Advantage Auto Tech Question On Tire Wear

Advantage Auto Tech Question:
My name is Dan. My minivan tires wore out early and I had to replace them.What can I do to make my tires last longer?

Advantage Auto Answer:
Dan’s problem – premature tire wear – is very common for Greer car owners. Here are several ways to lengthen the life of your tires:

First, tires lose air pressure over time, so check them at least once a month and fill them up as necessary. A sticker on the driver’s side door jamb has the recommended pressure.

Tire rotation is also key for SC auto owners. Your front tires take the brunt of stopping and steering forces so they wear faster than the rear tires. They should be rotated regularly so that all four tires wear more evenly. Talk to us at Advantage Auto in Greer.

Out of balance wheels can also cause a tire to wear too fast. Greer drivers who feel a vibration in their seat or steering wheel may have a wheel out of balance.

Finally, bad wheel alignment and worn or damaged suspension can chew through a tire very quickly. Ask your caring Advantage Auto technician to have your tires inspected for signs of premature wear. Your technician will be able to pinpoint the cause and get it taken care of.

Give us a call

Advantage Auto
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651
864.801.1810
http://www.advantageautogreer.com/

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Advantage Auto Tech Question On Your Transmission

Advantage Auto Tech Question:
My name is Suzanne. We were taking a camping trip at our favorite SC state park over a three day weekend. About half way to our campsite, the transmission went out on our minivan. It took all weekend to get towed out and get back home.

What can I do to prevent transmission problems in the future?

Advantage Auto Answer:
Transmission repairs can be expensive at Greer auto service centers. On top of that poor Suzanne was in the SC backcountry. Her vacation weekend turned into three days of car repairs.

Look, minivan transmissions are tough and durable. All you have to do to maintain them is replace the fluid on schedule. The fluid gets contaminated with bits of clutch plates and metal. Dirty transmission fluid under pressure acts like liquid sandpaper, eating away at important gaskets and seals. Then your transmission doesn’t shift as well. It can start to leak and overheat. And then you could end up like Suzanne.

Another thing: if you carry heavy loads or tow a trailer on Greer highways, your transmission is working much harder and running hotter than under normal conditions. Your transmission fluid may need to be changed sooner. Check your minivan owner’s manual for your severe service schedule or talk with your caring Advantage Auto technician about when you should have your transmission serviced.

Greer auto owners who do a lot of towing may want to consider adding anexternal transmission cooler to reduce transmission operating temperatures and extend its life.

Give us a call

Advantage Auto
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651
864.801.1810
http://www.advantageautogreer.com/

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Smooth Shifting In Greer

If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve noticed that SC vehicles are getting more and more powerful and at the same time are getting better and better fuel economy. Much of that’s because of better transmissions. To get a understanding of why that is, let’s turn to gear experts – Greer bicyclists.

A cyclist’s cadence is the number of times per minute he or she pedals. Their ideal pedal speed is the zone where they can most efficiently generate power over a sustained period of time. The experienced cyclist uses his gears to keep his pedal speed in the ideal zone whether he’s climbing a steep Duncan hill, cruising on a flat stretch or killing a downhill.

Look at how it works: if you have a 1-speed bike, you really have to pump hard to get up to speed. And your top speed is limited by how fast as you can pedal. And if you’ve got a hill to climb – forget about it.

Now let’s add a couple of gears: one lower and another one higher. With the lower first gear, you can get up to your ideal pedal speed quicker. When you shift to second, your pedal speed drops below ideal for a while as you work to get back to peak efficiency. Same thing happens when you shift to third, but now you can go much faster than you could with a 1-speed bike using the same effort.

Add more gears and you can see that it’s much easier to maintain ideal pedal speed. The result, quicker starts, better hill climbing, higher top speed and, most of all, a lot less fatigue for the rider.

Like a cyclist, every minivan engine has an ideal engine speed called its power band. When an engine is running in that zone, it can make power very efficiently. It’s the transmission’s job to keep the engine in the power band over a wide range of operating conditions. Today 5 or 6 speed automatic transmissionsare pretty much the minimum in SC, and 7 and 8 speeds are fairly common.

