​Maintaining your car is essential to keeping it running properly and extending its lifespan. Unfortunately, many drivers wait until something goes wrong with their car before taking it in for repairs or maintenance, which can end up being much more expensive in the long run. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the benefits of regular auto maintenance.

The most obvious benefit of regularly maintaining your car is that it can save you money in the long run. Many people think they can save money by skipping regular oil changes or tune-ups, but this is not the case. When you don't maintain your car according to the manufacturer's recommendations, you're more likely to experience a breakdown that will cost you a lot more than if you had just taken care of the minor maintenance issues along the way. 

Another benefit of regularly maintaining your car is that it prevents breakdowns and extends the lifespan of your vehicle. According to a study conducted by CarMD, vehicles that are properly maintained can last up to 200,000 miles, whereas vehicles that are not maintained often only last for about 100,000 miles. 

Another important benefit of regularly maintaining your car is that it can improve safety. For example, one of the most important things you can do to maintain your car is to keep the tires properly inflated. This may not seem like a big deal, but driving on underinflated tires can actually be very dangerous. Underinflated tires are more likely to blowout, which could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and get into an accident. 

Conclusion: 
As you can see, there are many benefits to regularly maintaining your car. If you want to save money and keep your vehicle running properly for as long as possible, be sure to take it in for regular oil changes, tune-ups, and other required maintenance services.

Summer is here, and it's time to get your car ready for summer! Here are some tips on how to keep your vehicle running smoothly this summer.

• Check the air pressure in all tires and inflate if necessary.
• Make sure the coolant levels are topped off.
• Top off fluids like engine oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid.
• Check the battery and make sure it has a full charge before you start driving this season.

An oil change is a service performed on an automobile that involves changing the motor oil and replacing the filter. The frequency of an oil change depends on various factors such as the type of engine, number of miles driven, and climate conditions.

Having your vehicle serviced regularly is essential, so you don’t have to worry about any issues with your car later. Knowing when it's time for an oil change is also a good idea to plan ahead for it. The best time for an oil change will depend on your vehicle's engine and how often you drive it.

A coolant flush is a procedure done on a vehicle radiator and engine cooling system. This procedure aims to remove the sediment, debris, and corrosion that has built up over time. This can be done by using a chemical solution or flushing the system with water.

The importance of flushing:

• It removes dirt, debris, sludge, and other contaminants from the cooling system
• It helps maintain your car's cooling system in

Changing coolant regularly and checking for leaks. This can be done by checking the coolant level with a dipstick and adding it if needed. If there are leaks, they should be fixed as soon as possible. Leaks can lead to overheating and other severe problems with your engine.

Engine tune-ups are one of the most essential maintenance services that you can provide for your car. Not only does it save gas, but it also extends the life of your engine. 

During summer, you should have your local mechanic inspect all hoses, belts, and spark plugs for any signs of damage or wear. If they find any problems with these parts, they should replace them before they cause more serious issues down the line.

Your local auto repair shop can inspect your exhaust system, including the muffler and catalytic converter. If you neglect these components, you will face many problems with your car. The exhaust system is responsible for getting the fumes out of the engine. The catalytic converter is responsible for converting the pollutants in the exhaust into less harmful emissions.

If you notice a strange smell coming from your car, this might indicate that something is wrong with your exhaust system or muffler. If you have been hearing any unusual noise from your engine, this might also suggest that something is wrong with either one of these systems.

In the summer, scheduling car maintenance appointments with a certified technician is essential. You should also ensure that you get your oil changed and other necessary services on time. This will help you avoid any potential issues or problems with your car before they happen.

The tips provided above are from local Massachusetts auto repair shops shown below.
​Hub Starters & Alternators in Malden, MA
Elis Service Station in Arlington, MA
Tremont Street Garage in Melrose, MA

​Below are the five main sounds you will hear coming from internal combustion engines and why they occurred.

1) Knocking Noises

You will hear knocking noises whenever you accelerate your vehicle or change gears. The knocking will come from the inside of the engine. The sound signifies a problem with the timing of the air and fuel mixture’s ignition within the engine's cylinders. If the ignition happens too early, you will hear these knocking sounds. The timing of the ignition is crucial because it determines whether the proper amount of power will be produced. 

A simple engine tune-up for your vehicle might fix the problem. If the sounds remain, your engine could have a worn-out component that needs to be replaced or repaired, or worse, you may require your engine replacement! Anytime you need work done on the engine, hiring a mechanic for such a task will cost a lot of money. Before you do this, see if your car has a knock sensor that manages these sounds. If it does, then replacing the knock sensor might be all you need to do to eliminate the sounds. 

Also, check the engine oil level and verify that it is correct. 

