Your brake pads are the critical parts that rub against the rotor (or disc) to slow and stop your vehicle. They eventually wear down.
When your pads are worn too much, they won’t stop your vehicle as well. When the friction material is worn away, metal parts of the pad are exposed and you’ll hear a squeal or grinding sound.
That’s when Brooklyn auto owners should replace their brake pads. Not only will new pads restore your stopping power, but replacing them on time will prevent damage to the rotor.
If your brakes are making noise, ask your Superior Care Auto Center tech to inspect your brakes. Addressing issues early will restore your safety and prevent expensive brake damage.
Give us a call Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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Your A/C requires special compressor oil, which circulates through the system along with the refrigerant, to lubricate and protect costly components and keep seals and gaskets from drying out. If refrigerant has leaked out – so has the compressor oil. This oil needs to be replenished whenever refrigerant is added.
An air conditioning review will uncover any potential troubles and identify any required repairs needed to get Brooklyn motorists on the road to cool air once again.
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Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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Air quality has certainly become a hot issue in our modern Brooklyn world. We install air filters on our ventilation systems and in our vacuum cleaners. There’s a filter that cleans the air going into our Japanese Car’s engine — so why not one for the air in the passenger compartment?
Foreign and domestic vehicle manufacturers haven’t been ignoring the issue. Cabin air filters are becoming a standard feature on newer vehicles. These filters can clean particles out of the air down to three microns, which accounts for pollen, dust and most pollutants. Queens auto owners who suffer from allergies or have a respiratory disorder should be a lot more comfortable. And even if you don’t have a medical need for the filter, the cleaner air in your car just might help you breathe better, figuratively as well as literally.
Cabin air filters are still fairly new in Manhattan, so you’ll have to check your Japanese Car owner’s manual to see if you have one. If you do, your routine car care will have to include changing the filter as part of your important preventive maintenance. The owner’s manual will give recommendations on how often the filter has to be changed, but if the air where you live in NY is particularly dirty or if you’re prone to hay fever, you may want to change it more often.
Your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center technician can also offer suggestions on how often to change your cabin air filter in your Manhattan area. They’re the ones who actually see the dirty filters, after all.
There is no standardized location for cabin air filters. Brooklyn auto owners can usually find them in the Japanese Car engine compartment or under the dashboard, but they might be somewhere else. So the ease of changing the filter will depend on its location. Some are readily accessible, but others make you wonder how they got installed in the first place. Bring your car into Superior Care Auto Center and we will locate your cabin air filter for you.
However, if you have a newer Japanese Car, it’s good auto advice to find out if it has a cabin air filter. If it does, you should change the filter regularly. A sure sign that a filter needs to be changed is that the interior of your Japanese Car will start to smell bad. That smell is exactly how some Manhattan auto owners discovered that they had cabin air filters in the first place!
Cabin air filters are just one more way we have to stay safe, stay healthy, and stay on the road in Brooklyn.
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There are several critical factors that go into how often Brooklyn motorists should replace their wiper blades. Of course, the more you use your wipers, the faster the blades will wear out – especially if you use them on an icy windshield. Whether it’s a lot of bugs and road grime from NYhighway driving or lots of wet weather – your blades get a work out and start to wear.
But your wiper blades break down even when they aren’t used frequently. They are damaged by sunlight and temperature changes as well. The rubber in the blades can dry out and crack and eventually fall apart. Check your wipers: If they’re not doing their critical job, have them replaced.
Talk to your Superior Care Auto Center service professional about how you drive – we can guide you on the optimal blades for your needs.
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Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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The primary job of the serpentine belt is to provide critical traction to spin the accessories. As the belt wears it loses some of its grip and the accessories may not spin at optimal speeds. For example, if your alternator doesn’t spin fast enough, the battery will not completely recharge while you’re driving and you could end up stranded with a dead battery.
In short, a worn serpentine belt will stress all of the accessories it powers leading to premature wear and possible early replacement. When as little as 5% of belt material is lost, the serpentine belt cannot provide the proper traction for the accessories. Your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service advisor can inspect your belt for excessive wear and replace your serpentine belt system if it’s excessively worn.
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Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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The timing belt rotates the cam shafts which open and close the valves that allow air, fuel, and exhaust to flow through the engine as it powers your auto.
An old timing belt can lose a “tooth” in the belt allowing it to slip. The engine could stop or misfire. Timing belt slip – or a broken timing belt – can be disastrous on some engines. In “interference” engines, open valves can get in the way of the piston when the timing belt breaks or slips. When that happens one or more valves can be bent requiring pricey engine repairs.
It is vital for Brooklyn car owners to replace their timing belts as recommended in their owner’s manual to avoid unnecessary breakdowns. Ask the team of professionals at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn if it’s time for your timing belt to be replaced.
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Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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Your serpentine belt drives vital engine accessories like your alternator, air conditioning compressor, and power steering. In some autos it may also power the power brakes or water pump. The serpentine belt is powered by the engine and winds around pulleys and the accessories. Some vehicles have two serpentine belts.
The serpentine belt, the belt tensioner (which maintains the appropriate tension on the belt) and the idler pulleys are together known as the accessory drive system.
Now your serpentine belt and the belt tensioner will just wear out over time – that’s why your vehicle manufacturer has a scheduled belt replacement interval. The team at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn can inspect your serpentine belt for wear and get it replaced if it’s time.
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Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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Most auto manufacturers recommend an interval for an air conditioning system inspection. The inspection uncovers leaks, worn hoses and assesses the condition of the other components.
Environmental laws in some areas require leaks to be fixed before refrigerant can be added. Also some parts manufacturers require other components to be replaced along with certain failed parts in order to maintain the new part warranty. This is because a given failure may be the result of another worn or damaged part that will, if not replaced, prematurely damage the new component.
Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn is fully equiped to restore your flow of cool air.
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Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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The simple fact is that 70% of car batteries fail within 4 years. They just need to be replaced when they are no longer able to hold a full charge.
Batteries are a big ticket item for most Brooklyn car owners and it’s tempting to put off buying a new one as long as possible. But a battery that cannot hold a full charge requires the alternator to work extra hard, causing it to wear out prematurely.
Your Superior Care Auto Center tech can test your battery to see if it should be replaced. Testing is a good idea for NY car owners because a battery might still be good, but become dead because of a bad alternator or even a worn serpentine belt and tensioner.
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Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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The timing belt in your engine controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves. Brooklyn drivers need to replace it on a schedule to avoid failure.
Timing belts are very problematic to get to, requiring quite a bit of labor to access. Timing belt replacement is one of the more expensive maintenance services, but the cost to fix an engine damaged by a broken timing belt is much, much more.
The timing belt has a tensioner to help maintain proper belt tension. The tensioner should be replaced along with the timing belt and any idler pulleys at the vehicle manufacturer’s specified service interval. Your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service professional can help you with the timing.
Give us a call Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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One thing all Brooklyn auto owners can do to extend the life of their battery is to keep it clean. A greasy, dirty battery holds in damaging heat. Same goes for removing corrosion from the terminals. Superior Care Auto Center can help maintain your battery.
Allowing your battery to be deeply depleted – like from using your headlights when the engine is off – is very dangerous to your battery. Most automotive batteries can only take that about 10 times before they are ruined.
All of us Brooklyn auto owners know we have to get the oil changed in our Japanese Cars periodically. That’s just part of good car care. But when Manhattan service specialists change your oil, they also usually inspect your air filter. That’s why they sometimes let you know that your air filter needs to be changed before releasing your Japanese Car.
Don’t just chock this up to trying to sell you something else. Queens auto owners really do need to change their air filter when it gets dirty. You can check your owner’s manual to see how often your air filter should need to be changed, but remember, if you live in an area in NY with poor air quality, or if you drive a lot or drive under harsh conditions in the Manhattan area, you may need to change that filter more often than is recommended.
Changing an air filter isn’t guesswork. If a filter’s dirty, it needs to be replaced. Air filters aren’t very expensive at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn. But the problems they cause if Brooklyn car owners don’t change them can get to be costly.
For every gallon of gas your Japanese Car burns, it needs 12,000 gallons of air. Clean filters allow better airflow into your engine, which means that your engine will get more air more quickly. That means your Japanese Car engine runs more efficiently.
Dirty air filters cut airflow to your engine. All the debris in the filter clogs up the spaces the air needs to pass through to get to the engine. This dirty air can damage costly electronic components.
If you are in tune with your Japanese Car, you’ll notice a difference when you change a really dirty air filter for a clean one. Your Japanese Car may actually purr for you again. Its performance improves when it has a new, clean filter. So remember, changing your air filter is one of the most vital elements of preventive maintenance. At Superior Care Auto Center, it’s inexpensive, it’s effective, and it’s critical.
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In your engine, valves over each combustion chamber open to allow fresh air in, close during the combustion event, and then other valves open to let out the exhaust. All of this happens over and over thousands of times a minute. The timing belt’s important job is to make sure that all of this happens as it should – at precisely the right time. If the timing is off, your engine won’t run efficiently or maybe not at all – so a good timing belt is critical. If it should break, you could have costly engine damage.
Ask your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center technician when your timing belt is scheduled for replacement.
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Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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The brake rotor, or disc, is attached to your wheel. The brake pads rub on the rotor to slow your car.
Rotors can warp, crack or become misaligned. They can also be damaged by worn out brake pads that scratch grooves into the surface. These conditions result in less contact surface for the brake pads, leaving you with reduced braking power.
Over time and miles, rotors can also wear down below safe specifications. It is vital for Brooklyn auto owners to know that simply replacing brake pads on a wheel with a bad rotor will not solve the issue. Depending on their condition, rotors may be resurfaced or replaced.
Brake noise or a pulsation in the brake pedal are signs of potential brake troubles that should be addressed right away. If you have any brake concerns, please have your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center tech perform a thorough analysis.
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Superior Care Auto Center 718-768-0622 120 19th Street Brooklyn, NY 11232
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Service to a vehicle’s power steering system is a vital part of preventive maintenance for smart Brooklyn car owners. This system provides power to the steering wheel so you can turn it with ease. Without power steering, all of the power to turn your Japanese Car’s wheels would have to come from you.
The central element of most power steering systems is a pump. The pump pressurizes the power steering fluid, and it is this pressure that provides auxiliary steering power. A belt connected to the engine usually powers the pump, although some systems use an electric pump. Some newer Japanese Cars have an electric motor that directly provides the power steering boost.
Pressurized fluid moves from the pump to the steering gear through a high-pressure hose. A low-pressure hose returns fluid to the pump. Power steering fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the system.
Brooklyn drivers should remember that fluid levels in the power steering system should be checked at every oil change. Low fluid levels can damage the pump, which can be expensive to repair. Low fluid levels may also indicate a leaky hose in the power steering system, so it is a good idea to inspect the hoses, especially if your fluid levels are low.
Power steering fluid breaks down over time, losing its effectiveness. It also gradually collects moisture, which can lead to corrosion in the steering system. So the fluid needs to be replaced occasionally. You should check with your owner’s manual or ask your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service advisor to learn how often this fluid should be replaced.
When your fluid is replaced, your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service advisor will remove the old fluid and replace it with new. Power steering fluids are not all created equal; the fluid has to be compatible with your hoses and seals. Your Superior Care Auto Center service professional can ensure that you get the right fluid for your vehicle, or you can consult your owner’s manual.
Signs that your power steering system is in trouble can include the following: a steering wheel that is hard to turn, auxiliary steering power that cuts in and out, or a whining sound coming from the pump. Also, Brooklyn auto owners who are not topping off the power steering fluid on schedule may hear squealing coming from the engine belts.
To protect your steering system should never hold the steering wheel in the far right or far left position for more than a few seconds at a time. This can wear out your pump in a hurry.
Preventive maintenance for your steering system primarily involves the power steering components, but your steering system has other parts that can wear out or be damaged by rough NY driving conditions. Such parts include the ball-joint, idler arm, steering gear, steering-knuckle and tie rod. Signs that they are in need of attention include play in the steering wheel, a vehicle that wanders, uneven tire wear and a steering wheel that is off-center. Brooklyn drivers should have their alignment checked annually. This check-up can reveal bent or damaged steering components.
For answers to other questions about your steering system, or for auto advice on any type of vehicle maintenance, check with the team at Superior Care Auto Center. We can steer you in the right direction when it comes to quality car care.
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A fuel injector is a valve that delivers fuel to a vehicle’s engine. It has to deliver the precise amount of fuel, to precisely the right place, precisely when the engine needs it. The fuel also has to be mixed with air before it can burn in the engine.
Fuel injectors are engineered to spray fuel in a specific pattern into the engine. (The pattern varies by engine type and design.) In order to achieve these spray patterns, the fuel must be pressurized.