Obviously these sophisticated minivan transmissions are very expensive. In fact, next to your engine, your transmission is the most expensive component in your vehicle, so it pays to take good care of it. Modern transmissions can adversely affect minivan engine performance when they aren’t working right.

All car makers have a recommended service interval for changing your old, contaminated transmission fluid. Getting transmission service on schedule at Advantage Auto in Greer keeps it operating at its best and can prevent expensive damage. Ask your caring Advantage Auto service advisor if it’s time for a diagnostic examination of your transmission.

Give us a call

Advantage Auto
864.801.1810
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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The Advantage Auto Guide To Synthetic Oil

Synthetic motor oil has been around for a long time in Greer and more and more new cars are leaving vehicle manufacturers factories with synthetic in their engines. But a lot of Duncan auto owners don’t really know much about it.

Let’s start with conventional oil – the kind Greer folks are used to. Conventional oil is made up of naturally occurring hydrocarbon chains, which means its molecules are long and have various lengths. Like a pile of pencils, some of them new and some of them used.

Synthetic oil is man-made. Its molecules are more uniform and regular in shape – more similar to marbles than pencils. Some synthetic oil starts with a petroleum base that’s modified and others are entirely synthesized from other materials.

Synthetic motor oil works better in both hot and cold Duncan temperatures. It’s more chemically stable so it doesn’t readily evaporate or breakdown in the high heat produced inside your minivan engine. This means it resists turning to sludge, which is a real engine killer.

Remember that marbles and pencils thing we were talking about? Well, that makes synthetic oil slipperier than conventional oil which means less friction in your engine. Your minivan engine runs cooler, wears less and lasts longer. You also get a boost in power and maybe even an improvement in fuel efficiency.

Synthetic oil also lasts longer so you change it less often – which is great for the environment. With longer oil change intervals, you need an oil filter specifically built for the longer service life of synthetic oil. Talk with your caring Advantage Auto service specialist about synthetic oil and synthetic blends – they might be just what you need toimprove engine performance and extend the life of your minivan.

Give us a call

Advantage Auto
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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The Maintenance Mindset: Full-Service Oil Change At Advantage Auto

Duncan people generally accept that many things in life require regular maintenance: their teeth, clothes, yards and so on, but SC motorists often don’t apply the idea of maintenance to their vehicles.

If you never brush your teeth or go to the dentist, you’ll become painfully aware of your neglect when you get a big cavity. Once the damage is done, we learn our vital lesson and start to take better care of things.

Unfortunately, Greer people too often learn the hard automotive lesson when they bring their vehicle to Advantage Auto on a tow truck. So many times, a little routine maintenance would have prevented a significant breakdown.

So how do Greer motorists get into the habit of taking care of their minivans? It’s so easy to forget; not like cutting the grass which you see it every time you pull in the driveway.

Here’s something that will help: The key to good minivan maintenance starts with the oil change. Think about it – when you go in for a full-service oil change in Greer, your caring Advantage Auto service advisor will check all your fluids. If one of them is low, he can look for the reason why. If your serpentine belt is worn, he’ll see it and let you know. Corroded battery cable – they’ve got you covered. And they’ll check to see if your manufacturer has recommended any vital services at your current mileage.

The oil change becomes kind of a focal point, a way to check in to see what needs to be done.

The fact is that vehicle inspection surveys consistently reveal that over 80% of vehicles have one or more unperformed repair or maintenance service. Vehicles are generally very reliable and can take a lot of abuse and neglect – but you can only press your luck so long.

So when you come into Advantage Auto for an oil change, you get a visual inspection of your car and a reminder for recommended services so you can avoid a total failure. And remember that your service advisor can help you work out a maintenance and repair plan for your minivan, prioritizing and scheduling the work to make sure you and your family are safe, and avoid expensive breakdowns.

In addition to full-service oil changes, at Advantage Auto we also offer brake service, serpentine belt replacement and wheel bearing service.

