Wondering How Often Should You Take Your Car in for Maintenance?

Summer has arrived in all its glory.  You had your car serviced last fall, but now you may be wondering just how often should you take your car in for maintenance.  You want to make sure your vehicle is as trustworthy as the potential for the hot days ahead to prevent breakdowns and costly repairs. This means that you should follow the car maintenance schedule listed in your owner’s manual.

Some years ago, Kelton Research published a study that is still true today.  It shows that nine-in-ten American car owners believe they maintain their vehicles correctly.  However, only 41 percent actually follow the manufacturer’s vehicle maintenance recommendations.  The study further reports that less than one in four (23 percent) of car owners work with a certified mechanic to develop a plan for ongoing vehicle maintenance.  From these statistics, it is easy to deduce that there are a lot of vehicles on the road that is greatly in need of some type of auto repair. 

Here are several of the most important vehicle maintenance items:

• Every week or month
• Dashboard Indicator/Warning Lights
• Lights, exterior and interior
• Condition of the tires 
• Windshield Washer Fluid
• Engine Oil Level
• Every 3 Months/ 3,000 Miles
• Automatic Transmission Fluid
• Battery and Cables
• Engine oil and filter
• Exhaust and muffler
• Hoses and belts
• Power Steering Fluid
• Every 6 Months/6,000 Miles
  • Chassis Lubrication
  • Wiper Blades
• Every 12 Months/ 12,000 miles
• Brakes
• Cabin Air Filter
• Coolant (Antifreeze)
• Steering and Suspension
• Wheel Alignment

Preserve the investment you made in your vehicle!  Taking care of your car could be one of the wisest economical decisions you make.

Wondering how often should you take your car in for maintenance?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about the car maintenance schedule 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.

Wondering is a Tune Up Necessary?

Even with today’s newer cars and advanced technology, the answer to this question is “Yes!  Most vehicle manufacturers recommend a tune up service at around 100,000 miles.  Your mechanic can test the performance of your vehicle to determine just what is needed in a car tune up service.

Is your car slow when trying to go up a hill or passing a slower vehicle? Has a dashboard light come on and you don’t know why?  Before summertime’s hot temperatures are here in full force, be sure to get a car tune up now to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape. 

Because today’s vehicles are designed with computer processors, microchips and sensors, the best way to determine whether your car wants a tune up is to ask your auto mechanic to run a car diagnostic test.  This is done using a specialized computer that scans the sensors and operating systems, producing codes which will indicate a current or a pending issue.

So is a tune up necessary? The tune-up checklist should include both preventative and restorative engine assessments, including a checkup of the engine, an analysis of your vehicle’s performance, and any needed adjustments made to the operating systems. 

Here is a car tune up checklist:

• Spark plugs.
• Fuel pump and filter.
• Fuel injectors.
• Timing.
• PCV valve.
• Points and condenser.

There is not a one-size-fits-all car tune up procedure.  It will be uniquely based on your vehicle’s age, the number of miles driven, and its maintenance history.  

Wondering is a tune up is still necessary?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about a car tune up and to Make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Wondering How Often Do Radiators Need To Be Replaced?

A vital part of our vehicle that we often overlook is the radiator. Your radiator was stressed during winter’s cold temperatures as the coolant froze, expanded, thawed, and then froze again.  This can lead to cracks and leaks, resulting in damage to the transmission.   Before heading out on a summer road trip, schedule a vehicle checkup and avoid an emergency radiator repair in a strange town.  

Your radiator is working any time the engine is running. This is because coolant constantly cycles through to prevent overheating. It’s still technically on the job even when the engine is off, too, as it holds a significant amount of the coolant in the engine.  Without a working radiator, your engine would quickly overheat, probably causing catastrophic damage to your vehicle

So, how often do radiators need to be replaced?  Radiators’ do have a limited lifespan, but there’s no set number of years. A lot will depend on how well you maintain the coolant system. It should last for many years. 

Knowing the signs of a failing radiator can help prevent an urgent radiator repair, including:

• Coolant leaking on the ground under the radiator (this could also indicate a leak at a hose, the drain cock locations)
• Damaged fins on the radiator
• Temperature gauge rises quickly past normal operating temperature (this can also indicate low coolant, the air in the lines and other issues)
• Rust in the coolant
• Cracks in the plastic (many modern radiators are plastic, rather than metal)

Damage to the radiator can cause a ripple effect throughout the car, resulting in damage to the engine.  What could have been a minor radiator repair could turn into a major engine job!

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

Wondering what are the Signs of a Bad Starter?

You head out the door to work and your car won’t start.  Is it an issue with the battery, the alternator, or the starter?  How do you know which one?  You wish you had paid more attention when your mechanic had discussed the signs of a bad starter with you a few weeks ago. 

The starter system was designed for repeated use under a variety of weather and road conditions. But the wear and tear of daily use, extreme conditions, and poor maintenance can all create issues.  

Though, your starting issue may not be the starter. It could be that the battery is not holding the charge wanted to start your vehicle, or maybe you left your headlights on all night. Or maybe the battery has reached the end of its life and just wants to be replaced.  