The pressure in a fuel injection system varies depending on its type. Many gasoline engines use port injection systems, which operate with a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch. Newer direct injection systems operate at 10 to 30 times that pressure. Some diesel passenger vehicles have fuel injectors that operate at 30,000 pounds or more per square inch.
Vehicles have one fuel injector for each cylinder in the engine. Your vehicle’s control computer constantly monitors the engine and various sensors in the vehicle and adjusts the fuel injectors accordingly so that they can deliver the proper amount of fuel to the engine. As you can see, fuel injectors are a sophisticated and vital part of your vehicle’s engine.
Because fuel injectors are such precision instruments, dirt and contaminants are a serious detriment to their performance. When an injector gets gummed up, it affects the pressure, pattern and timing of the fuel delivery. The result is a decrease in fuel efficiency and loss of engine performance.
So it’s vital to keep your fuel injectors clean. That starts with keeping the fuel in your tank clean. High-quality fuel contains detergents and additives that help clean your engine. Brand-name NY fuel companies also deliver a more consistent quality of fuel than do bargain stations in the Manhattan area.
The second way to keep your injectors clean is to keep your fuel filter clean. This filter screens dirt and rust out of the fuel as it travels from the tank to the engine. If the filter clogs up, fuel will bypass it and carry its load of dirt into the engine.
Check your owner’s manual or Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn to find out how often you should change your fuel filter. This should be part of your regular preventive maintenance. Also, remember that if you use bargain-brand or low-grade fuels, or if you drive an older vehicle, your filter will need to be changed more often.
You can also purchase cleaners that will protect your fuel injectors. These cleaners are added to the fuel tank. They work best at preventing build-up in your fuel injectors and can clean up small amounts of carbon, gum and varnish. But they won’t be able to clean a fully gummed-up injector. Read the labels before using any of these products for full directions on their use.
If your fuel injectors are gummed up, you can get a professional deep cleaning service at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn that will result in better fuel economy and improved vehicle performance.
Good car care will prevent serious damage to your fuel injector system. And this is one system that you want to keep in perfect condition.
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Today in our Superior Care Auto Center blog, we’re going to talk about following recommended service intervals. Your Japanese Car isn’t the only aspect of your life in Brooklyn with recommended intervals: Let’s start with twice yearly dental check-ups and regular physical exams. How about laundry, watering the lawn and paying the bills?
Now, what would happen if you didn’t follow these intervals? Well, you’d get more cavities. You’d may not discover health conditions that could be more effectively treated with early detection. And you’d have to wear dirty clothes, be embarrassed by your brown lawn and have your utilities shut off.
Clearly, there are some things in life that we have to take care of regularly. If we don’t, there are negative consequences. Our quality of life in Brooklyn takes a hit and it inevitably costs more money.
So why is it so hard to remember to follow regular preventive maintenance on our Japanese Cars? Probably a couple of reasons. One is that automotive maintenance items just don’t seem that urgent. All our Brooklyn neighbors can see our dead lawn, but no one knows how dirty our transmission fluid is. It’s easy to put off. The other reason is that we’re just not as familiar with automotive maintenance, so it’s a bit intimidating.
From a practical standpoint, Brooklyn people don’t need to memorize their Japanese Car owner’s manuals. You can let your Superior Care Auto Center advisor remind you of the guidelines established by auto manufacturers: he has checklists of what the manufacturer recommends and can find potential problems when he inspects your Japanese Car. You really can rely on Superior Care Auto Center professionals to help you make good automotive decisions.
For Brooklyn drivers who want to be more proactive with their Japanese Car care, here are some simple ways for Brooklyn drivers to remember what has a maintenance interval.
First: Fluids. If it’s liquid, it’s got a replacement schedule. Oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, differential fluid, etc.
Then think tires. They need air, rotation, balancing, and alignment. And while you’re thinking tires, don’t forget brakes and shock absorbers.
And what makes your Japanese Car go? Air and fuel. Air filter replacement, fuel filters and fuel system cleaning. Of course there are more items, but if Brooklyn car owners remember to take their car or truck in to Superior Care Auto Center for these things, their service advisor will help them with the rest.
And if you don’t follow recommended service intervals? You get lousy fuel efficiency, your Japanese Car doesn’t run as well, your safety is compromised and you’ll spend more money in the long run. So it’s the same as everything else: The quality of your motoring life takes a hit and it ends up costing you more.
Reason enough for me to follow recommended service intervals.
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A generation ago, Brooklyn car owners seemed to be more inclined to keep their vehicle’s preventive maintenance on schedule. One reason for this may be that vehicles back then were a lot less reliable than they are today. Having your Japanese Car in to your Brooklyn shop every year or two for repairs seemed to be a good reminder to keep the oil changed.
For example, almost everyone in Brooklyn used to take their vehicles in for regular tune-ups. Vehicles had mechanical ignition systems, which meant ignition points, spark plugs and coils had to be replaced and the timing adjusted every few years. As long as the Japanese Car was in for a tune-up at Superior Care Auto Center, the vehicle was inspected and you took care of any needed repairs at the same time.
Today’s engines have electronic ignition systems and engine control computers. Spark plugs can last for up to 100,000 miles. Vehicle reliability has vastly improved in the last few decades, and surveys report fewer problems with new vehicles than ever before. That also means that our Japanese Cars don’t experience a huge performance drop when they’re ready for some car care. But it doesn’t mean that they don’t need it.
Modern Brooklyn auto owners need to rely on calendars and mileage intervals to know when to schedule maintenance. Owner’s manuals contain recommendations on when different types of maintenance should be performed. Also, your Brooklyn service center can provide advice about auto maintenance schedules. At Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn, we know that benefits of staying on top of preventive maintenance are substantial. First, you’ll get better engine performance and fuel economy. Those two things alone return the cost of preventive maintenance: in fuel savings and safety. Also, routine maintenance has been proven to prevent major car repairs later on. Again, the cost savings can be significant. As the old saying goes, “Spend a penny, save a dime.”
Modern Japanese Car engines may be more durable and reliable than their predecessors, but they’re more sophisticated and complex as well. For this reason, preventive maintenance today is even more critical than the old tune-up. Modern engine systems have a lot of vital parts that have to stay lubricated. These parts can be made of aluminum, plastic or steel. Special additives in lubricants are required to keep each of these materials from breaking down or corroding. Over time, these additives are depleted, even if the Japanese Car isn’t driven. This makes fluid changes a critical part of scheduled maintenance if you want to keep your car on the road.
As an example, coolant fluid in your engine is a sophisticated mix that not only keeps your Japanese Car engine cool but also protects and maintains its components. However, this fluid gradually gets contaminated and anti-corrosion additives are depleted. It can become corrosive and actually damage the Japanese Car engine parts it was designed to protect. It can actually eat holes in your radiator and other engine parts. Changing the coolant could have prevented this costly damage, and it’s a whole lot easier and cheaper than replacing a radiator.
Timely oil changes are more critical for Brooklyn drivers than they used to be. Skipping just one oil change can start the build-up of oil sludge in your engine. Sludge can clog small engine passages, which cuts off the supply of lubricant to critical engine parts. Just this small bit of sludge can reduce the life expectancy of your engine. If the build-up continues, it could lead to engine failure within two or three years.
One word of warning to anyone in Manhattan who purchases used automobiles: take care when buying a leased vehicle. Brooklyn folks who lease vehicles only intend to drive them for two or three years, generally the years when the vehicle is least likely to experience any problems. One of the reasons people lease vehicles is that they don’t want to be bothered with maintenance or car care. Before buying a pre-leased vehicle, be sure to inspect it for signs of damage that result from lack of proper care.
Brooklyn car owners can all be grateful for the improved reliability of our modern vehicles. With proper maintenance and care, we can expect them to last longer, perform better, get better gas mileage, and require fewer repairs than ever before. We just have to be more conscientious about scheduling time for their care.
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Road trip, anyone? Nothing spoils a great vacation for us Brooklyn drivers then ending up stranded on the side of the road or spending a week in a rundown motel while our vehicle sits in the shop. Long days on the road can bring out the worst in your vehicle, so before you leave, prepare it for the journey by getting an inspection at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn. After all, you wouldn’t travel without clean socks, why ask your vehicle to travel with a load of harmful dirty oil?
The first step in a trip inspection at Superior Care Auto Center is to look at your travel plans. What kinds of roads will you be driving on? Will you be in the NY backcountry or on the freeway? Will you be crossing mountains? Off-roading? What will the weather be like? How many miles away from Brooklyn will you be traveling? How much are you hauling? Will you be towing a trailer or lugging a rooftop carrier? Will you encounter dust, mud, snow or sea salt? All of these questions can help Brooklyn auto owners find out which Superior Care Auto Center services are the most needed. And don’t hesitate to talk to your Superior Care Auto Center service advisor. He can give you good auto advice on what trip conditions are hardest on what systems of your car and what kinds of services your vehicle realistically needs. Start with the tires and check them for tread wear and proper inflation. Replace or rotate them as needed. If you need to change them out for winter tires, then do so.
Then review your shocks or struts for wear. Replace them if needed. You’ll want that extra comfort on your trip. Be sure to survey your alignment. Steering a vehicle that is out of alignment is tiring, and dangerous. Don’t overlook your brakes. With extra passengers and baggage, your brakes are going to get a workout. You want them in top condition.
In addition, review belts and hoses. If any of them are close to wearing out, have them replaced before your long trip does them in.
Change your engine air filter if it needs it or if it’s close to needing it. For every gallon of gas you burn, your air filter processes 12,000 gallons of air. A clean air filter will protect important electronic sensors that effect how your engine runs.
Get an oil change at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn if it’s coming due. Make it a full-service oil change while you’re at it. That way, all of your fluids will get checked and topped off. Change any dirty or old fluids. Brooklyn auto owners don’t want to overstress their cooling systems or transmissions with harmful dirty fluid during a long trip.
Does your vehicle smell? Check the cabin air filter. The bad smell could also indicate an exhaust leak, which can be fatal on a long trip. So don’t ignore bad odors; check them out.
If your air conditioning hasn’t been up to snuff, then give it an overhaul. You want your vacation to be relaxed and pleasant, and that means keeping the passenger compartment comfortable.
And be sure to check your wiper blades and your headlamps. You may find yourself driving in unfamiliar territory at night after a long day. You’ll want to be able to see as much as possible.
Of course, almost everything listed here is just part of vital preventive maintenance for smart Brooklyn drivers. If you keep up with your car care on a regular basis, a trip inspection will be a breeze at Superior Care Auto Center.
Taking care of your vehicle before you leave for a road trip will pay you back in safety, peace of mind, improved comfort and better fuel efficiency. It will also help your vacation go as planned by keeping you on the road and headed for that next great adventure. Just don’t forget to pack your socks.
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When Brooklyn drivers talk about vehicle safety, they think of tires and brakes. But do we think about our windshields? Isn’t the ability to see a prime safety factor when it comes to driving around NY? Yet we often don’t even notice our windshields until we can’t see through them, or until our wiper blades fail.
It’s estimated that around 46 million people are driving with wipers that won’t keep their windshields clear during a storm — that’s 46 million people with impaired vision during a storm. For safety’s sake, Brooklyn car owners need to change the way they think about wiper blades. Most of us, 78% in fact, only change our wiper blades after they fail. In other words, we don’t get new ones until the old ones become a dangerous safety hazard. Instead, we Brooklyn drivers need to make wiper blades an essential part of our preventive maintenance routine.
Wiper blades should be changed twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. In NY areas that experience harsh winter weather, special blades are available that prevent ice and snow from collecting on the wiper. Ask your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service advisor about wiper blades that repel ice and snow.
No matter what blades you use on your vehicle in the winter, don’t expect them to clear the ice and snow from your windshield after your vehicle has been parked for a while. Using your wipers will shred your blades and may even damage your wiper motor. And don’t drive on Brooklyn roads with a frosted windshield. That’s a serious safety hazard. It can cause accidents, and you could be held liable.
Wiper blades are subjected to harsh conditions in Brooklyn. They’re out in the Manhattan sun and in the cold. Over time, they become hard and brittle and lose their flexibility. Then they start to tear. Without flexibility, wipers just can’t clear a windshield of water or snow. And torn wipers can actually scratch your windshield. Then the entire windshield has to be replaced — along with the wiper blades. It’s a prime example of how preventive maintenance could have saved you a costly repair bill.
Brooklyn motorists can purchase new wiper blades at an auto service center or at any Brooklyn auto parts store. They cost about the same. But the auto service center will throw in the installation.
Once you have good wipers installed, don’t forget to top off your windshield washer fluid. If you take your vehicle in for a full-service oil change at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn, your washer fluid will get topped off then. But it’s good auto advice to purchase a jug of washer fluid to keep at home — just in case. And pack it in the car when you go on long trips.
