With front-wheel drive being so common in Highland these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most Highland folks don’t even have to think about it. And most rear-wheel drive SUV differentials don’t need to be serviced for many miles, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind. So it’s not uncommon for IL people to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.

To better understand what a differential does, think about a high school track. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the longer distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That’s to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.

The differential compensates for the difference in speeds on drive wheels between the inside wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they have to travel together through slightly different distances.

Many SUV differentials do a lot of work and require very heavy duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool. The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that break down over time. So manufacturers and Keith’s Automotive Center technicians recommend intervals for replacing your differential fluid.

Your Keith’s Automotive Center service technician will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. He’ll then replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.

Highland four wheel drive SUVs need special attention to their differentials because they have a differential on both the front and rear axles that work at different times and sometimes under heavy loads – so they may need to be serviced at Keith’s Automotive Center at different intervals.

Your Highland service advisor can look up the manufacturer’s recommended service interval or you can check your SUV owner’s manual.

Give us a call

Keith’s Automotive Center
618.654.8471
601 Walnut St
Highland, IL 62249

At Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland IL (62249) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 618.654.8471. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Most Highland drivers know that braking means slowing or stopping a vehicle. The mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue. There’s also the power brake system and brake fluid. And then there are the tires, which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.

Let’s step back. A car or truck rolls brand new off the showroom floor at a local Highland dealer. It has brand new brakes with brand new brake pads. The brake lines and the power assist are filled with fresh fluid and are completely clean inside. And the SUV tires are brand new, with full tread. Naturally, braking power is at its peak performance.
 
Now, as your drive from Highland to Alhambra and back, the miles start to add up. Most Highland car owners tend to focus on the brake pads. In the Highland automotive service community, the pads, and shoes on drum brakes, are called the friction material. That’s because they provide the friction used to stop the SUV. The pads are designed to be effective throughout their useful life – it’s not until they are worn so thin as to be out of spec that they lose stopping effectiveness.

The mechanical parts of the brakes have pistons and springs that get quite a workout while stopping the SUV. Over many miles, these wear and get gummed up. They start to lose effectiveness gradually and could even fail. That’s why a regular brake inspection is important. At Keith’s Automotive Center, we can test the operation of the brakes and see if any parts need cleaning or replacing.

That leads us to brake fluid service at Keith’s Automotive Center. Some of the critical additives in the fluid that lubricate and clean the SUV fluid system are depleted over time. That and moisture building up in the system deteriorate the performance of the brake fluid. Brake fluid replacement at Keith’s Automotive Center includes flushing the brake system to clean out deposits, water and dirt. Then the system is filled up with fresh fluid.

The tires are what connect the SUV to the road. The stopping force is ultimately dependent on the traction provided by the tires. The better they grip the road, the quicker you’ll stop as you drive around Highland.

For questions about brakes, brake pads, alignment, used car inspection, or tires, talk to Keith’s Automotive Center  manager Keith & Jennifer.

Give us a call

Keith’s Automotive Center
618.654.8471
601 Walnut St
Highland, IL 62249

At Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland IL (62249) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 618.654.8471. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Car batteries wear out just like any other battery and need to be replaced. There are a couple of things Highland SUV owners should know when looking for a new car battery: one is cold cranking amps and the other is reserve capacity.

Let’s start with cold cranking amps. This can be thought of as the power output used to start a cold SUV engine. The number of cold cranking amps you need depends on your vehicle and where you live around Highland, specifically how cold it is where you live. The two factors are that the colder an engine is, the more power it takes to turn the SUV engine over to get it started. It has all that cold, sluggish oil to contend with. The other factor is that the chemical reaction in the battery that creates electrical energy is less efficient in the cold.

So the colder it gets in Highland, more power is needed, but the available power drops.

If you live where it’s cold, you need a battery with more cold cranking amps than you do where it’s moderate or hot. You should always get at least as many cold cranking amps as the manufacturer recommends, but may want to upgrade at Keith’s Automotive Center if you live where it gets real cold.

An important note: Batteries may also list the Cranking Amps – CA – number. It is the Cold Cranking Amps – or CCA – that is the important number here. CCA is the number to use in your comparisons.

