The Importance of Oil Changes

Two mechanics working on the engine of an automobile.

Checking the Oil - Ace Auto Repair Utah

The oil in your vehicle's engine lubricates the moving parts keeping your car or truck running at its best and preventing costly repairs. But when oil reduces in volume from use and starts to break down, the engine's components can be damaged. Over time oil becomes polluted with contaminates like dust, dirt, debris and other particulates can cause a build-up of harmful sludge. Old oil will also build-up in filters and vents that can result in issues with the air flow to the engine.

One of the most important things you can do for your vehicle is to have your oil changed regularly. As a general rule of thumb, car care experts recommend changing the oil every 3,000 miles. But with technology improvements, newer vehicles might only require an oil change between 5,000 to 10,000 miles, check your owner's manual for your car's manufacturer's recommendations. Whether you have a new or old car, the importance of oil changes cannot be understated.

 If you are unsure about your car's recommended oil change schedule, the certified mechanics at Ace Auto Repair in West Jordan, Utah can help. Give us a call at 801-447-1693 for an affordable, professional oil change with fast, friendly service.

Maintaining Proper Engine Lubrication

While you're driving the moving parts of your car's engine, like pistons and valves, move at high rates of speed. Oil helps keep the heat created by these components down and prevents wear. When the oil is low or too old, these moving parts are not properly lubricated and will create more heat with friction and over-heat the engine. The benefits of properly maintaining engine lubrication with regular oil changes include:

  • Improved Gas Mileage - New, clean oil from routine oil changes can improve gas mileage by 1-2% over time. But not enough oil, old oil or the wrong kind of oil will lead to an increase in your vehicle's fuel consumption and end up costing you more at the pump.
  • Prevents Contaminants and Sludge - Particulates like dust, dirt and debris can decrease the life span of your vehicle by causing corrosion and harmful scarring to the engine. For optimal vehicle performance, a clean engine is key and routine oil and filter changes maintain a clean engine.
  • Helps Avoid Costly Repairs - Routine maintenance, including regular oil and filter changes, helps avoid costly repairs. An engine that is not properly lubricated forces the moving components to work too hard and will end up causing problems in the future. Average yearly oil changes = approximately $120 and the cost of not maintaining your vehicle's engine = approximately $4,000.
  • Increases Resale Value - By increasing your vehicle's life span, you increase the resale value. The value of a well-maintained car or truck, whose owner followed the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, increases at the time of resale According to Kelley Blue Book.

Whether you take your vehicle to a dealership or a local, trusted mechanic for an oil change, it is important to follow the manufacturer oil change recommendations to ensure your factory warranty coverage remains valid. Regular maintenance services are easy to keep up with compared to the costly repairs you may face if without it.

Fast, Affordable Oil Change in the Salt Lake City Area

Get better gas mileage and ensure your vehicle's engine is protected with an affordable and convenient oil change by an experienced technician. To save time and money, make an online appointment with Ace Auto in West Jordan, Utah or give us a call at 801-447-1693 for an immediate service or repair quote. We are proud to offer Salt Lake City area residents complete auto repair and maintenance services.

Download PDF

What is Factory Scheduled Maintenance and Why it is Important for Your Vehicle?

Auto Technician in a Garage

Happy Auto Technician - Ace Auto Repair West Jordan Utah

You probably know that you should change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles, but do you know how often you should check the power steering fluid or the chassis lubrication? If you are unsure, review your car's owner manual to find the factory maintenance schedule recommended for your specific vehicle by the manufacturer. So, what is factory scheduled maintenance and why is it important for your vehicle?

Your vehicle's factory scheduled maintenance is a reminder to have your vehicle serviced every 3 months or 3,000 miles for preventative maintenance throughout the year. These manufacturers recommendations will keep your car running smoothly, help prevent costly repairs and ensure your manufacturer’s warranty remains valid.