While we’re on the subject, Superior Care Auto Center advises Brooklyn motorists to always fill their washer fluid reservoir with window washer fluid. Don’t ever use water. Water can freeze in the reservoir, which can damage it. It can also freeze onto your windshield. Besides, plain water just can’t get a windshield clean. Think about it. Do you use plain water to clean your bathroom mirrors? And a bathroom mirror doesn’t get exposed to anything near the gunk that can end up on your windshield. Windshield washer fluid was designed to do one thing — to clean windshields. Let it do its vital job.
A clean windshield is not just good car care for Brooklyn motorists — it’s a vital safety feature. Let’s keep it that way.
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When it comes to preventive maintenance and car care, most Brooklyn motorists know how important it is to check their brakes. But brakes are more than just brake pads and shoes. There are a lot of components in the brake system, and they all need to be in good working order.
The pads and shoes are known as the friction materials in the brake system. They push together, providing friction, which stops the vehicle. It’s no wonder they have to be checked regularly for wear, and that brake pads and shoes need to be replaced periodically.
Brake pads/shoes gradually wear out, but that doesn’t mean your braking gradually becomes less effective. The pads are engineered so that they maintain good braking until they wear too thin to provide adequate friction. At this point, they need to be replaced.
But your braking system also has mechanical parts. These pistons and springs can also gradually wear out or get gummed up by oil, dirt and other road spatter. A brake inspection in Brooklyn at Superior Care Auto Center includes a check of these parts as well as the pads and shoes. Your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center tech can then advise you of any parts that need cleaning or replacement.
The fluid component to the brake system needs a regular check-up at Superior Care Auto Center as well. The brake fluid cools and protects your brake system. Protective additives are gradually depleted by the operation of the brake system, and moisture build-up inside the fluid can diminish its effectiveness. When you have your brakes serviced at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn, the fluid should be checked and, if needed, replaced, which will clean out water, debris and dirt.
It is important to remember that your brake system also includes your tires. No matter how well your brake system is performing, if your Japanese Car tires are worn, you won’t get good stopping power. Traction is the gripping power of your tires to the roadway. Traction is always better on tires with a good tread. Good traction translates to good braking.
This is particularly critical on wet Brooklyn roads. A good tire will give you good braking on either wet NY roads or dry. But stopping distance increases dramatically when worn tires meet wet roads. Tread on a tire acts to channel away water as the Japanese Car passes over the wet road, thus maintaining contact between the tire’s surface and the road, which maintains traction. But the thinner the tread, the less effective the water channels become, and water can get between the tire and the roadway, reducing friction. A loss of friction means a longer stopping distance and possibly the loss of control.
Braking depends on two things: the weight of your Japanese Car and the speed of the vehicle. The heavier the vehicle or the faster the vehicle, the more braking power it requires. Thus, brake systems vary from vehicle to vehicle. For example, a pickup that is designed for heavy loads has a more powerful braking system than a compact car. Sports cars also have higher-grade braking systems than minivans.
Regardless of what kind of car you drive in Brooklyn, it is always good auto advice to keep your brake system in good repair, and that means ALL of your brake system. Just one more way to keep your travels accident and worry-free.
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When your experienced Superior Care Auto Center technician technician changes your oil, he will also inspect your air filter. You shouldn’t need a new filter at every oil change, but you will need to change it regularly. Heed your service specialist’s auto advice if they tell you to change your filter. It’s not expensive, and it makes a big difference to your Japanese Car.
An air filter does what its name implies: it filters stuff out of the air. Air is drawn into your engine through the filter because your engine needs air to burn fuel. If the filter weren’t there, a lot of dust and debris would come into the Japanese Car engine with the air. That dust and debris would get hot, burn, and produce all kinds of ash and gumminess that would eventually clog up your engine.
Drop in an air filter and voilá! Problem solved.
But air filters themselves get clogged up with all the junk they clean out of the Manhattan air. This doesn’t allow the junk into the Japanese Car engine, but it does block up the airflow. A blocked airflow will reduce engine efficiency.
An engine needs about 12,000 gallons of air to burn just one gallon of gasoline. Think of a runner. If he is breathing well, he can run well. But if he has a lung condition, he won’t be able to generate the oxygen necessary to keep his cells powered up. He won’t be able to run at peak efficiency.
Or consider a vacuum cleaner. Even without the light, you can tell when the vacuum bag is full because the machine just doesn’t clean anymore. Change the bag and its efficiency immediately improves.
So keep your Japanese Car breathing well by keeping its air filter clean. That’s good car care.
Brooklyn drivers who get a charge out of the feeling of power in their engine might consider upgrading their air filter. Talk to your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center tech. Premium air filters have been proven to increase horsepower and torque. So with the cost of a premium air filter, you can increase the horsepower in your engine — there’s no cheaper way to do that!
It’s also one of the least costly and simplest elements of vital routine preventive maintenance – and protects against damage to expensive Japanese Car electronic systems. No Brooklyn resident should have an excuse to drive around Manhattan roads and highways with a dirty air filter.
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Most Manhattan folks worry about running out of gas or having a breakdown on the side of the road. That is why we practice preventive maintenance on our vehicles — that and to keep our repair bills down. But one important part of preventive maintenance that may get overlooked by Brooklyn car owners is a periodic alignment inspection.
Poor alignment causes tires to wear rapidly, unevenly or both. This means they will have to be replaced early, and new tires are more costly than an alignment check in Brooklyn. Bad alignment can also cause damage to suspension and steering systems, which can be expensive to repair in Manhattan.
Tire wear on misaligned wheels can also lead to blowouts, which are dangerous, can lead to serious accidents, and can seriously damage your Japanese Car. Also, poor alignment itself can be the cause of an accident, since the Japanese Car may not steer properly.
One or more wheels on your Japanese Car can be knocked out of alignment by running over a curb or a pothole on a bumpy Brooklyn street. An accident, even a minor one, that involves a wheel on your car can lead to misalignment. The small bumps and bangs of everyday Queens driving can also gradually put your wheels out of alignment.
If you have had wheel damage to your Japanese Car, or if you suspect that your wheels are out of alignment, you should get your alignment checked NOW. Any Superior Care Auto Center service advisor will give you that piece of auto advice. But good car care suggests that you also get your alignment inspected on a regular basis. At Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn, we can take care of that for you.
Your owner’s manual or Superior Care Auto Center service specialist can give you a suggestion on how often your alignment should be checked. If it doesn’t, then once a year is a good rule of thumb. However, if you drive a lot and especially if you drive on rough surfaces a lot, then you may want to consider an automotive analysis more often. Ask your Friendly service specialist for a recommendation.
If your Japanese Car is out of alignment, one or more of the wheels is not tracking correctly and will “pull” against the others. Thus, one sign of poor alignment is that your Japanese Car pulls to one side when you drive around Manhattan. Also, if you are driving a straight path and your steering wheel is off-center, that usually indicates an alignment problem.
Brooklyn drivers should also check the wear on their tires. If they seem to be wearing out too quickly, or if you notice that a tire is wearing on one side more than the other, you should get your alignment checked.
When you get a diagnostic examination, your vehicle will be put on a rack and all the parts of the steering and suspension systems will be inspected for wear or damage. The alignment of the tires will be charted and compared to the original factory settings. If no repairs are needed on the steering or suspension systems, the wheels will then be adjusted to bring them back into alignment.
This may seem like a lot of bother for Manhattan motorists, but it’s a lot less trouble than a blowout or an accident. The old adage is good auto advice for all Brooklyn residents: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
So keep on driving, and keep all four tires on the road.
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A vehicle’s suspension system is tough. It can last for years and tens of thousands of miles for Brooklyn motorists. But it can be damaged quickly by hitting a pothole, curb or rock, and it can wear more quickly if you frequently drive off-road or on bumpy roads. A workhorse vehicle — one that hauls heavy loads — is also going to be hard on its suspension system.
Because the useful life of your suspension system contains these elements of unpredictability, it is important for Brooklyn car owners to have them inspected periodically. Worn, broken and missing parts can be identified during a diagnostic examination. An ineffective suspension system will lessen the driver’s control over a vehicle, so when it is damaged it frequently leads to the worst kind of vehicular damage — dangerous and pricey accidents.
The suspension system is composed of springs and shock absorbers (or shocks). Springs suspend the weight of the vehicle above its axles. They allow the vehicle to “bounce” over bumps, which reduces the force of the impact on the vehicle. Shocks curtail the rebound of the “bounce,” smoothing out the ride of the vehicle. They also force the tires to retain constant contact with the road. Shocks are responsible for “handling performance,” or the ease with which the driver controls the vehicle.
The springs in the suspension system are heavy-duty and rarely break or wear out. Shock absorbers are tough, too, but they will wear out.
Your Japanese Car might be equipped with struts. Struts are a combination spring and shock absorber. Struts, like shocks, have a limited life span.
Inspecting shocks or struts for damage and wear should be part of your preventive maintenance routine. Since a good suspension system is ultimately an essential safety feature of your vehicle, it’s always better to be proactive about its care. In this case, good car care can prevent accidents.
There are some signs that will warn you that your suspension system may be in need of important attention. One of the signs might be a cupped wear pattern on your tires. This is caused by the shocks bouncing unevenly. Other essential signs of bad shocks manifest themselves in the handling performance of your vehicle. You may notice a drifting sensation when cornering, often referred to as a “floaty” feeling. If the front of your vehicle dips significantly when you brake or if it rocks back and forth after stopping, it’s time for new shocks. Your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center technician will check your shocks visually. If they’re leaking, they need to be replaced.
Any of these symptoms warrants a diagnostic examination of the suspension system. You should also get your suspension system inspected if you are involved in an accident involving one of your wheels. Brooklyn motorists should never put off suspension repairs. If you actually experience suspension system failure, it can cause a serious accident. If one of your shocks needs to be replaced, then replace all four of them. This allows for even handling of the vehicle. Replacing just one of the shocks is rarely good auto advice.
When you replace your shocks or struts, use parts that are equivalent to or better than the original shocks on the Japanese Car. The original equipment was designed for the weight and expected use of the vehicle, and Brooklyn car owners should never downgrade.
Upgrading, however, is another matter for Brooklyn drivers. If your suspension system gets a workout or you just want to improve your Japanese Car’s handling performance, then you should look at upgrading to a better shock. If you haul heavy loads around Brooklyn or tow a trailer, then you should definitely examine getting heavy-duty shocks.
Most Brooklyn car owners are not likely to show off their suspension system to anyone admiring their Japanese Car, but it’s vital just the same. In the end, it’s something all of us Brooklyn car owners can be zealous about.
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Differential? What’s that? And what’s it for? I’ve been told by my service professional that I need to get it serviced, but is that on the level?
Do these questions sound familiar? They’re not uncommon for Brooklyn car owners. A lot of us in Brooklyn don’t know what a differential is or what it’s for. Every vehicle has a differential, and, yes, it does need to be serviced. In fact, it’s more vital to the operation of your Japanese Car than the air conditioner or windshield wipers.
A differential allows your Japanese Car tires to move at different speeds. This happens more than you think. The best example is when a vehicle is turning. The inside wheel travels a much shorter distance than the outside wheel during a turn. This means the outside wheel has to move faster than the inside wheel. Without a differential, your tires would hop and skip while turning. They would also lose traction in sand or snow.
The location of your differential depends on what kind of vehicle you drive. On a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the differential is located in the back. For a front-wheel drive vehicle, it is located on the front, but it is usually called a transaxle. Four-wheel drive vehicles have three differentials: one on the front, one in the back, and one in the middle. This center differential compensates for differences in speed between the front and rear wheels.
Your differential contains strong gears that need to be protected from dirt, debris, water and other contaminants. A differential is sometimes referred to as a “gear box.” The work of these gears is to transfer power from the Japanese Car drive train to the wheels.
Your differential needs fluid to lubricate and cool the gears. This fluid, even though enclosed in the “gear box,” can get dirty because the gears grind down over time, releasing tiny bits of themselves into the fluid. Also, the additives in the differential fluid break down and need to be replaced. That’s why critical preventive maintenance for your Japanese Car needs to include servicing the differential.
Your owner’s manual can give you recommendations on how often to service your differential. But you should also consult with your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service specialist. Superior Care Auto Center can give you some good auto advice on whether your vehicle needs to be serviced more frequently. For example, if you drive in hot or cold Brooklyn weather conditions, your differential will need to have its fluid changed more often.
Severe conditions will also affect your car care routine, and your differential. Check your owner’s manual for a definition of “severe service” conditions that affect your vehicle. Examples may include driving with frequent stops and starts, a lot of short trips around Manhattan, hot or cold NY weather conditions, and towing.
