Whether you have a new car or have been driving yours for years, basic car care is essential to keeping it running smoothly, efficiently and for as long as possible. TireExpertNG has certified technicians that are ready to help you with your auto maintenance needs

[/size][size=8pt]What Are the Different Types of Oil?

Not all motor oils are the same. Putting the wrong type of motor oil in a vehicle could have major consequences. There are five main types of oil used in lightweight vehicles. The type of oil you choose depends on your vehicle manufacture's recommendations, your driving habits, the age of the engine and the climate you drive in. If you're still confused about which type your car needs, the technicians at Walmart Auto Care Center can help you choose the right one for your vehicle.

Conventional Oil: The least expensive type of motor oil available. Meets API and SAE standards, but does not contain additives that could boost performance. API refers to the gravity (heaviness or lightness) of oil as determined by the American petroleum Institute's standards while the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) sets viscosity grading criteria. Conventional oil is ideal for frequent oil changes or cars with low mileage engines.

Premium Conventional Oil: The most common type of motor oil. 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 are common viscosity ratings and cover most types of light duty vehicles. The higher the number, the thicker the oil. In general, thicker oils provide more engine protection while thinner oils yield higher fuel economy.

Synthetic Oil: This type of oil is designed for longer lasting performance and to protect against deposits. It performs well at both low and high temperatures. While synthetic oil can sometimes help boost the performance of a car, it is also more expensive than conventional oils. Owners should consult the owner's manual for their vehicle to determine if this type of oil is necessary.

Synthetic Blend Oil: Synthetic blends offer the best of both conventional and full synthetic oils. They protect your vehicle at high temperatures without the higher price tag of full synthetic oils. These are popular for light pickup trucks and SUVs because of their performance with higher engine loads.

High-mileage Oil: This type of oil is specially formulated for engines that have over 75,000 miles. High-mileage oil includes seal conditioners to protect seals inside the engine by improving flexibility.

What Are the Different Types of Oil?

Not all motor oils are the same. Putting the wrong type of motor oil in a vehicle could have major consequences. There are five main types of oil used in lightweight vehicles. The type of oil you choose depends on your vehicle manufacture's recommendations, your driving habits, the age of the engine and the climate you drive in. If you're still confused about which type your car needs, the technicians at Walmart Auto Care Center can help you choose the right one for your vehicle.

Conventional Oil: The least expensive type of motor oil available. Meets API and SAE standards, but does not contain additives that could boost performance. API refers to the gravity (heaviness or lightness) of oil as determined by the American petroleum Institute's standards while the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) sets viscosity grading criteria. Conventional oil is ideal for frequent oil changes or cars with low mileage engines.

Premium Conventional Oil: The most common type of motor oil. 5W-20, 5W-30 and 10W-30 are common viscosity ratings and cover most types of light duty vehicles. The higher the number, the thicker the oil. In general, thicker oils provide more engine protection while thinner oils yield higher fuel economy.

Synthetic Oil: This type of oil is designed for longer lasting performance and to protect against deposits. It performs well at both low and high temperatures. While synthetic oil can sometimes help boost the performance of a car, it is also more expensive than conventional oils. Owners should consult the owner's manual for their vehicle to determine if this type of oil is necessary.

Synthetic Blend Oil: Synthetic blends offer the best of both conventional and full synthetic oils. They protect your vehicle at high temperatures without the higher price tag of full synthetic oils. These are popular for light pickup trucks and SUVs because of their performance with higher engine loads.

High-mileage Oil: This type of oil is specially formulated for engines that have over 75,000 miles. High-mileage oil includes seal conditioners to protect seals inside the engine by improving flexibility.

A SCHEDULE OF PREVENTATIVE TASKS

To maximize the life and performance of your vehicle, here is a list of items you should check depending on the time and season. Some of these parts of your vehicle should be checked regularly, and others only in the long run. Be sure to follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule and service interval record.


The Ultimate Car Maintenance Checklist

Caring for your car and keeping it in proper running order takes a little bit of effort, but you definitely don’t have to be a mechanical whiz to keep your vehicle running well. The biggest hurdle is being aware of what needs to be done—and how often—for optimal vehicle upkeep. By knowing the basics about what your car needs, and when you should perform routine car maintenance, you’ll ensure that your car is in top-running condition.

