The Right Time for an Auto Maintenance Reality Check

As the temperatures get colder and the days grow shorter, motorists may want to quiz themselves on what they know about modern automotive maintenance practices before they winterize their vehicles, advises John Kozak, Senior Service Specialist for AAA East Penn's Approved Auto Repair (AAR) program.

Over the years, maintenance practices and procedures change along with our automobiles. It is important for motorists to keep up with the latest advice on car care, including thoroughly reviewing the owner's manual for their vehicle.

Here are a few common questions which technicians at AAA approved repair shops often hear:

Do I really need to change my engine oil every 3,000 miles?
If I rotate my tires once per year, isn't that enough?
Is there any way to know if a belt or hose is going to break?
Is it best to flush and refill the cooling system every two years?
How often do I need a brake inspection?
Shouldn't I have the transmission fluid changed every 30,000 miles?

If a consumer has difficulty knowing the correct answers to these and similar questions about their car or truck, it's a good bet they need advice from a qualified and trust-worthy auto technician.

AAA East Penn independently inspects and approves qualified repair facilities. These facilities have satisfied AAA's requirements for customer satisfaction, technician training, service equipment, warranties and the use of quality parts. These shops also allow AAA to investigate and resolve any issues that might be experienced by a AAA member.

AAA Approved Auto Repair shops clearly identify themselves by displaying the AAR logo. The names and locations of AAR facilities can be found at www.aaa.com, or by calling AAA East Penn's AAR department for a list of facilities in your area.

Answers to common auto repair questions also can be found in a free brochure from AAA East Penn titles, It's Time for a Reality Check. Reading the brochure will inform car owners:

Under normal driving conditions, oil change schedules can be extended to 7,500 miles for many new cars.
As a general rule, it is best to rotate tires every 6,000 to 7,500 miles.
Belts and hoses show clear signs of wear and regular inspection can help prevent roadside breakdowns.
Coolant vary and many new cars come with an antifreeze that will last four or five years. The ordinary product found in most auto parts stores is good for only two years.
Brakes and brake fluid should be inspected when the tires are rotated.
Transmission fluid and transmissions have changed greatly. Some new cars are built with a fluid designed to last for the life of the car. Other vehicles require a transmission fluid and filter change every 30,000 to 100,000 miles.

For a free copy of It's Time for a Reality Check, stop by any AAA East Penn office or send a self-addressed, stamped, legal size envelope to: Reality Check, AAA East Penn, PO Box 1910, Allentown, PA 18105-1910.

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Published in the November/December 2001 issue of the AAA Traveler.