A: The timing belt is probably the single most overlooked maintenance item in cars. There are no sure telltale signs that the timing belt is worn until it breaks, which could be bad news in some models. Timing belts need to be replaced at intervals ranging from 30,000 to 105,000 miles, depending on the model. Not all cars have timing belts, so check your owner's manual for specific information.

The fuel filter is sometimes an overlooked maintenance item. Its purpose is to clean out impurities from the fuel before it gets into the fuel-injection system and engine. A neglected, clogged filter can cause poor fuel mileage or lead to expensive repairs in the long run.

Replacing the automatic transmission fluid is relatively inexpensive and can save on costly future repairs. As transmission fluid is subjected to extreme heat and stress, it loses some of its original qualities and becomes contaminated with small metal fragments as the gears wear. With today’s newer methods, this procedure typically does not involve removing the cover from the transmission, which is a benefit for the vehicle.

Lastly, tires are an item that we rarely consider until we are on the side of the road. Because they are a rubber-based product, they take the brunt of the extreme temperature changes. When they have been driven on cold roads all winter, sometimes the change to warm spring days can cause unknown tire problems to become apparent. It is a good idea to have all your tires, including your spare tire, inspected every spring and fall.

A: This is the new big question in the state of Oklahoma.  As of July 1, 2008, all gas stations had to post how much if any ethanol they are adding to their tanks.  Most states have had this practice, and most were already posting the amounts on the tanks.  Some newer vehicles are made to run on the fuel mixture.  But, not all vehicles are intended to run on gasoline/ethanol mixture.

We have seen problems with vehicles that have been running on the fuel mixtures.  These problems are things such as:  performance problems, running poorly, fuel pump failure, check engine lights coming on and catalytic converter failure.  All of these items can be affected when the ethanol in the fuel runs through the working items on the vehicle.

Putting real gasoline in your tank will make a difference in your engine performance and also in your fuel mileage.  You will likely gain 2-3 miles per gallon when you burn real gasoline.  After several of our customers came to us with concerns about their vehicles, we suggested they switch to real gasoline for a few tanks.  They reported back to us they were able to eliminate most of their complaints and had power restored to their vehicles.

Most gas stations that have real gasoline will likely have it posted out front.  It is a little difficult to find, and you might have to pay a few cents more per gallon, but if you compare that to the cost of some of those repairs, it really seems like a bargain.

A: Driving with your windows down and the air conditioning off consumes less gas than having the windows up and the air conditioner running.  This is absolutely true - that is, when you're cruising around town.

When you are driving across town, in stop-and-go traffic, it's more fuel efficient to drive with the air conditioning off, windows down.  When you have the air conditioning on, it reduces your car's fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent.  To achieve maximum fuel efficiency, motorists should avoid using the air conditioner at speeds below 40 mph and travel with their windows down.

But as your speed increases to 45 mph or highway speeds, wind drag becomes an issue.  Driving with the windows down increases the drag on your vehicle, resulting in decreased fuel economy by up to 10 percent.  Drive at speeds over 55 mph with the windows down, and you'll decrease fuel economy by up to 20 percent or greater.

Different cars react differently, and so the point at which you should roll up the windows and kick on the air will be different for each car.  Now you have to decide if you are willing to sacrifice a little comfort for fuel economy.

Here are a few tips to cool down your car faster:

• Park in the garage or shade and use a windshield shade.  Your car will be cooler when you first get in.
• Open your windows and vents to blow the hot air out faster before turning your air conditioner on full blast.
• Fan speed does not affect fuel economy.  Turn the fan on the highest setting to cool the vehicle down faster.  Then, adjust for comfort.
• Select your vehicle's recycle-inside-air feature.  It re-circulates the cooler inside air, rather than pulling in the hot outside air.

A: The timing belt is probably the single most overlooked maintenance item in newer cars.  There are no sure telltale signs that the timing belt is worn until it breaks.  If the timing belt breaks, pistons could collide with valves that are still open, wreaking havoc on your engine and perhaps ruining it completely.  Timing belts need to be replaced at intervals ranging from 30,000 to 105,000 miles or every 6-8 years, depending on the model.  Not all cars have timing belts, and some models have multiple timing belts. It is not uncommon for tensioner assemblies and the water pump to be replaced when the timing belt is replaced.  It is also a great time to have your service center examine the condition of your other belts and hoses.  Of course, there are many qualified independent service centers that can perform this repair for you as well.