Off-roading is particularly hard on a vehicle’s differential. If you are an off-roader, especially if you cross NY streams or waterways, it is vital that you service your differential more frequently than the recommendations suggest.
Properly servicing your differential will extend its life and keep you out of Brooklyn auto repair shops. A smooth ride for Manhattan motorists is the result of proper preparation and smart choices.
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Your vehicle’s suspension system has two vital jobs: to prevent the passengers from getting tossed around inside the vehicle every time it hits a bump in the road and to keep the tires firmly planted on the road around every corner and over every bump.
To see your suspension system, you’ll have to look under your vehicle. Anything that connects the wheels to the vehicle’s frame is part of the suspension system. They’re heavy-duty parts that work hard while you’re driving and take a lot of wear and tear. Because of this, you should have your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center tech look at them once a year as part of your preventive maintenance routine. A good time for an inspection is every time you get your alignment checked.
If your suspension is in trouble, you often feel it in how your vehicle drives. If the vehicle pulls to one side or wanders, if the steering is erratic, if your ride isn’t as smooth as it should be, or if your vehicle handles poorly, you should get a diagnostic examination of your suspension system. Uneven tire wear can also indicate worn parts in your suspension system. If your shocks are leaking oil then they definitely need to be replaced. All in all, if you don’t feel in control when you’re driving, go get your suspension inspected.
Shocks and struts wear out. Wheel bearings may need to be repacked every few years. Some parts of your suspension may need to be lubricated whenever you change your oil. Preventive maintenance is the key to keeping your vehicle under control. Good car care can prevent accidents for Manhattan drivers.
If you are in an accident, even a minor one, it can damage your suspension system or knock your wheels out of alignment. Even hitting a curb, pothole or large rock can damage your suspension. A wheel balancing or alignment won’t correct a suspension problem, and after any suspension work, you’ll may need to get an alignment.
At Superior Care Auto Center, we advise Brooklyn drivers never to procrastinate critical repairs to their suspension system. A damaged suspension system can lead to loss of control of a vehicle in an emergency situation and serious accidents.
Potholes are unsightly nuisances around Brooklyn, but they’re also a major cause of suspension damage for Brooklyn drivers. To avoid this, Brooklyn drivers should always keep their tires properly inflated. This gives the tires maximum resiliency. When you’re driving around the Manhattan area, avoid potholes if possible. If you can’t avoid one, then slow down before driving over it. Slower speeds limit pothole damage. But if you’re a little late detecting a pothole, don’t brake on top of it. This will throw the vehicle’s weight forward and increase the damage.
The suspension system may not be pretty to look at, but it provides Brooklyn drivers with a safe, comfortable ride — as long as they maintain it properly. You don’t have to show it off, but you should be proud of it.
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When you get an oil change, it’s always a safe bet to just use the type of oil the auto manufacturer recommends. But sometimes we’re asked if we’d like conventional or synthetic motor oil. We glance at the price tags on the two options and choose the cheaper one. But in this case, the more expensive oil might be the better bargain for Brooklyn auto owners.
Conventional oil is made from petroleum. Its molecules form long hydrocarbon chains. Synthetic motor oil is either more highly refined petroleum or completely man-made. Its molecules are more uniform. This provides important advantages over conventional motor oil.
First of all, the molecular structure of synthetic motor oil makes it more slippery than conventional oil so it lubricates better. This translates to better wear protection for Brooklyn drivers, cooler operating temperatures, more engine power and increased fuel efficiency.
Further, synthetic oil is more heat-resistant than conventional oil, and it doesn’t vaporize as easily. It provides better protection for severe conditions like stop-and-go driving around Brooklyn and very hot or freezing NY temperatures.
Also, synthetic oil doesn’t generate dangerous oil sludge like conventional oil. This prevents small engine passageways from becoming clogged, which can significantly extend the working life of your Japanese Car engine.
Manufacturers are aware of the advantages of synthetic oil, and many of them are using it to fill their Japanese Cars before delivering them to be sold. Many auto maker’s owner’s manuals now come with the recommendation to use only synthetic oil. Because synthetic oil wears better and protects better than conventional motor oil, it can be changed less often. If your Japanese Car came with a recommendation for synthetic oil, you may have noticed that the recommended period between oil changes is longer than what you’re used to. However, if you switch to conventional oil, you need to be aware that you can’t follow this longer service interval. You’ll have to change your oil more often.
On the other hand, if you are using conventional oil and you switch to synthetic oil, you may be able to lengthen the time between oil changes. You can meet with your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center technician. He can offer you good auto advice about oils and service intervals based on your driving habits and requirements.
Oil changes are the hallmark of critical preventive maintenance at Superior Care Auto Center. All Brooklyn auto owners need them. So we should get excited about a product that reduces how often we need them. Synthetic oil is more expensive, yes, but it can pay for itself by lasting longer than conventional oil. And when you add in the hidden savings of an extended engine life and improved fuel efficiency, not to mention increased engine power, there’s a good chance that synthetic oil actually saves in the long run. All Brooklyn auto owners pay for car care. But understanding what we’re paying for can make us more savvy shoppers.
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Knowing how their engine works can help Brooklyn drivers make informed decisions about car care and prevent expensive repairs to their vehicles. This is especially true when it comes to timing belts.
An engine’s power is generated in the cylinders. Inside the cylinder is a piston that moves up and down while the engine is running. Power is generated in a cycle that includes four strokes of the piston. First, the piston drops and a valve at the top of the cylinder opens to let in fuel and air. The piston then rises, which compresses the fuel and air. At this point, the spark plug fires, igniting the fuel and pushing the piston down. This downstroke transfers energy to the engine, which provides the power it needs to run. The piston rises again, and a valve opens to release the exhaust.
All of this movement is orchestrated by a timing belt. The timing belt is so named because it keeps the pistons and valves operating in synch with each other, just as a conductor keeps all of the instruments in an orchestra in time with one another. Thus, the timing belt is critical to the proper operation of your engine.
Not all vehicles in the Brooklyn area have timing belts. Some have timing chains. A timing chain is more durable and rarely breaks, but timing belts are cheaper, so many car makers use them to save money.
Timing belts wear out and break, so a key part of preventive maintenance for Brooklyn drivers is to replace the timing belt on schedule.
The results of failure of a timing belt depend on the type of engine in your vehicle, but they are always inconvenient and can be very costly for Brooklyn drivers. If your engine is a non-interference engine and the timing belt breaks, the engine simply stops running. Now that can be an incredibly harmful situation depending on where you are driving around Brooklyn when it breaks, but it won’t cause any engine damage. On the other hand, if your vehicle has an interference engine and the timing belt breaks, the valves on your cylinders will actually fall into the path of the pistons. Then things start getting chewed up by the motion of the engine and it will cost thousands of dollars to get everything sorted out again. Compounding the problem is that there aren’t any warning signs before a timing belt breaks. A visual inspection of the belt is difficult also. In some vehicles, parts of the belt may be visible, but most vehicles hide the belt under a cover.
The timing belt doesn’t even have to break to cause major engine damage. If it slips, even one notch, the result could be engine damage with repair costs in the thousands of dollars.
Our only car care option is to simply replace the timing belt periodically. You can check your owner’s manual to find out how often your timing belt should be replaced. Many vehicles need a replacement at 60,000 miles, but the recommended replacement mileage could be as high as 90,000 or 100,000 miles. If your owner’s manual recommends replacement at 60,000 miles, however, don’t wait until 65,000 miles to get it done. Remember what you’re risking.
Replacing a timing belt is not a cheap part of preventive maintenance for Brooklyn car owners. The belt is usually difficult to get to and often requires removal of some of the engine accessories. The cost of the replacement, however, is a lot less than the repairs may cost if the timing belt fails.
For more auto advice on timing belts and other engine components, you can always consult with your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service professional. When it comes to car care, ignorance is not bliss. It can end up costing you in a big way.
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Part of the engineering that goes into designing a vehicle is testing the components to ensure that they meet durability and safety standards. Because of this, manufacturers have a good idea as to how long the parts in your vehicle will last under normal driving conditions. For this reason, they give us guidelines to follow regarding how often to inspect the various parts and systems on our Japanese Cars.
Vehicular components are required to meet certain standards. The government mandates some of these standards. Others are set by the auto industry. Recommended car maintenance schedules are designed to help Brooklyn auto owners maintain these standards. Disregarding routine maintenance or procrastinating preventive maintenance will result in lowered performance and reduced safety for a vehicle.
Maintenance schedules are designed to ensure three areas of vital automotive performance for Brooklyn car owners: protection of the vehicle itself, gas mileage, and safety.
Protection
Your vehicle’s components need protection from dirt, road damage, rust, corrosion and fuel and combustion by products. Protective components include filters and fluids.
Most of the fluids in your Japanese Car are there to keep the vehicle running smoothly and to protect the vehicle from corrosion, damage or harmful contaminants. These fluids need to be changed regularly in order to continue protecting your Japanese Car.
For example, motor oil lubricates your engine, when keeps it running well, but it also contains detergents and other additives that clean your engine and protect it from corrosion. Your vehicle’s engine was engineered for best performance with a specific weight and type of motor oil. Brooklyn motorists should always be careful to use the right motor oil for their engine.
Over time, the essential additives in motor oil are depleted, and the oil becomes contaminated by dirt, water and waste gases from combustion. So in order to keep your engine clean and to continue to protect it from corrosion, the oil has to be changed periodically.
Efficiency
Over time, your vehicle’s systems will get dirty and parts will wear down. Cleaning dirty systems and replacing worn parts will improve the efficiency of your vehicle, which is usually measured in terms of fuel economy and power output.
For example, your fuel system components gradually get clogged up with gum and varnish from gasoline. This restricts fuel flow, which lowers your engine’s efficiency. Gas mileage drops as a result. Cleaning your fuel system will restore gas mileage and improve gas mileage.
Safety
Some of your Japanese Car’s systems must be maintained for safety reasons. Your brakes are a prime example of this. Brake pads and brake fluid need to be replaced in order to ensure good braking power. Poorly maintained brakes lead to accidents for Brooklyn drivers.
Your owner’s manual is your first resource when it comes to knowing when and how to maintain your Japanese Car. Of course, you can consult with a your Superior Care Auto Center service advisor. He can give you good auto advice on how to adjust your service schedule to account for climate, local road conditions and your driving distances.
Beyond routine maintenance, your vehicle also requires regular inspections. These inspections are usually recommended at specific mileage intervals, like fifteen or twenty thousand miles. The interval is based on the known life expectancy for particular components in your Japanese Car. Regular inspections will identify vehicular components that need to be repaired or replaced before damage is done to the vehicle or safety is compromised. They are also designed to safeguard the efficiency and performance of your vehicle.
The multi-point inspection that comes with a full-service oil change does not cover all of the regular inspections your vehicle needs for peak performance and safety. Check with the automotive professionals at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn to find out what additional inspections your vehicle needs and how often. Good car care requires regular and consistent maintenance. But good maintenance pays for itself in better fuel economy and fewer pricey repairs. It may even save your life.
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The exhaust system on a vehicle is more complex than most Brooklyn car owners realize. It contains everything from old-fashioned pipes and clamps to sophisticated computers and sensors. All NY folks know a properly functioning exhaust system is good for the environment, but sometimes we forget that a damaged exhaust system can be deadly. That’s why preventive maintenance on your exhaust system is so vital. We can help you with that at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn.
The exhaust manifold is the first component in your exhaust system. The manifold is attached to the engine. It collects the gases that are produced by the engine and directs them into the exhaust pipes. At this point, these gases are both hot and chemically dangerous.
One of the gases produced in your engine is carbon monoxide. This gas is colorless and odorless. Breathing it can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and drowsiness. Continue breathing it, and you will die.
To keep this gas, and others, from entering your Japanese Car passenger compartment, the connections from the manifold to the engine and from the manifold to the exhaust pipes are sealed with gaskets. These connections should be routinely inspected at Superior Care Auto Center for cracks and to check if they have come loose.
The exhaust pipes can also get damaged, allowing dangerous gases to leak into your passenger compartment. These pipes can rust or be dented or broken by rocks and other Manhattan roadway debris, so they need to be inspected regularly.
The catalytic converter is the next component in your Japanese Car exhaust system. You can breathe a sigh of relief now, because this is where the dangerous engine gases are converted into carbon dioxide and water, greatly reducing the amount of harmful emissions in your exhaust. You’ll also be happy to know that your catalytic converter doesn’t require maintenance. However, it will wear out. If you fail an emissions inspection because of a faulty catalytic converter, you need to replace it.
The muffler’s job is far less critical, but far more noticeable, than the catalytic converter’s. It dampens or absorbs the noise from the engine. Most Brooklyn motorists don’t realize that we can actually customize the noise our car makes with a custom muffler. You can upgrade to a muffler that will make your car sleuth-quiet, or you can advertise your presence in Brooklyn with a sassy rumble.
