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Cool Running In Pewaukee

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Unless you live in Death Valley, you really don’t hear much any more about cars overheating. That’s because cooling systems in vehicles have been much improved. That doesn’t mean you can’t overheat your Sedan engine, though. Without proper preventive maintenance, you could still find yourself on the side of the expressway in Pewaukee waiting for your Sedan engine to cool down.

When you service your cooling system at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, your tech will check the condition of the coolant. It can become corrosive over time, which can damage a radiator — leading to an overheated engine. Changing the coolant periodically is good car care. Your Sedan owner’s manual can give you guidelines on how often to replace it.

If your engine overheated, your Friendly and professional service specialist will also check your coolant system for leaks. Check the Sedan radiator for cracks and the radiator hoses for leaks. He’ll also check your water pump. They don’t need to be replaced on a regular schedule, but they do need an inspection regularly. They can and do wear out.

The water pump is a critical component of your Sedan cooling system. It pumps the coolant to keep it circulating through the engine. The coolant is cooled in the radiator, then it travels through the engine, where it absorbs heat, then it returns to the radiator, where it releases the heat. And so on. But a water pump is something of a misnomer. The fluid pumped through your Sedan cooling system is not just water. It also contains coolant, which is actually poisonous. You should never consider your radiator as an emergency water supply.

There are many types of coolant. It varies from vehicle to vehicle, and using the wrong kind could damage your engine. Your service professional will know which kind your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends. The team of automotive professionals at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee is always a good source for auto advice. We’ve been providing quality automotive services at our convenient location in Pewaukee for 2 years.

Keeping your cooling system in good repair will help keep your engine running well, and keep you out of the Brookfield repair shop. This means that a regular cooling system inspection should be on your schedule for routine preventive maintenance of your vehicle. Your owner’s manual will tell you how often you need to do this. It varies depending on what kind of car you drive, what type of driving you do and where you live in WI.

At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee, we help you keep your cool which will keep you in the driving lane.

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Wipe Out! New Wiper Blades For Pewaukee Drivers

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Jim Nelson

When Pewaukee drivers talk about vehicle safety, they think of tires and brakes. But do we think about our windshields? Isn’t the ability to see a prime safety factor when it comes to driving around WI? Yet we often don’t even notice our windshields until we can’t see through them, or until our wiper blades fail.

It’s estimated that around 46 million people are driving with wipers that won’t keep their windshields clear during a storm — that’s 46 million people with impaired vision during a storm. For safety’s sake, Pewaukee car owners need to change the way they think about wiper blades. Most of us, 78% in fact, only change our wiper blades after they fail. In other words, we don’t get new ones until the old ones become a harmful safety hazard. Instead, we Pewaukee drivers need to make wiper blades an important part of our preventive maintenance routine.

Wiper blades should be changed twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. In WI areas that experience harsh winter weather, special blades are available that prevent ice and snow from collecting on the wiper. Ask your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tech about wiper blades that repel ice and snow.

No matter what blades you use on your vehicle in the winter, don’t expect them to clear the ice and snow from your windshield after your vehicle has been parked for a while. Using your wipers will shred your blades and may even damage your wiper motor. And don’t drive on Pewaukee roads with a frosted windshield. That’s a serious safety hazard. It can cause accidents, and you could be held liable.

Wiper blades are subjected to harsh conditions in Pewaukee. They’re out in the Brookfield sun and in the cold. Over time, they become hard and brittle and lose their flexibility. Then they start to tear. Without flexibility, wipers just can’t clear a windshield of water or snow. And torn wipers can actually scratch your windshield. Then the entire windshield has to be replaced — along with the wiper blades. It’s a prime example of how preventive maintenance could have saved you a costly repair bill.

Pewaukee auto owners can purchase new wiper blades at an auto service center or at any Pewaukee auto parts store. They cost about the same. But the auto service center will throw in the installation.