Now with all this talk of cold temperatures in Highland, it’s important to note that heat is the real enemy of long battery life. In other words, the damage that’s done over the hot summer months in Highland shows up with the increased demands on the SUV battery when the weather turns cold.

Now on to reserve capacity: It’s a measurement of the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has at a given load. The number is more important these days because of parasitic drain. Parasitic drain is the battery energy that’s used when the key is off. So the power drawn by the SUV security system, the remote start system, even the power the SUV computers require to maintain their memory.

Reserves are also needed when you make very short trips around Highland. You’re not driving long enough for the battery to recover the energy it used to start the SUV engine.

So go with the minimum recommended by your manufacturer and upgrade if you need more. Talk with your understanding Keith’s Automotive Center service advisor about options. If you need more from your battery, a larger capacity battery may be called for.

Batteries are a big ticket item for most Highland motorists, so the warranty gives peace of mind. Be sure to ask about the car battery warranty at Keith’s Automotive Center so you know what you’re getting. At Keith’s Automotive Center, we have been providing quality auto service in Highland for 12 years.

Give us a call

Keith’s Automotive Center
601 Walnut St
Highland, IL 62249

At Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland IL (62249) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 618.654.8471. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

When all of a vehicle’s wheels are lined up exactly with each other, your wheels are in alignment. Hitting a road hazard in Highland or even just the normal bumps and bounces of everyday IL driving can cause your SUV wheels to be out of alignment. This can lead to expensive premature tire and suspension wear.

Here are some alignment basics from Keith’s Automotive Center:
The first angle is called toe: do the wheels point in towards each other or away from each other at the front of the tire.
The next angle is called camber: do the wheels tip in or out at the top.
And finally, there is castor. Castor measures the angle where the front axles attach to the vehicle.

The ideal alignment for your SUV was designed by its engineers. Keith’s Automotive Center alignment service starts with an inspection of the steering and suspension – so see if anything’s bent, broken or worn out. Then the Keith’s Automotive Center technician will look at tire condition. From there, the SUV is put on an alignment rack and an initial alignment reading is taken. The wheels are then aligned to manufacturer’s specifications.

Your owner’s manual probably has a recommendation for how often your SUV alignment should be checked – usually every couple of years. If you suspect an alignment problem with your SUV, get it checked at Keith’s Automotive Center before you suffer expensive tire or suspension damage.

Give us a call

Keith’s Automotive Center
618.654.8471
601 Walnut St
Highland, IL 62249

At Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland IL (62249) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 618.654.8471. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Most Highland area car owners don’t service their air conditioning until after it fails. Maintaining your SUV air conditioning system means that you always have enough refrigerant to properly do the job. Small leaks in the air conditioning system allow the refrigerant to escape and the system can’t cool the air as well.

Along with the refrigerant, a special oil circulates in the system. The oil lubricates air conditioning components, and keeps the seals resilient. Low refrigerant and lubricating oil means that the air conditioning parts will wear out prematurely, and we all know that air conditioning repairs can be costly in Alhambra.

Air conditioning service at Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland starts with a visual inspection of the components for signs of damage or leaks. The compressor is driven by a belt from the engine, most often the serpentine belt, so it’s inspected for cracks or wear.

The air conditioning compressor and other components are checked for proper operation by your Keith’s Automotive Center service advisor. Then comes the leak test. If a leak is detected, often in a hose or connection, it’s repaired and the SUV system is retested. Your Keith’s Automotive Center technician will also perform a temperature drop test.

If needed, the old refrigerant is evacuated and the system is recharged with clean, fresh refrigerant. A final test insures that the air conditioner is working, and you’re on your way.

How often this should be done at Keith’s Automotive Center varies from vehicle to vehicle. Your SUV owner’s manual will have the manufacturer’s recommendation and, of course, your understanding Keith’s Automotive Center service advisor can tell you. It’s typically every two years.

Give us a call

Keith’s Automotive Center
601 Walnut St
Highland, IL 62249

At Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland IL (62249) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 618.654.8471. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the SUV engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase.

These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel. This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause engine corrosion in your SUV. At high speeds, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak.

Marine car owners need to know that over time, the vented gases will gum up the PCV valve and it won’t work well. That can lead to all of the problems I’ve already described, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption and wasted gas.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to test the PCV valve and quick and inexpensive to replace it at Keith’s Automotive Center. Even so, it’s often overlooked because many Marine drivers don’t know about it.