Whether you take your car to the dealership or your local mechanic for scheduled maintenance, it is important to stick with the factory recommendations to make sure that coverage is valid throughout the duration of your factory warranty. Services like rotating tires, flushing the brakes and changing fluids, filters and spark plugs are all easy to keep up with compared to the potential repairs you may face if without regular maintenance.

 If you have questions about your car's recommended factory maintenance, the helpful, certified mechanics at Ace Auto in West Jordan, Utah can let you know what is due (or overdue) for maintenance and perform the services to prevent costly problems to keep you on the road in a safe vehicle.

Factory Scheduled Maintenance in Your Vehicles Owner's Manual

You will find two different maintenance schedules in your owner’s manual, one labeled 'regular' and the other 'severe'. While you may not put a lot of miles on your car driving to and from work or getting the kids to school, soccer practice or piano lessons - you will want to consider the following strenuous conditions that can bump your service schedule up to 'severe':

  • Extreme Weather
  • Frequent, Short Commutes
  • Stop and Go Traffic
  • Idling
  • Heavy Loads
  • Rough Roads
  • Mountainous Roads
  • Salty or Dusty Conditions

If have an older vehicle that did not come with a manual, the Car Care Council, a non-profit organization for vehicle owners, offers a free customizable vehicle maintenance schedule to help you keep track of the dates and mileage for services performed.

Basic Car Maintenance Schedule by Month/Mileage

Every 3 Months/3,000 Miles

Every 6 Months/6,000 Miles

    • Automatic Transmission Fluid
    • Automatic Transmission Fluid
    • Battery and Cables
    • Battery and Cables
    • Belts
    • Belts
    • Engine Oil and Filter
    • Chassis Lubrication
    • Exhaust
    • Engine Air Filter
    • Fuel Filter
    • Engine Oil and Filter
    • Hoses
    • Exhaust
    • Lights
    • Fuel Filter
    • Power Steering Fluid
    • Hoses
    • Tire Condition (inflation & tread)
    • Power Steering Fluid
    • Windshield Washer Fluid
    • Tire Condition (inflation & tread)

 

    • Windshield Washer Fluid

 

    • Windshield Wiper Blades

 

Every 9 Months/9,000 Miles

Every 6 Months/6,000 Miles

    • Automatic Transmission Fluid
    • Automatic Transmission Fluid
    • Battery and Cables
    • Battery and Cables
    • Belts
    • Belts
    • Engine Air Filter
    • Brakes
    • Engine Oil and Filter
    • Cabin Air Filter
    • Exhaust
    • Engine Air Filter
    • Fuel Filter
    • Engine Oil and Filter
    • Hoses
    • Exhaust
    • Lights
    • Fuel Filter
    • Power Steering Fluid
    • Hoses

Tire Condition (inflation & tread)

    • Lights
    • Windshield Washer Fluid
    • Power Steering Fluid

 

    • Tire Condition (inflation & tread)

 

    • Windshield Washer Fluid

 

It is important to keep records of your vehicle's maintenance in case you need to use your manufacturer’s warranty. By logging all completed services, service dates and mileage at the time of service, you can help your mechanic understand what needs to be done to keep your car safe.

Professional, Friendly Service at Ace Auto to Keep Your Factory Scheduled Maintenance Up to Date in West Jordan Utah  

For your vehicle's regularly scheduled factory recommended maintenance, call Ace Auto at 801-447-1693. Our friendly, experienced technicians will make sure your car is safe and in good repair to prevent time-consuming, costly problems in the future.

DownloadPDF

Top 3 Reasons Why Your Car AC is Not Blowing Cold Air

Top 3 reasons why your AC is not blowing cold according to mechanics.

Auto AC Repair - ac not blowing air

During the hot summer months in Utah you want your vehicle's AC to blow cool refreshing air for your comfort and the comfort of your passengers. There are a variety of reasons why your car AC is not blowing cold air. Fixing the AC could be as simple as recharging your car's AC refrigerant or repairing a refrigerant leak but may also require complex electrical climate control repair or slipping compressor clutch to get your air conditioning operating at top performance once again.

