Most people in the Washington DC area are aware that automotive manufacturers have recommended service intervals. Following a preventive maintenance schedule is very important. The engineers that design our vehicles have tested the various systems and components to meet durability and safety standards.

When it comes to their vehicles, some auto owners don’t have a maintenance mindset. They know they need to take care of their cars, but it just seems really hard to get them to remember to do it. Unfortunately, drivers too often learn a hard automotive lesson when a little routine maintenance would have prevented a significant breakdown.

Because new cars are more expensive, Washington DC residents are driving their old cars longer. The average car is now over nine years old and 68% of vehicles on the road have more than 75,000 miles/120,000 kilometers. As cars age, their performance drops, they have difficulty idling for long periods, and are more sensitive to weather extremes.

Your cooling system is very important. It circulates coolant through the radiator and your engine to protect your late model vehicle from overheating. The heart of the system is the water pump.

There are five main components to the cooling system:

Working up a sweat is a great thing to do in a gym around Washington DC, but not in your car. When there’s a problem with a car’s air conditioning  system, most Washington DC drivers will feel it right away. The question is, how long do you put up with it?

Who doesn’t like to take a road trip? Summer vacations open up many great destinations, and going by car gives you a chance to stop and see the sights on the way. Freedom from daily schedules, new sights and the open road – it’s great! But there’s nothing like car trouble to bring the fun to a grinding halt.

Lease? Or buy? These are the options for car financing. It’s always a tough question for Washington DC motorists. But here is some info that’ll help you make an informed decision.

Today we’re talking to Washington DC car owners about shocks and struts. They’re easy to forget because they last so long and wear out so slowly. But, good shocks equal good ride quality and safe handling for motorists. Without shocks, your wheels would be bouncing over bumps and lifting in corners. They push the tire down to the road to maximize traction.

Some Washington DC car owners wonder why Metro Motor and other Washington DC auto repair shops charge a fee for diagnostic services.

A generation ago, Washington DC auto owners seemed to be more inclined to keep their vehicle’s preventive maintenance on schedule. One reason for this may be that vehicles back then were a lot less reliable than they are today. Having your late model vehicle in to your Washington DC shop every year or two for repairs seemed to be a good reminder to keep the oil changed.