Miller 40 Car Care and Tire Center
Miller 40 Car Care and Tire Center services offered
Oil Change
A question that we get very often is: “How often do I need to change my oil?” It varies by model, make and year so we always advise customers to check their owner’s manual. Also, cars have become a lot smarter so some even warn you when it’s time to change your oil. If you own a car that warns you, make sure that you have your oil changed as soon as possible after your warning.
That said, even if you don’t drive your car too often, your oil should be fresh and clean. So, let’s say that your owner’s manual says to change your oil every 7,500 miles but over six months you’ve driven about 5000 miles, we recommend that your oil is changed at least every six months regardless of mileage.
And finally, your owner’s manual will tell you what type of oil you need. Many cars nowadays require that you use synthetic oil so be aware of that. This type of oil tends to be more expensive than conventional motor oil, but the synthetic variety is often necessary or a good option, even if your car doesn’t require it. Ask us if it’s the right motor oil for you.
Transmission/differential
Transmission fluid should be checked annually to ensure it has maintained its pink color and is, therefore, providing lubrication to all the transmission’s vital parts. Most manufacturers recommend replacing it every 30,000 to 60,000 miles. You definitely want to do this as transmission replacement is very costly. Symptoms of a failing transmission or differential include:
- The classic and most obvious symptom is your transmission slipping. It’s when your car is in drive and when you press on the accelerator you hear your engine working but there is a delay before your car moves. Then, it may “pop” into gear and jerk as your car begins to move.
- A whining noise coming from your differential is also a sign of a problem.
- A burning smell may also come from your differential, which is also a sign that there is an issue.
If you experience any of these, please bring your car so we can have a look at it, determine the best course of action and make the necessary repairs.
Tire change
One of the biggest road hazards is not even on the road, it’s the bald tires that you may be driving on. Don’t do it! Driving on bald tires means that your car is not gripping the road properly. This can be a life threatening situation when you have to stop quickly or are driving in the rain.
We’ll get your new tires mounted on your car as quickly as possible to make sure that you’re as safe as you can be.
Flat fix
It’s almost inevitable unless you’re the luckiest person in the world. Getting a flat tire at some point in your life is just a part of driving your car in Miami. We can fix most flat tires with a plug or patch pretty quickly.
Brake service
Your brakes are your first line of defense against hazards and traffic accidents so they should always be performing at an optimum level. There really is no excuse for your brakes not to be in tip top shape.
Your brakes even tell you when it’s time for repair. Your brakes need to be looked at when:
- They’re making a squeaking or grinding noise; you’ve probably heard this sound before.
- Your car pulls to one side or the other when you hit the brakes.
- The brake pedal feels soft or mushy compared to how it normally feels.
- Vibrations upon hitting the brakes.
- Some cars are equipped with a brake warning light; don’t ignore it.
- Your sense of smell may even come into play; a burning smell may also be a sign of worn brakes
Whatever you do, don’t ignore any of these signs. The best case scenario, if you do so, is that you will damage your brakes and potentially cause expensive repairs, like having to machine your brake rotors versus just having to change your brake pads. The worst case scenario is that you put you and possibly loved ones in danger every time you drive your car.
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, come to Miller 40 Car Care and Tire Center as soon as possible so that we can evaluate your brakes and repair them as efficiently as possible if it’s needed.
Air Conditioning Service
We don’t have to tell you that great air conditioning in your car is a necessity in Miami. This is one issue that is easily diagnosed; your overheated body will tell you that. You don’t need any warning signs from your car to know that your air conditioning isn’t working properly.
We realize how important having a cool auto interior is while you’re fighting Miami traffic. Miller 40 Car Care and Tire Center technicians have the experience and expertise to fix your car’s A/C the right way.
Of course, you can go to the local auto parts store or super center, buy a can of refrigerant and try to recharge your car’s air conditioner, but if the problem goes deeper than that, you may be causing bigger problems for your car.
For example, a malfunctioning compressor that goes undetected can spread metal shavings throughout the system, causing further damage and a more expensive repair.
Your automobile’s A/C system is supposed to be sealed. At the very least, you probably have a leak through which gas is escaping.
Allow our experts to diagnose your car’s air conditioning issue so that the problem can be repaired correctly and not merely covered up with a temporary fix.
Sensors
Your car may have over a dozen important sensors. They communicate with a computer in your car to provide information about the particular system’s status. There are sensors for the fuel pump, fuel injection system, exhaust, tire pressure and many more.
What was once accomplished mechanically, is now done digitally. The advantage is that today’s cars require less maintenance. However, sometimes these sensors can fail, which means that your car may not run correctly.