Once you have good wipers installed, don’t forget to top off your windshield washer fluid. If you take your vehicle in for a full-service oil change at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee, your washer fluid will get topped off then. But it’s good auto advice to purchase a jug of washer fluid to keep at home — just in case. And pack it in the car when you go on long trips.

While we’re on the subject, Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee advises Pewaukee drivers to always fill their washer fluid reservoir with window washer fluid. Don’t ever use water. Water can freeze in the reservoir, which can damage it. It can also freeze onto your windshield. Besides, plain water just can’t get a windshield clean. Think about it. Do you use plain water to clean your bathroom mirrors? And a bathroom mirror doesn’t get exposed to anything near the gunk that can end up on your windshield. Windshield washer fluid was designed to do one thing — to clean windshields. Let it do its essential job.

A clean windshield is not just good car care for Pewaukee motorists — it’s a vital safety feature. Let’s keep it that way.

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Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee Service For Your Exhaust System

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Your Sedan’s exhaust system is more than just a tailpipe and a muffler. In fact, it is one of the most complex systems on your Sedan. Maintaining it is good Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee auto advice for Pewaukee drivers, but it’s also good health advice and good environmental advice.

The exhaust system includes your emissions system. Because this system may affect your health and the health of our Brookfield area environment, it is subject to strict government regulations. Satisfying these regulations demands some high-tech, computer-controlled equipment, which means that the emissions system is a lot more sophisticated than it was thirty years ago. Most auto manufacturers recommend that you have your Sedan exhaust and emissions systems checked by a qualified service specialist at regular intervals.

The exhaust system starts with the exhaust manifold. The manifold is attached to the Sedan engine. It collects exhaust from the cylinders and directs it into the exhaust pipe. Gaskets seal the connection of the manifold to the engine and to other joints. A cracked or loose manifold or a leaking or damaged gasket can allow dangerous gases to enter the passenger compartment of a vehicle. One of these gases is carbon monoxide, which is colorless, odorless and deadly. For this reason, it is critical that Brookfield car owners keep their exhaust system in good repair.

The pipes that connect the various parts of the exhaust system can rust or be damaged by rocks or other road debris. Such damage can cause dangerous gases to leak into the air. So it is vital that exhaust pipes get a diagnostic examination regularly.

The catalytic converter is the next critical component of your Sedan exhaust system. It sort of looks like a muffler. Its job is to change dangerous gases into harmless carbon dioxide and water. The catalytic converter doesn’t require any regular maintenance, but it can wear out. If it fails, you will need a new catalytic converter to pass an emissions test in WI. Call Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee at 262-691-7113 if you suspect a problem with your catalytic converter.

Oxygen sensors in the exhaust pipe monitor the oxygen content of the exhaust. This helps the Sedan engine’s computer keep the fuel-to-air mixture at optimal levels.

The muffler is also part of your Sedan exhaust system, but it deals with a different kind of emission. It keeps your Sedan from emitting bad sounds. Mufflers act like finely tuned musical instruments. They create a feedback of sound waves to absorb or decrease the noises made by your engine. Different mufflers can create different sound waves, so you can actually “tune” your car to produce a particular sound, anything from whisper to rumble.

It is essential for damaged mufflers be replaced immediately at your Pewaukee automotive service center, especially if they are leaking. Not only will the extra noise annoy your Pewaukee neighbors, a leaky muffler could be serious.

The entire exhaust system is attached to your Sedan by hangers and clamps. These fasteners can rust, come loose or break. The essential components of the exhaust system can get very hot, so when the hangers or clamps fail, these hot components can come into contact with other parts such as wires and hoses. These can melt, causing serious and costly damage to your vehicle. Good car care requires that you have your exhaust system inspected regularly.

Let’s not forget the tailpipe. It’s the last essential piece in the exhaust system — and of your Sedan, for that matter. Exhaust fumes exit your Sedan through the tailpipe.

