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In the previous, All About the Car episode featuring Hey Schierl Tire, we discussed the importance of your tires. But let's not forget the mechanical side of our cars and trucks. As with any mechanical operation, maintenance and occasional repair is needed to achieve reliable service. So, let's dig into some of the most frequently asked maintenance questions that have come our way!

 

 

 

Does Schierl Tire Mean You Just do Tires?

We work on everything from bumper to bumper! That’s the “& Auto Service” part of our name. 😊 Of course, we do tires, but we can repair anything that might go wrong with your car…except body work. That’s a whole different area of expertise.

But if you need anything mechanical, electrical, and of course, tire-related done, stop in and we’ll take care of it for you!

What Kind of Fluid Inspections Should be Done on a Vehicle?

Fluids are a crucial part of keeping your car running smoothly. Unfortunately, they don’t last forever. Your car’s manual will have recommendations for when you should check each of your fluids, but we know not everyone has the time to stay on top of regular inspections. You have places to be! That’s why if you bring your car in for an oil change at Schierl Tire & Auto Service, we check them all for you as part of our 32 point courtesy check!

The easiest way to inspect your fluid levels is when you pull out of a parking space, are there any spots of fluid left behind? Check to see if it was your car leaking (at home, place a sheet of cardboard under your car to check if anything is dripping). If something is leaking, bring it in to Schierl Tire & Auto Service and we’ll take a look. If you notice it’s leaking in a particular area (front, back, or to one side of the engine) or if it’s a certain color, let us know – it will help us pinpoint just where the issue is.

For example, if your vehicle is leaking engine coolant (also known as antifreeze), you’ll usually see bright greenish-yellow drops toward the very front of your car. Every time you change your oil (anywhere from 3,000 to 7500 miles depending on your oil change schedule), check your coolant level - as well as brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid - to make sure they are full. Be careful, though – always wait for your engine to completely cool before checking your coolant. After you’ve been driving, your engine cooling system is under pressure and the coolant is scalding hot, so NEVER take the cap off your radiator if the engine is still warm. Just let your car sit overnight to be sure. You can also check the coolant reservoir, which should be right near your radiator. There are lines printed on the reservoir to let you know which levels to maintain.

What Does Preventative Maintenance Mean for Vehicles?

Technically speaking, an oil change is “preventative maintenance” because you are taking care of something that can wear out before it should. A lot of the things on your car that can wear out have a pretty consistent life span. Fluids typically last a certain number of miles before they start to lose effectiveness – engine coolant and transmission fluid, for example, should last around 100,000 miles. Some car manufacturers even recommend not touching some of these systems unless you start to experience performance issues.

Now, another term for the preventative maintenance that normally people might refer to as the old tune-up. The word tune-up itself does not exist anymore, as it used to be used in terms of timing the engine, replacing the spark plugs, or adjusting the carburetor. Almost all of that is computer-controlled now, about the only thing in a modern tune-up is replacing the spark plugs because they do wear out. But they're not wearing out at 30,000 miles, they're wearing out at 100,000 miles. That's almost eight to nine years of owning the car! The old carburetors would dump so much gas down inside the engine that it would cause additional problems, and hence you had to do maintenance much more frequently.

Sometimes the good old days were not so good, huh? Thats right. At 100,000 miles, your 72 Chevelle was wore out. Now a days, the vehicle rusts out before they wear out, especially in Wisconsin. So if you take care of your vehicles and put a little bit of that preventative maintenance into them, you can go a long, long way and protect your investment!

How do You Know if You Need Brake Repair Services?

Do you have jerky or pulsating brakes? Do they emit a high-pitched squeal or grinding sound when you begin to apply pressure to the brake? These are signs that your brakes need attention. A lot of brake pads have worn indicators, which is that high-pitched squeal you may hear, so when you apply or release the brake pedal that's your indicator. It's a little tab of metal that is annoying, like fingernails on a chalkboard.

Regular visual inspections during a tire rotation can help to identify wear. Brakes are a crucial part of vehicle safety, so if you notice anything unusual, don’t delay – get your brakes checked!

My Car Smells Like Exhaust Fumes. Should I Get it Checked Out?

Absolutely! Exhaust fumes can contain carbon monoxide and breathing that in is extremely dangerous. So, if you start to smell exhaust fumes inside your car, roll down the windows immediately to get fresh air in, then make sure to get your vehicle checked ASAP. Preventative checks can help to limit exposure to harmful gases!

How do I Know if My Car Battery Needs to be Replaced?

When you go to start your vehicle and the engine cranks slowly, sounds different, or if your battery is about five years old, it’s time to consider a replacement. Extreme temperatures, especially heat can wear out your vehicle battery quicker. Knowing the age of your battery is crucial for preventing unexpected breakdowns. You may also experience battery corrosion. Signs of battery corrosion include visible white, blue, or greenish deposits around the battery terminals, difficulty starting the vehicle due to hindered electrical flow, intermittent electrical problems like dimming lights or flickering dashboard lights, potential battery leaks manifesting as stains or wetness, and visible physical damage to the terminals or cables such as cracks or melting. Batteries can be tested to see if they are getting weak. There's a certain amount of reserve capacity that they must have, which we can test.

We hope we were able to give some clarity to some of the most asked vehicle maintenance questions.