Do you know what’s included in a Full Car Service?

Most of us fear to have to schedule a full car service because of the money and time it takes.  We may keep delaying it for a month, or two, or three, or indefinitely, waiting to see if there might be a leftover in the monthly budget to cover the cost.  Inappropriately, this could lead to an extensive car repair; costing us much more than if we had taken care of the suggested car service in the first place.  Although your car won’t look any different after spending several hundred dollars on a full car service, it will certainly run more efficiently with increased performance and fuel efficiency.

So what’s included in a full car service? Take a look below:

• Oil change: Black dirty oil is replaced with clean oil.
• Replace filters: Oil, air, fuel and pollen filters are all replaced.
• Replace spark plugs: Replaced to maximize fuel economy.
• Brakes Checked: They can be cleaned and adjusted if compulsory.
• Fluids flushed: Most all fluids, which include the transmission, clutch, brake, power steering and coolant fluids should be flushed and replaced.  
• Road test: Picks up issues that can’t be detected easily just by checking the engine.
• Safety inspection: To make sure all the systems and sensors are working correctly so you can have confidence in your car.
• Car Battery: Make sure your battery is still holding a charge, and that the alternator is working correctly to keep it charged.
• Other checks: Your auto mechanic should check out anything else that can be seen or touched, including the transmission repair, radiator, differential oil, shocks or struts, wiper blades, lights, just to name a few.

There are two reasons why it’s vital to schedule a full car service at the suggested interval:

• Your mechanic can let you know what is starting to wear out, what should be replaced right away or what can wait, and what’s looking great. 
• Your car will remain a reliable and safe source of transportation, allowing you to drive with peace of mind. 

Need to know more about what’s included in a full car service?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about car repair and service items and to Schedule an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Wondering How Often Should a Car Battery be Replaced?

Wondering how often should a car battery be replaced?  If you are, more than likely you have started to experience starting issues and it’s time to consider a car battery replacement.  When a battery fails it’s generally not at a convenient time or place.  Did you know that dead batteries are one of the top reasons for roadside assistance calls?  

So, how often should a car battery be replaced?  Batteries will become worn down and inefficient within 3 years of everyday use in usual conditions. Just like your computer or smart-phone battery becomes less efficient with every charge, so your car battery gradually deteriorates every time it’s charged up by the vehicle’s engine. 

After 4 or 5 years, most car batteries will be almost completely unreliable and can present a number of safety and reliability problems.  Consider the following problems:

• Auto electrical system --  Although your car can still start with a battery that is failing, features that have significant power demands, like headlights, may not function as well as they should.
• Battery drain -- Many new cars have powerful computers that are operating all the time, even when the car is parked and switched off.  These computers can draw energy from your car’s battery at a slow, stable rate, wearing it down over time. 
• Stop-start technology -- Cars with engines that are designed to automatically switch off when at a standstill place a greater straining on their batteries than normal cars, and often want a special battery.

Before you get stranded with a dead battery, be proactive and ask your mechanic to check your battery periodically.  It could go from 90% performance to 20% over a short period of time.   Your mechanic can tell you if yours is getting close to the end.  The small price of a car battery replacement is worth it to avoid the stress of a roadside breakdown.

Wondering how often should a car battery be replaced?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about car battery replacement and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.