Owning a car comes with the duty to keep it well-oiled. True enough, you must know a thing or two about tune-up if you want your vehicle to be roadworthy at all times. However, you have to draw the line when the need for professional auto service comes. Trying to repair or update your car on your own may have a number of adverse consequences. It Might Nullify Your Warranty
Most cars, particularly those that were purchased from a dealership, have warranty issued by either the manufacturer or the dealership. Warranty can come in handy when you suddenly need servicing for your vehicle while on a tight budget. This perk, however, is usually valid within a certain period and for select types of service. A warranty can be nullified when the conditions set by the issuer are breached. Generally, a warranty remains valid until repair is performed by a non-dealer qualified mechanic, done not according to the recommended times in the logbook, or carried out using the wrong parts. Simply put, if you try to fix or update your car by yourself, you are running the risk of breaching the contract and voiding the warranty. Your Insurance May Not Cover It It’s not just the warranty that is at stake when you choose to go DIY on your car repair or upkeep. You also risk not getting covered by your insurance. Most insurance policies cover simple repair work on vehicles, but major ones like modifications to the wheels and exhaust system may need to be consulted with your insurer. To be safe, just send your car to a certified car service provider. You Need the Job to Be Done Properly The changes you do to your vehicle can have a tremendous effect on its performance and safety on the road. The only problem is that if you’re not a professional technician, there’s a chance that you can do more harm to your vehicle than good, which could cost you your lives and the lives of your passengers. It’s true that there are some repair jobs that you can easily carry out on your own, but the major ones have to be left to the pro. DIY Takes Time Tuning up a vehicle takes time, especially when a lot of work has to be done and the one to do them is untrained. If you don’t have an extra vehicle that you can use while the other one is under maintenance, DIY can cause real problem. So if you want your vehicle to be available by the time you need it, just send it to a service center. Depending on the kind and extent of maintenance your car needs, it may take just a couple of days to finish. Sometimes, the work can be done much faster. Yes, it may cost you a little bit more to send your car to a service center, but it’s worth it. The last thing you need is a car that is only bound to break down at the most inconvenient time. With professional auto service provided by a leading service center in Portland, such as McLoughlin Chevy, you’ll have peace of mind throughout every journey. About McLoughlin Chevy: Mcloughlin Chevy is a go-to resource for the best Chevrolet models at MVP prices. When you visit our showroom, you’ll see a wide selection of Chevy units, each boasting great features that will make every journey fun and safe. We also offer GM certified used cars, parts, and accessories. When it comes to car repair and maintenance, there’s no better place in town that you can send your vehicles to than our service center. Sources: 8 DIY Car Maintenance Tips You Can Handle – Checklist, moneycrashers.com What Does an Auto Mechanic Do?, learn.org
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Just as your body needs blood and water to function properly, your car needs various kinds of fluid to operate as well. One fluid that is particularly essential to your car’s health is the motor oil. It lubricates the engine to reduce wear and friction as well as filter out contaminants, which could potentially harm the engine parts. Unlike gasoline, which is burned and replaced very often, oil can be resupplied into the engine over and over. However, oil isn’t made to last forever. Over time, it will accumulate debris and some of its contents will evaporate until all that is left is a thick, dark fluid that might cause severe damage on the engine. Here are some of the most prominent reasons why changing oil on a regular basis is crucial. Prevents Over-Heating Friction is the number one enemy of a car engine. This force created by rubbing two objects is known to produce heat. Unfortunately, a car engine works by forcing different parts to move and slide against each other, so you can imagine how much friction and heat it generates. By soaking these engine parts with oil while running, some of the heat generated by the moving engine parts are transferred to the oil, allowing the whole engine to cool down rapidly. Keep Particles and Sludge at Bay Your car engine is designed to be so compact that it has no room even for tiny debris. These debris, whether they come from an external source or from the worn parts themselves, can damage the engine as motor oil carries them around. This is why it is very important to have the oil replaced when it has already accumulated excessive amounts of debris. One good sign that the oil is due for changing is when the engine starts to make strange noises. Saves Energy and Increases Efficiency Dirty oil can slow down the engine because it no longer lubricates parts effectively. Regrettably, the amount of fuel the engine burns per given time remains the same. Meaning, the engine needs to work harder to accelerate when it has insufficient or contaminated oil in it. By changing your car’s motor oil regularly, you can enjoy speed and save fuel at the same time. Prolongs the Life of Your Car Don’t wait until every component of your engine gets