Your vehicle is an important investment–whether you
drive an import or a domestic, a truck, car, SUV or minivan. Protecting that investment is vital and the only way to ensure that your vehicle lasts as long as possible and performs as it should is through regular, professional maintenance.
Auto maintenance protects important systems in your vehicle, helps keep you and your passengers on the road and ensures that you are not sidelined by an unexpected failure–a dead battery, for instance. At D Mac’s Auto Repair, we provide a full line of professional car safer maintenance services for our customers in and around Escondido. Call us today to make a service appointment.
Wiper Blades
They might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about car maintenance, but your wiper blades are actually critical components. They’re responsible for removing rain, sleet and snow from your windshield, ensuring that you can see clearly where you are going.
Wiper blades are made from rubber, and rubber degrades over time. Exposure to temperature extremes, UV light and normal wear and tear will eventually leave your wipers unusable. Not only is that inconvenient, but it is actually very dangerous. You can’t afford not to have a clear view out of your windshield.
At D Mac’s Auto Repair, we stock a full range of wiper blade sizes to fit almost any vehicle, from minivans to classic cars. We’ll happily install them for you at no additional cost. Not sure what size wiper blades your car needs? We guarantee the proper fit for all vehicles we service. We can also offer basic insert replacement, full blade replacement and wiper arm and motor inspections if the system has been damaged or is not working properly.
Fuel Filters
Gas is necessary to operate your engine, but it does not come without risks. Gasoline contains impurities, debris and other elements that could cause very serious damage to your engine. Your car’s fuel filter prevents these contaminants from reaching the engine, but over time, it clogs up, much like your air filter or cabin filter. Changing your fuel filter regularly is an essential part of auto maintenance, but it is not something that most vehicle owners can do on their own.
At D Mac’s Auto Repair, we are proud to offer fuel filter replacement as part of our full suite of car maintenance services. Whether you have an in-line filter or an in-tank setup, we can remove the old, clogged filter and install a new, OEM-specific replacement.
With a new fuel filter, your engine will have more power and your fuel economy will improve. You may also notice the engine running smoother and more quietly. Let us help keep your car in top condition.
Belts and Hoses
Your car’s engine needs a number of different belts and hoses in order to operate. Newer engines might only have one large serpentine belt, but older engines usually have two belts. All engines have a number of different hoses too–upper and lower radiator hoses, power steering hoses and vacuum lines are just a few examples.
Both belts and hoses are exposed to high temperatures and harsh conditions. Over time, they degrade and eventually, they will fail. A broken serpentine belt will leave you stranded on the side of the road. A blown radiator hose will definitely leave you stranded, but could also cause your engine to overheat.
At D Mac’s Auto Repair, our car maintenance services include belt and hose inspections and replacements for all domestic and import vehicles to help keep you safe and on the road. We inspect all belts and hoses during basic maintenance services (oil changes, transmission services, etc.) and will bring any problem to your attention immediately.
Batteries
Your car’s battery is responsible for cranking the engine, as well as supplying electricity to your accessories when the engine is not running. Automotive batteries are designed to provide trouble and maintenance-free use for a long time, but they are not impervious to age and wear. Eventually, even the highest-quality battery will succumb.
Replacing a battery is not always as simple as just installing a new one. You need the right size. You need the right post configuration. You need the right number of cranking and cold cranking amps. You also need a battery with the right price and a good warranty.
We offer inspection and replacement services for batteries as well as other critical components in your charging system. Stay on top of your battery’s condition with our charging system inspection – free of charge. If your battery is dying (or has already failed), we can also provide an OEM-specific replacement quickly and affordably.
Shocks and Struts
You expect a smooth, comfortable ride over the road if your suspension is in good shape. However, shocks and struts wear over time. Often, the first sign of wear is a small leak that goes unnoticed. This will eventually become a full-blown failure.
Once shocks and struts wear out completely, you will definitely know it. Your car will suffer from bounces over even mild dips and bumps and it will feel very “loose.” Driving for too long on a failed strut or shock will also increase both stress and wear and tear on springs and other suspension components.
We have over 25 years of experience handling all sorts of auto maintenance, including inspecting and replacing failed shocks and struts, springs and other suspension components. If you are experiencing a reduced ride quality, we invite you to bring your car in for a professional inspection.