As an added bonus, if you can prove that your vehicle has been well maintained, you’ll be able to ask top dollar when it’s time to resell it. And, of course, it’s important to remember that car maintenance costs, while not always cheap, can ultimately help you avoid expensive repairs down the road.

To make it easy to keep track of your car maintenance schedule, we’ve created a simple, downloadable car maintenance checklist to help you keep on top of your automotive maintenance.

SHORT TERM CHECK-UPS
For proper vehicle maintenance, inspect the following:

OIL AND COOLANT LEVELS
Every month, or every few gas fill-ups and especially before any longer road trips, it’s a good idea to get under the hood of your car and inspect both the oil and coolant levels while the engine is cool. Low levels of either can lead to engine problems if left unchecked. Refer to your owner’s manual to locate both on your specific vehicle.

AIR FILTER
Your engine’s air filter is what regulates the air that flows into your engine and helps keep out debris and particulate. By making certain that your air filter is flowing properly, you can improve your fuel efficiency, decrease your emissions, and help ensure the life of your engine. This can be done easily at home, so check your owner’s manual for instructions and how often it needs to be changed.

TIRE PRESSURE AND TREAD DEPTH
Since well-maintained tires are integral to a safe, fuel-efficient ride, make it a habit to visually inspect your tires often. Check the pressure in your tires every month, and before long trips or carrying extra load. Don’t forget the spare. A tire pressure gauge will be needed to check your tire pressure. Also, during the colder months, note that tire pressure drops one pound with every 10 degree decrease in pressure. Your owner’s manual will tell you how much air pressure your tire needs. You can check your tread depth using the simple penny method.

HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, BRAKE, AND PARKING LIGHTS
It’s important that the lights on your vehicle are properly functioning, but oftentimes it can be easy item to overlook. Once a month, turn on your headlights when you’re parked in front of a flat surface and check that both headlights are working properly and well-positioned. Walk around your car and visually inspect both turn signals and your parking lights. Have a friend stand behind the car while you engage the brakes to be certain that your brake lights are functional.

OIL & FILTER
The motor oil in your vehicle’s engine serves a whole slew of functions: it lubricates the moving parts, helps act as a sealant against debris, cools the engine, reduces wear and tear, and helps prevent engine corrosion. Keeping it clean is vital for good engine health. Depending on your car and what kind of oil you’re using, you may need to change both the oil & oil filter as much as every 3 months or 3000 miles. Many newer vehicles’ owners’ manuals will recommend changing your oil less frequently – often in-between 5,000 and 10,000 miles. Check your vehicle owner’s manual and consult with a professional to be certain what is appropriate for your vehicle.

ROTATE TIRES
Depending on your vehicle alignment, usage, and many other factors, the tread wear patterns on your tires may vary between the front and back tires, or even from one side of the tread to the other. Rotating your tires will help to extend the service life of your tires by more evenly balancing the tread wear, and helping prevent noise and vibration problems.

WAX VEHICLE
Making certain to wax your vehicle every six months after washing it won’t just keep it shiny, it’ll also help to keep both the paint in good shape and reduce the chance of rust. Many irritants such as dust, sand, and salt can build up and environmental factors like ozone and ultraviolet light can cause microscopic damage, but waxing can help minimize this by forming a protective seal to extend your paint’s life.

LONG TERM CHECK-UPS

TRANSMISSION FLUID
Much like the oil in your engine, transmission fluid is a lubricant that helps keep all of the moving parts inside of your transmission functioning properly. Whether you’re driving an automatic or manual transmission vehicle, it is essential that you have your transmission fluid checked and changed when needed to avoid costly transmission damage or replacement. Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

TRANSFER CASE FLUID
[/b]In four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles, the transfer case is what shifts power from the transmission to the axles. You’ll need to have the transfer case fluid checked according to the vehicle manufacturer recommendations to make certain that it is properly filled and leak-free. This will require you getting under the vehicle, so bringing it into a professional is recommended.

