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The screeching sound of tires straining to stop. The sound of shattering windows and crumpling metal. The smell of smoke pouring from a ruined engine. Car crashes are truly terrible things. But they can also be preventable, at least some of the time. To ensure you are doing everything you can to prevent getting into a car crash and guarantee your safety, you need to make sure everything in your car is working properly. That includes getting your breaks regularly inspected. Continue reading below to see the importance of regular brake inspections.

The Importance of Regular Brake Inspections

Your car's brakes are their number one safety feature, so it's vital that they are working properly. Without brakes that work properly, disaster can be just around the corner. But don't worry, because many of these disasters can be easily preventable with regular brake inspections.

Maintaining Your Vehicle

By getting your brakes regularly inspected you can be sure everything is still in quality condition. As time moves on and you drive more and more, the parts of your vehicle acquire natural wear and tear. This is especially true for your vehicle's brake system. Your brake pads need regular maintenance to ensure they are working properly and are not in need of replacement.

Prevent Brake Failure

If you are not regularly checking the state of your brake system, brake failure can catch you by surprise. Out of all accidents attributed to faulty vehicle parts, nearly 25% are due to brake failure. When your brake system fails, it can have disastrous consequences. Not having your brakes up to standard can decrease braking power, making it much harder to stop or control your vehicle. The importance of regular brake inspections can not be overstated as it can prevent accidents before they occur. Make sure to have a technician or a mechanic regularly inspect your vehicle to spot any problems before they arise.

Increase the Longevity of Your Vehicle

This might seem obvious, but it's still important to realize, the better shape your vehicle's brakes are in, the longer your car will last. Not only because you'll avoid car wrecking accidents, but also because regular maintenance of your vehicle's parts will help them to last substantially longer. 

Having your brakes regularly inspected allows for problems to be found before they become major issues and remedied just as quickly. This will exponentially extend the life of your vehicle's brakes. It will also give you peace of mind knowing that your car is in working order and will be for a long time to come.

Call Us Today!

Regularly checking your brakes is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your safety on the road and increase your vehicle's lifespan. But thankfully it's also one of the easiest things you can do to ensure your vehicle is running smoothly. All you have to do is give us a call and let us do the rest. 

Call us today to set up an appointment, and we'll inspect your brakes and answer any other questions you have about the steps you can take to improve your vehicle's long-term health and safety.

Regular detailing is an important way to keep your vehicle in great shape. A vehicle that's well-maintained will last longer, be more trustworthy, and give you more value back when it comes time to sell your car and upgrade to a new one. In addition, regular detailing gives you the opportunity to stay up-to-date on how your vehicle is doing and catch any potential service issues before they become a bigger problem. Here are our best car detailing tips for keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape.

Best Car Detailing Tips

Detailing your vehicle not only helps to extend its life and value, but it also makes it much more enjoyable to drive! There's nothing quite like the feeling of hopping into a freshly detailing, squeaky clean car.

And of course, having clean windows and mirrors and bright, clear headlights also makes your vehicle safer to drive.

You don't have to do a full car detailing every month - once or twice a year is sufficient for most people. However, keeping up with the simpler tasks - like washing the outside of your car and ensuring that your windows are clean - should be done more often.

So what are some ways you can keep your vehicle in great shape?

Washing

Start with a thorough, exterior wash. Keeping the outside of your vehicle clean from dust, grime, and salt will help prevent rust and corrosion. These lead to decreased value and can even eat away at the components of your vehicle's structure over time, causing much bigger problems.

You can wash your car yourself with a high-quality car wash shampoo and soft microfiber mitt. In addition, don't forget to clean your tires! You can use a bristled brush and some water and dish soap for this part of the job.

Or, of course, you can take it through your local car wash!

Interior detailing

Next, focus on this inside (where you'll get to experience the reward of a clear car every time you drive!).

Remove the loose carpets and vacuum all of the carpets and upholstery. Then, use a gentle cleaner for surfaces like the dashboard, console, and door panels. If you have leather seats, use a leather conditioner to keep them supple and crack-free.

Glass cleaning

Crystal-clear windows enhance the overall appearance of your car. Of course, they also help you see your surroundings without having to look past dirt and tiny bugs on your windshield!