Spark Plug Wires
Once upon a time, most vehicles had spark plugs and spark plug wires. Today, that is not the case. Many cars now use coil packs instead. However, your car may have spark plug wires, particularly if it is an older model.
Like your spark plugs, spark plug wires eventually wear out. If you squeeze one and it feels “crunchy,” this is a dead giveaway that the wires need to be replaced. Worn out spark plug wires cause a number of problems. They do not supply the steady flow of electricity needed for good fuel combustion, which translates to reduced power and performance and low fuel economy.
If it has been a while since your wires were changed, we can inspect them and replace them if needed. We can also replace your spark plugs and other ignition system components (rotors and distributor caps for older cars, coil packs and ignition modules for newer cars).
Ignitions
You turn the key in your car’s ignition and the engine cranks. At least, that is how it should be. However, if there is a problem with the ignition, chances are good that turning the key doesn’t do much of anything. The issue is that modern ignition systems are very complex. It could be a problem with the ignition switch, ignition control module or it might be an issue with the starter.
Diagnosing ignition system problems can be frustrating and you might not even be aware that the problem stems from an ignition component. Let our 25 years of experience put your mind at ease–our professional technicians can inspect the ignition and diagnose your problem quickly and efficiently.
At D Mac’s Auto Repair, we have decades of experience troubleshooting and accurately diagnosing complex ignition problems on both older and newer cars. No matter what type of ignition system your car uses, we can help.
Mufflers
The muffler is the most visible parts of your car’s exhaust system. It is also crucial to the operation. Mufflers do several different things–they dampen the sound of your exhaust, of course. However, they also help ensure the right amount of back pressure for the system (in conjunction with exhaust pipe diameter and other considerations).
Mufflers are exposed to both high heat, and harsh elements. Rain from the road, rocks kicked up by your tires, and just general age can all combine to render your muffler ineffective. Rust, dents, and holes not only make your exhaust louder than it should be, but can cause problems with engine operation.
We offer muffler inspections and replacements to keep your exhaust system in top condition. Our selection of mufflers is second to none and there is a perfect replacement for your car. We stock well-known brand names and provide affordable, professional muffler replacement services, often on the same day.
Timing Belts
When it comes to auto maintenance, timing belt replacement is something that most vehicle owners will only do once over the life of the car. Timing belts are designed to last for a very long time, and they are generally replaced somewhere between 90,000 and 120,000 miles depending on the make and model of your car. However, timing belt replacement is a crucial part of car maintenance.
The timing belt does precisely what the name implies–it keeps your car’s engine in time. If it breaks, it is possible that the timing will be thrown off and if the engine is running, the valves could impact a piston, bending the valves/valve stems and possibly damaging the piston.
We offer professional timing belt replacement services on your automaker’s specified schedule (and when deemed necessary from our inspection). We recommend replacing your water pump at the same time as the timing belt, and will be happy to combine both services, saving you time and money.
30, 60 and 90K Services
All automakers have a specified schedule of “major” car services. Most schedules run on a 30,000/60,000/90,000-mile basis. Each major service includes basic maintenance like oil changes, air filter changes, cabin filter changes and the like, but they are much more in-depth than this.
All major services include a significant inspection of all primary systems. They should also include changing the spark plugs and wires (if applicable), inspecting the timing belt, servicing and adjusting the brakes, replacing the fuel filter and much more.
The majority of “quick” lube shops do not offer scheduled major services. However, D Mac’s Auto Repair can ensure that your car is properly maintained through all major maintenance services your car maker recommends. Whether you are driving a Honda with 30,000 miles on it, or a Dodge with 90,000 miles, we know precisely what each automaker recommends for each service interval and we will perform these services quickly, efficiently and affordably.
Contact D Mac’s Auto Repair in Escondido
D Mac’s Auto Repair has been serving our clients in Escondido and the surrounding area for over 25 years. Our experience, professionalism and dedication to providing the best possible experience to every customer, every time has helped us build a reputation for excellence. We invite you to learn firsthand the difference we can make for you–call us today at 760-746-0111 to make an appointment or fill out our contact form to be contacted.
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