YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.

There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle's engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the "check engine" light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue addressed to prevent long-term problems.

This is a very serious problem - if your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the engine off! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator; the hot fluid can cause severe burns. The best thing to do is have your car towed to the nearest, trusted auto repair facility.

You should get your oil changed every 3000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.

Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (or other gasket), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional technician immediately.

Battery cables and terminals should be cleaned and inspected periodically to make sure they provide a good electrical connection.

Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines. Or for vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), and vehicles that operate in extremely cold or hot climates. Although more expensive than mineral-based oils, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes.

To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, replace your car's fuel filter approximately every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.

For maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance, your spark plugs should be replaced every 30 months or 30,000 miles, unless your vehicle is equipped with 100,000-mile platinum tipped spark plugs.

Always replace burned-out fuses with ones of the same amperage (printed on the fuse) and note that if a fuse continues to "blow," you should have the circuit checked professionally by one of our technicians for defects.

YES! Almost all (60-70 %) of the vehicle manufacturers have specific recommendations for the periodic Changing of brake fluid. Some examples of these recommendations are:

Mercedes, BMW, VW, and Volvo recommend changing brake fluid every 24 months.

Nissan has started recommending at 15,000 miles.

Honda, Acura, and Mazda recommend brake fluid change every 36 months.

Chrysler, Ford and GM recommend that brake fluid be changed “when needed.”

The Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) and the Uniform Inspection and Communication Standards (UICS) require brake fluid be changed when copper contents exceed 200 ppm.

AAA recommends that brake fluid be changed every 2 years or 50,000 miles whichever comes first.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that brake fluid’s boiling point can be below minimum standards in as little as 18 months.

Corrosion Resistance and Moisture

What about corrosion resistance?

In 1998, NHTSA and NIST (National Institute for Standards and Technology) released a study “Preliminary Investigations into Corrosion in AntiLocking Braking Systems.” The study was in response to complaints about the operation and performance of antilock brake systems (ABS). The conclusion was that ABS systems, with their increased circulation and closer tolerance valves are more susceptible to corrosion than conventional brakes.

When brake fluid is new it contains corrosion inhibitors. These inhibitors decline over time. As They decline the rate of deterioration increases. A good measure of the deterioration of the Inhibitors is the amount of copper in the fluid. New fluid will have no copper, but over time Copper is leached from brake lines and other sources. The amount of copper is a good determination of the loss of corrosion resistance and the “virtual” age of the fluid.

Without the corrosion resistance, parts of the brake system, ABS, and vehicle stability control systems can be damaged.

What impact does this have on my ABS?

Per AlliedSignal’s Bendix ( a leading brake manufacturer) “The ABS modulator unit isn’t just complicated and expensive, it will get damaged if the fluid is either dirty or moisture-contaminated. Since most brake fluid naturally absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, the only way to fight this problem is to regularly flush and replace fluid every 2 years or 24,000 miles”

Why is moisture a problem?

Brake fluid is a non-compressible liquid (like hydraulic fluid). As the brake pedal is pushed, this force is transmitted to the individual brakes via the brake fluid. Fluids are generally non-compressible, while gases (vapor/moisture) are compressible. If brake fluid boils (becomes a gas) it will lose its ability to transmit force in other words, brake failure.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that brake fluid have a dry (no moisture) boiling Temperature of at least 401 degrees, with a wet temperature of no less than 284 degrees.

A 3% moisture content in DOT3 brake fluid will reduce the boiling point to 293 degrees, which is dangerously close to DOT and OEM requirements. Based on NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ) studies, brake fluid can absorb 3% moisture through Hoses and valves in 18 months. 20% of the cars tested had a moisture content over 5%

DOT4 brake fluid does not absorb moisture as fast but is impacted by the moisture to a greater Degree. A 3% moisture content in DOT4 fluid reduces the boiling point up to 50%.

Vehicles that have hotter brakes are more subject to problems due to moisture in the brake fluid. Front wheel drive brake system cars with semi-metallic linings run significantly hotter than rear drive vehicles. Vehicles that carry heavy loads, pull trailers, are used in mountainous terrain, and have a Lot of hard (panic) stops are particularly vulnerable to overheated brake fluid.

Manufacturer Recommendations