Why is your oil change so important?
Oil changes may seem mundane, but if your car is maintained correctly you must change your oil as it is a crucial part of your vehicle and should always be part of your recurring maintenance. The fewer surprises your car throws at you the better and Hamby's Automotive Inc in Cumming, GA wants you to know just how important your oil changes are.
The oil in your engine is essentially its lifeline. It protects moving parts from rust, friction, and cleans your engine by absorbing carbon buildup and debris. When you neglect an oil change, that oil saturated with dirt, and debris begins to work against you. First, small particles in the oil wreak havoc on bearings and small oil journals. If neglected for too long, oil begins to break down or coagulate, inefficiently lubricating moving parts and clogging passageways. Old oil will destroy an engine, either through bearing and part wear or oil starvation, or both at the same time. Too much wear on internal engine parts will cause the engine to fatally malfunction, sooner rather than later.
What are the other benefits of a regular oil change?
- Improved engine performance: Clean oil and a fresh air filter will keep all the important parts of your engine clean and lubricated. This creates a smoother and quieter ride. A smooth running engine has a positive effect on multiple areas of your vehicle.
- Prevents debris build-up: Older oil will stick to engine parts. This can turn into debris, clog up areas, and create build up. Changing the oil and filter regularly remove and prevent this nasty build up. If you do the majority of your driving on dirt roads you will need more regular oil changes.
- MPG: As mentioned above, regular oil changes offer up improved lubrication. Newer, cleaner oil reduces friction that can slow your engine which means you’ll end up paying more money for gas. New, clean oil also helps your engine run cooler. A cooler engine is more efficient. Anti-freeze and oil work together to cool your engine together. If one isn’t working right it negatively affects the other one.
- Cleaner emissions: Older cars, trucks, RVs, and SUVs can burn old, dirty oil which increases emissions. Dirty oil allows hydrocarbons to build up in the crankcase. If the oil is dirty the emissions levels can raise. Brand new oil is much less likely to burn and can also absorb particles which means less pollution.
- Longer engine life: Whether you live in the city, suburbs, or country your engine will get dirt and debris stuck inside of it. If you change your oil there is less friction. With less friction, there is much less wear and tear. Less wear and tear means a much longer engine life. If you change your oil regularly, there is less carbon build-up. Altogether this will save you money in the long run. Replacing an engine can cost quite a bit of money.
- Other car parts: Clean, new oil doesn’t only protect the engine. It also protects other car parts that are constantly in motion. Oil lubricates the crankshaft and the connection rods. This controls the pistons from going up and down when your engine is on. The cylinder walls allow the rings to build up better compression when lubricated. The camshaft is the valve train that opens and closes the engine tank and exhaust valves. The oil keeps this lubricated and moving efficiently as well.
- Other issues: If you get a regular oil change then the other parts of your vehicle will also get checked. We offer affordable oil changes and will also check for other issues while you are here.
- Warranty: Most terms of a warranty include regular oil changes. If you don’t follow these terms it could void the contract.
Since it is a lot easier to keep an engine internally clean than it is to clean up a dirty one, and since proper lubrication is the most important aspect of engine longevity, you can see why proper oil maintenance is such a priority. Get your oil changed on time, and don’t skip the oil filter replacement. The next time your car is ready for an oil change, or any other services from brake pads to major engine issues, let the experts at Hamby's Automotive Inc in Cumming, GA handle it. We’ll keep your car maintained so you can avoid breakdowns and get the most out of your car, truck, or SUV.
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Towing Services Provided
For many issues, your car remains driveable, and you can get it to us for repair. For others, your car may not work, be suitable for the road, or driving it will risk damaging it. If you’re in the latter position, don’t fret. Hamby's Automotive Inc in Cumming, GA can arrange a tow for your vehicle.
TOWING CALL: (770) 887-5205
Tow Trucks - Vehicle Issues or Engine Damage
If your car is overheating, experiencing low oil pressure, won’t start, the transmission is experiencing vehicle issues or engine trouble, perhaps your car has severe suspension or steering issues, or any other condition exists which prohibits your ability to get your car to us, we’ve got your back. Give us a call and a location, and we’ll have your car at the shop and ready for repair in no time. Calling us to have your car or truck towed to safety is an easier plan of action and will save you from damaging your vehicle further.