If your Sedan has any of the following symptoms, it may have a problem with the exhaust system: it’s hard to start, it runs rough, it’s noisy, it’s smoking. Also, if your “check engine” light comes on, especially if it’s flashing, it is important to get your Sedan to Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee right away. Often, the “check engine” light indicates a problem with the emissions system.

Caring for your Sedan exhaust system yields cosmetic benefits like quieting your engine sounds, but also may impact your health and safety. Your life, or the life of a loved one, may actually be on the line.

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Mercedes SL 55AMG intermittent check engine light fix

Posted on March 19, 2015 by Jim Nelson

For the past 10 months, this beautiful car has driven the Mercedes dealer and a body shop nuts over an intermittent blowing air pump fuse after some minor body work and a new air pump installation . Not very long after the initial repair, this fuse would blow and turn on the check engine light. He first returned to the body shop that did the work and they referred him to the Mercedes dealer. The dealer spent some time on it finding nothing and sent him on his way. After multiple visits back and many fuse replacements he brought it to us. Our team did a very comprehensive circuit inspection and found two issues. The first was a fuse box, the one in the right corner of the engine compartment, had some suspect water damage and excessive corrosion within the terminal runs. This we believe was causing some resistance issues obviously unrelated to the blowing fuse which was a little baffling. The cause of the blowing fuse was from the air pump itself, we found that while running an air pump test and lightly taping on the case the pump would stop and draw excessive current on our tester, enough to blow a 40 amp fuse. Once we removed the air pump, we found the case of the pump had a broken out piece. The broken piece was hidden in an area under the large mounting bracket. You could see, what looked like external damage, which was caused from something striking the pump. We disassembled the blower housing and spun the fan, you could tell there was play in the motor bearings and you could feel a spot where it could jam up. We will never know where the damage came from but we do know this is the problem that has been making everyone crazy.

This is the type of work we are known best for, complicated electrical diagnosis and repair. We are fortunate to have a team of people that have spent most of their careers fine tuning the skills to make this happen. If you are having problems like this with your vehicle, please send it our way, we look forward to helping you.

Posted in Diagnostics, Fuel System | Tagged Air Pump, Check Engine Light, Mercedes, SL 55 | Leave a comment

When Do My Shocks Need to be Replaced?

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Jim Nelson

A good suspension system gives a vehicle a smooth, even ride while providing Pewaukee drivers with good handling and control. But like any system on your Sedan, important parts of the suspension system can wear out, leading to a lower ride quality and safety concerns. So it’s a good idea for Pewaukee auto owners to remember an automotive analysis of their suspension system in their schedule of a critical preventive maintenance. Springs do most of the work of the suspension system. The most common types of springs are coil and leaf, but air springs and torsion bars are becoming more common. The body of the vehicle is “suspended” by the springs.

If springs were the only working component in your suspension system, however, you’d spend your travel time bouncing up and down like a bobblehead. That’s where your shocks come in. They keep the rebound, or bounciness, of the springs under control. Shocks also keep your tires on the road, which keeps the driver in control of the Sedan. Some vehicles have struts in their suspension system. Struts are a compact combination of springs and shocks. They do the same vital job but in a single package.

Shocks wear out gradually, so it can be difficult for Pewaukee car owners to notice when they need to be replaced. There’s no definitive point when a vehicle’s ride goes from smooth and controlled to a bit imprecise. To check if your shocks or struts are worn, you should first do a visual inspection on them. If they are leaking fluid, they need to be replaced.

There are other less obvious signs that your suspension system needs important attention. For example, an uneven, cupping wear on your tires may indicate that your shocks are worn. If your vehicle feels “floaty” when you turn, or, in other words, you don’t feel that you have full control of the vehicle, you should check your shocks. Also, if the front end of your vehicle dips noticeably when you stop, it’s time for new shocks.

Your owner’s manual gives recommendations on how often the shocks should be checked, usually between 15,000 and 30,000 miles (24,000-50,000 km). If one of your shocks does need to be replaced, you should replace all four. This will keep your suspension even and ensure good handling of your vehicle. If you carry heavy loads, tow a trailer or drive on uneven Brookfield area terrain, you might also consider upgrading to a heavy-duty shock.

