World Class Auto: Car Care Central

How to Cut American Fork Auto Repair Costs

By: Rod Martin

These days we're all looking for ways to keep our wallets full. Sometimes we try to cut out spending in certain areas. Your Auto Repair in American Fork is not one of these areas. You may wonder, can I afford to flush this fluid or replace this part? The real question is can you afford not to? Expenses on a vehicle add up quickly. If you procrastinate on performing routine maintenance, the costs can increase exponentially. For example, failing to flush the power steering fluid will cause the lines or even the pump to fail much sooner than it normally would have.

To keep yourself aware of any potential problems that could be lurking around the corner, have an inspection of your car performed twice per year by an experienced, ASE certified technician: once right at the onset of winter and once as summer begins.

Here are the SOLUTIONS for cutting Auto Repair American Fork costs on:

Engine performance - A poorly maintained engine can sometimes be hard to start in cold weather. It may also run rough and lose power. Have fuel, ignition and emission control systems checked, necessary components replaced and adjustments made. This will benefit both your gas mileage and also the environment.

Battery and electrical system - How old is your battery? If it is three or more years old, it should be tested and replaced if necessary. Even a strong battery that can deliver full power at 80 degrees Fahrenheit will have dropped to 65 percent of its output at freezing temperature--and only 40 percent at zero degrees. Clean and tighten battery terminals, as loose or corroded connections can cause the same symptoms as a weak or dead battery.

Oil and filter - Both of these should be changed every 3,000 miles to avoid sludge build-up and decreased flow of oil, which leads to internal engine damage.

Visibility - Replace old wiper blades and be sure your washers are working. Carry spare washer solvent in your vehicle so that you always have it when you need it.

Cooling system - A vehicle's antifreeze should be flushed annually, or at the interval recommended in your owner's manual. Have the system pressure-tested for leaks, and check hoses and drive belt(s) for tension and condition as well.

Tires - Inspect, balance, check inflation and rotate Provo tires. Check inflation on the spare and make sure the jack is in place.

Lights - Check all lights and replace burned out bulbs

Exhaust System - Have the vehicle put on a lift for an inspection of the exhaust system. Leaking exhaust fumes can be deadly and can rob your engine of power.

The advantage of bringing your vehicle to a professional American Fork auto repair shop is that they can help you stay on top of any minor problems that arise that could potentially turn into something more major. This also means that when something comes up and they catch it early, you have more ability to see what needs to be done in the future and therefore budget out the money ahead of time.

Timing is Everything

By: Rod Martin

Most components in a car will fail gracefully -- you'll start to hear worn bearings or see a slow oil or coolant leak as signs of any impending failures. The timing belt is not one of these parts, and a broken timing belt may result in catastrophic engine failure.

The timing belt connects the car's crankshaft to the car's camshafts. These shafts are connected to the internal parts of your car's engine. All of these parts need to be perfectly "timed" to operate with one another, which is where the timing belt comes into play.

If a car has an interference engine, as many modern vehicles do, parts may slam into each other and break in the event of a timing belt failure. In this case, the car may need a very costly repair akin to rebuilding the engine.

Checking a timing belt's condition is almost as complicated as replacing it, so a timing belt should be replaced at intervals recommended by the manufacturer.

Replacing a timing belt is a very involved procedure, which performed improperly, may damage the engine and leave you without a working car. It is imperative that a timing belt replacement is performed before the belt's lifespan is exceeded or you could end up stranded with a broken car and a very large repair bill.

If you know you are due for a new belt or just aren't sure, find an ASE Certified Technician at an auto repair shop in Highland, who will be able to recommend a solution and preventative maintenance that will help keep you safely on the road.