Maintenance vs. Repair
Mekatron services and repairs Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Hyundai
We keep your Acura awesome and your Nissan running like new. We follow a regular schedule of factory recommended maintenance services. This is the best prevention against unexpected breakdowns and unnecessary damage to your car. Japanese cars that are well maintained can and do last 250,000 miles or more. Poorly maintained vehicles can be worn out in less than half that time. A car that is not well maintained costs approximately three times more over its lifespan than a car that receives good regular service.
Below are examples of items that are often missed through lack of servicing. They can cause a breakdown or a much more expensive repair than service alone:
A timing belt has to be changed at regular intervals. If not, it can break and leave you stranded without warning. It can also cause serious engine damage, amounting to $2,000 or more on some models.
A fuel filter that is not changed will block and damage the fuel pump, which can cost more than a “Major” service.
Battery terminals that are not cleaned can cause
the alternator to overcharge and burn out. An alternator can cost
as much as a “Major” service.
Brake fluid that is not replaced will absorb moisture,
corrode the metal brake parts, cause seals to leak and boil at a
lower temperature, and fail under hard braking. This will be not
only expensive but dangerous.
Coolant not changed regularly will cause electrolysis and corrode the cooling system. Electrolysis will cause all aluminum in the engine to be transferred/corroded and deposited in the remainder of the system. The damaged aluminum parts will include the cylinder head, water pump and housing, thermostat housing, and radiator. These repairs will cost more than if the car had had every service performed for years.
Valves that are not adjusted regularly can and do burn, and cost five times as much as a “Major” service to repair.
Of course, paying a flat rate shop to whistle through your service and charge you full price while missing half the checks accomplishes nothing. We are not a “flat rate” shop. For 35 years we have taken pride in the fact that we do everything on the service check list, no matter how long it takes. We will also report to you any items that may need repair outside of the service, in priority order, and will let you know our recommendation about which repairs are important and which can be deferred. This priority will be based on how and where you drive as well as what is financially convenient for you. Our goal is to keep you informed about the best course of action to maintain your car's peak performance, without intimidation or misinformation.