What Engine Oil Should You Use in Hot Weather?

Summertime is a tough season for your vehicle's engine.

While it's easy to shed your cold weather wardrobe and dress for summer sun, your engine has a tougher time coping when the climate heats up. Here are a few tips on how to help your motor survive warmer weather when the sun starts making regular appearances and your fancy turns to thoughts of driving.

Your motor's first line of defense against high temperatures is engine oil, the gooey lubricant that keeps those moving parts from melting down. But as ambient temperatures rise or fall, your engine's oil needs change. When oil is cold, it thickens; when it heats up, it becomes less viscous, or more watery. The differences are crucial when it comes to protecting your engine against extremes in weather: on one hand, your oil needs to be thick enough to seal tiny gaps in your engine and properly lubricate metal-against-metal surfaces. On the other hand, the oil has to be thin enough to move easily and circulate where your engine needs it the most, but if it becomes too thin, it can wear down and lose its cooling efficiency.

Gas Saving Myths

Every culture has its ideological blind spots. In time, these ideas become so profoundly rooted in its psyche that they’re rarely debated and are eventually accepted as factual. Such is the case with a number of questionable and even humorous gas saving myths. So we decided to compile a list of the 10 most commonly held misconceptions:



Myth #1 – Newer Gas Stations Have More Accurate Pumps

Since every state has a Weights and Means department responsible for regulating the proper measurement (fuel volume), vapor recovery and quality of motor vehicle fuels, the age of the pump does not make a difference. Field officers regularly examine fuel dispensers. Once the dispenser passes the inspection and meets all legal requirements, officers place a dated seal on the dispenser. If the dispenser does not pass the test, the department will take enforcement actions to ensure the dispenser is repaired and recalibrated before it can be put back into service.

Is your vehicle's air conditioning ready for summer?

As we leave winter behind and head into spring now is the time to look at a preparing your vehicle for those long summer road trips. Your vehicle’s Air Conditioning System is a vitally important componant and as part of your HVAC system (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) it is designed to perform three things:

1. Remove Heat
2. Remove Moisture
3. Filter the Air in the Cabin

Your vehicles air conditioning is essential in helping to keep you alert during long road journeys by providing you with a more cool and comfortable environment to drive in. Having vehicle air conditioning used to be considered a luxury, but now the majority of vehicles have it as standard.

Regular Oil Changes is Critical Car Maintenance

We say this everyday. Here's a nice overview and reminder on why our engines need this service!

Danny's Engine Portal: Regular Oil Changes is Critical Car Maintenance: Despite the sophistication of today's advanced automotive engines, the old-fashioned act of changing the oil is still the most critical piec...

Why Do I Need a Transmission Service?

One of the most critical, unobtrusive and, therefore, often neglected parts of a vehicle is the transmission. While it isn't as maintenance-intensive as the brake system, for example, both manual and automatic transmissions require at least periodic inspections if not regular service to prolong their life. But before we explain how to best service transmissions, a brief explanation of how one works is required.

The transmission multiplies torque from the engine through a gear reduction and/or torque conversion. A typical manual transmission has anywhere from four to six speeds with the final or highest gear being either a direct 1:1 drive ratio or an "overdrive" ratio, less than 1:1. For the most part, they are trouble-free (except for the clutch, which can be problematic if adjusted incorrectly or abused). An automatic transmission, on the other hand, multiplies engine torque as it passes through the fluid coupling known as the "torque converter" and then through three or more separate gear ratios. The transmission oil is critical for lubricating the transmission and reducing friction. When the fluid breaks down and loses its viscosity, it no longer effectively lubricates the transmission. This causes premature and excessive wear and results in transmission failure.

EXTREME HEAT ADVICE FROM CURRY'S AUTO SERVICE

Advice for keeping YOU and your vehicle cool and on the road!


