Welcome to our Car Basics series! This is my first of many short videos that I created to help you understand the most basic questions people ask (or are too embarrassed to ask) about their vehicles.
In today’s video, I’ll show you how to check your oil and how to top it off, if needed.
Leave a comment and let me know what you think! I’d also love to know any other questions you might have that I might be able to cover in a future post or video.
Enjoy!
-Jeff Matt
One of the most common questions I hear in the automotive repair industry is, “How often should I (really) change my oil?”
Over the last few years this has become an especially big topic with newer cars and advances in synthetic oil technology. I have read news articles, blogs and social media threads that suggest ranges everywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 miles. Some say every 3,000 miles is excessive, some say they always change it every 3,000 miles – others say they just wait for their cars onboard computer system to tell them when the oil change is due.
In an article I was reading last week, the author said you can really go 10,000 miles on today’s oil…BUT he never specified what kind of oil or any outside factors.
So if I am a consumer with so many mixed messages from so-called “reliable” sources in the media…what is the truth? How often should I really change my oil?!
To find out, you must consider two important factors: the type of oil you use and where and how you drive.
Types of Oil
Perhaps you never knew that there are different kinds of oils that can be used in your vehicle. So, the first thing we need to do is clarify the difference between traditional oil, blended oil (used in the majority of vehicles in the U.S.) and synthetic oils. Think of them as good, better, best – in that order.
To begin with the best, synthetic oils are superior to standard oils and will not break down as frequently. They cost more and will last longer and hold up especially well in extreme temperatures. When you see articles suggesting that you can go longer in between oil changes, this is true WHEN you are using synthetic oils.
Traditional oil is produced by distillation and further refining of existing crude oil stock and is not used as often in vehicles as blended oil. A blended oil takes some of the added benefits of synthetic oils against breakdown and combines it with traditional oil while still remaining economically affordable. This makes for a better quality oil that better protects your engine, especially if you have older or higher mileage vehicles. Most service centers use blended oil for standard oil changes.
Driving Conditions
In many service manuals, the extended (5K or more) oil change frequencies are in “normal” or “ideal” operating conditions. If you drive in heavy stop and go traffic, make frequent short trips under ten miles, especially in cold weather conditions (like in Minnesota), or make frequent long distance trips in hot weather at highway speeds…you are driving your car in extreme conditions.
If you are a person who drives in extreme conditions (like a cold Minnesota winter) and used blended oil, you would do best to stick to the recommended 3,000 miles between oil changes or ask your service advisor at your local repair shop for his or her thoughts on your specific vehicle.
So what happens if you wait too long in between oil changes?
If you have ever looked at the oil from a car (that had a standard oil change using blended oil) that had five or six thousand miles since the last oil change, you’ll see the danger right away. Often times, especially on vehicles that are five or ten years old, the oil comes out extremely black in color, and sludge-like – or so low that the engine is starting to ping or knock.
Is it really worth it to push your car to the limit? Consider this scenario: imagine you weighed 200lbs and decided go bungee jumping. You were given the choice of a rope that can handle a person up to 250lbs or another rope that could handle someone up to 450lbs. Which would give you the most peace of mind? I prefer to have a bit of a safety net and use that same philosophy with changing my oil. If you really want to consistently push your car to 5,000 or 6,000 miles or beyond between oil changes, I urge you to keep reading.
In a perfect world where we could all drive brand new cars, afford premium synthetic oils and drive in “ideal” conditions, this higher frequency of 10,000 miles would be true.
However…….there are a few big flaws in changing your oil every 10,000 miles or just waiting for your car to notify you when it is due. What if your car burns oil, leaks, there is a fault in the onboard notification system, or it has one of the many “other variables” that come into play with car ownership?
Often times, the only time people bring their car into an automotive shop is for repairs, concerns, or oil changes. Bringing your car into a full service automotive center on a regular basis, or every 3,000 miles is like taking your car to the doctor’s office for a check up or physical. An honest, reputable shop will inspect your vehicle when in for fluid leaks and go over any concerns or potential problem areas before they arise. There is no coincidence that the people who bring their car in for oil change service every 3,000 (or 5,000 with synthetic) miles have cars that run better, longer and are more reliable.
