How Often Should Your Car AC Be Serviced?

Even though it may still feel like winter, the calendar says that spring has arrived.  This means it’s time to schedule an inspection of your car’s air conditioner.  You want to make sure that any needed auto AC repair has been taken care of so your vehicle is ready for summer’s hot days.  Don’t delay until you find yourself sweltering in a hot car.  All you may want is fresh coolant added to the radiator to keep you cool.  

You may be wondering just how often should your car AC be serviced?  Many certified auto AC repair technicians recommend having the air conditioner checked at least twice a year—in the fall after working hard in summer’s hot temperatures, and then again in the spring after surviving winter’s freezing temperatures. This will ensure that your vehicle maintains the best fuel efficiency while providing you with a relaxed ride.  At the minimum, service once a year can still be beneficial. 

There are several conditions that can cause issues with your car’s air conditioner:

• The engine’s hot temperatures
• Dirt and debris on the road 
• Vehicle’s continuous vibrations
• Quick and hard stops
• Running over an obstacle in the road or hitting a curb
• The condenser becomes blocked or broken
• The cooling fan breaks
• Faulty electrical connections

Any of the issues listed above can cause loose connections, cracks in a hose, or even a minute crack in the AC unit, allowing the refrigerant to leak out.  This means the compressor will not reach the pressure it wants to push hot refrigerant through the system to cool it down.  

Have questions about how often should your car AC be serviced?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about auto AC repair and to request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Often Should You Have Car Maintenance Done?

Whether you have been driving for many years, or just starting out, the vehicle maintenance schedule for today’s vehicle may be confusing.  You may be wondering just how often should you have car maintenance done? The first place to look for the answer is your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s service guidelines.  If you still have questions, ask your mechanic to explain the recommended vehicle maintenance schedule for your specific vehicle—what should be done, when it needs to be done, and how much it will cost.  

What are the benefits of following the vehicle maintenance schedule?  

• You can depend on your vehicle to get you where you want to go comfortably and safely.
• You won’t have to expend hours at an auto shop waiting for repair work to be done.
• You will save money by avoiding major auto repairs.
• The resale value of your car will be higher than if you neglected maintenance.

There are some other items that you can inspect yourself.  Give your vehicle a little extra attention by paying attention to the following:

Daily...

Take a few minutes to walk around your vehicle before heading out each day.  Look for damage to the bodywork, low or flat tires, cuts in the sidewalls, cracks in the windows, or puddles under the car.  Although these problems don’t seem very big, they could cause serious issues while driving down the road.  

Weekly, or as needed...

• Inspect tire pressure, tread depth, and condition of all four tires AND the spare.
• Inspect the level and condition of all fluids, including oil, coolant/antifreeze, brakes, windshield washer, power steering, etc.
• Broken or burned-out bulbs should be changed and lenses cleaned.  
• Check your windshield wiper blades and replace them if more than 6 months old.
• Wash your vehicle often and give it a wax job sometimes to protect the finish and repel water and dirt. 

Taking a little extra time checking your vehicle will provide you with confidence that you have a reliable vehicle.  

How often should you have car maintenance done?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive for more information about vehicle maintenance and to request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

When Should You Get New Tires For Your Car?

The answer to this question can have several variables.  Although most tire manufacturers say that tires on a new car can last for about 50K miles, the actual number of miles you can drive on a tire is dependent upon various factors, such as:

• What is the quality of the tire?
• Are your tires all-purpose for year-round driving, or snow tires?
• How is the tire mounted on your car?
• What is the tread-wear rating, or the expected tread life?
• How and for what purpose is the car driving? 

So how do you know when should you get new tires for your car?  By following the tire service tips below, the life of your tires is extended, preventing emergency tire repair:  

• Inspecting the inflation pressure – The right inflation pressure will ensure optimal contact with the road; improving fuel economy and helping the tread wear more evenly. 
• Rotating tires – Rotating tires to a different position on your car helps ensure they wear out in an even pattern. Many tire service shops don’t charge for a tire rotation service if you have it done at the same time as another service, such as oil changes.  Tires should usually be rotated every 6 months or 6,000 to 8,000 miles.  
• Wheel Alignment – The wheels are aligned with the suspension so that the angles of the tires maximize their contact with the road.
• Tire Balancing – Weights placed on the rim of the tire help balance the tire if one component of the tire is heavier than another portion.  This will ensure that your tires roll down the road as smoothly as possible. 

So why is quality tire service so important?  Because tires are the only components of your vehicle that really touch the road, taking good care of them will not only save you money on having to replace them, but it also increases the safety of your vehicle.

Did you know…Most tire manufacturers are rated with the specific lifespan of the tire so that car owners know how many miles to expect out of their new tires?  

Have more questions about how do you know when should you get new tires for your car?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about basic tire repair service and to request an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Wonder How Often Should Car Alignment Be Done?

This is a question many drivers find themselves asking their auto mechanic. The signs of a misaligned car and tires out of balance are so similar it’s difficult for the average driver to know the difference.  Be sure to ask your auto mechanic to inspect the wheel balancing as well as the alignment as these problems are more damaging than one would think.  And of course, as with many other problems, some types of damage are irreparable!

