Blog Layout

Use the Correct Fluids in Your Vehicle

Nov 27, 2023

Use the Correct Fluids in Your Vehicle

Big advances in automotive technology have led to the development of high-tech fluids to keep pace. A simple example of this is the cooling system. For decades it was primarily made out of iron, steel and rubber hoses. There was one kind of coolant that protected these components from corrosion.


Now cooling system components are made with various metal alloys and plastics. These materials require different additives to protect them from corrosion. Since the materials used vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, we now have a number of different kinds of coolant.


And it's important for Chula Vista drivers to use the right coolant. If you pour in the wrong kind, it won't protect the cooling system and may even void the warranty. Of course, your friendly and knowledgeable pros at Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc. will know the proper coolant to use. If you're concerned you may have use the wrong fluid, be safe and have your friendly and knowledgeable Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc. flush the system and start fresh with the correct fluid. Brake fluid is confusing for some Chula Vista drivers. For a very long time, most vehicles used Dot 3 brake fluid. Now we have Dot 4 and Dot 5. Some people mistakenly think the higher numbers are an upgrade. You know, if 3 is good then 4 must be better. That's not how it works. They are different formulations to meet the requirements of differences in brake systems. Only one of them is recommended for your vehicle.


Transmission fluid is the same thing. With the tremendous engineering advances in automatic transmissions, there have been several new types of fluids developed to protect and lubricate them.


Nowhere are the advances in automotive fluids more evident than in motor oil. Many new weights and formulations have been created to meet the demands of today's modern engine design.


Modern engines have more parts and much tighter tolerances. Every year, vehicle engines make more power and get better fuel economy. And with all the complication and sophistication, they still have to be durable.


That's where the new grades of engine oil come in. They have to be formulated to lubricate, protect and clean all of those engine parts, big and little. The oil has to be thin enough to get into small passages, yet resistant to vaporization.


Your vehicle may have come from the factory with synthetic oil and/or transmission, brake, differential fluid, etc. If so, your recommended service intervals will be based on synthetic-type fluids and you should use the same type when your vehicle is serviced at Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc. in Chula Vista.


Because grades of oil and types of coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, etc. are so carefully matched to the vehicle, take care to always use the proper fluid if you are topping off at home. Check your vehicle's owner's manual or ask your friendly and knowledgeable Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc. service advisor. The wrong fluid can cause damage.


Give us a call.


Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc.

1495 East H Street

Chula Vista, CA 91910

619.421.7600



At Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc. we install quality NAPA replacement parts.

Struts
04 Mar, 2024
If you’ve been noticing your vehicle’s ride has lately been bumpy or you’re hearing strange noises when you drive over bumps, you may need new struts.
Dirty Transmission Fluid
14 Feb, 2024
you have a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you probably never think about gear shifting. When motor vehicles were invented, all of them had to be shifted manually. But that wonderful self-shifting transmission, referred to these days as simply an “automatic,” changed everything.
Battery
05 Feb, 2024
It's important to stay on top of your vehicle maintenance. It helps to save your service records. Your NAPA AutoCare Center keeps records of what services you've had done, and which need doing. Time marches on, and so will your vehicle if you make sure all its systems are kept up to date.
Spark Plugs Erode Over Time
05 Feb, 2024
Client's reach out confused about when they should get their spark plugs replaced. It can be confusing because there are several types of spark plugs and some last longer than others.
Transmission
09 Jan, 2024
Think about it – heavy traffic, hilly terrain. Maybe some dirt roads – and it’s going to be hot. And all the time you’ll be towing around several thousand extra pounds. That all adds up a lot of severe strain on your transmission.
Water Pump
09 Jan, 2024
Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc. Tech Question: I was driving on the freeway in CA and my vehicle engine started to get hot. I turned off my air conditioner and was able to drive the short distance to my meeting and then found a shop in Chula Vista. It turns out that my water pump was leaking. It cost me many hundreds of dollars to get it fixed. What could I have done to avoid this? Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc. Answer: This guy's story really did have a happy ending. When you continue driving when your engine's overheating you risk a catastrophic engine failure. It really is a good idea to pull over and let your vehicle engine cool down before driving again. If you add water or coolant, be sure your engine is cool or you risk serious burns. Now there's no way for Chula Vista drivers to predict when their water pump will fail – they just wear out. This fellow's water pump replacement was more expensive because his water pump is driven by his timing belt. That requires a lot of hours to get to the water pump and then put everything back on the engine. A money saving tip from Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc. in Chula Vista: if your water pump is driven by your timing belt – replace the pump when you have your scheduled timing belt replacement. That way most of the work is already done and you don't have to pay for it twice. Check with your friendly and knowledgeable professionals at Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc. about when your timing belt should be replaced. Give us a call Bonita Point Auto Care, Inc. 1495 East H Street Chula Vista, CA 91910 619.421.7600
Key in Ignition
09 Jan, 2024
You expect your key to turn in your vehicle's ignition. But sometimes it won't, and that's a problem, whether you're trying to start your vehicle or trying to leave it. Let us run through what the causes may be.
Cabin Air Filter
09 Jan, 2024
There seems to be some confusion about them that we should be able to clear up. Much of the confusion starts because cabin air filters are relatively new. Not all vehicles have them, so some people confuse their cabin air filter with the engine air filter.
Floor Mat
08 Jan, 2024
In the sloppy weather months, many drivers rely on protective mats to keep moisture, grime, ice, and snow from making a mess of a vehicle's interior. But if your vehicle has a mat it could become a hazardous mat if you don't follow some safety precautions.
Certified Technicians
29 Nov, 2023
Diagnosis and repair are more exacting than ever before. Even a simple tire rotation may involve resetting the tire pressure monitoring system.
More Posts
Share by: