Ask Pete

[#1]

Interacting with automotive repair facilities throughout several southeastern states, I keep hearing a common theme that routine automotive maintenance is down and major repairs are up. The best I can tell is that because of economic times, folks are letting the routine maintenance and repair items go until they get too far gone turning routine stuff into major repairs.

One of the first things to go by the wayside when times get tough are routine things like oil changes and tire rotations. I know it sounds like it isn’t a big deal, right? Will your car really know if that oil and filter aren’t changed every 5,000 miles? The answer is YES and so will your pocket!

Gone are the days when the average vehicle operating temperature is 180 degrees. Today’s engines run their best around 195 - 230 degrees. While there have been significant advances in engine lubricants over the years, heat is still you motor oils’ nemesis. The hotter oil gets, the more it breaks down and the less it lubricates your engine. The routine, natural heating up and cooling down of your engine oil can break oil down to the point to where eventually, all its lubricant properties are gone.

When the oil has broken down and no longer lubricates the engine, your engine will run hotter and its internal engine parts will wear quicker. That is when the repairs start to get expensive! It’s safe to say that routine oil and filter changes are by far some the cheapest insurance you can buy for your engine. An old (actually ancient) mechanic friend of mine once told me, “you take care of it, and it will take care of you”. I don’t know about you but I would rather spend $25 a couple of times a year keeping the oil changed versus being faced with the decision to replace my engine or get another car.

[#2]

Pete, great reminder how forgetting the "little things" can come back to bite you! But now what about the debate between mineral-based or synthetic oil?

[#3]

Thanks, Pete. That's good advice. I know we all want to save a few bucks here and there, and we just assume that cars today are made to last longer with less maintenance, but that kind of philosophy can really cost us in the end. My car just happens to be due for an oil change, and your post was a greaat reminder for me to put it at the top of my to-do list.

[#4]

Hi Pete,

I was thinking about asking for a tune-up the next time I get my oil changed, but I don't know what is protocol for that service.

Do they usually check your fluids when you have your oil changes, or do you have to ask for that separately?

Thanks!

[#5]

Yep, thanks.  I will do it this weekend...I've been putting it off for too long.

[#6]

Yes, yes, yes! I do this and yet I am still amazed that this is almost all you have to do to keep your car running.

What happened to spark plugs and engine tune-ups?

[#7]

Pete, I just bought a certified used Cadillac - and I am noticing that my front rims are constantly covered with black brake powder.  Is there a way to stop this - it's making my new car look dirty?

[#8]

The black powder you are seeing is brake dust from your front disc pads. While this is normal for conventional brake pads, some aftermarket companies like NAPA have a ceramc based brake pad that reduces brake dust and brake noise. You may want to have your brakes inspected so a more serious problem isn't lurking. If all is normal, when your brakes do need to be replaced, have the service advisor research ceramic pads for your car.  

[#9]

With today's computer controlled vehicles and major advances in automotive technology, spark plugs are lasting 100,000 miles and beyond. Your vehilce still requires certain maintenance items but the days of the 15,000 mile tune up are gone. Always use the owners manual as your guide for the proper maintenance schedule for your vehicle.

[#10]

In most all cases when an oil change is performed, it is common procedure for the technician to check all other fluids, tire pressure, etc. Usually a "tune up" is not necessary unless your it is at the prescribed interval according to the manufacturer. If your vehicle is running bad or getting poor fuel economy, you may want to bring those symptoms to the attention of your place of repair. It may be something more than just worn spark plugs.

[#11]

Look for a future post that talks about the synthetic versus mineral oil debate!

[#12]

I totally agree with the article.  However, I'd like to know where I can get my oil changed for $25.  I do it myself and it costs me more than that for the oil and a filter.

[#13]

Oil change prices can be all over the board from the loss leaders to the extravagantly priced. Might I suggest contacting some of the AAA Approved Auto repair facilities near you for pricing for your specific vehicle. To find the AAA shop near you, log on to AAA.com, go to the "Automotive" tab, locate the link for "Approved Auto Repair. From there you can find the facility search engine.

[#14]

Hi Pete! Can I make my car battery last longer if before turning off my car -  I turn the radio & air off? Sounds like a myth to me, but batteries are expensive.

[#15]

Your theory held true years ago before we had all these electronics controlling everything but the theory hasn't quite reached myth status yet. In fact manufacturers are still recommending to turn major accessories off prior to shutting down the engine. That recommendation comes more from a power surge prevention measure versus a battery saving effort. I suppose that in a long run the less power surge the less load on the battery upon start up so there may be an indirect connection to battery savings.  

[#16]

synthetic oil

When I went for my first oil change on my 2009 Corolla why was I advised that I had to have synthetic oil? Is this really necessary as it cost $20 more than the advertised oil change? I am due another oil change and wonder if I can take advantage of discounted oil changes or if I should go to the Toyota dealer.

[#17]

Pete, I have a 2004 Cadillac De Ville with 102,000 miles on it. I often get a "Check engine coolant" message, and there seems to be a loss of fluid. There is no fluid on my driveway, the car does not overheat, but the coolant still disappears. I look at the hoses, they are dry. Any ideas?

[#18]

My wife's 2010 Chevy Equinox has an oil life status in the vehicle interface menus. The oil life shows it is only partial used while the oil has 4,000 miles on it. Should I follow the cars oil change suggestion or change it more often? It would seem the manufacturer who built the car would know best but my better sense tells me follow my usual routine. We drive between Clearwater and Orlando monthly so we tend to have high mileage from driving on I4.