GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — May is the best time of year to head to your favorite local mechanic to make sure your car or truck is safe, tuned and ready for the driving season. Michigan’s winter roads can wreak havoc on our cars, and a good local mechanic knows how to service them to make sure they’re as safe as possible.
Michigan auto law attorney Brandon Hewitt advised selecting a motor vehicle repair center that has good reviews on Google.
He said he made sure the facility has a certified mechanic who is certified in any or all of the following categories: (a) Engine Repair. (b) Automatic transmission. (c) Manual transmission, front and rear drive axle. (d) Front systems, suspension and steering. (e) Brakes and braking systems. (f) Electrical systems. g) Heating and air conditioning. (h) Engine tuning and performance. (i) Collision-Related Mechanical Repair. (j) Structural repair of the unified body. (See MCL 257.1305(1) and (2); 257.1310b(1))
Hewitt said the mechanic will perform an inspection of your vehicle, inform you of the issues that need to be fixed, give you an estimate of the recommended work, and then perform a tune-up on your vehicle based on the scope of the work and the costs you have. have approved
He shared a list of issues a mechanic should address while performing a tune-up:
- Tire pressure: Making sure your tires are properly inflated will help prevent them from wearing out faster. More importantly, underinflated tires can make it difficult to drive your car and cause you to lose control, which can lead to crashes and accidents.
- Wheel Alignment: Misaligned tires can cause vibrations in the steering wheel and affect the handling of your vehicle. It can cause your vehicle to pull to one side or the other. It can also damage your tires, causing them to wear out and need to be replaced sooner than they otherwise would.
- Brakes and Brake Pads and Brake Fluid: Check your: (1) brake pads and rotors because these are the parts of your brake system that come into contact with and physically apply the brakes and therefore you they allow you to slow down and stop. when you choose; and (2) change the brake fluid (if it is old, cloudy or milky) because it activates the braking system when you apply the brakes.
- Wiper Blades: Get new wiper blades to deal with the summer rains. Winter snow and ice will have affected the effectiveness of your existing blades.
- Fluids: Check all fluids, including power steering fluid, transmission fluid, brakes, and windshield wipers.
- Engine Coolant: Make sure your engine coolant levels are where they should be because coolant (a mixture of water and antifreeze) does the essential job of making sure your car’s engine doesn’t overheat (which is essential during long road trips or commuting during a hot Michigan summer)
- Coolant Hoses: Make sure the coolant hoses are in good condition with no damage, cracks or leaks. These hoses move coolant from the radiator to the hottest part of the engine. The superheated fluids are then returned to the radiator where the heat is released. The cycle repeats over and over.
- Hoses: Make sure all hoses, such as those supplying fuel and power steering fluid, are in good condition.
- Belts: Make sure all engine belts are in good condition, none are loose, and all are at proper tension. Belts control parts that are vital to the smooth running of your engine such as: (1) the alternator (keeps the car running once it’s started, powers the electronics and recharges the battery while the car is running let’s go); (2) water pump; (3) power steering pump; (4) air conditioning compressor; and (5) camshaft (which coordinates the opening and closing of the valve along with the firing of the pistons).
- Oil: Make sure your car has fresh and sufficient oil. An oil change is a good way to do this in the spring. Oil is vital to the proper operation and longevity of your engine because it lubricates the moving parts of the engine and reduces friction, thereby reducing engine damage.
- Oil Filter: Get a new oil filter. Its purpose is to remove particles and debris from the oil, keeping the oil clean. Contaminated oil can damage the engine parts it is supposed to lubricate.
- Spark Plugs – “Healthy” spark plugs are essential because without them, your car may not start and/or your engine may fail or misfire during acceleration.
- Engine Air Filter: The purpose of the filter is to prevent small particles such as dirt, sand or road salt from entering the engine where they could damage the engine. A clean filter improves fuel efficiency, meaning you won’t burn as much gas.
- Fuel filter: This prevents particles and debris from mixing with your gasoline, where they could damage your injectors. A clogged fuel filter could restrict fuel flow and make starting the vehicle difficult. It could cause the engine to stop working while driving. It could cause rough idling or cause your engine to “sponge” or “stumble” at lower speeds.
- Transmission: (1) Inspect seals and gaskets because cold, winter weather can cause them to shrink and possibly damage them, which can expose your transmission and transmission fluid to water, dirt, and the waste; (2) Make sure the transmission fluid level is where it should be and has not thickened due to the winter cold.
- Battery: Check that the connections are correctly placed and confirm that the battery is mounted correctly. Look for signs of corrosion. It is recommended to change the battery every five years.
If you need the help of an attorney, call 833-411-MICH or visit www.MichiganAutoLaw.com.
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