Check your SUV owner’s manual or ask your Keith’s Automotive Center advisor. If this is the first time you’ve heard of a PCV valve, you might be in line for a PCV valve replacement.

Please ask us about your PCV valve. For the price of a couple of burger combo meals, you can avoid some very expensive deep engine repairs.

At Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland IL (62249) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 618.654.8471. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

In addition to just wearing out, Keith’s Automotive Center customers need to know that suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your SUV manufacturer and Keith’s Automotive Center recommend periodic inspections. During an inspection, your Pierron service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts.

Signs that shocks or struts are wearing out: The tires may have a cupped wear pattern. This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly as you drive around Pierron. You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering. If the front of your SUV dives excessively when stopping, or rocks back and forth after you stopped, your shocks may be worn out. And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come into Keith’s Automotive Center for a suspension inspection. Same if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your wheels. Worn or broken shocks can cause premature wear or failure on other SUV suspension parts such as ball joints and other steering components as well. If your suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so let us take care of your suspension components at Keith’s Automotive Center.

When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. That’ll give you more even handling. Talk with your service advisor at Keith’s Automotive Center because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all may be the safest bet.

At Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland IL (62249) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 618.654.8471. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Now when you hear “severe service”, you may think it doesn’t apply to you because you don’t feel your driving conditions are severe or extreme – it’s just normal everyday driving around Alhambra. At Keith’s Automotive Center, we discuss the conditions that manufacturers classify as severe so that you can make the judgment on your own driving.

• Most trips are less than four miles
• Most trips are less than ten miles and outside temperatures are below freezing in Alhambra
• You drive in very hot IL weather
• Driving at low speed most of the time (under 55 mph)
• Stop and go driving
• Operating your vehicle in dusty, polluted or muddy conditions
• You tow a trailer, regularly carry heavy loads or carry a car-top carrier on your SUV

Most Alhambra drivers operate under severe driving conditions at least some of the time. How do you know which schedule to follow for your SUV?

Carefully think about your driving conditions and decide if you should do your preventive maintenance closer to the severe service recommendation or the regular recommendation. Of course, your Keith’s Automotive Center advisor can help you with your decision.

At Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland IL (62249) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 618.654.8471. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Let’s focus on stopping in wet Highland conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can’t move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water.

That’s called hydroplaning. At Keith’s Automotive Center we want our customers to know that if it’s really bad, you can actually spin out of control. At best, you won’t stop as fast.

So how does a tire move water? It has channels for water to flow through. Look at a tire and you’ll see channels: channels that run around the tire and channels that flow across the tire. They’re designed to direct water away from the tire so it can contact the road better.

And the deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop on wet Highland roads.

So that’s why it’s so important for Highland drivers to replace the tires on their SUVs when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of 3/32 of an inch and they have the studies to prove it.

By comparison, you’ve probably seen the wear indicator that’s molded into tires. When tires are worn 3/32 of an inch, the tread wear bar is visible. So the recommended standard has twice the tread depth as a completely worn out tire.

And that little bit of additional tread makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet roads. A safe stop from IL freeway speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires.

There’s an easy way to tell when a tire’s worn to 4/32 of an inch. Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it’s time to replace your tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

You’ve probably heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln’s head. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount.

Of course, tires are a big ticket item for Highland car owners. Most of us want to get as many miles out of them as we can. But there’s a real safety trade-off. It’s your choice.

At Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland IL (62249) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 618.654.8471. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

First, the serpentine belt drives your air conditioning system. Next, the belt powers the alternator.

The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. In some SUVs, power steering may have an electric drive and power brakes can be vacuum driven.

And, on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump (on some cars, the water pump is powered by the timing belt).

Your Keith’s Automotive Center service technician can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.

Highland drivers should be aware that there’s a special, spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley and sometimes an extra pulley call the idler pulley. Their job is to make sure there’s a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn’t slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. That’s why it’s often recommended that the tensioner, and the idler pulley if so equipped, be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

All in all, the serpentine belt’s an important part for the function of your SUV. And it’s not that expensive to replace at Keith’s Automotive Center – so it’s good to do so before it fails.

At Keith’s Automotive Center in Highland IL (62249) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 618.654.8471. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.