BE SURE TO TRY BP GASOLINE WITH INVIGORATETM
Think molecules for a moment. Invigorate is an advanced formula contained in BP gasoline that helps to
CLEAN and PROTECT your engine, so it can run YOUNGER FOR LONGER!
Younger for Longer means restoration of your car's driveability closer to that of a new vehicle - this does not mean your car's engine will last longer.
See bpinvigorate.com for more information.
VACATION CHECKLIST
If you need ice - try ours. The large solid cubes last longer.
Nobody wants their road trip ruined by car trouble. Some simple pre-planning goes a long way to help ensure a fun and safe trip for the entire family.
Before leaving on a road trip, be sure to:
- Bring your vehicle to Leach Service to have us check your belts, hoses, brakes, lights, windshield washer fluid, wiper blades, engine oil and coolant.
- Make sure your trunk has a jack, lug wrench and other tools you will need to change a tire.
- Check tire pressure of all tires, including the spare.
- Make sure you have a working flashlight with extra batteries, emergency reflectors, sunglasses and a first aid kit.
- Take your driver's license, vehicle registration and auto and medical insurance cards.
- Carry a spare set of keys
- Plan your route and leave a copy of your itinerary with a relative or neighbor
- Take any special medications (in their original containers) and prescription information.
- Take your doctor's phone number
- Take your eyeglass prescription
- Take a cellular phone and a sign that tells passersby to "Call Police" in case of trouble.
- Have any repairs or vehicle maintenance performed in advance of your trip - see your Owner's Manual for maintenance schedules.
- Have a great trip!!!!!
DID YOU KNOW----
In 1929 gasoline sold for 21.4 cents per gallon and the price crashed and did not get that high again until 1947. From 1949-1952 gas sold for about 27 cents per gallon. From 1963 to 1983 it rose to 79 cents per gallon. Gas was last under $1.00 in 1999 and first went over $2.00 in May, 2004. Here are some hints to help save $$$
How can I use less gasoline?
Weight is fuel economy's natural enemy. Removing unnecessary items or people from your car can translate to real fuel savings. Go easy on the accelerator - no jack rabbit starts and cruise at reasonably slower speeds. Keep the tires properly inflated. Avoid changing the aerodynamics designed into your car by the addition of roof racks, bug deflectors, or other aftermarket add-ons. If your car manufacturer's recommendation is for regular gas there's no reason to run it on anything higher in octane.
How often should I rotate my tires?
Your tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 6000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear
Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?
YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.
What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on?
There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the "check engine" light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue addressed to prevent long-term problems.
What should I do if my car starts to overheat?
This is a very serious problem – if your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the engine off! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator as it can burn you. The best thing to do is have your car towed to a repair shop.
When should I get my oil changed?
READ YOUR OWNER'S MANUAL for recommended interval. Some newer cars don't need an oil change every 3000 miles. Many newer cars have a dashboard message light to remind you when to change your oil - do not ignore it. Regular maintenance is cheap insurance for your valuable investment.
What is that milky brown engine oil?
Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (other gasket), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional technician quickly.
How to make sure my car battery has a good electrical connection?
Battery cables and terminals should also be cleaned and inspected to make sure they provide a good electrical connection.
What is synthetic motor oil?
Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines, vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), or vehicles that are operated in extremely cold or hot climates.
Synthetic motor oils, though several times more expensive than mineral-based motor oils, can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes. They also provide instant lubrication on start-up.
When should I replace my car’s fuel filter?
To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, replace your car's fuel filter approximately every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.
When should I change my spark plugs?
For maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance, your spark plugs should be replaced every 30 months or 30,000 miles, unless your vehicle is equipped with 100,000-mile platinum tipped spark plugs.
I need to replace a burned out fuse, what should I do?
Always replace burned-out fuses with ones of the same amperage (printed on the fuse) and note that if a fuse continues to "blow," you should have the circuit checked professionally by one of our technicians for defects.
What allows some cars to pass the 100,000 mile barrier with few repair bills while others are ready for the junkyard?
Regular preventive maintenance and following the recommendations in the owner's manual. You should learn about the fluids that go into your vehicle (gas, oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, etc.) as they are crucial to its survival. Experts suggest frequent oil changes and fluid checks done at a service center or dealership. Gas also matters. Different cars benefit from different types, so check your manual. If the manual says use premium then you should use premium, but if it says there's no benefit from premium gas, you don't need it. Car computers are set to run on fuel of the suggested octane and the car will run better and longer if you follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
AIR FILTER MAINTENANCE:
Every car owner who has taken their car in for an oil change has been told that their engine air filter is dirty. Here’s what goes into the determination of when to change the filter: First, your owner’s manual will have a recommendation of when to change the filter. Second, a visual inspection by your technician may determine that your filter it is visibly dirty and needs to be changed. (You can ask to see the dirty filter.) So between your owner’s manual and your technician’s inspection there’s really no guesswork involved. Now, most air filters purchased don’t cost a lot to replace. It’s just that most people hate getting caught with an unexpected expense. On the plus side, though, changing a dirty air filter can often save enough on gas to pay for itself before your next oil change. Think about a dirty furnace filter in your home. When it’s all clogged up, enough clean air can’t get through. In your vehicle, that means that your engine can’t get as much air as it needs to burn the fuel efficiently so it makes do with less air and has to use more gas to move your vehicle around. Most vehicles actually need about 12,000 gallons of air for every gallon of gas it burns. When it’s time to change your engine air filter, just get it done. You’ll save money, have better performance and protect your engine. There's also a cabin air filter that filters the air inside the passenger area of your vehicle that requires periodic changing.
Fuel Injector Cleaning:
In very simple terms, a fuel injector is a valve that squirts fuel into your vehicle's engine. Your engine control computer tells the fuel injector how much fuel to deliver as well as the precise time it should be delivered. Of course this happens thousands of times a minute.
High temperatures under your hood cause fuel injectors to be fouled with wax, dirt, water, additives and carbon. Injectors can become partially clogged, preventing them from delivering the proper amount of fuel at the correct pressure. Avoid this by using only high quality fuel - see BP's guarantee.
When your vehicle’s injectors are dirty, the fuel doesn’t burn as efficiently resulting in poor fuel economy and loss of power. So it’s important to keep your fuel injectors clean.
We can perform a full fuel system service for you at Leach Service in which the fuel injectors are cleaned so that they operate properly and deliver the right amount of fuel at the right time.
Drivers should remember that proper maintenance of their fuel system means that they will spend less on gas, enjoy strong performance and prevent costly repairs down the road.