How often should car alignment be done, and what does it mean when your car is out of alignment?  Out of alignment simply means that your car’s tires are pointing not in the same direction as the steering wheel.  And what does it mean when your tires are out of balance?  It means that the weight around the tire is unevenly distributed.  Have your wheel balancing and alignment inspected whenever you start to feel issues?  The cost of correcting the alignment or balance is much less than a new set of tires or changing shocks!

Although wheel alignment issues can develop as the miles add up on your car, they are more likely to be caused by a specific incident, such as going over speed bumps and potholes too fast, hitting a curb, driving consistently on rough roads, or an auto accident, even a minor fender-bender.  

If your tires are out of balance or misaligned, these problems may present themselves as you drive down the road:

• You feel the steering wheel and seat noticeably vibrate.
• Your tire tread is wearing faster than normal in an uneven pattern.
• Fewer miles per gallon.
• Your vehicle pulls to one side or other of the road.
• The steering wheel may feel loose and is crooked while driving straight.

Wondering how often should car alignment be done?  Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Clausen Automotive for more information about wheel balancing and alignment services and to request an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

What are the Symptoms of Bad Struts?

Some auto mechanics advise that because there is no set mileage interval for replacing struts or shocks, it is important to your driving safety that you understand what are the symptoms of bad struts.  Though depending on how much wear and tear they have received, some auto mechanics say it is possible that struts or shocks should be replaced between every 50K to 100K miles.  

Just like all the other parts that make up a vehicle, it is inevitable that your car shocks and struts wear out as the miles up.  How you drive and the road conditions impact how long your car struts or shocks last. If you consistently travel over poor road conditions, they will wear faster than if you drive just short every day.  If the appropriate repair is neglected when needed, your brakes and car axles will be negatively affected and the driving safety of your vehicle is compromised.  

What are the symptoms of bad struts or shocks? Consider these two important problems:

1. Safety Compromised:  Bad struts or shocks will impact your braking capabilities.  It may take you longer or a further distance to come to a stop than normal.  Because the weight of the vehicle shifts during braking, it is possible to lose control of your vehicle.
2. Excessive Wear:  Driving with bad struts or shocks will accelerate the wear and tear on your tires.  Other parts of the suspension system, such as the springs and car axles, will also wear out significantly faster than normal.

If you notice that your vehicle is getting harder to control, have the car struts or shocks and car axles checked as soon as possible. When they are changed, you will notice improved stopping performance and increased control of your vehicle.  

Are you wondering what are the symptoms of bad struts?  Call our ASE Certified Mechanics at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about the suspension system and to request an appointment. Our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How do you know when your car battery needs replacing?

Many people don’t want to jump in there only to find that they have a dead battery!  If you are an experienced driver and know your vehicle, you can save yourself a lot of frustration by taking care of a needed car battery replacement before you get stranded in your driveway! 

So how do you know when your car battery needs replacing?  Here are several of the most obvious and common signs indicating that it’s time for a car battery replacement:

1. A car that is hard to start or won’t start at all.
2. You hear a quick clicking sound, signaling the available power is too low to crank the engine. 
3. The headlights are dim because they are not getting the power they want.
4. Electronic accessories, such as power seats, power windows, radio, dashboard warning lights, headlights, windshield wipers, and more, are unable to operate efficiently.  
5. A dashboard warning light is not only an indicator of a bad battery but that another part of the electrical system is failing, such as the alternator.
6. When the battery is consistently exposed to extreme temperatures the sides of the battery case can swell up, especially if it freezes, thaws, and freezes again on a consistent basis.
7. A car battery generally only lasts around 4 or 5 years, based on exposure to extreme temperatures and your driving styles.  
8. If the battery terminals are loose, it will seem as though the battery is dying.  Tightening the terminal connections may solve the issue.
9. Leaving a light on for an extended period of time may use up the charge in your battery.  If it is a good battery, a recharge may be all that is needed.

A word of advice:  If you notice any of the issues above, have an ASE-certified technician inspect your car battery to determine if it’s time for a car battery replacement!

Wondering how do you know when your car battery needs replacing? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about a car battery replacement and to Request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How Often Should You Replace Brake Pads?

If it’s taking you longer than normal for your vehicle to come to a complete stop at red lights and stop signs, it’s time to have your brakes checked.  This may cause you to wonder about how often should you replace brake pads? Because the wear and tear on brakes are unique for every driver due to their driving conditions and styles, road conditions, and quality of brake materials, there is not a specific timetable stated in your owner’s manual for changing brake pads and rotors.  But as a general rule of thumb, it is wise to have your brakes checked at every oil change so you can be aware of their ongoing situation.

So, if you’re wondering how often should you replace brake pads, here are several common warning signs:

• Brakes screeching and squealing – A small, metallic shim indicator embedded in the brake pad will screech or squeal when it has worn too thin.
• Too thin – If it appears should be no less than ¼ inch thick (about 3 millimeters) in depth.  
• Brakes grinding and growling – This sound comes from the metal-on-metal contact between the discs and calipers when the brake pads have worn too thin.
• Warning light – A warning light on the dashboard panel will illuminate indicating that it’s time to replace the brake pads.  

A word of advice: Normally, brake pads, and rotors need to be replaced about every 50,000 miles on most vehicles. For the best stopping performance, replace brake rotors and brake pads at the same time.

Wondering how often should you replace brake pads?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive for more information about brake repair, including brake pads and brake rotors and to request an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.