We all know the regular oil change is part of the routine vehicle maintenance process. But do you know why changing your oil is so important? Here’s a brief breakdown of the oil change process and why it matters.

The WHY: To understand the importance of regular oil changes, it’s crucial to know how the basic components of your vehicle work. Automobile engines are made up of moving parts that rub up against each other. The friction this movement causes creates heat. Oil is used as a heat-absorbing lubricant for the engine’s parts, helping them work together smoothly, and preventing overheating.

Over time, that oil breaks down and can become contaminated by environmental pollutants like dirt, dust and debris from the engine. Once this happens, the oil is no longer efficiently doing its job and needs to be replaced.

Regular oil changes are vital in maintaining the viability of your vehicle’s engine.

So what does the oil change process look like?

Suggested Supplies:

Engine Oil

Oil Filter

Oil Filter Wrench

Funnel

Oil Pan

Container for Used Oil

Rags

Rubber Mallet

Safety Goggles

Wrench Set

Steps:

Draining the Oil

Underneath the vehicle, find the oil pan and  locate the engine drain plug

Remove the oil plug, and let the oil drain out of the car.

After it has drained completely, replace the plug and put on a new washer.

It can take several minutes for the oil to drain out of the car, so be patient.

Once the oil has finished draining, replace the plug and put a new washer in the drain plug if necessary.

Make sure to inspect and clean the drain, plug and gasket once you’ve finished.

Replacing the Filter

Locate the filter assembly.

Unscrew the oil filter, either by hand if possible, or with a removal tool. Make sure your drain pan is underneath the filter to catch spilling oil.

Prior to installing the new filter, lubricate the gasket with new oil.

Then screw in the new filter until tightened.

Now it’s time to add new oil to the car at the fill hole, under the hood.

Replace the fill cap and you’re done!

Not ready to tackle this process on your own? Krietz Auto’s service staff is ready and able to assist you!

Watch as Express Bay Technician, Jose Granados gives a basic breakdown of the process:

And if you’re in the Frederick, Maryland area, schedule your appointment with us today!

Tire Rotation is customarily offeredas part of regular vehicle maintenance procedures. Most auto repair shops willrotate your tires for you during your scheduled oil change, for example.

If you’re like most peoplethough, you probably don’t actually know why your tires should be rotatedregularly and certainly couldn’t explain what that process looks like.

If you’ve been followingalong with our blog, you know that so far we’ve learned many vehicle maintenancebasics, like the ins and outs of an oil change and how to change a tire.

Ready to take a look at tirerotation?

Here’s what to know:

Your tires should be rotatedroutinely. Your vehicle’s owner manual is always your go-to resource for what maintenanceschedule you should be on.

Tire rotation is really apreventative measure to help equalize the wear rate of your tires. When tiresare regularly rotated, they each serve in as many of the vehicle’s wheelpositions as possible.

It should be noted that frontand back tires perform different duties and their tasks vary from vehicle typeto vehicle type. The tires on mom’s front-wheel drive, station wagon experiencedifferent wear and tear than the tires on a rear-wheel drive performancevehicle, for example.

Regular rotation helps ensurebalanced handling and traction in whatever vehicle type you own.

There are traditionalrotation patterns used by many auto repair shops that work for most vehicles.

These include:

Forward Cross:Common in vehicles with front-wheel drive and a full-size matching spare

Rearward Cross:Common in rear and four-wheel drive vehicles with full-size matching spares

X-pattern: Commonin rear and four-wheel drive vehicles

To extend the life of yourtires, getting them rotated every 5,000 miles is a good rule of thumb.

And when you’re ready, Krietz Auto Service Center is ready and waiting to help!

Happy Driving!

Think of Appearance Protectionlike insurance specifically for your auto’s appearance. Common appearance repairscan be costly. Interior leather repair can cost $150 or more. Key/Fobreplacement can run anywhere between $100 and $800 dollars. A minor dent repaircan cost up to $1000 dollars!

Appearance Protection iscomprehensive coverage with features in place to save you cash in the long-term.

What are some of the benefitsoffered in an Appearance Protection plan?

• Up to 60 Months of coverage.
• No Deductible.
• Unlimited paint-less dentrepairs.
• Unlimited interior fabricrepairs.
• Transferrable to new owner inthe event that you sell your vehicle.

Purchasing your vehicle atKrietz? Here, we offer EdgePlus Appearance Protection by Warrantech, An AmTrustFinancial Company.

If this sounds like a goodfit for you, remember to ask your sales representative for more info whenpurchasing your car. We think you’ll be glad you did!

Happy Driving!

It happens to all of us. You’recruising down the road, going about you day, until THUD! You feel that familiarbump, bump, bump and pull over to find your tire has gone flat.

Your next instinct here mightbe to panic, but if you equip yourself with the skills to change your own tire,you’ll be back on the road in no time.

