What happens during a car tune-up?
Posted by Aamco Colorado in 
A regular car tune-up can prevent a wide range of common—and expensive—vehicle problems. Though a regular tune-up can be easy to overlook, make sure you take in your car for a thorough checkup every two years or 30,000 miles (whichever comes first). Why is this maintenance check so important and what happens during one? Read on to find out, and check out our auto tune-up services for more details on Colorado auto repair.
When you bring your vehicle in for a car tune-up, one of the first things checked and probably replaced is your fuel filter. After thousands of miles, the filter is likely clogged and replacing it is a must. Your spark plugs are then replaced (unless they’re platinum), and the spark plug wires are examined and may be replaced. If your car is older, the distributor cap and rotor may be replaced. Another tune-up for older cars (those without electronic ignition) would be changing out your points and condenser, but few cars made after the eighties will require this.
Next, your car’s valves will be adjusted as needed. The valve-cover gasket will also be replaced. One of the main things your mechanic will be sure to hit is checking the belts in your car and replacing them if they’re worn down—worn belts can cause serious engine damage as well as a host of other problems.
Basic checks will also be performed, such as checking all your under-the-hood fluids and replacing them if necessary. If it’s been 3,000 miles or more since your last oil change, your oil and oil filter will also be replaced. The air filter will also be changed out if it’s about 15,000 miles old. If your car has a manual transmission, the clutch may be adjusted. The battery will also be checked and cleaned. Finally, the positive crankcase ventilation (PVC) valve will be replaced. When clogged, it can make your car run badly or have trouble starting.
Taking your car in for regular tune-ups is more than just running through a laundry list of potential problems. It can mean the difference between a prohibitively expensive breakdown and your car running smoothly for years to come. While this regular maintenance check isn’t a cure-all for major car maladies, it makes it much more likely that your mechanic will see a potential problem before it causes permanent damage.
For AAMCO transmission locations near you, or for more information on Colorado car tune-ups or transmission repair, check out our Colorado vehicle maintenance resources at www.aamcocolorado.com. Our team of expert mechanics can answer your questions and give your vehicle what it needs to keep you safe and on the road. Those who know, go to AAMCO!
Stay safe when driving in Colorado high winds with these tips
As winter begins to turn into spring, Colorado high winds also morph from an occasional inconvenience into a driving hazard. With Colorado winds averaging higher speeds during the months of January, February, and March, it’s important for motorists to adjust their driving technique to stay safe on the road. Below are some tips to help you drive safely in Colorado high wind conditions—and if you need more information on vehicle safety or Colorado auto repair, visit one of our convenient AAMCO locations.
A particularly eerie experience is when you can feel the wind actually buffeting and moving your car as you drive. This is dangerous for obvious reasons—if you don’t have a firm grip on the wheel, your vehicle could be pushed onto a shoulder or into oncoming traffic. If the roads are icy or snowy, the risks are greater: even a small nudge to your car could push you onto a slippery patch that could cause you to lose control. To combat this, drive with both hands on the wheel at all times, and pay attention to what the wind is doing outside your car.
If you are driving a high-clearance vehicle, you need to be extra-aware of high winds. Because your vehicle has a higher center of gravity, it’s more likely to tip over in the best of circumstances—but throw unexpected gusts of wind into the mix, and the situation quickly becomes even more dangerous. Take extreme caution when rounding curves, especially if strong winds are present. Those driving trucks, buses, recreational vehicles, campers, and drivers towing trailers are at a higher risk and should exercise additional safety precautions.
Those living at higher altitudes—such as 5,000 ft. and higher—should be prepared for even higher winds than their lower-altitude counterparts. Living and commuting from higher elevations often comes with the additional considerations of more dangerous weather and longer driving time, so staying on top of the weather and driving slowly and attentively are even more important.
Another easily-overlooked problem high winds can bring is blowing up standing snow or debris. Even if the last snow was days earlier and the day is clear and sunny, high gusts can quickly obscure your view by blowing snow, dust, or other objects into the road. This is particularly dangerous because of how suddenly and unexpectedly it can occur—while you are on a curve, for example, or while you’re attempting to pass another vehicle. Stay vigilant and be prepared to quickly slow down if snow or debris suddenly clouds the road.
As always, make sure your vehicle is up to date with any maintenance checks or repairs. It’s especially important to stay on top of this during the winter and spring months, when Colorado driving conditions can be treacherous. Visit us online and find more resources on Colorado auto repair and a Colorado vehicle maintenance location that’s convenient for you.
Keep these pointers in mind when you head out to drive on Colorado winter roads. For more driving safety tips, or to find a Colorado radiator repair or AAMCO transmission mechanic near you, go to www.aamcocolorado.com. Those who know, go to AAMCO!
Transmission trouble? Our Colorado transmission specialists can help.
