Classic Motorsports FAQ's
1. Why do I need to Perform Maintenance on my vehicle?
2. Do I have to go back to the Dealership to have repairs done?
3. What does it mean when my “check engine light” comes on?
4. How often should I change my vehicles engine oil?
5. How often should I change my Automatic Transmission Fluid?
6. How often do I need to have my brakes inspected and/or replaced.
1. Why do I need to Perform Maintenance on my vehicle?
Most of today’s vehicles are far more dependable and require less maintenance than their predecessors. Many people have adopted the “damage control” method of vehicle maintenance over the preventive approach. While it is true that most late model vehicles can survive deferring their maintenance needs for a surprisingly long time, there is a real false economy to this tactic.
Today, most people are spending and average of around $28,000 for a new vehicle. This represents, for most of us, our second largest investment after our homes. The average cost for license plates on these new vehicles is $700 not including your taxes which could be around $1900 on our target $28,000 vehicle. Add that to the fact that many people find themselves in the position of needing to replace that vehicle before it is paid off. How does that happen you ask? The simple answer is lack of maintenance.
The scheduled maintenance suggested by the manufacturer of your vehicle is the minimum needed to maintain your vehicle’s dependability. In fact for most of us here in Washington there is a severe service schedule that we should be using. If you follow these guidelines at the mileage or time recommended you can expect your vehicle to outlast your payments on it. Classic Motorsports usually recommends taking preventive maintenance one step further so that your vehicle can last to 200,000 miles or more. There are many sound economic and personal reasons to consider their approach.
On the economic side, many of the additional services that we recommend will allow systems of your vehicle to last longer and perform better along the way while costing only a fraction of the cost of replacing the components when they fail early in life.
The personal reasons for performing preventive maintenance are in its very name, Preventive. When a vehicle breaks down it rarely chooses a convenient time or place. When you are proactive about maintenance you can decrease the chances of breakdown to single digit percentages instead of driving a ticking time bomb. Imagine driving home in rush hour traffic and having your vehicle stall in the left lane, or discovering that you are out of brake pads while returning from a trip to the mountains which destroys your brake calipers and rotors costing perhaps 4 times the cost of just routine brake maintenance. Cars and trucks can be repaired. They can be replaced. You and your family members cannot. Your vehicles are a big part of your budget their maintenance should not be the smallest part. Ask Classic Motorsports to perform a maintenance inspection for you today. You will come to be surprised how much more calm your life can be when your vehicles receive preventive maintenance over damage control.
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2. Do I have to go back to the Dealership to have repairs done?
The quick answer here is NO you do not have to go to the dealer for preventive maintenance work to maintain your vehicle warranty. The best reference to this is the Magnuson-Moss act of 1975.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is the federal law that governs consumer product warranties. Passed by Congress in 1975, the Act requires manufacturers and sellers of consumer products to provide consumers with detailed information about warranty coverage. In addition, it affects both the rights of consumers and the obligations of warrantors under written warranties.
In a nutshell this law provides consumers with choices on who may maintain their vehicle. The law even provides a way for the owner to perform the maintenance themselves. To read more about the magnuson-moss act go here .
It’s a law – you do not have to go back to the dealer for maintenance to keep you warranty in tact. You Classic Motorsports has ASE certified technicians who are capable of maintaining your new car. Stop by today.
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3. What does it mean when my “check engine light” comes on?
The “check engine” “service engine soon” or little glowing light shaped like the silhouette of an engine is an indication that the engine management system of your vehicle (computer controls) is having either an input that is not functioning correctly or an output device that is not responding as the computer expects it to. These problems may result in an apparent problem with the way the vehicle runs or you may not feel anything. Either type can be serious and should be checked quickly.
Here are some tips on what to do if the “check engine light” comes on. Remember, the “check engine light” can mean anything from a loose gas cap to a seriously misfiring engine. Ignore the warning, and you could end up damaging expensive components. It also can be a sign that your car is getting poor fuel economy and emitting higher levels of pollutants. You should always have the car checked as soon as possible to prevent expensive damage.
