Nothing is worse than having a broken-down car when you are trying to get your kids to school or running late for work. Lynn Mason at L&L Repair said it best, “You can make plans to fix your car, or it will decide when to fix it for you.”
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When professionals refer to “preventative care” they are referring to routine maintenance. Your car is a mechanical device that wears out with use, but with routine check-ins, L&L repair can maximize your vehicle’s life. When preventative care is neglected, your machine suffers and crucial parts break down earlier.
Everyone knows about routine oil changes, but do you know what goes into one? Replacing your engine’s oil and oil filter keeps your car’s engine healthy and running safely. Depending on the model of your car, Lynn recommends changing your car’s oil and oil filter every 4,000-7,500 miles.
“Oil doesn’t spoil like milk; it gets contaminated, and that’s what causes problems.” Lynn explained, “…little pieces of metal fill up that filter, and if you keep using that filter when it’s already filtered all it could, you start getting metal in your engine.” This will eventually wear the engine out, which could cost roughly $10,000-$12,000 to replace.
Lynn and his team understand the importance of routine maintenance. In fact, during every oil change, they do a full safety inspection: checking brake fluid, transmission fluid, look for battery corrosion, check coolant levels, look at your differential fluid (which is part of the driveline system), and power steering system. “We take about an hour on our oil changes, but it’s because we take the time to make sure you get your money’s worth,” Lynn said.
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“Brake fluid, like oil, doesn’t go bad. It also gets contaminated,” Lynn explained.”It gathers moisture and when too much moisture is present, it breaks down and then your brakes won’t work.”
Justin, one of L&L’s trusted mechanics, showed me how they check for moisture in your car’s brake fluid. He took a tester that looked like a fat marker with two metal probes. When inserted into a vehicle’s brake fluid, the tool tests for an electric current due to water being a conductor. If a current is conducted, the reading on the device lets Justin know what percentage of your brake fluid is contaminated. Anything above 2% will impact your brake function and it’s time for the fluid to be replaced.
So what’s the best way to stay on schedule with your car’s maintenance? Lynn says, “The best way is loyalty. If you flip-flop your car from shop to shop, nobody knows what was done to it before they got it. If you take your car to L&L Repair, for example, we have a system that will tell me in minutes what we did to your car two months, or five years ago. We also put stickers on the inside of the car’s hood. It tells us exactly when the last maintenance happened and at what mileage. It makes it really easy for us to see what needs done and what has been done.” He added.
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Some cars have reminders you can set once you hit a certain threshold for mileage, tire wear and tear, oil, and more. But sticking with the same, trusted repair shop allows you to build a relationship with a team you know. They’ll notify you when you need to bring your car in. L&L Repair is the trusted shop for many of our neighbors and community members, they remind their customers that oil changes and routine maintenance aren’t he only ways Lynn and his mechanics can keep you safely on the road. They recommend bringing your vehicle in before any long trip, or anytime you notice a new noise or a change in how it’s performing. If something feels off—whether you hear, see, or sense it—it’s always a good idea to have a trusted professional take a look. Addressing potential issues early, from unusual sounds to leaks or mechanical concerns, can help keep your vehicle running safely and smoothly.
L&L Repair has been dedicated to keeping families safe and on the road since 1999. Stop by for all your repair and maintenance needs.
