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Motor Oil Facts You Need to Know

Things to Keep in Mind When we think about the motor oil within our vehicle, most of us only really think about changing it. Seldom do we think about other aspects such as the type of oil it needs or how frequently our vehicles need an oil change. What’s important to know is that those smaller factors are just as important as changing the oil itself. Not only will your vehicle have fresh motor oil, but properly timed oil changes will help you get the most out of your motor oil! Not sure what you need to know? Don’t worry, as the Alpine Automotive team is here to help you out. Here are some motor oil facts you need to think about when it’s time for your next oil change service. Oil Change Frequency Although it’s easy to follow your vehicle’s owner’s manual when it comes to how often your car needs an oil change, it’s a lot more complicated. Sure, your owner’s manual does give you the proper mileage intervals, but you also need to be mi ... read more

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Oil Change

How to Maintain Your Vehicle’s Level of Performance

Maintenance Tips Vehicle maintenance is an aspect of vehicle ownership that every owner needs to be doing. Frankly, it’s something you sign up for as soon as you purchase your vehicle. Without proper maintenance, your brand new vehicle will quickly deteriorate and you’ll soon be facing a multitude of repair services that could become costly. The best way to properly maintain it is to follow a routine maintenance schedule. This allows technicians to properly monitor, maintain, and repair the variety of components and systems in your vehicle. So all you need to do is a maintenance service, right? You don’t have to do anything else? Not exactly. There are a variety of things you can do to ensure your vehicle is performing well in between your service visits. Doing these small things ensure that when you do come in for a visit, the technician isn’t scrambling for a major component or system repair. Make sure you include these tips into your vehicle maintenance routine! Check The Oil When w ... read more

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Auto Repair

Why Wheel Alignment Is Essential On All Vehicles

Are you one of those people who only brings in their vehicle when something is broken? While we understand that you have a tight budget, avoiding regular vehicle maintenance can cost you money in the long run. There are also certain components of your vehicle that should be 100% operational, otherwise they’ll cause problems on the highway. One of the most essential services for your vehicle is having wheel alignment checked. While you can do an oil or filter change at home, wheel alignment isn’t something the average person can do. Here at Alpine Automotive we use state-of-the-art wheel alignment machines, as well as fully trained technicians and mechanics who have the experience. They’ll adjust the angles of your wheels so that your vehicle drives straight on the highways of Illinois, which can be fast and furious at times. During your scheduled auto repair service your vehicle’s wheels will be adjusted to the specifications laid out by each manufacturer. Better alignment of your ... read more

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Auto Repair

How Do I Know If My Car’s Timing Belt Is Failing?

Your car’s timing belt is one of the most essential components of the engine because if it fails or breaks, your car won’t function. A timing belt looks exactly like a long narrow strip of rubber that wraps around camshafts, pulleys, and crankshafts in your engine. It’s an essential component that can offer some warning signs that it’s failing. It’s best to get auto or truck repairs done at the first sign of trouble. The timing belt is composed of rubber teeth that fit into the gears of the crankshaft. The rubber of the timing belt can wear down over time, which will make it more difficult to grip the gear. This can cause it to slip when your engine is functioning at a high RPM. The timing belt may also be responsible for general performance problems. It’s what syncs the movement of the pistons to the engine valves. If the belt isn’t functioning properly, it can affect the performance of your engine.   Even something as simple as a timing belt can cause your engine to misfire if i ... read more

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Timing Belt

Do I Need Vehicle Emissions Testing?

One of the services we provide at Alpine Automotive is emissions testing so that your vehicle will pass your Illinois state’s emissions testing program. If your vehicle passes, then you won’t need further auto repairs, but if it doesn’t, then it may need to repairs done. Your check engine light may be the first warning you get that something is wrong and your vehicle needs maintenance. With vehicles on our roads and highways contributing to about one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, it’s important to care about the future we leave our children, and be aware of how we can stay as green as possible. Emissions testing involves a minimal fee for your vehicle. It’s better to do the testing now then to have to do it after your car breaks down. During the testing it will be determined if your vehicle will pass, or whether it will fail and need necessary repairs. Often a conditional pass will be granted if there are substantial repairs that need to be ... read more

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Auto Repair