Give us a call

Advantage Auto
864.801.1810
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Why Greer Drivers Need To Change Their Transmission Fluid

It’s easy for Greer drivers to forget about servicing their transmission because it doesn’t need it very often, but proper transmission service keeps your minivan running smoothly and helps you avoid costly repairs down the road. The transmission undergoes a lot of stress. The grit you see in used fluid is actually bits of clutch material. This grit flowing through your transmission under pressure eats away at seals and gaskets which can lead to leaks. The transmission operates at very high temperatures – about a hundred degrees higher than engine temperatures. Those high temperatures eventually cause the transmission fluid to start to break down and lose efficiency. At best, your minivan transmission won’t operate smoothly. At worse, it could lead to costly damage. When your transmission’s running properly, it transfers more power from your minivan engine to the drive wheels, and improves gas mileage. That’s why auto manufacturers recommend you change transmission fluid at regular intervals. Your minivan owner’s manual has a schedule for transmission service and, of course, your caring Advantage Auto service advisor can tell you what the manufacturer recommends. Your Greer service center may be able to perform a transmission service while you wait and the cost is quite reasonable. Actually, it’s downright cheap when you think about how much a major transmission repair can cost! Give us a call Advantage Auto 864.801.1810 2561 Country Club Road Greer, SC 29651 At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Suspension Integrity In Greer

Hello 
Greer drivers – today we’re talking aboutsuspension integrity. Your skeleton provides the structure to hold up your weight. Your joints cushion you as you walk and allow you to change direction. Your minivan’s suspension system is similar: Itbears the weight of your vehicle, absorbs bumps in the road and controls the body as you steer.

Like the bones in your body, minivan suspension parts are connected by joints that allow all the components to move as they should. Over time and miles, the joints start to wear and your suspension gets loose and doesn’t operate as precisely as before, reducing proper tire contact with the road. An accident, pothole or hitting a curb or rock can also damage or break minivan suspension components.

If you’ve ever hurt your foot, you know you’ve had to walk differently to keep it from hurting as bad. Do that long enough and your ankle, knee, hip and even your back will start to hurt from the strain of not moving normally. The same thing happens in your minivan when one joint or part is worn or damaged: it stresses everything else and causes premature wear to the whole system.

Signs of suspension problems include uneven tire wear, vibration, rattles or clunks when you hit a bump or turn on a windy Duncan road, or the vehicle pulls to one side.

If you suspect a suspension problem, ask your caring Advantage Auto technician for an automotive analysis of your suspension system. They can also check your alignment while they’re at it. Taking care of a worn or damaged suspension component early, will head off future damage and costly repairs down the road.

Give us a call

Advantage Auto
864.801.1810
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Extend The Life Of Your Cooling System In Greer

Our vehicles operate in a wide range of outside Duncan temperatures. That’s why auto makers use testing grounds from the frozen tundra to the blistering desert. Your minivan engine antifreeze/coolant must be able to perform in these extreme temperatures.

Antifreeze/coolant has to move heat away from the engine to prevent costly damage. Water does a very good job of holding heat, but it freezes at thirty two degrees.

That’s why we mix anti-freeze with water – it lowers the freezing point of the antifreeze/coolant, and raises the boiling point as well. A fifty/fifty blend of water and antifreeze/coolant is the usual recommendation for SC auto owners.

And on top of that, antifreeze/coolant has to protect the components of the minivan cooling system from corrosion. Your auto makers owners’ manual will tell you what kind of antifreeze/coolant you should use. Of course, at Advantage Auto, we can advise you on what to put in your minivan.

Cooling system failure is the most common mechanical problem Greer auto owners have. Much of that can be avoided by following factory scheduled service intervals. Check your minivan owner’s manual or with your Advantage Auto service advisor for recommendations. He can also conduct a cooling system inspection to look for leaks, weak hoses or bad connections.

Give us a call

Advantage Auto
864.801.1810
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Greer: Have You Considered Synthetic Oil?

I recently saw an ad for synthetic oil in Greer. I really hadn’t heard about it before, so I asked my caring Advantage Auto service advisor for some background. Basically the inside of your engine gets really hot because of friction from the moving parts and from burning fuel. Oil lubricates the moving parts to keep them from getting too hot.

