Preventive Maintenance - Air Filters

An air filter, or sometimes called an engine air filter essentially purifies what air is going into your engine.  It makes sure that the air that is reaching your engine is clean.  Clean air helps your engine to work properly, and helps to get the best fuel economy.  A dirty air filter can lower your fuel economy and may cause damage over time, affecting the combustion chamber and mass air flow sensor.

Your air filter can only hold so much dirt before it can't perform it's job correctly, and start to affect the engine's performance.  We recommend changing your air filter every year or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first.  Depending on where you normally drive, an air filter can become dirty faster due to dust, pollution, or pollen in the air.  The air filter housing, which holds the air filter, can also become a nesting ground for little critters during the colder weather.

Not sure if you need to replace your air filter?  Next service, make sure to ask your service writer.  At Jerry Noonan's Auto Center, checking the air filter is part of our Courtesy Check which every vehicle receives when it comes in for any service or repair.

Preventive Maintenance - Cabin Air Filters

What is a cabin air filter and what does it do?

Did you know that cabin air filters are a relatively new filter for cars?  And not all cars have one, unlike an engine air filter.  Every car has an engine air filter, this is what cleans the air that goes into your engine (which is very important to routinely change as well).  The cabin air filter cleans the air going into your passenger cabin.  

The cabin air filter cleans out dust, pollen, spores, and other pollutants from reaching the passenger cabin where you are when you drive.  A cabin air filter can stop particles that are just three microns in size (for comparison, a grain of sand is 2,000 microns).  The cabin air filter makes for a much more pleasant environment and filters the air that you breathe in while in your car.  

When a cabin air filter becomes dirty, it becomes less effective and just needs to be changed to get that pleasant air quality back in your passenger cabin.  A good indicator that your cabin air filter needs to be changed is when you start noticing some smells going on while driving your car.  

We suggest replacing your cabin air filter every year or every 15,000 miles.  While some cabin air filters are easy to replace, some are a little more difficult and take time to replace, since they can be in more complex areas in the dashboard.  

Is it time to change your cabin air filter?  Give us a call today, and we can take a look and replace it if need be!  

Is Your Car Ready for Thanksgiving Travel?

Thanksgiving can be a stressful time to travel with all that traffic and unpredictable weather.  More travelers will be on the roads this year than in the previous 12+ years according to AAA.  Even though you can't control the traffic or the weather, you can make sure your vehicle is ready for your trip.

To make sure your vehicle is ready for all the holiday traveling, check these items before your trip:

• Brake system
• Make sure battery connection is clean, tight, and corrosion free
• All filters and fluids such as oil, power steering, brake, transmission, windshield washer, and antifreeze/coolant
• Check windshield wipers, heaters and defrosters to ensure they are all working properly
• As a general rule, windshield wipers should be replaced every six months
• All hoses and belts
• Tire pressure and tread of your tires
• All interior and exterior lighting, especially headlights, taillights, brake lights, and directionals 

Checking your vehicle before your holiday traveling will help keep you safe on the road, and get you to your Thanksgiving feast.

If you need help checking any of these items, call us today and we will make sure you are all ready for your trip!

Preventive Maintenance - Wheel Alignments

To have a properly aligned vehicle, all your tires should point in the same direction. Your vehicle's alignment can fall out of place over time just by regular driving and hitting small bumps in the road, or hitting those big New Jersey potholes that we are all too familiar with.  Hitting a big pothole or curb can throw your wheel alignment out of whack and your vehicle should be checked right after to ensure safety.

Not having your vehicle properly aligned can mean replacing your tires sooner than anticipated, which can be costly.  When your vehicle is out of alignment, it causes the tires to wear unevenly and faster than they would normally wear. 

Key factors to tell if you need a wheel alignment is if your car is pulling to one side or the other, and if you can see the outer or inner edges of your tires being worn down quicker than the rest of the tire. 

Maintaining your wheel alignment can help you get the most out of your tires, and also ensure that all steering and suspension components are safe.  These can also play a role in your alignment.  At Jerry Noonan's Auto Center, we suggest having an alignment performed once a year or every 15,000 miles.

When Should You Replace Your Tires?

When it comes to figuring out when to replace your vehicle's tires, there are some factors to consider such as tread depth and the age of your tires. 

Tread Depth

To measure the tread of your tires, first do the penny test.  Take a penny and with Lincoln's head facing town, place it into the middle grooves of your tire.  If you see Lincoln's complete head, it means your tread is very low and you need tires as soon as possible.

The Age of Your Tires

You also want to consider how long you have had the same tires on the vehicle, especially if you do not drive many miles.  The tires may look alright, and they may have a good amount of tread after performing the penny test, but depending on their age, they can be unsafe. 

Most manufacturers suggest replacing tires six years after their production date, regardless of tread.  Old tires can become dry rotted and unsafe.  These tires can start to deteriorate, and eventually cause the steel belts in the tread to separate from the rest of the tire.  When this happens, it can result loss of control of your vehicle and can lead to an accident.

Tire Tread Separation

To find out the age of your tires, look for the DOT number.  You will see four digits which is the production date of your tires; the first two are the week made, and the last two are the year made.  If the production date is older than five years, have your tires checked out for dry rot, and start thinking of getting replacements.

Proper maintenance of your tires, such as rotations, balancing, and wheel alignments, will also help with keeping your tires in the best shape, and allowing them to be used for longer periods of time.  Make sure to always have your tires inflated to the proper amount that your car requires.  Over inflation as well as under inflation can drastically affect how your tires wear during use, and can lead to having to replace tires sooner.

Not sure if you need new tires?  Not sure if you are due for routine maintenance for your tires?  Contact us today, and we will be more than happy to assist with any of your tire needs!

Checking Your Car Headlights

With the colder weather approaching, that means it gets darker sooner each day and we will be driving more in the dark.  Check your headlights and all other lights often to make sure they are working properly.

All outside car lights are important, but the lights that are legally required to work are side and tail lights, headlights, brake lights, direction indicators, and license plate lights.

Before hopping into your vehicle, turn the lights on, including directionals, and do a walk-around to make sure everything is good to go.  To check your brake lights, ask someone to step on the brake pedal while you check the back of the vehicle. 

One of your lights out and need a replacement?  Stop by today and we can change it out for you.  We carry most lights in stock and will be able to get you in and out in no time!

National Teen Driver Safety Week

This week is National Teen Driver Safety week.  This week, remind the teen in your life about the important rules they should follow to stay safe behind the wheel. 

The greatest dangers for teen drivers are alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted driving, drowsy driving, speeding, and having passengers that can cause distractions.

Motor vehicle accidents are the #1 cause of teenage deaths in the United States.  Informing your teen on the dangers of driving, and going over safe practices while driving could save lives.  Take the time this week to address the greatest dangers for teens while operating a motor vehicle, and how those dangers can be prevented.