Your vehicle’s transmission is one of the most vital components of your car—and when something goes wrong, it can result in a very expensive repair job. There are several clues you can watch for that may mean your transmission is having problems, so keep these signs and symptoms in mind and stay on top of potential transmission issues. If your car is demonstrating any of the following, take it to an AAMCO transmission expert or Colorado auto mechanic as soon as possible for further evaluation.
Look. There are several things you can check to either rule out transmission problems or catch them early in the game. First, check for a milky or pink color in your transmission fluid, which may mean there’s a leak from the radiator cooler into the transmission lines. If coolant from the radiator gets into the transmission, it could cause clutches to wear out quickly and make the gears slip while shifting. Find a Colorado radiator repair expert to check your car for radiator problems.
Also, make sure you check the transmission oil dipstick regularly to catch any potential transmission problems early on. If the oil appears burned or dark brown, it could be a sign that the clutches are dangerously worn. If there is a brownish film stuck to the tip, then the transmission oil itself is worn and could have covered valves, pistons, and other internal parts. If your transmission oil looks problematic and your car is having difficulty shifting (or not shifting at all), this could be the reason.
Listen. If your transmission is making screeching or grinding noises—even if it’s only occasionally—it could be a sign of serious mechanical issues. The problem could also be a lack of oil, but either way it should be taken in for further evaluation.
Feel. If your car is shifting faster or slower than usual, or not at all, it’s likely that you have a transmission issue. This can be caused by lack of oil, clutches that are worn down, or other internal mechanical problems in the transmission. If the problem becomes severe enough, you may not be able to move your car.
As with most other things, the best cure is prevention. Make it a habit to pay attention to what your transmission is and isn’t doing, and your chances improve of finding a problem early enough to fix it. Typically, the earlier you bring in a vehicle that’s displaying troubling signs, the easier and less expensive it is to fix the problem.
Whether you need a rebuilt transmission in Denver, an oil change in Arvada, or a car tune-up in Broomfield, we’re here to help. For more information on AAMCO transmission repair, or for a Colorado auto mechanic near you, go to www.aamcocolorado.com. Those who know, go to AAMCO.
How To Get Your Car Out of Colorado Snow
The recent rescues of an Arizona woman trapped in her car on a remote, snowy road and a Texas family stranded in a snow bank for two days highlight the importance of being prepared for getting stuck in the snow in Colorado. As with most things, it’s easy to forget to form a backup plan for getting your car out of a snow drift until it actually happens. Fortunately, these rules and tricks are easy to follow and can make all the difference when the weather turns foul—and for more information on keeping you and your car safe during Colorado winters, visit one of our Colorado auto repair locations.
What to bring: Pack a bag with a screwdriver and hand trowel and throw it in your car. These items are small and easy to store in a trunk or backseat, as opposed to a full-sized snow shovel. Make sure you have blankets, warm clothing, and emergency food in case you need to wait for help. It’s wise to keep snow chains in your car as well, especially during the winter months.
What to do: When you find yourself stuck in snow, the first thing to remember is safety. Turn on your hazard lights, check and make sure the road is free of other vehicles before getting out, and minimize your time outside of the car.
The second thing to do is to check your tailpipe. If it’s blocked by snow, clear it—this can cause deadly fumes to build up in your car. Dig out the snow immediately surrounding your tires, and break up the ice under the tires with the screwdriver (or anything sharp you have handy.) This will give your wheels more traction. Clear away snow that’s higher than you vehicle’s clearance in the direction your car is going to move, and make sure there aren’t any smaller snow bumps that your car might not be able to go over.
Straighten your wheels as much as possible and try to create even more traction by sprinkling rock salt, sand, or kitty litter in front of your tires. Pouring extra windshield wiper fluid on icy tires will help thaw them out. If your tires still need more traction, you can lay branches or weeds from the side of the road under them—only use floor mats as a last resort, since they’ll likely be ruined.
What to not do: Some common mistakes motorists make when trying to free their car can end up causing far more damage and expense than just having the vehicle stuck in snow. Techniques such as rocking your car by switching it rapidly from forward to reverse can damage your transmission—a much more costly fix than calling for a tow. Make sure you clear snow from your grille before driving off—blocking this vent can cause your car to overheat.
If all else fails: Call a tow truck. It’s wise to have a membership with an organization like AAA to make the process of calling for help as simple and reliable as possible. Remember that depending on how many other motorists need aid, you may end up waiting a while before help comes—so make sure you have blankets, warm clothes, and emergency food in your car to stay safe and comfortable.
As always, AAMCO is here to meet you and your vehicle’s needs. Next time you’re searching Colorado auto repair shops, visit one of our expert Colorado mechanics at one of our convenient locations. For more information on Colorado vehicle maintenance, or to find an AAMCO transmission expert near you, visit www.aamcocolorado.com. Those who know, go to AAMCO!