Use a dedicated glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth to clean both the inside and outside of your windows. For stubborn stains or water spots, a mixture of vinegar and water can work wonders.

Polishing

After your vehicle's surface is clean, a quality polish can help to enhance the paint's depth and shine. A dual-action polisher makes this process more efficient and helps prevent swirl marks. Follow up with a fine-grade polish to refine the finish further.

Wax and Sealant

Waxing not only adds a brilliant shine but also acts as a protective barrier against the elements. Apply a high-quality carnauba wax or synthetic sealant to shield the paint from UV rays, bird droppings, and other contaminants. Regular waxing can extend the life of your paint job.

Establishing a Car Detailing Routine

The best way to make sure that your vehicle stays in great shape is to develop routines. Routine oil changes, maintenance and fluid checks, washes, and in-depth car detailing will keep your vehicle running smoothly.

Stay in Touch with Us to Keep Your Vehicle Well Maintained

At Tillema Auto, our service department offers everything from regular oil changes to sizable repairs. We're here to help you keep a well-maintained vehicle that you can trust.

Give us a call at 616-878-5991 to schedule a maintenance appointment or look for your next vehicle!

Scheduling regular oil changes and basic vehicle maintenance are an important way to preserve your engine's health and make sure that your car continues to run smoothly for many years to come. At Tillema Auto, we pride ourselves on being one of the top auto shops for oil changes in the Byron Center area. We're happy to assist you in keeping your car in tip-top shape so that you can depend on it to get you where you need to go.

Why Are Regular Oil Changes Important?

Regular oil changes are essential for the health and longevity of your vehicle's engine. Why? Well, engine oil serves as a lubricant that reduces friction between moving parts. This lubricant prevents excessive wear and tear.

Over time, the oil can become contaminated with dirt, debris, and combustion byproducts, therefore losing its effectiveness. When you neglect to change your oil, it can lead to increased engine friction, overheating, and even engine damage.

Routine oil changes help maintain optimal engine performance, improve fuel efficiency, and extend the lifespan of your vehicle. By sticking to a regular oil change schedule, you're not just ensuring a smoother, more reliable ride, but also protecting your investment in your car and potentially avoiding costly repairs down the road.

How often should you change your oil?

Our recommendation is to have your oil changed every 3,000 miles if you're using semi-synthetic oil. Using full synthetic, you should change your oil approximately every 5,000 miles.

Some manufacturers will suggest longer intervals. However, in order to keep your engine well lubricated and preserve your engine's health to extend its lifetime as long as possible, we recommend sticking with 3,000/5,000 miles (depending on the type of oil you use).

Regular Car Maintenance for Michigan Residents

Although many car maintenance practices are universal for nearly all vehicle owners, there are also certain practices that are especially applicable to Michigan residents. If you live in Michigan, what types of vehicle maintenance should you be getting on a regular basis?

• Oil changes. Oil changes are one of those tasks that everyone who drives a car needs to do. As we mentioned above, oil changes preserve your engine's health and prevent damage.

• Tire rotation and care. Everyone needs to make sure that their tires are rotated regularly, have the correct pressure, and are replaced before the tread gets too low. But Michigan residents should also consider switching out your all-season tires for winter tires during the snowy and icy months. This is the best option for maintaining traction on slippery roads.

• Top off your fluids. It's important to make sure that your fluids - such as engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid - are topped off and clean.

• Wash your vehicle. The salt from Michigan roads can quickly damage the paint and frame of your vehicle, causing rust and other issues. Washing your vehicle regularly helps to keep it clean from salt and preserve its paint and frame for as long as possible.

What's Included in an Oil Change at Tillema Auto?

At Tillema Auto's service center, we check on your vehicle's vital components during your oil change to make sure that you're road ready. Oil changes include not only changing the oil, but also checking the filter and all of your vehicle's fluid levels. In addition, we'll check your tire pressure and all of the major components of your vehicle.

Schedule Your Oil Change at Tillema Auto!

At Tillema Auto, our service center is standing by, ready to help with your vehicle's needs. We want to help you make sure that your vehicle is in good shape and will get you where you need to go safely. Call us at 616-878-5991 today!