can’t identify the source of the vibration?  It could be an axle going bad.

Remember:  Tire maintenance is one of the most critical and important aspects for maintaining a safe vehicle.

Have questions about how when should you replace tires?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about tire rotation and other tire services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Wondering when should transmission fluid be changed?

You may be wondering just what is the purpose of transmission fluid?  It keeps the surfaces and components of the transmission system lubricated to prevent excessive friction and overheating that would lead to transmission issues.  It also serves as a viscous fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission.  

So, when should transmission fluid be changed?  Technically, transmission fluid could remain in your vehicle without ever changing it.  Though, you will find that most auto repair mechanics advise that you should have a transmission flush about every 50,000 miles.  Over time, the components of transmission will wear out and start to present issues, such as the problems described below:

1. Delayed Shifting.  There may be a temporary delay after you move the gear stick to reverse. The gear change cannot be activated instantly if there isn’t sufficient pressure. 
2. Difficult or Erratic Shifting.  If there is a lot of dirt or residue in the transmission fluid, the gears will either change too fast or too slow. Other symptoms include abrupt up/down shifts, unusually high RPMs before a shift, erratic shifting, and groaning or grinding noise coming from the transmission.  
3. Gear Slippage.  You may change gear, but then it appears to fall back out of that gear. The friction material on the clutches and transmission bands are no longer able to securely engage a gear. 
4. Transmission Overheats.  In an automatic, the transmission fluid keeps the transmission unit from overheating.  If overheating occurs, pull over instantly and let everything cool down. If the temperatures get to be over 240°F, serious damage could have taken place inside the transmission unit.

Tip to Remember:  At least once a month, have the transmission fluid inspected to see if it has the appropriate level or it still effective.  If you put a lot of miles on your vehicle or tow heavy loads, have it inspected at least every two weeks. 

Wondering when should transmission fluid be changed?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about transmission repair and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Do you know why oil changes are important?

If you need to keep your vehicle for a while, you should understand why oil changes are important.  It is crucial for the health of your engine, saving you money in the long run by preventing major repair.  You don’t save money by neglecting regular oil changes or by stretching out the suggested mileage interval because engine repair is far more expensive than regular oil changes.

Here are five problems to consider regarding oil changes:

1. Understand the purpose of oil.  Oil lubricates the engine so that its parts don’t grind against each other; keeps the engine from overheating; and carries away dirt, dust, and other contaminants that would otherwise clog engine parts.
2. Changing the Oil and Filter.  The oil change interval will vary depending on the model of your vehicle, its age, the type of oil used, and your driving conditions. It used to be usual to change oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants, many engines today have suggested oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. If your car requires full-synthetic motor oil, you may go as far as 15,000 miles between services!
3. Dashboard Warning Light.   Several vehicles have the dashboard light programmed to come on automatically at 3,000-5,000 miles after the last oil change. Don’t rely on that light as in some cars, particularly older ones, that light might not come on until the level of oil is too low.  It’s vital to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation of oil change intervals listed in your owner’s manual.
4. Viscosity of the Oil.  The viscosity codes (for example, 10W-40) tell you how viscous (how thick or how thin) the oil is in hot and cold weather. Again, it’s vital to follow the recommendations stated in the owner’s manual for the viscosity preferred in particular driving conditions.
5. Conventional, Premium, and Synthetic Oils.  Typically, synthetic oil is required in certain high-tech engines.  Traditional engines will typically use conventional oil. Premium oil offers extra additives that may be useful for special driving wants. There are also blends that combine synthetic and premium conventional oils.  Be sure to ask your mechanic for recommendations on what is best for your vehicle.

Need to know more about why oil changes are important?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for information about our oil change coupons and to Make an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Wondering about How Often Should You Replace A Car Battery?

As one of the most vital parts of a vehicle, the battery powers a multitude of tasks and devices, from starting the engine to powering in-car computers.  Auto shop owners state that one of the top causes for roadside assistance is a dead car battery.  Most of the time, the battery is too old for the job it’s supposed to perform.

After 4 or 5 years, most car batteries will be almost completely untrustworthy.  It’s may be shocking to hear, but many batteries become inefficient within just 3 years in usual everyday conditions, even with correct maintenance.  This time of year it’s good to know that cold weather adds a two-fold strain on the battery by reducing its power output and by increasing the amps wanted to crank a cold engine.

So are you left wondering how often should you replace a car battery?  Consider these four problems when deciding if a car battery replacement might be compulsory:

• Accessories that have important power demands, like headlights, may not function as well as they should.
• Newer cars have powerful computers that are operating all the time, even when the car is turned off.  These computers can draw energy from the battery at a slow, stable rate. 
• A battery could go from 90% performance to 20% over the course of a few months so have frequent inspections of your charging system.
• Cars with stop-start technology often want a special battery as it ensures a greater strain than usual vehicles.

Note to Remember:  A car battery replacement is relatively cheap to avoid the stress and hazards of a roadside breakdown.

Do you need to know how often should you replace a car battery?  Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about a car battery replacement and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Do you know How Often Should You Get An Alignment?

You may be wondering about the purpose of a wheel alignment?  The purpose is three-fold—to keep the steering at the original manufacturers’ settings; to aid inconsistent and even tire wear, and to assist in correct braking of your car.

It’s not a hard fast rule, but under usual driving conditions, a wheel alignment is suggested once or twice a year. Though, this recommendation is very flexible. If you drive often on particularly rough roads or are habitually hitting curbs, then you should possibly have your wheel alignment inspected more often.  Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed length of time that your vehicle will stay in alignment. It can be simply put off with a single bump of a curb or the jolt of a large pothole.

Is a wheel alignment necessary when you get new tires?

The mounting of new tires can be a good opportunity to address alignment – especially if your old, dismounted tires are showing signs of uneven wear. Getting a wheel alignment will produce correct tire wear and longevity.

Do you want a front or four-wheel alignment?

This depends on your vehicle, and whether there are rear adjustments available on your vehicle.  If the front and rear alignment adjustments are probable, then you'll want a four-wheel alignment. The price difference between front and four-wheel alignment services is not significant.

Maintaining proper car alignment, along with regular tire rotations, will keep your vehicle aligned within O.M.E. specifications; will offer correct vehicle handling; and ensure optimum tire wear and longevity.

Money spent on a wheel alignment is money well invested incorrect car care, preventative maintenance, and vehicle safety.

Do you know how often you should get an alignment?  Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about our car alignment services and to schedule an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.