Engine Maintenance - Service and Repair

Service Area: South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, Bremen, Bourbon, Nappanee Etc. 

Without an engine, your vehicle couldn’t do more than roll downhill. Your engine is the system that makes your vehicle move, so keeping up with engine maintenance is vital. Beyond that, engines are one of the most costly things to replace in a vehicle. Keeping your engine happy and healthy will go a long way toward increasing your vehicle’s lifespan and decreasing your need to regularly purchase new vehicles. 

As part of our total vehicle inspections, we inspect every aspect of your engine’s health, but there are some services and repairs you can schedule to keep your engine in prime condition.

Keep Your Engine Oil Clean 

Oil changes are the most talked about kind of engine maintenance - and with good reason! Without changing your oil at regular intervals, your engine will start to build up oil sludge that can slow and damage your engine. Get your oil changed on time. At least twice a year - even if you’re not driving often.

Change Your Spark Plugs & Clean the Fuel System

Here’s a fun fact - a tiny explosion happens in your vehicle every time you start your engine. That’s thanks to the spark plugs, which use their electric power to cause the little explosion that starts the engine. Gasoline leaves deposits like plaque the dentist cleans off your teeth. By changing spark plugs & cleaning the fuel system regularly your car will run efficiently & smoothly & you avoid costly bigger repairs such as internal engine damage.

Different vehicles need new spark plugs at different intervals, but you can expect to change your spark plugs somewhere between 30,000 and 75,000 miles.

Check Your Belts 

Squealing and cracking belts are both bad signs for your engine health. A few serious issues can happen if your belt breaks while driving: your engine can overheat, power steering can stop, and your alternator may even give out. 

Needless to say, driving is best when your belts are working. There are many types of car belts, so always have your belts inspected when your vehicle is being serviced, and plan to change them between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.

Keep it Cool 

We’ve already mentioned that an overheating engine is a bad thing. Your engine’s coolant is another vital liquid that’s responsible for preventing overheating. When your coolant is low, your engine is at risk as overheating can cause cracked pistons, ruined spark plugs, or - at worst - total engine failure. Aside from changing the coolant, keeping a clean radiator is another way to make sure good airflow is able to get to your engine’s cooling system. 

Bonus Tips for Keeping a Healthy Engine 

  • Drive on the highway when you can. Starting and stopping is hard on your engine. 
  • Always watch for leaks. Oil and coolant leaks are both signs of at-risk engine health. 
  • Listen to your warning lights. They’re there for a reason! If your light is on, visit your auto service center. 
  • Stop driving if your engine is overheating - if you continue, you’ll put your vehicle at risk of engine failure.

Is it Time to Check on Your Engine? 

If so, let us take care of it and put your vehicle through our thorough inspection process. Then, we’ll be able to present you with a comprehensive report on the current status of your engine and vehicle so you can take care of current issues and anticipate what will need to be serviced next. Book your appointment in Bremen, Granger, or South Bend today.