Here is a short list of what we can do for your vehicle:
Air conditioning is not only use on hot day. It help to defogg your windsheld too.
All Factory Recommand Service air conditioning system to be checked and/or serviced every 2-3 years. They all slowly seep out by vibertion over time and an air conditioning system that's low is a bit like an engine that's low on oil. It won't usually break it right away but it can cause problems in the future that cost a lot more than just a service.
Tip to maintance your air conditioning system just turn on your a/c at Idle once a mouth for 1 min. It help lub the system parts and seals.
Smart-Save Auto Pro Have a High Performance air conditioning system service and recharge tools (Same as all Dealership use) and Done by our Factory certified technician.
Service will include:
Why change automatic transmission oil?
Oxidation is what wears out transmission fluid and oxidation is caused by heat. If the transmission fluid temperature never exceeded 170 degrees, it could in theory last 100,000 miles but if the temperature routinely exceeds this by 20 degrees, the oxidation rate doubles.
So at 190 degrees the replacement mileage would be 50,000 miles. But when towing a trailer through the mountains transmission temperatures can reach 210 to 260 degrees. If this type of towing was routine, the fluid change interval would be 20,000 KM. Stop and go driving also increases the temperature of the fluid.
If you had to rock your vehicle out of the snow numerous times the fluid may be oxidized. Oxidized fluid no longer lubricates the transmission sufficiently and will cause excessive wear.
How and when to change fluid
An automatic transmission oil change involves removing the oil pan, draining the fluid, replacing the gasket and topping up the fluid. This usually replaces only 3-4 Liter out of 13-15 total Liter total in the transmission. If the transmission fluid is oxidized, after a drain and fill it would still be 2/3 oxidized. A more thorough method is to flush the fluid in the transmission. New fluid is pumped into the transmission while the old fluid is pumped out resulting in 100% fresh transmission fluid.
Depending on the vehicle and driving conditions, Manufactory recommand 32,000 to 56,000 KM should be the interval for replacing the transmission fluid.
Keeping your transmission in good condition is part of the service we offer.
Brakes Have A Hard Life!
Every time you brake, all the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle is changed to heat by the brakes. Brakes operate in a very hostile environment, constantly picking up dirt and water and heating up and cooling down.
At Smart-Save Auto Pro Auto Repair Center we choose the best brake components for your vehicle. The quality is as good as or better than original.
This approach provides the best stopping power, longevity and quiet operation. When we service your brakes the job is done by an Factory certified technician.
If You Have Any of the Following Symptoms, Have Your Brakes Inspected:
* Squealing is not always indicative of a problem; it could just be dirt on the pads.
The Cooling System is designed to keep your engine at the proper operating temperature. There are two areas that this system can develop problems:
First, the coolant itself and, second, the parts that make up the cooling system. The engine is cooled by coolant/antifreeze mixed with water.
This mixture circulates around the engine, absorbing some of the heat. The coolant then flows through the radiator where air cools it down for the return trip back through the engine.
Your vehicles water pump is what drives this process.
After all those miles and years of pumping coolant, water pumps can also just wear out. You might notice a whining or grinding sound coming from the water pump. You may also see coolant leaking from the pump itself. The precise location of the water pump varies depending on the vehicle. Some have the water pump attached to the outside of the engine where you can see it. With these, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt. Others have the water pump driven by the timing belt. The timing belt cover often hides the water pump with this setup, so you can't see the pump without removing the cover.
Many radiators coming into the shop with leaks or clogged with deposits. Depending on the damage, we will clean, repair or replace. We also see radiator pressure caps that can no longer hold the proper pressure. We recommend replacing pressure caps when you change your coolant to avoid this problem.
Modern auto electrical systems demand lots of electric current. High energy headlights, heated mirrors, heated seats, rear window defrosters, power windows, power seats, powerful stereo systems and multiple computers all demand power. The battery and alternator are at the heart of the electrical system.
The alternator produces the electrical current to operate all the vehicle’s electrical devices and the current to charge the battery. The alternator produces alternating current which is then converted into direct current because all modern automobile electrical systems are a 12 volt DC system. The alternator is driven by a belt connected to the engine’s crankshaft pulley. The most common cause of an alternator not working is a broken drive belt.
The two main parts of an alternator are the stator and the rotor. The stator is made up of three sets of wire windings and is mounted in the alternator housing. The rotor is an electromagnet that spins inside the stator and generates an electrical current. There are two diodes connected to each of the stator windings to convert the AC current to DC. If one of the stator windings fails or one of the diodes fails, the alternator will only produce 2/3 of its normal output. The alternator is constantly spinning on two bearings and these may eventually wear out. This will produce a growling sound when the engine is running.
Most alternator problems require replacement with a rebuilt unit.
Automotive batteries are lead acid batteries which produce voltage and deliver current. They are made up of six cells, each producing 2.1 volts for a total full charge of 12.6 volts. Batteries are rated by cold cranking amps (CCA) which represents the current the battery can produce for 30 seconds at 0 degrees before the battery drops below 7.2 volts. The average rating for a battery today is about 500 CCA. The other battery rating is Reserve Capacity (RC). This measures the number of minutes that a battery at 27 degrees C can be discharged at 25 amps and maintain a voltage of 10.5 volts. The higher the RC rating, the longer the vehicle will operate if the alternator fails. If the vehicle sits for a number of days or a few weeks without being driven and the battery goes dead, this may be the result of a low reserve capacity battery.
Causes of premature battery failure are:
More than 30% of vehicles having batteries 3 years old or older experience battery failure. On average, batteries used in colder climates last longer than those used in warmer climates.
Maintance Your Battery and Charging System
Battery Performance check, Alternator output and Alternator dido check is important.
