Click On This Image to See Videos About Vehicle Maintenance Services
Why Do My Fluids Need to be Changed?
For a long time American driver’s would trade in their vehicles before they reached 100,000 miles. As driver’s have learned to perform preventive maintenance on their vehicles they have seen significantly longer vehicle life spans. We see many vehicles with 250,000 and more miles. So, you sure don’t have to change your fluids, but . . . you sure will drive a much more dependable vehicle for a very long time when you do.
As fluids do their job of lubricating particles can make their way into the fluids, diminish their effectiveness and allow for wear and damage to expensive components. Additionally, your fluids break down over time due to heat and friction. All of the major systems in your vehicle depend on various types of fluid to lubricate or cool their mechanical parts. The chemical make up of the fluid changes is alkalinity and causes corrosion as it ages and heats. Dirt in transmission and differential fluid can cause premature wear on the gears. Finally, clogged fuel injectors can adversely affect engine performance and fuel economy.
Changing your fluid at regular intervals will help keep your vehicle safe to drive for years to come. I recommend every 30,000 miles on most of your fluids. Usually, these include transmission fluid flushes, power steering fluid flushes, brake fluid flushes, differential flushes, and coolant flushes. Fuel injection services also fall into this category.
Be certain that high quality chemicals are used in the cleansing and flushing of your vehicle’s fluids. It is important to use multi-step systems that insure a thorough cleansing prior to fluid exchange and usually a quality conditioner to help extend the life of the new fluid.
The key to successful maintenance is changing fluids prior to their ultimate breakdown. This helps avoid wear of critical components.
Fluid exchanges aren't usually cheap, which sometimes baffles customers who think that there isn't much labor involved. This is due in part to the cost of the fluid itself, the chemicals used to clean and condition and in part due to the cost of the equipment needed to perform the work.
Engine Oil and How Often Should It Be Changed
Engine
lubricants have improved significantly over time with major strides
beginning in the late 1990s. Also, engines are built better than ever
before, so why do we still recommend an oil change every 3000 to 4000
miles.
Statistically there were significant improvements in motor oil performance in 1997.
Coming up with the magic number of miles that you can drive your
vehicle between oil changes has a few variables. While some vehicles
have been proven to have more of a problem in developing sludge from
infrequent oil changes, the largest variable comes from the way
you drive your vehicle.
Manufacturer recommendations are
based on laboratory conditions that rarely (if ever) occur in real
life. I am certain that they do not occur any where in Texas! So
while their posted intervals may be longer, most manufacturers still
recommend a 3 month/3,000 mile oil change interval for vehicles driven
under severe conditions. Combine stop and go traffic in cities,
temperature variations both cold and hot (mostly hot) and frequent
short trips and extended idling times and you have the formula for
severe driving conditions.
When oil change intervals are
lengthened engine failures increase in rate. Simply changing the oil
more frequently minimizes the risk of developing the dreaded sludge
syndrome (It is really not pretty!). Engine repair or replacement due
to sludge problems are expensive. Oil changes are one of the least
expensive preventive maintenance services that you can perform to
protect your investment.
So, change your oil before it
causes damage. No one has every had to replace an engine because the
oil was just a little dirty when it was changed. Use a quality motor
oil and the oil that is recommended for your vehicle. Our service
advisors can help you determine which oil is best for you and your
driving conditions.
I have been driving for 30 years and never needed to flush my brakes before!
While
the idea of needing to flush your brake fluid is a surprise to most
people it has become a very important maintenance service. Brake fluid
is chemically designed to attract moisture. The moisture can lead to
rust on the inside of your brake system. Years ago that was not a real
big deal, but now thanks to anti-lock brake systems and other expensive
hydraulic components the rust and other debris that accumulate can
cause break downs and expensive repairs.
Click Here To Learn About Top Tier Fuel Choices
Beckwith's Car Care offers Full Line of BG Fluid Maintenance Services
Fuel System Service Engine Service Transmission Service Cooling System Service Differential Service Transaxle Service Brake System Service Power Steering System Service Diesel Fuel System Service 6.0 Diesel EGR System Service Headlight Restoration
Our fluid services include an extensive cleaning process followed by complete fluid exchange with the highest quality conditioned fluids. This is designed to extend the life of your vehicle and minimize the risk of breakdowns. We believe in the products we use and stand behind the services with the BG Lifetime Protection Plan. Your vehicle may qualify for this extended protection program.
