5 Services Your Car May Need Now

Oil changes are one of the most standard and simple service appointments you could make, but are often overlooked, or postponed by car owners. Oftentimes owners rely on the sticker telling them when their next service should be performed based on a date rather than the condition of the oil itself. When a vehicle is requiring an oil change, there are frequently symptoms to indicate its time.
The first place to start (and arguably the easiest) is to check the oil reservoir. Clean oil is amber in color, but after time and extended use, oil will become darker and gets dirty from the articles it collects from the engine. It can be difficult to determine when the oil will start to go bad, but we recommend checking your oil at least once a month to confirm it is still in good condition. If you suspect you may have an issue with your oil system, or if you’re interested in what causes oil leaks, be sure to check out our article How Do Oil Leaks Happen?

Fall and winter months can put your brakes and rotors to the test. Being prepared before bad weather strikes can help you avoid potentially harmful situations while on the road. Your brakes are one of your first lines of defense in poor driving conditions (i.e. heavy leaf coverage on the road, rain, snow, or ice). If there is one safety feature to regularly inspect and service, your brakes would be it. However, when replacing your brake pads, it is worth having your mechanic inspect the rotors as well since these can become damaged if the brake pads are damaged as well.
There are a few signs that will point to an issue with the brake system. If you apply the brake and you hear a squeal or grinding sound, it is safe to assume there is significant wear on your brake pads. Sometimes, the problem can progress enough that the brake warning light will illuminate to alert you to a potential problem. A few other symptoms you may experience include the car pulling to one direction, vibrations when applying the brake, or if you are able to press the brake pedal all the way to the floor of the car. For more information around your brake system, or to review the services we offer, visit our Brake Service Repair page. We are also offering $25 off of any brake service through the month of November, so don’t wait for the problem to progress.

Tune Ups are relatively straight forward and involve a mechanic inspecting and adjusting every system in your car that contributes to efficient fuel consumption and usage. Tune ups add to the lifespan of your vehicle because it identifies areas that should be fixed (i.e. spark plugs or sensors) before they have a chance to deteriorate more, as well as protecting you from costly expenses in the future. For more information on what to expect during a tune up, refer to our article What’s In a Tune Up?

So how often should you get a tune up? That depends on what type of vehicle you drive, what your driving habits are, and if you’ve experienced issues recently. Some problems that may lead you to the shop would be if your car is difficult to start, it’s been about 10-20,000 miles since the last date of service, or if you suspect something may be on the fritz. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

A normal battery will last approximately 4-5 years, but depending on your climate, the overall condition of your car, and its age, you may find you need to replace it more or less often. When the cold, snowy weather starts up, you’ll want to know for sure that your battery is able to handle the extra work. There are signs your battery needs to be replaced. If you’ve noticed that it takes a little extra effort to start your car, or the engine cranks but won’t start, you may already be experiencing issues related to the battery system.

Autumn has arrived, and winter is right around the corner. Before the weather has a chance to turn, or before you find yourself stuck in a snow bank, we recommend that everyone prepare an emergency kit to keep in the car during the winter months. In addition to the services listed above, it is important to ensure that your window wipers are replaced, headlights and taillight bulbs work, and that the radiator and cooling system is working without issue. For more information about preparing your vehicle for winter, see the article Winter Prep Checklist for Your Car.

Related: Seasonal Car Care Services at AAMCO Minnesota

Owning a car can be a lot of work, and finding the right people – who you can trust – to service your car is a job all on its own. We have locations all around the state of Minnesota and have extensive experience with all car related issues. If you have questions about any of the services above, or if you think it’s time to get some work done, schedule an appointment today and save 5% (up to $100) off your next repair. Because those who know go to AAMCO.