In order to extend the life of your vehicle and keep it running at peak efficiency, it is important to perform regular automobile maintenance. These days, most car manufacturers, either domestic or foreign, have onboard computer systems that alert owners to potential problems and remind them when it’s time for an oil change or a tire rotation. Long-term maintenance, however, goes beyond regular periodic check-ups. There is also required maintenance that is very infrequent, such as checking on your timing belt.
For those vehicles that still have timing belts, most manufacturers suggest replacement as infrequently as every 60,000-100,000 miles, a repair that can be easily overlooked with the availability of longer-lasting components and automated alerts. In most vehicles, the part is inconveniently located, often requiring a partial dismantling of the engine to access it, so periodic checks for excessive or unusual wear are overlooked and often deferred. This also makes the cost of replacing this crucial engine component pretty steep. However, remembering to take care of this detail can save the owner thousands in future auto repair.
The timing belt is a piece of fiber-reinforced rubber that turns the camshaft at exactly half the speed of the crankshaft. This ensures that the intake and exhaust valves move in time with the pistons, which in turn move up and down in the cylinders. The engine can only run properly when each of these parts is calibrated correctly and moving at the proper speed. There are two types of engines that use these parts: interference engines and non-interference engines. Though a slipped timing belt will mean engine failure in both, it can also destroy the insides of an interference engine by causing the valves to bend and the pistons to break. A repair of this magnitude can cost the owner 10 times the amount that the replacement would have.
The owner’s manual for each vehicle will spell out the recommended time when the belt should be inspected and replaced. Some manufacturers have eliminated it and instead install a more durable timing chain. Nevertheless, an inspection is recommended at some point because of the damage a broken chain can cause. While replacing a belt or chain, it is recommended that the water pump also be replaced, even if in excellent condition, because much of the labor required to access the water pump has already been done. Manufacturers and mechanics may be able to suggest other maintenance to be done at the same time.
Before buying a used car, it is critical to check the condition of the timing belt while diagnosing the vehicle for any other issues. In fact, it is often suggested that you insist the part be replaced before purchase. Once cars reach 60,000 – 100,000 miles, it seems that many vehicles require more expensive types of maintenance, so it is not unusual to find owners selling cars before this occurs. It costs about $500 to have the belt replaced, and at about a tenth of the cost of repairing the entire engine, replacing this component can save thousands in the long run and double or triple the life of the vehicle.
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It’s no secret that major car repairs can take a huge chunk out of your budget. Depending on the condition of your car, chances are that it will need several major services as it gets older – a worrisome idea when money is tight. While routine maintenance is important, some people may avoid taking their vehicles in altogether, out of concern that they may be talked into costly repairs or services that they don’t need.
The truth is, regular maintenance can extend the life of your vehicle – and save you money in the long run by helping you avoid major repairs that can be prevented with consistent check-ups. Here are a few that are particularly important:
1. Oil and filter changes. Changing your oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles used to be the standard recommendation, although many manufacturers today say your car can go up to 7,500 miles before needing this service. But the point remains the same – consistent oil changes are one of the most important ways you can keep your engine operating at its best. Motor oil works to lubricate, clean and protect your engine, which is especially important if the car is used for frequent short trips or stop-and-go city driving. The filter, meanwhile, keeps dirt and other contaminants from damaging the wall surfaces in the engine. The potential damage to your engine as a result of not getting regular oil and filter changes could cost you $500-$3,000 in repairs – so the effort does pay off.
2. Other fluid checks. In addition to oil, regularly changing the other fluids in your car is an easy way to keep it running at its best. Automatic transmission fluid is often neglected, which is the reason some transmissions fail prematurely; replacing it every 25,000 to 30,000 miles can keep you and your vehicle safe. Brake fluid, power steering fluid and engine coolant also need to be refilled or replaced regularly to protect their respective parts – an easy way to keep up to $300 a year in your pocket.
3. Tire rotation, balance and inspection. It’s easy to put off buying new tires, but letting your tread run too thin could put you at serious risk, particularly when the roads are wet or icy. Beyond replacing bad tires, you should have them rotated according to your manual’s recommendations (typically every 6,000 to 8,000 miles) and have them balanced once a year. These procedures could save you $175-$250 a year, as unbalanced tires wear out the tread more quickly and could also damage your suspension system and shock absorbers.
Do-it-yourself types may prefer to do some of this work on their own, but having a professional auto repair shop work on your vehicle can save you time, labor and equipment expenses, particularly for extensive services. For example, more advanced onboard diagnostics computers are found in cars these days, which most people are not familiar with or equipped to work on. An auto repair professional will be able to do more thorough checks on your vehicle each time you visit for maintenance, so they can help identify present and future issues that need attention.
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It’s a universal and inevitable problem: There will come a time when you will need some type of auto repair. Perhaps the smartest move you can make as the owner of an automobile, especially a foreign vehicle, is to find a repair shop before you need one. Like having a good doctor, dentist, attorney or plumber on hand, establishing who you are going to hire to work on your vehicle is of high importance.
Finding a local repair shop for a foreign car comes with its own set of challenges. Car parts for foreign vehicles can be difficult to find. Depending on the age and make of the vehicle, parts sometimes need to get ordered from out of town, or even out of the country. This could tie up your vehicle for a time. Make sure the shop you select can offer you a loaner, while yours is being worked on. Do they guarantee their work and for how long?