Towing isn't only for cars and trucks that simply won’t start or move, you should also have your car or truck towed if it is experiencing cooling or oil pressure issues, or the transmission is behaving incorrectly as this can cause major damage and cost you thousands. These problems almost always worsen rapidly and do constant damage while the engine is running or the car is driving. Don’t take a chance on destroying your vehicle’s engine or transmission by trying to drive it - let us move it for you. The same goes for steering and suspension issues; if the problem is bad enough, driving your car could cause something to break. This instantly jeopardizes the safety of you in your car, and anyone else involved on the road.
Tow Trucks - Breakdowns
We have been called to tow cars and trucks due to bad batteries, the vehicle has a flat tire, or the driver ran out of fuel on the roadway. Also, there are multiple calls each year for our "lockout" service where drivers have simply locked themselves out of their vehicles.
Towing Bills "can be" reimbursed
If you have AAA or your insurance policy has a towing addendum on it, you can submit the towing invoice to them for reimbursement! Some of our customers were unaware of that, so we felt it would be a great addition to our page. ALWAYS check with your insurance company to see if you are covered OR ask them about adding it to your coverage.
Tow Trucks - Accident Damage
We have been called out to tow vehicles as a direct result of a vehicular accident and are available for them as well. An accident could be with a stationary item, another vehicle, or hitting an animal on the road. You could be hauling something and the load shift causing a hazard and resulting in a crash. Should you drive off the road into a ditch, have a fender bender, suffer a collision (which we hope is not severe) simply give us a call and we will be available promptly on the scene to assist you in getting your vehicle out of harm's way and if you need a mechanic, then we can help you with that as well.
Our tow truck is available for all needs in the Cumming area simply give us a call for service or if you are planning to have a vehicle transported via a schedule let us know and we can set that up for you as well at Hamby's Automotive Inc in Cumming know. Don’t risk more damage or stress over moving your car. It’s in good hands with us.
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Timing Belt Replacement
Proper maintenance will save you serious money and when it comes to your timing belt the perfect example is replacing the belt. It is relatively easy and in comparison not doing so causes major damage resulting in serious costs! We tell our Cumming drivers that this is one item on the maintenance list we feel you "must" replace based on the vehicle's recommended service or earlier if your driving habits have impacted the integrity of your timing belt. Here at Hamby's Automotive Inc , we have seen first-hand exactly what happens when drivers miss that manufacturer's recommended maintenance.
How important is this service?
The timing belt drives the water pump in 60% of the vehicles on the road. The labor cost of replacing the water pump is significantly higher than the cost of the pump. While replacing the timing belt, it is cost-effective to replace the water pump. We highly recommend replacing the timing belt pulleys and tensioners. The tensioner applies pressure to the timing belt keeping it tight, while the pulleys keep the timing belt in line. These components are sealed units that contain bearings (they cannot be lubricated on a regular basis). The bearings wear out over time and may seize, causing the timing belt to come off, which can cause major internal engine damage. Ignoring the replacement of a timing belt as a part of scheduled maintenance could result in major engine failure down the road.
The timing belt essentially connects the bottom half of your engine to the top half, driving the camshafts which open the valves at precisely the right moment. In the majority of cars, the timing belt drives the water pump, which replacing can become very pricey. Issues with the timing belt can also cause major internal engine problems and even engine failure, which just adds more and more to the necessary services. Any amount of slack causes a decrease in performance in most cases, a broken timing belt will cost you an engine, or at least an expensive repair.
Don't wait until the timing belt breaks! Like other belts on your vehicle, timing belts wear out due to mechanical wear and age. Dry rot and constant movement are both factors in timing belt failure. The difference is, a timing belt can’t be readily seen just by popping the hood, and it isn’t as simple as installing a new one if your belts snaps or falls off. For this reason, it is essential to have yours replaced at the recommended age or mileage, or sooner, typically in less than 100,000 miles. If the belt breaks, then the car will not start and you may hear a squeaking noise. Knowing this will equip you with the knowledge to get the right service for your vehicle. This preemptive measure is one you won’t regret, as it’ll save you a lot of money and anxiety in the long run.
What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Timing Belt?
- Suggested service intervals every 60,000 miles unless your manufacturer specify longer
- Abnormal squeaking coming from the timing cover area.
- If the timing belt breaks, the car will not start.
