Your SUV engine really needs clean air to operate efficiently: it takes about twelve thousand gallons of air to burn a gallon of gas in your SUV engine. And clean air is much better than dirty.

When your air filter’s dirty, it simply can’t trap any more dirt, so the dirt just passes through into your air intake system. From there it can get into the SUV engine combustion chamber. And burning dust and pollen in your engine as you drive around Merrimack does you no good.

The verdict: When your engine air filter needs to be replaced; it needs to be replaced. How often depends entirely on how dirty the air is in Merrimack where you drive. A simple visual inspection by a caring Auto Care Plus technician will tell you when you need a new engine air filter in your SUV.

When you look at the air filter on your furnace in your Merrimack home and see it’s all clogged up with dust and dirt, you don’t hesitate to replace it. But don’t wait until your air filter (furnace or automobile) is totally plugged – by that time you’ve been running inefficiently in Merrimack for a lot of miles.

When your Auto Care Plus service technician brings out your nasty engine air filter, you now know why you should go ahead and change it out.

Give us a call

Auto Care Plus
603.429.1002
738 Daniel Webster Hwy
Merrimack, NH 03054

At Auto Care Plus in Merrimack NH (03054) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.429.1002. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

A lot of people in the Amherst area want custom wheels. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you’re not careful. Sometimes they just don’t fit right: The tires rub in turns or over bumps. Consulting a tire professional at Auto Care Plus in Merrimack can ensure you get the right fit for your SUV. First he’ll ask you a series of questions about your driving needs and what you want in your new wheels.

Now, not every wheel can go on every vehicle. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside. If you don’t want to make any modifications to your SUV, you would need to focus on a wheel and tire combination that would fit. With trucks, some Merrimack people like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.

Also, most Merrimack people don’t realize that you need to keep the rolling diameter of your new tires – that’s the overall height of the tire – very close to what came from the factory in order for your anti-lock brakes and stability control systems to work properly.

The SUV computers that control these systems are calibrated to a certain size tire. When you go bigger or smaller, the computer doesn’t know what changes you made so it can’t tell how fast you’re going. This, of course, means it sends commands to the brakes and traction control that are based on the wrong sensor information. If you go with a different rolling diameter, your SUV vehicle control computer can be reprogrammed for the new tire size. At Auto Care Plus, we can give you information about control computer reprogramming.

Either way, there are hundreds of wheel and tire choices to choose from in Merrimack. You can pick the style of wheel you want and then talk with your Merrimack tire professional about how big the wheel should be – and select the right tire to meet your style, performance, ride and handling needs – and the best way to do all this is to have your caring Auto Care Plus tire specialist see your SUV in person so mistakes are not made.

At Auto Care Plus, we also offer alignment and windshield treatment.

Give us a call

Auto Care Plus
603.429.1002
738 Daniel Webster Hwy
Merrimack, NH 03054

At Auto Care Plus in Merrimack NH (03054) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.429.1002. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

With front-wheel drive being so common in Merrimack these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most Merrimack folks don’t even have to think about it. And most rear-wheel drive SUV differentials don’t need to be serviced for many miles, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind. So it’s not uncommon for NH people to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.

To better understand what a differential does, think about a high school track. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the longer distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That’s to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.

The differential compensates for the difference in speeds on drive wheels between the inside wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they have to travel together through slightly different distances.

Many SUV differentials do a lot of work and require very heavy duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool. The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that break down over time. So manufacturers and Auto Care Plus technicians recommend intervals for replacing your differential fluid.

Your Auto Care Plus service technician will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. He’ll then replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.

Merrimack four wheel drive SUVs need special attention to their differentials because they have a differential on both the front and rear axles that work at different times and sometimes under heavy loads – so they may need to be serviced at Auto Care Plus at different intervals.

Your Merrimack service advisor can look up the manufacturer’s recommended service interval or you can check your SUV owner’s manual.

Give us a call

Auto Care Plus
603.429.1002
738 Daniel Webster Hwy
Merrimack, NH 03054

At Auto Care Plus in Merrimack NH (03054) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.429.1002. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some Merrimack drivers and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most of us in NH.

First, if your SUV check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Get that taken care of right away. If your check engine light is flashing, you shouldn’t drive at Merrimack highway speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to Auto Care Plus in Merrimack.

If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, schedule an appointment with your Merrimack service advisor to get it checked out.

Some more information from Auto Care Plus on how the Check Engine Light works may be informative. Most of your SUV engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive in Merrimack.

In order to make these adjustments, the SUV computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Check Engine Light.

The SUV computer will also try to make adjustments to compensate for some readings. If it can do so, it’ll then turn off the Check Engine Light.

If the problem can’t be resolved then the light will remain on and you should get your SUV looked at at Auto Care Plus. Your caring service technician will plug a scanner into the on-board diagnostic port and read the trouble code stored in the computer. The trouble code will give your Auto Care Plus technician a starting place as he diagnoses the cause of the problem.

At Auto Care Plus, we also offer alignment and windshield treatment.

Give us a call

Auto Care Plus
603.429.1002
738 Daniel Webster Hwy
Merrimack, NH 03054

At Auto Care Plus in Merrimack NH (03054) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.429.1002. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Your SUV cooling system’s job is to keep your engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it’s cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the cooled mix circulates back through the SUV engine to absorb more heat.

Coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine safe in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures in Merrimack.

Without coolant, the SUV’s metal engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running.  Expensive parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced at Auto Care Plus in Merrimack. It could even be so bad that the whole engine is ruined and has to be replaced.

