Prepare for Thanksgiving Travel

Whether your trip is 100 miles down the road or 1,000, it will pay to get your car up to speed on all of its regular maintenance. That means taking care of any fluids that may have been neglected while you were out enjoying the summer sun. Check, change and/or top off your oil, coolant, brake and transmission fluid as needed. In the case of your oil or automatic transmission, make sure you get a high-quality filter, too. It may seem like overkill to take care of all of your fluids at once, but it’s worth it in the long run.Take a look at the car’s brakes, too. Are your rotors warped or cracked? Do they have deep grooves or are the pads worn close to their minimum clearance? Your vehicle will be experiencing harsh conditions for much longer than your daily commute to and from work, so once again it’ll pay to nip any potential problems in the bud now.

Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving! Click here to schedule an appointment today  www.theautoanalyst.com

BREATHE CLEANER AIR

Before winter sets in is a good time to check your cabin air filer, after it's been working hard all spring, summer, and fall.  Cabin air filters clean the incoming air and remove allergens, and according to the Car Care Council, should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or per the owner's manual.

The cabin air filter helps trap pollen, bacteria, dust and exhaust gases that may find their way into a vehicle's air conditioning and heating and ventilation systems.  The filter also prevents leaves, bugs and other debris from entering the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) system.

a dirty or clogged cabin air filter can cause musty odors in the vehicle and cause contaminants to become so concentrated in the cabin that passengers actually breathe in more fumes and particles when riding in the car compared to walking down the street.  A restricted cabin air filter can also impair airflow in the HVAC system, possibly causing interior heating and cooling problems, important for staying comfortable this winter. Over time, the heater and air conditioner may also become damaged by corrosion.

Make sure you have your cabin air filter checked and/or replaced before heading off to grandma's house for Thanksgiving.  Call today to schedule appointment (530) 621-4591 or click to schedule online www.theautoanalyst.com our technicians are standing by to make sure you arrive to your Thanksgiving destination safely.

BELTS & HOSES - HAVE THEY BEEN INSPECTED OR REPLACED LATELY?

Many experts urge replacing belts, radiator and heater hoses at specific recommended intervals to prevent your car from breaking down.  Losing a belt today means big trouble for the engine because serpentine belts are used on most engines to turn the water pump, alternator, power steering and air-conditioning compressor.  If the belt snaps, everything is lost and you may be stranded.  Older cars use individual V-belts for these various accessories.  A blown hose results in an overheated engine and can cause additional engine damage.

ARE YOU AWARE?  According to a recent survey, nearly one-third of all cars and light trucks have belts or hoses that should probably be replaced.

Make sure you have your vehicle's belts and hoses inspected ASAP, especially if you are planning a trip for Thanksgiving.

THE AUTO ANALYST - Your One Stop Auto Repair Facility!

Filters & Fluids ~ Just how important are they

Your car's filters are important to the longevity of your car and interior comfort.  maximize your car investment by replacing filters regularly.

The oil filter traps contaminants, allowing the oil to flow through the engine unrestricted.  The fuel filter separates harmful contaminants that may cause problems with carburetors or intricate fuel injectors.  The air filter traps dirt particles, which can cause damage to engine cylinders, walls, pistons and piston rings.  The air filter also plays a role in keeping contaminants off the airflow sensor (in fuel-injected cars).  The cabin filter helps trap pollen, bacteria, dust and exhaust gases that may find their way into a car's ventilation system.

Filters are normal wear items that require regular checks and replacement.  Factors that affect replacement intervals include:

• Mileage
• Driving habits
• Driving and road conditions
• Type of filter
• Vehicle type

Some symptoms you may experience when one or more of the above filters are clogged and dirty:

• Poor gas mileage
• Hesitation while accelerating
• Musty odor in the cabin

ARE YOU AWARE?

Your car's engine can use more than 10,000 gallons of air for every gallon of fuel burned, so it's easy to see how big a job the air filter has.   Have your filter checked today. www.theautoanalyst.com

Extremely dirty and neglected air filter.

Notice the dirt that went by the air filter onto the air flow sensor.