2) Cold Start Rattling Noises

It is natural for some of the newer car engines to rattle a bit during a cold start. The rattle comes from the timing chain that is used with the engine. As the years go by, the engine will start to rattle as it ages. If you hear these rattling noises, then it likely means your timing chain is wearing out. If you already know that your engine has a timing chain, then you should get it inspected by a mechanic. They have the proper diagnostic equipment to check on it correctly. Otherwise, the worn-out timing chain could end up damaging your engine. 

3) Tapping / Clicking Noises

When your engine runs, do you hear constant tapping or clicking noises? If so, this could be the upper valve train that manages the opening and closing of the exhaust valves and air intake valves. You can determine whether the upper valve train is responsible for the noises by removing the engine head and evaluating it. You’ll see the camshaft moving the tappets and the springs, returning them into their original positions. If the engine has reduced oil pressure or worn-out springs, these tapping and clicking noises may be heard. Also, check the oil dipstick to check how much oil is in the engine.  Maintenance tip: Get regular oil changes!

4) Shrieking / Squealing Noises

Most people hear squealing and shrieking noises from their engine after a while. The belts are actually the parts that generate these noises. The belts connected to the engine are also used to run the AC compressor, power steering pulley, and timing. The newer belts are made from rubber instead of chains. A cold-started engine will cause the noises to grow louder. The noises will gradually disappear as you start driving and accelerating your vehicle. The belts may slip away from the pulley, which would cause you to hear this noise. Worn-out or loose belts often due slip away from their pulleys like this. That is why you need to replace your belts if they appear worn out. Either that or tighten the serpentine belt and test to see if you continue to hear the noises. 

5) Grinding Sounds

It is a transmission issue if you shift gears in a manual transmission vehicle and hear grinding sounds. The gears in the transmission are probably grinding aggressively against one another. A lot of the older manual cars have this problem. Don’t assume the transmission is bad, though, because the transmission may not be able to be disengaged from the engine by the clutch. Either that or the clutch is not being depressed right away before shifting. Get transmission service!

When someone learns how to operate a stick shift for the first time, it is common for them to encounter this problem. In some cases, the clutch mechanism may be too old and worn out rather than the driver’s actions being the cause of the sounds. If you have a worn-out clutch system, then it should be replaced. 

​WATCH - A new video from the Car Care Council, entitled “Auto Care Goes a Long Way,” shows how vehicle owners can save money with some simple preventative maintenance.

Many people ignore the little check engine light right under their noses.  That is a BAD IDEA!  If you like spending money on car repairs, then keep driving with that annoying light glowing right in front of you.  But it's best to get it checked!  It could be that you didn’t tighten the gas cap, but it could also be more serious.
​
When the check engine light goes on, you may not notice any trouble as you drive over time. But if you ignore it, you may see the car not performing up to its potential, or you may experience poor gas mileage.  The more you drive your vehicle with a problem usually ends up costs more money in the end!   So get that check engine light diagnosed at a local auto repair shop!

Posted by: Teele Square Auto in Somerville, MA. June  27, 2018

Why do I need the cooling system flushed?
Cooling system flush is part of ongoing preventative maintenance for any vehicle. The cooling system in your car prevents your car from overheating.  Your system circulates a mixture of coolant and water throughout your engine.  Unfortunately, the coolant mix becomes contaminated over time with rust and scale, which could cause clogs and damage to the coolant system parts and prevent proper cooling of your engine, causing it to overheat.


How your cooling system is flushed:
Our mechanics drain the old coolant mix, flush the system with a coolant cleaner, then flush the remaining coolant with water.  After the system is flushed and cleaned, we fill it with the proper mixture of coolant and water, bring the engine up to its running temperature, and test the system for leaks and that all other coolant components are working correctly.

Your service manual should have recommendations of when to get it. It’s a good idea to change the coolant.  For quick reverence, though, every 40,000 to 50,000 miles or whenever the low coolant level light is on, or the check engine light is on is a good idea to check or replace the coolant on your car.  Additionally, if your vehicle is overheating, it may be time for the coolant to be replaced.

Visit Teele Square Auto for your Cooling System Flush:
Teele Sq Auto
1284 Broadway
Somerville, MA
(617) 623-9067

Even though synthetic oil is more expensive it has its advantages.  Synthetic oil takes longer to breakdown so lasts longer than conventional motor oil.  Eli of Teele Square Auto in Somerville, MA says “customers that once changed their oil every 3,500 miles now go 7,000 miles between oil changes using synthetic oil"

Some car-makers require owners to use synthetic oil so be sure to check your owner’s manual.  Harry Janice of West Lynn Auto in Lynn, MA warns owners to be sure to comply with your warranty to avoid from voiding it if you don’t comply.

For older cars, synthetic motor oil has a resistance to breaking down which will help prolong the life of an older engine.  Additionally, older engines using conventional oil can began to get sludge buildup from conventional oil breaking down. Using synthetic oil for on older engines would be less likely to breaking down.  In a nut shell using synthetic oil is will prolong the life of your engine and require less oil changes says, Steve of Waverly Square Auto in Belmont MA.