Also, if it’s freezing outside in Merrimack, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the NH cold. This is why you check coolant levels frequently and have your cooling system inspected for leaks. Also your manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your Merrimack owner’s manual or ask your service advisor at Auto Care Plus in Merrimack.

The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other Merrimack cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced. A simple pH test can measure the coolant’s acidity.

You may have noticed that there are different colors of antifreeze at Auto Care Plus: it is very important that you use the correct type.  The different coolant types are different colors so you don’t mix them up.  Manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So check with your caring Auto Care Plus service advisor or owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your SUV cooling system.

Ask us about suspension service, windshield treatment and transmission service.

Give us a call

Auto Care Plus
603.429.1002
738 Daniel Webster Hwy
Merrimack, NH 03054

At Auto Care Plus in Merrimack NH (03054) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.429.1002. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Now when you hear “severe service”, you may think it doesn’t apply to you because you don’t feel your driving conditions are severe or extreme – it’s just normal everyday driving around Amherst. At Auto Care Plus, we discuss the conditions that manufacturers classify as severe so that you can make the judgment on your own driving.

• Most trips are less than four miles
• Most trips are less than ten miles and outside temperatures are below freezing in Amherst
• You drive in very hot NH weather
• Driving at low speed most of the time (under 55 mph)
• Stop and go driving
• Operating your vehicle in dusty, polluted or muddy conditions
• You tow a trailer, regularly carry heavy loads or carry a car-top carrier on your SUV

Most Amherst drivers operate under severe driving conditions at least some of the time. How do you know which schedule to follow for your SUV?

Carefully think about your driving conditions and decide if you should do your preventive maintenance closer to the severe service recommendation or the regular recommendation. Of course, your Auto Care Plus advisor can help you with your decision.

At Auto Care Plus in Merrimack NH (03054) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.429.1002. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the SUV engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase.

These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel. This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause engine corrosion in your SUV. At high speeds, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak.

Hollis car owners need to know that over time, the vented gases will gum up the PCV valve and it won’t work well. That can lead to all of the problems I’ve already described, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption and wasted gas.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to test the PCV valve and quick and inexpensive to replace it at Auto Care Plus. Even so, it’s often overlooked because many Hollis drivers don’t know about it.

Check your SUV owner’s manual or ask your Auto Care Plus advisor. If this is the first time you’ve heard of a PCV valve, you might be in line for a PCV valve replacement.

Please ask us about your PCV valve. For the price of a couple of burger combo meals, you can avoid some very expensive deep engine repairs.

At Auto Care Plus in Merrimack NH (03054) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.429.1002. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

In addition to just wearing out, Auto Care Plus customers need to know that suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your SUV manufacturer and Auto Care Plus recommend periodic inspections. During an inspection, your Litchfield service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts.

Signs that shocks or struts are wearing out: The tires may have a cupped wear pattern. This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly as you drive around Litchfield. You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering. If the front of your SUV dives excessively when stopping, or rocks back and forth after you stopped, your shocks may be worn out. And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come into Auto Care Plus for a suspension inspection. Same if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your wheels. Worn or broken shocks can cause premature wear or failure on other SUV suspension parts such as ball joints and other steering components as well. If your suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so let us take care of your suspension components at Auto Care Plus.

When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. That’ll give you more even handling. Talk with your service advisor at Auto Care Plus because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all may be the safest bet.

At Auto Care Plus in Merrimack NH (03054) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.429.1002. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

First, the serpentine belt drives your air conditioning system. Next, the belt powers the alternator.

The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. In some SUVs, power steering may have an electric drive and power brakes can be vacuum driven.

And, on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump (on some cars, the water pump is powered by the timing belt).

Your Auto Care Plus service technician can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.

Merrimack drivers should be aware that there’s a special, spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley and sometimes an extra pulley call the idler pulley. Their job is to make sure there’s a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn’t slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. That’s why it’s often recommended that the tensioner, and the idler pulley if so equipped, be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

All in all, the serpentine belt’s an important part for the function of your SUV. And it’s not that expensive to replace at Auto Care Plus – so it’s good to do so before it fails.

At Auto Care Plus in Merrimack NH (03054) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.429.1002. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Let’s focus on stopping in wet Merrimack conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can’t move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water.

That’s called hydroplaning. At Auto Care Plus we want our customers to know that if it’s really bad, you can actually spin out of control. At best, you won’t stop as fast.

So how does a tire move water? It has channels for water to flow through. Look at a tire and you’ll see channels: channels that run around the tire and channels that flow across the tire. They’re designed to direct water away from the tire so it can contact the road better.

And the deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop on wet Merrimack roads.

So that’s why it’s so important for Merrimack drivers to replace the tires on their SUVs when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of 3/32 of an inch and they have the studies to prove it.

By comparison, you’ve probably seen the wear indicator that’s molded into tires. When tires are worn 3/32 of an inch, the tread wear bar is visible. So the recommended standard has twice the tread depth as a completely worn out tire.

And that little bit of additional tread makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet roads. A safe stop from NH freeway speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires.

There’s an easy way to tell when a tire’s worn to 4/32 of an inch. Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it’s time to replace your tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

You’ve probably heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln’s head. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount.

Of course, tires are a big ticket item for Merrimack car owners. Most of us want to get as many miles out of them as we can. But there’s a real safety trade-off. It’s your choice.

At Auto Care Plus in Merrimack NH (03054) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.429.1002. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.