Keeping your Transmission Healthy

All Tune and Lube of Colonial Heights serves all of Chester and Chesterfield, Virginia.

We all want to keep our vehicles running better and longer. Your transmission needs care and maintenance just like your engine.

TEN WAYS TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF YOUR TRANSMISSION

1. Check transmission fluid regularly and properly.
2. Check transmission fluid after running while it’s hot in the engine. Stop and go traffic, hilly terrain, hot weather, or towing can build up excess transmission heat causing fluid to be lost, damaged, or both.
3. Install an external cooler in high stress conditions. Towing a trailer, hauling heavy loads, or being stuck in traffic often creates excessive transmission heat. An external transmission cooler will help to bring the temperature down to normal operating level adding significantly to the life of the transmission.
4. Change transmission fluid more often in high stress conditions. Transmission fluid cools, cleans, and lubricates the internal transmission parts while providing the hydraulic pressure to make all of the components work together. When the fluid loses its ability to perform those tasks efficiently trouble can’t be far away.
5. Check any malfunctions promptly. Repair bills tend to rise in proportion to mileage driven after the first signs of trouble. The longer you drive with a malfunctioning transmission, the more damage you may cause, and the more money it may cost you.
6. Have the transmission linkage and other adjustments checked periodically.
7. Keep your engine properly tuned. A poor running engine can, at times, display symptoms similar to a transmission problem.
8. Have other drive train components that may affect transmission function checked regularly.
9. Have your vehicle’s cooling system checked twice a year for leaks, proper coolant level and strength. Antifreeze can deteriorate over time causing it to become ineffective creating overheating or freeze-up conditions. Additionally, most vehicles use the engine cooling system to also cool the transmission fluid.
10. Take your vehicle for a complete physical check up at least once a year. This should include all safety components such as lights, brakes and steering. Remember that a poor running engine or certain transmission problems can be a safety hazard. Technicians at All Tune are trained to look for abnormal wear conditions at every visit.

Contact Us today for a tune up!

Winterizing Your Vehicle

Preparing your vehicle for the Richmond winter ahead

Winterizing your vehicle is really just continuing maintenance.  Harsh winter weather can worsen an existing problem or create new ones when regular maintenance hasn’t been done throughout the year. Regular maintenance inspections by our Techs will catch a small problem before it becomes a safety issue or costly.

In the Fall we recommend the following to prepare your vehicle for Winter driving:

• Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
• Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold weather washer fluid.  As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
• Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.
• Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads.
• During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
• Be diligent about changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.
• If you’re due for a tune-up, have it done before winter sets in. Winter magnifies existing problems such as pings, hard starts, sluggish performance or rough idling.
• Have the brakes checked. This braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item.
• Have the exhaust system checked for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed.
• Check to see that exterior and interior lights work and that headlights are properly aimed.

We also recommend keeping the gas tank at least half full at all times to decrease the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing. Drivers should check the tire pressure of the spare in the trunk and stock an emergency kit with an ice scraper and snow brush  jumper cables, flashlight, and flares. Also keep emergency phone numbers handy such as a good towing company should you be stranded.

Call us anytime with all your vehicle safety and maintenance  questions. We are Your Family Car Care Center, 804-524-9115

October is Fall Car Care Month

Prepare your car for winter months ahead

We hope you are enjoying the cool weather and all the fun activities of the season. October is Fall Car Care Month and now is the time to start thinking about getting your vehicle ready for the cold winter months. A prepared car for winter is a safe car.

To help you winterize your vehicle we are happy to offer you some of our best rebate offers of the year such as  the Cooper Tire Rebate Take the Money and Ride National Event and Monroe Shocks & Struts Shocktober.  We also offer a free car care guide. You can drop by to pick one up or view online .

Your safety is our priority. We understand that your family is depending on a well running and safe vehicle to take them where they need to go day after day. ALL TUNE is your family car care center where our experts are here to answer questions and keep your vehicle running at its best. Contact us today for all your vehicle needs!

Save a Deer, Save a Squirrel, and Your Car

Is your braking & steering systems ready to take on deers and squirrels?

Monroe Shocks & Struts

Early one morning as I drove to work a large deer jumped in front of my speeding car. It all happened so fast I didn’t have time to panic I just slammed on my brakes. He was so close I was amazed his hooves didn’t break my headlight.

Whether you live in rural or urban areas dodging deer and other wildlife will test your driving skills as well as your braking and steering systems.

Worn shocks and struts can allow too much weight transfer to the front wheels during braking, which could result in a measurable increase in stopping distance.

If my shocks and struts had been worn my brakes may not have been as effective. In a split second that can mean the difference between avoiding an accident or a totaled vehicle and serious injury.

