Tag: Oil Changes

TYPES OF FLUID CHANGES REQUIRED FOR SMOOTH PERFORMANCE

Here is a list of Fluids that are necessary to be checked and changed for smooth performance and better lifespan of a car.

BRAKE FLUID

Brake fluids play an important role in braking systems as it does the work of transferring force created when a driver presses the brake pedal onto the wheel hub. The higher boiling point a brake fluid can achieve is better to make the braking more efficient. If the temperature goes above boiling point it can result in brake failure. Brake fluid also acts as a lubricant of all movable parts and prevents corrosion. Brake fluid should be changed every 2 years or 20,000 miles for best results and performance.

POWER-STEERING FLUID

Power steering fluid transmits power to the power steering to make it function smoothly. It is a type of hydraulic fluid which transfers power. The power steering fluid should be changed every 75000 to 100,000 miles. If the fluid is not changed it may result in harm to the components and damage the pump which is costly to get changed.

CLUTCH FLUID

There is no such thing as clutch fluid, it is just brake fluid termed as clutch fluid as it is in clutch masters cylinder. When you press the clutch pedal it transfers the fluid from master cylinder to slave cylinder. The pressure is used to engage clutch which allows switching gears smoothly. It needs to be changed with the brake oil.

ENGINE OIL

Engine oil for the car is like blood to the heart. A car cannot function without engine oil. Oil lubricates the engine and fights friction and heat to prevent the engine from wearing out. Hence, it is necessary to change the engine oil on time. The engine oil should be changed every 3000 to 5000 miles to keep the engine smooth and running.

GEAR OIL

Gear oil is a lubricant made specifically for transmission and differentials in an automobile. It is important to check gear oil as it can result in problems changing the gear and damage the gearbox. The gear oil should be changed every 50,000 miles to keep the transmission smooth.

RADIATOR COOLANT

Radiator coolant is a lubricant that helps cool the engine. It helps prevent dust, sludge, and antifreeze in a car. The coolant should be checked every few days and refilled if required or it may cause the engine to heat up and under extreme conditions result in engine breakdown. The radiator coolant should be changed every 30,000 miles.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR DURING FREEZING WEATHER IN CHICAGO?

The winters in Chicago are really freezing and the roads get slippery due to the snow. This causes the conditions to become not so perfect to drive on and the car needs to go through some changes to adapt to the conditions for safer driving and better performance in extreme weather conditions like this.

DAILY MAINTENANCE CHECKS

The basic thing to do in any season is to perform daily maintenance checks. In the freezing weather of Chicago, these checks should be performed daily to keep your car running smooth. Check all the basic fluids. Check that you have the proper level of coolant.Get the oil changed if necessary. Have plenty of windshield fluid and get a winter one. Check the windshield wiper blades for cracks. Check all other belts for cracks and the hoses for any leakages.

BATTERY CHECK

Cold weather makes it really hard for the battery to function, especially, if the battery is a couple of years old, you should get it tested. Clean the connections of the battery as dirt and corrosion can cause problems in starting the car. To start the battery in any condition or weather; clean the battery ends using some corrosion liquid and a wire brush. Try and get your battery checked at an auto repair shop or get a mobile auto mechanic to do so.

TYRE PRESSURE CHECK

With temperature changes, the tyre also faces many changes and problems. When the temperature drops by 10 degrees, the tyre also loses up to 2 pounds of pressure. This makes it necessary to check the tyre pressure daily. It will help to get better road grip in slippery conditions.

OPT FOR WINTER TYRES

The best thing to do is to get winter tyres in the winter season. The winter tyres provide better road grip as compared to regular tyres which reduce the chances of skidding on the slippery winter roads. Winter tyres improve the braking performance and allow you to accelerate better as well. It is better to have two sets of tyre for a longer lifespan of tyres and the car as well. It is worth the money and your safety is assured while driving under any weather conditions.

CARRY AN EMERGENCY KIT

Always carry an all-purpose kit with you in any season and especially in freezing Chicago weather. The kit should basically include a flashlight, snacks, bottled water, jumper cables, window scraper, cell phone charger, and blanket. This can help you survive any situation with some ease.

IMPORTANT TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CAR RUNNING RIGHT

Everyone likes a smooth functioning car and tries to maintain it to keep it that way. All cars are different in terms of engine, technology and made. But the ways to maintain them are basically the same. These are the basic tips that any auto repair service or auto mechanic would suggest you do in order to keep your car up and running.

OIL & FLUID CHANGE

Regular oil change and other fluid changes are necessary as they help the engine and other components function properly. There are many kinds of oil and fluids that need to be looked after like Engine oil, Coolant, Transmission oil, Brake fluids, Power Steering fluid etc. All these oils and fluids need to be checked and refilled on regular basis for better performance that would increase the lifespan of a car.

TYRE CHECKS

Checking a car’s tyre pressure every time you go to refill your gas is a habit that everyone should have. Tyres are the most important part of the car and need to be looked after. Tyres maintain the grip and traction between the road and the car. A simple thing as maintaining car’s tyre pressure can help in getting better road grip, longer brake life, rotors will last longer, the car won’t need an alignment soon and axel would be safe.

CHANGE WINDSHIELD WIPERS

The windshield wipers need to change after every few months as they take a lot of wear and tear whether they are used or not as they deal with a lot of weather changes. The most common sign that wipers need to be changed is when they fold underneath or crack on the edges. If not changed, it can damage the windshield and cause problems while driving in bad weather conditions. To drive safely, it is necessary to change windshield wipers.

AIR FILTER CHECK AND REPLACEMENT

A clean air filter provides more mileage, better acceleration, longer engine life, lowers emission and gives the better overall performance. It cleans the air entering the engine as well as prevents debris from entering the engine and harming it. When an air filter gets dirty, its capacity to filter the air going into the engine is reduced which makes the engine unable to function properly. It can cause various issues in the driving experience. The best thing to do is to examine and replace the air filter.

REGULAR SERVICE AND CHECKS

Any responsible car owner should service their car every 3-4 months to get the necessary checks done and parts replaced. Timely service increases the lifespan of a car and all its parts and accessories.

These are the basic tips that should be followed to keep your car running right.