May 17, 2012

Andys Auto: Use The Correct Fluids In Your Vehicle

Filed under: Oil Change — andysauto953 @ 7:13 pm

Andys Auto Use The Correct Fluids In Your Vehicle

Big advances in automotive technology have led to the development of high-tech fluids to keep pace. A simple example of this is the cooling system. For decades it was primarily made out of iron, steel and rubber hoses. There was one kind of coolant that protected these components from corrosion.

Now cooling system components are made with various metal alloys and plastics. These materials require different additives to protect them from corrosion. Since the materials used vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, we now have a number of different kinds of coolant at Andys Auto in Groton. And it’s important to use the right coolant for your SUV. If you pour in the wrong kind, it won’t protect the cooling system and may even void the warranty. Of course, your courteous Andys Auto advisor will know the proper coolant to use. If you’re concerned you may have use the wrong fluid, be safe and have your Andys Auto technician flush the system and start fresh with the correct fluid.

Brake fluid is confusing for some people in MA. For a very long time, most vehicles used Dot 3 brake fluid. Now we have Dot 4 and Dot 5. Some Groton people mistakenly think the higher numbers are an upgrade. You know, if 3 is good then 4 must be better. That’s not how it works. They are different formulations to meet the requirements of differences in brake systems. Only one of them is recommended for your SUV.

Transmission fluid is the same thing. With the tremendous engineering advances in automatic transmissions, there have been several new types of fluids developed to protect and lubricate them. Nowhere are the advances in automotive fluids more evident than in motor oil. Many new weights and formulations have been created to meet the demands of today’s modern engine design.

Modern SUV engines have more parts and much tighter tolerances. Every year, engines make more power and get better fuel economy in Groton. And with all the complication and sophistication, they still have to be durable. That’s where the new grades of engine oil come in. They have to be formulated to lubricate, protect and clean all of those SUV engine parts, big and little. The oil has to be thin enough to get into small passages, yet resistant to vaporization.

Your vehicle may have come from the factory with synthetic oil and/or transmission, brake, differential fluid, etc. If so, your recommended service intervals will be based on synthetic-type fluids and you should use the same type when your SUV is serviced at Andys Auto.

Because grades of oil and types of coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, etc. are so carefully matched to the vehicle, take care to always use the proper fluid if you are topping off at home. Check your SUV owner’s manual or ask your Andys Auto service advisor. The wrong fluid can cause damage.

Give Mike Cody a call at Andys Auto in Groton

Andys Auto
978.448.3191
28 Willowdale Road
Groton, MA 01450

At Andys Auto in Groton MA (01450) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 978.448.3191. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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May 10, 2012

Brake Service At Andys Auto In Groton

Filed under: Power Brakes — andysauto953 @ 8:34 pm

Brake Service At Andys Auto In Groton

Most Groton drivers know that braking means slowing or stopping a vehicle. The mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue. There’s also the power brake system and brake fluid. And then there are the tires, which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.

Let’s step back. A car or truck rolls brand new off the showroom floor at a local Groton dealer. It has brand new brakes with brand new brake pads. The brake lines and the power assist are filled with fresh fluid and are completely clean inside. And the SUV tires are brand new, with full tread. Naturally, braking power is at its peak performance.
 
Now, as your drive from Groton to Ayer and back, the miles start to add up. Most Groton car owners tend to focus on the brake pads. In the Groton automotive service community, the pads, and shoes on drum brakes, are called the friction material. That’s because they provide the friction used to stop the SUV. The pads are designed to be effective throughout their useful life – it’s not until they are worn so thin as to be out of spec that they lose stopping effectiveness.

The mechanical parts of the brakes have pistons and springs that get quite a workout while stopping the SUV. Over many miles, these wear and get gummed up. They start to lose effectiveness gradually and could even fail. That’s why a regular brake inspection is important. At Andys Auto, we can test the operation of the brakes and see if any parts need cleaning or replacing.

That leads us to brake fluid service at Andys Auto. Some of the critical additives in the fluid that lubricate and clean the SUV fluid system are depleted over time. That and moisture building up in the system deteriorate the performance of the brake fluid. Brake fluid replacement at Andys Auto includes flushing the brake system to clean out deposits, water and dirt. Then the system is filled up with fresh fluid.

The tires are what connect the SUV to the road. The stopping force is ultimately dependent on the traction provided by the tires. The better they grip the road, the quicker you’ll stop as you drive around Groton.

For questions about brakes, brake pads, alignment, brake service, or tires, talk to Andys Auto  manager Mike Cody.

Give us a call

Andys Auto
978.448.3191
28 Willowdale Road
Groton, MA 01450

At Andys Auto in Groton MA (01450) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 978.448.3191. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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May 4, 2012

Wheel Alignment Service At Andys Auto In Groton

Filed under: Alignment — andysauto953 @ 4:49 pm

Wheel Alignment Service At Andys Auto In Groton

When all of a vehicle’s wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment. Hitting a road hazard in Groton or even just the normal bumps and bounces of everyday MA driving can cause your SUV wheels to be out of alignment. This can lead to expensive premature tire and suspension wear.