Mufflers can also rust or be damaged by road debris. But just because their main function is to dampen out engine noise doesn’t mean they can be ignored. If your muffler is leaking, you need to get it replaced quickly. Exhaust fumes need to exit through your tailpipe, not your muffler.
The exhaust pipe contains at least one oxygen sensor. The sensor monitors the oxygen content of the exhaust, which allows it to adjust the fuel-to-air ratio in the engine. This keeps your Japanese Car engine running smoothly and maintains good gas mileage. So, besides keeping you and the environment healthy, a well-maintained exhaust system also keeps your Japanese Car healthy. The tailpipe itself can rust or get damaged by road debris, so it needs a quick inspection once in a while, too.
The whole exhaust system is mounted on the vehicle with clamps and hangers. These clamps and hangers can come loose, rust or get dinged up by road debris. Remember that the gases in your exhaust system are hot, so the exhaust system itself gets hot. The clamps and hangers keep the exhaust system attached to the Japanese Car, but they also prevent the heated components from touching things they shouldn’t. If you don’t inspect and replace broken, loose or damaged clamps, you may end up with melted wires, hoses or lines. And that can spell some expensive repairs.
You should schedule an exhaust system inspection as recommended in your Japanese Car owner’s manual. Because this system is critical to your health and the health of your car, and because of its sophistication and complexity, you need to have the work done at a qualified service center such as Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn.
Maintaining your emissions and exhaust system is not just good auto advice: it’s good health advice for all Brooklyn auto owners and their families.
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A good suspension system gives a vehicle a smooth, even ride while providing Brooklyn drivers with good handling and control. But like any system on your Japanese Car, vital parts of the suspension system can wear out, leading to a lower ride quality and safety concerns. So it’s a good idea for Brooklyn car owners to remember an automotive analysis of their suspension system in their schedule of an essential preventive maintenance. Springs do most of the work of the suspension system. The most common types of springs are coil and leaf, but air springs and torsion bars are becoming more common. The body of the vehicle is “suspended” by the springs.
If springs were the only working component in your suspension system, however, you’d spend your travel time bouncing up and down like a bobblehead. That’s where your shocks come in. They keep the rebound, or bounciness, of the springs under control. Shocks also keep your tires on the road, which keeps the driver in control of the Japanese Car. Some vehicles have struts in their suspension system. Struts are a compact combination of springs and shocks. They do the same critical job but in a single package.
Shocks wear out gradually, so it can be difficult for Brooklyn auto owners to notice when they need to be replaced. There’s no definitive point when a vehicle’s ride goes from smooth and controlled to a bit imprecise. To check if your shocks or struts are worn, you should first do a visual inspection on them. If they are leaking fluid, they need to be replaced.
There are other less obvious signs that your suspension system needs important attention. For example, an uneven, cupping wear on your tires may indicate that your shocks are worn. If your vehicle feels “floaty” when you turn, or, in other words, you don’t feel that you have full control of the vehicle, you should check your shocks. Also, if the front end of your vehicle dips noticeably when you stop, it’s time for new shocks.
Your owner’s manual gives recommendations on how often the shocks should be checked, usually between 15,000 and 30,000 miles (24,000-50,000 km). If one of your shocks does need to be replaced, you should replace all four. This will keep your suspension even and ensure good handling of your vehicle. If you carry heavy loads, tow a trailer or drive on uneven Manhattan area terrain, you might also consider upgrading to a heavy-duty shock.
Regular shocks contain hydraulic fluid. The critical fluid helps them absorb the bumps or “shocks” of the road so the impact doesn’t transfer to the Japanese Car’s body. Premium shocks are filled with compressed nitrogen gas, which costs more but does a better job of controlling body motions. Regular shocks can develop air bubbles that reduce their effectiveness; the premium shocks don’t have this problem. So if you want higher handling performance, if you drive off-road around NY or if you just want added comfort, you should think about upgrading to premium shocks or struts.
Replacing struts can put your Japanese Car out of alignment, so an alignment check should always follow this type of repair. Talk to your Friendly tech at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn.
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There is a clear and vocal demand in Brooklyn and nationally for a reduction in air pollution and our dependence on fossil fuels. This is what is driving the NY market for alternative fuel vehicles. There are a number of these vehicles on Manhattan area roads today, and many more being developed. Yet each of these vehicles has its own advantages and disadvantages. Brooklyn motorists should learn what these advantages and disadvantages are before running out and purchasing one of these alternative fuel vehicles at your nearest Manhattan dealership.
Manhattan auto owners should carefully research the car care before buying an alternative vehicle, as it may or may not coincide with the standards for gasoline vehicles. You should look at costs and gas mileage as well: these vehicles may help save our environment here in Brooklyn, but that might not represent a savings to your wallet. You’ll need to decide what you can afford, and what will work for your lifestyle. Also, your choice of vehicle may be affected by what fuels are available in your Manhattan area. Switching to an alternative fuel vehicle is not a bad decision, but it should be a carefully considered one.
Flex Fuel Vehicles Flex fuel vehicles can run on gasoline or on a combination of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Because of the 85% ethanol content, this fuel is commonly called E85 in NY.
Ethanol is made from corn. So flex fuel vehicles lessen our dependency on fossil fuels. But they also raise the price of corn, which is a basic foodstuff in some areas of the world. Whether replacing fossil fuels with corn is a good idea is hotly contested right now.
Flex fuel vehicles do have lower harmful exhaust emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles. And in Manhattan, E85 is usually lower in cost than regular gasoline. When gasoline prices fall in NY, however, they can drop below the price of E85. This is to Brooklyn auto owners’ advantage, since the vehicle can run on either fuel, but it negates the benefits of lowered exhaust emissions and lower consumption of fossil fuels.
One piece of Superior Care Auto Center auto advice before we move on: do not put E85 into your Japanese Car unless it has an engine designed for flex fuels. Because of the high ethanol content in E85, engines need special seals and gaskets to function properly on this fuel. Running an ordinary engine with E85 can lead to gas leaks and fires.
Diesel Diesel engines are nothing new on NY expressways, and many get great gas mileage. Diesel fuel can now be made from vegetable oil and other renewable sources. A diesel fuel made from algae will soon be on the market in Manhattan. Natural Gas Natural gas is less expensive than gasoline in Brooklyn and burns more cleanly. Also, gasoline engines can be adapted to run on compressed natural gas, and many natural gas vehicles are already on Queens roads. You can even install a special pump in your home gas line to use to fuel your vehicle. If you are interested in converting your gasoline engine to run on CNG in Brooklyn, ask your Superior Care Auto Center service professional about it.
On the other hand, an engine running on natural gas is not as powerful as one running on gasoline, and it will get lower fuel efficiency. Also, the tank you need to store natural gas is large—it takes up nearly the entire trunk of your car. Further, refueling stations are still few and far between in some NY areas, or even unavailable, in many parts of the country.
Hydrogen Another alternative fuel that has enjoyed a lot of hype in Manhattan is the hydrogen cell. The natural appeal is that the only exhaust is water vapor. In other words, hydrogen represents a truly clean-burning fuel. But hydrogen vehicles won’t come into widespread use until refueling stations become widely available here in Brooklyn and around the country.
Electric Vehicles Electric vehicles were all the rage in NY some years ago. But their limitations were quickly realized by Brooklyn auto owners. These vehicles won’t come into their own until we find ways to improve their batteries. Currently, the cars have a short range before their power runs out, and can only be realistically used close to home. However, they are easy to recharge, since they can be plugged in at home, and there are many researchers working on improving the battery technology in these vehicles. They may yet be the vehicles of the future.
Hybrids Hybrids have been one of the most successful alternative fuel vehicles here in Brooklyn and throughout the county. A hybrid gets its name because it has both a gas or diesel engine and an electric motor.
There are two types of hybrids. The full-hybrid relies on the electric motor for power, but the gas (or diesel) engine generates power for the battery. Thus, while still consuming fossil fuels, it uses less of them than a standard automobile, and also reduces harmful pollutants. Also, it overcomes the range problem of the strictly electric vehicle.
In a mild hybrid, the electric motor assists the gas or diesel engine in powering the car. Thus, it uses more gasoline or diesel than full hybrids and has higher emissions. But mild hybrids are available in larger body models like full-size pickups and SUV’s.
A Note of Caution about Hybrid and Electric Vehicles One last note before we leave the subject of alternative fuel vehicles. The battery in an electric or hybrid vehicle is not as tame as the one in a standard vehicle. They carry enough voltage to kill you. These are not do-it-yourself vehicles when it comes to preventive maintenance or car care. Only a trained technician should work under their hoods.
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Safety should always be a vital element of your car care. So even if you don’t care about how your car looks, you should practice preventive maintenance to protect yourself — and other Brooklyn car owners — on the road. And good safety starts with good brakes.
Brakes need a regular inspection. There are essential parts that wear out or wear down, and it’s best to replace them before you have troubles.
Of course, if you are having trouble with your brakes, NOW is the time to fix them. If your brake warning light is on, that’s a good sign that you need your brakes checked. Brooklyn drivers can also tell something is wrong with their brakes by the feel of the pedal or unusual sounds while braking. If the brake pedal is low, feels spongy when you press it or is hard to push, that indicates a problem with your brakes. If you hear squealing, grinding or clunking noises when you brake, that can also indicate troubles. If vibrations accompany braking, then it is vital to get your brakes checked.
Brakes come in two basic types. With disk brakes, a rotor is attached to the axle of the vehicle. Padded calipers straddle the rotor, which close when the brakes are applied. The resulting friction causes the rotor — and the axle — to stop turning. With drum brakes, brake pads (also called shoes) press against the inside of a drum to create friction and stop the drum, and hence the Japanese Car’s wheels, from turning.
When Superior Care Auto Center services your brake system, your Friendly technician checks all of the brake pads for wear. If they are too thin, they need to be replaced. This is an inexpensive repair at Superior Care Auto Center compared to what procrastination will cost you. If pads wear away completely, then the rotors and drums can be damaged. They will have to be either resurfaced or replaced, and that can be costly. But if your Japanese Car brake pads are worn out, then your brakes are compromised and your stopping power is greatly reduced. You could easily wind up in an accident.
Brake pads come in several different grades such as regular, metallic and ceramic. The higher grades are more expensive in Brooklyn, but they also work better. NY car owners who want better and smoother braking, should consider upgrading. However, Manhattan drivers should NEVER use a brake pad that is lower than your auto maker’s recommendation.
After you your brake pads are checked at Superior Care Auto Center, it’s vital to have your brake fluid checked. This is a critical element in your brake system. When you press your brake pedal, you are compressing the brake fluid, creating pressure that activates the brake pads. If your fluid pressure is low, it will impair your braking power. The pads just won’t be able to press hard enough against the rotor or drum to stop your Japanese Car. Just as with worn pads, insufficient brake fluid can lead to a detrimental and pricey accident in Brooklyn.
Water can build up in your brake fluid, which can cause harmful corrosion in your braking system. Eventually this can cause your brake fluid to leak. So Brooklyn motorists should also change their brake fluid periodically. Your Japanese Car owner’s manual will have guidelines on how often it should be replaced or ask a Friendly service professional at Superior Care Auto Center. We have been servicing brake systems in Brooklyn for 30 years.
Remember, Manhattan folks, safety first. It’s important auto advice for all Brooklyn motorists on the road. You’re not just protecting others; you’re protecting yourself.
Weight is the enemy of fuel economy. Everyone from here to Queens knows this makes sense.
Some of us in the Queens area carry a bunch of unnecessary weight, and I’m not talkin’ what you see in the mirror.
Guys; sports equipment and tools. Ladies; well, just take a look around the passenger compartment and trunk. I think my car has about forty-five pounds of French fries on the floor.
All that extra weight wastes gas as you drive between here and Queens, and everywhere else.
Lose the junk and save some money.
…And you really only need one of those spare tires.
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Here’s an interesting statistic for our drivers in Brooklyn, NY: Only thirty percent of car batteries make it to forty-eight months. And the life expectancy varies by where you live. It ranges from fifty-one months in extremely cold areas to just thirty months in extremely hot climates.
Why is that? It turns out that it’s our modern cars with all their electric accessories that are to blame. Things like, GPS, DVDs, and entertainment computers are keeping Japanese Car batteries from maintaining a full charge. The longer a battery goes with a low charge, the sooner it’ll die.
It’s clear that you Brooklyn motorists need to recharge your batteries. This is the job of the alternator. The problem comes when the car’s demand for electricity is high and we are driving in stop and go conditions or short trips around Brooklyn or Manhattan. The alternator just can’t keep up.