Another reason for your car not starting could be a bad alternator that’s not keeping the battery charged.  A big sign that your alternator is bad is if the warning light on your instrument panel is on. Your vehicle is possibly running strictly off the battery which will cause it to go dead in no time.

There are some signs of a bad starter: 

1. Your vehicle cranks slowly or labors to crank when starting.
2. Your vehicle won’t start at all.
3. Starting issues are intermittent.
4. The interior lights dim when you try to start the car. 
5. You hear grinding noise when the car is starting or running.
6. A burning smell or smoke is coming from underneath the hood. 
7. The starter is soaked with oil. 

Don’t’ take a chance of getting stranded somewhere, but ask your mechanic to check your car’s starter, battery and alternator as soon potential.

Want to know more about what are the signs of a bad starter?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about batteries, starters, and alternators 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.

Wondering what are the Symptoms of a Bad Transmission?

The transmission is subjected to heat and stress on a day-to-day basis, so even if all seems well and you are still able to drive your car, it is important to know what are the symptoms of transmission issues.  If you want your vehicle to keep running for a long while and prevent major transmission repair, it is crucial to follow the service intervals recommended in your owner’s manual (normally every 60,000 to 100,000 miles).  

What are the symptoms of a bad transmission?

• Shifting Issues:  It is hard to move the shifter into another gear, it seems to “pop” out of gear, or it simply refuses to shift at all.  You may hear a “whining” sound and thumping sounds, or jerking when you try to shift.
• Transmission warning light:  A warning light alone doesn’t necessarily mean you have a transmission issue.  But if in conjunction with any of the shifting issues above, you may be looking at a pending transmission repair.
• Transmission completely fails:  Your car won’t move.

If you are noticing any of the issues above, ask your transmission repair technician for a diagnostic test to pinpoint the issue.  It could be due to worn-out parts, or a blown transmission unit.

Need to find quality transmission repair?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about transmission service and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

Are you wondering how often do you need to Buy New Tires?

Normally, the tires that come on a new vehicle will last for about 50,000 miles.  Most tire manufactures will state the specific lifespan of their tires so that you should be informed as to how many times they are good for when you purchase new tires.  

Of course, the actual life of your tires depends on some factors:

• The quality of the tire. 
• Is it a performance summer tire?
• The type of vehicle and how the tire is mounted.
• Treadwear rating, i.e., the expected length of tread life.
• How the car is driven. 

Did you realize that the four tires on your vehicle are the only parts of your vehicle that actually touch the road?  So it is important that you keep up with regular tire repair and maintenance, such as:  

• Correct inflation – This will ensure optimal contact with the road, improving fuel economy and helping the tread wear more evenly. 
• Tire Rotation – Moving your tires around to a different position on the vehicle will make sure they wear out in an even pattern. Usually, tires should be rotated every 6 months, or 6,000 to 8,000 miles, about every other oil change.  
• Wheel Alignment – Alignment refers to an adjustment of the vehicle’s suspension so that the angles of the tires affect how they make contact with the road.
• Balancing – Balancing is done with wheel weights to achieve smooth rolling of the tire. 

Quality tire service performed on a regular basis will ensure you get the most miles out of your tires while maximizing the safety of your vehicle.

Wondering how often do you need to buy new tires?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about tire repair and maintenance 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.

Do you know What Does A Major Car Service Include?

There are some drivers on the road who don’t keep up the car repair and preventative maintenance needed to keep their vehicle in good operating condition.  It may be the farthest thing from their mind during their busy day.  Or it could be that they just don’t have the money in their budget for seemingly unnecessary items.  Though, the cost of repairs for the damage that could be taking place, such as in the engine, transmission, or suspension systems (just to name a few) will certainly be greater than really paying for the suggested maintenance.  It really is true—you don’t save money by extending the time between the suggested service intervals. 

The difference between major and minor service is significant. Usually, minor services are commonly performed at 7,500, 15,000, 45,000 and 75,000 miles while major services are performed at 30,000, 60,000 and 90,000-mile intervals.  Though the major car services are not performed as frequently, they need to be done to protect the warranty, maintain safety, and boost the resale value of your vehicle.

Minor car service normally includes the following:

• Changing the oil and filter
• Tire service--rotation, alignment, balancing, air pressure 
• Checking and cleaning the battery
• A checkup of all fluids, filters, belts, hoses, brakes, and emissions
• Windshield wipers
• Replacing burned out lights

What does a major car service include?  Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, a major car service normally includes the following:

• All the minor services listed above.
• Replacement of different filters, fluids and spark plugs.
• Replacing the timing belt and/or serpentine belt at the suggested mileage interval.
• Servicing the air conditioner/heater
• Other services related to the fuel delivery, emissions and ignition systems.

There are two main benefits of keeping up with vehicle maintenance.  First, your mechanic can let you know what is starting to wear out, what needs replacing right away, and what’s looking good. Secondly, you can drive your car with confidence knowing that you have a reliable and safe source of transportation. 

Want to know more about what does a major car service include?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about car repair and maintenance and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.