Category Archives: car maintenance

3 Common Winter Car Problems

Whether you’re planning a long road trip this Thanksgiving or you’ve decided to stick around at home, it’s important to look out for the many auto issues that occur during the cold months. Be sure to avoid these common winter car problems in order to have a safe holiday season!common winter car problems

 

Low Tire Pressure

When the temperature dips, tire pressure also tends to go down. On the flipside, when the temperature rises, as does tire pressure. If you’re about to hit the road and you notice a low tire, the best thing you can do is fill it up with air before you begin your trip. This will save you the hassle of finding out you have a flat on the highway later on.

Frozen Engine

Particularly if you plan on venturing out to a cooler area, it’s a good idea to make sure your engine has plenty of antifreeze before you set off. Without this vital fluid, your engine could freeze, resulting in damage and hours added to your travel time. Make sure you use the correct type of antifreeze for your particular car and engine. When in doubt, call a professional.

Dead Car Battery

One of the most common winter car problems is a dead car battery. Although you may expect for your battery to stop working if you leave your headlights on all night, you may not expect it to go out due to cold weather. However, your car demands more energy from your battery in order to run normally when it’s cold. Thus, it’s important to make sure your battery has a good charge before embarking on a long drive this Thanksgiving.

If you need any maintenance or repairs in order to prevent these common winter car problems, don’t hesitate to call us at (404) 289-9997! We are the best source in Marietta, GA for high-quality auto services.

How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

It may feel like this Georgia summer will last forever, but the fact is cold weather is on its way! Halloween and even Christmas decorations are overflowing in store aisles, which means it’s time to make sure your car is ready for winter before you’re swept up in busy fall and winter activities.

winter

Prepare your car for winter before the holiday season hits!

Why do I need to winterize my car?

At the moment, making sure your car is ready for winter might not be at the top of your list, but it’s important to maintain you car for colder weather. If last year’s ice and snow are any indication of the weather that may come around the Marietta, GA area this winter, you’ll want to take precautions.

What should I do to get my car ready before winter?

  1. Pack an “emergency winter supply” bag. The last thing anyone wants to do is get stuck in an ice or snow storm while traveling. Although it is only September, it’s better to prepare now than to trust yourself to remember during the busy holiday season ahead. Pack a bag or a box with bottled water, snacks and food like peanut butter and crackers, a blanket or sleeping bag, a first-aid kit and road flares. You’ll be glad you prepared before the cold set in if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of getting stranded in your car during a storm.
  2. Make sure your tires have good tread and air pressure. When you’re driving in the cold, the last thing you want is a tire blowout or a flat tire. Maintain and stay aware of the pressure and tread of your tires now and make sure your spare is in good shape to keep from experiencing any trouble on the road once it’s cold.
  3. Get an oil change and make sure antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid levels are good. You’ll want your car in good working condition if there’s a snowstorm on the horizon in the coming months. The experts at American Engine Installations can help with these services and much more. Call us at (404) 289-9997 now to beat the rush on preparing your car for winter!

Auto Maintenance Myths

When it comes to auto maintenance, we’re big fans of owners taking good care of their car, trucks, and SUVs. But there is a lot of conflicting information out there, and it’s hard to know what is fact and what is false.

Let’s take a moment to shed some light on a few myths floating around out there…45510984_s

Myth: Tires should be inflated to the levels shown on the sidewall.

Truth: Those levels are considered the maximum psi. Don’t use those as a goal, but as exactly what they are: the maximum threshold that the tire can handle. For the proper fill rate, check your owner’s manual or look for the sticker inside the gas cap cover or doorjamb.

Myth: Premium gas will make your car drive faster.

Truth: Sure, we all enjoy a smooth ride in a fast car, but unfortunately, adding premium gas to an engine that calls for regular gas doesn’t magically change the horsepower. A fast car will continue to run fast when given the appropriate octane called for. (This is why owners must use premium gas if the manufacture recommends it for the vehicle.) While premium gas may include additives that can benefit engines that can take regular gas, it won’t turn your sedan into a sports car. You want a faster engine? We can help you there, but you won’t find what you’re looking for at the pump.

Myth: Oil needs to be replaced every 3,000 miles.

Truth: While regular maintenance is incredibly important to keep your vehicle running smoothly and your engine performing optimally, oil changes should be kept up according to manufacturer recommendations for the vehicle. Many models these days can go beyond 3,000 miles between oil changes, but a lot of it has to do with driving conditions and what kind of oil you’re using. Consider these factors when planning your regular auto maintenance to ensure you’re doing right by your vehicle.

Do you have more questions about optimal engine maintenance? If you’re trying to weed through the myths to ensure you’re treating your motor right, call us at (404) 289-9997 and speak to our team of highly-skilled mechanics.