Preventative maintenance will always save you the most money and get the most out of your investment. If you are a person who insists on waiting longer intervals between oil changes, I encourage you to at least have your car inspected in between oil change intervals. Most shops offer this service for a very reasonable rate and it might just save you from a costly breakdown or unexpected large repair bill. As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry – especially when it comes to your vehicle!
Feel free to give me a call, shoot me an email (chan@victoryautoservice.com) or visit me at our Chanhassen location. I, or any of our managers, would be happy to talk with you about the specific needs of your particular vehicle.
Drive safely!
A major highlight for us each month at Victory Auto are the Car Care Saturdays that we host every other week at our Fridley and Ham Lake shops in cooperation with Free to Be, Inc. (Free2B!).
This past Saturday’s event was sponsored by the Sam’s Club in Fridley. They supplied pizzas for all of the volunteers and recipients.
Four volunteers came out to help repair three vehicles, and a 2001 Ford Escape was given to local resident Charita, who was thrilled to finally have a reliable vehicle to help her get to work each day.
We’ve been partnering with Free2B! since 2003. This incredible non-profit organization has helped to give away more than 800 cars and coordinate thousands of car repairs for Anoka county residents in need.
For Gary Levine, Free to Be’s new president who has been involved with Free2B! for years, this was the first Car Care Saturday that he oversaw as president, and it was another great success!
To find out more about the excellent work Free2B! is doing in our community and how you can help, visit their website or stop in and talk to any of the VA staff.
Doing good feels great!
-Jeff
Do you really need to warm up your car in the winter before you drive it? If so, why? And for how long should you warm it up?
These are all great questions I hear often. Before I answer, let me pose a question back to you: What compels you to start your engine a few minutes before leaving home or work during the cold winter? For most, the first response is that they want to enter a warm, comfy vehicle. (Especially on a frigid, Minnesota, January morning!)
There are likely some of you more “experienced” or “seasoned” drivers out there who remember setting their alarm clocks for the middle of the night, just to get up and start your vehicles to be sure that your cold blooded car would still start for you in the morning, ensuring you get to work. This crowd may feel that even though today’s vehicles start much better, they still must be warmed up for some time prior to cold morning departure, but unless you have an older vehicle, a long warm up time isn’t necessary.
In this day of remote car starters, most of us love entering a warm vehicle on a crazy cold winter day. But you should know there is one small negative to warming up your vehicle and that is fuel consumption. With so many of us looking to squeeze out more and more miles out of every tank of gas, you need to be reminded that you are getting ZERO miles per gallon when your vehicle is just idling.
Here are a couple points to keep in mind:
1. Thirty to sixty seconds is all your vehicle needs to “get going” in the morning. This is the amount of time required of you to be doing what you normally should do on every start up anyway, and that is checking your rear view mirror and outside mirrors, buckling your seat belt, adjusting your seat and setting your heat/defrost controls.
2. Here is something that you may not know: your car actually warms up much faster by driving it than it does by just idling. Just drive it slowly in the beginning of your drive.
3. Here’s an idea for those of you who would like to have both a warm vehicle and not waste fuel, and it is called a engine heater. An engine heater keeps your antifreeze warm throughout the night by use of a heating element that gets plugged in to a standard wall outlet at night. You just plug your car in at night and unplug it in the morning! A warm engine in the morning also requires less fuel to get started and helps your engine oil lubricate better during startup, meaning less initial wear and tear on your engine and longer life. An engine heater can be installed on most vehicles for around $150-200 dollars.
One extra note: try to keep hard acceleration to a minimum during your engine warm up period (first five minutes of driving). This will extend the life of your vehicle as well.
Happy driving!
-Jeff
For years, our customers have been suggesting that we offer holiday gift certificates, and though we were a little slow to get to it, we’re finally offering them this year! You can buy gift certificates in any amount – for yourself or for a friend – and for every $50 you spend, you’ll receive an extra $5.
