car care Archives

5 Things Every Vehicle Owner Should Know

One of the biggest investments a person makes in their life is their vehicle purchase. For drivers old and new, owning a vehicle is a huge responsibility, one that should never be taken lightly. If you are lucky enough to own a vehicle, there are some important things that you should know to remain safe and to keep your investment running in its best condition. Fortunately, the knowledge is not hard to come by.

Here are five things every vehicle owner should know:

Basic Automotive Maintenance

Every vehicle owner should understand how to perform your basic automotive maintenance. This includes being able to check things like the antifreeze, brake fluid, oil, and windshield wiper fluid. You should also learn how to jump-start a vehicle and change a tire in case of emergency. Investing a little time to learn such things can save you time and money later.

How to Read and Use the Owner’s Manual

Vehicle manufacturers know that it is not realistic to expect every driver to know every little thing about their vehicle, so they supply you with a vehicle owner’s manual. This manual provides you with information specific to the needs of your exact vehicle make and model. Never lose your owner’s manual! This manual will let you know what maintenance tasks should be prioritized and provide guidelines on how often maintenance tasks should be performed. It will also tell you what each dashboard light indicates in your vehicle.

Insurance and Registration

To drive in Arizona, you need more than just a valid drivers license. You also need to have your vehicle registered and insured. Once you have done this, you need to keep your information in a safe place in your vehicle in the event you have been pulled over or there was an accident. Keep all the information together in one easy to reach spot, and don’t let it expire.

What to Have in Your Emergency Kit

Every vehicle should have an emergency kit in the trunk. A first aid kit, blanket, spare tire, flashlight and jumper cables are all very important, but along with these things, you should include gear that could be important in the climate in which you reside. In the Phoenix area, extra water, sunscreen, and even Chapstick may be some items you want to consider. Always remember, safety first!

A Reliable Mechanic

Read online reviews, and look around until you find a mechanic that will work with you and makes you feel comfortable. One that is honest and direct with you about the state of your vehicle and has the knowledge and technology necessary to take care of your vehicle. If you are near the Phoenix area, we know just the place for you to begin, here with the automotive repair professionals at Virginia Auto Service. At Virginia Auto Service, we like to help people with their vehicles and road safety in any way that we can. We are your go-to in Phoenix, AZ for reliable, high-quality auto repair services. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online. We look forward to seeing you.

The Top 4 Reasons for Preventative Maintenance

Often, vehicles become unreliable or require expensive repairs because they do not receive regular maintenance. Having regular preventative maintenance performed on your vehicle will keep it running newer for longer. If that’s not enough to convince you, here are the top four reasons for preventative maintenance.

Ease Your Mind

Having regular oil changes, tire rotations, and tune-ups allows for you to be certain that your vehicle is running optimally and will get you to all your destinations safely. Avoiding regular maintenance could result in a blown tire in the middle of nowhere, or perhaps an overheating engine on your way to work!

Safe Operation and Reliability

Driving a vehicle can be dangerous, especially if parts are at risk of malfunctioning. Preventative maintenance will make sure that the components of your vehicle are in their best condition and functioning properly. When you skip an oil change or forget to replace vital fluids, mechanical parts of your vehicle will wear out more quickly and require you to have them replaced sooner. Preventative maintenance helps you get the most life out of the mechanics of your vehicle, which means less or no breakdowns.

Serious vehicle trouble, like engine or transmission failure, can also be prevented when regular maintenance is performed. Refer to your owner’s manual for the maintenance schedule recommended for your specific vehicle make and model, then follow it closely.

Improve Gas Mileage

Preventative maintenance helps to ensure that your vehicle gets the best gas mileage that it can. Should you fail to have the motor oil and engine air filters replaced on schedule, your gas mileage will be reduced and could cause unnecessary wear on the engine. It is usually recommended that vehicle’s using conventional oil have it changed every 3,000 miles. If the vehicle uses synthetic oil it can go up to 6,000 miles. However, the exact mileage will depend on your exact vehicle, so you should refer to your owner’s manual. Tire care and rotations are also important to gas mileage. Check the inflation of the tires monthly, and have them rotated and balanced ever 10,000-15,000 miles. Another part that affects gas mileage are the spark plugs. Standard copper spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 miles, and iridium plugs every 100,000.

