Automotive News & Information - Jim Van Dyke's Automotive Center

At Jim Van Dyke in Washington CH, we understand all too well the importance of changing your oil regularly. Three to five thousand miles sounds like a lot, but it doesn’t really take that long to rack them up. The busier you are, the more you probably drive, and the more likely you are to forget it’s time to change your oil. Here are some reasons to pay attention to your oil changes, and help you better understand why oil changes are so important.

If you’re reading this, you probably not excited to be here; the time has come for a new transmission. Fortunately, we at Jim Van Dyke are here to offer you solutions, and let you know that it’s not all bad. Replacing a tired and worn transmission will truly bring your car back to life, and you’ll probably be glad you did it.

Winter is officially on the way, whether it feels like it outside or not at the moment. Don’t let unusually warm weather trick you into letting your guard down...cold weather is just around the corner. Here is your winter preparation guide, from your trusted technicians at Jim Van Dyke in Washington CH.

At Jim Van Dyke in Washington CH, we have seen our fair share of preventable engine failures. Frequently, engine disaster could have been avoided if the driver had known beforehand what the warning lights or gauges on the dashboard indicated. While some dash lights are fairly benign, others indicate imminent trouble. This guide from Jim Van Dyke in Washington CH will prepare you for the next time your car shows you a warning you shouldn’t ignore.

Air filters are an important part of vehicle maintenance. What many people don’t realize is you actually have two filters; one for your engine, and a cabin filter to filter the air coming into your car. Both of them function the same way, but have entirely different purposes. They are often neglected, particularly the cabin filter, and yours may need to be changed right now. This guide, provided by Jim Van Dyke in Washington CH, highlights the importance of filters, symptoms of an overused one, and how to maintain them.

Transmissions, like engines, are a major component of your vehicle, and very expensive to replace. Transmissions often go out for very preventable reasons, and sometimes replacing one can be troublesome and expensive enough that it’s not even worth doing, depending on the vehicle. With the right maintenance, most transmissions are extremely reliable; it simply boils down to how well a transmission is cared for. Follow these tips to make your transmission last as long as possible, courtesy of Jim Van Dyke in Washington CH.

An engine can last anywhere from 50 to 500,000 miles depending mostly on how well you maintain it. While some engines are certainly more reliable than others, all of them depend on maintenance to fulfill their greatest potential. Jim Van Dyke in Washington CH has provided for you some of the determining factors of engine lifespan, to help you make sure your engine lasts as long as it possibly can.

From our family to yours, Jim Van Dyke in Washington CH wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Travel is an essential part of the holidays, and since cars are our specialty, we’d like to share some travel tips with you to make sure your extra-long weekend goes as smoothly as possible.