Archive for December 2021Blind Spot Safety for Farmington DrivingPosted December 26, 2021 10:32 AMBlind spots may be a good thing when it comes to a spouse's annoying habits, but when driving an automobile in Farmington, they are definitely to be avoided. So, while it's not good marital advice, it's good auto advice to minimize your own blind spots and stay out of other Farmington drivers' blind spots, especially when it comes to large, heavy vehicles like trucks and buses. Darrell's Firestone Change is Good (Oil Change)Posted December 19, 2021 12:19 PMYou've heard that expression, change is good. When it comes to your vehicle's oil, change is not only good, it's vital for the health of the engine. But there's one question that puzzles many drivers: how frequently should my vehicle's oil be changed? There is not one simple answer, but here are some guidelines that will help. It used to be pretty much a rule of thumb that vehicles got their oil changed once every 3 months or 3,000 miles/5,000 kilometers. But times have changed. Oil formulations have gotten better and engine designs have made longer oil change intervals possible. Most experts advise you to read the recommendations that come from the manufacturer that designed and built your vehicle. Their designers and engineers know more about your vehicle than anyone else. They spell out their recommended oil change interval and type of oil in your owner's manual. Many automakers say you can go at least 5,000 miles/8,000 kilometers between oil changes and many recommend even longer intervals now. If you use synthetic oil, it doesn't have to be changed as often. Ever wonder why you have to change your oil? Your vehicle lives in a dirty environment. Contaminants build up in your engine oil and, after time, they inhibit the lubricating properties of the oil. Without optimal lubrication, increased friction inside the engine starts wearing down the metal parts, shortening the engine's life. Not only do vehicle manufacturers recommend oil change intervals in the manual, many also now alert drivers by a light or other electronic indicator on your dash. It doesn't exactly say, "Hey, time get your oil changed. This oil's starting to wear on me." But it does give you a pretty good hint. Some of these warning systems simply measure the distance you've traveled. More sophisticated vehicles have sensors that measure temperature, driving time and engine revolutions to determine when the oil is getting past its useful life. Here's one situation where it's easy to see the light. Do yourself a favor and don't wait too long before coming in for an appointment at Darrell's Firestone. Oh, and driving habits matter, too. Short trips with a lot of stop-and-go driving will stress your engine and oil more than longer trips at highway speeds. And here's one more plus side to getting your oil changed regularly at Darrell's Firestone in Farmington. Our technician will also keep an eye on the rest of your vehicle to spot anything that might need attention. The bottom line is this: Oil changes are good for your vehicle in so many ways and probably the most important maintenance service you can get. Darrell's Firestone Keeping Your 'Old Faithful' Auto RunningPosted December 12, 2021 8:31 AMAt Darrell's Firestone we've had a lot of Farmington customers asking how they can make their vehicles last longer. These questions are actually a reflection of a trend that's been building for several years in MI. The median age of personal vehicles is now over nine years. And 33 percent of all vehicles on the road have over 75,000 miles (120,000 km) on them. It looks like it's going to keep heading in that direction for a while. With high fuel prices, a lot of MI folks are putting off buying a new car.
Having the oil changed may be the most important thing Farmington drivers can do. A full-service oil change at Darrell's Firestone means that all of your other fluids get topped off so they are never low enough to cause damage. It also gives your friendly and knowledgeable Darrell's Firestone service advisor a chance to spot problems in the early stages so that you can fix them before they get worse. And it gives you a touch point with an automotive professional along the way to remind you of things that aren't scheduled as often – things like differential service and timing belt replacement. Darrell's Firestone Some New Boots (Suspension Maintenance)Posted December 5, 2021 7:19 AMThere are some boots that don't come in a shoe box and aren't worn on your feet. They are called axle or CV boots, and they can be important parts for many vehicles. That CV stands for constant velocity. CV axles are mainly used in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. They're also used in some rear-wheel drive vehicles with independent suspensions. They have two CV joints, one inner and one outer, placed between the axle and the drive wheels. That way the vehicle's engine power can drive the wheels, no matter what angle they are. They also adjust for the different speeds wheels turn as they go around corners. Because roads are full of all sorts of hazards (dirt, oil, water, grime), these CV joints need to be protected. They also have grease in them to keep the bearings moving smoothly. That's the job of the rubber boots that are supposed to keep that debris out. These CV or axle boots are made of rubber or plastic and usually last a long time without any problem. But sometimes they fail, either from being hit by debris or age causing the rubber or plastic to deteriorate. That can allow the grease to leak out of the joint and the moisture to get in. And that's where the trouble is. So it's important to have a vehicle's CV boots checked periodically, especially when they begin to have more than 100,000 miles/160,000 kilometers on them. A technician inspects them for tears or cracks. Sometimes if the problems are found early enough, the boots can be replaced and the joints can be re-packed with grease. But sometimes the CV joint can wear out even though the boot is intact. When the CV joint fails, you might hear a grinding, humming or clicking noise and feel vibration. Some of these can be difficult to access for service, so many service advisors will recommend replacing the joints and boots at the same time. Just remember, new CV boots won't make a fashion statement, but they will keep your vehicle going down the road for years to come. Darrell's Firestone | ||
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What our clients are saying about us
We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!
They provided a fair price and did good work.
Great experience. Friendly, patient and honest. Brought in a 2003 ford escape for an alternator replacement. 24 hr turnaround for less than 1/2 the price of another competitor in town.