Step 1: Safety

Make sure you’ve givenyourself enough room to move safely around your vehicle, away from traffic onthe roadway. Be sure to apply your parking break, turn on your hazards, put outa reflective warning signal if you have one and apply wheel wedges to make surethe vehicle is stopped securely while you work.

Step 2: Locate Your SpareTire and Jack.

Your vehicle should come withfour items you’ll need to change a tire. Those include an owner’s manual, sparetire, wrench and jack. Your spare tire can be found in your trunk with yourjack and tire wrench underneath.  

*It should be noted that somevehicle manufacturers have eliminated spares to reduce the weight of thevehicle and improve fuel economy. In these vehicles you may find a “tire-inflatorkit,” which includes a small air compressor and a can of sealant.

Step 3: Remove Hub Cab & Loosenthe Lug Nuts

The jack will with come with ahandle that often has the lug wrench built in. To loosen the lug nuts, press downcounterclockwise with enough force to “crack” them loose. You may need toreposition your body as you do this to maintain the proper amount of leverageneeded.

Step 4: Jack the Car

Position the jack under theframe of the vehicle. Your owner’s manual will offer guidance about the bestplace to put the jack on your vehicle. Insert the end of the jack handle intothe jack to raise the vehicle. Turn it clockwise to go up and counterclockwiseto go down. Jacking takes time, so be patient.

Step 5: Remove Lug Nuts &Tire

Turn counterclockwise tocompletely remove lug nuts. Place them in a safe place nearby so you don’t losethem. Once they’re off, you can remove your tire.

Step 6.: Install Spare

Now you can put on your sparetire on. Center it on the wheel studs where the lug nuts go. Install the lugnuts, turning by hand first. Again, turning clockwise tightens them. Give thema turn with the lug wrench until they’re firm but not too tight, while yourvehicle is still up on a jack.

Step &: Lower and RemoveJack

Turn counterclockwise tolower the jack  with its handle. You can removeit by hand once the vehicle is lowered and it no longer has contact with the car.

Finally: Tighten Lug Nuts Again

Use your lug nut wrench totighten the lug nuts again. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern beginning atthe bottom and moving to the top, side to side and back to the bottom,repeating until they’re tight.

Now you’ve changed a tire! It’sbest not to drive too far on your spare and you’ll certainly want to avoiddriving at highway speeds, so get your vehicle into an autobody shop for a newtire as soon as possible.

It’s good practice to keepthe supplies you’ll need in case of emergencies like these in your vehicle.Wheel Wedges and a reflective sign are a good start. We’d also suggest  keeping a small plank to secure the jack, aflashlight with working batteries, gloves, and a rain poncho in your vehiclejust in case.

For more information abouttires and service click here.

Happy Driving!

So you’re in the shop getting a tune-up and the mechanicasks which oil you’d prefer for your oil change. Does your vehicle takeconventional or synthetic? And what exactly IS the difference?

Vehicle oil performs an essential function in yourautomobile’s engine. It acts as a lubricant to keep the parts of the enginemoving smoothly. It also absorbs the heat from the friction created, keepingthe engine from overheating.

Two main types of engine oil exist- conventional and synthetic.

Conventional Oil

Sometimes called the “dinosaur oil,” conventional oil iscreated from crude oil that has been removed from the earth using conventionalextraction means. Conventional oil is improved with chemical additives to helpit meet the requirements of vehicle manufacturers

Synthetic Oil

Synthetic Oil is chemically manufactured. They aredistilled, purified and broken down into its basic molecules. This processremoves impurities and enables individual molecules in the oil to be tailoredto the demands of modern engines. It’s said to be especially beneficial tovehicles with turbocharged engines and for vehicles that drive in stop-and-gotraffic regularly, or those that tow heavy loads.

It’s impossible to avoid unexpected hazards and debris onthe roadway. Picking up a nail or rock as you commute down the highway is anall too common scenario. A flat tire can put a real damper on your day. Don’tlet it.

A Tire and Wheel Protection Plan will allow you to protectyourself for the unexpected expense of repairing or replacing your tires andwheels. A Typical Tire and Wheel Coverage Plan will include certain benefitsand key features.

Tire & WheelProtection Plan Benefits 

100% Coverage-Repair or replacement of tires and wheelsdamaged by contact with covered road hazards including potholes, debris, nails,glass, rocks tree limbs or any object not normally found on a public roadwayand in the event of blowouts.

Reimbursement could include the cost of mounting, balancing,valve stems and taxes.

Discounted or fully covered roadside assistance, includingthe towing service.

Flat tire coverage.

Proper disposal of any non-repairable tires or wheels.

Key Features CouldInclude:

No replacement cost limits.

Zero deductible.

No mileage limitations.

3 and 5 year terms.

Transferrable Coverage

Visiting our Shop? Take a look at our available Edge Plus Tire and Wheel Protection Coverage!