Canton Auto Repair Maintenance Shop

Doctors often use the quote “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” to encourage patients to eat a healthy diet.  We all know that maintaining a healthy diet will prolong our lives, boost our immune system, and help us feel our best.  Nutrients in our foods are vital to our body’s well-being.  So what does this have to do with your car’s well-being?  Everything!

Our vehicle will perform at it’s best when it’s properly maintained.  Just as our body needs nutrients to perform at it’s best, our vehicle needs healthy “nutrients” to perform at it’s best in the form of engine oil, transmission fluid, engine coolant, and other fluids.  Other critical items that will prolong and optimize your vehicle’s health are the air filter, spark plugs, and any other maintenance item referenced by the vehicle manufacturer.  It’s not uncommon to see well-maintained modern vehicles with over 300,000 miles.

Periodic fluid changes are vital to the well-being of your vehicle.  Sometimes the benefits of freshly replaced fluids or filters are noticeable immediately!  Newly replaced transmission fluid can often result in smoother shifts and softer engagements from Park to Drive or Park to Reverse.  In fact, some transmission problems are corrected when the transmission fluid is changed.  The same goes for power steering fluid.  Many power steering systems that exhibit jerkiness or noise issues when turning can be solved by simply changing the power steering fluid.  When it comes to engine oil, many engine failures are the result of neglect.  One of the more common examples would be a sludged engine that needs expensive repairs or even replacement simply because the oil wasn’t changed as often as recommended.  A neglected cooling system can sometimes lead to rust and scale build-up that can result in a clogged heater core or stopped up radiator.

Here are a few more examples.  Your vehicle’s engine needs three essential ingredients for optimal performance:  unrestricted airflow into the engine, sufficient flow of fuel, and a clean spark.  Your engine will breathe easier when the air filter isn’t clogged or the throttle body and other air intake passages are not gummed up with black, sooty carbon.  If your vehicle has a fuel filter, it can become clogged over time so the manufacturer offers a recommended change interval to maintain proper fuel flow.  When it comes to excessively worn spark plugs, the ignition system can’t provide the optimal spark that is needed to ignite the air/fuel mixture.  If the above are well maintained, they work in harmony to provide you with maximum fuel economy and horsepower.