Picture how happy your friend or family member will be when their car breaks down or is due for service, and they then suddenly remember that you gave them a gift card to Victory Auto. What a perfect gift for a young driver, a practical-minded friend – or even for yourself! You can plan ahead by purchasing gift certificates for yourself, and then when your vehicle is due for service, you’ll be all set – and have saved money in the process!
We’re happy to help you with your gift-giving this year by putting together a gift certificate for you in any amount. We look forward to being a part of your holiday celebration this year!
Have you ever had your vehicle break down…in the winter?
Breakdowns are scary enough without also having mounds of snow and freezing temperatures to add to them. The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in the cold, harsh winter weather. But there’s a simple way to make sure that your vehicle is ready to tackle the cold: winterize it.
Winterizing your vehicle should be a top priority. Not only will winterizing your vehicle help you and your family stay safe this winter, but it will save you from the unexpected expense of emergency repairs, giving you peace of mind each time you start your car.
Victory Auto and the Car Care Council recommends the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:
- Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
- Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
- Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.
- Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
- Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.
- If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
- Have the brakes checked. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.
- Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.
- Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and that headlights are properly aimed.
- Check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snowbrush, jumper cables, flashlight, flares, blanket, extra clothes, candles/matches, bottled water, dry food snacks and needed medication.
If you need help with any of these steps, we would be happy to give you a hand. Just give one of our managers a call and let them know that you’d like to winterize your vehicle. We have an inexpensive 40 point Peace Of Mind inspection ($18) that will look over each of the points just listed and let you know if your vehicle is winter-ready. Or if you’re handy with vehicles, you can do many of these things on the list yourself!
Feel free to give us a call with any questions. Your safety is our highest priority, and we’d love to help in any way we can.
Happy Winter Driving!
-Jeff
Nobody Ever Expects to Breakdown on the Road. Are You Prepared This Winter?
Without fail, as I have had the opportunity to travel over the years and meet people, most share the same response when they find out where I am from: “You’re from Minnesota? Isn’t it, like, REALLY cold there?” Then the next question is always, “How do you people deal with the cold weather and snow?!” Our typical, proud Minnesotan response goes something like, “Well, we are used to it. We wear warm clothes and do our best to be prepared for the cold.”
The truth is that expectation and preparation are key to us making it through our long, cold winter season.
Shockingly, in 24 years of being in and around customers’ vehicles, I have seen only a small handful of people with an Emergency Winter Car Kit in their vehicles. Most of us are not really prepared for roadside issues – especially serious ones. And it’s really not that hard to pull these supplies together. Many of us have most of these things lying around our garage.
I have compiled a comprehensive list for an emergency kit for year round driving, then added a second list to be added to the first for winter driving. At the end I have a couple links that will connect you to some good kits that you can purchase online, if you prefer.
Year Round:
- Sleeping Bag or Emergency Blanket
- Jumper Cables
- Basic First Aid Kit
- Tow Rope
- Duct Tape
- Flares or Reflective Hazard Triangles
- Small Fire Extinguisher
- Bottled Water (Most people can survive many days without food, but only a few days without water!)
- Non-perishable, High Energy Food (protein bars, trail mix, beef jerky, granola bars)
- Fix-a-flat Inflator and Sealer
- LED Flashlight with Separate Batteries
- Emergency Whistle
- Roadmap
- SOS Banner
Winter Additions:
- Chemical Hand Warmers
- Shovel (Metal is best)
- Extra Hat, Mittens & Boots
- Waterproof Matches, 3 lb Coffee Can and Candles (To melt snow for drinking)
- Bag of Kitty Litter (In case you get stuck, you can sprinkle it on the snow to create extra traction.)
Optional Extras:
- Small Battery-powered Radio
- Small Tool Kit with Fuses
- Pencil & Paper
- Disposable Camera (Accident damage documentation)
- Kids Books or Games (Down time entertainment)
Many of these items you may have around your home already – if not then I have found a couple options online that will cover most of this list. You can simply purchase these two kits directly or spend some time to find other sources.