Our experienced mechanics know the symptoms related to faulty sensors through their testing and diagnostic skills and are able to replace them when needed.
Programming
You probably guessed it, sensors are connected to a computerized control module commonly referred to as an ECU (Engine Control Unit) or ECM (Engine Control Module). After driving your car for a certain amount of mileage or years, your ECU may need to be reprogrammed as, like any computer, it may not be working like when it was new.
Also, sometimes sensors will detect a problem that triggers an engine light to turn on, indicating the need for an adjustment or replacement of a part. What happens in many cases is that the adjustment is made but the engine light eventually turns on again. This commonly suggests the need for reprogramming.
As automobiles have become more and more complex over the last decades, our technicians have undergone more training and have developed the skills necessary to reprogram your car’s ECU.
Diagnostics
Another advantage of the computerization of cars is that problems with your automobile can be detected faster by performing diagnostic tests.
If you feel that your car is not running like it should be, you should have a diagnostic test done as soon as possible to discover and address the problem before it gets worse and causes other issues in your car.
Don’t wait until the check engine light comes on!
Inspections
Just like you go for regular check-ups, your car should too. Your car should be maintained to extend its life. Even if you don’t detect a problem, we recommend that you have an annual inspection to ensure that critical parts are not overly worn and that fluids are at the correct levels.
General Mechanic Work
We mentioned some of the services our customers use quite often, and we also offer many other repairs and services that range from the simple, such as battery replacement or headlight restoration, to the complex, such as replacing interior engine parts.
If your car needs to be repaired, there’s a good chance that we not only do it but do it very well.
Tire Balancing
Balancing your tires is a must. When they are not properly balanced, it can cause vibrations, bouncing and side to side movement that you may even feel on your steering wheel.
It ensures that you will have the best, most comfortable ride possible and your tires will wear evenly. This will extend the life of your tires.
The process of dynamic tire balancing is computerized for precision. The way it works is that the tire is spun at high speeds. The equipment detects imbalances and their location. The technician then places counterweights in the indicated spots to offset imbalances and to provide a smooth ride as well as even wear.
Tunes Ups
Today’s cars don’t require as much maintenance as the cars of the past, but they do require periodic tune ups. The older the car, the more frequently tune ups are needed.
There are several services we provide and items that we check and replace if necessary.
- Spark plugs nowadays are supposedly rated to last 100,000 miles. However, this is not always the case. If your car spends a lot of time idling in traffic or for some other reason, or consumes more oil than normal, then your spark plugs may need replacement before that.
Symptoms of failing spark plugs include sluggish acceleration, rough idling, misfiring and reduced gas mileage.
- Rough idling could also mean that ignition wires need to be replaced as they wear down over time.
- Ignition coils may also have to be replaced over time. They transform low battery voltage into high voltage.
- The distributor cap also should be checked and replaced if you notice that your motor is misfiring. A failed distributor cap and rotor may also be a reason for your car not starting.
- Replacing your engine air filter helps your engine perform more efficiently.
- Your car also has a cabin air filter which should be checked periodically as it can allow unwanted fumes and elements, such as pollen, into your car.
- Periodic replacement of oil and fuel filters is essential. Oil filters clean engine oil which is critical in ensuring that your motor is properly lubricated.
A dirty fuel filter can cause hesitation and even reduce the life of your fuel pump.
- Hoses are made out of rubber and will weaken over time. The last thing you want is for a coolant hose to break as it may cause your car to overheat and possibly cause serious damage. Therefore, it is recommended that hoses are checked regularly.
- Your car’s engine also has many belts that perform different functions. Like hoses they are made out of rubber and wear down over time. We recommend that they are checked for cracks and other signs of weakening periodically.
Last but not least, maintaining fluid levels is also critical. During a tune up we will inspect the levels and appearance of motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid to ensure that these systems will perform at optimum levels.
Wheel alignment
You’ve probably heard the cliché “Where the rubber meets the road.” Proper tire alignment means that the rubber on your tire is making contact with the road at the proper angles. Why is this important? There are several reasons.
- It helps ensure that your tires will wear properly, which means they will last longer. This can provide real savings.
- Your car will run smoother.
- Proper tire alignment keeps your tires pointing in the correct direction and, therefore, can make your car more efficient and save you fuel costs.
It seems that there are more potholes and other road hazards every day. Something as simple as hitting a pothole or a curb can throw your alignment off.
So how would you know that your tires need to be aligned? Here are some of the symptoms:
- Your car drifts or pulls to one side or the other.
- The steering wheel is not in the correct position when driving straight ahead.
- Your tires are wearing in an unusual way or too fast.
- Your tires are making a squealing noise.
We recommend tire alignment in these situations as well as when you buy and mount new tires for your car.