Bring your car to AAMCO for a complete ProtectCheck® diagnostic. This will help identify any issues that need to be looked into and possibly repaired.
Follow Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule
The manufacturer of your car designed and built it. They know your car inside and out, especially how it runs and what it takes to keep it running. The most important thing you can do is use your car owner’s manual and follow the recommended maintenance schedule. Follow the list of service checks in your owner’s manual, especially for your car’s driving milestones (50,000, 100,000 miles, etc.). From oil and tires to the transmission fluid and timing belts, your owner’s manual is an excellent source of information about your car. AAMCO Colorado can help you better understand that information and answer any questions.
Oil and Filter Change
Check your car’s engine oil regularly. Making sure there is always the right amount of oil in the engine, and having it changed per your car manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, will ensure a long, reliable life for your car. Be sure to know what kind of oil goes into your car, synthetic or conventional. Along with the oil, the filter should be changed, too. The filter removes particles and contaminants from the oil that can accumulate over time as the oil runs through the engine.
Check Engine
When the “check engine” light comes on, it’s a good idea to go to a mechanic and have things looked at. Along with a visual inspection of the potential problem areas, mechanics will usually run diagnostics. Today’s cars have many
electronic systems, controllers, computer chips, and digital sensors that monitor the performance of the vehicle. The car’s computer tracks all of this and generates codes whenever there are problems, or if something is not running optimally. Sometimes the codes come in combinations, but they all must be carefully referenced and investigated. Getting this data from the car’s computer helps mechanics find and focus on specific issues affecting your car – issues that could become severe problems if not found and addressed in time. There is a lot of detective work that goes into being a mechanic!
Timing Belt
The timing belt should be checked regularly for wear and indications of potential failure, particularly as your car gets older and up in mileage. If the timing belt breaks – especially while driving, not just idling – it can destroy the engine. The timing belt regulates the activity of the engine, controlling the camshafts and opening and closing valves for smooth operation. Refer to your owner’s manual for timing belt replacement intervals.
Ask AAMCO
When in doubt, ask AAMCO. Cars can act up any time, even when they are well cared for and maintained on a regular schedule. If you have a car repair or maintenance question or run into any problems – your car is making noises you are unsure of, the ride is bumpy or rough, shaking or rattling is a regular occurrence, at any sign of a potential issue – call AAMCO. You can also go online and use the AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic feature to submit your auto repair questions. They will be answered by a real AAMCO Colorado mechanic as soon as possible.
There are many things you can do to extend the life of your car and keep it running safely and reliably. Bring it to AAMCO Colorado for all your car maintenance and repair needs.
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Watch this video – see a transmission explode in slow motion.