To extend the performance of value of your car, here is a list of automotive tasks you ought to continually check every season and when prompted to by the routine maintenance log provided by the manufacturer.

Some of those parts of your automobile need to be checked often, and others are best in the end.

Taking care of your automobile and maintaining it in the right running order takes some effort, but you really do not need to be a vehicle repair genius to do a great job – although a great and talented car repair team will be your best support team in this critical task.

The most ardent hurdle is of course awareness of what actually requires attention and how often.

This is where a vehicle maintenance record serves as an invaluable aid.

Any quick search online can help you find some great phone apps to keep you organized and/or you can just use the vehicle’s scheduled maintenance booklets provided by the manufacturers (typically found in your glove compartment).

Here are some items to get you started thus ensuring your car is always in tip-top running order:

1. Oil and oil filter – Typically changed every 3,000 to 10,000 miles depending on the vehicle.2. Windshield wipers – Do check your windshield wipers often for any cuts, cracks, or tears. Replace as such.3. Tires – Inspect very regularly and be on the lookout for uneven wear and tear. Replace tires after damaged and/or if the tread depth is very low.4. Air filter – Replace when worn, dirty, or every 15,000 to 30,000 miles or so.5. Fuel filter – Change out every 30,000 miles or sooner.6. Battery – Maximum battery life is usually 4 – 5 years, but this drops faster if exposed to temperature extremes.7. Brake part including pads, shoes & rotors – A nice pair may indeed last up to 50,000 miles but a full brake inspection should be completed very frequently.8. Brake fluid – Bleed the system and add new brake fluid every 20,000 to 45,000 miles, or according to your vehicle’s manual.9. Engine Coolant – change out fluid and conduct a coolant system flush every 60,000 miles.10. Transmission fluid – Good fluid has a pink color while bad maintains a dark red or brown color. Do check the color often and replace it as such.11. Hoses – Take a look at the hoses often and replace them as such if cracked and worn.12. Power steering fluid – Flush the power steering system and replace the fluid every 75,000 miles or if the steering gets rough or stiff.13. Spark plugs – High-quality spark plugs should last up to 90,000 miles but the cheaper types might only perform until 30,000 miles. Check and replace as such.14. Timing belt – You must be aware of this as if the belt fails while you’re driving, it could leave you stranded on the roadside. You can stop this by replacing it at 75,000 to 90,000 miles or sooner.15. Exterior lights – We all need lights to see right, so be sure your visibility is always high and provides a clear road. You must change a blown bulb as soon you can.

Hope this helps, and be sure to give us a call at (678) 698-0604 or stop by so we can give you an honest and transparent estimate for any of the above services.

If your check engine light is on this needs to be not ignored.The check engine light system is part of the OBD2 warning system in your car, when that light comes on as you drive, the onboard computer is alerting you that there is indeed a problem in the car. If the check engine light flashes on and off while you’re driving, well that means there is a very serious issue and you must have a professional diagnose the issue right away.

Now, the number of issues that can cause the light to come can vary from an issue as minor as your gas cap is loose or, it could be something major and expensive like requiring a new catalytic converter. If the light comes on while driving, this means the onboard computer is actually running a series of tests on your vehicle’s various systems – this could be an infinite number of tests over and over again.

Now after a clearing of many tests, the onboard computer could then leave the light on, indicating there are indeed some issues to be looked at by a technician.

If you’re curious about what’s going on, you get a scanner and have itscanned, because the historical codes do not get deleted for some time.

You can also just bring it by our shop and we’ll scan the system and get you the information to make an informed car repair decision.

Hope this helps, and be sure to give us a call at (678) 698-0604 or stop by so we can scan your vehicle or offer some of the monthly pricing specials to get you back on the road.