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Changing weather can be really tough on your car. Whether it's pollen and allergens clogging your air filter or cold weather tearing up your windshield wipers, there are countless effects the changing of the seasons can have on your vehicle. That's why it's important to bring your car in for some seasonal maintenance. Here at Duncan Suzuki, we're prepared to get your vehicle back on the road and ready to tackle the current road conditions. Here are some auto services we recommend as we transition into the Spring. Replace Your Car's Air Filter As pollen and other allergens fill the air, your car's air filter will be put under more stress than usual. When your cabin air filter isn't changed often enough, the allergens can clog or even damage the air filter. With this dust and debris building up in your air filter, that pesky pollen can start to circulate in your car, lowering the air quality and even making it harder to keep your engine cool. To keep clean air flowing through your car and engine, don't wait to replace your air filter. more Make Sure Your A/C Is Functioning Properly With Summer right around the corner, you don't want to wait on checking your A/C. A car's A/C is the most reliable way to regulate the temperature of the cabin. Whether you need hot air in the freezing Winter or cool air for the blazing Summers, your A/C will keep you at a healthy and comfortable temperature. You don't want to find yourself sweating on the way to your auto service appointment, so get your A/C checked now. Replace Your Windshield Wiper Blades Did you ever need to wipe ice off your windshield during the Winter? Or even just some snow? The cold months can be extremely harsh on your windshield wipers, wearing down the rubber of the blades, making them less effective in wiping water, snow, and other elements from your windshield. Since, we're heading into Spring, rain is going to be more common than ever. Don't let yourself end up with faulty or ineffective wiper blades, because driving in harsh weather conditions without a way to reliably maintain visibility is dangerous for both your passengers and other drivers alike. Check Your Tire Pressure Tire pressure tends to fluctuate heavily due to changing temperatures. This means your tire pressure can begin to drop too much as the Spring and Summer heat comes around. Low tire pressure can cause a variety of problems for your vehicle. Not only does low pressure increase the likely-hood of tire failure, but it also decreases your vehicle's fuel efficiency, handling, and even lessens the life span of your tires. If you're looking to maximize your control on the road, definitely consider getting your tires checked. There are plenty of other auto services your car can take advantage of to prepare for Spring. These are just some of the few we recommend. To learn more about important Spring auto services, or the services we can provide, visit Duncan Suzuki's site. We will give you an informed and transparent diagnosis of your car's current condition and help you get back on the road as soon as possible.

Buying a used car in Pulaski, VA? Smart move! To get the most out of your investment, though, you need to take care of it. Regular used car maintenance can help your ride to run efficiently for as long as possible. Regular Oil Changes Oil changes are the best thing you can do for your car, hands down. Oil cushions the moving parts of your engine. This reduces friction and helps to keep the engine cool. Unfortunately, oil doesn't last forever. As you drive, it breaks down and collects dirt and debris. This cleaning is great for your engine, but the oil gets less effective. Not sure how often to change it? Your car needs fresh oil every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. more Tire Maintenance Regular tire maintenance includes checking your tire pressure, performing rotations, and keeping an eye on your tread depth. Making sure your tires are properly inflated and rotating them regularly helps prevent them from wearing out too soon. You should check out your tires at least once a month to verify that the pressure is correct and glance at the depth of your tread. Stick a penny in the tire tread with Lincoln upside-down. If you can see the top of his head, you need new tires. Brake Inspections Brakes are one of the most important safety features of any vehicle. Brake pads, rotors, and other components wear down with use and eventually need to be replaced. Listen for any unusual sounds like grinding or squeaking, and be mindful of changes in braking performance. Have your brakes inspected at least once a year, or sooner if you notice issues. Fluid Checks and Replacements Your oil isn't the only fluid that needs to be checked and replaced. Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid all degrade over time and can cause serious issues if not replaced. Battery Care Car batteries typically last three to five years, so you might need a new one before you know it. Take a peek under the hood from time to time to look for problems like corrosion or a bloated battery case. When you bring your car in for service, we can test it to make sure that it holds a charge. Fresh Air Filters Replacing the engine and cabin air filters is an often-overlooked maintenance task, but it impacts both comfort and performance. A clean engine air filter ensures that your engine is getting all the air it needs to operate efficiently. The cabin air filter improves the quality of air inside your car. Want to keep your used car running well for years? Prioritize routine maintenance! By getting a handle on small issues before they become big problems, you can save money on repairs and keep your car dependable. Call Duncan Suzuki in Pulaski, VA, to schedule your next maintenance appointment today.

