AUTONET TV

Ask Muffler & Go About the Importance of Service Intervals

Today in our Muffler & Go blog, we're going to talk about following recommended service intervals. Your vehicle isn't the only aspect of your life with recommended intervals: What about six-month dental cleanings and regular physical exams? Then there's laundry, mowing the lawn, paying your electric bill, changing your furnace filter - you get the idea.

Now, what would happen if you didn't follow these intervals? For one thing, your teeth may get more cavities. You might not discover health issues that benefit from early detection and treatment. And you'd have to wear dirty clothes, be embarrassed by your overgrown lawn and have your power shut off.

We all realize there are some things in life that we have to take care of regularly. If we don't, there are negative consequences. Our quality of life diminishes and it inevitably costs more money.

Have you ever wondered, "How often should I bring my car in for scheduled maintenance?" You can let your friendly and knowledgeable Muffler & Go technician remind you of the manufacturer's recommendations. He has checklists of what the manufacturer recommends and can find potential problems when he inspects your vehicle. Rely on Muffler & Go professionals to help you make good car care decisions, that's our job.

For those in Fenton who want to be more proactive with their vehicle care, here are some simple ways to remember what has a maintenance interval:

First: fluids. If it's liquid, it's got a replacement schedule. Oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, brake fluid, differential fluid, etc.
Then think tires. They need air, rotation, balancing, and alignment. And while you're thinking tires, think brakes and shocks.
And what makes your car go? Air and fuel. Air filter replacement, fuel filters and fuel system cleaning.

Of course there are more items, but if you remember to take your vehicle into Muffler & Go for these things, your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor will help you with the rest.

Muffler & Go
1478 N Leroy St
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 629-1066
www.mufflerandgo.net

Smooth Moves

Stop for a moment and think of what’s holding that heavy engine that sits under your vehicle’s hood to your vehicle’s frame.  Your engine weighs hundreds of pounds, so it’s a big burden on those things that are holding it in place.  Same is true for what holds your vehicle’s transmission in place.

The parts responsible are called mounts: engine mounts for the engine, transmission mounts for the transmission.  They are either made of rubber or what’s called a hydraulic cushion, a mount filled with fluid instead of being made of rubber.

One thing to warn you mounts might be failing is you will feel shakes or vibrations, especially when stopped at a traffic light or when you’re idling.  Another symptom is thumping or clunking sounds.  You may notice the engine is rocking if you rev it in neutral, your gear changes feel jerkier than they used to or you hear more engine noise or vibration.  

If you notice any of these signs, you should have one of our technicians check it out fairly soon.  The reason?  If you wait too long to have a bad engine or transmission mount replaced, that delay can lead to premature wear on your axles or driveshafts, hoses and wires stretching or cracking and exhaust joints and flex pipes stressed to the point of failing.  

We’ll check your old mounts, remove the bad ones and install new ones.  The technician will make sure everything is aligned and check the engine for vibration before heading out on a final road test.  Once your new mounts are installed, you’ll notice the engine runs more smoothly, and your gear shifts feel as seamless as they should.

Muffler & Go
1478 N Leroy St
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 629-1066
www.mufflerandgo.net

Keep It Rolling Right

Keeping your tires rotated regularly is one of the simplest yet most important maintenance services you can perform on your vehicle. It is where each tire is moved to a different position: front to back, side to side. That rotation helps to ensure your tires wear evenly, which directly impacts safety, performance and long‑term cost.

Front and rear tires experience different loads and stress. Front tires handle steering, braking and most of the vehicle’s weight during stops, causing them to wear faster. If the front tires are not rotated, uneven wear can lead to reduced traction, longer stopping distances and a less stable driving experience. Rotating your tires helps balance out these forces, giving all four tires a more consistent grip on the road.

Another benefit of even tire wear is it improves fuel efficiency. When tires wear unevenly, they create more rolling resistance and make the engine work harder, resulting in lower mileage. A simple rotation can help maintain optimal efficiency and save you money at the pump.

When your tires are regularly rotated, it extends their life. You know what a new set of tires can set you back, and rotation helps you get the maximum mileage out of them. It also allows technicians to inspect your tires regularly for damage, punctures or alignment issues before they become serious problems.

Many manufacturers recommend you keep your tires rotated about every 5,000 to 7,500 miles/8,000 to 12,000 km.  Think of it this way.  Tire rotation is a small service with big benefits. It enhances safety, improves handling, boosts fuel economy and protects your tire investment.

Muffler & Go
1478 N Leroy St
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 629-1066
www.mufflerandgo.net

Getting New Tires in Fenton?

There are so many tire choices in the Fenton area that selecting the right one can be a bit overwhelming for drivers. And even though it's kind of fun to have new tires on your vehicle, they're a significant investment for most Fenton area folks so you want do it right.

Tip: talk with your friendly and knowledgeable Muffler & Go tire professional. He'll help you sort through the choices.

Here are some of the issues you'll talk about: One is size – you know, all those numbers on the side of the tire. The right size is . All new vehicles are required to have stability control which, along with other important safety systems, is calibrated to work with specific tire sizes. Your Fenton tire professional can help stay within manufacturer's specifications or program a different tire size into your vehicle's computer.

And you'll want to discuss how and where you drive to determine the type of tire you need: summer, winter,  all season tires or all-terrain. There are tires for every Fenton auto owner's needs.

Like we said, tires are a big investment, so you want to get a good value on tires. Now that doesn't always mean the cheapest tire. A top tier tire from Muffler & Go will last a long time and give Fenton drivers good performance throughout its life. Tires sold in Fenton bargain tire shops may not live up to that promise. Again, your friendly and knowledgeable Muffler & Go tire professional can give you options that offer the best long-term value within your immediate budget.

Last, with a 2-wheel drive vehicle, it's to always replace both tires on an axle. Modern sensors and computer safety systems for vehicle brakes, stability and traction control need both tires to have the same amount of wear to work properly. And always put the new tires on the rear so you don't fishtail in a turn. With all-wheel drive you should replace all four tires at the same time.

Schedule a tire inspection at Muffler & Go to see how much life is left in your vehicle tires and seek the help of a professional when choosing new shoes for your vehicle.

Give us a call.

Muffler & Go
1478 N Leroy St
Fenton, MI 48430
(810) 629-1066
www.mufflerandgo.net