With summer around the corner, car owners are revving up for vacation driving. Preparing your vehicle for summer is the first step toward a problem-free driving season. If summer road trips are on this year’s agenda, here are some simple measures you can take to secure your travels:
Check Your Oil and Change the Filter
Oil changes are an essential part of car maintenance and required at regular intervals in accordance with your vehicle manual. Before driving off into the sunset, make sure this service has been done. At Stonum Automotive, we can have your oil and filter changed in less than an hour to improve your vehicle’s gas mileage and performance during your travels.
Check Your Tires
It’s always a good idea to check tire pressure and the state of your tires before long distance traveling. Properly inflated tires will reduce the risk of accidents and give you a smoother ride. If your tires are old and worn, you may want to replace them before your vacation travels. Our technicians can provide excellent advice on tire safety to keep your family safer on the road.
Make Sure Your AC is Working Properly
AC problems on the road can quickly put a damper on your vacation road trip. Before taking off this summer, be sure to have your AC professionally serviced to avoid unexpected problems that may arise. Over time, it’s only natural for your AC system to begin to falter, especially if you live in a hot, humid climate. Our Longmont air conditioning service specialists will give your unit a comprehensive inspection, plug up leaks, replace old and worn parts and run it through a series of tests to ensure you get the most from its performance throughout the summer.
Wipers and Lighting
If your windshield wipers are worn, get them replaced for summer. You never know when summer showers will descend, requiring good wipers for safe driving. In like manner, you’ll need functioning headlights, taillights, turn signals, etc. for safe driving. By making sure all these electronic components are functioning properly, you’ll enjoy safer travels.
A complete vehicle inspection by our competent mechanics will alleviate any doubts you may have about the safety and performance of your vehicle this summer. In addition to oil, AC and tires, we’ll check your vehicle’s brakes, fluids, hoses, belts and other essential parts to give you a clean bill of health for summer driving.
Although most modern cars today don’t need as much maintenance as older models, you still need to give your car some attention to avoid major problems down the line. By skimming through your vehicle’s manual, you’ll get a good idea of what kind of maintenance your vehicle requires. If you do nothing else, make sure these 4 must do jobs are on your maintenance checklist to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely.
Oil Change
Every vehicle needs regular oil changes to keep the engine operating properly. As time goes by, the oil in your car becomes weak and polluted from use, making it of little effect in lubricating your engine. Regular oil changes will keep your engine running as it should. Taking time from your busy schedule to get an oil change in Longmont is worth your while. At Stonum Automotive, we provide fast and efficient oil change services while you wait to make it easier for you to get the job done.
Air Filter Change
The state of your air filter will affect your car’s fuel efficiency and overall performance. If your air filter is clogged with dirt or debris, you will suffer from poor gas mileage and a vehicle that runs poorly. We can check your air filter during your oil change and have it replaced if there is a need.
Check Brake Pads
For the sake of safety, your brakes should be checked regularly to make sure your brake pads are in optimum condition. City driving with its stop and go traffic can be hard on brakes, causing the pads to wear down quicker. If your brakes are making unusual noises, it may be time to have the pads changed. We’ll give your brakes a thorough inspection to ensure they are functioning properly to keep you safe on the road.
Tires
Tire wear and tear varies depending on vehicle usage. A good tire may last up to 50,000 miles; however, this doesn’t account for flats or damage caused by driving on poor roads. As a driver, you should check your tires frequently for signs of damage or wear and tear. When in doubt, you can bring your car into our shop for a professional opinion on the state of your tires.
By taking advantage of our complete vehicle diagnostic in Longmont, you can have greater confidence in the safety and performance of your vehicle.
Auto maintenance and repair is a costly concern for many vehicle owners. By learning a few tricks of the trade, smart car owners can cut back on their auto repair bills in Longmont without compromising on the services they need. Here are a few practical ways to accomplish this goal.
Tune into Your Car Manual
Your car manual offers a complete guide for routine maintenance that can avert major repair problems later down the line. By adhering to this schedule, you can keep your car in better shape longer and save money on repair costs.
Work with a Reputable Repair Shop
There’s nothing like working with a qualified, trustworthy mechanic to reduce auto repair costs. A good repair shop will save you time, money and frustration in getting repairs done right. At Stonum Automotive, we value your business and trust. For this reason, we guarantee quality auto repair services for your investment. From simple oil changes to brake jobs, electrical repair, transmission services, engine overhaul, alignment and more, you can depend on conscientious repair jobs at affordable prices.
Purchase Discount Vehicle Parts Online
Many times you have the option of purchasing auto parts on your own, rather than directly from the dealer. You can often find great discounts by purchasing these parts online. Online sites such as AutoBarn and PartsGeek offer quality merchandise at competitive prices. This makes them a cost efficient option for purchasing new auto parts. By comparing online costs with local auto parts shops and your dealership, you can get a better idea of where to shop to save money.