If it’s time to replace your timing belt, or you aren’t sure when or if your timing belt has been replaced before, have one of our expert mechanics at Hamby's Automotive Inc in Cumming, GA take a look. We want your car to have the most longevity as well as durability. Bring your car, truck, or SUV by anytime and let one of our professional technicians take care of you. Whether it’s something as important as a timing belt, or as routine as an oil change, we have you covered.
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When your car, truck, or SUV begins to shake, vibrate or pull to either side while driving it typically means it's time to bring it into our shop here at Hamby's Automotive Inc in Cumming, for an alignment! Doing so early will save serious wear and tear on tires and it is an easy fix when we catch it early. But what exactly is a tire alignment and why is it important?
We look at our customer's vehicles each time they come in and set up a vehicle maintenance plan for them, alignments are part of your vehicle maintenance and checked typically every 6,000 miles on average. Wheel alignments ensure optimal vehicle driving and help your tires last longer, your vehicle will drive better.
Alignments can also be necessary after a shock to your front wheels like running through a pothole or hitting a curb on our local streets here in Cumming. The suspension and front end assembly of your vehicle you drive are comprised of many different components, which keep your tires centered and resting flat on the pavement. When things wear out or move over a fairly long period of time, it’s necessary to reset your front end components to get your car, truck, or SUV driving straight again. Avoid driving too much if you believe your tires need an alignment; investing in a repair at Hamby's Automotive Inc as soon as you notice any of the symptoms listed as the more you drive, the worse the damage is.
Important Tips: To save you hundreds on repairs with new tires, suspensions & steering parts, make sure to look at your tires for uneven tread wear.
Signs of Off Alignment Checklist:
- Your car or truck pulling to one side or the other is a great sign that you need an alignment. Simply get on a straight road like an interstate and release the wheel for a few seconds and see if it pulls. When you come into the shop let us know which side it pulls towards.
- If the steering wheel is crooked! Your alignment is off! Sounds odd but it is true, looking at your steering wheel when you are going straight if it isn't properly lined up you DO have a problem.
- When you are driving on a smooth road and your steering wheel is vibrating or shaking we have a problem which could be an alignment or it could be a tire balance problem.
- Your tires are starting to wear unevenly or rapidly as a sign of needing an alignment.
Trust our team of highly trained mechanics at Hamby's Automotive Inc , to diagnose your vehicle issues and get you safely on the road. An alignment when you first notice the issue will save you the costs of replacement tires and suspension parts plus dramatically improve the drive quality of your vehicle. Our mechanics will align your wheels and front end quickly, and do it right. Come by Hamby's Automotive Inc in Cumming and get your alignment troubles taken care of today!
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Diagnostic Service Provided
Diagnostics are an important aspect of modern vehicle maintenance and repair, and our expert team at Hamby's Automotive Inc can confidently diagnose your vehicle today! When you're in Cumming and find yourself with a mysterious light on the dash, you can count on our team to quickly and accurately diagnose the issue. Your car, truck, or SUV is equipped with an array of computers and sensors which monitor your engine activity and flag anything that isn’t operating as it should. Check engine lights and other dash lights are activated whenever a problem arises, and special equipment and technicians who know how to use them are necessary to diagnose the issue correctly. Our equipment is upgraded often and we have experience on multiple brands and types of vehicles so we are often able to assist you faster than the dealership as a result which results in savings for you in both dollars and time.
Diagnostics assist us in pinpointing the critical issues and reduce the time needed for guessing which also helps us to get the issue fixed the first time and not spend time and money putting in multiple parts in an attempt to fix the issue. Our expert mechanics at Hamby's Automotive Inc in Cumming have both the technology and the training required to read engine codes and perform repairs or maintenance even on warranty-related problems. No matter what your issue is, whether it’s a failed sensor, a malfunctioning catalytic converter, a misfire, a fuel delivery malfunction, or anything else your car or truck may need, Hamby's Automotive Inc has you covered.
When it comes to your safety on the road and keeping your car or truck running like new longer, the type of diagnostic equipment and the training of the technician using it is integral to your needs and safety which is why we spend the time and invest in having the diagnostic equipment we need to take care of our Cumming drivers here at Hamby's Automotive Inc . If you get behind the wheel and find a Check Engine Light on or feel like something isn't working right on your car or truck, stop by and talk to our team of technicians where your warning light is simply your vehicle talking to us! Yes, it can be that easy! We look forward to earning your business here at Hamby's Automotive Inc .
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