Blue Seal Spotlight
March/April 2005
Automotive Repair & Accessories, Inc.
1831 East Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 244-2458 |
Focus On Your Car's Fluids
Engine Cooling System Flush and Fill—Although tests for freezing and boiling point are important, they don’t tell the whole story about the condition of your car’s coolant. Over time, acids build up in the coolant as the corrosion inhibitors become depleted, making coolant unable to perform its full range of protective tasks. Even worse, old, worn out coolant can also contribute to electrolysis, where the coolant actually takes on a small electrical charge. When this happens, the coolant begins attacking cooling system parts, including hoses, the water pump and even the engine itself. Regular flushing and replacement of coolant is one of the best maintenance investments you can make towards the longevity of your vehicle. On vehicles using standard green coolant, this means a flush and refill about every two years or 24,000 miles. Cars with long-life coolants such as DexCool® may require a flush and refill every 5 years or up to 150,000 miles. Always refer to your owner’s manual for specific replacement intervals.
Brake Fluid Flush and Fill – Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it attracts and holds moisture. More importantly, the moisture in the fluid can cause contamination and is the major cause of brake hydraulic parts failures such as calipers, master cylinders, and wheel cylinders. This contamination can wreak havoc on today’s cars with anti-lock brakes (ABS), because many ABS components have minute internal passages that are easily affected by dirt or corrosion. Some cars with manual transmissions also use a hydraulic clutch actuator that uses brake fluid to apply force to the clutch linkage. Brake and clutch hydraulic systems should be flushed when the fluid fails a moisture test or every 2-3 years.
Automatic Transmission and Power Steering systems – These fluids also need to be flushed and changed. These fluids break down quickly when they are subjected to excessive heat. Usually, fluid should be changed every two years or 24,000 miles; check your owner’s manual to be sure, as recommendations vary.
Shop Profile
Automotive Repair & Accessories, Inc., recognized by the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Program since 1997, is owned and operated by Casey O’Keefe. Committed to quality service and customer satisfaction, Automotive Repair & Accessories strives to achieve ASE certification for all of their technicians. For more information on Automotive Repair & Accessories, Inc., visit www.araofmadison.com.
|
