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Regular Maintenance is So Important for Your Car
When you buy a car, you spend a lot of money. You hope it will last a while and give you good service. While a new car probably has some sort of warranty, it often only covers things like the drive train, or some engine and electrical components. It almost never covers things that wear out, or need replacement, like oil, brake shoes, wiper blades, hoses, or belts. Taking care of the common things that wear out or down or break helps your new car stay in warranty, and keeps the engine and components in better running condition. It is even more important when you buy a used car that may have no, or be out of, warranty to take care of it and do regular maintenance, because the bill for everything that needs done ends up coming out of your pocket. At Cornerstone Auto Repair, we are strong believers in making sure that the regular maintenance that needs done on your domestic or import auto is done on schedule, and done right. We know that when regular maintenance schedules are followed, many small issues can be found and alleviated so they do not turn into much larger repair bills, or worse, safety issues that can endanger you and your passengers. When you need regular maintenance, even if it is just an oil change, call us. We will be happy to tell you what the price is, and get you scheduled into the shop. Some cars, imports in particular, can pose unusual challenges for something as simple as an oil change, and having experts familiar with that brand and build of vehicle assure you the work is done correctly. Saving oil and chemical spills in your drive also saves our Colorado environment. Bring your car to Cornerstone Auto Repair, and you will get fast, top line auto mechanic service Colorado Springs talks about, and has for years.
If You Want Your Car to Last, You Need to Do Oil Changes on Time
The oil in your car’s engine is literally the blood that keeps the engine functioning, and when the oil runs low, or gets dirty, the whole organism gets sluggish, or worse, stops. Modern engines and better-refined oils with additives allow longer times between oil changes than in the old days. Those suggested time frames, though, depend on your type of driving, what you use your vehicle for, and the conditions it operates under. A vehicle run on dusty rural Colorado dirt roads needs an oil change done about 1,250 to 1,750 miles sooner than the newer standards that hover around 5,000 miles between changes. It is simply good maintenance and helps keep the vehicle running better, longer. If you are hauling loads, climb the mountains daily on the way to and from work, or have other conditions that place stress on your engine such as towing loads, you need to follow an oil change service schedule that is more frequent than the maximum time it can go before problems set in.
At Cornerstone Auto Repair, we know that Colorado climate conditions and geography, as well as our mining, ranching, recreational, and other industries, can put some wear and tear on an engine. That is why years ago we became AMSOil dealers. We know that AMSOil is one of the premier high performance synthetic fluid systems available, and it has been shown over many years to improve performance and durability of a car’s engine. Stop by for a regular, synthetic, or AMSOil oil change, and we can share our knowledge about how to extend the life of your engine.
A Clean Fluid and Filter Keeps Your Transmission Shifting Smoothly
Transmissions are complicated and touchy creatures. They like to be clean and have the right lubricant that is clean, with a clean filter, so the precision parts that make them shift and work can glide and slide properly. If you check your transmission fluid and there is any whiff of a burnt smell or you see a brownish color, or any opaqueness to the fluid, you need to come in to the shop immediately to have us drop your transmission pan and clean the pan, replace the filter, and check the fluid for any contaminants or metal shavings. It is important to catch transmission issues before the transmission starts to slip or skip gears, or just won’t go into reverse. If your transmission is acting moody, call us and set up an appointment for a transmission fluid change and check. We recommend you follow the guidelines in your owner’s manual, or before long road trips especially if you are towing. A bit of proper maintenance can save a lot of money and headache in the form of costly transmission repairs.
Cornerstone Auto Repair Does Differential, Transaxle, and Drive Axle Fluid Top Offs
Thanks to our beautiful topography, many people in our state utilize all wheel drive or four-wheel drive systems as their transmission of choice. This allows additional power to go to a particular axle, set of tires, or each to individually, providing better grip and traction on snow, in mud, or when crossing rough terrain. The various parts of the transmission and rear end include the differential-transaxle-drive axle fluids that cushion and allow the gears, joints, and parts to operate without friction and overheating. It is important that the right weight of fluid or grease, or other correct lubricant, be used in the right place and in the right amount to maintain the proper internal pressure and operation of the parts.
Just like most parts of your vehicle, the differential, which splits the torque available between the wheels or axles, needs regular service. If you see leaking fluid from any gasket or joint in your axle and drive train system, you need to schedule an appointment for our experienced mechanics to take a look at it. Drive train maintenance keeps your vehicle ready for rough roads and weather at a moments notice. It also keeps you from facing substantial repairs or replacement of parts if the leaking is from damage, or the unit dries out. Strange noises, odd smells, vibration, or not being able to lock into or out of four-wheel drive are all indications that a service call is in order. AMSOil makes some terrific synthetic differential lubricants that have great performance in our Colorado road and weather conditions. Call us and find out what the price is for a check and fluid exchange, and get peace of mind knowing your rugged vehicle is ready no matter what the conditions.
Do You Need Your Transfer Case Checked?
One of the parts we see more of due to the fact there are more four wheel drives (and AWDs) in our region is transfer cases, or should we say, transfer case issues. The transfer case is the unit that transfers power from the transmission of the vehicle to the front and rear axles. It is not uncommon for problems shifting, especially into or out of 4WD, are due to transfer case problems. Sometimes the vehicle will literally jump out of gear or 4WD unexpectedly, or will vibrate or shake. It might have a grinding noise coming from the case. If any of those issues sound like a gremlin under your truck or SUV, call us for an appointment. We can schedule a time to make an assessment for you to see if it is a problem we can repair or replace parts for you, or need to refer you out. It is better if you start early, though, and contact us to do regular maintenance and fluid checks on your transfer case. Many problems happen due to a case drying out or leaking, causing binding in the gears that may lead to breakage. Your vehicle owner’s manual will give you a suggested schedule by mileage of when to get the various parts of your drive train checked for fluid levels, but if you have done a lot of towing or off-roading or mountain climbing, it is always a good idea to have get a service call scheduled to avoid problems. Our A.S.E. mechanics will inspect the system and advise you of anything they find, as well as top off the fluids and check for debris in the case. Call us to set up a convenient appointment.
Brake Fluid is An Important Indicator of the Health of Your Car
After your car’s engine, there is probably no system in your vehicle that gets more use, and abuse, than your brakes. Some of us are better “brake drivers” than others, but anyone who drives on mountain roads or in town with stop-and-go traffic puts wear on their brake shoes, pads, drums, and rotors daily. A good set of brakes is one of the most important safety features your vehicle possesses. We recommend regular checking of your brake fluid and brake lines, at which time we can quickly check the amount of brake pad left and the condition of calipers, springs, rotors, and other components. Brake fluid needs to be topped and kept at the correct level in the reservoir for safe performance in braking. If your brake fluid continually drops, indicating a leak, or starts to brown or smell, usually indicating a problem, you should call us and schedule a service call for your brake fluid and braking system to be checked. Your safety is our number one concern at Cornerstone Auto Repair in Colorado Springs. We want our friends and neighbors to be safe, and to keep everyone around them safe, too. Let us check your brakes and brake fluid, and we’ll rest easier, as can you.
