Fall is catching up

The fall season it is a perfect time to get your vehicle headed in the right direction for the upcoming winter elements. Don't wait until the snow and ice to find out your car needed some maintenance. And don't put off those repairs until your stuck out in it. The following is just a guideline to keep your vehicle running smoothly.

* Change the oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles or according to your manufacturers specifications.

* Replace any dirty air filters or fuel filters.

* Have the antifreeze inspected to determine if it needs to be replaced.

* Have all the belts and hoses checked for any wear and tear.

* Make sure tires have proper tread available and correct inflation.

* Have the battery tested for proper amperage and any possible corrosion on the terminals and cables.

* Check for exhaust leaks. Many time we lut our vehicles warm up for extended periods of time in the cooler weather. An exhaust leak could prove to be dangerous.

* And keep some bottled water and snacks in the vehicle just in case your vehicle leaves you stranded for a while.

 And as always these items can be performed and completed by the professional staff ASE technicians at Kwik Kar.  Just minutes from Ft. Leonard Wood at 121 St. Robert Blvd.  Or call 573-336-4354.

ASE: What's in It for Car Owners



 

      Finding a competent auto technician need not be a matter of chance. Much of the guesswork has been eliminated, thanks to the national program conducted by the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. With more than 330,000 currently certified professionals, the ASE program is national in scope and has industry-wide acceptance and recognition. ASE-certified technicians and parts specialists can be found at every type of repair facility, from dealerships, service stations, and franchises to parts stores, independent garages, and even municipal fleets.

 

So trust the ASE staff at Kwik Kar to get the repairs you need done right!

Kwik Kar Oil Change

 

 

An oil change and filter replacement is one of many preventative maintenance services that help promote maximum vehicle performance while extending the life of your vehicle. Oil is responsible for lubricating the working components inside your vehicle’s engine while reducing the amount of friction between them. Because the engine generates a substantial amount of heat, oil acts as a cooling agent as it circulates through the engine. Oil also absorbs other harmful particles created during the combustion process and directs them to the oil filter, which filters out the debris and contaminants for clean, free-flowing oil. Together, the oil and oil filter keep your vehicle’s engine operating at optimal levels of performance. During an oil change, we will replace your engine’s old oil with new oil and replace the oil filter. We will also lubricate the chassis components of the vehicle according to the standards of the manufacturer. At the end of every lube, oil and filter change, our staff will have ensured that your engine oil is clean and the working parts of your engine are properly lubricated.

 

Over time, as oil becomes saturated with contaminants, excess particles are left behind in the engine, where they can form deposits and cause significant wear to the engine. Oversaturated oil loses its lubrication, which will eventually lead to an overworking engine, excess heat, and engine failure. Excessive heat can also lead to thermal breakdown in your engine oil, causing a change in the oil’s viscosity, and resulting in decreased oil flow. Similarly, dirty oil flows more slowly, causing the engine to work harder, leading to increased engine wear. Our service staff will inspect the oil filter during each oil change, and replace the oil filter in order to keep your oil clean from contaminants. Routine lube and oil changes will keep your engine running stronger and running longer. Stop in at your earliest convenience, contact us online, or call us today regarding your next lube, oil, and filter change.

Battery Maintenance

Kwik Kar offers customers the value-added benefit of a battery service. This is the most inclusive starting and charging system check and battery installation process in the industry and includes:

• A full analysis of your battery’s condition, including its state of charge and ability to hold a charge.

• An inspection and analysis of the car’s starting and charging system, including the starter, the alternator and the voltage regulator.

• A cleaning of the battery’s connection and cable ends, as well as an application of corrosion protection.

• Installation of a new battery if purchased from a Kwik Kar.

 In order to choose the best battery for your needs, you should consider the following: vehicle manufacturer’s specifications, driving habits, and any additional accessories, such as extra lighting, stereos, CBs, etc.

Most customers agree more power is better. That is why they often choose to exceed the bare minimum power requirements of their vehicle’s manufacturer.

Kwik Kar recommends battery maintenance every 12,000 miles or 12 months.

Gas Mileage

Fuel Filter Service

Every time a driver presses a vehicle's gas pedal, they are controlling how much air and fuel enters the engine. The air filter helps keep debris from entering the engine and a fuel filter helps protect the fuel system.

The fuel from the fuel tank is typically pumped from a pump inside the fuel tank to the engine. In the line between the fuel tank and the engine, a fuel filter is typically present to help protect the fuel system. As a fuel filter slowly becomes clogged, the restricted fuel flow could lead to poor acceleration and reduced engine performance as well as other issues.

Kwik Kar's Fuel Filter service includes:

• Removal of old fuel filter
• Installing a new quality fuel filter
• Inspection for leaks after installation

Is your vehicle in tune?

Tune-Up Service

Your car's engine is made up of hundreds of complex components working together to ensure that your vehicle starts and runs properly. Over time, however, these components can wear out, resulting in a loss of performance and fuel economy. The technicians at Kwik Kar are trained to work on today's high tech engines. We're here to help maintain your vehicle and extend its life.

The nature of an engine "tune-up" has changed considerably over the years, but the basics of how a gasoline engine works has not. Clean gas and air needs to be driven to the vehicle's cylinders where combustion initiated by a spark plug creates the power necessary to move a heavy vehicle. Clogged fuel injectors, dirty air and fuel filters, and corroded spark plugs can all decrease engine performance and contribute to decreased gas mileage and performance. That's why we examine your vehicle's air filter when your stop in, and why we recommend that you follow manufacturer's recommendations for replacing such key components as fuel filters, PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valves, and spark plugs when they are no longer working at maximum efficiency.

It may be time for a "tune-up" if you notice one or more of the conditions below when starting or driving your vehicle:

• a decrease in gas mileage
• a noticeable loss in power
• your engine running "rough" or stalling when at a stop
• engine "knocking" when accelerating or running-on after the ignition is turned off
• your "Check Engine" or "Service Engine" light remaining on after initial start-up

A standard tune-up, or spark plug replacement, done at the suggested maintenance interval will make an engine easier to start, improve fuel economy, lower emissions and restore lost power. Another (often overlooked) service designed to help your vehicle's engine running properly is the cleaning of fuel injectors and the fuel intake system. When dirt and deposits collect on fuel injectors, the amount of fuel delivered to the engine is restricted, leading to deterioration in performance and responsiveness. At Kwik Kar, our trained technicians can perform a Fuel Injection Service that will remove these deposits and help your vehicle maximize its performance and gas mileage capabilities. Regular maintenance of your vehicle's fuel ignition system is the key to reliability, fuel efficiency, and effective engine performance. From fixing a fuel system problem when it occurs to helping you prevent one from happening in the future, the technicians at Kwik Kar are there to keep your engine "tuned-up" and ready to go.

Need a belt?

Serpentine Belt Service

Imagine your car without the air conditioner compressor, air pump, alternator, cooling fan, power steering pump, water pump, and other accessories. That's exactly what you'll have if your serpentine belt snaps. So it's important to have it inspected regularly, and replaced according to your manufacturer's recommended schedule.

As part of the complete maintenance check you receive with every full-service oil change, we visually inspect your car's serpentine belt. If it has more than four cracks per inch in the ribbed section of the belt, and/or cracks that penetrate more than halfway through the thickness of the belt, it should be replaced.

Still, the serpentine belt's appearance doesn't always reveal whether it's on the verge of failure. Be sure to have it replaced on schedule — no matter how it looks. For most vehicles, this only takes about 10 to 15 minutes.