Be Diligent with Preventative Care
Taking time for preventative maintenance is one of the smartest decisions a car owner can make. Through preventative care, you can protect your car’s engine, brakes, tires, transmission and more. At Stonum Automotive, we offer comprehensive preventative maintenance services that can enhance the condition and performance of your vehicle. Regular maintenance can prevent major car problems from cropping up when you least expect it and give you greater confidence that your vehicle is safe and secure to drive.
If you’re like most people, you depend on your vehicle for most of your transportation needs. As such, it only makes sense to invest in its maintenance and repair. By servicing your vehicle at Stonum Automotive, you’ll benefit from the experience and expertise of our qualified technicians in getting the trustworthy repair services you need.
Your car is an investment, so of course you want to do everything you can to preserve its value. This way, not only can you keep it running for longer, but you can enjoy a higher trade-in or sale value when the time ultimately comes to replace it. One of the most important aspects of taking care of your car is maintaining its engine—which you can do by having regular oil changes.
Here at Stonum Automotive, oil changes are just a small part of what we do; we’re a full-service auto repair shop, after all. But if you’re looking for a reliable place to get your oil change in the Longmont area, we’ve got you covered as well.
How Often Should You Change Your Oil?
There’s a lot of controversy out there these days when it comes to how often you should change the oil in your car. In the past, it was recommended that you have an oil change done every 3,000 miles. And while sticking to this schedule isn’t going to hurt your car, it’s generally not necessary with today’s vehicles.
Instead, today’s cars can typically last for anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000 between oil changes. The best thing you can do is refer to your vehicle owner’s manual to find out how often you should be bringing your car in for this service.
The Benefits of Regular Oil Changes
There are so many ways in which regular oil changes can help keep your car running for years to come and prolong the life of your engine. For starters, regular oil changes keep all those tiny, moving parts of your vehicle well lubricated, which reduces friction and prolongs the life of these parts. Furthermore, when you have regular oil changes done, your engine also tends to be more fuel efficient, so your gas money can take you farther.
Finally, regular oil changes help keep your car running clean, reducing your emissions. In this sense, you can feel good about getting regular oil changes because you can enjoy knowing that you’re helping the environment in the process.
As you can see, there are many benefits that come along with getting regular oil changes for your car. Be sure to keep Stonum Automotive in mind for all of your oil change needs in addition to any vehicle diagnostic work you may need done in Longmont.
At one point or another, most vehicle owners experience that dreaded moment when the “check engine” light illuminates on their dashboard panel. If this is something that’s recently happened to you, then of course you want to figure out what’s wrong and have the problem repaired as soon as possible. After all, you don’t want to be driving around with an engine problem that could only get worse.
At the same time, you want to find a reliable auto repair shop in the Longmont area that you can trust. Fortunately, you don’t need to look any further than Stonum Automotive to get the professional assistance and expertise that you need to diagnose your car and make the necessary repair.
Possible Causes of a “Check Engine” Light
First of all, understand that a “check engine” light coming on isn’t always the sign of a huge and expensive problem—even though that’s what many car owners immediately assume will be the case. Before you even stop by an auto repair shop, we recommend that you check to ensure that your gas cap is completely closed and latched. You might be surprised by how common it is for engine lights to come on because the driver has simply forgotten to close the fuel cap after pumping gas.
Furthermore, a “check engine” light could be the sign of a bad sensor, which is a quick and easy fix. In fact, it’s not very common for the light to come on as a result of a major and very expensive repair. As long as you take the time to have your car checked out as soon as the light comes on, the chances of having to face a very costly repair are quite slim.
Why Trust Stonum Automotive?
We understand that finding an auto repair shop you truly feel like you can trust isn’t always easy. That’s why we go out of our way to earn your trust as a customer with us time and time again. As such, we always strive to provide you with excellent and prompt service, quality workmanship, and reasonable pricing.
Don’t put off having your car’s “check engine” light diagnosed. Turn to the experts here at Stonum Automotive to get to the bottom of the problem today. We’re available for your appointment, so give us a call to set yours up.
No matter the time of year, you should always take great care of your car. After all, your car is what gets you around from place to place, and without it, you would likely become aggravated. Fortunately, though, it’s not all that difficult to take care of your vehicle. In fact, all you need to do is have it inspected every three months and make any repairs that are needed before they become too costly.
Here at Stonum Automotive, we have many customers come in who could have avoided expensive repair costs had they brought their vehicles in had them repaired before the problems worsened.
Always have your oil changed
Here’s the thing, you don’t have to change your oil every 3,000 miles. There are some times that you’ll need to change it at 2,500 miles. Other times it might be 5,500 miles. A professional automotive technician can diagnose when you need your changed.
Get your heating and AC checked
What happens if the heating or AC goes out in your car? You freeze during the winter and stay hot during the summer. This is why it’s imperative that you have your heat an AC unit checked at least twice a year. At Stonum Automotive, we can meet all of your Longmont air conditioning service needs.
