5 Reasons To Keep Your Car Well-Maintained

Posted on March 12,15 by cccadmin

Thanks for visiting the Duncan’s Auto Care auto care blog. Today’s post lists 5 important reasons Oakwood motorists should follow recommended maintenance schedules.

1. Be Safe
A well-maintained car doesn’t put you and your passengers at unnecessary risk. Think brakes, headlamps, tires.

2. Get Better Fuel Economy
Regular maintenance is an investment in optimum fuel economy. Inadequate tire pressure, a dirty fuel system, and a clogged air filter are just a few things that reduce gas mileage.

3. Preserve Resale Value
How many Oakwood used car buyers will pay full blue book for a car with a filthy engine, clogged filters and bald tires?

4. Don’t Void Your Warranty
Your warranty claims may be denied if your service history doesn’t fulfill the minimum requirements recommended by the auto maker.

5. Save Money
Regular maintenance prevents catastrophic, costly repairs.

Here are some Duncan’s Auto Care tips to help you remember the main items:

First: Fluids. Oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, differential fluid, etc. We can take care of all of these for you at Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood.

Then think Tires. Air, rotation, balancing, and alignment. And while you’re thinking tires, think brakes and shock absorbers.

Air and Fuel. Air filter replacement, fuel filters and Duncan’s Auto Care fuel system cleaning.

This doesn’t cover everything, but your Duncan’s Auto Care technician will help you with the rest.

Give us a call

Duncan’s Auto Care
3720 Mcever Road
Oakwood, GA 30566
770.718.9942

At Duncan’s Auto Care we install quality NAPA replacement parts.

At Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood GA (30566) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 770.718.9942. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Automotive Solutions from Duncan’s Auto Care: Water Pump

Posted on March 09,15 by cccadmin

The cooling system in an engine has five components: the radiator, the radiator cap, the hoses, the thermostat and the water pump. The water is literally the heart of the system. Just as your own heart keeps your blood circulating through your body, the water pump keeps coolant circulating through your engine.

The water pump is driven by a belt, chain or gear and only operates while the engine is running. It has a limited life span and sooner or later will have to be replaced. You can check your owner’s manual to find out how long your water pump should last. Some can fail at only 40,000 miles, but almost all of them fail by 100,000 miles.

Water pumps don’t gradually wear out; they fail. In other words, they’re either working or they’re not. A failed water pump has to be replaced.

Water pumps can fail in two ways: they can spring a leak or their bearings fail. Leaks can come from a cracked pump, but usually develop at the gasket where the pump attaches to the engine.

If you hear a low-pitched grinding sound coming from the water pump, it’s time for a new one. If you see coolant leaking in the area near the pump, it needs to be replaced. Also, coolant on the driveway could indicate water pump failure. Many water pumps aren’t visible because they’re under a plastic cover, so you may have to take your sedan to your Oakwood service center or Duncan’s Auto Care to know if the water pump has failed.

If your water pump is run by the timing belt, then it should be replaced when you replace the belt. Most timing belts need to be replaced at around 60,000 to 90,000 miles. The labor for replacing a timing belt is about 90% the same for replacing a water pump, so it’s cost-effective to take care of them both at the same time.

Also, if your water pump develops a leak (if it’s powered by the timing belt), you have to replace the timing belt as well since contamination by coolant fluid damages the belt. It just makes sense for Oakwood auto owners to replace both of these essential parts whenever either one needs it.

Replacing a water pump at Duncan’s Auto Care is a car care issue that almost all of us Oakwood drivers face eventually. They don’t last forever. On the other hand, we can extend the life of most of the components of our vehicle through important preventive maintenance. Just as exercise and diet keep our heart healthy, regular check-ups and fluid changes will keep our vehicles healthy. Talk to your appreciative Duncan’s Auto Care service advisor.

At Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood GA (30566) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 770.718.9942. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Springtime Maintenance

Posted on March 04,15 by cccadmin

Springtime is just around the corner! The sun is shining, the temperatures are rising, and we at Duncan’s Auto Care want to provide you with the assurance that your vehicle will get you safely and comfortably through the season.

Not sure what effect a certain service will have on the performance of your vehicle? Ask your mechanic! Not sure what you need? Bring your vehicle in so we can let you know what should be done now and what things you can wait on.

Common services during this season:
Wheel Alignments, Tire Balancing
Cooling System Services
Oil Changes
A/C Services
Vehicle Safety Checks
Cabin Air Filter Replacements
Replace Brake Pads
Replace Spark Plugs

So click on the Request Appointment button below or give us a call at (770) 718-9942.

 

Anti-Lock Brakes

Posted on February 25,15 by cccadmin

There’s a common misconception among Oakwood car owners that Anti-Lock Brakes help you stop faster. That is not always the case on loose gravel or snowy surfaces. Anti-Lock Brakes, in fact, are designed to help you maintain control of your vehicle in an emergency braking situation.

