Car Care Tips for New Car Owners

Posted on April 12, 2021 by autorepair

Whether you are 16 years old and brand new to independent driving, or a first-time new car owner, your top priority should be safe driving. But there is more to being a safe driver other than skill and knowledge; it is equally important to know how to take good care of your vehicle and stay on top of routine maintenance. This ensures optimal performance and efficiency, which in turn supports safer driving. As a newbie to automotive responsibility, it is strongly encouraged to review and understand the basics of car care, and then keep up with your vehicle’s factory scheduled services.

Continue below to learn some fundamental car care tips for new car owners.

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The Importance of Routine Car Care

If you want to be the safest driver you can possibly be, then you will need to add routine car maintenance to your list of priorities. Regular car care allows your vehicle to perform its best and last much longer. Routine and proper car care can also reduce the frequency or likelihood of mechanic expenses for costly breakdowns and auto part replacements.

Although the detailed factory scheduled maintenance checklist varies depending on the type of driver you are and your car’s make and model, there are a few basic services and needs that all car owners will need to implement in order to maintain a safe and reliable vehicle. From fluid changes and radiator flushes to tune-ups, wiper replacements, and more, you can be a better driver if you take good care of your car.

Recommended Automotive Services for All Car Owners

► Fluid Changes

Your car uses several fluids, seven in fact. They all need to be swapped out or refilled regularly for optimal performance and longevity. These include motor oil, radiator fluid (coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, battery fluid (usually just water), and windshield wiper fluid. Refer to your owners’ manual, or look it up online, to see how often all of these need to be replaced. As for wiper fluid, you can often detect the need for a refill yourself. As for oil changes, the average recommendation is every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, but this can vary depending on how often you drive and other factors.

► Battery Service

You can expect to have your car battery replaced every 7,500 miles or so, which is usually around 48 months. You will likely start to see the signs of a failing battery, such as dimming lights, stalled engine, and sluggish performance. Be sure you always have a set of jumper cables in your trunk so that you can jump start the battery if it dies.

► Tire Care

Your tires are arguably one of the most important exterior features of a car. After all, they make actual contact with the road, while providing traction to keep there, and in control. For this reason, it is important to take good care of your car tires with routine rotation and balancing, as well as regular tire pressure inspections and air refills. Try to have your tires serviced every 6 months, or every 7,500 miles.

► Brake Service

Along with your tires, your brakes are also vital automotive components necessary for safety. Be sure to have your brakes checked and serviced every year. A typical automotive brake inspection should include an inspection of all lights, hoses, lines, and electrical components, as well as cleaning, brake fluid replenishment, vehicle alignment, brake pad replacement, brake rotor replacement, and a test drive.

► Engine Inspections and Tune Ups

Along with your routine oil change, your engine will need a basic inspection and a few tweaks, and perhaps even a little cleaning, while it’s in the shop. This level of engine service should be done at least once every year.

► Exterior Car Care

It is also important to keep your car clean. Neglecting to wash your car regularly will subject it to years of piled up residue, which can cause paint erosion, rust, and more. This type of damage will also have a devastating impact on a vehicle’s overall resale value. Of course, it is also recommended to keep the inside of your car clean as much as possible for optimal driving safety.

Does your car need some routine maintenance? Contact Northeast Auto Service at 317-475-1846 for superior, ASE licensed auto repair and service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We service all make and model vehicles.

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FAQS About Factory Scheduled Car Maintenance

Posted on February 25, 2021 by autorepair

If you are a car owner, it is necessary to know how to take care of your asset in order to protect your investment. And it all starts with routine car maintenance. Everything from sensible driving and fluid changes, to filter replacements, battery care, and more, are all important parts of maintaining a safe and operational vehicle for years to come. You can find the recommended maintenance schedule you’re your vehicle in its owners’ manual. Or you can contact a trusted mechanic for advice.

Continue reading to review some of the most commonly asked questions about car maintenance, and who to trust with your vehicle.

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Car Care and Maintenance Mechanic Advice

When Should I Rotate and Balance My Tires?

Your car’s tires play a large role in gas mileage, fuel efficiency, performance, and safety. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to your tire’s condition and routine needs. It is recommended to rotate and balance tires every 5,000 miles, or at every other oil change.

When Should I Get My Oil Changed?

Oil changes are vital for your vehicle. Without them, your car simply wouldn’t run after some time. So be sure to get your oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you drive often or drive long distances frequently, you may need to get them at closer intervals.

When Should I Replace My Spark Plugs?

Spark plugs are important components to your vehicle’s engine. For this reason, and many more, you should replace worn-out spark plugs every 30,000 miles, or every 3 years. This will also improve your fuel efficiency.

Do I Have to Replace My Timing Belt?

You MUST replace your timing belt when the manufacturer recommends! If you fail to do so, it can cause major engine damage, which is extremely expensive to repair. Timing belt replacement is the much cheaper option.

Does My Check Engine Light Mean I Need Car Maintenance?

Well, not exactly. It illuminates when you are in dire need of car maintenance or repair. Your trusted mechanic, coupled with your car’s owners’ manual, will let you know when you need car maintenance. That is because car maintenance should be on the preventative side. You do not want to wait until there is something wrong to act.

What Do I Do if My Car Overheats?

Pull over immediately, turn off the engine, allow it to cool completely, and then check to see if you are low on coolant. In most cases, a quick re-fill of radiator fluid, also known as coolant, is the cure for an overheating engine. In other cases, it can be something more serious. If your car continues to overheat, even with coolant, you need auto repair.

Why is My Engine Oil Look Milky?

