Mechanical Repair Services & Preventative Maintenance

You might have heard that Quality Assured Collision Center offers mechanical repair services. Not only do we keep your vehicle looking pristine, but we can also help you keep it running like new. In this article we will talk about frequently asked questions about mechanical repair services, and perhaps more importantly, preventative maintenance.

We have expert technicians on location for mechanical repair services like:

Mechanical Repair Services: Preventative Maintenance

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Preventative maintenance is something that should never be overlooked for anything that is a mechanical device. This includes lawn equipment, washing machines, and yes, cars! Machines will break at some point – that is certain. However, with preventative maintenance you can delay unexpected failure and minimize the damage. So, what is preventative maintenance?

First of all, it needs to be regular. Every vehicle nowadays has a published factory recommended maintenance schedule. Many times, the interval is every 30, 60, and 90 thousand miles. At each interval there are different preventative steps that need to be completed. These are normally listed in the owner’s manual. If you do not have your manual, look online.

If you have been neglecting regular preventative maintenance, then it is never too late to start. Better late than never. As part of our mechanical repair services, we can take care of all your preventative needs.

Some Examples of Preventative Maintenance

A “safety inspection” is meant to look for signs of wear and tear in the brakes, steering, and airbags. Bringing your vehicle in for a safety inspection, a technician will inspect the brake lines, hydraulic lines, brake calipers and wheel cylinders. If you are new to vehicle repair, then as you see, this is above and beyond a regular oil change.

Fluids are something that you should regularly check on your own, or have checked during regular service intervals. These fluids break down over time and become dark, opaque, and dirty. Transmission fluid should be red. Power steering fluid should be red. Blake fluid should be clear gold and coolant should be red or green or orange in most cases. Either way, these fluids are subjected to intense heat causing them to break down and look dirty. One of the best ways to keep your vehicle running smoothly for a long time is to keep the fluids checked and flushed regularly. At Quality Assured, our mechanical repair services technicians can inspect and replace all fluids in your vehicle.

The next thing to examine is the serpentine belt. Simply press on the belt and make sure it deflects no more than half an inch. A belt with too much give needs to be replaced. You should also look for cracks in noticeable signs of wear and tear. It is better to get these belts replaced, preferably every 50,000 miles in most cases, rather than waiting for them to break because you will become stranded. When these belts break it can spell disaster for an engine, not only will your vehicle not run, but there can also be sustained damage to the engine and its internal mechanisms.

Do not forget the differential oil. This fluid is often overlooked and in many cases the differential is sealed, so technicians at the oil change shop will not take the time to check. But that does not entirely mean that it cannot be checked and replaced.

We have all had an air filter shoved in our face at one time or another at the oil change shop. In some cases they are just trying to up-sell you; however, a dirty air filter should not be ignored. Air filters will become dirty over time and a clean filter will improve gas mileage and performance. Air filters are so relatively cheap so it is wise to replace them when you hold the filter up to the light and can no longer see daylight coming through.

Your car may also have a cabin filter that filters the air for the climate control system inside your car. These are often overlooked but do exist and should also be inspected and changed periodically.

Hoses, especially for the radiator, are subjected to varied fluctuations in heat and contamination.  Typically, a hose will be squeezed by the technician and if there is excessive play, it is time to replace the hose. Obviously, signs of cracking would also indicate the immediate need to replace the hose.

Summary of Preventative Mechanical Repair Services

Always check your owner’s manual because intervals are different for every vehicle. In general, belts should be replaced every four years or 50 to 60 thousand miles, oil and the filter should be replaced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

If you are looking to extend the service life of your vehicle and keep it reliable, the main things to think about are:

• Manufacturer recommended service interval
• Regular oil changes
• Regular fluid changes
• Preventative maintenance on radiator coolant, automatic transmission, power steering, brake fluid, throttle body service, and differential fluid.

The best way to handle these preventative maintenance mechanical repair services is to call us and schedule an appointment. We will consult your vehicle’s handbook and maintain your vehicle properly. All you have to do is worry about putting gas in it!

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