Imagine you are driving on a snowy Oakwood road. You need to slam on your brakes and your rear wheels lock up. Chances are good that the rear end of your vehicle will try to pass the front end and you can easily lose control. What would happen in the same circumstance if your front wheels locked up? Well you certainly would not be able to steer properly and your front end would go to wherever gravity leads it. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) modulates your brakes on and off as many as 15 times a second. This keeps your wheels from locking up while providing the greatest amount of braking possible. You are better able to steer your vehicle and maintain control. Oakwood car owners often talk about the 3 S’s of Anti-Lock Brakes: Stomp – Stay – Steer. Stomp on the brake, Stay on the brake, and Steer normally.

Modern ABS utilizes a computer to receive information from sensors and control the anti-lock brakes. There are wheel speed sensors at each wheel reporting back to the computer which can then decide when to activate the anti-lock brakes on the wheel or wheels in need.

So what affects how well the ABS works? First, the condition of your brakes: If you brakes are worn or not working properly, the ABS will not be able to do its job as effectively. A brake inspection at Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood will let you know if your brake shoes/ pads are in good condition, if there are any mechanical brake issues and if your brake fluid and power brake system is in need of service. Proper brake fluid maintenance helps keep the brake control module in good working order. There can also be problems with the various sensors and the wiring that sends the messages to and from the computer. And of course, your tires need to be in good condition in order to have enough traction to start, stop, and steer. Worn tires are a big issue for ABS and Stability Control Systems.

The ABS is the foundation of Stability Control Systems, providing the important information needed for stability control as well as to strategically brake a wheel when needed, so making sure your ABS is working well is very important. Also, the rolling diameter of your tires is one of the factors on which the computer uses to base anti-lock decisions. If you buy tires that are more than 3% larger or smaller than the tires that were installed at the factory, the ABS and Stability Control systems will not work properly. The computer can be recalibrated for the new tire size so that the systems have the correct information.

When you start your vehicle, the ABS light will briefly illuminate on the dashboard. If the system detects a problem with itself, the light will stay on. That is your cue to take your vehicle in for an inspection to determine the problem. Your appreciative Duncan’s Auto Care technician is your partner in keeping this important safety system operating as it should.

Give us a call

Duncan’s Auto Care
3720 Mcever Road
Oakwood, GA 30566
770.718.9942
http://duncansautocare.napaautotools.com/

At Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood GA (30566) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 770.718.9942. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Power Steering Maintenance

Posted on February 04,15 by cccadmin

Did you know that the first cars were steered with a tiller? They also took a lot of muscle to turn – especially at low speeds. Francis W. Davis developed hydraulic power steering which has been enjoyed by generations of GA drivers who can steer with one finger while sipping coffee or even with a knee while they stir in a packet of sugar. (We don’t recommend either of these dangerous practices.)

With hydraulics, fluid is pressurized by a pump which actuates a hydraulic cylinder that does the heavy lifting, so to speak. Some of these pumps are powered by an electric motor but most pumps are powered by the serpentine belt.

Many Oakwood drivers take effortless, smooth steering for granted and fail to realize that this important system can’t be ignored. If you are experiencing problems with your power steering such as loud whining, extra play in the wheel, uneven tire wear, inconsistent power assist or if you find that it has become more difficult to turn the wheel, it is time to have your modern horseless carriage looked at by your appreciative Duncan’s Auto Care technician.

Power steering fluid is the lifeblood of your steering system. Duncan’s Auto Care recommends that the fluid be replaced on schedule for optimum performance and to protect the parts from rust and corrosion. It’s best to check power steering fluid at every oil change.

Power steering service includes a thorough cleaning of the system and inspection of all the parts. The steering system and the suspension system work in tandem – an alignment service at Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood also includes an inspection of steering components.

In addition to protecting costly parts, properly maintaining your power steering system is necessary for keeping everyone safe – you, your passengers, and other Oakwood drivers on the road.

At Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood GA (30566) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 770.718.9942. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

What benefit will I get out of a fuel system cleaning?

Posted on April 24,14 by admin

Well, the dirtier your fuel system is, the bigger the improvement you’ll see in performance and gas mileage. But it’s critical not to wait until your engine is running poorly, you’ve wasted hundreds of dollars in gas or maybe even damaged your fuel injectors and catalytic converter.

Look, gasoline is a petroleum-based product and will leave some residue, gum and varnish along the way. Some of that can find its way into your fuel injectors and interfere with their vital job. The fuel injectors do just that – inject fuel into your sedan engine. They spray a precise amount of fuel, at a precise time, in a precise pattern, at a precise pressure. When they are dirty this essential precision just isn’t possible. So your sedan engine can run rough. Also carbon deposits build up on valves and in the combustion chamber. Fuel economy suffers and performance is degraded.

