Visiting the auto repair shop is something we hope never has to happen for us. Unfortunately, our car will break down at least once or twice in its lifespan. It’s unavoidable.
Part of making sure your auto repairs don’t go from “kind of bad” to “I just spent my whole savings to rescue my car,” means being proactive about doing regular maintenance on your car. One short little checkup that takes one or two hours out of your month could save you boatloads of cash in the long run.
Now, what can you do to make sure you are taking action in keeping your vehicle healthy on the road? Below are some frequently asked questions when it comes to auto repairs.
How do I know when I need to visit an auto repair shop?
In most cases, your vehicle is pretty good at telling you when it has a problem. However, just in case you don’t know the difference, here are a few recommendations.
Every sound can be a weird sound. If you are a first-time car own, it is better to be overly-cautious than intentionally blind to the weird noises you are hearing or the odd sensations your feel while driving.
Take your vehicle to the auto repair shop and talk to the auto repair technician about the sounds you’re hearing or the sensations you are feeling when driving your vehicle. Be very specific, even take the technician for a test drive if you have to. Great technicians will help you identify the problem and then give you the service you need so you can get back on the road.
Pay attention to your temperature gauges, any check engine lights, and other gauges on your cluster. Often times, there are clear indicators of when you need to visit a auto repair shop.
How often should I change my oil?
So oil doesn’t just lubricate the moving parts in your engine. It also absorbs water and other particles to keep them from affecting your engine. Once the oil is saturated, it stops lubricating the moving parts, which can cause friction. Friction in the engine can cause many other problems that result in costly repairs.
Most technicians are recommending that you change your oil every 3,000 miles. Some would argue that is too soon, but depending on how often you drive your car, it may not be the worst thing. If you feel like 3,000 is still too early, you can also change your oil somewhere around 5,000. If you own a car that uses synthetic oil, however, you may not have to get an oil change for up to 10,000 miles!
How often should I check my antifreeze?
Prestone, the company known for antifreeze sales, recommends checking your antifreeze levels at least every two weeks. While this may seem tedious, it is a lot less tedious than the anger you will feel when you have to pay an arm and a leg to repair your cooling system. Checking your antifreeze regularly will help you monitor your levels, and if your levels ever drop below the line, you will know it’s time to visit a repair shop. If you don’t know how to check your antifreeze level, check out your owners manual. Running low on coolant could cause your car to overheat.
You should change your antifreeze every 2-3 years.
Who should I do if my check engine light is on?
There are places you can go to get a “free check” if your engine light decides to grace you with its presence. The free check engine will help you figure out why the light is on. The customer service clerk will tell you the problem, and you can finally go to an auto repair shop to fix the problem.
If you decide to drive while your check engine light on, use caution. The problem may be large or small, but you should still visit a service center as soon as possible.
How important is a timing belt and when should it be replaced?
Timing belts are incredibly important and you won’t know how important they are until they break. Since we never know when the timing belt is approaching death, technicians recommend replacing your timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. If you are buying a used car, it is important to ask the seller if they have recently replaced the timing belt.
Where is the best place to get my Lincoln vehicle serviced?
There are many places in Kent where you can get your Lincoln serviced. However, Bowen Scarff Lincoln technicians are specifically trained in servicing your Lincoln vehicle. They highly believe in customer service and will do everything they can to make sure you’re safe on the road.
Thank goodness for auto repair services! Without them, who knows what kind of condition our vehicles would be in! If you are experiencing problems with your Lincoln vehicle, Don’t wait another moment!
Call or visit us today at Bowen Scarff Lincoln in North Kent, Washington to get the services you need catered specially to your Lincoln vehicle!
To see what other services we offer and service specials we have on promotion, visit our website and learn more!
Bowen Scarff Lincoln 