There are certain certifications that you need to look for when determining what shop to take your vehicle to in the future. Foreign auto parts and electronics are quite different from their American counterparts, and you want to make certain that the auto shop’s technicians have been trained and meet the minimum standards to work on your car. Something else to look for in a prospective shop is warranties on the parts that it uses, as well as mechanics and technicians who have certification with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
When it comes to teaching mechanics to work with foreign vehicles, Audi is one of the leaders, with eight training centers located all over the U.S. Each of their facilities has one person in charge of their technical training and gets mechanics up to speed on Audi repair, working with at least five different models at a time. As Audi launches new models, the center receives an advance model of the car, and training on the new vehicle begins. The technicians will then go to their local Audi repair facilities, assisting their peers in getting familiar with the new model.
There are over 15 different classes that are offered to Audi repair technicians. They last in duration from one day to eight weeks and include subjects like diagnosing climate control, braking, radio and locking systems, all the way to the proper handling of Audi safety systems. Many other import car companies work in a similar fashion to ensure that they provide proper certification programs for mechanics. A bit of online research will help you find out what kinds of programs there are, and if your local shop has mechanics who have completed this certification.
You can also check online reviews of a prospective shop (looking for review trends rather than isolated incidents), as well as your local Better Business Bureau to make sure there have been no major complaints filed on the repair shop of your choice. Knowing how to find a good auto repair facility in advance will pay its dividends to both your vehicle and your wallet.
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When looking for a car mechanic, it can often be difficult to sort out the good from the bad. Most people determine a mechanic’s competence and honesty based on a trial-and-error process. However, this isn’t the only way to gauge their expertise. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying and certifying the best automotive technicians across the United States. When choosing a technician, checking to see if their shop displays the ASE’s seal of approval is a good way to verify some of their credentials.
ASE is run by the same group of experts that administers the ACT college admission test; accordingly, becoming an ASE-certified technician is an extensive process. To achieve that goal, a mechanic must have at least two years of real-world experience, and then must pass at least one test in a specific area of automotive knowledge. There are eight tests auto technicians can take in areas ranging from automatic transmissions to engines to brakes. The highest attainable level is Master Technician, which requires a passing grade on all eight tests. Becoming certified isn’t a tenured position; mechanics must retake all the tests every five years to prove that they have kept up with the latest technology.
These qualifications are most beneficial to consumers, as it takes the guesswork out of the skill level of the mechanic. In addition, auto repair shops that put in the effort to become ASE-certified are often more likely to put the same amount of care into their customer’s vehicles. However, there are a few important things to remember when choosing a technician. Even if a repair shop has just one certified technician working there, then they are permitted to display the “ASE Certified” sign. The customer should ask whether or not the work done on their vehicle will be performed or supervised by a certified technician.
Another thing to look for is the “Blue Seal of Excellence” sign from ASE. If this is hanging on a repair shop’s wall, it means that at least 75 percent of the technicians there are certified by the organization.
Overall, the ASE certification benefits both repair shops and consumers. Auto repair shops that have certified mechanics will attract a larger clientele, while customers can feel confident that they will be receiving excellent car repair service. Furthermore, these shops are the ones that are more likely to care about the service your vehicle receives too.
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Automobile onboard diagnostic computer systems have been around since the 1980s. However, vehicles manufactured after 1996 have advanced onboard diagnostic computers that will illuminate a dashboard warning light upon finding problems with your engine or its productivity.
Initially introduced as part of the Clean Air Act, the “check engine” light (CEL) is now illuminated when any one of a thousand different diagnostic checks fail. Both real-time and historic driving data is accessible by the diagnostic routines in the onboard computer. Inconsistencies are visible to the driver through the CEL on the instrument panel. When the vehicle is running, if the onboard computer system responsible for power-train management has found a fault, the CEL illuminates.
To ensure that the operator knows that the bulb works, the CEL also illuminates when the ignition key reaches the first position. Once the engine is running, the light should go out.
If it remains on, or flashes on and off, this means the computer has identified one or more diagnostic errors. These errors are categorized by the computer and numbered in sequences P000 to P1000 for common problems, and P1001 to P1500 for manufacturer/model-specific issues.
A driver’s first thought when they see their CEL illuminated is often of impending disaster. This is far from a common prognosis. Before one pays for auto repair, locating and understanding the P-code is crucial. It could point to something minor, like a loose gas cap. To find this information, you will need to check underneath the dashboard for the OBD (onboard diagnostics) connector, used to access the vehicle computer. The car manual will show where to locate some hard-to-find OBD connectors.
A device called an OBD reader will enable the computer codes to be read and interpreted. These codes can be checked in the car service manual, or better still, on the internet. The internet will often provide researchers with a broader understanding of the underlying fault. Codes do not directly diagnose the cause of a fault, just the symptoms.
Serious faults reported in onboard computer systems will frequently cause what is known as a “no-start condition.” This might happen if your crank or camshaft position sensor fails. Failure of either of those (or other vital) sensors will cause damage to the engine if started. In these instances, the computer will disable the ignition sequence to protect the engine. A car with an engine light still illuminated after a service should not be taken home by its owner until the issue is diagnosed and repaired.
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