Regular shocks contain hydraulic fluid. The important fluid helps them absorb the bumps or “shocks” of the road so the impact doesn’t transfer to the Sedan’s body. Premium shocks are filled with compressed nitrogen gas, which costs more but does a better job of controlling body motions. Regular shocks can develop air bubbles that reduce their effectiveness; the premium shocks don’t have this problem. So if you want higher handling performance, if you drive off-road around WI or if you just want added comfort, you should think about upgrading to premium shocks or struts.

Replacing struts can put your Sedan out of alignment, so an alignment check should always follow this type of repair. Talk to your Friendly and professional technician at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee.

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Road Trip: Be Ready for Anything With a Trip Inspection at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Road trip, anyone? Nothing spoils a great vacation for us Pewaukee car owners then ending up stranded on the side of the road or spending a week in a rundown motel while our vehicle sits in the shop. Long days on the road can bring out the worst in your vehicle, so before you leave, prepare it for the journey by getting a diagnostic examination at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee. After all, you wouldn’t travel without clean socks, why ask your vehicle to travel with a load of dangerous dirty oil?

The first step in a trip inspection at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee is to look at your travel plans. What kinds of roads will you be driving on? Will you be in the WI backcountry or on the freeway? Will you be crossing mountains? Off-roading? What will the weather be like? How many miles away from Pewaukee will you be traveling? How much are you hauling? Will you be towing a trailer or lugging a rooftop carrier? Will you encounter dust, mud, snow or sea salt? All of these questions can help Pewaukee auto owners confirm which Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee services are the most needed. And don’t hesitate to meet with your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service advisor. He can give you good auto advice on what trip conditions are hardest on what systems of your car and what kinds of services your vehicle realistically needs. Start with the tires and survey them for tread wear and proper inflation. Replace or rotate them as needed. If you need to change them out for winter tires, then do so.

Then survey your shocks or struts for wear. Replace them if needed. You’ll want that extra comfort on your trip. Be sure to survey your alignment. Steering a vehicle that is out of alignment is tiring, and dangerous. Don’t overlook your brakes. With extra passengers and baggage, your brakes are going to get a workout. You want them in top condition.

In addition, inspect belts and hoses. If any of them are close to wearing out, have them replaced before your long trip does them in.

Change your engine air filter if it needs it or if it’s close to needing it. For every gallon of gas you burn, your air filter processes 12,000 gallons of air. A clean air filter will protect essential electronic sensors that effect how your engine runs.

Get an oil change at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee if it’s coming due. Make it a full-service oil change while you’re at it. That way, all of your fluids will get checked and topped off. Change any dirty or old fluids. Pewaukee car owners don’t want to overstress their cooling systems or transmissions with detrimental dirty fluid during a long trip.

Does your vehicle smell? Check the cabin air filter. The bad smell could also indicate an exhaust leak, which can be fatal on a long trip. So don’t ignore bad odors; check them out.

If your air conditioning hasn’t been up to snuff, then give it an overhaul. You want your vacation to be relaxed and pleasant, and that means keeping the passenger compartment comfortable.

And be sure to inspect your wiper blades and your headlamps. You may find yourself driving in unfamiliar territory at night after a long day. You’ll want to be able to see as much as possible.

Of course, almost everything listed here is just part of vital preventive maintenance for smart Pewaukee auto owners. If you keep up with your car care on a regular basis, a trip inspection will be a breeze at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee.

Taking care of your vehicle before you leave for a road trip will pay you back in safety, peace of mind, improved comfort and better MPG. It will also help your vacation go as planned by keeping you on the road and headed for that next great adventure. Just don’t forget to pack your socks.