Where To Carry Your Emergency Kit
The most logical place to store your emergency kit would be the trunk, but the problem is that if you’re in a collision that damages the rear end of the car, you may not be able to get the trunk open. Instead, carry your emergency kit in a small duffel bag stored in the passenger’s footwell, where it can be easily accessed by the driver (and where it won’t become a projectile in a collision).
Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Kit ($49.95): http://bit.ly/oribtf
AAA 65-Piece Winter Severe Weather Travel Kit ($35.95): http://amzn.to/v2lpsM
Safe Travels and Happy Thanksgiving!
Jeff
Have you ever had a crack in your windshield and written it off as not a big deal? Or maybe you chose not to fix it because of how expensive you thought it would be.
You’re not alone! Over the years I’ve talked with quite a few customers about fixing or replacing their windshields, when we’ve found a crack or chip in them. When I share this information with customers, I often see them clam up or seem hesitant to talk about it. This used to surprise me, because fixing or replacing a windshield is, many times, one of the simplest and cheapest (often free!) repairs we do.
I found out from asking, that most hesitate because of the thought of dealing with their insurance company, because that usually means one thing……rates go up! In reality, rates rarely go up as as a result of replacing your windshield. Once I realized the source of their stress, it became a little easier to talk to people about their glass needs and ease their tension about dealing with insurance companies.
There are all kinds of myths out there about getting your windshield fixed. Many people think it’s not a critical thing to get fixed, it will cost a bundle, it will be a major hassle with the insurance company to get it set up, and it will take a huge chunk of time out of their day to get it done. But that’s not the case.
I recently sat down with our glass manager, Patty (who, in my opinion, is probably the best in the business), and I asked her to dispel these glass myths by sharing the facts. Here’s what she had to say:
Myth #1: It’s always expensive to get my glass fixed or replaced.
Many times, though not in all situations, your windshield is covered 100% by your auto insurance with no deductible, and your rates will NOT go up should you choose to get it fixed or replaced.
How can you find out if your insurance covers your auto glass? You can call them, or if you’d like, you can give us the information, and we’d be happy to call and check for you!
Myth #2: I have to get my auto glass repaired at the business that is recommended to me by my insurance company.
Minnesota state law states that you have a right to choose who does your auto glass. No one can tell you where you have to go to get it done.
Myth #3: I’ll have to call my insurance company to figure all this out, and it’s such a hassle to deal with them!
Many auto glass companies, including ours, are happy to figure out everything with your insurance company for you. You call us, we call them, it’s all taken care of. All your insurance company will need from you is a simple confirmation that you want that particular glass company to do the repair or replacement and that you’re comfortable with the suggested solution.
Myth #4: “What about the hassle of having to bring my car in? And how long does it take to get my glass fixed?
Again, many auto glass companies, including ours, provide mobile glass replacement and repair. That means the company comes to where you are at to fix or replace your glass, as long as the weather is cooperating.
So, if you make an appointment to have your glass replaced one day while you’re at work, you let the glass technician know where your vehicle is parked, and the tech lets you know when he or she will come out. You come out to your vehicle at the end of your workday and Voila! – your new glass is ready and waiting for you. Most times, it’s a simple, quick fix. You can also chose to bring your vehicle in to the shop to have it repaired.
If you don’t know whether your glass should be repaired versus replaced, no worries. Simply make an appointment for the glass specialist to come out (or bring in your vehicle), and he or she will know what needs to be done. Not all chips or cracks are the same. Most reputable companies will try and repair the windshield, if possible, before recommending a replacement.
Myth #5: It’s just a crack. It can’t be that big of a deal if I just leave it.
If you already have a crack started, chances are when you hit bumps or potholes, or when you turn your defrost on during one of our cold Minnesota mornings, that crack will continue spreading across your window. Besides being dangerous, it is also a reason for the police to pull you over and possibly ticket you if it is obscuring your vision.
