D&D Tire - Services

Services Offered By D&D Tire

How Oftan Should You Change Your Oil?

Preventive Maintenance vs. Repair

Tire rotations...engine diagnostics...belt and hose checks...not the kind of thing you have the time or the money for, right? My car's running good, it'll be fine...

According to the Car Care Council, Americans spent an estimated 2 billion dollars last year due to vehicle neglect. Think of it this way: Which is more expensive, replacing your battery, or having it die and leave you stranded, paying for a service call and then replacing the battery anyway? In the overall scheme of things, getting your car serviced regularly is the best way for you to save money on automotive costs, and save time on easily avoidable mechanical problems.

D&D Tire wants to keep your car running longer. Regular visits to your Gemini retailer for tire and manufacturer recommended engine maintenance will help you avoid the problems that cost you extra time and money. Come see us today; it's the best investment you can make for your car.

BRAKE REPAIR
HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
SUSPENSION SYSTEM
FLUIDS
BATTERIES
2 & 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT

BRAKE REPAIR

Regular Maintenance Helps You Maximize Your Stopping Power
Regular maintenance on your car's brakes is just as important as it is to your engine. Have them checked at least once a year, more if you drive frequently in city traffic or live in a hilly area. Waiting until the brakes begin to grind can be more expensive, but a few simple steps will help keep your brakes in good working order.

Never drive with the parking brake on.
If you hear a high-pitched squeak when you apply the brakes, it’s time to get them checked. The squeak is actually a brake-pad sensor--a soft piece of metal that scrapes against the rotor when the brake pads need replacing.
It’s always a good idea to check your brake fluid when you’re checking your other car fluids. If you notice that you’re adding brake fluid more than once every few months, there may be a leak somewhere. Bring your vehicle in for a complete brake system check.

Signs of Brake Trouble: When to Visit Your Gemini Technician
Things to look for when you apply the brakes:

If the pedal slowly sinks down to the floor, you may have a bad master cylinder.
If the pedal feels soft and mushy but gets harder when you pump up and down, your mechanic may need to bleed the brake lines to remove any air pockets.
If the brakes pulsate when you step on them, the rotors may be warped.
If the brake pedal sinks to the floor or gets soft when using the brakes on a long, steep downhill grade, that could be brake fade, which is when the brake fluid gets hot enough to boil. This problem tends to disappear once the brake fluid cools down.

Most important of all: Never drive the car for more than a short distance if your brake light comes on. If it does, check the brake fluid and make an appointment to have the brakes checked.

Putting the Stop on Forward Motion
When driving, it’s second nature to stop your car at red lights, stop signs and when you’re ready to park the car. But sometimes, it’s also important that your vehicle be able to stop – quickly, to avoid hitting other cars, pedestrians or objects in the road.
For all of this you rely on your brakes.
The braking system is easily one of the most important system in your car. Brakes are such a basic function that it’s easy to take them for granted until it’s too late.
Applying the Brakes = Applying Great Force and Energy
When you step on the brake, your car transmits the force from your foot to its brakes through a fluid, commanding a stopping force ten times as powerful as the force that puts the car in motion.
On most cars, the front brakes are of the disc type, and the rear brakes are of the "drum" type, which use two semi-circular shoes to press outward against the inner surfaces of a steel drum. Older cars often had drum brakes on all four wheels, but many newer cars now have 4-wheel disc brakes.

Many Parts Go Into Stopping Your Car
The brake system contains the following basic components:

Disc Brakes
Disc brakes produce friction between the rotor and the pads mounted in the caliper attached to the suspension members with a clamping action. Inside the calipers, pressure generated by the master cylinder causes the pistons to press against the pads. The pads then rub against the rotor, which causes the car to slow.
Disc brakes are simpler, lighter and offer better resistance to water than drum brakes.

Brake Drums
The brake drum is a heavy flat-topped cylinder, located between the wheel rim and the wheel hub. The linings of the brake shoes work on the inside surface of the drum. Once the brakes are applied, the brake shoes come in contact with the inside surface of the brake drums and slow the rotation of the wheels.
While most older cars have drum brakes on the rear wheels, newer models are more likely to use rear disc brakes.

Brake Calipers
The caliper works like a C-clamp to pinch the pads onto the rotor. One caliper is mounted to the suspension members on each wheel. The caliper is usually mounted onto the spindle, allowing it to deliver the torsional force of the wheel to the chassis via the control arms. Brake hoses connect the caliper to the brake lines leading to the master cylinder. A "bleeder valve" is located on each caliper to allow air bubbles to be purged from the system.