The problem comes when oil turns tosludge, which is kind of a thick jelly. Sludge clogs up little passages so that the oil can’t protect parts of the engine. So the two best ways for Duncan drivers to prevent sludge build-up is to always change their oil on schedule; and to use synthetic oil.

Synthetic oil’s much more resistant to becoming sludge than conventional oil. My Greer service advisor says it has the added benefit of lasting longer than conventional oil so the recommended change interval can be longer.

The thing I think is cool is that synthetic oil is slipperier than conventional oil. Regular oil molecules are long chains where synthetic oil molecules are rounder. It’s like, which is slipperier, a pile of pencils or a pile of marbles? This means that synthetic oil does a better job of lubricating my engine so it doesn’t get as hot, or wear as fast.

Using synthetic oil can help Greer drivers improve engine performance and help their engine last longer. I’m really glad my service advisor filled me in on synthetic oil. Maybe you should consider synthetic for your next oil change at Advantage Auto.

Give us a call

Advantage Auto
864.801.1810
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visitwww.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Power Steering Service At Advantage Auto

It’s easy for Greer car owners to take power steering for granted – you spin the steering wheel and your car turns. But behind the scenes your power steering is making it easy.

The vast majority of vehicles on Duncan freeways have hydraulic power steering systems, which means that pressurized fluid is used to help you do the work of steering. A pump pressurizes the power steering fluid to provide the boost you need. In some Greer car owners’ vehicles the pump is driven by the serpentine belt, in other there’s an electric pump.

The problem for Greer car owners is that over time, the fluid becomes contaminated and can actually cause leaks in the hoses and connections. It gets harder to steer and could even cause total failure of the power steering system.

Periodically, your caring Advantage Auto service advisor may recommend you change transmission fluid which involves removing the old, dirty fluid and replacing with fresh fluid. This helps the power steering components last longer and maintains your vehicle’ssteering performance and keeps you safely on the road in Greer. Your Advantage Auto technician will also have your system checked for leaks and the belt inspected for other pending needs. Ask if it’s time to perform a power steering service on your minivan today.

Give us a call

Advantage Auto
864.801.1810

2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visitwww.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Deciphering The Menu Board At Advantage Auto

Advantage Auto has a menu board that lists the services they provide. Some Greer  auto owners may not be familiar with all of the items on the board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. 

Advantage Auto fuel system cleaning: Over time, the minivan fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas, by the way.

Advantage Auto headlamp replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. It’s usually good to change them every year or so.

Inspections: Greer drivers get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they’re leaving Greer  and going on a trip or just want to make sure their minivan’s ready for summer or winter. Maybe they just bought a used car in Greer  and want to give it the once over. An inspection may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

Advantage Auto oil change – there are several options: Some Greer  centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. In my way of thinking, the full service option is best because it makes sure you have adequate fluids in your minivan and may uncover an emerging problem. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

Advantage Auto PCV valve service: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It’s a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. Just needs to be changed now and then.

Advantage Auto power steering service: Often overlooked. The Greer  auto technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the system running well for a long time.

Serpentine belt: That’s the belt that powers the minivan’s engine’s accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You’ll want to replace the serpentine belt before it breaks, because that’ll shut you down.

Shocks and struts: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components in your minivan. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many people don’t notice when it’s time to change them. If they’re worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

Transmission service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It’s like an oil change for your transmission.

Tire rotation and wheel balancing: The minivan tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear for Greer car owners.

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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We Test Batteries At Advantage Auto In Greer

Today’s Greer vehicles have more electrical components and do-dads than ever before. This really strains your electrical system, making it hard for the battery to keep up. Think about it: electric seats, seat heaters, power locks, windows and sun roofs. And then we have all the power outlets for our cell phones, computers, and DVD players. We also have navigation systems and powerful stereos.
Plus there are all the minivan engine and transmission computers, traction control, stability control, anti-lock brakes, sensors and on and on. Even the security system is running off the battery while the car is turned off. And of course, summer heat can take a real toll on battery life.

