A good technician will give your vehicle a quick inspection whenever you have maintenance performed. Fluid levels, tire condition, dashboard lights, and a variety of other items typically are briefly explored whenever you bring your vehicle in for maintenance. At Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust in Buhl, ID, we're good at noticing things that need repair, but the fact of the matter is that only you know your vehicle. You know when your vehicle feels off when its been serviced last (or that it hasn't been serviced at all,) and have at least some vague idea of what’s going on with your vehicle day to day. Here are some questions you can ask us next time you come by the shop:
Do I need a coolant flush?
Coolant level checks are a part of the general checklist, but if you haven't had your coolant changed or tested in a while or don't know when the last time it was done, you may want to ask about its condition. Your technician can perform some simple tests to make sure your coolant is in good shape. Keeping your coolant maintained prevents overheating and premature failure of parts like thermostats and heater cores, and keeps out debris that can be difficult to remove once it gets in the system. Mention it next time you come by if you think your vehicle is ready.
Is it time for a transmission filter/fluid change?
It’s a bit difficult to determine at a glance what condition your transmission fluid is in unless it already should've been changed. The filter won't give you any indication until the transmission starts acting up, and by then you've waited too long. Like coolant, checking the fluid level in your transmission is easy, but determining its condition takes a bit more inspection. If your vehicle is climbing in miles or you aren't sure when the last time the fluid and filter were changed, ask us to take a look at it.
Should I change my spark plugs/wires?
Checking spark plugs isn't part of a routine checkup since it’s a bit more invasive. There's no way to know if a plug needs to be changed without taking it out. Checking or replacing them is no big deal, so you might want to ask your technician if he or she can check into it for you. Plug wires are kind of the same way; sometimes just because one looks like it’s in good shape doesn't mean that it is, and typically you want to replace plugs and wires together.
Can you drive this and see what you think?
Usually, a technician won't drive your vehicle after routine maintenance. If you notice something unusual about the way your vehicle rides, steers, stops, runs, or handles, ask one of our people to drive it around the block and see what they think. We can usually nail down your problem pretty quickly.
Why doesn't my _____ work?
If something is broken, don't be afraid to ask us what we think. A lot of vehicle problems require simple solutions, and if you ask a specific question we can concentrate on what needs to be repaired or replaced. We're more than happy to help and great at what we do.
If you have any other questions that come to mind while you're here, don't hesitate to ask us. Vehicles are what we do, and vehicles are what we know. We will always give you an honest answer and the best course of action, and sometimes a solution to your problem is simpler than you might think. Since you know your vehicle better than anyone, it also helps us catch small problems before they become bigger ones. If your vehicle is ready to be serviced, or you have any questions at all, call or come by Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust today!
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Thank you for visiting Cowden's Automotive & Exhaust in Buhl, ID. Count on our automotive repair technicians to keep your car, truck, suv, or van on the roads longer and safer.
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