CAR CARE TIPS BLOG

Your safety while on the road is incredibly important. One key aspect of this safety that can be easy to overlook is the state of your tires. If you feel your vehicle jiggling, won’t drive exactly straight, veering slightly to one side or another, your tire problems could run deeper than the symptoms you notice.

Tire problems like these are caused by normal wear and tear on the tires. This includes everyday driving, large potholes, and even the unsuspecting parking lot curb! While we’ll never get to the bottom of why the planners chose to put a curb right where it makes sense to drive on the lot, we can get to the bottom of your tire problems. Depending on what’s going on with your tires, you’ll either need a tire rotation, a wheel alignment, or both. Having a little information before you reach out for your next tire service can you communicate with the mechanics better and feel more comfortable with the process.

What is Tire Rotation?

As the birds start chirping and the temperatures start climbing, it’s a great time to take a look at the state of your vehicle. You may be thinking, “I’ve made it through the rough winter months on my vehicle, why look at it now?” That’s exactly one of the main reasons that you should be taking a look at your vehicle now. A good rule of thumb is generally: if it’s time for spring cleaning, it’s usually time for a spring vehicle checkup either at home or at Schmidt Auto Care. Below you’ll find a checklist for just that, some of which you can roll your sleeves up and tackle yourself, and all of which we’re happy to handle for you at Schmidt Auto Care.

Oil Change and Oil Filter

Getting your oil and oil filter changed regularly is such an important part of vehicle maintenance that it’s a must-mention in your spring car care checklist. If you’ve been neglecting to make an appointment for an oil change in the winter months, or aren’t sure when you had your last one, now is the time to make sure that everything is in order to prevent crucial damage to your vehicle’s powertrain.

Car Battery

Have you ever been outside for too long on a cold day and had your cell phone battery die on you unexpectedly fast? How about trying to use your cell phone on a sweltering summer day and it just won’t operate? While car batteries are heftier than cell batteries, weather change can actually influence their longevity in a similar fashion. Winters that snap back and forth from cold to warm can have an especially large impact on the lifespan of a vehicle’s battery. Springtime is the time to have your vehicle’s battery examined so you don’t end up with a battery that doesn’t start because it’s too hot and worn out on a summer day. At Schmidt Auto Care we can perform tests to see whether you need a new battery and take care of the new battery replacement if necessary.

If you have a 3.5 GPA or higher, bring in your grades and we will hook you up with 10% off labor on repairs over $200. We think you should be studying and doing your thing. Not worrying about how you’re going to get from point A to point B.

Let’s face it, being a student is difficult enough. Balancing classes with the rest of your life is never an easy task. That especially includes the care of your vehicle. Who has the time to worry about spending time studying as well as making sure you don’t spend too much on your next auto repair? Luckily, top students get a discount at Schmidt Auto Care. Through the Schmidt Auto Care Mobile App, there is a 10% discount on labor for repairs over $200 for college or high school students with a 3.5-grade point average or higher. That means that if you’re a hard worker in school, you don’t have to worry about auto care any longer because the best deal is already in the bag.

If you’re not at a 3.5 GPA yet, no worries. At Schmidt Auto Care, we like to see our community succeed. That’s why we offer this discount for those who are excelling in school. School can be an important part of building a successful life, and we believe encouraging excellence in school is our responsibility too. Below are a few study tips to get you to that 3.5 GPA mark so you too can take advantage of our student discount.

Your engine is the powerhouse of your vehicle. While if can be replaced, most vehicles are totaled without their engine. You might as well buy your next vehicle instead of replacing it. What does this mean for you? If you want to drive your beloved vehicle for the foreseeable future, you’d better learn to love your engine. Mostly, this comes down to preventative maintenance which makes sure that problems are dealt with before they become expensive and time-consuming. To do this, regular checkups, oil changes, and topping off fluids are all you need to do! Below are some tips on the best ways to put this engine love into action and make sure you and your engine are in it for the long haul together.

Oil Changes