The Not’s and Don’ts of Car Ownership, Part 2

Here is part 2 of my newsletter “The not’s and don’ts of car ownership”. First things first. Was this the worst title to a newsletter you’ve ever seen or was that my way of getting your attention ? Probably both. If yall are anything like me, little reminders like this are a good thing to help me keep up with my car’s driveability and value.

1 - Not having your fluids checked regularly.  Failing to have your fluids checked on a regular basis can end up causing costly major mechanical breakdowns. Other fluids not being checked such as the windshield washer fluid are just an annoying inconvenience. We will check all your fluids when you come in for service.

2 - Not having your fluids changed or flushed as part of your regular maintenance schedule. Oil, transmission, power steering, and brake fluid all breakdown overtime and can leave your vehicle without the proper lubrication or protection the mechanical parts need. Fluid flushes and oil changes are a must.

3 - Not paying attention to noises. Turning up the radio is not the right way to make noises your car makes go away. Banging scraping or squealing sounds are a sure sign it's time for your car to go into the shop. Often times it is something simple other times having your car looked at sooner than later might save you from having a major engine repair.

4 - Ignoring recalls. Recalls can make your car run better. Often it can possibly save your life such as the Takata Airbag Recall. There are times some of the recalls can be more of a nuisance and possibly not worth taking the time such as a recall to lubricate the power window switch for your windows. The funniest recall was for the loose nut behind the steering wheel. As it turns out it was the operator of the vehicle. (haha)

5 - Not having your tires inspected. This is a safety issue.  Have your tires inspected for uneven wear and damage, which can be a sign of other issues with your car. Uneven wear can be an indication of wheels that aren’t in alignment or other suspension problems.

6 - Not Getting Your Wheels Aligned. Not having your wheels properly aligned can lead to uneven tire wear, handling issues, or cause your car to drift off the road or into oncoming traffic. Misalignment can be caused by worn suspension parts, hitting potholes, and bumping into curbs, among other causes.

7 - Don’t ride the brakes. Resting your left foot on the brake pedal or using both feet to drive can prematurely wear out your brakes, causing excessive heat buildup that can damage braking system components, and compromise the effectiveness of your automatic emergency braking system.

8 - Ignoring the Little Things. I’ve touched on it before, but it bears repeating. Little problems become big problems when it comes to your car. That small scratch becomes a pathway for rust, an that annoying noise becomes the need for new rotors or possibly a new engine if not repaired in time.

9 - Not having regular safety checks on your vehicle. Everytime you bring in your vehicle for service we put your car on a rack and check it from top to bottom. We will let you know what needs to be repaired now and what can wait.

10 - Not Having your vehicle serviced by qualified technicians. YEP we often get cars in for repair that were “repaired” elsewhere. We also get a number of vehicles from the dealer with check lists that have all sorts of things that don’t need to be serviced or repaired right now. YES we are not perfect and on occasion we make a mistake. (we hate to admit) However we always do our best to make it right.

Don't forget about our other shop Atlanta Hybrid Repair. AHR is equipped to handle all your Toyota and Lexus service needs. AHR is smaller, so often it's easier to get an appointment. Gas powered and hybrids are welcome. Located at 5630 Peachtree Blvd. 1 mile away from the main shop across the street from Wendy’s and the Kia dealership. Call Robbie for appointment at 770-492-7437