Changing your Air and Oil Filters the Importance!

September 6, 2012

Keeping your Air and Oil filters clean will drastically will provide you with a more efficient running vehicle, improves fuel consumption and prevents costly engine repairs to your vehicle. These items especially the Air Filter, gets over looked, as part of your regular maintenance program.

These items are the most inexpensive to be replace and are constantly over looked with regular maintenance programs, but have such an importance to keeping your vehicle running smooth and effectively for a long time. So how do these filter play such an important part with how your vehicle performance.

Air filters allow your engine to breath much more easily and performing at it's peak performance.  Next time you have driven on a long trip, check the front grill and licence plate. It will look pretty disgusting, with the splatter of bugs, sap, leaves and other grime items, which could also make it's way into the engine bay. If these items get pass the air intake and into the engine, it could cause abrasion or corrosion, exactly the two things you definitely do not need or want to happen.

Now with a clean Air Filter, chance are very good that these grime items will never make it pass the Air filter which is also protected in a plastic box, providing addition protection against the possibility of contaminants getting inside your engine intake. If you allow the Air Filter to become dirty and filled with all the above contaminants, then your Air filter will not do the job is is designed to do. Your vehicle will starve from a lack of air, which the combustion process needs to make power more efficiently. Causing your engine to work harder and increase in fuel consumption robbing you engine of power.

This is what a dirty Air Filter looks like

This is what a dirty Air Filter Looks like!

This is what a clean Air Filter Looks Like

This is what a clean Air Filter looks like

Now lets share what the purpose of an Oil Filter is designed to do for your vehicle. No bigger then a normal coffee mug provides a crucially important job for such a small package. Think of it as your kidney cleaning your blood, a vehicles Oil filter keeps your engine oil clean of all impurities. Preventing many of the contaminants such as metal shavings, specks of dirty and other elements that some how get into your engine.

These contaminants will eventually lead to engine damage, providing low oil pressure and wearing down engine bearings.  this is why you should always have your Oil filter changed with every new oil change. With a clean Oil filter will provide a shield to your engine from harmful floating contaminants in the dirty oil.

Always have these items looked after and it will save you much unneeded grief and provide you with peace of mind from expensive engine repairs. Also the amount of money you will save just on your fuel consumptions, savings on one tank of gas will cover both items...

This is what a dirty Oil filter Looks like

dirty Oil filter as you can see all the  grime it
has collected!

This is what a clean Oil Filter looks like

This is what a clean oil filter should look like
big difference!

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RJ PICK UP SERVICE
241A Main Street North
Uxbridge, Ontario, L9P 1C3
Phone 905-852-4238
Email: rjpickupservice@hotmail.com
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Annual Auto Maintenance Schedule: What to Do & When to Do It!

 by Rob, Cars for Keeps




So, you understand the importance of routine auto maintenance, you're ready to start treating your vehicle like the potential investment it is, but you don't know where - or when - to start. What exactly IS routine maintenance, and how often does it need to be performed?

Because not all auto components wear down at the same rate, true "routine maintenance" is a little more complicated than it seems. Routine maintenance for a timing belt, for example, is having it changed every 60-70,000 miles, while routine maintenance for your engine oil requires changing it every 4-7,000 miles. That's a big difference!

To make understanding routine auto maintenance a little easier on drivers, we've put together the following schedule.

Monthly Auto Maintenance

Brake, power steering, transmission, antifreeze and windshield washer fluids. While none of these may need to be changed each month, it's a good idea to have them checked to make sure they're not dirty, sludgy or running low. These fluids - particularly brake, power steering and transmission - are important to your vehicle's safety, and making sure they're clean and topped up can prevent far more serious problems down the road.

Tire air pressure. Did you know that under inflated tires can cause your vehicle to not only run less efficiently, but also have unsafe "splashy" steering? Checking your tires for proper inflation is fast, simple and free, so monthly checkups are definitely worth it!

