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AUTONET TV

Archive for April 2019

Keeping Your Car Young in Tucson

Posted April 28, 2019 8:01 AM



As Tucson consumers, we live in a disposable society. It's amazing all the stuff we throw away.

New stuff comes out so fast in AZ, and much of it is fairly cheap, so we just toss the old and move on. It seems like when we were kids our parents were real sticklers about taking care of our stuff - especially parents who grew up in the Depression. You know, hang up your clothes, polish your shoes, put away your toys. If something got lost or ruined by neglect, tough; we had to do without. 

We couldn't afford new cars very often, so we tried to make them last as long as we could. It's a good thing that cars are more reliable these days. They just don't break down as often. And the good news for us Tucson penny pinchers is that a modern car can easily go 200,000 miles (320,000 km) with proper care. The engineering's there and so is the manufacturing quality. The missing ingredient is us making sure we follow the vehicle manufacturer's maintenance schedules.

Is it really that bad for Tucson motorists to get off schedule? Well, it all adds up. Every time you go a little longer than the recommended interval  between oil changes, you've created an opportunity for  sludge to form and clog passages. Then some parts don't get oiled and they start to wear out faster. 

Skip a cooling system service, and the corrosion inhibitors become depleted; the radiator starts being damaged, one step closer to a failure. The same thing is true for transmission service, power brakes, fuel system cleaning – really everything on your schedule.

It's also even more important for older vehicles in the Tucson area. Those engines and other systems have had more time to get dirty, so they're working harder anyway. But it's never too late for Tucson drivers to get back on track with maintenance and to hold off further damage.

It's just another example of our parents knowing what's best. (Surprising how often that happens.) And it really does start with the oil change, just like Dad said. When you get a full service oil change they top off all your fluids and check for other items that are on your maintenance schedule. That's like your safety net; go in for oil changes on time, and let the pros at AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair in Tucson help you keep track of the rest.

Of course, it is inevitable for vehicles that some things are going to wear out along the way, like alternators, water pumps and such; they don't last forever. But that stuff is cheaper than a new car payment. And taking care of problems early means they have less time to cause other problems. It's like having high cholesterol; you don't want to wait for a heart attack before you address it.

AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair
5302 East Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 325-5500
https://www.aastrotransmission.net


 



Hold the Oil! (Oil Pan Gasket Replacement)

Posted April 21, 2019 11:35 AM

You've likely heard how important oil is to your vehicle's engine. Did you know that there's one part that's responsible for holding that oil so you can use it every day? It's called the oil pan, and it sits at the bottom of the engine.

The oil pan is a vital, though simple, part of your engine's lubrication system. Oil circulates through parts of your engine to keep them lubricated. It reduces friction so everything works smoothly. Without oil, friction would quickly destroy your engine. The oil pan keeps that oil contained in the lubrication system, so it's important that the oil doesn't leak out. Since it's a metal part attached to another metal part, there is a gasket between the oil pan and the part of the engine it attaches to.

Various things can put stress on the oil pan and gasket, including weather extremes, the speed you're traveling and the condition of the oil. You may drive over a couple of bad roads and kick up debris onto your oil pan. All this wear and tear, heat and time can take their toll. So after a while, the gasket can just wear out and start leaking. It usually starts pretty slowly. If you see oil visible under your vehicle where you park it, that might be a sign of a leaky oil pan gasket. Another sign? You smell burning oil coming from your engine. If the leak is bad and your engine has lost a lot of oil, you may eventually see the oil light go on.

Let your service advisor know if you are experiencing any of these things. Driving with insufficient oil can badly damage your engine. And it can do it quickly. A AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair trained technician will check to find the source of the leak. It may just be a gasket, but it also could be the oil pan is damaged and needs replacing as well.

This is a repair you should get taken care of. Your engine needs its lubrication system intact to provide you many years of service.

AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair
5302 East Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 325-5500
https://www.aastrotransmission.net



What to Do In Case of an Accident

Posted April 14, 2019 9:02 AM

If you've ever been in a vehicle accident around Tucson, AZ, even a minor one, you know how upsetting it can be. It's hard to think straight and know what to do.

Let's review what you should do in case of an accident in Tucson, AZ:

When an accident occurs, you should always stop. Leaving the scene of an accident is considered a crime in AZ, even if it's not your fault. And hit-and-run penalties are fairly severe, possibly resulting in steep fines, loss of your driver's license or even jail time in our local Tucson lockup.

Most places, including AZ, require that you try to help someone who is injured by calling for help or performing first aid if you are able.

Warn other Tucson motorists by putting out flares, using your flashers or lifting your hood.

Call 911 as soon as possible. Tell the operator if medical or fire help is needed.

Always file a police report. It's tempting to skip this if everything seems to be ok. But without a police report, the other guy can say whatever he wants about the accident later, and you won't have an objective report to help defend yourself.

Discuss the accident only with the police. Emotions are strong after an accident and we naturally want to talk about it – don't. Never admit fault or guilt to anyone, including the police officer. Sometimes we may feel at fault, but in the eyes of AZ law, the other guy may be responsible.

Truthfully give the officer the facts: such as, "I was going 35 miles per hour," or, "I was going 55 kilometers per hour," not, "I wasn't speeding." Remember, anything you say to the officer or anyone else can be used against you.

Also get the officer's name and badge number and ask where you can get a copy of the accident report.

Get the facts on the driver and owner of the other vehicle:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Driver's license number and expiration
  • Insurance information

Also take down a description of the other vehicle, license plate and vehicle identification number (VIN). Most insurance companies don't record license plate numbers, so the VIN is the best way to track the vehicle.

Ask witnesses, including passengers, to wait for the police. If they can't wait, ask for contact information and request that they write a brief description of what they saw. If someone refuses to leave their name, write down their license plate number so the police can track them down later if necessary.

Always call your insurance agent or your AZ auto insurance company's 800 number.

Call or see your local Tucson physician if you think you may have been injured.

We here at AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair hope that you never have to use this information and wish you happy travels.

AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair
5302 East Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 325-5500
https://www.aastrotransmission.net



Steer Right in Tucson

Posted April 7, 2019 10:02 AM

Virtually all vehicles come with power steering, so many Tucson drivers have never driven a car or truck without it. Power steering assists you when you turn your vehicle steering wheel. Without it, it would be very hard to steer.

Now this power assist comes in a couple of forms. In recent years, a lot of vehicles have an electric motor that reduces steering effort and helps improve performance and handling.

The other kind of power steering is hydraulic. This is the kind most older AZ vehicles — and a lot of newer ones — have. Power steering fluid is pressurized by a pump and is used to assist steering. Of course, vehicles need the right amount of fluid in the system. If it's too low, your steering is affected and you could damage your vehicle pump.

Also, power steering fluid can become corrosive over time and damage the pump, hoses and connectors, leading to leaks and repairs. Power steering service at AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair in Tucson includes removing the contaminated fluid and replacing it with fresh fluid.

A word for Tucson drivers about power steering pumps: Some are powered by an electric motor. Others are driven by the serpentine belt. A worn serpentine belt stresses all of the vehicle components it drives, including the power steering pump, so replace the belt at AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair as advised to avoid undue repairs.

Losing your power steering while driving in Tucson can be unsettling – just remember that you can still steer, it'll just be harder. Check with your service advisor at AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair to see if it's time to service your vehicle's power steering system.

In addition to power steering service, at AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair we offer comprehensive automotive services.

Give us a call.

AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair
(520) 325-5500
5302 East Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85712
https://www.aastrotransmission.net



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