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Buddha Belly Interiors

Ask the Expert: Integrity Auto's Nate Bean talks healthy car care

Cars get safer, faster, more versatile, and more efficient every year. They also get more complicated, making it difficult—if not impossible—for the average person with a box of Craftsman tools to work on them. Gone are the days when it was easy to tinker with an engine, or to change a headlight or air filter on the jalopy in the driveway.

Pop the hood on a modern car and you’ll find an array of sleek-looking plastic covers hiding a byzantine network of mechanical components. Forget easily swapping out the old part—You’ll need a manual just to figure out how to get to the part in the first place.

Compared to the vehicles our parents grew up with, today’s cars are extraordinarily complex: Working on them takes technical know-how and specialized tools. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take action to keep your car in good health! With a little elbow grease and some proactive attention, even the most automotively-intimidated among us can keep a vehicle in good health.

“The most important thing—hands down—is regular routine maintenance,” says Nate Bean, owner of Integrity Auto Repair in Issaquah. Bean is an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified master technician with more than 23 years in the trade.

Regular maintenance can include anything from a routine oil change or tire rotation, to major transmission and timing-belt services. The old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure holds true for cars as well as for people. Routine maintenance not only staves off potential problems down the road, it gives technicians a chance to find problems that may not yet have made themselves known.

“One of the things we believe strongly in is to have a complete, comprehensive inspection done on the vehicle at least annually,” Bean says.

A comprehensive inspection includes checking all the vital engine and transmission fluids, checking belts and hoses, checking brake and tire wear, checking shock absorbers and suspension bushings, and inspecting for oil or coolant leaks. Your car may not be overheating today, but a technician could spot the beginnings of a coolant leak the next time you get an oil change, alerting you to a problem you didn’t even know you had. Better to find out at the local Quick-Lube than on the side of the freeway.

Talking car: Listen to what your vehicle has to say

So if getting out a wrench and busting a few knuckles isn’t really practical anymore, what can you do to help keep your car running in tip-top shape? The best thing is to be aware of what your car is telling you.

Turn off the radio once in a while and listen to your car as it goes down the road. Take a look at your dash panel and see if all your gauges are where they should be, and if any warning lights are lit.

“It’s always important to listen for any types of squeaks or rattles, notice any lights on the dash,” Bean says. “Any warning indicators, if they come on…should be addressed immediately.”

If your “Check-Engine” light comes on, take the car in for an evaluation. The car’s computer could be signaling a trivial malfunction, but if you don’t address the issue, you won’t be able to tell when—or if—a second or third perhaps-more-serious problem pops up.

Don’t fear what’s under the hood!

“Generally, it’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get gas,” says Bean. Check the dipstick to insure oil is at fill level, but also examine the oil color. Clean oil is caramel or honey-colored. Dirty oil tends to be dark brown, and impacts your engine’s performance.

If you drive an automatic, check the transmission fluid as well. It should be a reddish/pink color. Transmission fluid that needs to be serviced is discolored and smells burnt. Take a walk around the car to see if there are any obvious leaks. Check the tailpipe for black soot. An engine that’s running rich—using too much fuel—will leave soot on and around the tailpipe.

Show your wheels some love…with a tire gauge

“Tire pressure is crucial, as well as tire rotation,” explains Bean.

After the engine and transmission, tires are the most important part of your car. Tires more directly affect your car’s performance than any other vehicle component. Check your tires to make sure they aren’t running low on air or are scuffed from rubbing against a curb.

Properly-inflated tires provide better gas mileage, and improve acceleration, braking, and handling, all of which are especially critical in rainy or icy conditions. Not sure what’s the appropriate pressure for your wheels? Most vehicles have the recommended tire pressure labeled behind the gas door or in a doorjamb. Most tires also carry a recommended tire pressure (measured in pounds per square inch, or “PSI”) etched in the sidewall. Most gas stations have a tire-inflation air pump, and some pumps include a tire-pressure gauge. Tire gauges are inexpensive (they start at less than ten bucks), but can save you significant cash with improved gas mileage down the road. Pick one up at that gas station, an auto-parts store, or online.

Tweak antifreeze, wipers, lights, treads for Winter driving conditions

Winter’s here, bringing with it colder temperatures, shorter days, and sketchier driving conditions. And your car’s not looking forward to those icy roads any more than you are! But some simple steps will keep your vehicle humming through the season.

Don’t put your engine at risk: With cold weather bearing down, it’s imperative to insure your cooling system works…as a warming system for your car’s insides! Make sure it’s filled to the proper level. Better yet, take your car to a shop and have the system flushed to remove built-up gunk, and refilled with the proper mix of antifreeze and water.

How well can you see out your windshield in heavy rain? If your wiper blades need replacing, do so now before the weather gets too bad. Make sure all your lights (front and back) are working properly—With later sunrises and earlier sunsets, you’re more likely to be driving in the dark in Winter.

Check your tire treads for driving on icy or wet roads. Think of your tires as basketball shoes: If your wheels have worn-down or smoothed treads, they’ll be less likely to grip. One inexpensive option: Rotate your tires to insure better seasonal traction.

By following these tips—always paying close attention to your car and keeping up with scheduled services—You’ll avoid major mechanical catastrophes and keep your vehicle motoring along for years and years. And considering what cars cost these days, who wouldn’t want that? ■

The East King Trailhead
1420 NW Gilman Blvd. #2726, Issaquah, WA 98027.
Toll-free Fax: (866) 205-8722.
Email: info (at) eastkingtrailhead.com