Oil filters remove combustion residues,oil carbons,soot and metal
particles from the circulating motor oil.If the oil becomes dirty it can
lead to reduced engine performance and therefore to higher fuel
consumption and at worst engine damage.

Even the smallest dirt particles in the oil form a sort of grinding paste
that can destroy the surfaces of engine components.Dirty oil also often
causes damage to the bearings.

Since motor oil is constantly circulating through the engine ,dirt
particles can accumulate without sufficient filtration , thus accelerating
engine wear.

Once the oil filter’s absorption capacity becomes exhausted , pressure
within the filter rises rapidly and this can lead the filter to rupture.

Oil filters should always be replaced with every motor oil change.
If this is not done , it can lead to dirt deposited in the used oil filter
being dislodged by the fresh clean oil.

Automatic transmission fluid is rarely changed for preventive maintenance, yet is often the cause of premature transmission failure.

If you consider the cost of changing the fluid and filter in your transmission periodically, it is negligible compared to the cost of a transmission overhaul.

It is proven that changing the transmission filter and fluid every 40000 to 50000 kilometres can significantly prolong the life of your transmission.

How do we change the fluid and filter??

At Mayne Automotive depending on the vehicle make and model, some transmissions have external filters exactly the same as an engine, and some have a filter inside the gearbox which requires the pan to be removed and then replaced.

We change the transmission oil using a fluid exchange machine, which pushes the old oil out and adds the new fluid at the same time

Older cars don’t have as many sensors so you need to look after them carefully by doing regular checks on fluid levels.

An orange symbol coming on usually means you have a problem and should get it checked at your earliest convenience at Mayne Automotive, however a red symbol means you should stop driving your car and get it checked immediately by Mayne Automotive. Please don’t ignore a warning light.

There is no charge by Mayne Automotive to simply give you some good advice.

Oil pressure warning light …….if this light shows and remains on after starting then stop immediately and switch off the engine. Check your oil levels. Top them up straightaway if they are low.  A lack of oil can lead to overheating which can seriously damage your engine.

For most of us there are two professionals we loathe to visit – the dentist for our teeth and the mechanic for our car. Luckily help is at hand as this regular column will arm you with some of the basics we should all know about our cars, and will help to eliminate that feeling of dread when you next take your car to your local mechanic.

I guess it’s fair enough to say that you wouldn’t want to fly with your family to Sydney in an aeroplane that you knew hadn’t been regularly serviced. So why then take the same risk in your car that has not been regularly serviced.

You need to know everything is working at peak performance and safety every time you get in the car whether it’s around the local streets to get the kids from school or driving at 100 km on the motorway at night. Every component of your car needs to be working at 100%.

In order for your car to work properly all these separate components like brake pads, belts, spark plugs, filters, tyres etc, need to be checked and maybe changed after a certain time / kilometres. Your car comes with a service manual which will tell you what procedures need to be carried out depending on how many kilometres you’ve done.

Don’t try and avoid a service. It’s wiser to pay smaller $$$$ regularly than huge whopping $$$$ because something major has happened.

What is a basic service? At your mechanic shop (or maybe Dad at home) a basic service will entail the following:

• Change the oil filter and put in new oil

• Fit a new sump plug washer

• Top up all fluids

• Check all tyre pressures

• Check the battery levels and apply terminal spray

• Check the suspension and steering

• Check the cooling system

• Check all lights

• Lube all the door hinges and locks

• A visual check of all drive belts.

Of course we do all of these items in our 2 branches, please see http://www.mayneautomotive.co.nz/services.html

for a list of our services