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Archive for September 2020The Easy Way to Save Cash in HerndonPosted September 27, 2020 11:36 AMThe hottest VA news story may be different every day, but there's one topic that seems to come up over and over again – the price of gas in Herndon. If you feel like most of your paycheck goes into your gas tank, this post is for you. Here are several basic things people in Herndon can do to greatly reduce their gas consumption, save money, and help the environment. You can really improve your fuel economy by how you drive – but first, here's a review of things you can do for your vehicle that'll save gas no matter how you drive. Another important item is to keep your air filter clean. An air filter all clogged up with dirt and bugs doesn't let enough clean air through to efficiently burn fuel. Using a dirty air filter will cost you almost 2 miles per gallon/.85 km per liter in reduced fuel economy. And worn spark plugs can cost about the same. A spark plug can fire as many as 3,000,000 times for every 1,000 miles/1,600 km driven. Check the vehicle owner's manual for replacement recommendations. One item Herndon residents seldom think about is their gas cap. A worn, loose or missing gas cap can cost another 2 miles per gallon/.85 km per liter. Adding up all of these worn, missing or sub-par items leads to a total of almost 11.4 miles per gallon/4.85 km per liter in reduced fuel economy! And with current gas prices in the Herndon area, the cost really adds up. Taking care of these simple maintenance items will save Herndon drivers at the pump. Now most vehicles aren't missing on all of these items, but think about which ones might affect you right now! And don't forget tune-ups, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, fuel system cleaning, wheels out of alignment, PCV valve, fuel filter and other services spelled out in your owner's manual. McLearen Shell Herndon Drivers: Is It Time to Replace Your PCV Valve?Posted September 20, 2020 4:26 AMThe crankcase is the lower part of the engine where the crankshaft is housed and where the engine oil lives. The crankshaft is connected to the pistons that power the engine.
Also, the pressure build up would blow out seals and gaskets. So in the old days, there was just a hose that vented the crankcase out into the air. Obviously, not good for our air quality in Herndon, VA. Your vehicle manufacturer usually recommends they be changed somewhere between 20,000 to 50,000 miles/30,000 to 80,000 kilometers. Unfortunately, PCV valve replacement is left out of some vehicle owner's manuals, but your friendly service advisor at McLearen Shell, we will make sure your PVC is replaced if needed. McLearen Shell Change is Good (Oil Change)Posted September 13, 2020 9:02 AMYou've heard that expression, change is good. When it comes to your vehicle's oil, change is not only good, it's vital for the health of the engine. But there's one question that puzzles many drivers: how frequently should my vehicle's oil be changed? There is not one simple answer, but here are some guidelines that will help. It used to be pretty much a rule of thumb that vehicles got their oil changed once every 3 months or 3,000 miles/5,000 kilometers. But times have changed. Oil formulations have gotten better and engine designs have made longer oil change intervals possible. Most experts advise you to read the recommendations that come from the manufacturer that designed and built your vehicle. Their designers and engineers know more about your vehicle than anyone else. They spell out their recommended oil change interval and type of oil in your owner's manual. Many automakers say you can go at least 5,000 miles/8,000 kilometers between oil changes and many recommend even longer intervals now. If you use synthetic oil, it doesn't have to be changed as often. Ever wonder why you have to change your oil? Your vehicle lives in a dirty environment. Contaminants build up in your engine oil and, after time, they inhibit the lubricating properties of the oil. Without optimal lubrication, increased friction inside the engine starts wearing down the metal parts, shortening the engine's life. Not only do vehicle manufacturers recommend oil change intervals in the manual, many also now alert drivers by a light or other electronic indicator on your dash. It doesn't exactly say, "Hey, time get your oil changed. This oil's starting to wear on me." But it does give you a pretty good hint. Some of these warning systems simply measure the distance you've traveled. More sophisticated vehicles have sensors that measure temperature, driving time and engine revolutions to determine when the oil is getting past its useful life. Here's one situation where it's easy to see the light. Do yourself a favor and don't wait too long before coming in for an appointment at McLearen Shell. Oh, and driving habits matter, too. Short trips with a lot of stop-and-go driving will stress your engine and oil more than longer trips at highway speeds. And here's one more plus side to getting your oil changed regularly at McLearen Shell in Herndon. Our technician will also keep an eye on the rest of your vehicle to spot anything that might need attention. The bottom line is this: Oil changes are good for your vehicle in so many ways and probably the most important maintenance service you can get. McLearen Shell Bad VibesPosted September 6, 2020 9:46 AMYour vehicle has a way of letting you know when something's wrong. Consider a vibrating steering wheel. It certainly didn't do that when it was new, so that shake is trying to tell you something. There are a few things that can cause your steering wheel to vibrate as you drive down the road. One of the most common is out-of-balance tires. You may not only feel that wobble in your steering wheel, you might also feel it in the tires. Sometimes it's not there when you're driving at lower speeds through residential areas, and sometimes it starts when you hit highway speeds. So what is tire balance anyway? Well, you have a rubber tire that fits around a metal wheel. It should have the same weight all the way around. If it doesn't, it will start getting the shakes. Ever load your washing machine so that all the clothes are at one side of that drum that spins? When it hits the spin cycle, it can throw that washer against the wall. That's the same thing that's happening with an out-of-balance tire/wheel combination. A technician has special equipment to figure out where to put small weights on the wheel to get things back in balance again. But it could be that you hit a pothole some time ago and bent the rim. Or your tire isn't as round and even as it once was. That could be due to age, damage or wear and tear. The technician will know and offer you options. Another possibility for that vibrating wheel is a faulty brake, such as warped rotors or a sticky caliper. All of these issues can be evaluated as part of regular, routine maintenance with us. There are many things that cause vibrations in your wheels. But you don't want any bad vibes when it comes to your vehicle. McLearen Shell
3043 Centreville Road
Herndon, VA 20171
(703) 318-7744
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Reviews
Excellent work. Josh always does all the maintenance for my Porsche, VW Taureg, and Subi Outback. I can always count on him doing what is needed and never trying to upcharge me for work that is not needed. Jack, 11/30/2021 |
Took our Acura RDX in for brake service today. The staff at McLearen Shell did an excellent job, replacing the front discs & rotors. They advised that the rear pads still had 50% material remaining. Have had a variety of automobiles serviced at this service station over the last 25 years and there service remains outstanding and very reasonably priced. Highly recommended. Rob Saunders, 04/21/2022 |
Great team at McLearen Shell, have regularly changed out brakes, bulbs, oil, valve cover gasket, spark plugs, etc. on a 1998 Gen 4 Camry LE for the past three years. Trustworthy, professional and they know these older still-running vehicles. Always respectful to Ladies interested in vehicle mechanical function and maintenance as well Margaret, 06/16/2021 |