CAR CARE BLOG

If you are like a lot of drivers, you want to keep your current vehicle for as long as possible while avoiding expensive car repair at the same time. Do you know how often should you have your car serviced? Read your owner’s manual! Not only is it important to understand the service schedule listed there, but that you actually follow it!

There are a few other things that you can do for your car on a daily or weekly basis, such as:

Most experienced drivers are aware that mufflers and exhaust systems are related. However, if you’re a new driver, you may need to know that it is normal for your engine to produce toxic gases during the internal combustion process. These fumes flow through the exhaust system and are expelled from the muffler. Even though the condition of the exhaust system plays an important role in engine performance, it is often overlooked. As the old saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind” until some drivability problems occur.

So what are the signs of a bad muffler, you ask? Here are four major problems to be aware of:

At some point in time, if you keep your car long enough, it is inevitable that a tune up will be needed to keep it running strong. Considered as basic preventive maintenance, a tune up helps maintain your vehicle’s power and performance, giving you many more miles of reliable service.

But just how often should you get a car tune up? There is a recommended time for a tune up listed in your owner’s manual. However, if your vehicle starts to lose power, such as going up a hill, overtaking a slower vehicle, for example, schedule a car diagnostics. It may simply be time for a tune up! At that time, your mechanic can find any pending problems in the operating systems, engine, transmission, oil and gas tanks, and exhaust system.

Here are a few problems you may start to experience indicating it’s time for a tune up: