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For most Americans, having a car is not just a luxury, it is a necessity. Getting back and forth to work, the store, and everything else means people rely on their cars more than they think. There are many shops that specialize in domestic auto services in Decatur. A regular maintenance check-up can spot potential problems before they hit and add up to a lot of money. Motor Oil Oil is the lifeblood of any car, lubricating all the moving parts within the engine. As the moving parts rub against each other, they create friction and can wear each other down if not lubricated. That is why the oil should be changed frequently in order to prevent each side from eroding the other side away. The conventional wisdom used to say change the oil every 3000 miles. Many newer cars are programmed to tell the driver the best time to get their oil changed based on their driving habits. Because the car needs to be running for the oil to be moving around it, a car that is turned on and off or is accelerated often has more wear on it than a car that is started once or twice and is driven at a continuous rate of speed. Other Fluids While oil is the most important fluid in any vehicle, there are some other ones that require attention. The transmission fluid helps to ensure the engine shifts gears easily and does not struggle as the car accelerates. Brake fluid is used to apply the foot pressure on the brake pedal to the actual brakes so the car slows down. Coolant is probably the second most important fluid because it keeps the engine temperature from rising to high and damaging the moving parts. Or it will keep the engine warm enough in cold weather to keep the oil viscous when first starting. Even the windshield washer fluid is important to provide clear vision out the window. Each fluid should at least be checked regularly, during an oil change for example, to ensure they are at the proper levels. Under the Hood There are several other areas under the hood that should be checked regularly. The battery should be inspected for any corrosion on the poles. The cables should be clean and secure on the battery. The serpentine belt should not be fraying and the tension should be just right so that there's no slack hanging down. The air filter should be clean to help needed air get to the engine to mix with the gas and provide the tiny explosion that makes the engine go. All of the hoses should be looked at to see if they are cracking and to make sure the hose clamps are tight on each end. Many of the things under the hood can be checked quite easily. The belts and hoses only require a quick look and most of the fluids are visible through the reservoir. Many of the shops that specialize in domestic auto services in Decatur will include these in every standard oil change. Even the weekend garage mechanic can check each to make sure their car is running correctly. For most Americans, having a car is not just a luxury, it is a necessity. Getting back and forth to work, the store, and everything else means people rely on their cars more than they think. There are many shops that specialize in domestic auto services in Decatur. A regular maintenance check-up can spot potential problems before they hit and add up to a lot of money. Motor Oil Oil is the lifeblood of any car, lubricating all the moving parts within the engine. As the moving parts rub against each other, they create friction and can wear each other down if not lubricated. That is why the oil should be changed frequently in order to prevent each side from eroding the other side away. The conventional wisdom used to say change the oil every 3000 miles. Many newer cars are programmed to tell the driver the best time to get their oil changed based on their driving habits. Because the car needs to be running for the oil to be moving around it, a car that is turned on and off or is accelerated often has more wear on it than a car that is started once or twice and is driven at a continuous rate of speed. Other Fluids While oil is the most important fluid in any vehicle, there are some other ones that require attention. The transmission fluid helps to ensure the engine shifts gears easily and does not struggle as the car accelerates. Brake fluid is used to apply the foot pressure on the brake pedal to the actual brakes so the car slows down. Coolant is probably the second most important fluid because it keeps the engine temperature from rising to high and damaging the moving parts. Or it will keep the engine warm enough in cold weather to keep the oil viscous when first starting. Even the windshield washer fluid is important to provide clear vision out the window. Each fluid should at least be checked regularly, during an oil change for example, to ensure they are at the proper levels. Under the Hood There are several other areas under the hood that should be checked regularly. The battery should be inspected for any corrosion on the poles. The cables should be clean and secure on the battery. The serpentine belt should not be fraying and the tension should be just right so that there's no slack hanging down. The air filter should be clean to help needed air get to the engine to mix with the gas and provide the tiny explosion that makes the engine go. All of the hoses should be looked at to see if they are cracking and to make sure the hose clamps are tight on each end. Many of the things under the hood can be checked quite easily. The belts and hoses only require a quick look and most of the fluids are visible through the reservoir. Many of the shops that specialize in domestic auto services in Decatur will include these in every standard oil change. Even the weekend garage mechanic can check each to make sure their car is running correctly.
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