Automotive Excellence FAQs

Engine oil is a very integral part of your engine function. The engine oil keeps the metal surfaces of your engine from grinding together and causing damage.

Engine oil also holds all the by-products of combustion, such as silica and acids in suspension. It keeps the engine clean of chemicals and build-up and keeps moving parts coated in oil. It also keeps parts from exposure to oxygen and oxidation.

As the chemical compounds in the engine oil begin to break down from mileage and constant exposure to high heat, they lose the capacity to clean and lubricate the engine properly and begin to oxidize. If oil changes aren't done regularly, the oxidized oil will start to turn to sludge.

This can cause many problems with your engine performance, even causing the engine to seize, or freeze up in extreme cases. Keeping your oil clean is the first and most important step you can take in prolonging the life of your engine!

In most gas engines, it is recommended that you change your oil and filter every 3 months or every 3,000 miles.

f you haven't maintained your vehicle, or you have just purchased a used car and are unsure how well the vehicle was maintained prior to your purchase, a complete oil system flush is the answer.

It will safely remove potentially dangerous sludge, varnish and gum deposits and help free sticky valves and piston rings. It is safe for all oil systems.

Regular fluid flushes are good for an automatic transmission.

There is a common misconception that a transmission fluid flush is done with a high powered machine that may harm or break the seals in your transmission. This is completely untrue. 

The process of the flush relies on using the pump of the transmission to introduce the new fluid into the system. As the new fluid enters the system, it gently pushes the residue of the old fluid out of the system. This ensures that the transmission fluid is replaced with fresh fluid, rather than just adding fluid and mixing old and new fluids together.

Just like engine oil, automatic transmission fluid plays a very important role in prolonging the life of your transmission. The ATF is a slippery fluid that acts as a lubricant for all of the moving parts inside your transmission.

In an automatic transmission, this fluid also serves as a coolant and a thick fluid that transmits power from the engine to the transmission. There are friction modifiers in the ATF that affect how the transmission feels when it shifts gears.

Worn out, oxidized fluid cannot provide the same level of lubrication and protection as fresh fluid. As miles add up and the friction modifiers wear down, shifts may become rough and jerky - also known as transmission shudder.

This is a good indication that your fluid is no longer internally lubricating your transmission. This is when damage occurs and the number one reason transmission needs to be replaced!

Due to different conditions, such as stop and go traffic or even personal braking habits, it is hard to recommend a specific mileage in which brakes should be replaced.

Disc or Drum Systems both work on the same principle of the absorption of energy. They stop the rotational movement of the wheel, and in doing so, absorb the energy that is expended in moving the vehicle.

Disc brakes use two pads on either side of the rotor, which is mounted to the wheel. When the brake is applied, fluid compresses the brake pads against the rotor, absorbing energy and slowing the vehicle.

Drum brakes work in the same manner, pushing outward against a rotating drum. As this action occurs, the friction causes heat.

As the brakes wear, you may hear a squealing or whining noise. This is a good indication that your brakes will soon need to be replaced.

If you can hear a grinding or metallic sound, this means that the lining is gone from the brake pad and you are actually hearing them grinding into and damaging your brake rotors.

Many ABS systems have a sensor that will gauge when the brake pads depth is low and the brake light will come on.

There are several different grades of brake pads. Our service manager would be glad to recommend the type best suited for your vehicle and personal driving habits.

It is very important that your vehicle runs properly and reliably, but more important is that you come to a safe and sure stop every time you brake!

Cooling system failure is the number one cause of roadside breakdowns. Antifreeze is added to the cooling system of a vehicle to ensure that the water within it doesn't freeze and actually decreases its freezing point.

New, clean antifreeze also contains rust inhibitors, such as silicates, phosphates and/or borates. These chemicals also keep the antifreeze alkaline.

As the inhibitors are broken down with use, not only does electrolytic corrosion eat away at the radiator and the metal inside the engine, but the antifreeze begins to turn acidic and eat away at the plastic parts and seals.

Corrosion is especially damaging to aluminum, causing leaks and restrictions. Many water pumps on many of today's vehicles have plastic parts. Acidic antifreeze can literally eat these parts away, causing a complete cooling system failure.

Any engine with a malfunctioning cooling system will not go far and can ruin an engine.

As corrosion occurs, particles will be released and can block the heater core. Your vehicle will then lose heat and the heater core will ultimately have to be replaced- a time consuming and very expensive job.

Far better than just replacing the antifreeze, which can leave up to 30% to 50% of the old antifreeze in the engine block - a complete cooling system flush – a complete exchange of the coolant, done under the pressure of the cooling system. There will be no old, corroded antifreeze left in the coolant lines or laying in the engine block.

Don’t let bad advice keep you up at night – call Automotive Excellence at (724) 791-2503 for all the right answers to your most pressing car concerns.