1. First, look for a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Check your dashboard gauges and lights for indications of low oil pressure or overheating. These conditions mean you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon as you can find a safe place to do so.
2. Reduce speed and load. If the "check engine" light is blinking or you notice any serious performance problems such as a loss of power, reduce your speed and perhaps try to reduce the load on the engine, such as to stop towing a trailer. A blinking light usually indicates a problem that needs immediate attention such as an engine misfire which may be due to unburned fuel passing into the exhaust system, where it can quickly damage the catalytic converter and require an expensive repair.
3. Contact Classic Mtorsports for assistance, they can get to the root of your problem with the latest diagnostic techniques and state of the art diagnostic equipment. Don’t worry most check engine light problems, if they are fixed quickly, are usually not expensive.
The best thing about the 'Check Engine' light is that it lets you fix little problems before they become big, expensive problems. And not every problem gives you obvious indications (hard starting, rough running, stalling, etc.) that something is wrong. That's why you can't ignore this important little light. The 'Check Engine' light also alerts you to problems like poor gas mileage or reduced performance. These can evolve so slowly that you get used to them. But your on-board computer is sensitive enough to detect even gradual changes, then let you know when something is wrong.
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
For decades, cars had dashboard indicators that only monitored the basics: fuel level, oil temperature, coolant temperature and whether the generator or alternator was charging. That all changed in 1981 when federal clean air statutes required catalytic converters to be put on all domestic cars and light trucks to help reduce the level of smog-causing emissions in the atmosphere. Emission control is a process that involves sophisticated sensors that compare the air contents entering and leaving the catalytic converter. Because so many other parts of the engine affect what ultimately comes out of the exhaust, it takes an on board diagnostic (OBD) system to keep everything performing properly.
In 1996, the federal government required U.S. automakers to upgrade to OBD II, a sophisticated system of sensors and actuators that conduct on-the-road diagnostic tests. When the OBD II detects a problem, it logs it as a fault code in the vehicle’s computer memory, and when retrieved via a diagnostic reader this code directs the repair technician to the source of the trouble. Some problems may be major and some not, but because each can affect engine life efficiency and performance, the consumer should investigate them all. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than 6 million Americans are currently driving cars with the “check engine light” on.
WHAT THE “CHECK ENGINE LIGHT” MEANS
Exactly what the OBD system looks for depends on the make, model and year. While OBD II set the standard for American-built passenger vehicles, many foreign automakers have added their own proprietary diagnostics. As a result, the “check engine” lights themselves, and more than 100 possible problems they can detect, vary considerably. Under OBD II regulations, the computer system essentially acts like a built-in emissions testing station which monitors and adjusts dozens of components and processes. It continually samples exhaust emissions as they come out of the engine and when they leave the catalytic converter, the device that removes carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon pollutants from the exhaust. The system also monitors the car's fuel system to ensure that gasoline vapors are not escaping into the atmosphere through a leak or a loose or missing gas cap.
Most problems are caused by air/fuel mixture, bad spark plugs or plug wires, or a failed oxygen sensor. Anything that causes poor engine performance or inefficiency, however, could trigger the light, and seemingly unrelated problems with the transmission, anti-lock braking system or even a loose gas cap could also trigger a “check engine light” warning. Though the warning may be caused by something minor, it can also predict a potentially dangerous situation. A thorough engine analysis by an authorized dealer or mechanic is the only safe and reliable way to find out for sure.
On some cars, the “check engine light” may simply go on; on others, it may flash to indicate an immediate, potentially damaging situation. The light may be turned off either by a repair technician, or the OBD II will automatically turn it off when it fails to detect the problem after several diagnostic cycles. You should read your Owner’s Manual to learn what the “check engine” light means on your vehicle.
Fault codes are numeric codes generated by the OBD II system when a problem is detected. When a sensor registers that is beyond the manufacturer’s normal specifications, or an electronic component has failed to respond to a command from the computer, the computer recognizes it as a fault and records a number that identifies that problem. When it finds a problem the computer turns on the warning indicator which may be labeled "check engine," "service engine soon" or "check powertrain," or simply show a picture of an engine, known as the International Check Engine Symbol.