The result is shortened battery life. So what can we Brooklyn motorists do to improve our battery’s health?
We need to keep the battery as close to a full charge as possible. That can be hard because sitting for just twenty-four hours in hot weather between charges can be too long. When the weather’s cold in Brooklyn, sitting for several days will cause discharge.
So some highway driving between Brooklyn or Manhattan will help keep a full charge if the battery has not been deeply depleted. Car batteries are not designed to be run down really low, or deep cycled, as it’s called. So using your headlights or other power accessories when the car is off can deeply deplete your battery. Using the alternator to recharge from a deeply depleted state is also very dangerous to your battery because it charges too fast. In fact, on average, your battery would only last for ten recharges like that.
If you do find yourself with a dead battery or very low battery, use a good quality battery charger to slowly bring the battery up to full charge. Follow the instructions on the charger or talk to your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center technician.
Because our batteries are so often at less than a full charge, the experts at Superior Care Auto Center suggest that we use a battery charger from time to time to keep the charge up. They recommend once a month during hot weather and once every three months during colder times.
Now, an essential word on safety for Brooklyn drivers. Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can severely burn your skin and could blind you. If you find yourself with a dead battery, carefully inspect it before you jump start it. If the case is bulging, cracked or leaking, do not jump start it. Damaged batteries can explode or catch fire. Deeply discharged batteries can freeze. Do not jump start a frozen battery.
At Superior Care Auto Center, we provide quality automotive service including General Maintenance, Timing Belts and Tires.
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There are a lot of new features, both optional and standard, on Brooklyn motorists’ vehicles these days. One you may not have heard of is called a cabin air filter. Simply put, its job is to keep the air in the passenger compartment of your car nice and clean.
A cabin air filter is similar to the filter you use on your furnace at home in Brooklyn. Cabin air filters can catch particles down to three microns. By comparison, a grain of sand is 200 microns. So cabin air filters are effective against dust, dirt, pollen, mold spores and most pollutants in our Manhattan atmosphere. Good news if you suffer from any types of allergies, or if you live in an area in Brooklyn prone to air pollution.
Cabin air filters are generally located in the engine compartment or under the dashboard. They can be tricky to access and replace, so you’ll probably want to go to your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center tech to get it done. Check your Japanese Car owner’s manual to find out if your Japanese Car is equipped with a cabin air filter and how often it should be changed. Recommendations vary, but generally a cabin air filter should be changed every twelve to fifteen thousand miles.
Of course, if you are an allergy sufferer in Brooklyn, you may want to replace it more often. Also, if you do a lot of driving in polluted or dusty areas in NY, you’ll also want to shorten the cabin air filter replacement period. Dirty air filters just don’t work well, and they can exude an unpleasant odor if ignored for too long.
Most Brooklyn folks know that good car care includes keeping your Japanese Car clean, including the air inside the passenger compartment, so changing your cabin air filter should be part of your routine preventive maintenance. It’s good auto advice as well as good medical advice that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You really shouldn’t wait until the interior of your car starts to smell and your eyes start to water before you change your filter. And trying to cover it up with a dangling green pine tree is not the right answer, either!
Cabin air filters can be a welcome relief to Brooklyn allergy sufferers, but they’re also a great idea for anyone in Manhattan who just wants to breathe better.
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Hello Brooklyn drivers, let’s talk about batteries. Car batteries are just like any rechargeable battery. They will eventually wear out and die. If you are shopping for a new battery in Brooklyn, here’s some auto advice to help you.
There are two measurements to consider when purchasing a new battery: cold cranking amps and reserve capacity. The power required to start a cold engine is measured in cold cranking amps. The number you need is determined by what kind of vehicle you drive and where you live. In general, higher-cylinder engines require more cold cranking amps than lower-cylinder engines. In other words, an eight-cylinder engine needs more cold cranking amps than a six-cylinder one. Also, diesel engines require more cold cranking amps than gasoline engines.
The Manhattan weather also determines the number of cold cranking amps you need. The colder the Japanese Car engine, the more power it takes to get it started. Also, cold NY weather reduces the electrical efficiency of the battery, which reduces the amount of energy available in the battery to start the engine. Thus, in freezing temperatures, you need more power to start an engine, but you have less power available to get it started.
So if you live in a cold climate, or in an area in NY where winters can get really chilly, it is critical to have a battery with more cold cranking amps than if you live in a more mild or warmer climate.
The battery that was installed in your Japanese Car at the factory may not have the appropriate number of cold cranking amps for your area. It is critical to check the manufacturer’s recommendations and get at least that number of cold cranking amps, but you may want to upgrade if you live in a colder climate.
Reserve capacity is the number of minutes your battery can maintain essential functions in your Japanese Car without being recharged. There are two things that affect reserve capacity. The first is referred to as parasitic drain. Your Japanese Car has power systems that must be kept running while the engine is off. These may include the security system, the remote start systems, and any computer systems. The number and power requirements of these systems has greatly increased over the last few decades. As a result, the need for reserve capacity in vehicles’ batteries has also increased. Very short trips around Brooklyn and Brooklyn do not allow a vehicle’s battery to recover the energy that was used to start the car. So these trips require reserve capacity as well.
Again, the reserve capacity in the battery installed at the factory may not be what you need for your Brooklyn lifestyle and driving habits. Again, use the manufacturer’s recommendation as a minimum, but consider upgrading if your Japanese Car has a lot of parasitic power drain or if you frequently make very short trips around Manhattan.
Your Friendly service specialist at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn can help you choose an appropriate battery for your vehicle and your lifestyle. If you need extra power owing to cold weather or a need for more reserve capacity, you may want to choose a heavy-duty battery. Just make sure it fits into your Japanese Car. An oversized battery may give you the power you need, but it’s a serious safety hazard if the terminals come into contact with other parts of the vehicle.
Car batteries aren’t cheap in Brooklyn, so you may want to consider the warranty when purchasing. Pro-rated warranties will give you credit for a portion of the battery if the battery fails during the warranty period. The amount of credit will depend on how long the battery lasted. A free replacement warranty will replace your battery if it fails during the warranty period. Before you purchase a battery, make sure you know what you are buying.
Keep in mind that preventive maintenance and good car care can extend the life of your battery. Judicious use of electric gadgets and good driving habits is vital and can help you get the most out of your battery.
Would you be surprised to learn that about half of the passenger cars in Europe have diesel engines? You might also be surprised to learn that most manufacturers produce a variety of diesel-fueled cars for purchase abroad.
Diesel-fueled vehicles haven’t been as popular in the North American markets like NY. But that won’t be true for long. North Americans are seeing a lot more diesel-fueled vehicles on the road. And we’re not talking about buses and trucks. These vehicles will be passenger cars, pick-ups and SUV’s.
There are two reasons for this. The first is a recent change in environmental laws that have upgraded emissions standards for diesel fuel in North America. Diesel fuel in North America used to have higher sulfur content than European fuel, meaning that it was a dirtier fuel to burn. That was okay for larger vehicles, but the lighter-weight engines in passenger vehicles just couldn’t tolerate it.
But that high sulfur content is now a thing of the past. Fuel producers are now required to sell cleaner diesel fuel in Brooklyn. That opens the North American market to more diesel-powered vehicles. The second reason we’re going to see more of these vehicles in Brooklyn is that they’re more fuel-efficient than their gasoline-powered counterparts. Diesel fuel has higher energy density than gasoline. That translates to more power per barrel of fuel. In your tank, that translates to better engine performance and about 20% more miles per gallon.
Brooklyn auto owners may associate diesel engines with black smoke, noise and a definite “shake, rattle and roll.” That’s also a thing of the past. Modern diesel engines are smooth and quiet and produce cleaner emissions than gasoline engines. Also, forget that three-second wait behind a diesel vehicle at a stoplight. Modern diesels are just as quick to accelerate as other vehicles on Brooklyn roads.
Diesel engines have other advantages over gasoline engines. Diesel engines are heavier than gasoline engines because they require more heavy-duty parts, but that means the engines are more durable and can last longer than gasoline engines. Also, diesel engines may be the engines of the future since they can burn many of the new bio-fuels.
Bio-diesel can be manufactured from vegetable oils, including used cooking oil from Brooklyn restaurants. Just think, one day you could fuel your vehicle on stuff that was once considered waste—one step closer to a cleaner environment here in NY. And if you think hybrid cars are environmentally sound, consider what a diesel-electric hybrid could mean. They will soon be available for Brooklyn auto owners.
Brooklyn auto owners who are considering buying a diesel-fueled vehicle, should know that vital preventive maintenance and inspection schedules are different for a diesel engine than a gasoline engine. Diesel fuel is harder on emissions systems than gasoline, so the filters and other devices have to be changed and checked more often. Also, the fuel injection system operates at much higher pressures for diesel than for gasoline, so keeping it clean becomes a higher priority.
When you switch from a gas vehicle to a diesel, you’ll have to learn some new rules of car care. But you won’t be alone. Most Brooklyn service centers are aware that diesels are coming to North America and are already prepared to provide service for diesel engines. At Superior Care Auto Center, we are well-versed in diesel technology. You can rely on our team of automotive professionals to provide quality service for diesel powered vehicles.
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The price of gas and the uncertain economy are both causing NY residents to review their finances. More and more Brooklyn motorists are opting to keep their vehicles longer and put off purchasing a newer car. It is estimated that two-thirds of the vehicles on the roads of North America today have over 75,000 miles on them. And the average age of vehicles is now over eleven years. That translates to some car care issues that many Brooklyn men and women haven’t dealt with in the past. Older vehicles simply have different maintenance requirements than newer ones. Learning those requirements presents a challenge for Brooklyn car owners because many owner’s manuals only publish maintenance schedules up to 60,000 or 90,000 miles. Vehicle owners have to keep good records and be more involved in planning preventive maintenance if they want to keep their Japanese Cars on the road. First of all, any service in your owner’s manual that comes with a recommended mileage interval should be continued at that interval.
For example, if it is recommended that you change your oil every 5,000 miles, you should continue to change your oil every 5,000 miles. The owner of an older vehicle has to recognize that his engine is operating under higher stress than a new one. It’s just starting to show its age. So many experts suggest that the “severe service schedule” should be followed once a vehicle has racked up some serious miles. On this schedule, the mileage interval for many services is shortened or should be performed more often. Check with your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center tech.
Brooklyn auto owners who own older vehicles should also be careful not to neglect or postpone oil changes. A full-service oil change is more critical for an older Japanese Car than for a new one. Older engines have had a lot of time to build up sludge in their oil compartment, so changing the oil at regular intervals is a must. Skipping an oil change compounds the sludge problem. With a full-service oil change, the vehicle’s fluids are also checked and topped off. Your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center technician will also let you know if these fluids need to be replaced. Older Japanese Cars have older seals and gaskets, which often develop tiny leaks. Regularly checking fluids will compensate for these leaks and offer a heads-up about any serious ones. So, again, it is important to stay on schedule and not skip or procrastinate a fluid check.
Older seals and gaskets begin to dry out and show their age by becoming brittle. High-mileage formulation oils and fluids can help extend the lives of these gaskets and seals. These products contain additives that recondition seals and gaskets and keep them from leaking. High-mileage formulas cost more than standard products, but in the long run they can pay for themselves by preventing more costly repair bills.
If a vehicle is getting on in years or mileage, its parts are as well. High-mileage car maintenance requires necessary repairs and replacements. Timing belts, radiator hoses, parts of the suspension system, anti-lock brakes, air bags, water pumps, alternators and batteries will not last forever and will wear out in higher-mileage vehicles. They need to be inspected regularly by your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service specialist and replaced as necessary.
But don’t go running for the new car lot just yet. These repairs may sound like a lot, but in total, they’re still cheaper for Brooklyn car owners than new car payments. And if you stay on top of them and budget for them, they aren’t as burdensome as it may appear.
If you plan on driving your vehicle into its high-mileage years, there are two relationships you need to develop. The first is with your Brooklyn service center. Your Superior Care Auto Center service advisor can offer you invaluable auto advice and help you develop a service plan that is right for you and your vehicle. Second, you need to develop a relationship with your Japanese Car itself. You don’t need to name it, but you should become familiar with its noises and idiosyncrasies. Pay attention to changes in its habits such as new or unusual sounds, smells, vibrations, etc. Taking note of such things and sharing them with your service advisor can help stave off a lot of big-ticket repair issues.
As we get older, keeping up with a diet and exercise plan becomes more and more critical to maintaining good health. It’s the same with our vehicles. A preventive maintenance plan and smart car care will keep them on the road and keep them safe for a good many years to come.
