Tips For Buying A Used Car

Are you looking for a used car? Do you need to buy your kid their first car? Buying a used car is a lot more complicated than buying a new one. How do you know if it is worth buying?

Here is a quick breakdown of tips for buying a used vehicle. Make sure to ask the proper questions, you don’t want to get stuck with a lemon. Stop by for an inspection.

• Look For Rust
• Look For Leaks
• Listen For Noises
• Any Engine Problems
• Get Vehicle Inspected
• Is Your Engine Burning Oil
• Buy Single Owner Vehicles
• Inspect Maintenance Records
• Give Us A Call If You Have Any Questions

Pre-Purchase Auto, Used Car, Classic Car,

Truck, RV & Motorhome Inspections

Are looking for an auto repair shop that offers a comprehensive used car & light truck pre-purchase vehicle inspection service? Our team offers full body, interior, options, test drive, frame, full mechanical plus electrical inspection services for just about any vehicle.

Need a used vehicle inspection service in Plainfield, Naperville, Bolingbrook, IL?

Here is a few tips that may be of use on your decision of bringing a new used vehicle home. Buy single owner cars, Inspect maintenance records, Look for leaks, Listen for strange noises, Look for hiding rust, Check for engine problems, Is the engine burning oil, etc. Better safe than sorry get a vehicle inspection service. If they won’t allow you to bring the vehicle to a local repair shop for a pre purchase inspection ask why, be careful! Team Last Chance Auto Repair in Plainfield, IL is here for all of your motor vehicle pre-purchase inspection service needs.

What Is The Vehicle’s Real Mileage?

One of the biggest worries about a high-mileage vehicle is the odometer rollback. This is where the seller rolls back the odometer of the car indicating a lower mileage.

You can quickly judge a car’s life by looking at its odometer, but, there are a number of other things to look for when buying a second hand vehicle, especially one with high mileage. So what all this means is don’t shy away from used autos with high miles. Used vehicles can save one thousands upon thousands of dollars in the long run, if the money is invested in the proper vehicle. Cars these days are far more reliable than older cars used to be back in the day and can run for 200,00+ miles. Need help making your engine last? Call today.

Is The Engine Burning Oil?

It’s really nice to know before you buy a vehicle if the engine is burning oil. It’s not uncommon for vehicles to burn oil but still run well. Is your oil level low between oil changes?

As engines wear, oil makes an escape. A little oil added now and then is nothing to worry over, but adding a quart or more between oil changes, you may have an oil consuption problem. Now sometimes burning oil problems are fixable without a costly engine rebuild. Burning oil thanks to worn piston rings where in some cases can be cleaned with a special carbon cleaning service. Your engine could also be leaking oil thanks to a bad gasket or cracked part. Or one of your worst case most expensive scenario’s you could be losing oil through a head gasket into the cooling system. Regardless you need to know before you buy.

Does It Have A Worn Interior?

A car’s interior can also tell quite a bit about its age. Wear and tear on the seats can expose potential odometer rollback, vehicle abuse, so pay attention to the condition of the car’s interior. Look for rust marks on the carpet. Look around pretend your a detective. Look for water stain’s which could be due to flooding. Which is a major used car killer.

More Coming Soon!

When Is The Best Time To Change Your Fluid?

Mileage, Time, Or Condition? When is the best time to change your fluids? Does it depend on your driving? What category would you say your in, normal or severe?

• Coolant
• Engine Oil
• Brake Fluid
• Differential Fluid
• Transmission Fluid
• Transfer Case Fluid
• Power Steering Fluid

• Vehicle Maintenance Services Complete

Normal or Severe? Have you ever tried to actually read your owner’s manual, especially the part about maintenance and service? As if this kind of stuff isn’t confusing enough, there are always two schedules listed, one for a vehicle driven under “normal” conditions and another for “severe” conditions. But what exactly does this mean? Changing your oil and filter is the most important maintenance you can perform on your car or truck.

Changing Your Car Engine Oil In Plainfield, IL

Q: Do you know how often to change your oil?

A: Typically every 3,000-10,000 miles depending on type of oil your vehicle requires. When do you change yours?

Q: Do you know what kind of oil your vehicle likes?

A: Vehicles typically require a certain type of oil. So many different brands and types to choose from. Premium conventional oil, full synthetic oil, synthetic blend oil, higher mileage oil, many choices.

Q: What are oil additives? What do oil additives do?