Save Money

If you do not have regular preventative maintenance performed on your vehicle you risk having simple repairs turn into large, expensive problems. Even the simple act of neglecting oil changes could result in engine failure. Replacing the timing belt every 60,000 miles and the serpentine belt every 40,000 miles will also help prevent costly engine problems. Putting off, or skipping tire rotations could throw off your alignment, which could end up damaging the suspension and other components. Having the battery inspected and cleaned at each oil change will save you the cost and hassle of being stranded with a dead battery. The list of money-saving benefits of preventative maintenance goes on and on.

Regular maintenance will help guarantee that your vehicle is performing optimally. For further information on how preventative maintenance can benefit you, please contact our experienced mechanics today. Virginia Auto Service is here to help you with your preventative maintenance needs. We are your go-to in Phoenix, AZ for reliable, high-quality auto repair services. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

7 Essential Summer Car Care Tips

Summer is the time of year for road trips to get out of the heat! It is also the time of year that your vehicle is the most susceptible to trouble. To protect your vehicle, and keep it running optimally, there is some special maintenance that needs to be performed this time of year.

According to vehicle manufacturers, Arizona is an extreme climate, which means that cars aren’t usually engineered to drive here! “Scheduled maintenance” guidelines that are found in the owner’s manuals and that are suggested by dealers don’t take the extreme summer weather conditions found in Arizona into account- unless specifically noted. This makes getting your vehicle summer ready that much more important.

Here are 7 essential summer car care tips:

Perform Regular Oil Changes

The oil in your vehicle should be changed every 3000 miles or three months. It doesn’t take a whole lot of contaminants to harm your engine. In Phoenix, Arizona it is extremely important to stay on top of oil changes as more dust gets ingested into the intake and deposited into the oil here than it does in other climates. When dirt is in the oil it breaks down its viscosity and will eventually erode seals and piston rings if left unattended. During the monsoon season (June – September) we are prone to haboobs and minor dust storms, so changing your oil more often may be necessary, even synthetic. Make sure you are checking and changing the oil filter too, as it can only hold so much before it becomes ineffective.

Check Air Filters

Inspect and/or change the air filter at least once every other oil change. As air filters get dirty, tiny dust particles escape into the intake and find their way into the engine. Like we said above, Phoenix, Arizona is very dusty, so you will likely collect dirt more rapidly here than you would in other places.

Inspect Your Tires

Summertime in Phoenix is also blowout season. Inspect your tires every time you fill your gas tank for wear and proper inflation. The contact pad of your tires should be square and not too narrow or bulging. Make sure the tires are wearing evenly. Be cautious of over-inflation as the increased temperature (~160F) of the asphalt on the highways will increase the PSI by about 10psi. If you need new tires (replace at 3/32nds of tread remaining) you may want to consider purchasing “summer” tires. If you visit the mountains in the winter months, however, you may want to stick with all-season tires- always take your own driving habits into consideration when purchasing tires.

Make Sure the AC Functions Properly

If your vehicle’s AC is not functioning properly do not hesitate to bring it in for service. Summer temperatures are brutal in Phoenix and the AC is not just a luxury here, it is essential. The AC system is meant to be completely sealed and never leak, so if it is leaking it must be repaired asap.

Inspect the Belts and Hoses

In Phoenix, with the increased heat and minimal humidity, the belts and hoses are known to fail quickly. At every oil change, and before any long road trips, inspect the belts and hoses for wear. We suggest bringing a replacement on any road trips with you as a precaution. Make sure the belts and hoses aren’t soft, torn, cracked, or blistered. It is better for your engine, and wallet, to stay on top of them and change them before they fail.

Change Your Wiper Blades

Arizona summers bring along the monsoons. Make sure your wipers are ready to keep your windshield clear during the downpour. Wiper blades dry and crack up here more frequently than elsewhere and should be inspected when you fill the gas tank throughout the summer season.

Monitor the Radiator/Cooling System

Watch your engine temperatures and inspect for leaks. Pay close attention to it. Watch the water level to make sure it isn’t decreasing, watch the temperature of your gauges and pay attention to any strange odors. It is extremely common for cars to overheat in Arizona, and many overheating issues are related to a broken thermostat. If your vehicle overheats you need to have it inspected and diagnosed immediately. Keep a gallon of coolant and water in the vehicle for long road trips.

Remember, routine maintenance is preventative by nature. Don’t wait for a problem to prompt you into it. When you take proper care of your vehicle, it will take care of you, and routine maintenance goes a long way to avoid costly repairs. Arizona summers may be extreme conditions for vehicles to put up with, but with the above tips, your vehicle can survive it.

If you need help prepping your vehicle for the rest of summer, Virginia Auto Service is here for you. We are your go-to in Phoenix, AZ for reliable, high-quality auto repair services. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.