Understanding Your Vehicle's AC System

The air conditioning system in your vehicle can be complex due to the location of the hoses and lines. Essentially, your vehicle's AC system compresses and heats the refrigerant, then allowing it to decompress and condense into a liquid that causes it to rapidly lose heat. This process absorbs heat from the car's cabin and is continuously repeated to achieve your desired temperature.

The basic concept is much easier to understand when the components are broken down, as follows:

  • The compressor runs off an engine belt that squeezes or compresses the gaseous refrigerant.
  • Once it has been pressurized, the condenser cools it down through a series of finned tubes where it returns to a liquid state. This liquid will then pass through a dryer or receiver that removes excess water to eliminate the risk of ice crystal formations inside the AC system.
  • Next the liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator via a thermal expansion valve where it is then exposed to heat from the vehicle's cabin. At this point the fluid boils, reducing it to a gas form once again. During this process the heat from the surrounding air is absorbed causing the evaporator coil to chill. Finally, it is redistributed throughout the cabin by the blowing fan through the vents as cool, crisp air-conditioned air.

Just about every car has the same basic AC parts consisting of a compressor, condenser and evaporator that work together to keep you cool during the warm summer months. When any of these parts fail, you're left with uncomfortable heat that a rolled-down window just can't fix.

Here are the top 3 reasons why your car AC may not be blowing cold air:

#1 Your Car's AC Needs a Recharge

The most common cause of a vehicle's air conditioner not getting cold enough is that it needs to be recharged. You can recharge your refrigerant by yourself, but to save time and make sure the job is done correctly you should make an appointment with your local professional auto shop.

The trusted professionals at Ace Auto in West Jordan, Utah can help you recharge your car's AC system. Give us a call at 801-447-1693 for a free quote to get you back on the road with the comfort and safety with a recharged AC blowing crisp, cool air again.

#2 An AC System Refrigerant Leak

When your vehicle's AC system develops a refrigerant fluid leak it can be challenging to detect due to the fact that refrigerant fluid instantly evaporates when it comes in contact with air. A professional mechanic uses specialized tools to determine if there is a leak by introducing ultraviolet fluid to show signs of low refrigerant pressure in the AC system. Signs of an AC system refrigerant leak:

  • Audible click when the AC is turned on.
  • AC cycles on and off frequently.
  • Hissing sounds from the AC system (when the engine is off).
  • Oil residue around AC pipe fittings and hoses.

A refrigerant leak repair may include repairing or replacing the specific failing component. If a large amount of fluid has been lost, your AC system will need to be flushed and the refrigerant fluid will need to be replaced to function properly and get the cool air flowing. *Please note that refrigerant is a very harmful toxic chemical and should not be handled without the proper equipment operated by a trained professional.

#3 Fan Motor Failure

Another common source of trouble in your car's AC system might be the fan(s) motor located at the front of the vehicle's motor. Whether your car has one or two fans, it is important that the fan is in good working order to both keep you cool and to provide vital cooling to your engine.

If you are unsure about the correct diagnosis of your car's failing air conditioner, the friendly and caring certified mechanics at Ace Auto in West Jordan, Utah will give you a free repair quote and work quickly to fix your AC and get you back out on the road.

Professional Help from Ace Auto to Keep You and Your Passengers Comfortable with Cool Air

If your car ac unit is not blowing cold enough air in Utah , contact the ASE certified auto mechanics at Ace Auto in West Jordan Utah to quickly inspect and repair your AC unit. For an honest AC diagnosis and speedy repairs in West Jordan, schedule an AC repair appointment at Ace Auto or call 801-447-1693 for a FREE repair quote. Our ASE Certified master mechanics are experienced technicians that are certified and can repair any AC system problem and have your AC working properly again.

Download PDF