[b]INSPECT SHOCKS AND STRUTS
[/b]The shocks and struts on your car function to control the impact and rebound as your vehicle passes over bumps in the road and are an essential part of your auto’s steering system. They should be inspected by a professional every 50,000 miles or bring your car in to the shop if you notice a decrease in smoothness or loss of control when driving.

[b]COOLANT FLUID EXCHANGE
The radiator in your car is a vital component that helps keep your engine cool and functioning properly. Having your coolant system flushed regularly will help get rid of contaminants that can build up inside as well as ensure that your radiator is filled to a proper level. Check your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation to find out how often your coolant should be exchanged,

SPARK PLUGS
[/b]The spark plugs in your engine ignite the gas and air mixture that ultimately powers your vehicle . If your spark plugs aren’t functioning properly, your engine will lose power and won’t run at optimal capacity. Have a professional check and replace any faulty spark plugs depending on vehicle mfr recommendations or when you feel a decrease in your engine’s power.

[b]SERPENTINE BELT
[/b]Although may seem like a simple piece of rubber, your vehicle’s serpentine belt is essential to keeping your car running by powering peripheral devices such as your alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioner compressor. Visually inspect the belt to ensure that it is free of cracks or other wear and tear. Replace id damaged or according to your vehicle manufacture’s recommendation.

[b]FRONT AND/OR REAR DIFFERENTIAL
The differentials are devices that split the torque—or power—from the engine and allow it to send power to the tires. In front or rear-wheel drive vehicles, there is only one differential, but in 4-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles, there is both a front and rear differential, and possibly even a center differential. Like many parts of your vehicle, the differentials need to be kept lubricated to ensure proper functionality. Have a professional check and change fluid whenever your vehicle manufacturer recommends it.

SEASONAL CHECK-UPS
The needs of your vehicle can vary by season and driving conditions. Following are a few suggestions to add to the notes section of your vehicle maintenance checklist:

REPLACE WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Windshield wipers need to be replaced about once every year, or whenever the effectiveness is compromised. In winter months, it could also be a good idea to install winter wiper blades for optimum performance. You should also pull your wipers away from the window when parked during the winter to prevent ice buildup.

BATTERY PERFORMANCE CHECK
Your car battery is one of the most important components for your vehicle to run. A car battery supplies large amounts of electrical current for the starter, engine and other electronic accessories in the vehicle. Extreme temperatures affect the performance of the battery so regular battery testing will ensure that battery will perform when you need it to.

[b]CHANGE TIRES
[/b]Depending on where you live and the winter driving conditions you might encounter, you might want to switch your tires in cold, snowy months to a winter/snow tire. When the temperature hovers at or below freezing consistently, the tire compounds in non-winter tires hardens, decreasing traction and handling performance while increasing braking distance. Winter tires are have tread patterns and compounds designed to remain soft in the cold and provide grip in snow, slush, and icy driving conditions.

[b]CHECK COOLANT LEVELS
[/b]It’s also important to check your antifreeze levels in your radiator in winter months to keep your radiator or engine components from freezing. A 50/50 mix of antifreeze to water is generally recommended, but check your owner’s manual or with a professional to be certain.

Sticking to a car maintenance schedule, and keeping good records of what you’ve done, can help extend the life of your vehicle and protect you against breakdowns, expensive repairs, and other unwelcomed surprises.

WHY DO CARS NEED ALIGNMENT?

The Benefits of Wheel Alignment
Proper wheel alignment is extremely important to protect tire investment and tire life, maximize fuel economy and stop safely in wet weather conditions. Proper wheel alignment helps vehicles hold the road better and feel more stable.

Fuel Economy Benefits of Wheel Alignment
Proper wheel alignment also maximizes fuel economy. Vehicles with wheel alignment conditions can suffer a decrease in fuel efficiency by up to 7%. For a vehicle owner who drives 15,000 miles per year and gets an average of 25 miles per gallon at $3.50 per gallon, proper wheel alignment adds up to $150 annual fuel cost savings.

Proper Alignment Protects a Vehicle Owner’s Investment
Every inch a vehicle is out of alignment is equivalent to dragging the tire sideways at 100 feet per mile! Not only does this create dangerous driving conditions, but it also places unnecessary wear on tires that can be avoided by proper wheel alignment.