Over the next few days Northern Virginia, Maryland and the DC Metro area are under extreme weather warnings with temperatures likely to exceed the 100 degree mark so we wanted to share some advice that should help all of us to keep moving in these adverse conditions:

• Pack a travel kit that includes plenty of water and a well charged cell phone for emergency calls. Even a short trip in extreme heat carries many of the same risks that come with longer trips in hot weather.
• Check fluids. Check to be sure that your coolant levels, plus other fluid levels such as motor oil, transmission fluid, and brake fluid levels are full - but do not overfill fluids. Also remember to check belts and hoses for signs of excessive wear.
• Check your tires. Before operating your vehicle in extreme heat, check the condition of your tires and be sure tire air pressure is set at the manufacturer's recommended level.
• Maintain your vehicle. Have a trained, qualified mechanic check your car and perform preventive maintenance.
• Keep checking your lights and gauges. Even if your fluid levels and tires were fine before you left, problems can develop quickly while you are driving.
• Don't idle for long. Avoid leaving your engine running without moving, except for routine and brief delays, such as waiting at red lights.
• Watch your engine temp. If your engine temperature begins to rise outside the normal range, approaching overheating, you might be able to reduce the load on your engine and help remove excessive heat by turning off the air conditioning and turning on your heater. This would rapidly make your vehicle too uncomfortable to tolerate for very long, but it could save your engine from overheating. If your temperature gauge does reach the red zone or an engine temperature warning light comes on, do not continue to drive. As soon as it can be safely accomplished, the driver needs to get the vehicle off the roadway, the further from traffic the better. Severe engine damage can result from overheating.
• Don't get burned. If your vehicle does overheat, do not attempt to remove the radiator cap. Extremely hot and pressurized coolant can spray out violently, potentially causing severe burns. Also, do not pour water over a hot radiator or engine, as sudden, extreme changes in temperature can also cause engine damage.
• Remember to care for yourself, not just your car. In extremely hot weather, it's not just your car that needs special attention - it's you and your passengers as well. Take regular breaks on long drives and stay hydrated.
• Follow the rules of the road. Speeding always carries risks, but during extremely hot weather, driving at high speeds places particularly high demands on your vehicle's tires and mechanical components.
• If your vehicle overheats or breaks down on the side of the road and you choose to exit the vehicle, move to a safe location away from traffic. Standing near the roadway can create a dangerous situation for you and other motorists.
• When thinking about safe driving in extreme heat, do not overlook the potentially deadly threat of heat in a parked car. Never leave a child unattended in a parked car, and never leave a pet in a parked car in hot weather.

We hope this goes some way to helping you stay safe and on the road, if for any reason you do need roadside assistance remember as a Curry's customer you can dial 1-888-8CURRYS for assistance and local towing services.

Car Warning Lights: Myths and Facts

Today’s vehicles are equipped with an array of warning lights. Of course we’re all familiar with the seat belt warning chime and the door ajar indicator. However, with the automotive industry’s technological advancements there are a number of warning lights that can be quite alarming.

So here is a helpful guide on some of the more common warning lights...


SRS Light (Supplemental Restraint System)

The supplemental restraint system is your airbag system. It may incorporate a variety of active, passive, and even pre-safe technology depending on the vehicle. Given that the SRS system is a safety system, it is well monitored with numerous sensors and automatic self-tests. The slightest malfunction in this system illuminates the SRS light.

Can the vehicle be driven with an SRS Light on?
Yes, at the owner’s risk. There are thousands of vehicles on the road without SRS technology.

Is the airbag going to blow up? 
It’s unlikely. When the SRS Light is on the system is inoperative. If you’re nervous - tow it!

Red Brake Warning Lights

Generally, red warning lights mean DANGER. In the case of a red brake warning light, there may be a hydraulic brake fluid leak. If the brake pedal feels abnormal or spongy—don’t drive—tow it!

Note: Make sure that your emergency brake is not on as this will illuminate a red brake warning light.


ABS Lights

Illumination of the Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light is another common occurrence in today’s vehicles. Simply put, the ABS system helps to keep you from skidding out of control during braking by limiting your wheels from locking up/skidding.



Do I need brakes?
You might, but that’s not why the ABS Light is on. The ABS Warning System does not monitor disc brake pad or disc brake rotor wear (see the Brake Pad light Warning section below).

Can the vehicle be driven?
Like the SRS system, the vehicle can be driven at the owner’s risk as there are many vehicles still on the market without the enhanced safety features of ABS.

Note: The ABS system is often integrated with traction control and stability systems, all of which are designed to keep you safe during panic stops, wheel slippage, and handling.