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4. How often should I change my vehicles engine oil?
We recommend you should change your oil in a gas engine every 3 to 4 months or 3000 to 4000 miles or 8000 to 10,000 miles, if you are using synthetic oil as many cars are now, whichever occurs first. Having clean engine oil is some of the best insurance you can buy for your vehicle.
There are two major benefits to changing your oil every 3 months or 3000 miles. The first is protecting the high value of your investment. By driving farther before changing your oil you run the risk of lowering the life expectancy of your vehicles engine. The average cost of engine replacement in today’s vehicles is between $4,000 and $5,000 dollars. The cost of changing your oil every 3000 miles vs. 5000 or 6000 miles is around $50.00 to $75.00 a year. Is that extra cost worth protecting your second most expensive purchase in your life? We believe so.
The second benefit is when you bring your vehicle into Classic Motorsports for an oil change; you will receive a comprehensive vehicle inspection. In this inspection we are looking for any potential mechanical and/or safety problems. This comprehensive inspection is priceless. We are all driving 1 to 2 ton pieces of equipment that can potentially take lives if not properly maintained. With every oil change performed at a Classic Motorsports you can have “piece of mind” that your vehicle has been inspected by professional ASE technicians.
At Classic Motorsports we take the pain out of car repair by properly maintaining your vehicle.
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5. How often should I change my Automatic Transmission Fluid?
Some automatic transmissions in 2002 and newer vehicles have “100,000 mile fluid”. The perception is that you don’t need to change the fluid for 100,000 miles. This all depends on the type of driving you do. The “100,000 mile” fluid is based on normal transmission operating temperatures of 175 F and not pulling a trailer or heavy load. Maintaining this type of fluid is no different than maintaining the old style of fluid.
Let’s talk about driving styles. For example you can drive up I-5 or I-405 on any given summer weekend and see how many vehicles are towing a trailer or heavy load and driving on the shoulder because the trailer or load is so heavy. You may even be one of these drivers. This type of driving increases the normal operating temperatures inside the transmission and then the oxidation rate doubles with each 20 degrees increase in transmission operating temperature. The useful life of the fluid is now cut in half. At 235 degrees the life expectancy is only 12,000 miles. At 295 degrees the life expectancy is 1500 miles. Above 300 degrees the metals inside the transmission will warp, and distort in varying degrees depending on the severity of the overheating. Here are a few tips to help prevent overheating and damage to your transmission:
- If your transmission keeps shifting up and down drop it down one gear or push the tow/haul button on the shifter.
- Watch your Engine temperature and keep it “Cool”.
- Visit Classic Motorsports and have your transmission fluid inspected. They can tell if your fluid needs serviced once they inspect it.
- If you notice a leak in your vehicle have it checked right away.
- When you wash your vehicle make sure the front of the grille and radiator are free of all bugs and debris.
- Establish a relationship with Classic Motorsports and we will help you with a maintenance schedule that fits your driving and vehicle needs.
By following these recommendations you should be able to get many trouble free miles from your automatic transmission. Remember these are just tips and recommendations. If you ever have a question about your transmission or any other system on your vehicle be sure to drop by Classic Motorsports and they will be happy to give you “no cost” advice on what you should do. We believe that informed drivers are the best drivers.
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6. How often do I need to have my brakes inspected and/or replaced.
Be very careful when dealing with your brakes. Depending on your driving style and make of car or truck your brakes may last a long time or need service or replacement much sooner.
At Classic Motorsports brakes are our speciality. From a BMW vehicle to a Land Rover you need to have someone with experience service your brakes.
Many of our technicians have racecar experience or have logged hours driving big rigs. We personally test each vehicle to feel what it needs in addition to a visual inspection.
We refuse to take money for brakes and parts when it is not needed. But as brakes are a safety concern we do thorough inspections offering you peace of mind on the road, whether it is to take the kids to school or to driving up on Cascade Mountains.
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