Always check your tires
One of the best ways to take care of your car is by inspecting the tires and making sure they are in good shape and have the correct amount air in them. With good tires on your car, you’ll be much less likely to get in a car accident. If you see the tread depth on your tires is getting low, you should have your tires replaced as soon as possible.
Antifreeze and Transmission Fluid
If your car doesn’t have antifreeze or transmission fluid in it, you’ll end up with a blown up engine, which can cost thousands of dollars to fix. The best way to avoid this is by either checking the fluids yourself or taking it to a mechanic to check it for you.
Have you ever heard that you need to get your oil changed every 3,000 miles? Probably, because this is an old myth that has been around for quite awhile. Truth is, though, you may or may not need to get your oil changed this frequently. Depending on the condition of your car, you may be able to get away with changing it only once every 5,000 miles. Or you might need to have it changed every 1,500 miles. Here at Stonum Auto, we can provide you with an oil change in Longmont, and after we inspect the condition of your car, we’ll tell you how often to bring it back in.
Steps for Getting Your Oil Changed
It’s important that you keep a close eye on your oil. To do this, you’ll want to check it frequently. If you don’t know how to check it yourself, feel free to it bring by and we can check it for you. When checking your oil, you’ll first want to make sure that it has the recommended amount of oil in it. Additionally, you need to look at the oil on the dip stick and identify it’s color. If it’s so thick and brown that you can’t see through it, you will want to take it in for a new oil change. If it’s a light brown and you can see through it, this is a good sign.
Checking your oil is suggested at least once a week and before every long road trip. If you see that your car is using a lot of oil on a regular basis, it’s important to bring it in to us so we can pinpoint why it’s using so much oil. There’s a good chance that it’s an oil leak, but we can repair it for you and have you back on the road in no time.
A regular oil change will take about 20 to 45 minutes. If you don’t have time to wait for your car, you can drop it off and we will call you when it’s ready. You could also change your oil yourself, but it’s important to know what you’re doing or you could end up with too much or too little oil, which is not good on your car.
It’s one of the most asked questions in car care: How often should you change your car’s oil? Stonum Automotive knows the answer, regardless of the make or model of your car. We know the oil change frequency that your car requires, and when you bring your car in to us, you won’t have to waste time or money keeping track of oil changes yourself.
It’s probably true that you don’t know how often to change your car’s oil; and that’s understandable, because cars have evolved a lot since the old days when it was recommended to change the oil every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. Oil change intervals are a lot different today
, on the whole, than they were years ago. You may be getting your oil changed needlessly if you are taking your car elsewhere; needlessly spending money and inconveniencing yourself, not to mention adding potential waste oil to the environment. Stonum Automotive will know when your car needs an oil change, and you can count on us to keep you apprised of the optimum time to bring it in for a quick change, while you wait.
If this information isn’t enough to ease your mind; we know that our oil change coupon will bring a smile to your face! Just visit our specials page to claim your coupon today!
If you live in the Longmont area, Stonum Automotive is a great choice for oil changes and all the maintenance and repairs you need for your car. Longmont Times Call readers rated us as the best automotive care center in the area! That’s definitely an honor; one that we take seriously and work to live up to, every day.
While you’re visiting us for an oil change, talk to us about additional services for your car. In addition to oil changes we can put your car on a service schedule, relieving you of the hassle of keeping track of your vehicle’s maintenance. If you’re as busy as most people are these days, you’ll love our scheduled maintenance – it’s the best way to ensure your car stays on the road!
Oil Change Coupon
Stonum Automotive is happy to offer a money saving coupon for your next oil change.
Ever jump into your car on a hot summer day, looking forward to getting the air conditioning cranked up, and then nothing…it’s broken! Yes, you did see some evidence of dripping in the parking space, or maybe you noticed some odd noises your car was making. Or perhaps there was no warning – in any case, if you’re stuck on a steamy day in Longmont with no auto AC, then drive on over to Stonum Automotive and let us take a look. We were recently voted as Longmont’s best automotive shop by Times Call readers. We’ll get to the bottom of your car’s air conditioning problem so you can cool down again, fast.
Air conditioning is one of the systems that needs to be checked on a regular basis. Don’t worry if you didn’t notice a problem for a while, as sometimes these issues can sneak up on drivers, then the system will seem to suddenly stop working. Actually there may have been a few issues that were building up over time, such as belt problems, seal leaks, hose clogs and more. Our technicians can get to the root of the problem and fix it, plus we’ll stand behind our work, guaranteed.
Here’s a tip from Stonum Automotive: Don’t wait until your car’s air conditioning fails on a blistering hot day! Bring it to us now for a check and we’ll ensure the air conditioning will run when you need it most. We make car care affordable, too! Check out our specials page for coupons and discounts!
While you’re here getting your air conditioning checked, we can take a look at your entire heating and cooling system to ensure that your cabin will also be warm enough on frigid winter days. As the top rated auto repair center in Longmont, you can trust us to provide the very best service, great prices and expertise that you can count on. Guaranteed.