Other Wheel Alignment Benefits for Safety
One of the benefits of wheel alignment is maintaining tread life and reducing unnecessary tread wear over time. Remaining tire tread has a direct impact on stopping distance on wet surfaces, which can cause serious problems when traveling over 60 mph.

How Often Should You Get an Alignment?
Most manufacturers don’t outline a maintenance schedule for wheel alignment, however, most mechanics recommend this service be completed twice every year.

If your vehicle has an off-center steering wheel, pulls to one side while driving on a straight and level road, has uneven tire wear or doesn’t hold the road well and any time repair is done on any suspension part of the vehicle, chances are you may be due for wheel alignment service.

Benefits of a Wheel Alignment System with Steering System Reset
As vehicle manufacturers equip more vehicles with on-board driver-assist systems, such as electronic stability control, parking assist, traction control and more, an increasing number of manufacturers now require a steering system reset during alignment service. It is important to have an alignment system that can reset all alignment-related sensors during alignment service.

SAVE FEW bUCKS BY HAVING YOUR WHEELS PROPERLY ALIGNED BY A TIRE EXPERT/ TECHNICIAN

Why Do I Need to Balance Car Tires?


car tires balance



Tire balancing is an important component of your routine automotive maintenance schedule. Like changing the oil, balancing the tires is something that vehicle owners are encouraged to do several times throughout the course of the year. This is also something you’ll want to make sure to have done by automotive service professionals.

There are two main reasons to get your tires balanced regularly. One is that it provides a smoother ride, allowing you to drive your car without too many bumps or vibrations. Also, balancing the tires helps prevent premature wear, meaning you’ll get more out of your tires than you would otherwise.



What the Balancing Process Entails


Here’s the balancing process in a nutshell. When a tire is first mounted onto the wheel, it’s pretty much impossible for this assemblage to have perfectly even weight distribution. Even a half ounce of unevenness in the weight distribution can cause some discernible vibrations as you drive the car.

There are a couple of different forms of vibration that can be felt here, including horizontal/side-to-side and vertical vibrations. In most assemblages, both types of vibration are present. This is where the balancing process comes into play. In the balancing process, tire technicians will actually apply counter-weights to achieve something close to perfect weight distribution. This allows you to enjoy a perfectly smooth, vibration-free ride!



Balancing is Not a One-Time Thing

Unfortunately, your tires won’t be in virtually perfect balance forever. As you operate the vehicle over time, you’ll undoubtedly need to make sharp turns, drive over rocks, hit potholes, etc. In short, you’ll do plenty to knock your tires out of alignment by creating uneven wear and tear on your tire tread.

Over time, these effects will lead to vibrations that you will feel disrupting your smooth, seamless drive. Even if you cannot feel strong vibrations yet, even slight balancing issues can diminish the life expectancy and general performance of your tires. As such, it’s smart to get your tires balanced periodically. If you wait until the vibrations are very perceptible, you’re likely doing serious damage to your tires and even to your wheels.



What Else Causes Vibrations?


It is important to note that even if your tires are perfectly balanced, you may still experience some vibrations. Some possible reasons include:

Bent wheels
Tires out of the round
Wheel-to-axle mounting errors
Brake wear or failure
Suspension wear or failure
Wheels not aligned
Wheel bearing wear or failure

Still, getting your tires balanced regularly is a smart way to prevent vibrations and ultimately to get your money’s worth out of your tires. Make tire balancing part of your regular auto maintenance, having it done whenever you go in for an oil change. Your tires will thank you for it.

The Importance of Wheel Alignment and Tyre Balancing

The Importance of Wheel Alignment and Tyre BalancingWheel alignment and tyre balancing are one of the most common auto repair services offered by technicians. One of the reasons for this is that it is a vital part of maintaining your vehicle and the importance of wheel alignment and tyre balancing in relation to the life of the tyres on your vehicle cannot be underestimated. Whether your wheels have been aligned correctly and your tyres are correctly, directly impacts on how often you will have to change the tyres on your vehicle.

