Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil.  This can be caused by a blown head gasket (other gasket), a failed transmission cooler or cracked casings.  This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional technician quickly.

Using laundry products or other washing products with strong detergents can dull your car’s finish.  If you are going to use soap to wash your car, use special car wash products that are made for the job.

At least every two years, your vehicle’s cooling system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh antifreeze to replenish the antifreeze mixture and prevent the formation of damaging rust and scale.

Flushing a car’s cooling system has nothing to do with repeat A/C compressor failure.  Flushing the A/C system does.

Battery cables and terminals should also be cleaned and inspected to make sure they provide a good electrical connection.

Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines. Vehicles that are used to towing (especially during hot weather), or vehicles that are operated in extremely cold or hot climates.

Synthetic motor oils, although they are more expensive than mineral-based motor oil, can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes.  They also provide instant lubrication on start-up.

Short trip driving is especially hard on oil because the engine never warms up enough to boil off the moisture and acids that accumulate inside the crankcase, so be sure to change both the oil and oil filter as your vehicle manufacturer recommends under the “Severe Service” maintenance intervals.

Higher motor oil viscosity numbers do not necessarily provide better protection; follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for your motor and driving conditions.

Have your older rear-wheel drive vehicle’s fan clutch for proper operation and fluid loss, because they lose their grip as they age and are a common cause of overheating.

To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, have your car’s fuel filter replaced approximately every 48,000 kilometers or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Experts recommend changing the oil and oil filter in your vehicle every 3 months or 5,000 kilometers (whichever comes first).  It’s a simple, inexpensive and essential way to maximize engine protection.  Oil changes at 12,000 kilometers are usually too long an interval for most common driving conditions.

For maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance, your spark plugs should be replaced every 30 months or 48,000 kilometers, unless your vehicle is equipped with 160,000 kilometer platinum tipped spark plugs (but see your vehicle owner’s manual for specific recommendations).

If you have a flat tire while driving, pull off the road towards your right as far as you can and then make sure your car is in “park” and the ignition is OFF.  (If your car has manual transmission, set the parking brake.)

It’s a good idea to learn how to change a tire before you have to change a flat tire.  So if you buy a new car, make sure you know where the spare is, how the jack works, etc,  or just give us a call and we will gladly come to your rescue.

A clogged or dirty air filter can lead to reduced gas mileage and a rough-running car, so have your air filter replaced every six months or have it replaced according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

When you have your fuel pump replaced, you should also have a new fuel filter and replace any cracked or leaking fuel lines and hoses replaced.

Replace your windshield wiper blades once a year to ensure clear driving vision.