Aztec Auto Repair and Muffler
220 South Vine Ave. Ontario Ca.
(909) 460-4104 ...........Map Us

Maintenance

Maintaining your car properly, and at the intervals recommended by the manufacturer, is one of the most effective ways to cut down on your automobile repair bills. The fact of the matter is that most of the cars that roll into a mechanic’s shop are suffering from issues that could have easily been prevented had the car had the proper maintenance done from day one.

The specific schedules and types of maintenance that your car or truck requires are usually detailed in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. However, there are some basic things that all vehicles need to have done periodically that will help to keep them running in top shape and also help you avoid making any expensive repairs.

Oil Changes

Oil is the lifeblood of your car’s engine, and over time the heat and stress of daily driving – particularly if you do a lot of stop and go driving during rush hour traffic – can break it down to the degree where it is no longer capable of providing the protection that your car requires. Even if you are using synthetic oil with a longer change interval, it still does need to be periodically swapped out for fresh oil. It’s important to also check the level of your oil every other time you fuel up to make sure you have enough in there. An oil level that regularly seems to drop down can indicate engine problems that need to be addressed as soon as possible. Regular oil changes combined with regular checking can save you a bundle down the road.

Belts

There are two main types of belts used in the engines of most cars. The first are called accessory belts, and they are located outside the motor. They are used to drive items like the air conditioning system, the vehicle’s fan, and the alternator. Since the engine bay can get very hot, even during the dead of winter, the rubber that these belts are made out of eventually starts to dry out and crack. When they snap, they can leave you stranded, since most cars and trucks will be able to operate without a functioning alternator. Although they are inexpensive to replace, they are often neglected as a maintenance item.

The second type of belt which is common is called a timing belt. This is located inside the engine, and it has the delicate task of making sure that the pistons and the valves in the cylinder head go up and down and open and close at exactly the right times. These belts usually have to be changed after the car has gone a specific number of miles. If they snap, the vehicle will not run whatsoever. What’s worse, some cars use something called an ‘interference engine’, which means that when the timing belt snaps, the valves and pistons come into contact with each other and cause an expensive-to-repair mess inside the motor. Periodically changing this belt can help to ensure that this never happens.

Hoses and clamps

One of the final items to keep in mind when it comes to cost-saving maintenance are the hoses that are associated with your car’s cooling system. These inexpensive parts are prone to the same type of drying out that affects accessory belts, which can lead to them cracking or coming loose from the clamps that hold them in place. If this happens, your car’s coolant will be dumped all over the road, and you could be facing not only a tow but also expensive damage caused by the engine overheating. Keeping these hoses in good shape can help you avoid ever having to pay for extensive repairs to your engine.

Suspension

Your car’s suspension is a complicated system that is called upon to do a lot, even during every day driving. Many of the components of a vehicle’s suspension wear out over time, such as bushings, shock absorbers, springs, and front end steering components. This wear can be accelerated if you drive on rough roads or frequently encounter potholes. It is well worth having your suspension inspected at least once a year to see if any parts need to be replaced. Keep in mind that if one suspension component wears out, continuing to drive around can cause other areas of your suspension to fail earlier than they should, due to the additional stress. Taking care of a small problem can help prevent it from becoming a bigger problem later.

Brakes

The brakes on a vehicle are constantly being ground down every time you push on the pedal. That is the nature of how braking systems work, as the friction between the brake pad and the rotor causes an automobile to come to a stop. Obviously, once too much of either the rotor or the pad has worn away it will need to be replaced, since it is no longer capable of stopping a car within a safe distance. Failure to replace worn out brake parts can not only lead to an accident, but it can also cause other damage to brake components that are still in good shape. Don’t let worn pads lead to warped rotors – simple brake maintenance will keep you safe and help you avoid spending more money down the road.

Tires

Tires are the one part of a car that maintain constant contact with the road, which means that making sure they are in good condition is crucial. A tire which has worn unevenly compared to other tires can indicate issues with the vehicle’s steering or suspension system, and should not be ignored. If you notice this occurring with your own car, take it to a mechanic so that they can diagnose what might be causing the issue before it starts to impact your vehicle in other ways. Worn tires can also lead to traction loss and difficulty steering – particularly in wet weather. Keep an eye on your tires, and watch out for any bumps or gouges that could indicate that the sidewall or tread has been compromised.

General Tune-Up

If that “Check Engine” light on your dashboard just won’t go away, you should bring it in to us so that a technician at Aztec Auto Repair & Muffler can plug it into one of our diagnostic computers. These lights often indicate problems such as worn out sensors, spark plugs, fuel injectors or catalytic converters, all of which are general tune-up items that need to be periodically replaced. You might be surprised at just how much your vehicle’s performance and fuel economy improves after a tune-up, which will not only make driving more enjoyable but also save you money at the gas pump.