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Coolant/Antifreeze Service At Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Anyone that drives a car in Pewaukee knows that engines get hot when they run. But did you know that engines need to be cooled to keep running? Heat inside an engine can cause the metal parts to expand, which can seize up an engine and make it stop running. It can even ruin the entire engine! Good car care requires keeping your Sedan cooling system in good condition.

A vehicle’s cooling system circulates water and antifreeze (coolant) through the engine where it absorbs heat. It then flows to the radiator where the water and antifreeze are cooled by the air that flows over the radiator. Then it circulates back into the Sedan’s engine to absorb more heat.

Why shouldn’t Sussex drivers just use water? Because water boils at temperatures that are often reached inside of an engine. Steam won’t cool your Sedan engine and is hard to contain within the cooling system. The antifreeze keeps the water from boiling.

So why do we call it antifreeze? Shouldn’t it be antiboil? Truth is, the antifreeze performs another critical task. Water freezes in cold WI weather. That would spell disaster for your Sedan’s engine. So antifreeze also keeps the water in your cooling system from freezing in all but the most extreme cold. Pretty neat stuff!

Taking care of your cooling system is part of good preventive maintenance for your Sedan. Brookfield motorists should check coolant level often and regularly inspect your cooling system for leaks.

That is just good auto advice. Your Sedan’s manufacturer has maintenance requirements for draining and replacing engine coolant. Consult your owner’s manual or ask your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tech for these recommendations, as they vary widely from among car makers.

Changing your coolant is also part of good preventive maintenance. Water is great at collecting all kinds of dissolved substances, especially when it’s hot. Water circulating through an engine picks up dirt, debris, pollutants, and other stuff. It actually becomes corrosive over time. This can damage engine parts and your radiator.

Replacing your coolant regularly keeps the Sedan cooling system functioning well and doesn’t allow it to sneakily become the cancer that wipes out your engine.

But don’t just slop any antifreeze into your vehicle. Check your owner’s manual or ask your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service specialist if you don’t know what is the right type of antifreeze for your vehicle. Using the wrong kind can void the warranty on your Sedan cooling system.

You may have noticed that different types of antifreeze are different colors. Manufacturers tint them different colors to make them harder to mix up. It’s easy to notice that you have purple fluid when you normally use green! That way, you have less chance of damaging your Sedan engine by using the wrong antifreeze.

One last word of warning — a little outside the area of car care. Never, ever let anyone or pets drink coolant/antifreeze – it is deathly poisonous.

Take care of your car, and take care of yourself! Just some good car care tips from Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee to keep you on the road and help your life in Pewaukee run more pleasantly.

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Keep Your Tires Well Rounded in Pewaukee: Tire Rotation and Wheel Balancing at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Jim Nelson

Taking care of our tires is a vital part of car care for Pewaukee drivers. We know they have to be replaced when they wear out, but tires also require some essential preventive maintenance. This maintenance will improve MPG and extend the life of the tires, so it’s well worth the effort and expense for Pewaukee drivers to get it done. Tire maintenance includes keeping tires properly inflated, rotating tires and balancing wheels.

The recommended tire pressure for a vehicle’s tires is printed on a sticker on the inside of the driver’s side doorjamb. A lot of engineering goes into calculating the correct pressure, so it’s a critical number for Pewaukee drivers to know. Not following this recommendation can throw off the suspension system and can lead to costly tire damage. Underinflated tires wear out more quickly than properly inflated tires. Vehicles also get better traction, handling and fuel efficiency on properly inflated tires. Check your tire pressure at least once a week and add air if necessary.

Don’t be tempted to add a bit of extra air to your tires when you fill them. Overinflated tires will cause the center tread to wear unevenly because of improper contact with the road. It will also impair the handling performance of your vehicle.

Rotating tires allows all four tires on a vehicle to wear evenly. Front tires get more wear than rear tires because they do most of the work on turns. Tire rotation allows all of the tires to spend time on the front of the car so they all experience the extra wear.

