COMMONLY OVERLOOKED MAINTENANCE WITH YOUR MA AUTO SHOP
We all know that routine auto maintenance is essential for extending the life of your vehicle, and responsible vehicle owners get their oil changed and their brakes checked regularly. But what about those maintenance items that come up less frequently but are just as vital to keeping your car or truck running? Our team at your local MA auto shop, Ray’s Auto Service, has fixed it all; here are commonly overlooked maintenance items that you should check regularly before they chaos serious trouble for you and your vehicle.
POWER STEERING FLUID
Have you ever tried to maneuver a car that doesn’t have power steering? Trust us, it’s not easy. Your car’s power steering system is more than just the steering wheel. A rotary-vane pump provides the hydraulic power and a rotary valve and spool-valve assembly attached to a torsion bar provide the power assist that makes steering modern cars oh-so-easy. And what keeps all those moving parts running smoothly? You guessed it, power steering fluid. Over time, the power steering fluid can deteriorate or oxidize and damage the whole system. It is a good idea to change your power steering fluid every two years, or 50,000 miles. This will vary depending on your vehicle; check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation.
COOLANT
If you’ve ever popped the hood of a car that was just running, you know car engines are hot. Your car’s coolant system is what keeps your engine from overheating and causing serious damage to your vehicle. Like the other fluids in your car, crud—sediment from the outside or corrosion from the vehicle—can build up in the coolant and keep it from being able to regulate your engine’s temperature correctly. To keep that from happening, you should flush your coolant system (or have your MA auto shop do it for you!). Every five years is the commonly recommended interval for coolant flushes, but your owner’s manual will have a recommendation specific to your vehicle.
YOU CAN SMELL COOLANT.
Before your heater starts spraying out coolant, you’ll likely be able to detect a leak by smelling it first. Coolant has a sweet smell, so if you notice a fruity aroma coming from your vents, that’s a sign coolant is leaking. You should take your car in for a service right away before the leak gets worse.
YOU’RE LOW ON COOLANT.
You can have a coolant leak in a place that won’t result in spraying coolant or smelling it. But you will notice that your coolant level is dropping. If it gets low enough, your engine will start to overheat. If your car is low on coolant, top it off and then bring your car to a mechanic to have it checked out.
SERPENTINE BELT
The serpentine belt is key to your engine running smoothly, or running at all. The serpentine belt runs through and powers the alternator, the power steering pump, the air conditioning compressor, the water pump, and the crankshaft pulley. This list will vary depending on your particular vehicle. Basically, however, if it’s got a pulley, the serpentine belt runs through it. If your serpentine belt breaks, your car will have to be towed to your MA auto shop. Driving your car with a broken serpentine belt runs the risk of damaging your entire engine. You’ll know if the serpentine belt needs to be replaced when you can see cracks in the rubber. Serpentine belts typically last for about 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
VISIT YOUR LOCAL MA AUTO SHOP
Does your car or truck need any of these services? Our local MA auto shop has you covered! Contact Ray’s Auto Service at 978-372-9611 to schedule an appointment.