A: Use of oil additives is a way to improve plus maintain your engine oil performance. High engine temperatures combine with moisture, combustion byproducts (including unburned gasoline), rust, corrosion, engine wear particles and oxygen to produce sludge and varnish. Oil additives not only assist oil in maintaining good lubrication, they also help minimize sludge plus varnish, and any damage from their formation. Here is some information about key oil additive ingredients and why they’re so important:

• Oil Additives Plus Their Importance:

• Viscosity-index improvers: Reduce oil’s tendency to thin with increasing temperature.

• Detergents: Unlike your household type, they don’t scrub engine surfaces. They do remove some deposits, primarily solids. But their main purpose is to keep the surfaces clean by inhibiting the formation of high-temperature deposits, rust and corrosion.

• Dispersants: Disperse solid particles, keeping them in solution, so they don’t come together to form sludge, varnish and acids. Some additives work both as detergents and dispersants.

• Antiwear agents: There are times when the lubricating film breaks down, so the antiwear agents have to protect the metal surfaces. A zinc and phosphorus compound called ZDDP is a long-used favorite, along with other phosphorus (and sulphur) compounds. If you musts know, ZDDP stand for zinc diakyl dithiophosphate.

• Friction modifiers: These aren’t the same as antiwear agents. They reduce engine friction and, so, can improve fuel economy. Graphite, molybdenum and other compounds are used.

• Pour-point depressants: Just because the 0° F viscosity rating is low doesn’t mean the oil will flow readily at low temperatures. Oil contains wax particles that can congeal and reduce flow, so these additives are used to prevent it.

• Antioxidants: With engine temperatures being pushed up for better emissions control, the antioxidants are needed to prevent oxidation (and, therefore, thickening) of oil. Some of the additives that perform other functions also serve this purpose, such as the antiwear agents.

• Foam inhibitors: The crankshaft whipping through the oil in the pan causes foaming. Oil foam is not as effective a lubricant as a full-liquid stream, so the inhibitors are used to cause the foam bubbles to collapse. Resulting in better lubricating qualities and reduced engine wear.

• Rust-corrosion inhibitors: Protect metal parts from acids and moisture, which your engine could not live without. Without it your car engine would never last.

Changing Transmission Fluid In Plainfield, IL

Q: How often is your transmission fluid suppose to be changed?

A: You ever here someone say it isn’t necessary to service your transmission? Some owner’s manuals even say it isn’t necessary. Yeah, right. That’s why transmission shops like us are making a fortune replacing burned out automatic transmissions. For optimum protection, change your fluid and filter every 30,000 miles (unless you have a newer vehicle that is filled with Dexron III or any other type of ATF which is designed to be good for higher mileage).

Q: Do you know what kind of transmission fluid your vehicle takes?

A: So many kinds to choose from. ATF+4 Most Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler | Mercon V – Most Ford, Mercury, Lincoln | Mercon LV – Some Ford(DuratecHE), MAZDA in Europe or Asia | Dexron VI – Most GM and pre-2004 Toyota products, some Ford applications | ATF DW-1 – All Honda and Acura (except CVT) | SP-III – All Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Kia (except CVT and dual clutch) | Matic S, Matic K, Matic D – Jatco transmissions, used in Nissan and Subaru vehicles | Toyota ATF-WS – All 2004 and later Toyota including hybrids, Choose wisely. Using an incorrect transmission fluid type can result in a huge hole in your pocket other wise known as transmission failure. Not worth the risk of damaging your trans. If your going to top off your trans make sure you put the correct type in. Questions about what type to use? Give us a call.

Changing Brake Fluid In Plainfield, IL

Adding brake fluid is usually not part of routine vehicle maintenance. If you have low brake fluid, typically it means that your brake pads are low and soon need to be replaced.

Q: Are there different types of brake fluid?

A: As with most fluids, there are a few different options. Including DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5. DOT 3 meets a minimum specification, while DOT 4 and 5 meet more stringent requirements. The purpose of these requirements is “to reduce failures in the hydraulic brake systems. (1) Petroleum (mineral oil) base (2) Non petroleum base. Types of brake fluid are differentiated based on their boiling capacity.

Warning: Never use DOT 5 automotive brake fluid in a vehicle designed for DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluids. It is ok to use DOT 4 fluid in a vehicle that requires DOT 3, but not vice-versa. NEVER substitute any other fluid for brake fluid. Wash your hands after coming in contact with brake fluid. It eats paint, so imagine what it’ll do to skin. Properly discard brake fluid that’s been unsealed for more than one year. Make your brake repair service last, use proper fluid.

