In order to better maintain our customers’ vehicles and deliver a consistent positive experience, these standards were developed by gathering information from automobile manufacturers and other automotive industry sources.
Where possible, we use scientific testing and measurement to determine if fluids and parts are within specification. In those cases where there is no scientific method, we use industry-accepted methods as well as our own experience to make an educated decision and inform you about what is best for your vehicle.
By following these standards and methods, statistics show that we can save our customers as much as 50% in vehicle costs over the life of their vehicle by preventing costly repairs, eliminating unnecessary work, and reducing the chances of breakdown and inconvenience.
We are also using a standard vocabulary to describe vehicle problems and potential problems in order to be consistent and create better communication among our customers and staff.
VOCABULARY
SEEP: (wetness or dampness in an area) but no dripping or fluid loss. Seeps should be noted and watched.
LEAK: (a trail of liquid on a surface or in a tray) that may not be dripping on the ground yet. A leak should be repaired before it becomes a drip and before a vehicle loses enough of its vital fluid to cause expensive damage. Oils can leak and cause damage to other expensive components before progressing to a drip.
DRIP: (liquid dripping on the ground). This should be repaired before major damage occurs. (with the exception of water dripping from your a/c evaporator, which is natural and not a cause for concern).
SEVERE LEAK: (liquid dripping and creating a puddle). Severe leaks should be repaired immediately, as they can be dangerous to further vehicle operation.
If you are told that you have a part or fluid that is marginal, this means that a service or repair will be recommended based on the current condition but is not yet critical. If you are told that a part or fluid is BAD, this means that it has failed a scientific test or is outside of the manufacturer’s limits for consistent operation and could cause failure and additional expense.
If you are told that something is UNSAFE, this means that it is outside of the manufacturer’s safe operating specifications. Unsafe means that it could fail, causing major damage to the vehicle or endangering your life or the lives of passengers in your vehicle. (We use the term unsafe very cautiously.) And, of course, GOOD means that the part or fluid is within the manufacturer’s specifications and has no need for maintenance or repair at this time.
BRAKE PADS, SHOES, AND TIRES are measured to accurately determine how much of their life is left. Manufacturers of brakes and tires set a standard of 3mm (material remaining) as a baseline for replacement. When your brake pads or tires have reached 3mm, the manufacturer states that they have reached their limit and should be replaced. Due to the existence of several different levels of new part quality and the fact that some brake pads and tires start their lives at 10mm and some at 12mm, it is necessary for us to make a few assumptions based on our experience. We have set a standard based on the fact that 3mm equals 0% and 10mm equals 100%. This is in line with industry standards. If your brake pads or tires are measured at 3mm or below, we will recommend replacement. Once the brake pads are worn to this level, it is possible for the pad to delaminate from the metal backing. In addition, the brake caliper piston is more exposed, and the rubber dust boots can split or tear, allowing water and debris to enter the brake caliper and cause expensive damage.
If we state that your brakes are metal-to-metal or your tires have a belt showing, this means that your vehicle is unsafe and needs to be repaired immediately. If you have 1mm to 2mm left, we will tell you that we recommend replacement based on the fact that you have exceeded the manufacturer’s limitations.
Based on the fact that some customers do not return for their scheduled maintenance on time and therefore may cause unnecessary damage to their vehicles, we will recommend replacement if your brake pads or tires are at or near 3mm. However, we will let you know that you should make it to your next scheduled service and have the option to wait until then to perform these repairs.
COOLANT AND BRAKE FLUID have specific scientific tests and accepted industry standards to determine when these fluids need to be replaced. Most manufacturers recommend that coolant be routinely flushed and replaced every 3 years and that brake fluid be flushed and replaced every 2 years.
COOLANT: Industry standards tell us that most coolants need to be replaced when their pH level drops below 8, which is acidic. When coolant becomes acidic, it starts to remove very small particles of metal from the hot engine block and distribute them in the coolest part of the cooling system, the radiator, and the heater core, resulting in clogging or blockage of flow.