For most vehicles, tire rotation is simply a matter of moving the front tires to the rear and vice versa. Some vehicles, however, recommend a cross-rotational pattern. Other vehicles use asymmetrical tires, which means the right tires have to stay on the right side of the car and the left tires on the left. Some vehicles use differently sized wheels on the front and back of the car and should not have their tires rotated.

What kind of rotation do you need? Check your owner’s manual or talk to your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service specialist. Your owner’s manual will have information about how to rotate your vehicle’s tires as well as letting you know how often you should get it done. For most vehicles, that’s usually every 5,000 miles. Your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tech can also offer auto advice about tire rotation. A quick tire inspection can also indicate whether or not your tires are due to be rotated.

When it comes to tire maintenance for Pewaukee motorists, wheel balancing is usually what we know least about. Balancing a wheel is necessary to keep it in constant contact with the road. If a tire is not balanced properly, it actually hops along the roadway. You can feel this hopping as a vibration in your steering wheel if the unbalanced tire is a front tire. You’ll feel the vibration through your seat if a rear tire is unbalance. Properly balancing your tires is essential and will extend their life span, improve handling and improve the safety of your vehicle. When you replace your tires, the new tires need to be balanced.

Never use different sized tires on the same axle of a vehicle. In other words, your front tires need to be the same size and your rear tires need to be the same size. Mixing sizes can lead to some serious handling problems for Pewaukee motorists.

If you have an all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle all four tires need to be the same size. If your tires are wearing out, you can sometimes make a new tire purchase fit within your budget by only buying two tires at a time. When you do this, the new tires should be installed on the rear of the vehicle. Rear tires are more in need of the traction than your front tires to avoid spinning out on slippery surfaces. If you drive a vehicle around Brookfield, you need tires, so Pewaukee drivers need to know how to care for them. The safety of your Sedan can depend on the condition of your tires.

Posted in Tires and Wheels | Leave a comment

Super Slick at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee in Pewaukee: Synthetic Oil

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Jim Nelson

When you get an oil change, it’s always a safe bet to just use the type of oil the vehicle manufacturer recommends. But sometimes we’re asked if we’d like conventional or synthetic motor oil. We glance at the price tags on the two options and choose the cheaper one. But in this case, the more expensive oil might be the better bargain for Pewaukee motorists.

Conventional oil is made from petroleum. Its molecules form long hydrocarbon chains. Synthetic motor oil is either more highly refined petroleum or completely man-made. Its molecules are more uniform. This provides essential advantages over conventional motor oil.

First of all, the molecular structure of synthetic motor oil makes it more slippery than conventional oil so it lubricates better. This translates to better wear protection for Pewaukee car owners, cooler operating temperatures, more engine power and increased fuel economy.

Further, synthetic oil is more heat-resistant than conventional oil, and it doesn’t vaporize as easily. It provides better protection for severe conditions like stop-and-go driving around Pewaukee and very hot or freezing WI temperatures.

Also, synthetic oil doesn’t generate dangerous oil sludge like conventional oil. This prevents small engine passageways from becoming clogged, which can significantly extend the working life of your Sedan engine.

Manufacturers are aware of the advantages of synthetic oil, and many of them are using it to fill their Sedans before delivering them to be sold. Many auto manufacturer’s owner’s manuals now come with the recommendation to use only synthetic oil. Because synthetic oil wears better and protects better than conventional motor oil, it can be changed less often. If your Sedan came with a recommendation for synthetic oil, you may have noticed that the recommended period between oil changes is longer than what you’re used to. However, if you switch to conventional oil, you need to be aware that you can’t follow this longer service interval. You’ll have to change your oil more often.

On the other hand, if you are using conventional oil and you switch to synthetic oil, you may be able to lengthen the time between oil changes. You can meet with your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee tech. He can offer you good auto advice about oils and service intervals based on your driving habits and requirements.

