Tips For Maintaining Your Vehicle in Madison, WI

Trying to extend the life of your vehicle can assist in reducing the frequency of breakdowns or prematurely worn parts. Automobiles are not just a mode of transportation, but also a form of self expression and enjoyment.  It is no surprise that these items become more than just any property, but almost a family member over a period of time.  Therefore, it is more than just a financial decision when attempting to extend the life of your vehicle.  To ensure you can properly maintain your vehicle, here are a few tips!

The oil is the lifeblood of the automobile.  It ensures that the internal components are lubricated, which prevents premature wear.  While it is common to change your oil every three thousand miles, some of the newer vehicles requiring synthetics have different mileage schedules. Make sure to check the oil level every other time you fill your fuel tank. As well, ensure that your oil weight matches that recommended by the manufacturer since the newer engines do not require as heavy as a weight.  Heavier weight can degrade fuel efficiency and damage the engine, especially in those winter months.   Lastly, when it comes to oil the old expression you can never have to much is incorrect!  Putting to much in your vehicle can cause additional stress on your engine and cause your spark plugs to fail.

Tire maintenance is important for the fuel efficiency of the vehicle and obtaining a long life cycle of your tires.  It is important to rotate your tires after every other oil change.  This will help spread the wear of the tires as each tire position will wear differently.  Some shops will do this as part of their oil change, so keep an eye out for that to save some money.  More importantly, is to ensure that your tire pressures are correct.  Tires not up to the proper pressure can lower your fuel efficiency and cause premature wear on the tire. 

It is equally important to ensure that you replace your filters on a regular basis. Your air filters should be changed once every two months to ensure that the engine has the proper amount of air flow.  Replacing the oil filter is typically recommended by most with every other oil change.  I recommend looking into your manual and use manufacturers "severe" recommendation.  Some of the newer vehicles advised that you never have to change out your fuel filter. I would still advise replacing them every year as it ensures that your vehicle is properly providing fuel flow to your engine.

The transmission fluid is another change that should occur between 25,000 - 30,000 miles.  If you have the pleasure to drive a manual transmission in heavy stop and go traffic every day, it may be worth replacing the fluid every 15,000 miles. The 15,000 guideline would also be utilized if you use the vehicle for towing.  Finally, if you purchase a brand new vehicle, you should replace the fluid after the first five thousand miles.  These steps will reduce the amount of metal shavings in the liquid as it works to cool and lubricate your transmission.

Performing regular inspections on your vehicle can catch smaller repairs in time before they turn into much more expensive repairs.  Once a month with a cool engine check your hoses for signs of deformation or degradation.  If they are hard and rotted or overly soft and gummy it is time to replace them.  While you are under the hood look at the belts.  Make sure that they are not rotting or appear to have liquid on them.  If you can depress them between a half to a full inch, they are properly secure.  If you can press them any more, or less then they are not at the proper tension level.                                 
         
For more great tips about maintaining  your vehicle and staying prepared see our ideas for what to keep in glove compartment!

Contact

Kayser Chrysler Center of Sauk Prairie

866 Phillips Blvd
Directions Sauk City, WI 53583-1312

  • Sales: (608) 729-4923
  • Service: (608) 229-1244
  • Parts: (608) 665-2879

Hours

  • Monday 09:00AM - 07:00PM
  • Tuesday 09:00AM - 06:00PM
  • Wednesday 09:00AM - 06:00PM
  • Thursday 09:00AM - 07:00PM
  • Friday 09:00AM - 06:00PM
  • Saturday 09:00AM - 04:00PM
  • Sunday Closed

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