Experts recommend replacing your shocks at 50,000 miles for better driving and vehicle safety. As part of our regular maintenance inspection we look at your shocks and struts at every visit.

Now through October 31 Monroe Shocks and Struts is offering a fantastic rebate offer Shocktober, Buy 4 for the Price of 3. During this beautiful but sometimes treacherous driving season please check your shocks and stay safe on the road.

Simple maintenance, Engine Fluids

When should I change my oil?

Regular oil changes every 3,000 to 5,000 miles (depending on your vehicle) is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle running well. In addition to oil there are other fluids in your vehicle that are critical to keeping your engine and vehicle running at its best.

Brake Fluid, Transmission Fluid, Power Steering Fluid, and Coolant, are all vital to the health of your engine. These fluids are much like our blood. When they become “dirty” from deposits its is much like having high cholesterol. It eventually leads to a major breakdown and costly repairs. At every visit we check your vehicle fluids as we perform a maintenance inspection.

As always we will be happy to bring you back in the shop to show you your vehicle fluids and answer any questions you may have.

ALL TUNE does it ALL….

Did you know you have the right to choose where you have your vehicle serviced and repaired? Many new car buyers are being wrongly told that in order to keep their new vehicle warranty they must return to the dealer for their service. This is NOT true. Where you choose to service your vehicle does not effect your manufacturer warranty.

ALL TUNE and LUBE is Your Dealership Alternative. We do it all… Brakes, Tires, State Inspections, Computerized Diagnostics and Alignments, Oil Changes, Scheduled Maintenance, and much more. Call us for all your vehicle needs.

Do you need new Shocks and Struts?

ALL TUNE and LUBE Local Shocks and Struts Experts

There are three ways to tell that your vehicle may need new shocks and struts:

Visual: Your tires show unusual wear patterns

Vehicle Handling: You experience a general bumpy or shaky vehicle ride; poor steering response, stiffness or noise when steering; “nose dive” or instability when braking; or swaying/leaning when turning or changing lanes

Mileage: Testing has shown that at around 50,000 miles original equipment shocks and struts may be worn to the point of  needing replacing (depending on vehicle and driving conditions)

At ALL TUNE and LUBE we offer Monroe Shocks and Struts.  If your vehicle mileage is close to 50,000 miles or you are feeling a difference in handling please bring your vehicle by for us to inspect. We perform a complete maintenance inspection every time your vehicle is here at ALL TUNE and LUBE. Our techs will be happy to show you your shocks and struts the next time you’re vehicle is here with us. Call us with your questions or to schedule your next service 804-524-9115.

Cooper Tires Take the Money & Ride National Event

Fall Into Savings

Hello Friends!

We are excited to announce our annual Cooper Tire Rebate “Take the Money & Ride National Event”. If you are considering new tires, now is a great time to buy.

Here’s how it works…
From August 24 through November 6  when you purchase a new set of (4) qualifying Cooper Tires for your household you will be eligible to receive up to a $75 Visa prepaid card.

Call us with your tire sizes today

Stay Car Payment Free

Your vehicle is your second largest investment. Keep it longer and running better with regular maintenance. You can avoid car payments by investing in scheduled maintenance and occasional repairs as needed.

Regular oil changes and vital fluid checks every three to five thousand miles.  Fluids such as Engine Oil, Transmission, Coolant, Brake, and Steering Fluid are vital to the health of your vehicle. If they become dirty or contaminated with deposits it will cause damage and performance problems.

We recommend:

• Fuel Induction service for increased gas mileage and engine performance.  Our personal vehicle gets an average 2.5 miles more per gallon after this service.
• Performance Oil Change with Engine Flush to remove deposits in your engine.

ALL TUNE and LUBE takes the “Unexpected out of Car Repair and Maintenance”. Our customers are welcome in our work area to view their  vehicle. There our service manager and techs will explain and show why we  recommend specific repairs and maintenance.

Fuel Saving Tip: Check Engine Light

A question for our Colonial Heights VA motorists: How long have you been enjoying the romantic glow of your check engine light?

Hey, it’s not there to create ambiance; it’s a warning that something’s wrong. When your check engine light comes on get it checked at a capable Colonial Heights VA service station.

Many conditions that cause the check engine light to come on affect fuel economy. Some very dramatically.

Always make sure you tighten your gas cap until it clicks. A loose gas cap can cause a false sensor reading that’ll make the check engine light come on.

If your date’s eyes are smoldering in the reflected glow of the check engine light, try to think of all the gas money you’ll save by getting it fixed. Give us a call when you are ready:804-524-9115