We’ve made it through the worst of the winter, and as days get longer and gas prices continue to stay relatively low, many of us will be logging more miles on our cars.
“Taking a few minutes now to care for your car can save you lots of time and expense down the road,” said Randy Wright, Cottman President.
April is National Car Care Month and the experts at Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care offer some simple car maintenance tips to keep your car running smoothly and safely during spring and summer seasons ahead.
Car Maintenance Advice
- First, check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission fluids, and anti-freeze/coolant. While you’re under the hood, take a look at hoses and belts. While checking to be sure they’re not loose, inspect them closely for signs of cracks, fraying or brittleness.
- Check the battery to be sure connections are tight and watch for signs of corrosion on the connections. If your battery is more than two years old, have a pro do a load test to be sure it’s holding a charge.
- Inspect all your tires, watching for uneven tread wear, which indicates the need for a wheel alignment. Look for bumps or bubbles on the tire walls. Also, check tire pressure to be sure it is at the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
- Check windshield wipers and blades to be sure they clear the window evenly. Refill the washer fluid and keep spare fluid in the car.
- Check all lights including rear and brake lights to be sure all bulbs are working. Wash grime and dust off all the lights to maximize visibility.
- Many car owners can do the steps listed above for themselves, but the following safety checks usually require a professional service technician.
- Check the brake system. This should include inspecting brake linings, rotors and drums. Inspect the exhaust system, checking for leaks, loose or broken hangars and supports. A leak in the exhaust system should be repaired immediately, to prevent carbon monoxide from the engine from getting into the passenger cabin, where it can be deadly. Check to be sure the air conditioning is functioning properly.
- The steering and suspension systems should also be checked.
Preventative Vehicle Maintenance
Springtime is a good time to schedule an overall tune-up to be sure the engine is running smoothly and efficiently. A poorly tuned engine can use more gas and puts more pollutants into the air.
Cottman suggests drivers check their owners manual to see what specific steps are recommended for spring care for their make or model car.
The customer service was concerned about the parking area for my vehicle for overnight early bird service.They called me to inform me they were gonna check back with me before any services on my vehicle were done with my approval which, made me comfortable to know they showed responsibility in their work.
Fast, friendly, reliable and fair. I ended up having to get my town & country transmission repaired/replaced & my spark plugs replaced right before Christmas this past year & they said they could do it the next day if I could leave it that day. Well I didn't have a ride home & my other car needed a jump start since we hadn't driven it much. The owner not only offered to drive me home, but also jump start my other car so I could of get my niece from school. If that's not service, I don't know what is. They also ened up doing my 2014 escape transmission the yr b4. They were recommended by a friend & I would recommend them as well.
I purchased a "newly" used vehicle and was concerned about transmission issues and they made sure I was taken care of. The staff was extremely friendly and polite, and not only did they provide me with all the necessary services I needed, they also educated me. I would highly recommend this location.
The service was great. Someone recommended them to me. They took care of the issue I was having with my vehicle with no issues. I’ll be going to them from here on out!
A very satisfied customer
Staff were all professional. Manager was a saint, gentleman, and scholar. Great company with excellent values. I would highly recommend them.
Kevin and his entire staff are the best. I had a brake caliper fail and they took care of very quickly and for a great price. Since then, I had new flare fenders with led lights installed on my Jeep Wrangler. Same great service and value.
I have been taking my vehicles to Cottman for the last year and I have never been disappointed. Kevin is the General Manager and I have known him personally for several years. This is an honest shop with quality work and great, trustworthy employees. Law Enforcement friendly, which is a major plus. It is hard to find a reliable place for vehicles now and days so skip the stress and take your vehicles here.
I love this place. came here a few years back, great work. just came in recently, wanted to wait a few days for the review.let me tell you Vicki was amazing and as helpful as can be and kevin did repair and excellent job on my transmission as well as work with me . had a world of trouble with my warranty place but they did their best to help with it all and my car is running excellent. will be back soon for oil change and any future repairs. thanks guys.
I love this place. came here a few years back, great work. just came in recently, wanted to wait a few days for the review.let me tell you Vicki was amazing and as helpful as can be and kevin did repair and excellent job on my transmission as well as work with me . had a world of trouble with my warranty place but they did their best to help with it all and my car is running excellent. will be back soon for oil change and any future repairs. thanks guys.
My experience at Cottman was awesome! The waiting lounge was very clean and looked great. The front desk staff was kind and personable. My wheels got aligned very quickly and they did a great job for an awesome price! The owner is extremely professional and quite handsome as well.
Best shop to have your vehicle repaired. Professional and timely. Owner gives fair prices and easy to work with. I would highly recommend to anyone.
The work was excellent and done in a timely manner. Found the best pri
ce for the work needed!!!
Great customer service!! The staff was very attentive. A issue arose while they were working on my vehicle, and the mechanics diagnosed it and where back on track in no time. What I liked the most was that they kept me in the loop while they tried to find a resolution.
Fast and efficient service.