Fortunately, battery technology has given Greer drivers resilient batteries that are able to meet these strenuous requirements. But the fact is; minivan batteries just wear out over time. Eventually, every battery gets to the point where it cannot hold enough of a charge to start your car. Sometimes batteries need to be replaced because they have developed a leak.
Replacement batteries come in all shapes and sizes. Some Greer cars have limited space that requires a specially shaped battery to fit. Larger minivan engines require more powerful batteries to get them started. If you live in a cold climate you will need a more powerful battery because engines are harder to start when it is cold.
In SC, batteries come in “good”, “better”, and “best” grades. More expensive batteries may have a longer warranty and are guaranteed to last longer. As with most things Greer auto owners need to purchase to keep their cars in good condition, paying a little more up front saves money in the long run. Ask your caring Advantage Auto service advisor to test your battery and advise you on how much life it has left.
At Advantage Auto, we also offer brake service, serpentine belt replacement and wheel bearing service.
Give us a call

Advantage Auto
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC zip code 29651

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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It's New To Me - What To Do When You Buy Used In Duncan

Duncan auto owners sell cars for a lot of different reasons. Maybe they just want something new or maybe they’re selling the car because it has a problem or two. So how do you know what you’re getting into when you sign the papers for a used car in SC?

When a car comes into Advantage Auto in Greer with maintenance records, we can see if the factory maintenance schedule has been followed.

If it doesn’t come with records, Startex and Wellford used car buyers have to assume the worst. How many Duncan people who are turning in a leased vehicle at 36,000 miles will perform the transmission service recommended at 35,000?
So what do you do? At Advantage Auto, we suggest getting on track with the maintenance schedule and staying on track. Lacking evidence to the contrary, assume it needs an oil change. The thorough Advantage Auto inspection that comes with a full service oil change will reveal basic problems.

Be sure to bring up any specific concerns with your Advantage Auto service consultant. When buying an older used vehicle in Greer, there’s more to be concerned with because there’s been more time for things to go wrong. A used vehicle inspection at Advantage Auto is a good idea: the peace of mind is well worth the money.

In addition to the scheduled maintenance items, look for uneven wear on the tires. That could be a symptom of an alignment problem, worn shocks, or some other suspension issue. Listen for unusual sounds and pay attention to strange odors. Keep track of any problems you have when driving so you can consult with your caring service advisor at Advantage Auto in Greer.
If you just bought a used car in the Duncan area, give us a call at 864.801.1810.
At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Why Is My Check Engine Light On? Advantage Auto Has Answers

The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some Greer drivers and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most of us in SC.
First, if your minivan check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Get that taken care of right away. If your check engine light is flashing, you shouldn’t drive at Greer highway speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to Advantage Auto in Greer.
If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, schedule an appointment with your Greer service advisor to get it checked out.
Some more information from Advantage Auto on how the Check Engine Light works may be informative. Most of your minivan engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive in Greer.
In order to make these adjustments, the minivan computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Check Engine Light.
The minivan computer will also try to make adjustments to compensate for some readings. If it can do so, it’ll then turn off the Check Engine Light.

If the problem can’t be resolved then the light will remain on and you should get your minivan looked at at Advantage Auto. Your caring service technician will plug a scanner into the on-board diagnostic port and read the trouble code stored in the computer. The trouble code will give your Advantage Auto technician a starting place as he diagnoses the cause of the problem.
At Advantage Auto, we also offer brake service and serpentine belt replacement.
Give us a call
Advantage Auto
864.801.1810
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651
At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Viva la Differential At Advantage Auto

With front-wheel drive being so common in Greer these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most Greer folks don’t even have to think about it. And most rear-wheel drive minivan differentials don’t need to be serviced for many miles, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind. So it’s not uncommon for SC people to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.
To better understand what a differential does, think about a high school track. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the longer distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That’s to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.
The differential compensates for the difference in speeds on drive wheels between the inside wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they have to travel together through slightly different distances.
Many minivan differentials do a lot of work and require very heavy duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool. The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that break down over time. So manufacturers and Advantage Auto technicians recommend intervals for replacing your differential fluid.
Your Advantage Auto service technician will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. He’ll then replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.
Greer four wheel drive minivans need special attention to their differentials because they have a differential on both the front and rear axles that work at different times and sometimes under heavy loads – so they may need to be serviced at Advantage Auto at different intervals.
Your Greer service advisor can look up the manufacturer’s recommended service interval or you can check your minivan owner’s manual.
Give us a call
Advantage Auto
864.801.1810
2561 Country Club Road
Greer, SC 29651
At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Battery Replacement In Greer