Low Coolant Light

The Low Coolant Light will come on when the coolant drops below the coolant level sensor—generally one to two quarts. If this light is on, there are two primary possibilities. The most common is a coolant leak. The other is an electrical fault in the warning lamp circuit. Have them checked out.


Can it be driven?
If there are no major leaks, the vehicle is not overheating (and does not start to overheat), and there is still some evidence of coolant in the overflow bottle, it can be driven. If you can see coolant leaking on the ground—tow it. When in doubt, always tow it!

Red Oil Light On

Stop driving immediately and shut the engine off! If a Red Oil Warning Light comes on PAY HEED. The best case scenario is that your engine oil is a little low, or there is an electrical issue with the Oil Level Warning System circuit. Either way you should check your owners’ manual and follow the instructions to check your oil.

Add oil as recommended and get your vehicle checked out at your earliest convenience. The worst case scenario is internal engine damage.

Note: Many of today’s vehicles have very sensitive and sophisticated Oil Level Warning Systems. You may be alerted of oil level too high, or oil level too low. Again, follow your owners’ manual’s instructions.

Yellow Brake Warning Light (Brake Pad light)

This is an early warning system for brake pad wear. Essentially, as your disc brake pads wear down, at a certain point a sensor is tripped to alert you that you will need brakes soon.

Can I drive the vehicle, and for how long?
Yes, you can continue to drive. How long depends on your driving style. In other words, city drivers (city driving is generally harder on brakes due to the constant stop and go) will likely need their brakes addressed before someone who does primarily highway driving.

Will I do more damage to the brakes?
Depending on how long you continue to drive you could conceivably wear your disc brake pads down to the metal backing plate, which could then damage your disc brake rotors and, in rare cases, the disc brake calipers.  If you continue to drive until you hear or feel grinding, you should stop driving (for safety reasons and to prevent extensive damage) have your vehicle towed.

On many of today’s brake systems, the replacement of the disc brake rotors along with the disc brake pads is required or strongly recommended anyway. Calipers rarely need replacing during regular brake work.
If your yellow brake warning light is on, it is best to have your brakes checked early to decrease the possibility of extensive damage.

Note: Many of today’s brake disc pads and rotors require replacement due to rust and corrosion versus wear; thus rotor replacement is often necessary anyway.

Tire Pressure Warning Light

This recent technological development causes quite a bit of confusion. Put simply, if your tire is getting low on air, your car lets you know via sensors mounted in various places depending on the model.
Sometimes the reset procedure is as simple as pressing a button. Other times one has to set the tire pressures, recalibrate the on-board computer, genuflect and cross two fingers.  Check your owners’ manual and see the next question…

What is the low tire pressure warning light reset procedure?
The answer to this simple question depends on the vehicle. Check your owners’ manual or call Curry’s Auto Service 1.888. 8CURRYS.

Note: If you need to add air there is probably an issue with the tires loss of air, you should have a professional inspect your tires as soon as possible. 

Emission Warning Light

This light is similar to the Check Engine Light. Many European models such as Volvos have this type of Warning System. It’s essentially letting you know that an emissions component has failed or detected a fault. Follow the check engine light tips to address this particular warning light.

Note: If the light starts flashing pull over and shut off vehicle immediately. Restart vehicle if light is not flashing drive to a Currys Auto Service as soon as possible. If the light continues to flash, shut of vehicle and have it towed.

A flashing light usually means the catalytic convertor(s) are being damaged.

Resetting Oil Lights

Next to resetting check engine lights, resetting oil lights is the most common question we receive. Whether it’s a Toyota Oil Light Reset Procedure, an Oil Change Warning Light Reset Procedure on a 2005 GMC Envoy, or the process to reset a 1999 BMW M3 Oil Service Light, they all require a specific course of action.
Most owners’ manuals have this information.  You should find it under maintenance or oil service.

Note: Many European models require special tools to reset the oil service light, when in doubt, it’s best to Call Curry’s Auto Service 1.888. 8CURRYS, we reset oil service lights everyday on a variety of models. 

Blog Post by Vernon Abel

Director of Operations

Curry's Auto Service