Head & tail lights. Sure, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to check to make sure all your vehicle's lights are working properly - but it still needs to be done! Faulty lights pose safety risks - not to mention the risk of getting ticketed - so it's a good idea to either check or have these checked monthly.

The Free Cars for Keeps Pit Stop takes care of these whenever you need it.

3 Month Maintenance

Oil changes. Three months is a general guideline, and necessary intervals can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Older autos often require oil changes more often - every 3,000 miles or so - while some newer vehicles may be able to go as far as 7,000 miles before an oil change is necessary. Check your vehicle's manual, or ask your auto technician about your vehicle model. Of course, it certainly doesn't hurt to have your oil changed every 3 months - just ask our High Mile Club members!

Chassis lubrication. Again, it may not be necessary to have this performed as often as three months, but it depends on your vehicle's model and age. Many newer autos are "lubed for life", while some older cars still require it. The chassis' steering and suspension components may, however, require periodic replacement to prevent further damage, so it's a good idea to have the chassis inspected every 3 months just in case.

Battery maintenance and cleaning. Just because your battery isn't dead doesn't mean something isn't wrong. Dirty or corroded batter cable posts can create a poor connection, causing faulty ignition start or inefficient power use.

6 Month Maintenance

Air filters. Air filters essentially help vehicles "breathe" clean air. When these filters become dirty or clogged over time, they make it more difficult for engines to get the oxygen they need, causing inefficient mileage and poor performance. Different air filter brands last for different periods of time, so it's best to have them checked at least twice every year.

Wiper Blades. Do we need to say it?! Wiper blades inevitably become stiff and cracked over time - typically about six months - causing chattering and streaking, which can cause dangerously poor visibility during inclement weather. Have these replaced twice each year.
Yearly Maintenance

Engine tuning. Faulty spark plugs and gummed up fuel injectors - both engine components - can reduce fuel efficiency as much as thirty percent. Most people won't notice the change because today's computers keep things adjusted right up to the point of failure (when the computer can no longer adjust for them) the best way to make sure all spark plugs and engine components are working properly is to have them checked every one year.

Engine belts. While most engine belts don't need to be replaced each year, it's a good idea to have an auto technician take a look at those that are accessible, and to keep tabs on how long less accessible belts have been installed. V-belts typically need to be replaced every four years or 35,000 miles, serpentine belts every four years or 50,000 (or sooner), and timing belts every five years or 60,000 miles - whichever comes first. Over time, these belts become stiff, loose and cracked or worn, and if they break while your vehicle is running, they can cause serious damage.

Shock absorbers and struts. Worn shock absorbers and struts can not only make for a bumpier ride, but they can cause fuel inefficiency, misalignment and a host of other safety problems. For best performance, have these inspected by an auto technician each year.
 
Wheel Alignment. The average price of a newly mounted and balanced tire with a new valve stem is roughly $125 per tire. That’s $500 for the set of four. If your wheel alignment is out, you could lose that $500 in short order. That’s why you should, at the very least, check wheel alignment before venturing out on a new set of tires. So how could you lose money by not having an alignment done? By significantly decreasing the life of your new tires. The steering and suspension of your vehicle has wear points. They are bushings, ball & socket joints, and miscellaneous mechanical links. When the steering and suspension system is new and adjusted according to factory specs, the rate at which the tires wear is minimized and the vehicle corners and handles smoothly. Over time, the steering and suspension systems are jostled and hammered (compliments of America’s highways). This produces wear in the parts listed above, causing the alignment to go out from factory specs. This results in poor cornering and handling, and a significant increase in tire wear.

Cabin Air Filter(s). The filter in your dashboard is much like your furnace filter… If you drove your furnace through bugs & other road debris. Gross. If it's plugged, the passenger compartment might as well be a sealed cabin—and with a carload of friends the glass will fog in minutes. Filter life depends on the air quality in your area, but a year, or 12,000 to 15,000 miles, typically is the recommended replacement interval.


