When it comes to their vehicles, some Ellendale people don’t have a maintenance mindset. They know they need to take care of their cars, but it just seems really hard to get them to remember to do it. Ellendale drivers generally accept that many things in life require regular maintenance, but just may have not applied it to their trucks.
For example: the lawn. You water it and mow it every week. And weed the flower beds and rake the leaves. There are other things that Ellendale people are good about maintaining. Going to the dentist twice a year. Clothes to the dry cleaner. Flu shots. Taking the kids to your Ellendale doctor for a checkup before school starts.
So Ellendale people really are maintenance minded. They just have to learn to apply that mindset to cars. I mean, if you never brush your teeth or go to the dentist, you’ll become painfully aware of your neglect when you get a big cavity. Once the damage is done, we learn our lesson and start to take better care of things.
Unfortunately, Ellendale truck owners too often learn the hard automotive lesson when they bring their vehicle to D & B Automotiove on a tow truck. So many times a little routine maintenance would have prevented a breakdown.
So how can Ellendale drivers get into the habit of taking care of their truck? It’s so easy to forget. If you skip cutting the grass, you see it every time you pull in the driveway.
Here’s something that will help: The key to good vehicle maintenance starts with the oil change. Think about it – when you go in for a full-service oil change, your D & B Automotiove tech will check all your fluids. If one of them is low, he can look for the reason why. If your serpentine belt is cracked, he’ll see it and let you know. Corroded battery cable – they’ve got you covered. And at D & B Automotiove, we check to see if your truck manufacturer has recommended any services at your current mileage. The oil change becomes kind of a focal point, a way to check in to see what needs to be done. The fact is that vehicle inspection surveys consistently reveal that over 80% of vehicles have one or more unperformed repair or maintenance service. Vehicles are generally very reliable and can take a lot of abuse and neglect. But, you’ve got to remember that trucks are complicated machines. There are parts and fluids that are critical to their function. Without them, the truck won’t run at all.
So when you come in to D & B Automotiove for an oil change, you get a visual inspection from your caring service advisor and a reminder for recommended services so you can avoid a total failure. And remember that your D & B Automotiove service advisor can help you work out a maintenance and repair plan, prioritizing and scheduling the work to make sure you and your family are safe, and avoid expensive breakdowns.
Posted in the Maintenance category
D & B Automotiove Guide To Using the Correct Fluids in Your Vehicle
Posted February 23, 2012 10:01 AM
Today's D & B Automotiove post focuses on using the proper fluids for your vehicle. Big advances in automotive technology have lead to the development of high-tech fluids to keep pace. Some because of engineering advances and others, advances in the materials used to build truck automotive systems.
A simple example of this is the cooling system. For decades it was primarily made out of iron, steel and rubber hoses. There was one kind of coolant that protected these components from corrosion.
Now cooling system components are made with various metal alloys and plastics. These materials require different additives to protect them from corrosion. Since the materials used vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, we now have a number of different kinds of coolant.
And it’s important that Cordova car owners use the right coolant. If you pour in the wrong kind, it won’t protect the cooling system and may even void the warranty. Check your truck owner’s manual. Of course, your D & B Automotiove advisor will know the proper coolant to use.
Brake fluid is confusing for some Cordova drivers. Back when we opened shop 4 years ago, most vehicles used Dot 3 brake fluid. Now we have Dot 4 and Dot 5. Some Cordova people mistakenly think the higher numbers are an upgrade. You know, if 3 is good then 4 must be better. That’s not how it works. They are different formulations to meet the demands of differences in brake systems. Only one of them is recommended for your truck.
Transmission fluid is the same thing. For decades there were two basic types of tranny fluid used at D & B Automotiove: friction modified or not. With the tremendous engineering advances in truck automatic transmissions, there have been several new types of fluids developed to protect and lubricate them.
Nowhere are the advances in automotive fluids more evident to Cordova motorists and D & B Automotiove professionals than in motor oil. Many new weights and formulations have been created to meet the demands of today’s modern truck engine design. Modern engines have more parts and much tighter tolerances. Every year, engines make more power and get better fuel economy. And with all the complication and sophistication, they still have to be durable.
That’s where the new grades of engine oil come in. They have to be formulated to lubricate, protect and clean all of those truck engine parts, big and little. The oil has to be thin enough to get into little passages, yet resistant to vaporization.
At D & B Automotiove, we believe that in some ways modern automotive fluids are just as great feats of engineering as the new engines. Because weights of oil and types of coolant and transmission fluid are so carefully matched to the vehicle, take care to always use the proper fluid if you are topping off at home. Check your truck owner’s manual or ask your Cordova service advisor. The wrong fluid can cause damage. If you drive a car or truck with 75,000 miles or more, consider high mileage formulations. These fluids contain extra detergent to clean dirtier older engines as well as additives to condition seals and gaskets. That’ll help prevent leaks. Always be sure that the high mileage fluid is the same weight or type of fluid recommended for your vehicle.
