Timely Tips

Dear Ted: How often do I need to change my oil? Does it make a difference living in Las Vegas?

Vehicle manufactures recommend oil change services at every 5,000 to 6,000 miles under normal driving conditions. Under severe conditions they recommend services at 3,000 miles. Due to the heat, dust and sand in our valley it's the severe condition interval that's recommended. The rule of thumb is every 3,000 miles or 3 to 4 months.

Dear Ted: How often do I need to check the air pressure in my tires?

Tire pressure should be checked once a month. Tires may lose up to 1 psi (pound per square inch) per month under normal conditions. Check your tires when they're cold to insure an accurate reading. Driving on the tires creates heat, which expands the air in the tires creating a false air pressure reading. By maintaining the air pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer you can reduce tire wear and achieve better gas mileage.

Dear Ted: My air conditioner doesn't seem to be as cool as it was last year. Do I need air conditioning tune-up work, or do I need new freon? How do I know the difference? Poor cooling performance of your air conditioning system can be caused by several factors. Good airflow across the condenser and radiator is extremely important. A cooling fan not operating properly, debris stuck in the condenser or damage to the front air ducts or spoilers can cause poor airflow. The radiator cooling system must be performing efficiently or the air conditioning system performance will suffer. Low freon is usually the main culprit when it comes to poor air conditioning performance. The question is why did the freon leak out? Your vehicle will need an air conditioning diagnostic test performed to determine what corrections are needed. A professional technician should perform the diagnosis and repair. Failure to keep the AC system operating properly can lead to major component failure and could result in expensive repair bills.

Dear Ted: When is the best time of the year to get a tune-up?

Rather than having a "tune up" at a specific time of year, I would recommend following the suggested maintenance schedule in your owners manual. Preventative maintenance is always the best way to ensure that a vehicle performs at it's best, and that it won't break down. Following this schedule, provided by the manufacturer who designed and built your car, will cover all of the required maintenance that applies to your specific vehicle. Poor gas mileage or drivability issues are indications that a problem exists and it needs to be checked out by a professional technician as soon as possible.

However, if you're one of those vehicle owners who doesn't have the required, scheduled maintenance performed, then late spring or early summer would be my recommendation. The summer heat is hard on vehicles and there's nothing worse than breaking down in the middle of the Spaghetti Bowl during the 5 p.m. rush hour in August.

For problems with your car, always turn to the experts. If you have a question, send it to rtaylor@reviewjournal.com and put Dear Ted in the subject line.

Or drop by your nearest Ted Wiens Tire & Auto Center for quality service.