HELPFUL HINTS

DeMers Automotive is pleased to offer general maintenance information as a service to our customers. The following helpful advice will lessen the odds of mechanical failure and ensure safer operation.

Maintenance Tips
Fuel Saving Tips
Vehicle Identification Number

Maintenance Tips

Oil Change
– Change your oil and oil filter as specified in your manual–more often (every 3,000 miles) if your driving is mostly stop–and–go or consists of frequent short trips.
Air Filter Check
– The air filter should be checked every other oil change for clogging or damage. This system ensures that the vehicle is performing at its peak condition.
Have All Fluids Checked
– This includes brake, power steering, transmission/trans axle, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze. These fluids play a large role in the safety and performance of your vehicle.
windshield wiper check Check Windshield Washer System
– Check the blades for cracks, tears and windshield contact. Replace windshield washer blades at least once a year. Always keep your windshield washer solvent reservoir topped off.
ac-heat system check Air Conditioning System Check
– A marginally operating system will fail in hot weather. Newer models have cabin air filters that clean the air entering the heating and air conditioning system. Have it serviced by an ASE certified technician competent to handle and recycle refrigerants.
Cooling System Check
– Avoid overheating breakdowns. The cooling system should be completely flushed and refilled about every 24 months. The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked at the same time. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. (A 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is usually recommended.)
Tire Check
– Check tire pressure frequently for proper inflation, and don't forget your spare. Rotate your tires about every 5,000 miles, and periodically examine tires for tread life, uneven wearing, and cupping. An alignment is warranted if there's uneven tread wear or if your vehicle pulls to one side.
Lights Check
– Inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs; periodically clean road grime from all lenses.
Brake Check
– Brakes should be inspected as recommended in your manual, or sooner if you notice pulsations, grabbing, noises, or longer stopping distance. Minor brake problems should be corrected promptly.
Keep Your Engine Tuned
– A fouled spark plug or plugged/restricted fuel injector can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Replace fuel and PCV filters as specified in your manual.
Battery Check
– Batteries can fail any time of year. The only accurate way to detect a weak battery is with professional equipment. If battery caps are removable, check fluid level monthly.
exhaust system shcek Exhaust System
– Your vehicle should be placed on a lift and the exhaust system examined for leaks. The trunk and floor boards should be inspected for small holes. Exhaust fumes can be deadly.
Emergency Gear
– Carry some basic tools, gloves, boots, blankets, flares, a small shovel, sand or kitty litter, tire chains, and a flash light. Put a few "high-energy" snacks in your glove box. Keep a cell phone handy.

Fuel Saving Tips

spark plug check Replace Worn Spark Plugs
– Spark plugs fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel.
Replace Dirty Air Filters
– A dirty air filter causes too much gas burned for the amount of air in the correct mixture, which wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
Vehicle Gas Caps
– Damaged, loose or missing gas caps cause an estimated 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
city traffic Drive Gently
– Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on city streets. Avoid sudden acceleration and jerky stop-and-go's.
Avoid Excessive Idling
– Today's vehicles are designed to warm up fast, so letting the vehicle warm up for one to two minutes is sufficient.
highway traffic Observe Speed Limits
– Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Use cruise control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible.
Plan Trips
– Consolidate your daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving. Try to travel when traffic is light to avoid stop-and-go conditions.

Vehicle Identification Number

The Vehicle Identification Number decoder contains information for vehicles dating from 1981 - present, and includes all major makes and models of import and domestic passenger cars, sports cars, light trucks, SUV's and vans, representing 99.8 percent of all vehicles on the road. The VIN is commonly found inside the windshield or door jam.

VIN Decoder: http://www.carcare.org/vin

Enter the complete 17-character VIN number, or at a minimum, the first 10 characters of the VIN number, and press Submit for the complete vehicle configuration.

Check if your car is the subject of an ongoing defect investigation.
Check to verify vehicle information when considering a purchase of a used vehicle.
Verify vehicle information such as body style, engine, drivetrain, transmission, as well as year, make, model, sub-model information.

Additional Information

Since 1951, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) has advanced professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. The Colorado chapter of ASA has been a leading organization for automotive service businesses that strive to deliver excellence in service and repairs to consumers.

DeMers Automotive, an active member of the association performs automotive repairs, and can be identified by the red, white and blue ASA sign. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services.

The Car Care Council offers some helpful hints in the care of your vehicle. They offer a car care guide, pre-trip maintenance checklists and sources for vehicle identification research. This can be especially helpful when considering the purchase of a used vehicle and reviewing its history.

Check out the latest information on compliance testing, recalls and technical service bulletins from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.