October is Fall Car Care Month

We suggest you stop into Mavis Tire of Mahopac to pick-up our Automobile Maintenance Guide.  Its a helpful reference guide with tips on the proper care of your car.

One of the areas we cover in the guide is the importance of maintaining your Automobile’s Fluids.  Most people will agree that having the oil changed in your automobile is probably one of the most common routine maintenance items you will perform.  That said, did you know that there are several other fluids that should be checked, refilled and flushed on a regular basis?  You can confirm this with your owners manual, but since we’re experts, we’ll just tell you.

Transmission Fluid

Like other vital automotive fluids, transmission fluid deteriorates over time.  Hard use – such as frequent stop-and-go city driving, hauling heavy loads, trailer towing – will accelerate the deterioration.  That kind of driving raises the transmission’s operating temperature, and heat puts more strain on the transmission and the fluid.

Brake Fluid

Brake line flushes are recommended by most automobile manufacturers at about every 30,000 miles.  This is because some of the parts, like the rubber in the valves in the master cylinder, calipers and wheel cylinders can deteriorate over time.  This can cause flaking that ends up in your brake fluid, compromising the fluid’s effectiveness and even decreasing your stopping power.

Power Steering Fluid

Many car manufacturers recommend flushing the Power Steering system after 35,000 – 40,000 miles.   Over time natural wear and tear will cause bits of rubber, plastic and dirt to enter the fluid which can cause problems to the entire system.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze helps to regulate your car’s engine during extreme temperatures.  This liquid is pumped throughout the engine block to maintain an even operating temperature. Properly maintained antifreeze levels also helps to prevent corrosion. Many manufacturers suggest checking antifreeze levels at least twice a year and flushing the system at about 30,000 miles.  Check with your owner’s manual for more details.