Wheel Cylinder Wheel cylinders are where movable piston(s) convert hydraulic brake fluid pressure into mechanical force. As the driver pushes down on the brake pedal, pistons move within the master cylinder and pressurize the brake fluid in the brake lines and cylinders at each wheel. In turn, the fluid pressure causes the wheel cylinders' pistons to move which then forces the shoes or pads against the brake drums or rotors.

Parking (Emergency) Brakes
The parking brake (sometimes called the emergency brake) is a cable-activated system used to hold the brakes continuously in the applied position. The parking brake activates the brakes on the rear wheels. Instead of hydraulic pressure, a cable (mechanical) linkage is used to engage the brake shoes or discs. When the parking-brake pedal is pressed (or, in many cars, a hand lever is pulled), a steel cable draws the brake shoes or pads firmly against the drums or rotors.

ABS
"Anti-lock" (ABS) systems use computer-controlled valves to limit the pressure delivered to each wheel cylinder. If a wheel locks up, no matter how hard you steer you cannot affect the car's direction. With ABS, no matter how hard the pedal is pressed, each wheel is prevented from locking up. This prevents skidding (and allows the driver to steer while panic-braking).

HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

Traveling in Comfort, Year Round

You demand a lot from your car. Not only do you expect it to start and run without problems, you want the heater to keep you warm when it is cold and the air conditioning to keep you cool when it is hot.

Maintaining Comfortable Temperatures Takes Work

Heat is generated during the engine's combustion process. It’s then absorbed by the coolant in your car's radiator and circulated through the heater core before returning to the radiator. A fan (blower) then circulates air over the heater core and into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
Air conditioning comes from the car's elaborate air conditioning system. Instead of adding “cold” air to the car’s interior, it actually removes the heat from outside air, cleaning and dehumidifying and keeping it at the temperature you select. The “cooled” air is then sent to the car's interior in an "un-heated" condition.
A thorough inspection will include:

Inspecting interior controls and blower
Check radiator coolant level, hoses, pressure cap and thermostat
Test the condition and tension of the A/C compressor belt
Check for leaks or other damage
Review component conditions for leaks or damage

System testing also includes:

Cooling system pressure test
Compare A/C pressure to manufacturer’s recommendations
Test A/C system for refrigerant leaks
Check interior vent air temperature

Suspension Systems: Always A Smooth Ride

Your automobile has both a rear and front suspension comprised primarily of springs and shock absorbers. The springs bear the weight of your vehicle, keep the wheels in contact with the road and provide you with a smooth, controlled ride.
No matter what kind of vehicle you have, its engineers had to consider key factors when determining the design and calibration of your car suspension. These include:

Bumper height
Intended use
Vehicle weight
Cargo weight
Typical road conditions
Acceleration, braking and cornering

Everything Rests on Your Springs
The springs in your suspension system do most of the work. Although there are several types of springs, the main four are:

Leaf
Coil
Air
Torsion bars

To support your car, the springs compress and rebound accordingly as road conditions shift up and down. In some cases, they may be combined for additional support.
However, the constant motion can create an uncomfortable ride. To eliminate the bouncing and swaying caused by bumps, shock absorbers are utilized to smooth the ride. These piston-like devices create a smoother ride by reducing the variations in the spring rate and absorb the shock. They also help keep the tire in contact with the road, keeping you in control.
Shocks, struts and sway bars are other elements of a typical suspension system.

Greater Improvements for Enhanced Driving

Increased driving comfort, as well as safer driving, is a result of improvements in suspension and steering. Other contributing factors include increased strength and durability of suspension components, as well as advances in tire construction.
During a check of your suspension system, Gemini Car Care technicians examine your car’s:

Tie rod ends (inner and outer)
Idler arm
Pitman arm
Rack and pinion unit
Rack and pinion bellows boots
Springs
Shock absorbers
All other suspension components

FLUIDS

Fluids: The Lifeblood of Your Car’s Engine
Every car needs several automotive fluids in order to properly operate. Over time, these fluids can decompose, become contaminated or leak. To maintain a healthy car, it is important that you frequently check your car’s fluids.
Fluids that you should check include the:

