oil change – Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop

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How to Get Your Vehicle Ready for Spring

As the winter season fades, you can finally start to enjoy driving in warmer weather. However, when you are driving in the winter, chances are the cold weather has done a number on your vehicle components. Therefore, it is wise to do a thorough inspection to prepare your car for spring. Here are the most crucial components to check to make sure your car is ready for spring and summer.

Inspect Your Windshield Wipers

With the return of spring, a careful inspection of the windshield wipers is highly recommended to verify that they are in good working order. Nevertheless, the best thing is to replace them, the cold weather is very harmful for the rubber, which then deteriorates, making the brushes less efficient. Also, remember to change them at the end of the summer.

Take A Look At Your Battery

Take advantage of the return of sunny days to take a look at your battery charge and give it a little boost if necessary. If you were noticing a poor performance during winter, consider buying a new one to avoid any battery failures in the future.

Change Your Oil

Regular oil changes are essential to keep your engine running smoothly, and spring is a great time to do it. A fresh oil change can help improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and extend the life of your engine. Keep your car in its optimum condition with routine oil changes.

Related: Learn more about when your car needs oil changing here.

Switch Out Those Winter Tires

Many car owners think that it is not necessary to change tires in the spring or summer and that they can very well continue driving with winter tires to avoid new expenses. Since winter tires are designed for cold roads, they may deteriorate quicker if the ground exceeds 7 degrees. Change your winter tires with summer or all-season tires from mid-March for your safety and your pocket.

Related: Learn more how when to use all-season and winter tires here.

We’re At Your Service All Season Long

Spring is the perfect time to give your vehicle a tune-up and make sure it’s ready to tackle the changing weather and road conditions. Our team is here to help you make sure that your vehicle is running smoothly and safely all spring long. Give us a call 817-834-2725 at for any assistance and check out our website to see our comprehensive list of services.

4 Warning Signs Your Car’s Oil Needs Changing

May 27, 2022 / admin / 0 Comments

A car’s lubrication system is not only the most important function, but it is also the most critical system for maintaining the engine’s performance and extending its life. That said, the oil must be changed every now and then because every delay can cause serious problems. Many car owners get confused and ask these questions: How do I know if the engine oil in my car needs to be changed? What is the condition of the oil that needs to be changed? Well, all these questions will be answered in detail in this blog.

1. The Oil’s Color

One of the obvious alerts that the oil needs to be changed is the color. If you notice any slight change in the oil color from a brown or light honey color to a darker black, then it’s without a doubt that the oil is saturated with sediments and dust inside the engine. Therefore, if you don’t want to compromise on the performance of the engine, try to check the oil at least once every couple of weeks or after a long journey.

2. Engine Oil and Dashboard Light

The dashboard in front of you shows many warning signs indicating any defect in the car, whether there is a lack of fuel or an imbalance in tire air pressure and other alerting signs. However, if the oil pressure warning light is on, you have to stop your car as soon as you have a safe place to park in and change the oil immediately. Some car dashboards may display the word “OIL” instead of the oil pressure symbol.

Related: learn more about how to change your car oil here.

3. Engine Oil and Smoke

If the translucent vapor emanating from the car’s exhaust changes to smoke, stop your vehicle immediately. The smoke emanating from the exhaust is a dangerous sign that indicates actual damage to the engine’s internal parts. Check up on your engine – you may find an oil leak and, in worst cases, faulty engine parts.

4. The Oil’s Smell

Under normal conditions, the smell of engine oil is not supposed to leak into the car cabin, but a strong odor inside the car cabin means that the engine oil needs to be changed. If you smell burning oil, stop your vehicle as quickly as possible and schedule a maintenance appointment immediately.

Conclusion

The bottom line? Ignoring the above warning signs can completely damage the performance of your engine and put your safety at risk. So, whether you want a professional diagnosis for your car or just want to change the engine oil, head to Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop for quick and affordable auto services. Visit our auto shop or check out our website for more information.

Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil

January 29, 2021 / admin / 0 Comments

Your owner’s manual will tell you what kind of motor oil your engine needs to perform at its best. It is important to know that not every oil is the same, so carefully read the manual to figure out which oil your vehicle requires. Most cars are designed to take conventional oil, while high-performance vehicles may need synthetic. Follow along in our blog as we discuss the distinct differences between conventional and synthetic oil.

Conventional Oil

Let’s talk about conventional oil first. It’s designed to be a reliable lubricant for the engine. Taking a closer look at its natural state, conventional oil is an oil that has been distilled and then refined directly from crude oil. Crude oil is a fossil fuel consisting of hydrogen and carbon compounds that is found in nature. It’s an accessible resource, making it cheaper to produce and therefore more affordable. However, with synthetic oil, the benefits might outweigh the cost.

Synthetic Oil

The next best oil for your car is synthetic. Unlike conventional oil, it is manufactured in a lab and engineered for performance. Synthetic oil also is cleaner and runs cleaner, due to refinement processes that remove deposits and the presence of additives that can help clean the engine. This means that the oil doesn’t need to be changed as often. Although synthetic oil costs more, many owners like the effectiveness and durability.

Final Thoughts

If you have questions about motor oil, the expert technicians at Mike’s Brake & Alignment Shop can help. We are dedicated to your automotive needs, so please do not hesitate to reach out. You can visit us online for more information or call 817-834-2725 to schedule a service.

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