Such a blockage in the cooling system can eventually lead to overheating and major engine damage. If the coolant is changed when it drops below a pH of 8, it can greatly reduce the chances of engine damage due to overheating, which is the leading cause of engine failure.
BRAKE FLUID also has very specific scientific tests to determine if it is good or bad. Dip test strips or a refractometer tell us the moisture content of the fluid. When brake fluid reaches 2% moisture, its boiling point drops below 320 degrees, and there is enough moisture in the brake system to cause damage due to oxidation (rust).
It is also possible that during an extended braking period (such as coming down a mountain or steep hill), the moisture in the fluid could boil and cause a partial or complete loss of braking. As the moisture content increases, the possibility of expensive repairs and loss of braking increases. ABS brake systems should also be tested for copper content. When the copper content exceeds set limits, the chances of damage to expensive hydraulic components rise. If you are told that your brake fluid needs to be flushed, this means that it has failed one or more of these scientific tests.
ENGINE OIL is a touchy subject, except for sending samples off to have them tested in a lab, which is not cost or time-effective; the only acceptable standard comes from the vehicle manufacturer. We have found that changing our customers’ engine oil and filter every 6 months, or 6,000–8,000 kilometers, is more than adequate, as the large number of our customers’ vehicles that have exceeded 260,000 kilometers and still run like new proves. When a vehicle is only driven short distances on a regular basis, it is even more important that the oil be maintained. When you start your engine, chemicals from the combustion process enter the oil and breakdown the oil’s ability to lubricate properly. For that reason, we recommend oil be replaced every 3 months, or 6,000–8,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.
TRANSMISSION FLUID like engine oil has no practical field test. However, when the fluid changes color and smells burned, this is an indication that it has been overheated and can no longer completely perform the functions that it was designed for. Transmission fluid is used to cool, lubricate, and provide the hydraulic pressure necessary to make your transmission shift properly. Once it has been overheated, the transmission fluid changes consistency and cannot perform any of these functions completely. This will eventually lead to very expensive, and usually unplanned, transmission problems or failure. We will suggest flushing or servicing the transmission when we determine that the fluid has been overheated. We will also suggest servicing your transmission at the mileage that the manufacturer recommends, or every 60,000 kilometers on most vehicles.
POWER STEERING FLUID also has no practical field test. Power steering fluid changes color and turns gray as the pump deposits minute metal particles into the fluid and the hoses start to break down internally. This material acts like sand and damages other expensive components within the system. We will suggest flushing the power steering fluid whenever the fluid is gray to prevent damage and failure of other components within the system. Strongly consider power steering fluid changes at 70,000 to 85,000-kilometer intervals.
DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE FLUIDS are changed based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. These recommendations can vary greatly based on the type of fluid used by the manufacturer and the way the vehicle is used by the owner. If you are using your vehicle for towing or excessive off-roading, it is a good idea to change the fluids prior to what the manufacturer recommends. If metal is found in the differential fluid, this is a sign of damage, and further investigation may be recommended. Some metal in the transfer case is normal, and we use our experience to determine how much is too much and when further diagnosis is recommended. In normal service, we advise replacement of the differential and transfer case fluids at 100,000 to 120,000 kilometers intervals.
COOLANT HOSES break down from the inside out, and it is often impossible to predict an imminent failure. However, if your coolant hoses are “crunchy,” “bloated,” leaking, or excessively hard or soft, it is an indication of a potential problem, and we will recommend that they be replaced before damage can be done to your engine.
SERPENTINE BELTS have a very specific standard. If there are more than 10 tiny cracks per inch, then the belt needs to be replaced. They also need to be replaced when they have been soaked with fluids from another defective leaking component.
V-BELTS need to be replaced if they have any cracks, are excessively dry, or are liquid-soaked. Since these belts run the water pump, power steering, and air conditioning, it makes sense to replace them whenever visual inspection indicates they need replacement to prevent expensive and unplanned failures on the road.