Here are some alignment basics from Andys Auto:
The first angle is called toe: do the wheels point in towards each other or away from each other at the front of the tire.
The next angle is called camber: do the wheels tip in or out at the top.
And finally, there is castor. Castor measures the angle where the front axles attach to the vehicle.

The ideal alignment for your SUV was designed by its engineers. Andys Auto alignment service starts with an inspection of the steering and suspension – so see if anything’s bent, broken or worn out. Then the Andys Auto technician will look at tire condition. From there, the SUV is put on an alignment rack and an initial alignment reading is taken. The wheels are then aligned to manufacturer’s specifications.

Your owner’s manual probably has a recommendation for how often your SUV alignment should be checked – usually every couple of years. If you suspect an alignment problem with your SUV, get it checked at Andys Auto before you suffer expensive tire or suspension damage.

Give us a call

Andys Auto
978.448.3191
28 Willowdale Road
Groton, MA 01450

At Andys Auto in Groton MA (01450) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 978.448.3191. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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April 25, 2012

Getting The Right Wheels And Tires At Andys Auto In Groton

Filed under: Tires — andysauto953 @ 5:51 pm

Getting The Right Wheels And Tires At Andys Auto In Groton

A lot of people in the Ayer area want custom wheels. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you’re not careful. Sometimes they just don’t fit right: The tires rub in turns or over bumps. Consulting a tire professional at Andys Auto in Groton can ensure you get the right fit for your SUV. First he’ll ask you a series of questions about your driving needs and what you want in your new wheels.

Now, not every wheel can go on every vehicle. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside. If you don’t want to make any modifications to your SUV, you would need to focus on a wheel and tire combination that would fit. With trucks, some Groton people like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.

Also, most Groton people don’t realize that you need to keep the rolling diameter of your new tires – that’s the overall height of the tire – very close to what came from the factory in order for your anti-lock brakes and stability control systems to work properly.

The SUV computers that control these systems are calibrated to a certain size tire. When you go bigger or smaller, the computer doesn’t know what changes you made so it can’t tell how fast you’re going. This, of course, means it sends commands to the brakes and traction control that are based on the wrong sensor information. If you go with a different rolling diameter, your SUV vehicle control computer can be reprogrammed for the new tire size. At Andys Auto, we can give you information about control computer reprogramming.

Either way, there are hundreds of wheel and tire choices to choose from in Groton. You can pick the style of wheel you want and then talk with your Groton tire professional about how big the wheel should be – and select the right tire to meet your style, performance, ride and handling needs – and the best way to do all this is to have your courteous Andys Auto tire specialist see your SUV in person so mistakes are not made.

At Andys Auto, we also offer alignment and brake service.

Give us a call

Andys Auto
978.448.3191
28 Willowdale Road
Groton, MA 01450

At Andys Auto in Groton MA (01450) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 978.448.3191. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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April 20, 2012

Deciphering The Menu Board At Andys Auto: F to W

Filed under: Making Your Vehicle Last — andysauto953 @ 7:24 pm

Deciphering The Menu Board At Andys Auto F to W

You may not be familiar with all of the items on Andys Auto’s menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. Remember, the board is there for reference; speak to your Andys Auto Service Adviser about other possible needs or services.

Andys Auto Fuel System Cleaning: Over time, the fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning at Andys Auto gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas as you drive around Groton and on Ayer freeways, by the way.

Andys Auto Headlamp Replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. When one burns out, replace both so they’ll have the same brightness. Also, if your headlamp lenses are yellowed or cloudy, you can have them professionally restored to like new-condition. As your courteous Andys Auto advisor for information.

Andys Auto Inspections: Groton drivers get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they’re going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle’s ready for summer or winter in Groton. Maybe they just bought a used car and want to give it the once over. An inspection at Andys Auto may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

Andys Auto Oil Change Service – there are several options: Some Groton auto service centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

Andys Auto PCV Valve Service: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It’s a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. Just needs to be changed now and then.

Andys Auto Power Steering Service: Often overlooked. Your Andys Auto technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the system running well for a long time.

Andys Auto Serpentine Belt Replacement: That’s the belt that powers the engine’s accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You’ll want to replace the serpentine belt at Andys Auto before it breaks or wears down too much, because that’ll lead to other problems.

Andys Auto Shocks and Struts Replacement: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many Groton motorists don’t notice when it’s time to change them. If they’re worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

Andys Auto Transmission Service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It’s like an oil change for your transmission.

Andys Auto Tire Rotation and Wheel Balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear as you drive around Groton.

Give us a call

Andys Auto
978.448.3191
28 Willowdale Road
Groton, MA 01450

At Andys Auto in Groton MA (01450) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 978.448.3191. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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