Vehicle Checkup Report

Tire Inspection

Our technicians here at Kings Quick Lane will thoroughly inspect each tire for tread wear and to ensure that they are properly inflated. Tires can rapidly lose air pressure with the changing seasons. Having low air pressure will cause the tire to rolls against the road flatter than usual. This can cause premature tread wear, which can lead to bigger issues later on. If the tires need to be reinflated, our technicians can fill them up quickly. If the tires are worn down too much, they can recommend the next steps to replace your tires or perform a tire rotation. For example, tire rotations are completed around every 5,000 miles on vehicles with front-wheel drive systems. This is because the front tires take on the major of friction and torque, making them wear down much faster than the rear tires. You can avoid having to replace your front tire early by simply having them rotated to the back. Another part of the tire inspect is balancing and alignment. You may not need this service every time you come in for a routine maintenance check, but it's good to keep this in check. If your alignment is off, it can cause uneven wear on your tires and can make your vehicle pull to the right or left. These are typically done when you’ve bought new tires, run over a curb, hit a large pothole, or had an accident.

Brake Inspection

The results of a brake inspection largely depend on your driving habits. Folks who happen to use their brake more, tend to need brake repairs more often than others. Also, people who travel over hilly landscapes daily need to keep a close eye on their brakes. Our technicians will inspect the wear on your brake pads, top-off brake fluid levels, check for leaks, and identify any free movement to ensure everything is working properly. It’s mostly a preventative measure to keep your brakes from failing. If you start to notice squealing when you apply the brakes, it’s definitely time for a brake inspection.

Belts and Hoses Inspection

Just like a human has connective tissue that makes our body parts move, a vehicle has belts to make of its parts move. A belt is a rubber loop that connects two or more mechanically rotating shafts. This essentially auto part allows movement and the transfer of power between those shafts. The three belts that our technicians check are the serpentine belt, the drive belts, and the timing belt. The serpentine belt is a single, continuous belt that enables motion to several engine components. The alternator, water pump, air conditioner, power steering pump, and the air pump are all moved by the serpentine belt. This means that it needs to be replaced more frequently than other belts. Drive belts are also known as V-belts and are typically seen in older vehicles. Using a crank pulley system, these belts can only connect two engine components. This means that the engine bay is more cluttered than those with a single serpentine belt. Finally, the timing belt connects the crankshaft to the camshaft and prevents the two components from colliding. This synchronization piece is fitted inside the small clearance space between the two moving parts. The lifespan of this belt is usually between 60,000 and 90,000 miles, so it doesn’t need to be replaced very often. Rubber hoses, on the other hand, allow the transfer of fluids to various parts and components throughout the vehicle. It works somewhat like a vascular system, delivering life-giving liquids to the correct mechanical parts. There are five types of hoses that our technicians check, including the fuel hose, hydraulic hose, A/C hose, vacuum hose, and coolant hoses. The fuel hose sends fuel from the reservoir to the engine. Made of black nitrile, this hose can be low or high-pressure, and it’s a bit hard to check since it's tucked under the vehicle. Providing lubrication for the power steering and the brakes, hydraulic hoses are designed to handle high pressure. Made with specialized compressed fittings and braided steel between each layer, these hoses can handle pressure to 2,000 psi. Another specialized high-pressure hose that needs to be checked is the AC hose. Made out of braided nylon for more flexibility, this hose sends vital fluids to the air conditioning system. Next is the vacuum hose, which is a simple rubber hose. This type of hose is used to deliver non-volatile fluids to the radiator, windshield washers, and other components. These can crack over time and are easy to replace. Finally, coolant hoses deliver coolant fluid to the heater and radiator. These are made of nylon, and they come as standard or heavy-duty.

Coolant Level Inspection

The cooling system inside your vehicle is a complex mechanism that is made up of several components, including the fan, radiator, water pump, pressure cap, thermostat, bypass system, and heating core. Even though this may seem like a complicated task, our technicians can roll through this check by inspecting the part, testing the individual components, and managing the fluid levels.

Oil Inspection

How frequently you need to change the oil in your vehicle depends on the make, model, and year. One size does not fit all. Some need to be changed every 3,000 miles while others can go without incident for up to 10,000 miles. You can check your owner’s manual for more information, but you should make it a point to check your oil between changes. Our technicians have done so many oil changes that they could probably do it blindfolded. By changing your oil on time, you will ensure that the engine is running clean and cool. It also helps to optimize your vehicle’s overall fuel economy and minimize the risk of engine failure later on. Engine oil breaks down gunk and buildup inside the engine. Essentially, it keeps everything running smoothly. Allowing dirty oil to lubricate the engine can cause excessive friction, which can lead to a slew of other problems later on.

King Ford Quick Lane

If you are ready to get the routine maintenance done on your vehicle, you can easily schedule an appointment with us at Kings Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center. After completing a thorough inspection, our technicians will provide you with a detailed vehicle checkup report that explains how your car is performing. If you have any other questions about what was done to your vehicle or what maintenance you need completed, you can ask one of our mechanics. They will be happy to explain any of the procedures to you. Give us a call to make an appointment today! You can reach us by calling (513) 952-8885 or visit us at 8755 Fields Ertel Road in Cincinnati, OH.