Car batteries wear out just like any other battery and need to be replaced. There are a couple of things Greer minivan owners should know when looking for a new car battery: one is cold cranking amps and the other is reserve capacity. Let’s start with cold cranking amps. This can be thought of as the power output used to start a cold minivan engine. The number of cold cranking amps you need depends on your vehicle and where you live around Greer, specifically how cold it is where you live. The two factors are that the colder an engine is, the more power it takes to turn the minivan engine over to get it started. It has all that cold, sluggish oil to contend with. The other factor is that the chemical reaction in the battery that creates electrical energy is less efficient in the cold. So the colder it gets in Greer, more power is needed, but the available power drops. If you live where it’s cold, you need a battery with more cold cranking amps than you do where it’s moderate or hot. You should always get at least as many cold cranking amps as the manufacturer recommends, but may want to upgrade at Advantage Auto if you live where it gets real cold. An important note: Batteries may also list the Cranking Amps – CA – number. It is the Cold Cranking Amps – or CCA – that is the important number here. CCA is the number to use in your comparisons. Now with all this talk of cold temperatures in Greer, it’s important to note that heat is the real enemy of long battery life. In other words, the damage that’s done over the hot summer months in Greer shows up with the increased demands on the minivan battery when the weather turns cold. Now on to reserve capacity: It’s a measurement of the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has at a given load. The number is more important these days because of parasitic drain. Parasitic drain is the battery energy that’s used when the key is off. So the power drawn by the minivan security system, the remote start system, even the power the minivan computers require to maintain their memory. Reserves are also needed when you make very short trips around Greer. You’re not driving long enough for the battery to recover the energy it used to start the minivan engine. So go with the minimum recommended by your manufacturer and upgrade if you need more. Talk with your caring Advantage Auto service advisor about options. If you need more from your battery, a larger capacity battery may be called for. Batteries are a big ticket item for most Greer motorists, so the warranty gives peace of mind. Be sure to ask about the car battery warranty at Advantage Auto so you know what you’re getting. At Advantage Auto, we have been providing quality auto service in Greer for 3 years. Give us a call Advantage Auto 2561 Country Club Road Greer, SC 29651 At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Budgeting for Auto Maintenance In Greer SC

Everyone in Greer SC does our best to budget for scheduled vehicle maintenance.
What’s hard is planning for unexpected minivan repairs.
The truth is that our vehicles can stay on our SC roads longer than ever before with proper maintenance. That’s because of improved vehicle design and manufacturing quality. But some of those same improvements also lead to higher repairs costs for every minivan or vehicle.
There’s a tool that can be found on Edmunds.com that you can use to prepare your Greer SC service and repair budget.
Let’s suppose you have a used Toyota Camry – a very popular car in the Duncan area…
It’s now paid for and you’d like to keep it running for the next three years. You can go to Edmunds’ True Cost to Own calculator and enter your vehicle’s data. The calculator will provide estimates of what it’ll cost to service and repair your vehicle in Duncan over the next five years. The estimate’s based on where you live in SC, manufacturers’ recommendations and repair experience for your particular model.
Of course these are just estimates – there’s no way to predict what’ll actually happen to the car in your driveway, but it’s a good starting point. The calculator also has estimates for depreciation, financing, insurance, SC taxes and fuel costs.
Let’s focus on maintenance and repair in the SC area: This table at Edmonds.com shows that the average monthly cost of maintenance and repairs for our example in SC is about eighty-three dollars. That may sound like a lot, but compare it to a new car payment.
So if you set aside eighty-three dollars a month, you’d go a long ways towards taking care of routine maintenance and being prepared for the unexpected repairs that arise.
Some folks in the 29651 zip code area are afraid of what can go wrong with their older car so they buy a new one. That’s fine if you really want a new car, but if you properly maintain your older vehicle, you’ll save a lot of money on new car payments and insurance. It just makes good economic sense when times are tight in Greer.
At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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Making Your Vehicle Last With Regular Service in Greer

