Maumee Auto Repair

When I was a kid, my dad always made sure he took the cars in for Spring and Fall checkups. I was telling a friend that it's about time to get into Lange`s Auto Care, Inc. for a checkup and he said that he read on the internet that modern cars don't need seasonal service.My friend is (technically) right about some things, but from a practical standpoint, a seasonal check up still makes sense.Back when my dad was teaching me about how to take care of the family vehicle, most of them used a different weight of oil in the winter and in the summer. But most of today's modern engines run the same oil year round. High-tech engines and high-tech motor oils are better able to handle the seasonal changes.Your owner's manual or Maumee service advisor at Lange`s Auto Care, Inc. can tell you the right oil to use.Of course, you're concerned about the coolant or antifreeze. You don't want to overheat in the OH summer or freeze ... read more

Today's Lange`s Auto Care, Inc. post focuses on using coolant. If you pour in the wrong kind, it won't protect the cooling system and may even void the warranty. Check your vehicle owner's manual. Of course, your Lange`s Auto Care, Inc. service advisor will know the proper coolant for your vehicle.Brake fluid is confusing for some Maumee drivers. Back when we opened Lange`s Auto Care, Inc., most vehicles used Dot 3 brake fluid. Now we have Dot 4 and Dot 5. Some Maumee residents mistakenly think the higher numbers are an upgrade. You know, if 3 is good then 4 must be better. That's not how it works. They are different formulations to meet the demands of differences in brake systems. Only one of them is designed for your vehicle.Ditto for transmission fluid. For decades there were two basic types of tranny fluid used at Lange`s Auto Care, Inc.: friction modified or not. With the tremendous engineering advances in vehicle automatic transmissions, there have been several new types o ... read more

  Hello Maumee, let's talk about brakes. But the mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue. There's also the power brake pump and brake fluid. And then there are the tires, which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.Let's step back. A new vehicle or truck rolls off a local Maumee showroom floor. It has brand new brakes with brand new brake pads. The brake lines and pump are filled with fresh fluid and are completely clean inside. And the tires are brand new, with full tread. It is ready to go.Naturally, braking power is at its peak performance. Now the miles/kilometers start to add up on the vehicle. Maumee drivers tend to focus on the brake pads. In the automotive business, the pads and shoes on drum brakes are called the friction material. That's because they provide the friction used to stop the vehicle. The pads are designed to be effective throughout their useful life – it's not until they are worn so thin as to be out of 'specs'  t ... read more

Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Maumee drivers, your vehicle manufacturer publishes two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Maumee drivers follow? Here are some questions to ask yourself:Are most of your trips less than four miles/six kilometers around Maumee?Are most of your trips less than 10 miles/16 kilometers in below-zero OH temps?Are most of your trips off-highway in OH?Do you drive often in dusty Maumee areas?Do you regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads around Maumee?Do you drive in very hot or very cold OH weather?Think about your typical week. Do you live by your nearest Maumee on-ramp and enjoy a non-stop commute? Or, do you drive the neighborhood car pool in stop-and-go traffic on Maumee surface streets? Let's suppose your owner's manual says the severe service oil change recommendation is 3,000 miles/5,000 kilometers and the standard recommendation i ... read more