Should I Warm Up My Engine Before Driving?
Driving is Dangerous
Most of us at one point or another will experience a car crash of some kind. Believe it or not, driving is one of the most dangerous things that we do. Milstead Automotive understands what our customers go thru after an automobile crash. Here are a few tips on what to do from the moment of the accident until your vehicle is in the shop for repairs.
Move the vehicle out of the road or away from oncoming traffic! 
So many injuries are sustained from secondary collisions. As soon as you safely can move your vehicle away from traffic so no one else and hit your vehicle or hit someone else while avoiding you. Once you are out of harm’s way, shift your car into park and turn on your hazard lights
Make ...[more]
What's Leaking From My Car?
How To Maintain A New Car
So you got a new set of wheels – congratulations! You’re going to want to hang onto it as long as possible, so you’ll want to keep it maintained as well as you can. Here are some suggestions:
First, read the owner’s manual carefully and stick to manufacturer’s recommendations for service intervals. There are certain things that are critical enough that failure to adhere to recommendations can void a new car warranty. Don’t let that happen!
For instance, just about every manufacturer recommends synthetic oil for their engines; it provides better protection in just about every respect, and it’s more stable at high and low temperatures. If your owner’s manual prescribes a 10,000-mile oil change, stick with that and be sure to use the brand and grade of motor oil called for in the manual.
Apply a good coat of wax to your vehicle, and another one on top of that. A properly waxed vehicle does more than jus ...[more]
Uh Oh…My Check Engine Light Is On
So you come out to start your car one morning and the Check Engine light on the dashboard comes on…and doesn’t go back off again. You can’t really notice any difference in the way the car runs and drives, but it’s on anyway.
What does it mean?
Since the late 80s, most engine functions have been controlled by a central drivetrain computer. This includes emissions controls, fuel metering and delivery, ignition timing, shift points and many other elements of drivability and performance. The drivetrain computer relies on information from a chain of sensors that monitor exhaust composition, camshaft position, throttle position and many other factors.
The voltage readings from any of these sensors are supposed to fall within a certain range. When these readings are out of normal parameters, the drivetrain computer stores a trouble code and illuminates the Check Engine light (also known as a Ma ...[more]
Questions You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Ask Your Auto Repair Tech
Often, drivers are mystified by how their cars actually work. It’s to be expected. Even an older car is a complex machine with many sub-assemblies that all work together to move it down the road.
As a result, drivers tend to be a little intimidated by auto repair and often tend to not inform themselves by asking the necessary questions of a tech or a garage. Too often, that ends up being a big mistake. Here are some examples of the kinds of things you really should know before any auto repair work starts:
- Does your shop work on any kind of vehicle? Of course, most shops can service a product from GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and the other leading makes. Some makes, however, require a lot more training and experience, or even factory certifications. Vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, BMW and certain other makes often require specialized tools and training; that’s why many towns ha ...[more]
A/C Problems Demystified
Believe it or not, the A/C system in your vehicle is fairly simple in principle and design. Like your refrigerator, it operates on a cycle of compression and expansion of a gas, known as refrigerant. The compressor turns the gas into a liquid, and as the gas evaporates it provides cooling. Like your refrigerator, its main components are:
- Compressor
- Condenser
- Receiver/dryer
- Thermostatic expansion valve
- Evaporator
- Refrigerant
- Blower
Do You Ask the Right Questions? - Milstead Automotive
by: Amy Milstead
Your mechanic or auto repair technician should possess the same qualities that you expect from your doctor and dentist; namely trust and reliability. Car owners have a lot at stake when seeking vehicle maintenance and repairs, it's very important to find the right auto repair technician. There are three categories of inquiries you should make about his business: the skill lev ...[more]
Differential Service: Too Often Neglected by Drivers
Winter Safety Tips – Don’t End Up In the Ditch!
| 12 | Next >> |
Archives
Tags