A lot of people in SC have older vehicles. They’re good commuters, grocery-getters or toy-haulers. They enjoy that fact that they’re paid off, or soon will be. They would gladly like to keep their vehicles for 200,000 miles or more – as long as it’s economical to do so.
There are plenty of people in Greer whose vehicles are running after 150,000 or 200,000 miles. We can learn from what they’re doing to keep our own cars on the road.

A common denominator is that they never skip an oil change. That may sound a bit unsophisticated, but it’s really not. First off, oil is the life blood of your engine and it needs to be clean to properly lubricate. Skipping oil changes leads to clogged oil filters and sludge that can damage your engine. Enough said.

There’s another reason why the scheduled oil change is so important. It’s simple – a Advantage Auto professional is going to be looking at your car. All of your fluid levels will be inspected and topped off so they won’t get so low that damage can be done. If there is a significant fluid loss, let’s use brake fluid as an example, your Greer technician can look for the cause of the loss and find the problem before it leads to an accident or costly repair.

Your Greer service technician will also visually inspect the vehicle for worn belts and hoses, uneven tire wear, leaking shock absorbers and more. Problems get addressed before they lead to repairs that cost more than the car’s worth. And your Greer service advisor will be able to remind you of other services that the factory recommends you get done.

Just think of that oil change the same way as you do about going to the dentist for your six month cleaning and checkup. Don’t skip it.

Of course, good maintenance costs money, but it’s far cheaper than new car payments.

Give us a call to schedule your next oil change today. You can find us online at Advantage Auto, or you can find us in Greer, SC 29651 at 2561 Country Club Road. Or simply give us a call at 864.801.1810.
At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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What Customers Like About Us At Advantage Auto in Greer

At Advantage Auto in Greer, a big part of the service we provide for our customers is education. We want you to feel confident with your service decisions. And we’re always open to questions. Even though we try to be proactive in our education, we sometimes get busy fixing cars and need a reminder. Please, just ask.
We’ve found our Greer customers like the service reminders. This is especially true of our returning customers. They’ve grown to trust that our recommendations are based on the minivan manufacturer’s published maintenance schedules and that we’re not just pulling them out of the air.
We know that you live a busy life in Greer with a lot more to think about than wondering if it’s time to replace your PCV valve. Part of our process when you come in to Advantage Auto is checking the manufacturer’s schedule to make sure we don’t overlook an important service for your minivan.

We hope you appreciate your courtesy inspection when you come in to Advantage Auto for service. If we find something unexpected, it’s good to know and if we don’t find anything wrong, you get a little peace of mind.

You know, customer satisfaction is very important to us at Advantage Auto. We want to run a caring and professional Greer automotive service operation. If we do, you’ll keep coming back and recommend us to your friends.

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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PCV Valve Replacement At Advantage Auto

Today’s Lyman car care article focuses on PCV valve replacement. The PCV valve is a little, inexpensive part that does a big job for your minivan. PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation.

The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the minivan engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase.
These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel. This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause engine corrosion in your minivan. At high speeds, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak.

Lyman car owners need to know that over time, the vented gases will gum up the PCV valve and it won’t work well. That can lead to all of the problems I’ve already described, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption and wasted gas.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to test the PCV valve and quick and inexpensive to replace it at Advantage Auto. Even so, it’s often overlooked because many Lyman drivers don’t know about it.
Check your minivan owner’s manual or ask your Advantage Auto advisor. If this is the first time you’ve heard of a PCV valve, you might be in line for a PCV valve replacement.
 
Please ask us about your PCV valve. For the price of a couple of burger combo meals, you can avoid some very expensive deep engine repairs.

At Advantage Auto in Greer SC (29651) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 864.801.1810. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

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