AUTONET TV

Another Couple of Years: Making Your Vehicle Last At L and M Motors Inc

A while back, the Cash for Clunkers program was all over the news. Anchorage people could trade in their old vehicle for a new one that got better fuel economy and receive a government rebate.

A lot of Anchorage motorists had so-called clunkers that they wanted to keep. They’re good commuters, grocery getters or toy haulers. They enjoy that fact that they’re paid off, or soon will be. They would gladly like to keep their family cars for 200,000 miles or more – as long as it’s economical to do so.

There are plenty of Anchorage drivers whose vehicles are running after 150,000 or 200,000 miles. We can learn from what they’re doing to keep our own family cars on the road in AK.

Anchorage drivers of high-mileage cars often report a common denominator of never skipping an oil change. That may sound a bit unsophisticated, but it’s really not. First off, oil is the life blood of your family car's engine and it needs to be clean to properly lubricate. Skipping oil changes leads to clogged oil filters and sludge that can damage your engine.

There’s another reason why the scheduled oil change is so important for Anchorage car owners. It’s simple – a L and M Motors Inc professional is going to be looking at your car. All of your fluid levels will be inspected and topped off so they won’t get so low that damage can be done. If there is a significant fluid loss, let’s use brake fluid as an example, your L and M Motors Inc technician can look for the cause of the loss and find the problem before it leads to an accident or costly repair.

Your L and M Motors Inc advisor will also visually inspect your family car for worn belts and hoses, uneven tire wear, leaking shock absorbers and more. Problems get addressed before they lead to repairs that cost more than the car’s worth.

And your L and M Motors Inc advisor will be able to remind you of other services that the factory recommends you get done. Just think of that oil change the same way as you do about going to your Anchorage dentist for your six month cleaning and checkup. Don’t skip it.

Realistically, things are going to wear out as your family car gets older. On the way to 200,000 miles you’ll go through several batteries, probably a couple of alternators and water pumps, a set of shocks and likely some brake rotors.

Of course, these things cost money, but they are far cheaper than new family car payments. With proper service at L and M Motors Inc and regular inspections, you’ll keep surprise repairs to a minimum and more money in your wallet.

Air Conditioning Maintenance at L and M Motors Inc in Anchorage

Warm weather or cold, Anchorage drivers still need to think about their vehicle's air conditioning. Most Anchorage people don't service their air conditioning until after it fails. At L and M Motors Inc, we can advise you on your vehicle manufacturers preventive maintenance schedules for air conditioning service, just as we do for transmission service, oil changes and so on.

Maintaining your air conditioning system means that you always have enough refrigerant to properly do the job. Small leaks in the vehicle's air conditioning system allow the refrigerant to escape and the system can't cool the air as well. We see that a lot at L and M Motors Inc in Anchorage.

The refrigerant also contains oil that lubricates air conditioning components and keeps the seals resilient. Low refrigerant and lubricating oil means that the air conditioning parts will wear out prematurely, and all Anchorage vehicle owners know that air conditioning repairs can be costly. At L and M Motors Inc, we recommended that the air conditioner be run regularly, even during winter months, to keep the parts and seals lubricated.

Anchorage drivers need to be aware that there's one more thing that isn't directly related to air conditioning service but does impact the quality of the air in your vehicle. And that's your cabin air filter. This filter cleans dust, pollen, pollution and other impurities in the air that come from the heater and air conditioner. The cabin air filter needs to be replaced when it's dirty. If you don't, it'll start to smell. Not all vehicles have one, so ask your L and M Motors Inc service advisor to check your cabin air filter at the same time they're doing your air conditioning service.

L and M Motors Inc
400 W 53rd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-563-4994