Engine oil
Transmission fluid
Brake fluid
Antifreeze
Power steering fluid

Engine Fluids and the Roles They Play
The best way to prolong your engine’s life is to pay special attention to your oil. It forms a protective barrier over engine parts and keeps them lubricated. Making sure you change the oil as recommended in your owner’s manual is important. Be sure to use the proper grade and amount to keep your car in good condition and prevent other mechanical problems.
Your transmission moves the car by conveying the power generated by the engine to the axle and wheels. Transmission fluid permits the hydraulics in the transmission to work without generating excessive heat. Many times, a faulty transmission is diagnosed when the culprit is really just a low level of transmission fluid. Always make sure yours is at an acceptable level according to your owner’s manual.
In addition, be sure to check your brake fluid. It is a critical part of your braking system. Although brake pads, drums and rotors slow down a car, it is the fluid that allows you to stop it quickly, even at highway speeds, with only a small amount of pedal pressure.
Antifreeze, also called coolant, is another important fluid in your car. It absorbs engine heat by circulating through your engine and radiator. In addition to inhibiting the expansion that damages engine parts, antifreeze prevents your engine from freezing in cold climates. Antifreeze provides lubrication to the water pump and anti-corrosion to the internals of the pump as well as the radiator.
If you have power steering, you will need to check your power steering fluid as part of your routine maintenance. It is an essential part of the steering system that allows you to easily turn your wheels, even at low speeds or when parking. Without enough of this fluid, your vehicle could become difficult to steer and you could create an unsafe driving condition.
Proper car service and maintenance checks that:

Proper fluid levels are maintained
The fluids are clean and clear
There are no leaks

Oil Change, Lube & Filter Changes: Keeping Your Engine Clean
The key to maintaining engine longevity is simple: frequent oil changes. The oil, along with the filter, should be changed regularly for maximum engine performance.
The role of oil in a car’s engine is to protect internal parts and provide lubrication against wear. Because the oil is continually circulating throughout the engine, however, over time it breaks down and accumulates substances such as dust, metallic shavings, condensation, and even antifreeze that can damage internal engine parts.
The oil filter works to trap and remove debris and other contaminants. When the oil filter becomes saturated, the oil is no longer “cleaned” and the risks posed by contaminants intensify. Oil pressure can also suffer once the filter becomes clogged. As a result, fuel economy decreases and the risk of emissions increases along with the potential for engine failure.
Change your oil and oil filters according to the recommendation in your owner's manual or follow the "every 3 months or 3000 miles" rule of thumb for getting an oil change.
Always be sure your oil, lube & filter changes include:

Changing oil filter
Checking air filter
Checking and top off all fluids
Lubricating all fittings
Checking engine for leaks
Checking belts and hoses
Checking tire pressure
Checking entire undercarriage

Batteries: Providing That “Get Up and Go”

The automotive battery starts the engine as a primary function, however, it also stores energy generated by the alternator. This energy is also used for secondary electrical systems or additional components in your car. When the combined electrical load surpasses the capability of the charging system, the battery provides the extra electrical power required.
Where you live will influence the type of battery you should consider. Colder climates require batteries with a high cranking amps (CCA) rating. Higher cold cranking amps provide the additional power required to start cold engines, as cold temperatures reduce battery performance.
In addition, cooler climates should also consider the freshest and largest Reserve Capacity (RC) battery that will physically fit with a CCA rating for your climate that meets or exceeds the car's Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) cranking amp requirement

Maintaining the Battery For Optimal Performance

Regular battery care is essential. Before cold weather starts and at least once a month in hot weather, maintain your battery by:

Keeping the correct electrolyte levels
Tightening loose hold-down clamps and terminals
Removing corrosion
Check the alternator belt tension and wear

Caution:
Automotive batteries contain sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is poisonous and highly corrosive. Because of this, care should be taken as sulfuric gasses are produced when a battery is recharged, and could cause an explosion if ignited.
When working with automotive batteries work in a well-ventilated area and exercise caution. Remove any jewelry, loose clothing and wear protective eyewear. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for any battery maintenance or recharging.

2 & 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Wheel Alignment: Keeping to the Straight and Narrow
To maintain proper control of your car, you must keep your wheels in proper alignment. Otherwise, steering will become difficult, your tires will wear unevenly and your fuel economy will decrease.
Check to see if you need a wheel alignment:

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Then take your car for a test drive. Lightly rest your hands on the steering wheel, but don’t steer. If your car drifts to either side, make an appointment with your Gemini Car Care location.
Inspect the tread on your tires to see if it is uneven. If the tread is worn down the middle, most likely your tires are over-inflated. If it’s worn on the inside and outside of the tire, then your tires are probably under-inflated.

Today, service centers like Gemini Car Care locations use computerized alignment equipment to diagnose your alignment angles. Some of the most common are:

Toe: the direction of the wheels towards or away from each (viewed from above the car).
Camber: tilt of the wheels toward or away from each other (viewed from in front of your car).
Caster: the angle of the steering axis in relation to the wheel. To visualize this angle, imagine a vertical line through the middle of your tire while standing on one side of the car.
Thrust Angle: the relationship of all four wheels to each other. This time, imagine a center line from bumper to bumper.

An alignment check at a Gemini Car Care location includes:

Inspection of the steering and suspension components.
Examination of the tires (size, inflation and wear).
Comparison of your current alignment to the guidelines provided by your manufacturer.