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JULY FLUSH SPECIAL
American Pride Automotive • July 1, 2014
Think back to your vehicle’s last service appointment. Did the auto technician recommend any maintenance that wasn’t quite critical (as in, if you don’t fix this, your car won’t start) but still important for long-term car care?
Service procedures like flushes, filter cleanings, lubrications and alignments are easy to pass up when faced with an extra fee, but all of these measures help prevent bigger, more costly repair needs in the future. We understand. That’s why we are offering $21 off of any vehicle flush during July. This special offer includes flushes of the transmission, cooling system, brakes and power steering system. If your vehicle needs a flush, now is the perfect time to schedule your appointment at American Pride. Not sure? Check out these reasons to flush various vehicle systems.
Transmission
While many people understand the importance of changing the transmission filter and fluid, fewer get the transmission flushed. This is a problem because, though filter and fluid changes help keep the unit clean, debris still builds up over time. To keep the transmission function long into the future, a flush should be performed about every 30,000 miles.
Cooling System
A vehicle’s cooling system keeps it running smoothly in all weather conditions and maintains the temperature of the engine. Coolant is like blood to the cooling system and as the fluid gets older, it loses its viscosity. In the meantime, the pipes and equipment that make up the cooling system experiment a buildup of gunk and grime. A coolant flush, performed about every 25,000 miles, sloughs out the gunk and makes room for fresh coolant.
Brakes
Brake fluid is your brake’s best ally against wear and tear and makes it possible for a vehicle to stop safely and efficiently. But just like the other fluids that keep a car in great working order, brake fluid accumulates dirt and loses its effectiveness. To be safe, a brake flush should be performed every 3 year (varies based on the make, model and condition of the car).
Power Steering
Though once a luxury option, most vehicles today are equipped with power steering systems that increase the ease and preciseness of steering. It is vital to the health of your steering system and the safety of your family to flush the system and refill it with new fluid about ever 2 years. Otherwise, grime will build up in the fluid and eventually oxidize power steering components.
Your vehicle may not need all of these flushes, but if you passed any of these recommendations by at its last service visit, be sure to take advantage of American Pride’s $21 off promotion. We are here for you. Call, contact or stop by any of our three locations in Newport News, Williamsburg or Toano in the month of July.
We want to say thank you to all of our healthcare and first responders. Please accept this specialized offer.
You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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For July, August and September, $5.00 from every State Inspection performed was set aside for this quarter's community: star Hospice House & Support Care of Williamsburg.