Lexus of Englewood's Auto Tip of the Month



Winter Car Care Month

March is Car Care Month, a time for all drivers to prepare for winter by ensuring their vehicle maintenance is up to date. Car batteries are especially vulnerable when temperatures drop. At 0°F, available cranking power can be less than half of what it would be at 80°F. Also, engine oil thickens when cold, requiring the battery (already in a weakened condition) to supply about twice the power to start the engine. This is the formula for a no-start condition.

Cold temperatures reduce your battery’s efficiency and its ability to crank the engine. As compared to a battery at 80°F, a battery at 32°F is approximately only 65% as efficient and just 40% as efficient at 0°F. Cold temperatures thicken the engine oil, which makes it tougher for the battery to crank and start the engine. As compared to an engine at 80°F, an engine at 0°F takes approximately 2X times the power to start it.

 

Please ask your service consultant for a free battery inspection.
Call our service department at 201-568-6970 for an appointment or if you are in the neighborhood stop by.

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Cooler Temperatures Require Additional Maintenance

Battery- Most car batteries today are maintenance-free, sealed and can last more than three years. The first sign your battery should be replaced is often trouble starting the engine. Ask to have a battery test done at no charge when you come for service.

Tires-A car tire inflated to 35 pounds per square inch (psi) can lose one psi every month or for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change, so your car maintenance checklist should include checking tire pressure. Find the recommended level in the owner's manual or on a sticker on the driver's side door jamb. And don't forget the spare. Rotate tires every 5,000 miles and or 6 months to prevent uneven wear, balancing tires periodically helps avoid vibration and increases tire life. Replace them when they become worn and have the alignment checked if the car pulls to either side when driving or if you notice uneven tire wear.

Engine oil-Checking and changing oil is critical to keep today's engines running properly and efficiently. Follow manufacturer guidelines for changing the lubricant - generally, every 5,000 miles or three to six months.   Check the oil level with the engine off and the car parked on a level surface. Open the hood, remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth or paper towel, then return it to the oil reservoir. Take it out again and see whether the level is within the acceptable range marked on the dipstick. If you add oil, don't overfill, which can damage the engine.

Coolant levels need to be checked monthly. To check coolant level, turn the car off and wait for the engine to cool. Locate the coolant reservoir (usually a translucent plastic tank) and eyeball the level of the coolant against the full and low indicators.

Power steering fluid-Power steering fluid should be checked monthly along with all nec. under hood fluids. If you have a power steering fluid reservoir, check the level visually; otherwise, follow the dipstick method. Low power steering fluid may indicate a leak, so have your Lexus technician take a look.

Brakes and brake fluid-Check to ensure that brake fluid levels are within tolerance. How often you need to replace brake pads or other components depends on how you drive and typical driving conditions. Warning signs of a brake problem include noise, vibration or "grabbing" when you apply the brakes. Working on your brakes is a job probably best left to the professionals at Lexus of Englewood.

Air filter-Basic car maintenance suggests changing your air filter each year or every 12,000-15,000 miles. A clean air filter can help your engine "breathe" better and improve gas mileage and reduce harmful emissions.

Windshield wipers and wiper fluid- Windshield wiper care is one of the most neglected basic car care tips. Replace the blades every six to 12 months or whenever the rubber becomes worn. Check the wiper fluid reservoir every week or so and keep it full.

Headlights and brake lights -With your car turned on and parked, have someone walk around to see that your lights are working - headlights, brake and tail lights, turn signals, etc. Replacing bulbs in today's vehicles can be a challenge. Have one of our technicians do the job, particularly replacing and aiming headlights.

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Have a safe Winter Season!