Maintenance and Tire Tips
Common Maintenance Questions >>
Ongoing Maintenance >>
Tips For Better Fuel Economy That Doesn't Cost In The Long Run >>
Aged Tires: A Driving Hazard?? (Feature Video from ABC News) >>
Common Maintenance Questions
Click on the links below for answers to some Common Maintenance Questions.A. Many tires have tread wear indicator bars molded into the tread. When the tread is worn down to where you can see a solid bar of rubber across the width of the tread, it is time to replace the tire. Here's another simple test you can perform to measure tread depth on your tires. Place a penny into a tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time to get a new tire.
A. Proper inflation is the single most important part of tire care. The inflation pressure on the side of the tire is the MAXIMUM operating pressure. It is not necessarily the right inflation for your vehicle. Always use the inflation recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You can find it in your owner's manual, posted on the edge of the driver's door, on a door post, in the center console, or on the inside of the glove box door. Always check inflation when tires are COLD: when the vehicle has been driven less than a mile or one hour or more after driving. Use a good quality tire gauge. Note: It's natural for radial tires to have a slight bulge in the sidewall at their proper inflation pressure. Check or adjust inflation every few weeks, before any long trip or if traveling with a heavy load. And don't forget to check the spare. At Oceanside Tire and Service Center we offer free air checks and free air gauges.
A. Have your car checked if you notice:
1. Excessive or uneven tire wear.
2. Steering wheel pulls to the left or right.
3. Feeling of looseness or wandering.
4. Steering wheel vibration or shimmy.
5. Steering wheel is not centered when car is moving straight ahead.
A. Vibration is an indication that your car has a problem that needs attention. The tires, steering system and suspension system should be checked to help determine the possible cause and correction of the vibration. If left unattended, the vibration could cause excessive tire and suspension wear. It could even be dangerous. Here at Oceanside Tire and Service Center we can offer expert diagnosis and repair.
Ongoing Maintenance
- • Have tire wear, fluid levels, and exterior lights checked regularly.
- • Perform oil changes every 3 months or 3,000 miles, which ever comes first.
- • Perform cooling system services, transmission services, and rear differential services every 2 years or 20,000 miles, or as recommended by your service manual.
- - These fluids are often overlooked since their replacement intervals are longer then regular oil changes.
- - The number one reason for coolant system repairs, transmission repairs or replacements is due lack of maintance.
- • Do not ignore your vehicle's warning lights; they light up for a reason. Warning lights may be yellow in color to signify the need for attention soon, or may be red to signify the need for immediate attention.
- • A Check Engine light, often yellow in color, may signify a potential mechanical, electrical, or computer failure. Check Engine lights may be related to vehicle emissions, which can result in lowered gas mileage.
- - Check Engine lights may or may not be accompanied by drivability problems such as sputtering, rough idle, or loss of power.
- • An Oil, Brake, or Coolant light, red in color, may signify the need for immediate attention due to a low fluid level, or a mechanical or hydraulic failure in that system.
- - These types of problems may be accompanied by other symptoms such as a puddle of fluid underneath the vehicle.
- • Regardless of the warning light or color, pay attention to what your vehicle tells you. Refer to your owner's manual or call Oc ity of your vehicle.
Tips For Better Fuel Economy That Doesn't Cost In The Long Run
Replace fuel filter, transmission fluid and air filter every 20,000 miles. Vehicle maintenance is the largest factor in fuel economy. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's maintenance schedule (i.e. spark plugs, spark plug wires, timing belt, etc.) A fuel injector service is an added maintenance service that can, also, have great effect on fuel economy. Have the accessory belt - slipping belts increase A/C compressor and engine load increasing fuel consumption.
Have your tire pressure checked regularly (once a month - tires lose about 2-5 p.s.i. per month) low tire pressure increases rolling resistance which decreases fuel economy. Driving with tires over inflated results in less rolling resistance, but can cause excessive tire wear due to expansion as the tire heats up. This will increase the cost of tires over the life of the vehicle.
Have you alignment checked regularly (every 10,000 - 12,000 miles). Driving with tires pointing straight greatly reduces the amount of resistance, therefore increasing fuel economy.