Bledsoe Towing & Automotive: January 2017

Monday, January 30, 2017

Warning Smells From Your Car

There can be many warning signs that your car is in need of repair, from the sounds of something clanking to the sight of something not working. One of the most obvious signs, though, is when your car smells. There can be many different smells your car may experience, so today we want to talk about the some of the bad ones so you can know exactly what to do if you find yourself in this situation.

Disclaimer: This is not a DIY post, we recommend if you notice anything wrong with your vehicle that you bring it to the best automotive center at the Lake of the Ozarks. If it isn't able to start, you can call the best tow company at the Lake of the Ozarks as well.

6 Warning Smells From Your Vehicle

1. Burnt Rubber

From slipping drive belts to misplaced loose hoses - this smell is something to be aware of. It could be something rubbing against rotating accessory drive pulleys. Sometimes it could even be a sign of an oil leak. If you notice this smell, it's important to get your vehicle to a service station and have them inspect.

2. Hot Oil

Do you notice the smell of hot oil coming from your vehicle? It could mean that oil is leaking onto the exhaust system. You can verify that there is a leak by looking for oil on the pavement or smoke coming from the engine of your car. If you notice this happening, turn off the engine before checking for a leak.

3. Gasoline

If you smell gasoline, it could be as simple as having some on your hands from when you filled up. It could also be a sign of a gas leak. One common place you'll experiences this is possibly a fuel injector line or the fuel tank. Take caution when you smell fuel. Any time you smell gasoline your car can be a possible fire hazard, so you should call someone immediately to come out and take a look.

4. Syrup

Have you ever smelled a sweet syrupy smell coming from your car? This could be a sin that your car is leaking engine coolant from a component related to the car's cooling system. If you notice this smell, do not open the radiator cap when it is hot.

5. Burning Carpet

This smell could be the sign of brake trouble. You'll want to have your brakes checked immediately, especially if you notice the smell during normal driving conditions. Brake trouble is a driving safety hazard, and you'll want to contact your automotive center in Camdenton, MO to have it checked out.

6. Rotten Eggs

This unmistakeable smell could mean the catalytic converter is not converting hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust to sulfur dioxide properly. A poorly running engine can cause the catalytic converter to become overloaded and fail because of a meltdown. It's important to keep your vehicle in good working condition.

Caring For Your Vehicle

At Bledsoe's Towing, we know how important it is to have your car working properly. Whether you need to run errands or rely on it to get you to work - a car maintenance issue can cause some serious setbacks. Trust the best mechanics at the Lake of the Ozarks to keep your car in great working condition - which will keep you out on the road longer.

Serving the Lake of the Ozarks with all towing at automotive

needs - big or small!

www.BledsoesTowing.com

322 South Business Route 5

Camdenton, Missouri 65020

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Monday, January 23, 2017

Maintenance Milestones For Your Vehicle

Just like your body needs good food, exercise, and a little tune up at the doctor every so often your car needs the same. When you invest quality parts and time into your vehicle, you can reap the rewards of your vehicle running smoothly and keeping you safe on the road. It's important to not neglect routine maintenance on your vehicle, not just for short-term advantages, but long term as well. Here at Bledsoe's Towing and Automotive, we know that vehicle maintenance can get away from you, so we have a timeline to help you remember important car maintenance to perform and when.

3 Months or 3,000 Miles

When your odometer turns over 3,000 more miles, or it's been three months since you've been to the best Lake of the Ozarks mechanic - it's time to take a pit stop. There are a few things that need to be inspected on your car, starting with the oil and filter. It's important to make sure this is done on a routine basis for the long-term health of your vehicle. You should also make sure all of the fluids are topped off, have the air filter inspected, check the tire pressure, have the belts and hoses inspected, and make sure the wiper blades are still in good working condition.

6 Months or 6,000 Miles

It's time to rotate your tires! At Bledsoe's, we not only have a great selection of tires at the Lake of the Ozarks, we can take care of rotating your tires as well. You should also have your brakes inspected at this point as well. It's imperative that your brakes continue to stay in good working order because they not only affect you but others on the road as well. Finally, make sure that your car is ready for the next season - whether it be summer or winter.

12 Months or 12,000 Miles

Align the suspension, rotate and balance tires, install new wiper blades, and install a new fuel filter. You should also have your fuel injector cleaned, and get a new cabin air filter. This is basic maintenance that needs to be performed once a year - and while you may not notice it, you will if it goes bad.

Every 30,000 Miles

Bring your vehicle in for a full vehicle inspection. This is important for your vehicle because we can catch some maintenance needs before they become a big deal or cause trouble for your vehicle. Next, you'll want to flush the transmission fluid, have the transmission filter services, flush the brake fluid, check the battery, clean the throttle body, and replace the spark plugs and distributor cap. Even if you don't know what any of these items do - they are still important and need to be done.

Every 60,000 Miles

Replace your timing belt. While not every vehicle has a timing belt (some have timing chains), it's still a vital maintenance need for your vehicle. In fact, it can be SO important, that if you don't have it done in time, you could need some very expensive maintenance done on your vehicle, and it could be in the shop for a long time. Don't skimp on the timing belt. If you don't know the status of your timing belt, come out to Bledsoe's Towing, we can take a look and let you know when you need to have it replaced. You should also have your power steering fluid flushed at this point.

Automotive Shop in Camdenton, MO

Along with finding a mechanic that you trust, you want to find one with a trusted reputation. Bledsoe's Towing has been the best auto mechanic shop at the Lake of the Ozarks for over fifty years, and this is just the beginning. We look forward to helping you keep your vehicle in good working order for years to come. Give us a call, or stop by the shop. We would be glad to assist you in caring for your vehicle.