When coolant leaks into the engine oil, it can take on a milky-brown color. Blown head gaskets, cracked casings, and transmission cooler failure are common causes. This is a very serious issue that requires immediate auto repair.

When Do I Need to Replace the Fuel Filter?

Just like spark plugs, fuel filters should be replaced every 30,000 miles or so. You can couple this service with your spark plug replacement and get them done at the same time.

What Do I Do if I Have a Burnt Fuse?

Burnt out fuses should be replaced immediately. Be sure to always use the same amperage, which you can find printed on the fuse. It the same fuse continues to cause problems; you may have an issue with your circuit. This requires professional inspection and repair.

Do you need factory schedule car maintenance in Indianapolis, Indiana? Contact Northeast Auto Service at 317-475-1846 for automotive repair services at the most affordable prices in town!

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Important Factory Schedule Maintenance Services for Cars, Trucks, and Other Vehicles

Posted on October 2, 2013 by autorepair

Owning an automobile is a big responsibility. Vehicles require care and upkeep, just as us humans do! There are various factory scheduled maintenance services that automotive companies recommend in order to sustain and benefit a vehicle’s performance value and longevity. The most common routine maintenance services include oil changes, filter changes, tire rotations and balances, engine flushes, radiator flushes, fluid refills, and more.

All regular scheduled maintenance services are vital for the well-being and dependability of any vehicle; however, without a few of the key services mentioned above, a car simply won’t run at all. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more important factory scheduled maintenance services that support optimal vehicle performance and sustainability in the long run.

Oil Changes

Although one of the most ordinary and unassuming of all the required vehicle maintenance, oil changes are one of the most important services a person can provide for their ride. Changing the engine oil and filter is vital when it comes to maintaining a functioning vehicle. Without motor oil and a clean filter, a car engine will overheat, eventually melting and destroying the inner workings of an engine. This can lead to very costly repairs.

Even if they are mundane, oil changes are absolutely necessary if you wish to keep your vehicle out of the repair shop or scrap yard. They should be performed at least every five thousand miles; whether that number is reached within one month or ten.

Vehicle Fluid Changes

Fluids such as transmission fluid, coolant, power steering, and even windshield wiper fluid are all vital components that require regular refills in most vehicles. Again, the schedule for these services differ from vehicle to vehicle; however, they are typically inspected, changed, or re-filled every six months or 5,000 miles, whichever of the two comes first.

Tires and Brakes

One of the most important safety features of a vehicle is its ability to stop. The routine maintenance services that protect this crucial capability surround the tires and brakes. Tire rotations and balances are important services that keep your tire functional in all weather conditions and elements. Refilling or changing the brake fluid and brake pads, and checking the over-all condition of the brakes, are also necessary services that all vehicles require in order to support safe driving on the road.

These services need to be outsourced every 8 to 30 thousand miles, depending on the year, make, and model vehicle. It is best to consult a professional automotive technician or vehicle manufacturer for routine maintenance specifications and schedules. This information can also be found in the owner’s portfolio that came with the car, or the manufacturer booklet in the glove compartment of new cars.

Routine Scheduled Maintenance Services in Indianapolis, Indiana

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For professional advice and information about your vehicle’s required factory scheduled maintenance, call our licensed mechanics at 317-475-1846 today. We are happy to discuss your vehicle’s service requirements, no matter who does your automotive services. Visit our website at https://www.autorepairindy.com/factory-schduled-maintenance-indianapolis.php for details about routine service schedules and our company credentials. We are expert automotive mechanics that specialize in all foreign and domestic automotive services and repairs. Call us today for licensed factory scheduled automotive maintenance in Indianapolis, IN and its neighboring counties.

When to Get an Oil Change

Posted on October 31, 2012 by autorepair

Regular scheduled maintenance is a must for any car owner. This includes brake inspections, filter replacements, tire rotations, and more. They are all part of the cycle to keeping your car in mint condition. Above all, one of the most important, and frequently neglected, requirements is oil changes. Oil changes are crucial to maintaining a well-functioning vehicle. Read on to learn how often you should be changing your oil in your ride of choice!

Oil Change Cycles Vary

There are many factors that contribute to the frequency of oil changes. It really differs from person to person, and even from vehicle to vehicle. Many people generally suggest changing your oil every 3,000 miles, or every three months; while others recommend changing oil between 5,000 and 10,000 miles. These are general estimations and can vary greatly depending on the lifestyle and driving style you live by.

As far as vehicles go, the type of fuel designed for your car can influence the amount of recommended miles driven between oil changes. If your car runs off of gas, then most likely your car’s manufacturer has already suggested a mileage for oil changes. You would just need to refer to the car’s manual. If your car didn’t come with a manual, you can look up the make and model online, and refer to the oil change requirements there. For trucks that burn diesel fuel, the same instructions would apply.

Driving Record

If you are a person that drives your personal vehicle around for work, then you may need to get oil changes on the more frequent spectrum, rather than a six month marker. If you drive fast and abruptly, you will need to get an oil change around 3,000 miles rather than 6,000.

Regardless of what type of vehicle you drive, or the type of driver you are, you should never go more than six months before replacing the oil in your car. Neglecting to change the oil in your car will cause expensive and inconvenient repairs and breakdowns, as well as, reduced performance value.

For more information about oil changes and changing your oil in Indianapolis, IN, call North East Auto today! We are ASE certified mechanics with over three decades of experience in the auto repair and service industry. We are the experts to rely on for auto repair, maintenance, oil changes, free estimates, DIY advice, and more! Call us at 317-475-1846 and speak with a professional auto repair technician about factory scheduled maintenance in Indianapolis, IN.