A: One of the first things to check is your battery. Winter’s corrosion can act as insulation between the battery terminals and their cable clamps, disabling even the best electrical system.  It is a good idea to have the clamps cleaned.  If your battery is over 3 years old, it would be beneficial to think about replacement.

The air filter is another overlooked item.  This is your engine’s number-one dirt catcher.  It eventually loads up with minute particles that can restrict the free flow of air to mix with the fuel, and your engine becomes a gas-guzzler.   Over time, this could lead to additional running problems.

Don’t forget the coolant.  This is one of the hardest working fluids in your vehicle.  The coolant system should be flushed, and new antifreeze / coolant installed before the warmer weather if you didn’t have it done before winter.

Finally, your engine oil is likely to be more contaminated in the spring than at any other time of the year because of condensation formed in cold weather.  If it has not been changed within the last 3,000 miles, make sure you take care of it soon.

A: YES - There are still items under the hood that require visual inspection; that is something the monitoring systems of the car are not able to do for you.  With the approaching colder weather, rubber components like belts and hoses are vulnerable to deterioration.  Radiator and heater hoses, which circulate hot pressurized antifreeze/coolant throughout the engine, are also subjected to extreme under hood temperatures.  The drive belts are driven by an engine pulley to power accessories such as the alternator or air conditioning.  When a belt fails, one or all of the accessories may be

A: At this time of the year, all of us want COLD air.  One complaint is not enough air blowing.  Several newer model cars are equipped with a cabin air filter.  This is different than the regular air filter in you car.  The cabin air filter works like your home AC filter.  Its purpose is to filter air before it reaches the interior of the car.  Often we pull these filters out and find them full of leaves, dirt or grass.  Most car owners don’t even realize they have these filters or that they need changed at least every spring.  If they are full of debris, it can restrict the direct flow of air.

Hopefully, the lack of cold air is caused by your car being low on freon, or R134a.  The newer cars that are equipped to take R134a have precise measurements on how much is required for the AC system.  Most of the time, it is measured to the ounce.  We always recommend using an automotive facility for this service because of the equipment necessary to make these precise measurements.  Sometimes, even overcharging the system can cause the AC to not blow cold air.  At the auto facility, while having the AC system charged with freon, they should add AC oil and possibly AC dye.  This way, if there is some type of leak in the system, the dye will show the technician where there might be a leak and what repairs might be required.

A: A clogged fuel filter will strain your fuel pump and interrupt the smooth flow of fuel into your fuel injectors, causing them to perform less efficiently.  You won’t notice a dirty fuel filter on newer cars in the same way you would have in an old carbureted car, because modern flow sensors and other electronics will still allow the car to function.  While the car might run only slightly rougher, with a dirty, clogged fuel filter, all-out performance and efficiency of your car will suffer greatly.  And no, occasionally using a bottle of fuel injector cleaner does not excuse you from having the fuel filter changed once every couple of years.

A: The check engine light is a warning sign from your vehicle that “I need attention”! It is not necessary to return to the dealer.  A reputable auto repair center with a diagnostic computer can communicate with your car to find out where the problem is occurring.  A diagnostic computer connects directly to your vehicle’s computer and gives the technician a series of codes and definitions to the problem.  

After this information is discovered, your technician should be able to recommend a repair or service.  The check engine light could signify a serious problem.
 
We recommend having your vehicle checked at the first sign of a warning light.  Any warning light should be investigated.  A light never comes on that should be ignored.

A: We also recommend regular maintenance to your vehicle.  Changing and maintaining fluids is just one way.  Just as people need to have their systems checked and maintained as they grow older, so do cars.  During the regular use of your vehicle, the fluids that protect critical components wear out, causing unneeded corrosion and damage.  Harmful deposits sneak in and steal the life from your vehicle.

Allowing the dirty fluid to run through your vehicle can lead to serious problems in the future.  Dirty transmission fluids can actually ruin internal transmission components.  Old, broken down coolant can form into a phosphate scale that can coat the entire cooling system.  This can lead to radiator or water pump failure.

There have been many advances in the fluid change service.  It is always best to have a professional perform these services.  Most of the time, this can be done without vehicle disassembly.

During your routine oil change visits to your repair facility, all fluids and filters should be checked regularly.  Some fluids can be affected by your driving patterns and habits.  Most manufacturers recommend fluid changes every 36 months; however, if your fluids show signs of excessive break down, you may need to change them sooner.