Preparing Your Vehicle for Summer

25537325_sAs important as it is to have your vehicle serviced in preparation for winter, summers in Georgia can leave you sweating in more ways than one if you don’t also prepare your car, truck, or SUV for rising temps.

Regular engine and general auto maintenance goes a long way in protecting yourself from costly repairs and the inconvenience of a full-blown breakdown. Here are a few key ways that you can prepare your vehicle for sweltering Atlanta temps.

  • Check the belts – The components under the hood take a significant beating during the winter and can often sustain wear that is difficult to identify right away. By having a professional service the belts, you can prevent small issues from becoming major damage, especially to critical engine components. The heat can make belts more prone to cracking and breaking, so let us provide an inspection to make sure you’re good to go all summer long.
  • Get an oil change – Perhaps summer means less commuting for you and your vehicle. Did you know that shorter trips actually cause more wear and tear on your engine? Your engine was designed to drive long distances, so even if you’re closer to the 3000 mile mark since your last oil change, consider having the filter and oil replaced now to keep your engine humming like it should.
  • Run the air conditioner – We probably don’t have to tell you to do this one at this point. It’s already warm enough to know whether or not your A/C is running. However, watch for signs that the air conditioning may be struggling to keep up, such as: reduced air flow, air not feeling cold, strange smells, intermittent air flow. This is also a good opportunity to check the refrigerant levels and cabin air filter.

The condition of the engine is paramount to the performance of your vehicle, so count on our certified technicians to provide the oversight and service to your car, truck, or SUV in preparation for summer.

Call us at (404) 289-9997 to schedule an appointment!

Easy (and cheap) Summer Vehicle Maintenance

Simple Summertime Car Care Tips

america-219937_640      We’re well into summer, which means higher temperatures and brutal driving conditions for you vehicle.  What some drivers may ignore is making sure that your vehicle is ready for the heat that summer brings.  Here are some simple tips to keep you in that comfy air-conditioning and not on the side of the road sweating.

  • Make sure to check your refrigerant levels.  A leaky air conditioning system is not only harmful to the environment, but can leave you with a sweaty commute.  Have a certified professional check your refrigerant level and check for any leaks that may have occurred during the winter or spring.
  • Check your engine coolant levels and always be on the lookout for radiator leaks.  Like you, your engine needs fluids to stay cool and function at optimum efficiency.  Check your coolant levels under the hood by looking at the reservoir labeled “engine coolant” in your engine bay.  Coolant comes in various bright colors so if there happens to be a leak, it is easy to spot.
  • Check hoses and belts for any cracks or excess flexing.  Anything made to flex is affected by temperature variations from expanding and constricting.  These temperature changes can lead to a hose not maintaining the proper PSI to serve a function within your engine due to too much flexing under pressure.  Hoses should be flexible but still firm.  Also make sure to inspect your belts for any cracks.  Many of your engine’s critical systems run off of belts and pulleys, so having a belt snap can lead to a big bill.
  • Check tire wear and pressure.  This may seem like an obvious one, however many drivers don’t integrate this into their car maintenance.  Simply maintaining the proper PSI in your tires can help you achieve better gas mileage without spending a dime.  Proper PSI also ensures proper tire wear and maximizing safety.

For more information on how to make sure your car engine are ready for summer and to see what services we provide, stop by Engine Replacement of Atlanta.  We’ll be happy to help!

The Importance of Oil Changes

800px-Draining_motor_oilMost car owners have been cautioned to change their oil every three to five thousand miles. And most mechanics even provide a handy sticker for your car window to remind you of the pending oil change ahead. But have you ever stopped to consider why oil changes are important? In case you have ever doubted the necessity of an oil change for your car, the following reasons should convince you of the importance of oil changes.

Motor Oil’s Tasks

1. Lubrication. Your motor oil in your car handles more tasks for your engine than any other component, fluid or material. One of the major tasks of motor oil is protecting the engine by lubricating the moving parts.

2. Cool Critical Engine Parts. Your oil is what transfers heat away from your engine parts. This keeps your entire engine cooler and increases the lifespan of your motor.

3. Keeping Internal Parts Clean. The motor oil in your car is responsible for keeping the interior components of your engine clean and free from harmful deposits. The fact that your oil is what is keeping those components clean means your oil itself needs to maintain a clean level itself.

4.  Gas Mileage Increase. Because clean oil is slick it allows for the free movement of your engine parts. Old oil becomes gummy and causes your engine to work harder to perform. When your engine is strained it has to burn more fuel to operate. So if you have proper oil changes performed you will boost your gas mileage.

Remember, no matter how high quality your oil is, it will eventually deteriorate and stop performing the aforementioned tasks effectively. Be sure you change your oil frequently to prevent sludge and deposit build up. And remember, if you are currently operating a vehicle with an older engine that has not been maintained properly and is in need of repairs, we will be happy to give you advice and assistance at American Engine Installations