Posted on 3/28/2014
It's important for Sacramento drivers to know battery basics. First, let's talk about which is harder on a battery – hot or cold CA weather. Most Sacramento area drivers think it's cold weather because that's when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold vehicle engine. However, heat does more damage to a battery than cold. Truth is, our batteries start to die a little from day one. Keeping a full charge slows the process, which is hard with short Sacramento trips because the alternator doesn't have time to fully recharge the battery from starting the engine. Sacramento drivers can top off the charge with a computer controlled battery charger – say, once a month in the summer and every three months during the winter.As far as how long a battery will last, statistics show that 70% have given up the ghost within four years. By that time, they aren't capable of taking a full charge like they used ... read more
Posted on 3/18/2014
All those automotive fluids can be confusing for Sacramento drivers. Recent years have brought new grades of engine oil, types of transmission fluid, coolant and brake fluid. The right fluid protects your vehicle and helps it perform at its best. The wrong fluid won't work as well and could even cause damage.In addition to new grades of engine oil, many vehicles now leave the factory with synthetic oil. People in Sacramento should always use the grade recommended by their manufacturer. All coolant, also called antifreeze, used to be green. Now there are several other colors of coolant sold at Jack Dane Auto Service in Sacramento. Each type is designed to protect the cooling system components that are particular to your vehicle. The wrong stuff can void your vehicle cooling system warranty and could even cause engine damage.Most passenger vehicles on Sacramento roads today use either DOT 3, DOT 4 or DOT 5 brake ... read more
Posted on 3/12/2014
A lot of people get custom wheels in Sacramento. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you're not careful. Sometimes, once they're mounted, they just don't fit right. The tires rub in turns or on bumps. You don't want that. Consulting your Jack Dane Auto Service tire professional can ensure you get the right fit. First he'll ask you a series of questions about your Sacramento driving needs and what you want in your new wheels. Now, not every wheel can go on every car. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside so the tires rub.If you don't want to make any modifications to your vehicle, you would need to focus on the wheels that would fit. With trucks, some people in Sacramento like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.Also, most Sacramento drivers don't realize that you need to keep the rolling dia ... read more
Posted on 3/6/2014
Have you checked out the price of new vehicles at Sacramento car dealers? Ouch! Add financing and insurance and a new ride may not seem so attractive. A lot of Sacramento, CA, folks are hoping to make their cars last a lot longer.Fortunately, with the current state of automotive engineering and manufacturing, there's no reason a modern vehicle can't be made to last for a 150,000 miles (250,000 kilometers) or more for smart Sacramento drivers.The old adage: 'a stitch in time saves nine' is really true for Sacramento residents when it comes to car maintenance. A great example is coolant service.Over time, coolant becomes corrosive and actually starts to damage your radiator and other parts. Smart Sacramento drivers have their cooling system service taken care of right on schedule at Jack Dane Auto Service.Ditto for your power steering system, brake fluid, air conditioning system, differential and transmission. Of course, oil changes should be done right on schedule to avoid th ... read more