Car Repairs in a economic slowdown
by Phil Tursi
Dealing with car repairs can be frustrating, but whats probably most frustrating is when a breakdown does occur, you can bet it happens at the very worst possible time. Whether its a financial burden or a huge disruption to your schedule its never a welcome event. But just as sure as I am writing this, cars will breakdown. But it doesn't necessarily mean you have to wait for it to happen! You can greatly reduce you chances of a breakdown by following a through preventive maintenance plan. When you hear the term “preventive maintenance” you probably immediately think of changing the oil, and maybe a transmission or a coolant flush. Well that's a great start but there's more you can do to prevent breakdowns. Are you ready for the answer?
OK, ill tell you. But what im about to say is probably just the opposite of what you've been told for many years. For years we've been hearing “if it ain't broke the don't fix it” at face value that seem logical, but then lets look at this from another perspective. This perspective is from a very experienced Breakdown Mechanic. From my experience, there are three or four components of your car, that will give you little, if any advance notice of a problem until it fails and leaves you stranded. The first would be Batteries, I always recommend replacing your battery every three years with a good quality replacement. Im biased towards Interstate Batteries, but there are other good brands out there. Most batteries are warrantied much longer than three years, but we see most failures happen between 3-4 year old batteries. Extreme temperature variations and vibration eventual kill most batteries.
Second component is the Starter Motor, the replacement interval that I recommend is different depending on if its a American car or Asian/European models. On American cars I recommend replacement every three years. On Asian cars I recommend every five years. Yes, you heard right our U.S. Models don't seem too hold up as well as the Asian & European cars. The two typical areas were the starter fails is brushes wearing out & the starter drive bushing. These two items will fail...it just a matter of time especially since the starter draws a tremendous amount of current. On average about 200 amps per start cycle. Just another reason to have a tip top battery!
The third component that will leave you stranded is the Fuel Pump, this is especially true if you own a GM vehicle. Predicting when the fuel pump should be replaced is a little more trickier, but not impossible. There's a lot of variables that need to be considered, such as any abnormal noises, extended crank times on a cold start, any performance problems & is the car frequently driven on less than ¼ tank of gas. The best tool I have to test the pump performance is the DSO or Digital Oscilloscope. A tech skilled at using this tool can tell how strong the pump is, even tell the RPM of the pump & most important is able to tell any intermittent issues that the pump may be having. Unfortunately only about 10% of techs out there are able to operate the DSO with a solid understanding. With all that said I would recommended thorough fuel pump testing after three years, twice a year after that.
These are the three main areas of concern that can leave you stranded without warning. So, back to the reasoning on replacing these items just based on time alone. Replacing on these intervals put YOU in control when the car will be out of service. It saves the cost & hassle of having the car towed, not having to call in to work is a great plus too. Replacement before failure will more than likely save you money in the long run & makes for a more dependable car. Fleets have been maintaining their vehicles this way for years, controlling repair costs is much more manageable this way. Isn't about time you got serious on preventive maintenance? With our current economy in our country likely to be this way for a few years, car owners need to take this kind of approach to get maximum trouble free operation out of their aging cars.
As the holidays approach, motorists should make certain their vehicle is up to the rigors of winter travel. Autumn has traditionally been a busy time for car-care activities. Whether you do your own maintenance or depend on the pros, fall service let's you undo the wear and tear of summer's tough conditions while getting ready for colder weather ahead.
The following tips from the experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) should give you a road map to fall car care. According to officials at ASE, "Cold weather will only make existing problems worse. A breakdown, while never pleasant, can be deadly in the winter."
First things first--Read your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedules.
Engine Performance-Get engine driveability problems (hard starts, rough idling, stalling, diminished power, etc.) corrected at a good repair shop. Cold weather makes existing problems worse. Replace dirty filters-air, fuel, PCV, etc.
Fuel-Put a bottle of fuel de-icer in your tank once a month to help keep moisture from freezing in the fuel line. Note, too, that a gas tank that's kept filled helps prevent moisture from forming.
Oil-Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual-more often (every 3,000 miles or so) if your driving is mostly stop-and-go or consists of frequent short trips.
Cooling System-The cooling system should be flushed and refilled as recommended. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. (A 50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water is usually recommended.) DIYers, never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled! The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a pro.
Heater/Defroster-The heater and defroster must be in good working condition for passenger comfort and driver visibility.
Windshield Wipers-Replace old blades. If your climate is harsh, purchase rubber-clad (winter) blades to fight ice build-up. Stock up on windshield washer solvent-you'll be surprised how much you use. Carry an ice-scraper.
Battery-The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. Routine care: Scrape away corrosion from posts and cable connections; clean all surfaces; re-tighten all connections. If battery caps are removable, check fluid level monthly.
A word of caution: Removal of cables can cause damage or loss of data/codes on some newer vehicles. Check your manual. Be sure to avoid contact with corrosive deposits and battery acid. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.
Lights-Inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs; periodically clean road grime from all lenses. To prevent scratching, never use a dry rag.
Exhaust System-Your vehicle should be placed on a lift and the exhaust system examined for leaks. The trunk and floorboards should be inspected for small holes. Exhaust fumes can be deadly.
Tires-Worn tires will be of little use in winter weather. Examine tires for remaining tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping; check the sidewalls for cuts and nicks. Check tire pressure once a month. Let the tires "cool down" before checking the pressure. Rotate as recommended. Don't forget your spare, and be sure the jack is in good condition.
Emergencies-Carry gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, tire chains, a flashlight, and a cell phone. Put a few "high-energy" snacks in your glove box.
While the following estimates simply illustrate how widespread unperformed maintenance is, consider this:
Amazingly, this suggests that over 95 percent of the entire passenger car and light truck fleet suffers from some form of unperformed maintenance. This leaves only 9.7 million vehicles (less than 5 percent) that don't. If your vehicle is over five years old, the likelihood that it needs maintenance service of any type soars higher.
Putting off repairs for too long results in growing costs. For a typical brake job, you'll have to buy not only new brake pads, but new brake rotors as well to replace the ones that were ruined by procrastinating. The price for a new rotor ranges from $50 to $250 or so, depending upon the vehicle application - and that's for each wheel. The old adage couldn't be truer: Pay a little now or a lot later. Even if normal wear dictates rotor replacement, the upside is that it could be the last time you'll ever replace them before you trade in the vehicle. It's important to perform needed maintenance early. Allowing the situation to bloom into an expensive repair threatens the practicality of keeping your paid-for wheels on the road. If you made 36, 48 or even 60 monthly payments without flinching in order to buy the car, but don't like to pay for maintenance, try considering it as a short-term "car payment" that only has to be made occasionally.
Safety tips for brake service:
This approach to vehicle maintenance may cost a little more up front, but if you make the investment now, you can be sure that-old or new-your car or truck will stop in the shortest distance possible-and be able to steer around trouble. If your vehicle is over five years old and has only had brake pad and rotor servicing in the past, it's generally appropriate to have these items serviced or replaced. Remember, there are cheap jobs that use basic components; there are also more-expensive jobs that use premium components. What's the cost difference between the two? Which one would you trust most?