Tag Archives: Seasonal Maintenance

🌞 Memorial Day Weekend is Here — Are You Road-Trip Ready?

🌞 Memorial Day Weekend is Here — Are You Road-Trip Ready?

For many, Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of summer adventures. Whether you're heading out on your first camping trip or planning a scenic road trip, it’s important to make sure your vehicle and trailer are ready for the journey. Before you hit the road, take a few minutes to go through this simple checklist to help ensure a safe and stress-free trip: ✅ Car, Truck, and Trailer Pre-Trip Checklist 🚗 Vehicle Checks (Car or Truck)Tire Pressure & Tread – Check for proper inflation and wear. Brakes – Make sure brakes respond smoothly and don’t squeak or grind. Oil & Fluid Levels – Top off or change oil, coolant, brake, and windshield washer fluids. ... read more

Weather is Warming Up and Your Car’s A/C Is Blowing Warm – What to Do

Weather is Warming Up and Your Car’s A/C Is Blowing Warm – What to Do

As temperatures rise, there's nothing worse than flipping on your car’s A/C… only to be met with a blast of warm air. Whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or planning a road trip, a functional air conditioning system is essential for comfort and safety. If your car’s A/C isn’t doing its job, don’t sweat it — here’s what might be going on and what you can do about it. 1. Check the Obvious First Before diving into major repairs, check a few simple things: Is the A/C actually turned on? Double-check the A/C button and that the temperature dial is set to cold. Is the fan working? If there’s no airflow at all, the issue might be electrical or a bad blower motor. 2. Low or Leaking Refrigerant The most common reason your A/C is blowing warm is low refrigerant — usually due to a leak in the system. Refrigerant (commonly R-134a or R-1234yf) is the ... read more

April is National Car Care Month: Essential Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Vehicle Running Smoothly

April is National Car Care Month: Essential Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Vehicle Running Smoothly

As winter fades and spring emerges, April brings not only warmer weather but also National Car Care Month—a timely reminder to ensure your vehicle is in top condition for the seasons ahead. Regular maintenance not only enhances safety but also extends the lifespan of your car and can prevent costly repairs down the line. Key Areas to Focus On During National Car Care Month:Tire Maintenance Your tires are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, making their upkeep crucial. Regularly inspect them for proper pressure, tread depth, and signs of wear or damage. Maintaining correct tire pressure ensures optimal fuel efficiency and handling. Additionally, scheduling annual wheel alignments can prevent uneven wear and prolong tire life. Oil Changes Engine oil lubricates moving parts, reduces friction, and helps keep the engine clean. Changing your vehicle's oil at recommended intervals is cru ... read more

Why Is My Car A/C Blowing Warm? Causes, Checks & Fixes

Why Is My Car A/C Blowing Warm? Causes, Checks & Fixes

Air Conditioning Is your A/C blowing warm? Where to start? We will start with a visual inspection for any visible leaks, visible damage, determine if compressor is engaging.  As long as everything is in working order the refrigerant capacity will need to be checked and verify the system can hold pressure (which will also indicate a leak) At that point the technician would recharge the system to the correct capacity refrigerant and with an ultra violet dye. Air conditioning systems are very temperamental, the refrigerant level must be perfect not too full and not too low. How do you know which refrigerant goes in your vehicle, As of 2015 there are 2 different types of refrigerant, 134a which most vehicles take and 1234yf. These two fluids are not compatible with each other, it is either one or the other the vehicle a/c system label will specify which to use. What symptoms can I watch for to tell if I have low refrigerant? AC blowing warm at all times, blowing warm while dr ... read more

Do Hybrid Vehicles Need Maintenance?

Do Hybrid Vehicles Need Maintenance?

In short, the answer is Yes! At Dickerson Automotive, our team has a wide range of experience, including maintenance and repairs on Hybrid vehicles.  Standard Maintenance for Hybrids Most people commonly believe that owning a hybrid or electric vehicle will require more complex maintenance procedures, leading to more costly expenses. Though there are some other things to take care of, basic hybrid vehicle maintenance doesn't differ significantly from standard vehicles. Hybrid drivers still need routine oil changes, brake inspections, tire rotations, fluid checks, and transmission maintenance. The Differences in Maintenance Still, there are a few differences in caring for a hybrid vehicle versus a standard car. There are different types of hybrid engine systems out on the market. When considering "full hybrid" vehicles, they have the capability to turn off their internal combustion engine and run exclusively on the electric motor under particular conditions. This p ... read more

Categories:

Know Your Ride