Out-of-Sight, Out-of-Mind Can Lessen the Life of a Car Engine: Shade Tree Garage Spells Out the Benefits of Checking Under the Hood
Morristown, New Jersey's Shade Tree Garage talks about the benefits of under-hood checks to prevent major automotive repairs.
Morristown, NJ, December 08, 2011 --(PR.com)-- With the advent of more sophisticated computer-controlled vehicles, car owners can accumulate a lot of mileage on their vehicles with very little evidence of wear and tear. Because a vehicle may be running well, it makes it easy to forget about routine maintenance. This out-of-sight, out-of-mind attitude can drastically lessen the life of a car engine, not to mention bring extra costs and worries when a breakdown occurs. According to the automotive repair exerts at Shade Tree Garage, there are a number of benefits to periodically checking under the hood.
Dan O’Connor, Service Adviser at Shade Tree Garage in Morristown, says, “The general perception is that preventative maintenance is an unnecessary cost for fixing problems that do not yet exist. Making it a habit to periodically check under the hood is a wise investment of time and effort.” With periodic under the hood checks, car owners may be alerted to potential problems before they become major repair issues. O’Connor continues, “When your vehicle is properly maintained it will last longer, run better and hold its value longer. More importantly, it will keep you and your passengers safe and on the road.”
Some items to check under the hood include:
1. The engine oil level is a very important under-hood item to check. Low oil levels can cause serious engine damage. To check the engine oil level, make sure the engine is turned off. Remove the engine oil dipstick and then wipe off the end of the stick to notice the markings for “Full” and “Add.” Push the dipstick back into the tube until it seats, then immediately pull it out to see the oil level. Do not add oil unless the level is below the “Add” mark. When adding oil, do not bring the level above the “Full” mark. If increased oil consumption is noted, schedule an appointment with a trusted automotive repair shop.
2. Transmission fluid checks are often overlooked. The engine should be running and the vehicle should be on a level surface before checking levels and condition. Consult with the owner’s manual on how to perform this check and for the specific type of fluid that should be used.
3. Brake fluid is another often overlooked maintenance item. If, after following the instructions in the owner’s manual fluid must be added, only approved brake fluid should be used.
4. The power steering fluid reservoir usually has a small dipstick attached to the cap. Remove the cap and check the fluid level. The level should not change more than the normal range on the stick, and if fluid needs to be added more than once or twice a year, the system should be checked for leaks.
5. Coolant/Antifreeze prevents the engine from overheating in the summer and freezing in the winter. A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water is required. Never use only antifreeze or only water as serious damage will occur. To check the antifreeze, look for the cooling system reserve tank and note the level according to the engine temperature. If the level frequently goes below “Full Cold” after adding fluid, the system should be checked by a trusted automotive repair shop.
6. It’s also important to check the windshield washer fluid and the condition of belts and hoses.
With everyone’s busy schedules, it becomes easy to neglect routine maintenance services. With this in mind, Shade Tree Garage provides a pre-booking service for oil changes. This service is provided so customers don’t have to worry about scheduling maintenance. Appointments can also be scheduled on-line through their website and Facebook page.
Shade Tree Garage is a trusted independent automotive repair shop located in Morristown, New Jersey. They work hard to accomplish their mission: “To give you peace of mind about the safety and reliability of your car.” They are located at 171 Washington Street, just past Mills and next to Golden Cleaners.
For more information, visit their web site at www.shadetreegarage.com.
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Dan O’Connor, Service Adviser at Shade Tree Garage in Morristown, says, “The general perception is that preventative maintenance is an unnecessary cost for fixing problems that do not yet exist. Making it a habit to periodically check under the hood is a wise investment of time and effort.” With periodic under the hood checks, car owners may be alerted to potential problems before they become major repair issues. O’Connor continues, “When your vehicle is properly maintained it will last longer, run better and hold its value longer. More importantly, it will keep you and your passengers safe and on the road.”
Some items to check under the hood include:
1. The engine oil level is a very important under-hood item to check. Low oil levels can cause serious engine damage. To check the engine oil level, make sure the engine is turned off. Remove the engine oil dipstick and then wipe off the end of the stick to notice the markings for “Full” and “Add.” Push the dipstick back into the tube until it seats, then immediately pull it out to see the oil level. Do not add oil unless the level is below the “Add” mark. When adding oil, do not bring the level above the “Full” mark. If increased oil consumption is noted, schedule an appointment with a trusted automotive repair shop.
2. Transmission fluid checks are often overlooked. The engine should be running and the vehicle should be on a level surface before checking levels and condition. Consult with the owner’s manual on how to perform this check and for the specific type of fluid that should be used.
3. Brake fluid is another often overlooked maintenance item. If, after following the instructions in the owner’s manual fluid must be added, only approved brake fluid should be used.
4. The power steering fluid reservoir usually has a small dipstick attached to the cap. Remove the cap and check the fluid level. The level should not change more than the normal range on the stick, and if fluid needs to be added more than once or twice a year, the system should be checked for leaks.
5. Coolant/Antifreeze prevents the engine from overheating in the summer and freezing in the winter. A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water is required. Never use only antifreeze or only water as serious damage will occur. To check the antifreeze, look for the cooling system reserve tank and note the level according to the engine temperature. If the level frequently goes below “Full Cold” after adding fluid, the system should be checked by a trusted automotive repair shop.
6. It’s also important to check the windshield washer fluid and the condition of belts and hoses.
With everyone’s busy schedules, it becomes easy to neglect routine maintenance services. With this in mind, Shade Tree Garage provides a pre-booking service for oil changes. This service is provided so customers don’t have to worry about scheduling maintenance. Appointments can also be scheduled on-line through their website and Facebook page.
Shade Tree Garage is a trusted independent automotive repair shop located in Morristown, New Jersey. They work hard to accomplish their mission: “To give you peace of mind about the safety and reliability of your car.” They are located at 171 Washington Street, just past Mills and next to Golden Cleaners.
For more information, visit their web site at www.shadetreegarage.com.
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Contact
Shade Tree Garage
John O'Connor
973-540-9880
www.shadetreegarage.com
171 Washington Street
Morristown, NJ 07960
John O'Connor
973-540-9880
www.shadetreegarage.com
171 Washington Street
Morristown, NJ 07960
Contact
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