Coolant Flushing In Plainfield, IL

Q: How many different types of automotive coolant are there?

A: Hybrid engine coolants (containing silicates), OAT engine coolants (free of silicates), Si-OAT-engine coolants

Q: How often should coolant be changed?

A: Engine coolant additives such as a pH buffer gradually breakdown and become less effective. We therefore recommend a complete change of coolant every three to four years. It’s recommended to clean your cooling system and completely renew the coolant whenever a repair is made to the cooling system. This prevents rust, soil and or suspended particles left behind in the system from causing scale, corrosion and other damage.

Purpose Of Coolant-Antifreeze

Today’s engines are loaded with aluminum components: cylinder heads, water pumps, manifolds, even engine blocks are made from your all mighty aluminum. The two primary heat exchangers also known as a radiator and heater core are also aluminum. Aluminum needs great corrosion protection to survive, and the corrosion protection in green and red antifreeze is used up in about two years. Orange offers longer life, but if your car came with green or red, you can’t switch to orange without a fair amount of preparation. If your car is around four years old or so, a switch is not likely to yield long term coolant life, you’d still face the usual 2-year flush, drain, fill, schedule. Have any questions? Call 815-577-0327 today.

Is Your Vehicle Due For A Fluid Service?

If your in or around Plainfield, Naperville, Bolingbrook, in need of a vehicle fluid service we have all your needs covered. What fluids does Last Chance Auto Repair service? We service engine oil, transmission fluid, differential fluid, transfer case lubricants, engine coolant, power steering fluid plus brake fluid. Anything we forgot automotive related, bring it by and will service it’s fluid to. Problems or issues? Contact us anytime.

What Kind Of Coolant Does Your Car Take, Coolant Confusion?

What kind of coolant really belongs in your car? Engine antifreeze does breakdown over time, forming corrosive organic degradation products. Hence the importance of proper cooling system maintenance (coolant flushing). As with anything automotive, proper maintenance is key to longevity. Coolant in your automobile’s engine cooling system must do three things:

• Carry heat to radiator • Prevent from freezing • Protect against corrosion

Glycol based coolants on the market today can handle the first two tasks almost indefinitely, but corrosion protection relies on chemicals in the coolant that are eventually consumed over time as they do their job. Protecting your vehicle from internal corrosion has always been a chemical balancing act, with so many differnet types of coolant to choose from, it’s getting easy to accidentlly confuse the different types and then use the wrong type that your application was designed to use. Questions on what type to use? Call our team today.

What Are The Different Types Of Coolant Or Antifreeze?

While there are minor differences, three different types of coolany are available today. Including (IAT) Inorganic Additive Technology, (OAT) Organic Additive Technology, (HOAT) Hybrid Organic Additive Technology. Which one is correct for your application? What does your car prefer?

Different Colors Of Coolant

Engine coolants (antifreeze) are actually clear at one point. Dye’s are added by the coolant manufacturer to give the stuff its color. Different manufacturers use different color dye’s in their product and there are also several different chemical formulatons (Ethyl-Glycol, Dex-Cool, G12) all of which can come in a variety of colors. Ethyl-Glycol for example people often think is green yet Toyota uses this coolant with a red dye and Ford with yellow as do some aftermarket coolant manufacturers. Have any questions?

But anyways the main colors of coolant coming out then going back into vehicles at our shop is Green, Red, Plus Yellow. Now a little more rare but still pretty common are the Pink and Blue colors. Regardless were here for all of your coolant service needs.

Now there is few different types, colors, brands of coolant made for automobiles and to some extent, each will work in any cooling system, but each has been made to meet car manufacturers’ specific needs. If proper maintenance schedule is not followed properly including not using proper coolant voiding of warranty may occur. Filling a vehicle that was designed for one type of coolant with another type can sometimes cause problems.

What Are The Differences Between Coolants?

The IAT coolants as mentioned above which also have been around forever contain silicates that form a protective barrier on everything in your cooling system, including rubber hoses. The newer OAT type coolants as also mentioned above work differently. Aluminum and ferrous metals form a layer of corrosion in the presence of moisture, even a little bit of moisture in the air. Oat coolants anneal this metal oxide layer into a thin surface coating that protects against further corrosion. With either type of inhibitor, there must be enough in the coolant to occasionally re-establish the barrier as needed. Hence the importance of proper cooling system maintenance, coolant flushing, preventive maintenance. Hence Last Chance Auto Repair is here to handle all of your cooling system needs which you know includes coolant flushing.