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Sometimes busy Brooklyn residents dream about going back to the “simpler” days of our grandparents. But if you could travel back in time and take a road trip around Manhattan in a Model T, you might change your mind. The improved designs and quality of today’s automobiles have significantly reduced the amount of time Brooklyn car owners spend at the side of the road during breakdowns. With proper maintenance, today’s vehicles can stay on the road longer than ever before.
Some of those improvements, however, have led to higher repair costs. For example, older cars often broke down from vapor lock. Gas vaporized while traveling from the gas tank to the fuel pump. No gas, no power. The car quits going. The solution was simple — you just sat by the road until the car would start up again. Today’s Brooklyn motorists would hardly tolerate that kind of inconvenience; and it’s likely that yesterday’s Brooklyn auto owners didn’t care much for it, either. So on today’s vehicles, the fuel pump is actually located inside the gas tank. Problem solved. No more vapor lock. The downside is that now it costs a lot more to repair or replace a fuel pump at Brooklyn area auto service centers.
Brooklyn auto owners should certainly should be grateful for the improvements in auto design that keep us off the side of the road, but it comes at a price. Car care in Brooklyn is simply more pricey than it used to be. So if you think about it, NY drivers can avoid many costly Japanese Car repairs by preventive maintenance. If we plan for maintenance, we can avoid a lot of costly repairs.
Edmunds.com has a great calculator to help you estimate car repair costs. Manhattan car owners can enter the year, make and model for your vehicle, and the calculator will give you an estimate of what it will cost to service and repair your vehicle for the next five years. It also estimates the costs for depreciation, financing, insurance, taxes and fuel.
These estimates can be used to set up a reasonable budget to manage your car repair and maintenance expenses. Of course, they are just estimates. All Brooklyn motorists know that life hands out a lot of surprises — some good, some bad, so there’s no way to know exactly what your Japanese Car will need. But a good estimate helps you make a good budget, and a good budget is always helpful when it comes to car repairs.
Let’s look at one example. For a 2003 Toyota Camry, here is Edmunds’ estimate for the cost of repairs and maintenance for the next three years (as of the time of this writing):
Yr. 1
Yr. 2
Yr. 3
3-Yr. Total
Maintenance
748
225
794
1767
Repairs
352
409
476
1237
Total
1,100
634
1,270
3,004
Monthly Average
92
53
106
83
According to this estimate, the owner needs to set aside about $83 a month to defray the costs of car care. That sounds like a lot until you compare it to the payment on a new automobile. And even if car repairs are more pricey than expected, that $83 is going to make the bills a lot less painful.
Just a bit of auto advice from Superior Care Auto Center: If you like new cars and can afford them, then buy them. But if you are buying a new car every few years because you’re afraid of the higher repair costs for older vehicles, then you ought to take a second look at the numbers. You can save a lot of money on car payments and NY auto insurance with an older Brooklyn vehicle, and preventive auto maintenance can help you avoid most car repair bills. And if you budget for vital preventive maintenance in NY, it can become as routine as a car payment — only a whole lot less pricey!
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When Brooklyn auto owners think about preventive maintenance, what usually comes to mind is oil, fluids and brakes. We don’t generally think about our shocks or struts, but these critical auto parts keep our tires on the road.
Brooklyn drivers don’t think about shocks as often as oil changes because shocks and struts last a long time and wear out slowly. They don’t need to be checked as often as our brake pads or air filters. By the time your shocks have fifty thousand miles on them, their performance will have noticeable degraded. If you want to restore the handling and ride designed for your Japanese Car, look at replacing your shocks and struts.
Of course, if you drive off-road around Brooklyn, carry heavy loads, tow a trailer, or put in a lot of mileage on poor driving surfaces, your shocks or struts will wear out more quickly. You’ll need to replace them more often or upgrade to better shocks.
Your suspension system uses springs and shocks to absorb the “shocks” and vibrations of driving over road surfaces. Springs support the Japanese Car’s weight, suspending it above the axles so the body of the Japanese Car is protected from most of the bumps on the road. Shocks control the bounciness of the springs by moderating rebound. They also push your tires down onto the road’s surface, maximizing traction. Without shocks, your wheels would bounce over bumps and lift against curbs and corners. Shocks are important to the safe handling of your Japanese Car as well as a comfortable ride. Struts are a combination shock and spring in one unit.
Worn shocks result in lowered vehicle handling performance. If your vehicle “squirms” around corners or gets “floaty” over bumps, then you need to check your shocks. If the rear end of your vehicle squats while accelerating, the front end dips while braking, or one corner sags, you probably need new shocks.
Uneven tire wear may also be an indication of bad shocks. If shocks are damaged or leaking, they definitely need to be replaced.
If one of your shocks needs to be replaced, you need to replace them all. This will maintain an even ride and predictable, safe handling.
If you’re unsure whether you need new shocks, or if you’re considering upgrading to a higher quality shock, then consult with your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service advisor. They can give you essential auto advice on the condition of your shocks and how to match your driving needs to the quality of your shocks.
Good car care is essential to the safety, performance and efficiency of your Japanese Car. It can improve the comfort of your ride as well.
The team at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn and NY car owners are all talking fuel efficiency right now. Better gas mileage. Fewer emissions. Brooklyn drivers want to save the environment and their pocketbooks.
And we all know—or should know—that preventive maintenance will help maximize fuel economy. But is there something more Brooklyn car owners can do? After all, some of us Brooklyn folks can’t cut back on our driving, and others would like to do more to economize.
Weight is one major enemy of fuel economy. The more you lug around in your vehicle, the more fuel you have to burn to get from Brooklyn to Brooklyn. And that means buying more gas in Brooklyn and producing more emissions.
Of course, your Japanese Car’s weight isn’t negotiable. And you can’t do much about the weight of your passengers. And this isn’t an article about diet and exercise.
But look around your Japanese Car. Are you hauling a bunch of unnecessary weight around NY? Do you really need your golf clubs every time you leave your Brooklyn home? Store sports equipment in the garage. Load it when you need it and store it when you don’t. Who knows? The extra exercise just might reduce the other type of weight in your vehicle.
The same goes for anything else in your car: make-up kits, music collections, extra electronics, spare clothing; whatever your particular extras may be. Pack it when you need it; store it when you don’t.
Clean out your Brooklyn. You’d be surprised how much weight you’re lugging around Brooklyn in plain old junk. Toss old papers, leftover food, and regular old dirt. Even if it’s not a lot of weight, you’ll feel better when you get into your car. A good cleaning is also part of good car care.
Now, don’t toss stuff you really do need. You do need that spare tire—the one in your trunk. And a kit of emergency essentials is not a bad idea. But just carry around the day-to-day essentials. You can pack a more extensive kit and store it in your garage, then toss it in your Brooklyn when you go on a longer trip, but you don’t have to lug it around all the time. After all, are you a driver? Or are you a junk chauffeur? Lose the junk and save some money in Brooklyn.
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Hi Brooklyn car owners. Let’s talk fuel injectors. A fuel injector is a valve that delivers fuel to a vehicle’s engine. It has to deliver the precise amount of fuel, to precisely the right place, precisely when the engine needs it. The fuel also has to be mixed with air before it can burn in the engine.
Fuel injectors are engineered to spray fuel in a specific pattern into the engine. (The pattern varies by engine type and design.) In order to achieve these spray patterns, the fuel must be pressurized.
The pressure in a fuel injection system varies depending on its type. Many gasoline Japanese Car engines use port injection systems, which operate with a pressure of 60 pounds per square inch. Newer direct injection systems operate at 10 to 30 times that pressure. Some diesel passenger vehicles have fuel injectors that operate at 30,000 pounds or more per square inch.
Vehicles have one fuel injector for each cylinder in the engine. Your vehicle’s control computer constantly monitors the engine and various sensors in the vehicle and adjusts the fuel injectors accordingly so that they can deliver the proper amount of fuel to the engine. As you can see, fuel injectors are a sophisticated and vital part of your vehicle’s engine. Because fuel injectors are such precision instruments, dirt and contaminants are a serious detriment to their performance. When an injector gets gummed up, it affects the pressure, pattern and timing of the fuel delivery. The result is a decrease in fuel efficiency and loss of engine performance for Brooklyn drivers.
So it’s to Brooklyn drivers’ advantage to keep their fuel injectors clean. That starts with keeping the fuel in your tank clean. High-quality fuel contains detergents and additives that help clean your engine. Brand-name fuel companies also deliver a more consistent quality of fuel to Brooklyn motorists than do bargain Manhattan area service stations.
The second way to keep your injectors clean is to keep your fuel filter clean. This filter screens dirt and rust out of the fuel as it travels from the tank to the engine. If the filter clogs up, fuel will bypass it and carry its load of dirt into the engine.
Brooklyn car owners should check their owner’s manual to find out how often they should change their fuel filter. This should be part of your regular preventive maintenance. Also, remember that if you use bargain-brand or low-grade fuels, or if you drive an older vehicle between Brooklyn, Brooklyn and Manhattan , your filter will need to be changed more often.
You can also purchase cleaners at Superior Care Auto Center that will protect your fuel injectors. These cleaners are added to the fuel tank. They work best at preventing build-up in your fuel injectors and can clean up small amounts of carbon, gum and varnish. But they won’t be able to clean a fully gummed-up injector. Read the labels before using any of these products for full directions on their use. If your fuel injectors are gummed up, you can get a professional deep cleaning service at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn that will result in better MPG and improved vehicle performance.
Good car care will prevent serious damage to your fuel injector system. And this is one system that you want to keep in perfect condition.
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There are a lot of Brooklyn people who are due for a differential service, but had never heard of a differential before.With front-wheel drive being so common in NY these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most Brooklyn folks don’t even have to think about it. And rear-wheel drive differentials don’t need to be serviced for years, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind. So it’s not uncommon for Brooklyn people to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.
To better understand what a differential does, think about a track at any NY high school. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the longer distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That’s to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.
The differential compensates for the difference in speeds between the inside Japanese Car wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they have to travel together through slightly different distances.
It’s a very important function. When you think of it, all the power to get a Japanese Car moving goes through the differential. Most cars weigh between three and six thousand pounds – trucks even more. The power from the engine goes through the transmission and then through the differential to the drive wheels.
That’s a lot of work and requires very heavy duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool. The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that break down over time. So manufacturers recommend intervals for when to replace your differential fluid.
Your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service technician will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. He’ll then replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.
Your Superior Care Auto Center service advisor can look up the Japanese Car manufacturer’s recommended service interval or you can check your owner’s manual.
At Superior Care Auto Center, we’ve been providing quality automotive service for our valued Brooklyn customers for 30 years. If you need to schedule differential maintenance, or any other automotive service, give us a call at 718-768-0622.
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Most cars and trucks have automatic transmissions, yet a lot of Brooklyn auto owners only have a fuzzy understanding about what a transmission does. Think back to the last time you rode a bike in Brooklyn. You started out in a lower gear and shifted to higher gears as you went faster. Down shift for hills, stuff like that. Think of your legs as the engine – there’s an ideal speed you can pedal and you change gears to leverage the work you’re doing.
Lower gears for power on hills or for starting out. Higher gears for more speed. That’s what the automatic transmission does – it automatically starts in lower gears and shifts up to higher gears to go faster on NY expressways. And automatically shifts back down to climb Brooklyn hills, pass or start up again.
Japanese Car automatic transmissions have certainly gotten more sophisticated in recent years. They have more speeds than before: the base is four speeds, five is very common.
At Superior Care Auto Center, we routinely service transmissions with six speeds and several have seven or even eight speeds. As you can imagine, this means more parts. Any they all have to fit into roughly the same space.
Transmissions are computer controlled these days, with some high end transmissions having two or three computers. Transmissions are engineered to last. But they are also engineered to tighter tolerances. If a portion of the transmission is starved for lubrication, it can lead to failure.
Not enough fluid can starve the transmission or dirty transmission fluid can clog small passages in the transmission, then the lubricant is blocked and can’t get to all the parts to protect them, so they wear out prematurely. The technicians at Superior Care Auto Center see far too many transmissions that needlessly failed due to neglect.
And, as you can imagine, repairing one of these new transmissions at any Brooklyn service center can be quite costly. That’s why auto manufacturers have a schedule for how often you should change the fluid and what type of fluid to use.
It’s really important for Brooklyn auto owners to carefully follow the manufacturer’s transmission service schedule.
At Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn, we hope you never become shiftless in Brooklyn because you didn’t take care of your transmission.
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Most NY auto owners know that their vehicles need regular preventive maintenance like changing the oil and filters, rotating the tires and refilling the washer fluid. But did you know that your air conditioning system needs routine maintenance as well? Taking care of your air conditioning system can extend its life and prevent costly repair bills.
Why is it critical for Manhattan drivers to get routine maintenance on their air conditioning system? First, the refrigerant contains an added lubricant. As the refrigerant circulates through the air conditioning system, its parts are lubricated. This constant lubrication keeps the parts functioning well. But over time, this lubricant is used up, and without it, the parts will eventually seize up and fail.
