A new driving season has arrived along with new types of road grime, dirt, and other substances. These materials will inevitably make their way on your tires and in and around your wheels. Accumulation of these materials will not only discolor these surfaces, but will affect your vehicle's performance if not properly removed.
The cleaning process is simple. Spray or dump a bucket of water on each wheel to remove loose dirt.
You want to feel confident that your car’s brakes are going to stop you at that critical moment. When you depress the brake pedal, it should feel firm. If it feels like there’s too much play, such as sponginess, when you press down on the brake, then you should consider having them checked.
There are several possible reasons for your vehicle’s brakes to stop performing as they should.
In order for your car to run, it requires an even and constant input of fuel to the engine. The fuel pump serves this purpose, but if it is not working correctly, the engine will not receive the fuel it needs to run consistently. Once the fuel pump begins having issues, it will sooner or later fail, and the vehicle will then not be able to run.
If your dash gauges are telling you the engine is too hot or, worse, there is steam escaping from your hood, the situation is dangerous. Overheating can be caused by a variety of problems, and getting the right answer requires a thorough examination and expert repair by a good mechanic.
A flat tire is a quick way to ruin just about anyone's day. And if you haven't ever had to deal with this before, then it can be kind of an intimidating thing. Fortunately, if you know what to do then it isn't all that big of a deal. If you haven't yet had to change a tire, follow these steps to get it changed:
If you're in your vehicle and you begin to smell a dusty or musty smell, if might be time to replace the cabin filter in your vehicle. This filter is responsible for maintaining the quality of the air inside your vehicle by filtering the air that comes through your A/C and heater.
Your tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle for both performance and safety reasons. Because of this, it is important to make sure that you have the appropriate tire for your particular vehicle. Understanding what the markings on your tires actually mean will give you a better perspective when reading tire sizes.
Hoses and belts are essential for the smooth operation of your vehicle's engine and have the potential to strand you should they fail. Hoses transfer vital fluids and pressure between components, while belts drive the alternator, water pump, cooling fans, air condition compressor, power steering system, and more. However, temperature extremes and mileage do wear down the rubber and synthetic properties of these parts over time.
Hoses can develop small cracks that lead to leaks, affecting engine performance and even causing engine failure.
Brakes are all about performance. If your brakes are working fine, then it's probably not time to replace your brakes. While you should have an inspection every 12,000 miles, this doesn't mean you'll need a complete overhaul. When you get an inspection, your brake pads, fluid levels and brake lines will all be checked to see if they are in good working order.
At DCH Kia of Temecula, if you notice a problem with your brakes, bring your car in for an inspection.
Think you’re a smart car owner by making sure the oil is changed every 3000 miles? Probably not. The popular belief about responsible auto-engine care is to have the oil changed every 3000 miles. The truth is cars and trucks that were manufactured within the last 20 years don’t need oil changes nearly as fast.
The best way to know for sure is to read the owner's manual that is specific your vehicle’s make and model. Many cars, trucks, and vans are built to need oil changes between 7,500 - 10,000 miles. Some engines require…