These dangerous conditions allow excess unburned fuel to pass out through the exhaust to accumulate in the catalytic converter – which can lead to it overheating and failing for Oakwood drivers. So bad fuel efficiency, poor engine performance and the chance of having to replace costly fuel injectors and catalytic converters – all potential problems for Oakwood drivers with dirty sedan fuel systems.

A professional fuel system cleaning in Oakwood cleans out deposits, fuel injectors and the air induction system. Oakwood car owners get optimal power, performance and gas mileage and it helps avoid expensive future repairs.

Now I said professional fuel system cleaning: this isn’t just pouring a bottle in the gas tank. Cleaner is added into the fuel system with a special tool attached to a vacuum source and there is some manual scrubbing of the throttle body and air induction system. If you are experiencing a rough idle or unusually poor fuel efficiency, ask your appreciative Duncan’s Auto Care service professional if a professional fuel system cleaning at Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood is in order.

Give us a call

Duncan’s Auto Care
3720 Mcever Road
Oakwood, GA 30566
770.718.9942

 

At Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood GA (30566) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 770.718.9942. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

What can I do to improve fuel efficiency?

Posted on March 31,14 by admin

There are actually a lot of things Oakwood drivers can do – some of them are pretty easy. One of the first things Oakwood drivers should do is make sure their tires are properly inflated. On the inside of the driver’s door or door jamb is a plate that indicates the correct tire pressure. Careful – there might be a different pressure for the front and rear tires. Check them at least once a month.

Carrying extra weight in the vehicle hurts fuel economy. Leave unnecessary stuff home. Do we even need to mention driving fast around Oakwood and jackrabbit starts? Gently accelerate and plan your stops so that you can ease into them a bit. This really makes a big difference. Now there are a number of critical maintenance items that improve fuel economy for smart Oakwood auto owners. Lubricants should be replaced on schedule – dirty oil, transmission fluid and differential fluid cause more friction and drag which hurt gas mileage. A big one is having a fuel system cleaning done if needed. A dirty fuel system can really reduce engine efficiency and increase fuel consumption.

And if your Check Engine Light is on, take your sedan in to Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood for a diagnosis. Some conditions that trigger the light can really hurt your fuel economy. Getting the necessary work done to correct the fault will help your engine run better and may bump up your mileage.

And watch out for miracle cures. There are a lot of products being sold in GA that claim to increase fuel economy. Check them out before you buy. Ask your appreciative Duncan’s Auto Care service professional for ideas to improve your sedan’s fuel economy.

Give us a call
Duncan’s Auto Care
3720 Mcever Road
Oakwood, GA 30566
770.718.9942

 

At Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood GA (30566) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 770.718.9942. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Simple Answers from Duncan’s Auto Care: Cabin Air Filter

Posted on March 07,14 by admin

Question:
My car has a bad odor when I run the heater or air conditioner. My friend said I might need a new cabin air filter – what’s that?

Duncan’s Auto Care Answer:
A cabin air filter is a special filter that cleans the air that comes into the Oakwood auto owners’ passenger compartments – or cabin – of their vehicles. Most new vehicles sold in GA now have a cabin air filter. A cabin air filter catches dust, pollen, spores and other detrimental pollutants before they can get into your cabin. It’s kind of like the filter on your furnace in your Oakwood home, cleaning the air you breathe inside your sedan.

As Oakwood auto owners can imagine, it eventually gets filled up and can even start to get smelly. So – you just have it replaced. Now some are really easy to access and others are tougher to get to. Your appreciative Duncan’s Auto Care tech will be able to take care of it for you.

Your auto maker’s owner’s manual likely has a recommendation for when to replace the cabin air filter. If you live and drive in GA where there is a lot of dust, pollen or dangerous pollution, the filter will fill up quicker. Of course, if you’re getting a bad odor bring it to the attention of your appreciative Duncan’s Auto Care tech.

Give us a call

Duncan’s Auto Care
3720 Mcever Road
Oakwood, GA 30566
770.718.9942

 

At Duncan’s Auto Care in Oakwood GA (30566) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 770.718.9942. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Duncan's Auto Care Launches NEW Website!

Posted on August 17,12 by truck2

We’ve got a new look! Duncan’s Auto Care of Oakwood, GA, has launched a new website. We understand that web is taking over how our customers are looking for businesses and services. Our goal is to make sure our quality auto repair services can be easily found on the web!
Feel free to browse around our new website and let us know what you think. Please come back frequently to check out the latest news, photos, advice and promotions.
By taking your vehicle to a NAPA AutoCare Center, you’re getting the best of both worlds. All AutoCare Centers are independently owned shops that take pride in their communities and customers while still being backed up by a national warranty and the trusted NAPA brand.