Gig Harbor Auto Repair

Today's Mackert Automotive LLC article focuses on severe service maintenance. Many GIG HARBOR drivers are not aware of them and yet there are also very vocal advocates in WA who think that severe service schedules apply to everyone. Somewhere between a complete lack of awareness and the dire blanket statements lies a reasonable approach to severe service maintenance at Mackert Automotive LLC.To back up a little, vehicle owner's manuals have schedules for preventive maintenance: things like oil changes, transmission service and so on. They say you should change your oil after a certain distanced traveled or after so many months. GIG HARBOR drivers understand this very well. What they may not know is that there are actually two service schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. The mileage and time intervals are lower on the severe service schedule.Now when you hear 'severe service,' you may think it doesn't apply to you becau ... read more

A lot of GIG HARBOR drivers have asked whether or not they should use their severe service maintenance schedule, which is listed in their vehicle's  owner's  manual. It can be somewhat confusing, so we decided to consult an expert. Cricket Killingsworth is from QMI/Heartland, a manufacturer of automotive products and fluids. She's been in the automotive business for over 30 years and is a speaker, a trainer and a writer. Cricket says there's so much confusion on this topic because, "Most owner's manuals actually have two maintenance schedules. Sometimes these are called 'regular service' and 'severe service.' Sometimes they're simply called Schedule 1 and Schedule 2. A severe service schedule recommends that things like an oil change, air filter replacement and transmission service be done more often: either in fewer miles or in less time." Foreign and domestic vehicle manufacturers create a specific schedule for each vehicle they manufacture ... read more

The government mandates a lot of equipment on cars in GIG HARBOR, WA: emission devices and control computers, safety equipment like airbags and crash worthiness requirements. All of this is great for the GIG HARBOR motoring public, but it does add quite a bit to the price of a new vehicle.Because new vehicles are more expensive, people in the GIG HARBOR area are driving their old vehicles longer. The average vehicle is now over nine years old. Two thirds of vehicles on the road in WA have more than 75,000 miles (120,000 km) on them. As cars age, their performance drops, they have difficulty idling for long periods and are more sensitive to weather extremes. Fortunately today's cars are up to the challenge – but they need a little help to keep on goin'.Give Mackert Automotive LLC a call at 2538513307 to schedule your next maintenance.Some owner's manuals don't specify service requirements at higher mileage. That doesn't mean it doesn't have to be do ... read more