JKB Tire Co Car Care Tips

Helping Your Vehicle Last Longer

Today's cars can serve you for well over a decade provided they have proper maintenance. Making vehicle care a priority pays off when you consider the cost of purchasing a new car or truck. At JKB Tire Co, it's our mission to keep your car in tip-top shape so you get the best value and improved mileage. 

Your Vehicle Benefits When You Prepare for the Future

When you regularly maintain your car or truck, you end up saving money in the long run since you retain your vehicle's condition longer than vehicles driven by those who aren't concerned with automotive care. This helps you prevent unexpected repair work.

If you plan to sell your car or truck, regular maintenance will end up helping you sell the vehicle at a higher price as opposed to a vehicle that has had little maintenance. We recommend that you follow the car maintenance tips below so your vehicle will last longer.

Oil Change & Automotive Fluids

Change Motor Oil

Changing your oil is a very easy procedure that keeps the engine parts lubricated while maintaining fuel economy at the same time. When you change your oil at the recommended maintenance intervals, this prevents sludge buildup and overheating.

If you never change your oil, the oil will become abrasive and harm the metal components in your engine. This, of course, will cost you money and reduce vehicle life. Always stick to the maintenance schedule outlined in the owner's manual to ensure that your car or truck gets better mileage.

Change Brake Fluid

Every time you use your brake pedal, brake fluid will transfer the force of the brakes to slow down or stop your vehicle. Each particular model of car or truck will vary when it comes to service intervals, and this can be from every few years to once or twice during the life of the vehicle.

Make sure you follow your owner's manual regarding how often you’re to change your brake fluid. It can lose its effectiveness if there are leaks, so if you experience abnormal brake performance, be sure to have an auto mechanic inspect the issue immediately.

Check Coolant

Antifreeze prevents both overheating and freezing of your engine's cooling system, and just like brake fluid, your owner's manual will indicate the recommended service intervals regarding when it needs to be checked and replaced.

Always keep an eye on your coolant level to make sure nothing is leaking. If your engine's temperature warning light comes on, it most likely means something is wrong with the coolant, the amount of coolant remaining is too low, or the cooling system itself is not operating the way it should. 

Automotive Part Replacement

Replace Brakes

Rotors and brake pads will need to be replaced every now and then. What determines the time for them to be replaced depends greatly on how often you stop while driving, how thick or thin the rotors and pads are, and several other factors.

If you live in a city where you have to do a lot of stop-and-go driving, your brake pads will wear faster than vehicles whose drivers mostly use highways or country roads where there are fewer stops. If there's 1/4 inch of the brake pad remaining, let alone less than 1/4 inch, it needs to be replaced.

Check Car Battery

Car batteries usually last anywhere between two and six years, and depending on the outdoor temperature, driving frequency, and overall battery use, they can last for shorter or longer periods. There are ways you can maximize battery life, and even though you can't control the environment (which is a well-known factor in reducing battery life), these tips can help:

• Keep your battery clean
• Don't leave your car unused for a long period of time
• Always remember to shut off the interior lights and headlights when you're not using your vehicle

Replace Headlights

Most modern vehicles have plastic headlights with a protective film applied. The is to protect the film from fading over time due to oxidation, keeping the headlights from getting foggy, and allowing better nighttime vision. Factors involved in oxidation include heat, sunlight, pollution, and abrasive chemicals. Parking your vehicle in a garage can slow oxidation down.

It’s also recommended that you replace headlights in pairs. If one headlight is getting dim or has failed, the other headlight is most likely getting ready to fail as well since headlights are almost always installed together at the same time. Furthermore, having a new, bright headlight while an old, dimmer headlight operates simultaneously can be distracting.

Change Air Filters

Changing your engine air filter prevents the buildup of debris that can reduce engine efficiency. Depending on the environment you live in, the recommended air filter replacement intervals are usually between 15,000 and 30,000 miles (24,140 - 48,280 km).

It's best to check the condition of your engine air filter every so often if you live in dusty areas or in cities with considerable pollution.

It's also recommended that you change the cabin air filter as indicated by your owner's manual. This is what keeps ventilation air clean for you and your passengers, and like the engine filter, a number of factors depend on when you replace this filter. It's a good idea to tell your auto mechanic to check the cabin air filter when your engine is being serviced.

Change Oil Filters

Your owner's manual should indicate when it's time to replace the oil filter. Sometimes manufacturers will recommend the oil filter be changed every time the oil is changed; however, some may recommend changing the oil filter every other oil change.

Tires & Wheels

Check Wheel Alignment

Always make sure you check your vehicle alignment so you're getting the best performance out of your tires.

Hitting a pothole or curb can throw your car out of alignment, so if you notice irregular tread wear or the vehicle is pulling to the left or right when you try to drive in a straight line, a wheel alignment might be necessary. This will involve fixing the camber, toe, and caster angles.

Rotate Tires

Rotating your tires will maximize the tire life when you swap the tire positions on your vehicle. Your vehicle doesn't distribute an equal amount of stress in each tire, so this is why it's recommended to switch front and rear tires to keep your tread wear even. Depending on your vehicle and tires, rotation patterns will vary.

If you regularly rotate your tires, you won't have to worry about finding replacements at different intervals or dealing with a performance decrease all because your tires don't match in tread wear.

Driving Tips

Limit Stop-and-Go Driving

It's best to take longer routes when it's possible as opposed to short trips since they waste fuel and add unnecessary wear and tear to your vehicle's components.

Take Care of Your Car So It Takes Care of You

Following these tips combined with adhering to the service intervals listed in your owner's manual will guard against major repairs and unexpected failures. The benefits of proper vehicle maintenance include:

• Saving you money in the long run
• Improving the safety of you and your passengers
• Retain manufacturer warranties
• Increase the life of the vehicle
• Decrease the likelihood of an unexpected vehicle repair

Visit JKB Tire Co if your car or truck needs repairs. Staying on top of routine vehicle maintenance will help bring the cost down. We serve Export, PA, and the surrounding areas, so fill out our form to request a quote, or give us a call.