As all motorists are aware, purchasing a quality set of tyres can be of a relatively high cost so it is beneficial to take every measure possible to ensure that a set of tyres last as long as possible. This means it is important that when you purchase a new set of tyres and fit them to your vehicle, you ask a mechanic to perform a wheel alignment to ensure that excessive tyre wear does not occur. This will ensure that your tyres will not wear out quickly and will save you having to change your tyres regularly.

Some motorists do not understand the importance of wheel alignment and tyre balancing and how this can affect tyre life, as well as possibly having an effect on other mechanical factors. So FMP Motors have provided you with the information on why regularly carrying out wheel alignment and tyre balancing can save motorists spending money on new tyres regularly.

The Importance of Wheel Alignment

It is very important that motorists get their wheels aligned to maximise the lives of their tyres as much as possible. Tyres that have not been aligned properly are more prone to excessive tyre wear and will result in you having to change your tyres a lot more regularly, resulting in you having to pay out costs that are unnecessary. Motorists will be able to tell if their wheels have not been aligned correctly when the vehicle will not move straight when the steering wheel is not being held. If this occurs, you should find a tire technician that can align your wheels as it could lead to some problems with your vehicle such as problems with your suspension and vibrations when you are driving.

When your tyres are not aligned, it can also put your safety at risk. Improper alignment of the vehicle’s wheels will also result in poor cornering and handing of your vehicle and this will make it less safe for the driver and its passengers, especially in icy and wet conditions. Also, drivers will have to make more of an effort driving the vehicle when the tyres are not aligned as the vehicle will tend to steer to one side which will mean that the driver will have to constantly correct it when driving. This means it requires an increase in concentration and effort at all times in order to drive safely and especially with long journeys, can result in the driver becoming tired quicker and become unsafe for everyone.

The Importance of Tyre Balancing

You will need tyre balancing as soon as you purchase new tyres for your vehicle. This process is performed in order to ensure that all of the tyres are balanced with the wheel weights to ensure the smooth running of each of the tyres. When there is an imbalance in your tyres, the steering wheel will rock back and forth as you drive, especially when you drive at a certain speed. When you notice this happening, you should contact a tire technician to fix the problem straight away as it can be very dangerous to drive with imbalanced tyres.

You will be able to tell that your tyres are not balanced when certain tyres are wearing at a faster rate than others. This means that your tyres are imbalanced and you will need to correct this as soon as possible. It is importance that all of your tyres are balanced as when they are not, you will start to feel vibrations when travelling at certain speeds and this is very dangerous for the driver and its passengers. These vibrations also result in stress being created in the lower ball joints, axles and other essential parts of the vehicle. This increased stress on these parts will lead to them wearing at a faster rate and will mean you will have to replace these parts a lot sooner than you would have had to with balanced tyres.

Unbalanced tyres will also result in an increase in the tyre wear. This is because to compensate for the added stress on the tyres that the imbalance has created, the tyres start to wear from the edges, whereas with balanced tyres, they will wear from the middle. When this occurs, it will mean that you will have to change your tyres as they will no longer provide you with the necessary grip to drive safely.

So when you notice that either your wheels are not aligned correctly or an imbalance with your tyres, ensure that you find a mechanic that you can trust to address the issue as it will result in an increase in excessive tyre wear and more importantly but yours and others safety at risk.

At TireExpertNG we work with a wide network of garages and car dealers as well as individual car owners to provide the best quality car parts such as high quality tyres for used cars as well as training and advice on the importance of wheel alignment and tyre balancing

Wheel Balancing & Alignment Technician at Weststar Vehicle Care Limited
Posted on: 27 July, 2018 Deadline: 31 August, 2018
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Weststar Vehicle Care Limited - We are a registered Nigeria Auto Service Company that provides all your auto repair needs.

Wheel Balancing & Alignment Technician

Job TypeFull Time
Qualification
Experience 5 years
LocationLagos
Job FieldEngineering / Technical

Requirements

Candidates must be certified with at least five years experience in the tyre services business.
Must Have a Valid Driver's License.
Must be using an up to date computerised Alignment Machine.
Method of Application
Applicants should send their Applications and Curriculum Vitae to: info@weststarvehiclecare.com

YOU CAN STILL APPLY