General Maintenance

“Lund Automotive is always on target and showing me personal attention. They go out of their way for to help including and offering alternatives. The prices are reasonable and the quality of the work always meets my expectations.”

David L. in Cary, IL

Why Routine Vehicle Maintenance Matters

Regular maintenance is one of the most important things you can do for your vehicle. Although today’s modern cars are engineered to be more durable and last much longer than cars made decades ago, the key to their longevity is servicing and maintaining fluid levels, parts and systems on a regular basis. A regularly serviced car will run more efficiently, use less fuel, contribute less pollution and last longer compared to a vehicle without regular maintenance.

A List of Important Auto Repair Services

Despite seeming like a constant and dependable conveyance, your car is in an almost constant state of degradation. Fluids that lubricate the engine and allow systems like the power steering and brakes to operate properly burn away or become contaminated; brake pads that provide stopping power wear away with every deceleration; filters prevent contaminants from entering the engine via the air intake or fuel lines eventually reach capacity.

For these reasons and others, your vehicle’s manufacturer provides a schedule of recommended service procedures based on the amount of miles driven. The service schedule is designed to help car owners to get the optimum performance, longevity and reliability from their vehicles. The service schedule typically covers the project lifespan of the vehicle and covers a wide variety of vehicle components and systems, including:

  • Oil, air and fuel filter changes
  • Spark plug changes
  • When the engine should be tuned up
  • Power steering, brake, transmission and radiator fluid changes
  • Lubrication of heavy-duty drive shaft components
  • Preventive maintenance saves money

Beyond ensuring your car is operating as efficiently as possible, keeping to your car’s service schedule can save money in the long run. Regular maintenance ensures your vehicle is inspected regularly, which can catch costly problems before they become more expensive. Investing in relatively minor maintenance items or check-ups also helps you avoid major, expensive repairs that can arise as the result of neglect. Lastly, if your car is still under manufacturer’s warranty, preventive maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer ensures your car will continue to be covered.

Without out a doubt, oil changes are the most important regular maintenance item for your vehicle. Because motor oil lubricates a wide range of moving parts within the engine, keeping it changed regularly is essential to keeping engine efficiency and longevity. Whether your car uses synthetic oil or conventional or standard motor oil, investing in the relatively minor expense of an oil change as recommended by the manufacturer can save drivers huge amounts of money in the long run.

Signs That Your Car Needs Service

As much as we may try, not every car owner gets their vehicle serviced as frequently as needed. It’s easy to forget how many miles it was since that last oil change, or if you needed a tune-up every 30,000 miles (or was it 40,000 miles?). However, there are some sure-fire indicators when you should absolutely have your car inspected or repaired by an auto service technician – or risk more costly damage if you don’t.

Flashing or blinking warning lights or check engine indicators should be addressed as soon as possible.

Oil spots under the car.

Have you noticed dark brown oil spots on your garage floor or driveway? This is an indication your vehicle is leaking precious motor oil. The problem could be as minor as an oil filter or a major issue like a bad gasket somewhere in the engine.

Greenish fluid under the car.

Your car is leaking radiator fluid. It could be a small issue like a bad fitting on a hose that leads to or from the main radiator body or a major issue such as a cracked or penetrated radiator. Get this problem fixed as quickly as possible or risk overheating your engine and causing permanent damage.

Squealing or squeaking when braking.

Can also indicate that brake hardware has become too worn. Putting off simple brake repairs can quickly cause costly damage.

Grinding when braking.

Indicate the brake pads are worn out or that the brake rotor surface has become damaged. Brake pads beyond their wear limit, will cause other parts of the braking system to come in contact with the brake rotor. Get brake repairs immediately.

Louder than normal operation, or rumbling or sputtering from beneath the car.

There’s a problem with the exhaust system. It could be a minor problem such as a hole or disconnected pipe or something more serious such as a bad muffler or catalytic converter.

Chirping or screeching from under the hood.

Drive belts, also known as serpentine belts, direct engine power to accessory systems like the power steering or AC. But these belts can become frayed, brittle or glazed as they wear, which can create a chirping or screeching sound, especially on start-up. Belt replacement a simple repair that’s relatively cheap.

Humming, growling or roaring when driving.

If you notice these noises, your tires may be worn or deformed, which mean it’s time to replace them (which should help improve fuel economy). Another cause, especially if you notice the sound only when turning or changing lanes, is a bad wheel bearing. If you suspect a bad bearing, get the issue checked out immediately, as a seized or damaged bearing could leave you stranded.


Lund Automotive Service & Repair
9419 Doyle Rd.
Fox River Grove, IL 60021
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 A.M. to 5 P.M.
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