Automotive Preventive Maintenance
Just like preventive medicine, preventive maintenance can nip car problems in the bud, before they sprout into major problems. And we promise your car won't feel a thing!
A good rule of thumb is to follow the factory-recommended maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. Little things like checking your fluid levels on a regular basis and changing fluids and filters can make a big difference when it comes to the health of your car and its systems. Those simple steps can ensure the proper functioning and longevity of your car for years to come.
Some common preventive maintenance services include:
Why wait for your car to start ailing before you bring it in? Take care of your car before the problems start, and you'll spend less time in the shop and more time on the road.
Brake Repair / ABS Brakes
There's nothing more frightening than feeling your brakes grind and pulse when you're trying to come to a sudden stop on a busy street. Screeching brakes, a soft brake pedal, leaking brake fluid and blinking ABS warning lights are just some of the warning signs that your brakes are struggling to stop.
Proper care of your braking system includes replacing worn shoes and pads, machining or replacing your rotors and drums, lubricating the caliper slides, and flushing your brake fluid.
The latter is more important than ever because most cars today have antilock brakes or ABS, which automatically pumps your brakes at rapid speeds to help you avoid "locking up" the brakes and skidding. The ABS motor that pumps the brakes is susceptible to dirt and moisture, which accumulate over time in brake fluid. Replacing the pump is a costly repair, making preventive maintenance a bargain by comparison.
Whether you need new brake pads or ABS diagnostics, our skilled technicians will give your braking system a complete inspection and evaluation and will help put the brakes on any problems before they start!
Car Battery
You know what happens when the battery dies in your cell phone or iPod - they simply won't work. It's the same with your car's battery. If it's not working, neither will your car. Car batteries last an average of three to five years, but driving habits and environmental factors can affect their longevity.
Some tell-tale signs of a waning battery include:
In some cases, the battery fails without warning, too. If your battery is 4-5 years or older, it's smart money to have it tested or replaced. Call on CARS for testing or to fit your car with the appropriate battery, ensuring you get started each and every time!
Tip: Most of us associate dead batteries with the frigid temperatures of winter. In reality, summer's intense heat takes out more batteries than winter does.
Cooling System
If you've ever been out on a hot Chicago summer day, you know how important it is to stay cool and hydrated to avoid heatstroke and other heat-related complications. Much in the same way, your car can become overheated without the proper care, and if ignored, can lead to catastrophic engine failure.
Coolant, which is a 50-50 mix of water and antifreeze, is like Gatorade® for your car. It flows through your car's radiator, water pump and engine cooling passages to keep it "hydrated" and operating at the proper temperature. Low coolant levels or coolant that's dirty and contaminated from age and miles can lead to an overheating engine, which can lead to a literal meltdown. The engine can overheat and seize, leaving you in the hot seat.
Common signs of cooling system problems include a low coolant warning light, the engine temperature gauge going to the red zone, low coolant levels, leaking coolant, steam under the hood and, in the winter, a heating system that blows cool air.
To maintain your system and to help avoid cooling system repairs, your coolant needs to be flushed periodically. Your CARS of America Client Care Specialists can help advise you of when so keep your cool and let us deal with the heat! We'll ensure your car is properly hydrated and will thoroughly check the system's other components, such as the drive belts, cooling fan, radiator, radiator hoses, water pump and even the radiator cap.
Factory Maintenance
You've heard that following your car's recommended factory maintenance schedule is critical to preserving its life and integrity. But is it really necessary? Absolutely. While your vehicle is covered by the new car warranty, factory-specified maintenance is required to maintain that warranty. And your CARS of America Client Care Specialist can advise you on those items.
After the warranty, following your car's preventive maintenance schedule can add years to its life and dollars to its resale value. Your CARS of America team members use factory maintenance schedules as a guide, and then we customize our recommendations based on your driving habits and the results of our bumper-to-bumper vehicle inspections.
Today's cars are more complex than ever, and these modern improvements mean they have a longer life expectancy as long as they're properly cared for. So why wait until your car is showing obvious signs of distress? Let the experts at CARS of America keep your car running reliably for years to come.
Shocks / Struts
Sure, some people like to put some "bounce" into their cars to go along with their flashy wheel rims, but you're not one of them. Instead, the jolt and jump you feel each time you hit a pothole or speed bump is completely unintended.
Regular inspections of your shocks and struts and your steering system are recommended about every 12,000 miles or 12 months. Common signs of steering and suspension problems include excessive bouncing, steering wheel vibration, uneven tire wear, and noise while turning or going over bumps.
Our technicians will smooth out the rough edges of your ride and get you gliding down the road in no time. Our comprehensive steering and suspension services include:
Timing Belt
When it comes to your car's engine, it's all about the timing. Without a timing belt, your car's valves, pistons, camshafts and crankshaft would have no idea when to move. Worse yet, they'd all be moving at the wrong time and collide, causing costly internal engine damage. The timing belt coordinates and synchronizes the movement of all these components, and without it, your car would be at a complete standstill.
Timing belts become worn over time, cracking and breaking if neglected for too long. Miles driven, contaminated oil and the tension in your belts all contribute to timing belt breakdown.
In most cars, the timing belt cannot be visually inspected for wear because it's buried beneath a number of plastic shields. Your best bet is to replace the timing belt according to your car's factory-recommended maintenance schedule.
Don't risk a roadside breakdown. There are few, if any, warning signs before a timing belt fails, and when it does, your car will stall immediately and come to a stop wherever you happen to be. This means a call to a tow truck and an unexpected repair bill, and this is the best-case scenario.
Worst case: Your engine pistons and valves collide, leaving you with internal engine damage. In some cases, the valves can snap and damage the cylinder head as well. Often, the extent of this damage is unknown until you disassemble part of the engine. This spells a repair that can easily hit the $2,000 and up range.
Do yourself and your budget a favor, and let our technicians tame your timing belt. We'll confirm the recommended replacement interval, carefully install a new timing belt, and ensure your car continues to run like clockwork.