Brooklyn folks should understand, however, that the air conditioner will continue to pump out cool air even without the lubricant, so you won’t know the system is sick until it actually dies. So good car care includes regularly checking the refrigerant and lubricant in your Japanese Car air conditioning system and replacing it if needed.
The second reason your air conditioning system needs preventive maintenance is that air and water can get into the system. Air, water and the contaminants they contain will reduce the efficiency of the air conditioning system and can cause corrosion of the system’s parts. Keeping the air conditioning system clean is a critical practice and will extend its life and keep you from losing your cool on hot Manhattan days.
How often should you get a routine car air conditioner inspection? It varies from vehicle to vehicle. Check your owner’s manual for the automobile manufacturer’s recommendation.
Here’s a good piece of auto advice for NY car owners that will extend the life of their air conditioning systems: You should run your air conditioner in the winter every once in a while. This circulates the refrigerant, which lubricates the seals. That way, they won’t dry out during cold Brooklyn weather.
Your air conditioning system doesn’t just cool the air in your Japanese Car; it dries it out as well. So if you have trouble with a foggy windshield, flip on your air conditioning on the defrost setting. You may be surprised at how quickly it takes care of the problem. Of course, some vehicles can’t run the air conditioner and defroster at the same time; you should check your owner’s manual or with the auto manufacturer if you are uncertain whether this feature works in your car or not.
So, after learning about preventive maintenance for your A/C, you might now be wondering if your air conditioner is in trouble. Two early warning signs of a failing air conditioner are (1) the air just isn’t getting as cold as it used to and (2) there’s a strange noise when the air conditioner turns on. If you notice either of these symptoms in your Japanese Car, you should bring it to Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn as soon as possible.
Just some good auto advice to keep you cool in Manhattan and keep you on the road!
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Car care is an important part of auto safety in Brooklyn. But the most important thing we can do to improve safety on NY roads is to drive safely.
Defensive driving is safe driving. And defensive driving is all about attitude. You have to decide that you will be a safe driver in NY, no matter what anyone else is doing.
Brooklyn auto owners can start with awareness. Always maintain awareness of your surroundings, the road conditions, other vehicles on the Brooklyn road or expressway and road hazards. Have you ever suddenly realized that you have arrived somewhere, but you don’t really remember driving there? That is unsafe driving.
Never assume that other Brooklyn auto owners are paying attention. You be the one on alert. You be the one to take initiative to stay out of the way of other NY drivers. And don’t let familiarity dull your alertness. Remind yourself to pay as close attention while driving on the roads near your Brooklyn home as you would in unfamiliar territory around NY.
Prepare your Japanese Car so you can give the road your full attention. Secure passengers and pets before leaving the driveway. Secure loose items in your Japanese Car so they can’t become projectiles if you have to brake suddenly. If children or pets become a distraction while driving, pull over and take care of the problem before re-entering traffic. Unclutter your windows. Take down the danglies from your rearview mirror. And don’t use your Japanese Car dashboard as an office. Move distractions and clutter to the backseat. Keep your windshield clear.
Properly maintain your Japanese Car. Preventive maintenance doesn’t just prevent repairs; it prevents unsafe vehicles. Make sure your tires, lights, brakes, suspension, alignment and steering get regular check-ups at Superior Care Auto Center. Also, listen to your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center tech when he gives you auto advice about other systems in your Japanese Car. Knowing about the wear and tear on your Japanese Car can help you avoid dangerous situations.
Avoid driving when you are sleepy or angry. Get a good night’s sleep before a road trip in NY, and learn to set aside relationship, job or other issues while you are in a vehicle. Again, you have to take charge of your own safety. Don’t daydream in your vehicle. Also, talking to passengers can be a distraction. Keep your mind on the road. Conversations may keep you from daydreaming or excessive boredom on a long trip, but always keep your driving foremost in your mind.
Maintain a proper speed. Driving too fast is dangerous on crowded Brooklyn roads, but driving too slowly can cause accidents, too. At night, don’t overdrive your headlights. Your stopping distance needs to be shorter than the distance your headlights are illuminating.
Never drink and drive. Alcohol plays a part in half of all fatal accidents in NY and nationally. Also, don’t drive drugged. Pay attention to the warning labels on any medications you are taking.
Other Manhattan motorists need to see you and know what you want to do. Use your Japanese Car turn signals, and stay out of other NY drivers’ blind spots.
If you can, avoid driving over debris in the road. You can damage your Japanese Car or end up in an accident. Of course, if swerving to avoid the debris is dangerous, then slow down and navigate as best you can. Do what you can to alert other auto owners to the problem. You may want to pull to the side of the Queens road and report the debris or move it to the side of the road, if you can do so safely.
Never follow too closely on Manhattan roads or highways. Observe the two-second rule. Choose an object ahead such as a tree or traffic sign. As the car in front of you passes it, start counting: one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand. If you reach the object before you’re done, you’re too close. Back off.
If you are on one of the NY highways, or if you are hauling a heavy load, or if you are tired, or if in any way you are not the model of the alert and attentive driver, then increase that two-second rule to three seconds. Give yourself an added measure of safety. If the Manhattan weather is bad, increase the rule to five seconds.
Inevitably, someone always pulls in front of you when you are trying to follow the “seconds” rules. Don’t get mad. Just back off and leave them to their bad driving habits. Remember, you are not going to give up your safety for anyone else’s cussedness. It’s always a bad trade.
If someone is following you too closely, pull over and let them pass. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going. If you’re late, worry about it after you’re there, not while you’re on the road.
If you see a vehicle driving erratically in Brooklyn, stay away. Take the next right or the next exit off the interstate. Notify the Brooklyn police as soon as you are safely stopped.
And of course, don’t be the idiot driver we all complain about in Brooklyn. Don’t contest your right-of-way, don’t race to beat someone to a merge, and don’t cut into someone else’s two seconds of space. Winning these types of ego trips may end up losing you your Japanese Car—or worse, your life or the life of a friend.
The professional automotive team at Superior Care Auto Center wants all Brooklyn auto owners to stay smart and stay safe.
The drive train in your vehicle includes all the important components that transfer power from the transmission to the wheels. Those components differ depending on what type of vehicle you drive, namely, front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The preventive maintenance your driveshaft needs will also differ by what type of vehicle you drive.
Let’s start with front-wheel drive. In this vehicle, the transmission and the differential are combined in one component, known as the transaxle. The transaxle is connected to two half-shafts (axles), which are then connected to the wheels with a constant velocity (or CV) joint, which is protected by an airtight rubber boot.
Superior Care Auto Center service for this type of driveline includes servicing the transaxle and inspecting the CV boot. If the boot is damaged, the CV joint will need to be inspected, and the boot will need to be replaced. If you hear a clicking noise in your wheel wells when you turn, you may have a damaged CV joint. A damaged CV joint should be replaced.
Rear-wheel drive vehicles generally have a transmission in the front of the car and the differential in the back. A driveshaft (it looks like a long tube) connects the transmission to the differential. Some vehicles may have a two-piece driveshaft, which are connected to the differential with universal joints or U-joints. Again, the differential is connected to two half-shafts that go out to the wheels.
Superior Care Auto Center service on the drive train on a rear-wheel drive vehicle starts with servicing the differential. It will need its fluid drained and replaced regularly. The seals on the axles should also be inspected for wear or leaks. Leaking or damaged seals may mean the axle needs to be serviced as well. Also, U-joints can wear out. If you hear clunking or feel a jolt when you shift into drive or into reverse, it could indicate a driveline problem.
All-wheel drive Japanese Cars provide power from the transmission to all of the wheels, instead of just to the front or rear. The advantage is that the vehicle can adapt to different driving conditions and transfer more power to the front or back wheels as needed. The disadvantages are that the driveline is more complicated, and the vehicle weighs slightly more.
Many all-wheel drive vehicles are based on a front-wheel drive set-up. They also have a differential in the rear and one in the center of the vehicle that allows power to transfer to the front and rear. A shaft runs from the transfer case to the center differential, and another from the center differential to the rear differential.
Servicing an all-wheel drive at Superior Care Auto Center involves servicing ALL of the differentials and inspecting the joints and seals for wear, leaks or damage.
Four-wheel drive vehicles are rear-wheel drive vehicles that have an option to transfer power to the front wheels. In other words, they can be driven as either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles. These vehicles are specifically designed for the harsh driving conditions Brooklyn motorists encounter off-road. The driveline in a four-wheel drive vehicle is similar to that of an all-wheel drive vehicle. The center differential, however, is a transfer case. Maintenance requires servicing both of the differentials and the transfer case, as well as an inspection of the joints and seals.
Brooklyn car owners would be wise to check with their owner’s manual for recommendations on how often to service their Japanese Car drive train. It’s also good auto advice to check with your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service advisor as well. You may live in an area in NY where weather or driving conditions require more frequent servicing of the drive train.
If you drive off-road, it is important to service your driveline more often frequently than the typical recommendation. Conditions encountered off-road around the Manhattan area are particularly hard on your driveline.
Good car care at Superior Care Auto Center in Brooklyn always includes taking care of your driveline. Without it, your Japanese Car becomes a very large paperweight.
Superior Care Auto Center is located at 120 19th Street in Brooklyn. We provide comprehensive auto repair and maintenance services for residents of Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan.
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Hello Brooklyn drivers! Let’s talk about alignment. One of the most important parts of preventive maintenance for your vehicle is keeping the wheels in alignment. Poor alignment causes your tires to wear unevenly, which can significantly reduce their lifespan. This means you will have to replace them more often, which can be costly in Brooklyn.
It can even damage your suspension system, which is a costly repair. But even more importantly, uneven tread wear can lead to blowouts on the road, a dangerous and potentially deadly safety risk for Brooklyn auto owners and their passengers.
It may not take an accident or bad driving habits to “knock” your tires out of alignment. Tires can go out of alignment with just everyday NY driving. Brooklyn road hazards, pot holes, uneven or gravel roads, even the bumps and bounces of normal Manhattan expressways and surface streets can gradually put your Japanese Car tires out of alignment.
So it’s good auto advice to have your Japanese Car’s alignment inspected periodically. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will have recommendations on how often you should get an alignment check: usually every year or two. But if you think your Japanese Car tires might be out of alignment, you should take your Japanese Car into Superior Care Auto Center now.
When you take your Japanese Car in for an alignment in Brooklyn, your Friendly Superior Care Auto Center service specialist will start by inspecting the steering and suspension systems. If something is broken or damaged there, it will need to be fixed in order to get good alignment of the wheels.
If all looks good in the steering and suspension departments, the Japanese Car will then be put on an alignment rack where an initial alignment reading is taken. The wheels can then be aligned to the auto manufacturer’s specifications. The ideal alignment for any vehicle is set by its engineers and may vary from vehicle to vehicle.
There are three types of critical adjustments that may have to be made to correctly align a vehicle’s tires. The first is called “toe.” This refers to tires that are out of alignment because they point inward or outward at the front of the tire. Think of a person who is pigeon-toed or splay-footed, and you get the idea.
The second adjustment is the camber. This adjustment affects the angle at which the tires meet the road. Think of a solid building in contrast to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The last adjustment is the castor. This adjustment measures the angle of the tire in relation to the front axles. So, a piece of auto advice that just might be good for life as well: keep everything in alignment, and you’ll be able to steer where you want to go in Manhattan. Drive safely.
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One topic that hits the news in Brooklyn on a regular basis is the price of gas. The answer for some NY motorists is to buy a vehicle that gets better MPG. For those of us Brooklyn auto owners who don’t want to add a car payment to our monthly expenses, we need to improve our fuel economy any way we can.
Following recommended service intervals by coming into Superior Care Auto Center is one of the best ways Brooklyn drivers can keep their SUV running efficiently. That means better fuel efficiency. When you give it some thought, it only makes sense. Dirty oil or transmission fluid can’t lubricate or clean. That means more drag which reduces fuel efficiency.
Keeping up with scheduled oil changes and transmission services will save gas for NY drivers.
Dirty engine air filters are another efficiency pirate. They rob your SUV engine of enough air to effectively burn the fuel, so you need more gas to get the job done. Replacing a dirty air filter can pay for itself in fuel savings before the next oil change.
You can imagine what dirty fuel injectors can do to your Japanese Car as you drive around Brooklyn. If your family car owner’s manual recommends a fuel system cleaning, come into Superior Care Auto Center and ask us to get it done for you.
A simple, but very effective way for Brooklyn auto owners to save gas is to keep their tires properly inflated. Low tires can cost you up to a mile per gallon. Check your tire pressure when you gas up – or at least once a month.
January 13th, 2016
