Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What should I do to get my car ready for Winter?
A. Winter driving in the greater Chicagoland area can be very demanding on your vehicle. At the first instance of longer than normal cranking time, you should consider replacing the car battery, especially if it has been over three years since it was replaced. This can save you a lot of grief later on especially as it gets colder and colder during the winter season. Also, as the roads tend to get much more hazardous in colder weather, you should always use seat belts, which provide the most protection in a collision.
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Q. Is it a good idea to bring my car in for a checkup on a regular basis?
A. Checking for things like marginal brakes and low tire tread usually are not on your day-to-day schedule. These are things that our Complete Automotive Repair mechanics can double check for you when you bring in your car for an oil & filter change.
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Q. How often should I bring in my car for an oil change?
A. This would depend on you car's owner's manual, but in most cases, every 3,000 miles or six months whichever comes first.
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Q. What should I do if I am driving and my car starts to skid on a patch of ice?
A. You should turn in the direction of a skid to bring your vehicle back in line. Try not to jerk the steering wheel because that might quickly cause another skid. If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, push the pedal down firmly and keep it down during sudden stops on slippery pavement. That enables the car's onboard computer to automatically pump the brakes for you. If you have an older model car, or a car without an anti-lock system, pump the brakes as rapidly as you can to stop as fast as possible and to avoid loss of steering control.
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Q. What about tire pressure?
A. We recommend that you inflate each tire with about five pounds more than the factory-recommended pressure. Cold weather lowers pressures and leaves under-inflated tires that provide less grip. The extra pressure will not affect the way the car handles too much.
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Q. With the price of gas increasing all the time, I've been thinking about getting a new car with a hybrid engine. Are there any other advantages besides more miles per gallon?
A. There are a number of hybrid vehicles now available to consumers including the Ford Motor Company's hybrid SUV, the Escape Hybrid, which started shipping in the 2005 model year. Toyota Motor Corporation is now also offering hybrid versions of the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX400 SUVs. Honda will be offering a hybrid version of the Accord for this model year, further increasing consumer choices for hybrid vehicles. In addition to these new hybrids, the Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius are still available to consumers and offer exceptional gas mileage, the best in their respective classes. These vehicles are also environmentally friendly, emitting less global warming and smog-forming emissions than most conventional vehicles.
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Q. I have been bringing my car into Complete Automotive Repair for about three years and am very happy with the service I have received on my Lexus SUV. I believe in having your company do the manufacturer's recommended service at the correct intervals. A buddy of mine, however, thinks he should not do any preventive maintenance until it causes a problem with his car. He thinks this will save him a ton of money. One thing I told him he should be doing (because his car has over 100,000 miles) is to bring his car over to your shop to put in a new timing belt. I have heard that if this is not done on schedule, and if it fails, the engine might be damaged. How important is this timing belt thing?
A. Depending on the type of car you are driving, you may discover that one day, the engine may suddenly stop. If the timing belt is broken, there is a chance that it may cause the engine to have bent one or two valves. This creates a very serious engine repair problem, which can be solved by replacing the right part at the right time, and not waiting until it is too late.
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Q. There is a lot of road construction going on. Does this mean that my car's air filter should be replaced more often?
A. It is a good idea to have us check the air filter every time you bring in your car for an oil & filter change. Driving through dusty road construction areas can affect your replacement interval for this part.
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Q. What's the best way to find out if my car needs shock absorbers?
A. Look for signs of oil seepage on Struts and shock absorbers, test shock action by bouncing the car up and down. The car should stop bouncing when you step back. Worn or leaking shocks should be replaced. We always recommend that you have us replace shock absorbers in pairs.
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Q. How often should wiper blades be checked and replaced?
A. You should inspect windshield wiper blades at least once a month. Do not wait until rubber is worn or brittle to replace them. Wiper blades should be replaced at least once per year, and more often if smearing or streaking occurs.
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Q. What about tires?
A. We recommend that you keep tires inflated to manufacturer's recommended pressure (the factory recommended info can usually be found on a label inside the driver's side door jam). Check for cuts, bulges and excessive tread wear. Uneven wear indicates tires are misaligned or out of balance. Rotate tires every 7,500 miles.
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Q. What can I look for if I want to check belts and hoses?
A. You should inspect belts and hoses on a monthly basis. Replace any worn or frayed belts. Tighten them when more than 1/2" of slack can be depressed between the pulleys. Cars with spring loaded belt tensioners require no adjustment. You should also check for bulging, rotten or brittle hoses and tighten clamps. If a hose looks bad, or feels too soft or too hard, it should be replaced.
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