Oil changes are the hallmark of essential preventive maintenance at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee. All Pewaukee drivers need them. So we should get excited about a product that reduces how often we need them. Synthetic oil is more pricey, yes, but it can pay for itself by lasting longer than conventional oil. And when you add in the hidden savings of an extended engine life and improved gas mileage, not to mention increased engine power, there’s a good chance that synthetic oil actually saves in the long run. All Pewaukee motorists pay for car care. But understanding what we’re paying for can make us more savvy shoppers.

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Servicing High Mileage Vehicles at Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Jim Nelson

The price of gas and the uncertain economy are both causing WI residents to review their finances. More and more Pewaukee motorists are opting to keep their vehicles longer and put off purchasing a newer car. It is estimated that two-thirds of the vehicles on the roads of North America today have over 75,000 miles on them. And the average age of vehicles is now over eleven years. That translates to some car care issues that many Pewaukee men and women haven’t dealt with in the past.

Older vehicles simply have different maintenance requirements than newer ones. Learning those requirements presents a challenge for Pewaukee auto owners because many owner’s manuals only publish maintenance schedules up to 60,000 or 90,000 miles. Vehicle owners have to keep good records and be more involved in planning preventive maintenance if they want to keep their Sedans on the road. First of all, any service in your owner’s manual that comes with a recommended mileage interval should be continued at that interval.

For example, if it is recommended that you change your oil every 5,000 miles, you should continue to change your oil every 5,000 miles. The owner of an older vehicle has to recognize that his engine is operating under higher stress than a new one. It’s just starting to show its age. So many experts suggest that the “severe service schedule” should be followed once a vehicle has racked up some serious miles. On this schedule, the mileage interval for many services is shortened or should be performed more often. Check with your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service specialist.

Pewaukee drivers who own older vehicles should also be careful not to neglect or postpone oil changes. A full-service oil change is more critical for an older Sedan than for a new one. Older engines have had a lot of time to build up sludge in their oil compartment, so changing the oil at regular intervals is a must. Skipping an oil change compounds the sludge problem. With a full-service oil change, the vehicle’s fluids are also checked and topped off. Your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service specialist will also let you know if these fluids need to be replaced. Older Sedans have older seals and gaskets, which often develop tiny leaks. Regularly checking fluids will compensate for these leaks and offer a heads-up about any serious ones. So, again, it is important to stay on schedule and not skip or procrastinate a fluid check.

Older seals and gaskets begin to dry out and show their age by becoming brittle. High-mileage formulation oils and fluids can help extend the lives of these gaskets and seals. These products contain additives that recondition seals and gaskets and keep them from leaking. High-mileage formulas cost more than standard products, but in the long run they can pay for themselves by preventing more costly repair bills.

If a vehicle is getting on in years or mileage, its parts are as well. High-mileage car maintenance requires necessary repairs and replacements. Timing belts, radiator hoses, parts of the suspension system, anti-lock brakes, air bags, water pumps, alternators and batteries will not last forever and will wear out in higher-mileage vehicles. They need to be inspected regularly by your Friendly and professional Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service professional and replaced as necessary.

But don’t go running for the new car lot just yet. These repairs may sound like a lot, but in total, they’re still cheaper for Pewaukee drivers than new car payments. And if you stay on top of them and budget for them, they aren’t as burdensome as it may appear.

If you plan on driving your vehicle into its high-mileage years, there are two relationships you need to develop. The first is with your Pewaukee service center. Your Nelsons Automotive of Pewaukee service specialist can offer you invaluable auto advice and help you develop a service plan that is right for you and your vehicle. Second, you need to develop a relationship with your Sedan itself. You don’t need to name it, but you should become familiar with its noises and idiosyncrasies. Pay attention to changes in its habits such as new or unusual sounds, smells, vibrations, etc. Taking note of such things and sharing them with your service advisor can help stave off a lot of big-ticket repair issues.

As we get older, keeping up with a diet and exercise plan becomes more and more critical to maintaining good health. It’s the same with our vehicles. A preventive maintenance plan and smart car care will keep them on the road and keep them safe for a good many years to come.

Posted in Keys to a long lasting vehicle | Leave a comment