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Most car owners realize that they need to have regular oil changes to keep their car running well. But what they don't realize is that not all motor oils are the same due to a difference in viscosity. You can think of the difference of high and low viscosity as the difference between syrup and water.

Syrup is a highly viscous liquid while water flows much more quickly and has a lower viscosity. This is the same with oil such as 5W-20. The lower the number the more viscous the motor oil is. The reason there are two numbers…

When we think of auto maintenance and tune-ups, what typically comes to mind are oil changes. We often forget about brake fluid because it lasts so much longer than motor oil despite being equally important. Don’t forget about your brake fluid. Stop at Dick Dyer Volvo Cars and let the techs check your brake fluid levels.

Despite brake fluid often being the forgotten liquid, it’s very important. It sits in the brake lines until it’s needed. When you touch the brakes, an entire process involving the pistons calipers, rotors and your gas pedal begin. 

Have you noticed that your tires have been looking a little dull and worn lately? Does the inside wheel well area look dirty? It might be time to give your tires a little TLC to help them look refreshed and new again. It might not be time to replace your tires because of low tire tread so this can buy you a little time. Let's look at some tire cleaning tips to help you out:

Cleaning your tires will only work if you have the right products. Invest in some of the professional grade products that we use here…

Tire rotations are one of the lesser-known ways that car owners can save money. This is because it greatly extends the amount of time that your tires will last. That is why our team here at the Dick Dyer Volvo Cars auto service facility wants to ensure that you know all about the basics of tire rotations.

Because tires wear faster in either the front or the back of your vehicle, they should be rotated regularly so that they all last about the same amount of time. 

When you need a spare tire, it is important to know what type you have. A full-size spare tire drives just like your other tires. It might not look the same or be the same brand, but it will be the same size and thickness.

A compact temporary is smaller than your other tires. It needs about 60 psi for inflation. You cannot drive as fast on it or as far with it. The compact spare is designed to get you to a service station so you can get a regular replacement tire for your car. 

If you've ever had a service advisor at Dick Dyer Volvo Cars in Columbia, SC recommend new gaskets for your vehicle, you may not have been aware of their importance to your vehicle's performance. Gaskets are small devices made of steel, copper or rubber that keep the fluids and gases throughout the operating system circulating freely without mixing or escaping.

Over time, gaskets can "blow" or go bad, leading to expensive repairs if not promptly replaced. Tailpipe smoke, radiator foaming, gargling or bubbling, and low cylinder pressure are all signs of gasket failure. 

Tires are very expensive, and most people would prefer not to have to replace them unless absolutely necessary. We’re sure that you’re one of those people. One of the most common reasons that tires wear prematurely is due to a wheel alignment that is not within specification. Once a wheel alignment is off specification, it cannot be changed until a trained technician corrects it using highly-sophisticated and very expensive machinery.

Technicians are specifically trained to know just how much adjusting is necessary to bring your wheels back into alignment. 

Most mufflers are constructed from stainless steel, and they are designed to last for a long time. However, it is possible for your muffler to develop corrosion or other problems that affect how your car drives and what it sounds like.

If you can hear or feel the muffler bouncing or shaking when you drive, this is a strong indication that it needs to be replaced. Cars that get louder to the point where people know you're coming from blocks away are also a good indication that a muffler service visit is in order. 

Don't have time to be waiting for your car to get on the lift for servicing? Schedule your next appointment using our online scheduling app, and you will be in and out faster than ever before. Consider all these reasons to be making use of our online scheduling app.

Don't have time to be sitting in the waiting area for a simple oil change? Use the online scheduling app from home and choose exactly when you want our crew to get working on your car. That minimizes your wait time significantly.

Perhaps you like to get all your…

Worn down tires can be very dangerous to drive on. If you are not sure when you should replace your tires, you can measure them to find out. If your tread depth is nearing 2/32 of an inch, it is time to replace your tires. But if you do not have a tire tread depth gauge to accurately measure the depth of your tread, there is another trick you can do.