So, in the end, having your auto glass repaired or replaced is far simpler than most people know. Just do your homework while looking for a reputable shop so you can prevent yourself from having a bad experience. If you have questions, Patty would be happy to give you free advice with no obligation. You can reach her at 763-786-6920 or you can email her at patty@victoryautoservice.com.
Drive safely!
Jason
How many of you change the furnace filter in your home when you’re supposed to? Maybe some of you do. But for me, and I’m sure a lot of other people, we tend to forget to do this until something bad happens to our furnace, or we happen to remember someday after it’s long past due to change it.
Even though we know neglecting it will cause performance issues, we either forget on accident or we forget on purpose, because we don’t want to deal with it or we figure it will be fine.
Well, your vehicle is similar. I know for a lot of people it’s hard just to remember to get your oil changed, much less to remember ALL the other things you should be doing to maintain your vehicle. So, to give you a hand, I have wrote down some of the top things that people overlook most often.
1. Inspect your belts and hoses.
Keeping an eye on your belts and hoses will help you catch them before they deteriorate and give you problems. A belt or hose failure can definitely leave you stranded, and either one failing can potentially cause major engine issues.
2. Keep your air filter and fuel filter clean.
Both of these parts clean out impurities before they get into your engine. Replacing a fuel filter will prolong the life of your fuel pump as well as helping you get more miles to the gallon. A clean air filter also helps with fuel mileage and engine performance, in addition to keeping the air you breathe in your vehicle, clean.
3. Inspect your brake fluid.
Have your brake fluid flushed every two years or less. Brake fluid absorbs moisture, and moisture in that system can rust out the insides, leading to an expensive repair later.
4. Change your transmission fluid.
Changing transmission fluid is relatively inexpensive and can save you from costly transmission repairs in the long run. (Some transmissions are sealed, which means they’re not serviceable). Most automatic transmissions should get serviced every 30,000 miles or as specified by your vehicle’s manufacturer. Refer to your owner’s manual for any and all service needs or talk to your auto technician.
These are just a few things that, if maintained properly, can save you hundreds if not thousands in repairs. Some things we just can’t afford to forget!
Drive safely!
-Jason
One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about auto repair shops is that they want you to do lots of unnecessary repairs and maintenance, just so they can make an extra buck. Ok – I’m not saying that there aren’t shops out there like that, because there definitely are. But in our case, and in the case of well-rated, certified auto repair shops, it’s just the opposite.
We’d prefer to see you spend a little money now to save a LOT of money later.
Think about it: A doctor doesn’t tell you to come in for regular checkups and get regular testings just to make an extra buck. Those in the medical profession want to help you get and stay healthy now so that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars and weeks of time in surgeries and treatments later. They truly care about your health, and heeding their advice now will save you time, money and pain in the long run.
Think of us as your vehicle’s doctor.
When your service manager or technician lets you know that you need to replace your tires, for example, it’s for a good reason. He or she knows that your tire is dangerous and will not keep you safe on the road. By choosing to not fix it, you may be putting yourself in serious danger and may end up in an accident that costs you far more than the cost of replacing your tires.
We see this happen all of the time. A simple, small fix, ignored, turns into a huge, costly fix later.
The other week, we had someone bring in their car with major engine damage. The cause? The customer had chosen not to replace their timing belt, when the repair was suggested. A several hundred dollar repair suddenly shot up to a several thousand dollar repair.
We understand that sometimes it’s just not financially possible to make a needed repair or scheduled maintenance. Don’t be embarrassed to talk to us about it. We care. And there are options. We can often work with used parts or put together financing options to make your repair possible and affordable.
We also always have coupons posted on our website and on our Facebook page and send out monthly emails with coupons to help cut down costs. As my good friend, savings guru and Victory Auto customer Carrie Rocha says, we want to help you “pocket your dollars” and only spend what you need to.
Taking care of things – when they’re just little things – can keep them from becoming big things. Let us help you save money, time, and hassle by keeping your vehicle in great health. It’s worth it!
Happy Driving!
-Jeff
