Newsletter - Spring 2006

Spring is in the air

Spring is in the air with summer quickly approaching so now is the time to schedule your vehicle for maintenance services in preparation for the warmer weather ahead. You depend on your vehicle in the daily stop and go traffic to work and school and you want it running perfect for the up coming 3-day weekends and vacation road trips. Preventative maintenance is the key to getting you safely to all your destinations.

The average cost for a new car is $25,000, yet some motorists do not realize the importance of taking good care of them. The best way to protect your investment is to maintain it inside and out with oil and oil filter changes, every 3,000 miles and fluid exchanges and replacement of belts, hoses and brakes when needed. Keeping your 30K, 60K and 90K service schedule is equally important. Preventative Maintenance insures your vehicle's dependability. Taking care of your vehicle is the best way to make sure that it will take care
of you!

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What are those drips on your drive way?

If you have ever experienced a fluid leak, but not sure whether you are losing oil, transmission fluid, coolant or brake fluid here is a simple, but effective method to diagnose what type of fluid is leaking.

Place an old sheet or large piece of white cardboard under the vehicle overnight. In the morning you will have your answer. If the leaks have the following color, you have a good indication of what type of fluid your vehicle is leaking.

Bright Green or Reddish: Radiator coolant, this is also very slippery to the touch.

Light or Dark Brown: If you change the oil often it will be light brown, if not the fluid will be a darker brown.

(under the motor) Make sure to change you engine oil every 3-5,000 miles.

Bright Blue: Windshield washer fluid.

Light Brown: If there is also a strong odor of rotten eggs, this is 90 weight or gear lube. It may be leaking from the rear axle center section or the manual transmission.

Red Fluid: Automatic transmission fluid or power steering fluid. (Depending where the fluid is coming from, it could be long life coolant.)

Clear: Power steering fluid or water from the condenser on the AC unit.

Light Yellow/Brown: Brake fluid is light yellow when new. As it absorbs water the fluid becomes a dark muddy brown. Brake fluid absorbs 2% water over a one-year period under normal braking conditions. This is very important fluid and should be changed every other year.
Amber: Gasoline, but there will be a distinct odor.

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Get this month's coupon here: Spring Coupon