all worn down before you send your car to a GM certified auto service provider in Portland for an oil change. Although some of your friends may suggest that you perform the oil change yourself, it is always better to have it done by a professional technician to avoid mistakes that might end up needing costly repair. Regular oil change can keep each part of the engine in top shape, consequently prolonging the life of your car. To make sure that you will be using the right motor oil on your engine, consult with a professional mechanic first. Usually, they’ll provide more information about oil change than the name of the best brand alone. If you’re lucky, they can even have a look at your engine and give some more professional advice, which most people could not get for free. About Mcloughlin Chevrolet: As a GM certified automotive service center, Mcloughlin Chevy is Oregon’s go-to resource for the best automotive car services, new or used vehicles, auto parts, and comprehensive information about the latest Chevy car models. Whether you want to purchase a new or pre-owned unit or simply want to experience our world-class auto repair and maintenance approach, you are welcome to stop by and check us out. "Honesty, Integrity is our No.1 Priority, When it comes to GM vehicles, you can count on us!" - Monty Eby - (Service Director – McLoughlin Chevrolet) Sources: What Does Motor Oil Do?, familyhandyman.com What is friction?, khanacademy.or In this age where DIY solutions are the norm, it seems like everyone wants to fix everything on their own. While learning a new repair technique or skill can come in handy sometimes, knowing when to call in the experts for help is also a smart move. When it comes to car issues with your GM vehicle, it is always a good idea to use a professional GM certified auto service in Portland because professional mechanics are equipped with the right tools and expertise. Here are some common car issues that you should leave to the experts: 1. Transmission Repair or Maintenance A car’s transmission has a lot of small, delicate parts, narrow passageways for the hydraulic fluids, and precise tolerances. Trying to dismantle everything to fix the problems yourself can only result in more damage. Transmission repairs are best left at the hands of skilled transmission specialists. Transmission maintenance needs like fluid changes and flushing should be done by a trained mechanic. One wrong move and you can botch the transmission, so let the experts fix the problem. 2. Engine Overheating Overheating sounds like a fairly common car problem that just about anyone can fix. The truth is, it is very dangerous and expensive to attempt the repairs at home. A mechanic first needs to diagnose the issues correctly and then they can start repairs. Unskilled DIY mechanics don’t have the skills or tools to do so. 3. Replacing Suspension Components The suspension is made up of different components like the bushings, struts, and arms. These may look easy to replace, but the repair process is actually very complicated and detailed. A lot of things can go wrong in a multitude of different ways. Amateurs might even forget about the amount of force a compressed coil spring holds and put themselves in danger, not to mention the specific order of how the different pieces go back in their proper place, which, only an experienced mechanic knows how to carry out properly. 4. Timing-Belt Replacement Every GM car owner should know that their car is due for a timing-belt replacement every 60,000 – 100,000 miles of travel. This car maintenance must-do can cost up to $1,000 which makes it even more tempting to do it at home. However, the amount you might think you’re saving can only result in more expenses down the road and even put you at risk of accident. Timing-belt replacement done wrong can heavily damage the engine which can escalate the repair cost up to $3,500. No one wants that. Trust an GM certified Auto Shop in Portland for Repairs At first it may seem like you’re saving yourself a lot of money by attempting to do these repairs at home, but it can easily go wrong. Without the proper skills, training, and tools you can do a lot of damage to your car and even put yourself in danger while trying to “fix” the problem. Instead of trying to get your hands dirty, let the experts at Mcloughlin Chevrolet do the repairs. All car parts used at the Mcloughlin Chevrolet auto repair shop are high-quality and genuine. It is a promise that cars sent for repairs and maintenance come out looking and working like they’re brand new. Here you can always expect timely and professional services. We make sure all customers feel welcome, no matter what their car concerns may be. "Honesty, Integrity is our No.1 Priority, When it comes to GM vehicles, you can count on us! " - Monty Eby (Service Director – McLoughlin Chevy)
Sources: Five Car Problems You Shouldn’t Fix Yourself, TheCarConnection.com Not So DIY: 6 Auto Repairs You Can’t Do Yourself, RCAutoSpecialists.com |
about usMcLoughlin Chevrolet is your number one Chevy dealer serving Portland, Oregon and nearby areas. We have the widest array of vehicles available, so whether you’re looking for new or used cars, electric cars, trucks, SUVs, and more, we have them. We even have the parts and service to help keep your Chevy in tiptop shape. Our flexible financing schemes ensure that you get to drive home the car of your dreams, regardless of your financial standing. What more can you ask for? Feel free to use our online search tools to find the car you want, then drop by our location to test drive the car and seal the deal. Archives
November 2018
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