Make a spring pit stop at your local repair shop (NASCAR.com)
April 1, 2010
Eric Schoenhardt is a seasoned veteran when it comes to going under the hood.
NASCAR races and summer roads trips go together, but is your car ready to take the heat?
We’re not talking bump-drafting and restrictor-plate racing here. But if you don’t take time out now to correct the little things before they become big, you might have a hotter temper than a NASCAR driver on the high-banks of Bristol if you find yourself in a roadside breakdown.
April is National Car Care Month, and motorists are reminded to make a “pit stop” at their local repair shop and get a tune-up from their favorite automotive technician.
Meet one of mine.
Eric Schoenhardt of Clark Tire—a Goodyear Gemini member repair shop based in Denver, N.C.—is a seasoned veteran when it comes to going under the hood.
A native of Buffalo, N.Y, Schoenhardt started working on cars in 1992 and spent 15 years as a Ford technician before heading south to join Clark Tire in 2007.
He’s always had a passion for cars.
“I like working on cars, I really enjoy them,” Schoenhardt said.
It is technicians like Schoenhardt that keep us road warriors in shape for the grueling NASCAR race schedule.
Even if you don’t live life on the road 36 weekends a year, your vehicle still needs proper maintenance for day-to-day travel.
And there’s never been a more important time for motorists to get regular car care.
According to a recent AutoMD survey, car owners are holding on to their vehicles longer, opting to repair and maintain rather than purchasing new.
Nearly 50 percent of survey respondents indicated that their current vehicle had more than 100,000 miles. Nearly four out of five plan to drive their current vehicle for 50,000 (or more) miles than they drove their previous vehicle. And nearly 30 percent indicated that being vigilant with repairs and service should keep it in good running condition.
No matter the mileage you’ve racked up on your present ride, Schoenhardt recommends taking your car in for a general maintenance check-over “pit stop” so your technician can recommend items that need repair before the summer heat sets in.
Heat is strenuous on everything. Batteries can fail in the summertime. Worn belts can crack. Antifreeze can boil-over. So could this southern belle’s temper if she got stranded roadside.
“We do a maintenance check where we go over your fluids, antifreeze, transmission, power steering, also test your battery, tire pressures, shocks and brakes,” explained Schoenhardt.
Having your technician perform a spring car care tune-up will help your vehicle perform more efficiently plus get better gas mileage.
Here are a few items to have checked before summer arrives:
1. Tires. Tire pressure changes about 1 pound per square inch for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in outside temperature, so it’s important to have tire pressures checked before and after the weather changes. Also, it’s a good rule to have your tires rotated after every oil change.
2. Oil and Filter. Make sure to get an oil change every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Change the oil filter each time you change the oil, since a dirty filter won’t keep the new oil clean.
3. Check Belts and Hoses. Have your tech inspect all belts and hoses to be certain they are in good working condition. If any signs of cracks, holes, frays or worn areas are noticed, get them replaced—they’ll only get worse.
4. Air Filter. Have a new air filter installed. It’ll prevent dust and other impurities from getting into the combustion chambers of the cylinders, resulting in wasted gas and weaker engine performance.
5. Cooling System. Flush and fill your cooling system every two years, or 24,000 miles for most vehicles. This is cheap insurance against engine failure.
6. Radiator and Gas Caps. Radiator caps don’t last forever, so have yours replaced whenever you flush the cooling system. Be sure there’s a tight seal on the gas cap, too, to prevent that high-priced octane from vaporizing.
7. Battery. Have your tech perform a load test and also check to make sure battery posts and connections are secure and free of corrosion. If you’re planning a long trip, consider replacing the battery if it is more than two years old.
Schoenhardt says taking the time to perform seasonal maintenance now can help avoid trouble later. And it’s usually a lot cheaper.
“If you maintain regularly, it will save a lot of money down the road,” explained Schoenhardt. “Overheating can ruin your engine, and if you wait till something blows out like your belts or hoses, it can cause a whole lot more damage to your car.”
Schoenhardt understands the importance cars play in the lives of us NASCAR folks. He himself is an avid fan. “I watch it every Sunday,” Schoenhardt said.
His favorite driver? Mark Martin. “I really want him to win a championship for me,” Schoenhardt said.
My four-cylinder may not take the corners as fast as Martin, but when my car needs a tune-up, I know right where to go for peace of mind on the highway. Now if I could just talk Schoenhardt into tuning her up in 13.5 seconds …
Need a tune-up? Just stop by your local Goodyear Gemini repair shop now through May 31 and ask for the “NASCAR Spring Car Care Package.” With more than 2,200 repair shops nationwide, log on to www.nascar.com/auto to find a NASCAR Performance Network-member Goodyear Gemini in your local area.