Of course, the best way to make sure all your vehicle's routine maintenance needs are taken care of is to sit down with your auto technician(s) and create an annual auto maintenance schedule. We can help you by scheduling maintenance at intervals which are customized to your vehicle's age and specific maintenance needs.

Keep Your Vehicle well-maintained for Fuel Efficient driving!

February 16, 2012


Keep Your Vehicle well-maintained for Fuel Efficient driving!

Keeping your vehicle in top operating condition will save you fuel and money, reduce your long-term maintenance costs and minimize harmful exhaust emissions. A well-maintained vehicle is also more reliable and could be worth more when you want to sell it.

It's usually best to leave the servicing of your vehicle in the hands of trained automotive professionals. They have the knowledge and tools to diagnose and correct problems and to put you on the road to safe, fuel-efficient driving.

Your tires need special attention during winter. Cold temperatures decrease the air pressure in tires, which adds to the rolling resistance caused by snow and slush. Measure tire pressure regularly, especially after a sharp drop in temperature.  Rotating your tires helps prolong their life and improve fuel economy. On most vehicles, they should be rotated every 10,000 kilometers, or about twice a year. Consult your owner's manual for the recommended rotation pattern and frequency for your vehicle. Tire pressure needs special attention in cold weather. It can be expected to drop by about 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 5°C drop in temperature.

Almost all gasoline vehicles on the road today are fuel-injected. A recent study showed that replacing a clogged air filter on a vehicle with a fuel-injected gasoline engine does not improve fuel economy. However the study also showed that a clogged air filter may reduce acceleration performance

Neglecting to replace worn-out oil results in poor engine performance, higher fuel consumption and possibly severe engine damage. Changing the engine oil regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendations is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle in top operating condition. Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat – all of which promote better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Motor oil also removes dirt, metal shavings and other impurities from the engine and captures them in the oil filter. You can pay a severe penalty for neglecting engine oil, possibly even needing to replace the engine itself.




A well-maintained vehicle is more reliable and could be worth more when you want to sell it.   We will be having a customer
"Appreciation Day"Revised DateSaturday April 28th from 9am - 3pmMore information to follow.... RJ Pick Up service241 Main StreetUxbridge, Ontario L9P 1C3905-852-4238rjpickupservice@hotmail.com

All the Best

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Clean Car Air Filters Make for Better Mileage & Healthier Engines

by Marjorie, Social Media Manager

As per usual, today's post stems from one of my own (many) misadventures in automotive maintenance. My tiny little Ford Focus often bucks around on the freeway when heavy winds are present, simply because it's a very light vehicle (32 miles to the gallon!!). Lately, however, I've noticed uneven acceleration and bucking even off the freeway. When I noticed weird, asthmatic idling at multiple traffic lights, it occurred to me that something was wrong (duh!).

While it's likely that MANY maintenance issues need to be addressed with my Focus (at my next visit to the shop), these are common symptoms of a particular maintenance problem which is painfully easy - and inexpensive - to fix. As with all car maintenance issues, the cost of not fixing the problem is astronomically higher than the alternative - letting a mechanic pop the hood.

The problem is that the air filter hasn't been changed since...I can't remember when (not good). Air filters are extremely simple yet extremely important components in every vehicle. They filter the air which is taken into the engine's combustion chamber. It's important that this filter stay clean so that the engine can get plenty of clean oxygen with which to power your car - or to "breathe deeply", in other words. A dirty, clogged filter means your car's engine will have trouble breathing. Picture an asthmatic trying to run a marathon. That's my car trying to run on a dirty air filter.

It's a good idea to have your air filter checked routinely. However, if you've left it unchanged too long, here are a few symptoms you can expect:

- Rough or uneven idling
- Engine misses
- Start problems
- Decreased gas mileage

Yes, dirty air filters decrease your car's gas mileage - sometimes quite dramatically. Don't believe me? Have the Cars for Keeps crew swap your filthy air filter for a new one and notice the extra days between fill-ups.

Safe driving!