We have a specail tool to check your Battery and charging system. We can let you know how your battery and Alernator performance before they fail.
The fluids in your vehicle are like the blood and muscles of your body. In the case of engine oil, it provides lubrication for the moving parts, it transports dirt to the filter where it can be cleaned and provides pressure for working parts like valve lifters and chain tensioners. If it isn’t changed on time it turns to sludge and can block up oil passages like cholesterol blocks arteries, causing an engine to seize like a heart attack.
Power steering fluid circulates through the system at very high pressures of 900 psi or better. It provides the power to easily move the steering linkage like muscles would move a weight. As the steering system wears, metal particles accumulate in the fluid causing further abrasion in the system as they circulate through. There is no filter in the power steering system to remove these particles. When power steering fluid gets dirty it should be flushed out and all new fluid installed in its place. Manufatory recommand power steering fluid flush every 56,000 KM or 3 years. Sometime early cause power steering fluid be overheat.
The braking system of a vehicle operates under pressure. When the brake pedal is stepped on it pushes fluid by means of a piston in a cylinder called the master cylinder to the four wheel cylinders. Extra force is added by a power brake unit that operates on engine vacuum. Over time brake fluid will break down due to moisture build up and the build up of metal particles from the moving parts of the brake system. An increase in moisture content will lower the boiling point of the fluid which in extreme cases will cause the fluid to boil resulting in loss of braking pressure to the wheels and the pedal feeling like you are stepping on a ripe plum. It will also corrode the metal parts in the system. Brake fluid is hydroscopic which means it has an affinity to absorb moisture. There is no filter in the brake system. The only way to get the contamination out is to replace the entire amount of fluid by flushing it out with new fluid. Some clutches are hydraulically operated and fluid should be changed for the same reasons that brake fluid is changed. All manufatory recommand brake fluid flush every 48,000 KM or 3 years.
Manual transmissions use oil only for lubrication, not as a hydraulic fluid to operate components. As bearings and other metal parts wear the fluid transports the particles across a magnet which removes the steel particles but not the brass particles from the synchronizers. Also the oil over time loses its lubricating ability and it thickens. When this begins to happen it is time to replace the oil.
Automatic transmissions use fluid for lubrication and as a hydraulic fluid to operate servos and apply clutches. Many manufacturers are using synthetic fluids that require service less often. However when the fluid becomes oxidized due to age and heat, it needs to be changed. Flushing is the preferred method of replacing transmission fluid because 100% of it gets replaced.
The temperatures in the combustion chamber are around 1400 degrees F. This is above the melting point of the metals, so the heat needs to be transported out of the engine. This is done by circulating a liquid through the engine and then circulating it through the vehicle’s radiator where it is cooled for the next cycle. The coolant mixture contains additives to prevent corrosion in the system. Over time these anti-corrosion additives wear out and need to be replaced. When the metal parts of the engine corrode they form scale which in turn blocks up the small passages in the radiator, leading to increased likelihood of engine overheating that could cause serious engine damage. Most vehicles should have the coolant flushed at frist 100,000 to 150,000 KM, after than every 48,000 to 100,000 KM.
A well adhered to maintenance program pays off in numerous ways.
Keeping a vehicle up to 300,000 KM versus buying a new car more often, saves tens of thousands of dollars.
Keeping maintenance up to date keeps a vehicle much more reliable and less prone to a breakdown or emergency repair.
The maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual isn’t always complete.
Some car maker wants their car to be perceived as “low maintenance”, hence 15,000 KM oil changes, 150,000 KM spark plug changes and “lifetime” coolant.
It’s not what is best for the vehicle but it looks good in the glove box on the showroom floor.
We Recommand Maintenance Service Every Sencond Oil and filter Change.
The purpose of a timing belt, timing chain or timing gears is to keep the valves synchronized with the pistons.
The intake valves open to let the air fuel mixture into the cylinder, the valves are closed during the compression and power strokes and the exhaust valves are open during the exhaust stroke.
If the system loses its synchronization the valves are likely to hit the pistons and bend. A broken chain or belt is one thing that causes loss of synchronization.
Another is the premature failure of a tensioner or pulley. When this happens, major engine damage usually occurs.
In the 70s many engines used timing chains, but because of vibration and noise issues, many manufacturers began using rubber belts.
The positive aspect of belts is that they are smooth and quiet and the disadvantage is they periodically need to be replaced.
The mileage interval for replacing most belts is from 100000-150000 KM
Because timing belts are made of rubber compounds, age also causes them to get dry and cracked.
If a vehicle is not driven very many miles, timing belt replacement should be done at a 6-7 year interval.
Today, due to design improvements chains are becoming quieter and smoother and therefore we are beginning to see more new models using chains which in theory last the life of the engine.
Serpentine belts, also known as drive belts, provide power to the air conditioning compressor, power steering pump, cooling fan, air injection pump, and more.
If your vehicle's serpentine belt breaks, all of the engine parts it is powering will stop working and your engine could overheat and be damaged.
Smart-Save Auto Pro technicians look for cracks, wear, and stripping to determine if your serpentine belt is in danger of failing.
Like the timing belt, we recommend having your serpentine belt inspected every time you have your oil changed. Warning sounds include a screeching noise coming from your engine, especially during start-ups on cold mornings or on sharp turns.
Studies have shown that serpentine belts most often fail between 57,000 and 87,000 kilometers (or 36,000 to 50,000 miles). It's recommended to change your serpentine belt before this mileage.
Coolant hoses include the upper and lower radiator hoses plus heater hoses. Some cars include a bypass hose. Hoses provide a flexible connection for coolant flow between the engine, radiator, engine and heating block.
Tiny cracks can form from the inside that can eventually lead to a burst hose and overheated engine. Have your vehicle hoses and accompanying clamps inspected twice yearly.