May Manager’s Minute

Posted by Mechanic on April 28, 2023 with 0 Comment

Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Vehicle

Spring is finally here, and with it comes Mother’s Day, a time to celebrate the special care and love that our mothers give to us. At Dearholt AutoCare, we believe that your vehicle also deserves a little extra care during this season. In honor of Mother’s Day and the arrival of spring, we’d like to share some maintenance tips to help you take care of your vehicle, so it can last for years to come.

Change Your Cabin Air Filter

Pro Tip: If you are prone to bad seasonal allergies, consider changing your cabin air filter more often. Especially before and after high pollen season.

Check Your Tires

As the temperatures start to rise, it’s a good idea to check your tire pressure and tread depth. Proper tire pressure can improve fuel efficiency and help prevent blowouts or flats. Additionally, when the tread is worn down, your tires won’t grip the road as well, which can be dangerous, especially in wet conditions.

Check Your Fluids

Springtime is an excellent opportunity to check your vehicle’s fluids, including coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and transmission fluid. Top up any fluids if they’re low, and if necessary, schedule a fluid flush to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

Get Your Battery Checked

Winter can be tough on your car’s battery, so it’s a good idea to have it checked in the spring. A faulty battery can lead to unexpected breakdowns, which no one wants. Get a battery test to help you ensure that your vehicle starts effortlessly each day.

Get Your Car Washed and Detailed

Your car deserves a little pampering, and it’s an excellent time to get your vehicle washed and detailed. A professional clean-up can help you identify minor issues that need attention, and it can also make your car look and smell great, boosting your mood and self-confidence.

Schedule a Spring Maintenance Check-Up Including Brakes

Let an experienced technician take care of your car’s springtime maintenance, you can schedule a spring check-up at Dearholt AutoCare. Our trained mechanics will examine your vehicle’s brakes, suspension, alignment, and more to ensure that it’s running at its best. This maintenance check-up will help you address any issues before they turn into bigger, more expensive problems.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day and the arrival of spring, it’s essential to take care of those things we value, such as our vehicles. By following these spring maintenance tips outlined here, you can prolong your vehicle’s life, improve your safety on the road and ensure the comfort of your ride. At Dearholt AutoCare believe that your vehicle is worth the effort, and we’re always here to help you keep it in top condition, year after year. Happy springtime, and cheers to all the moms out there who inspire us to care for what we love!

Should I Upgrade My Car Battery

Posted by Mechanic on January 1, 2022 with 0 Comment

Car Battery Upgrades

When that car battery finally gives up the ghost and it’s time to replace it, drivers have options. First, let’s be clear that you should always get a replacement battery that meets or exceeds your vehicle’s specifications. But you may have some special needs. When they first put the battery into your vehicle at the factory, they had no idea where it would end up over its life or how YOU would use it where you drive in New Mexico. That battery was chosen to meet the needs of a wide range of motorists. Replacement time is a good opportunity to talk to your service advisor at Dearholt AutoCare about how you use your vehicle so you can get just the right battery.

An obvious criterion is where you live, whether in or somewhere else. Cold starts require a lot of power from your battery. The colder the climate, the more power needed. This comes from a combination of cold sluggish oil and the slower chemical reaction within the battery itself when it is cold. If this sounds like you, talk to your service advisor Dearholt AutoCare about a battery with more Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).

The next consideration for drivers is reserve capacity. This is the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has under a particular load. If your driving is mostly short stop-and-go trips around Albuquerque, your battery may not have time to fully recharge while driving. You may need to tap into those reserves to get started again. Also, modern vehicles have a lot of always-on systems that draw on the battery – things like the security system, remote sensors, and vehicle computers. These combine with the electronic entertainment system, sensors, heated seats and even chargers for phones, tablets and computers to put a fairly high load on the battery. Your service advisor Dearholt AutoCare can give you advice on the reserve capacity you might need.

Most standard batteries are “wet-cell,” meaning they are filled with liquid battery acid. New Absorbed Gas Mat (AGM) batteries are “non-spillable” which makes them safer. They also have a longer life span and greater cycle life than wet-cell batteries. Off-roaders like these batteries because their performance is not affected by steep inclines and odd angles. They are also well suited for RV and boat owners.

Lastly, consideration for drivers is warranty. Premium batteries come with a longer warranty. Warranties are typically either full-replacement (the battery is replaced if it fails within the warranty period) or pro-rated (a partial credit is given for the failed battery depending on how far into the warranty period you are when it fails).

When the battery is replaced, your friendly and knowledgeable Dearholt AutoCare technician may need to recalibrate some accessories such as power windows and sunroofs. Also, some vehicles may need to have the battery registered into the engine computer.

Your Dearholt AutoCare service advisor can help you know how to decide which battery is right for you and your vehicle.

Fall Maintenance Essentials

Posted by Mechanic on September 28, 2020 with 0 Comment

Fall is here and there are some important maintenance tasks that you need to do on your vehicle. As the seasons change, weather can effect the performance of your vehicle. Some of the basics you should pay attention to include:

Battery Check. Summer heat is usually the cause of battery damage, but you may not realize it until it is too late. Get your battery checked as part of the season change.
Windshield Wipers. The dry summer may have zapped the life out of your wiper blades, get them checked and replaced before a surprise autumn storm makes you realize how bad they are.
Tire Pressure Check. You tire pressure goes down because cold air is more condensed. For every 10 degree drop in temperature, your tires go down by one pound of pressure. (1 PSI)

Get these items checked and more during your next maintenance visit to Dearholt AutoCare. Call us today to schedule your next service.

Category: Batteries