Vehicle Winterization

Welcome back everyone! Ken here from Tune Tech Automotive in Aurora. Given the recent alternating weather we've been having, I felt it was important to revisit one of our recent topics - Vehicle Winterization. I know, we just talked about this, but with the number of disabled vehicles and accidents that have been caused by the slippery roads, we should cover these important topics again. 

This time I was able to make a video to highlight the most important steps you should take. So give it a view, take some notes, and then go out and check the condition of your vehicle. The nice thing is a lot of the things we recommend can be done by you yourself! However, if you're uncertain about anything or want some help to make sure your vehicle is in tip top shape and ready for the roads, give us a call at 303-364-3391 or visit our website http://tunetechautomotive.org and our incredible staff of experienced mechanics will take care of everything! 

Vehicle Suspension Information

What Does A Suspension System Do?

The suspension is a major system found in your vehicle. It plays a vital role in stopping, steering and stability. All of the components of the suspension system absorbs all the impact and helps you maintain control when you hit bumps, obstacles or potholes, ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers. It supports the weight of the vehicle and contents, helps maintain consistent tire contact with the road, and transfers the weight of the vehicle as you round corners and turn.

The whole idea of a suspension system is to allow the vehicle body to travel over irregular surfaces undisturbed. Surely today’s vehicle suspensions enable a much more comfortable ride compared to that of the original automobiles. This is due mostly to the enhanced technology and maintenance knowledge we have today.

Suspension System Components

There are many parts to a suspension system, the important ones to the function of your vehicle being joints and pivot points. These allow a vehicle’s wheels to move up and over obstacles and to turn as you steer. As you cross over a bump or dip into a pothole, the suspension system moves in many places to accommodate these changes, resulting in a much smoother ride.

Suspension components wear out over time with prolonged use. Simply put, when they become worn out, the suspension elements don’t fit together as well as they should. This results in poor handling of the vehicle and the driver may even hear some odd noises coming from the suspension underneath the car. All of the components of your suspension system work together, so one part affects the function and quality of all the others. Having a loose joint , for example, can cause other suspension parts to wear out faster than they normally would.

Maintain Your Vehicle's Suspension

One of the suspension’s main functions is to maximize friction between the tires and the road surface. This contact between the road and tires is what affects a car’s ability to steer, brake and accelerate. A result of worn out suspension parts is uneven wear on the tires. The contact surface of new tires can actually be totally worn off in a couple of months due to poor suspension maintenance or unnoticed/neglected damage.

A trusted mechanic will be your best asset to ensure the function and safety of your suspension system. They will easily identify signs of damage or wear. Repairs can restore the correct handling to your vehicle and ensure your safety, as well.

It’s important to address small problems as quickly as possible, to avoid what could become a major and costly repair later. Remember, each component of the suspension’s structure makes up a much bigger and important system that is vital to your vehicle’s handling and safety. Keeping up with routine maintenance on your vehicle’s suspension system will help keep it driving as it should.

Oil Change Information

Oil Change FAQ

My shop, Tune Tech Automotive in Aurora, has been in business since 1995. We are a family owned and operated automotive service center that provides repair, tune ups, and belt and hose replacement, to major engine repair and transmission replacement. The technicians are ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified and are equipped to handle all major and minor repairs on domestic as well as foreign vehicles. Tune Tech is a certified NAPA AutoCare Center. Since opening my business in 1995 I have answered many questions about automotive repair, and some of the most commonly asked questions are in regards to oil changes.

Why Change My Car's Oil?

I was asked about why it’s important to change your car’s oil. As your engine runs the oil collects contaminants, that get absorbed by the oil, so it loses it’s ability to lubricate. Oil is the essential lubricant for your car’s engine, and it lets metal work against metal. Oil picks up not only the dirt, but small metal particles and and other impurities from the engine and circulates them to the oil filter so they don’t damage your engine. Contaminants like these can interfere with the regular workings of your engine because it becomes thick and abrasive over time.

What Does Oil Do?

Oil doesn’t just help filter out dirt and contaminants. It also acts as a coolant for the engine. It lowers the friction between the metal parts in your engine. Your engine also moves oil that’s sat in the oil pan, allowing it to cool off. Sometimes vehicles also move oil through a tube in the radiator where it’s cooled off even more efficiently. Without oil, a car’s engine could seize, causing costly repairs for the owner. I can’t stress how important this simple component is to the life and quality of your vehicle. It’s relatively inexpensive, as well.

How Often Should I Change The Oil In My Vehicle?

It’s best to change your vehicle’s oil according to the manufacturer’s guidelines set forth in your owner’s manual, and that those intervals may vary. If you don’t have a owners manual, it depends on the driving conditions, the type of oil you are using, and the vehicle you are driving. If you are using a conventional oil I would recommend 3000 miles. If you are using a full synthetic oil I would recommend changing the oil every 5000 miles.

Do I Have To Replace The Filter?

Another important aspect of changing the oil in a car is the oil filter. It filters out all the solid contaminants that are in the oil that you don’t want circulating through the engine causing engine damage. Over time the filter builds up all the contaminants, so it’s important to be sure to change it every time the oil is switched out.

What Happens To Used Oil?

I frequently field the question of what Tune Tech Automotive does with all the used motor oil we accumulate while working on hundreds of local customers’ vehicles each week. We collect the motor oil, and are able to store it and recycle it to heat the shop. We use an EPA approved clean burning furnace that works very well!

More information about oil changes and auto repair can be found on this page of Tune Tech Automotive’s website.