Your car is a great piece of automotive engineering, and it needs regular services to enable it to work at its best. At Duncan Suzuki in Pulaski, VA, we have Expertly-trained technicians, OEM-approved parts, and state-of-the-art technology to keep your vehicle in perfect shape. We want to tell you about a few of the services we offer. Tire Maintenance Tires wear down naturally due to surface friction, but they suffer additional and avoidable damage due to incorrect balance, poor wheel alignment, or lack of rotation. As your dealer, we can correct any or all of these issues for you. Rotating our tires involves shifting each tire to a new position, which equalizes wear and increases tire life. more Wheel balance changes over time as you drive, and a wheel that isn't balanced at the center will wear out faster. We attach your wheels to our wheel balancing machine. This machine identifies any imbalance, and we'll add weights to the tire to correct this. Wheel alignment is corrected by connecting your wheels to our alignment machine, which carefully adjusts each wheel to its correct alignment. Properly aligned wheels cause less tire damage. Radiator Flush The radiator's job is to remove heat produced by the engine. Coolant moves through the engine at high speed, absorbing heat as it moves. The coolant's journey ends at the radiator, where it enters rows of horizontal tubes. Airflow flows through the grille and over the tubes to remove the heat. Coolant becomes slower as it ages and can turn corrosive, leading to engine damage. Our technicians will drain the old coolant, then add new coolant mixed with a conditioner. This mixture is circulated through the engine to remove any trace of the old coolant. Once the system has been flushed, we drain this mixture and refill your engine with new coolant. Oil Replacement Oil is pumped through your engine and lubricates all its moving parts. Lubrication is vital, as many engine components depend on friction to work effectively, and a lack of oil will cause excessive wear and tear on engine components. The swift-moving oil helps reduce the engine temperature, and its additives provide additional benefits like rust reduction and reduce the build-up of engine deposits. Like all other fluids, your oil needs regular replacement. Older oll becomes less effective, leading to increased wear and tear on your engine. We'll drain the old oil, then replace the oil filter to ensure oil can flow freely. We then refill your engine with regular or synthetic oil, depending on your vehicle model or personal preference. These are just a few ways we increase your car, truck, or SUV's lifespan and reduce your repair costs. We also offer a range of specials on our services. Contact us today at Duncan Suzuki in Pulaski, VA.

If you've been in an accident, then you may need to visit a collision repair shop. Fortunately, a body shop that specializes in repairing vehicles after collisions can restore your used auto to its previous condition. Your auto body repair shop may offer a warranty or guarantee on your repairs as well. After an accident, your vehicle may have broken windows, scratched paint, or a dented framework. Even minor damage from collisions can have a huge impact on the overall health of your car. If you don't repair these issues quickly, you risk more serious damage from rust and corrosion in the future. Additionally, fast repairs after a collision will ensure your vehicle is safe to drive. The most common repair needs after an accident include: more Dents Dents after an accident can form on virtually every area of your car, such as the bumper and body panel. For minor dents, a repair shop can suction out the dent and fix the protective paint layer. For major dents, it might be necessary to replace the entire panel or bumper. Significant damage from a collision can dent the framework of your vehicle, which may require framework straightening. Paint Paint damage such as chips, scuffs, and scratches may seem like small cosmetic issues, but damage to your paint can be a serious concern. If you leave paint damage unrepaired, you might expose the frame of your car to water, which can cause rust in the future. Correcting paint damage can be as simple as buffing out a scratch and reapplying the protective coating, or it can be as complex as removing and replacing the paint completely. Headlights The headlights of your vehicle might have been damaged during your accident. It's important for headlights to be swiftly repaired since these lights, like brake lights and taillights, are critical safety components of your vehicle. Headlights should be repaired at a collision center since the wiring of your lights will need to be assessed before bulbs are replaced. Glass Glass is another common repair need. It's common for windshields and windows to be cracked or shattered from the impact of a collision. Glass replacement is usually a simple repair that calls for bonding the glass or replacing the glass completely. What Is the Repair Process? The repair process starts with a thorough examination of all the visible and hidden damage your vehicle has sustained after an accident. From there, the repair shop will give you an estimate for the repair costs, which will include the cost of repair parts. Next, your vehicle will be prepped for repairs, bodywork will be completed, and paint will be reapplied to finish your repairs. It's better to have your car repaired quickly so you can get back on the road. Contact Duncan Suzuki to get a repair estimate today.

When a car starts experiencing engine problems, few people think to check their car air filter. But this relatively simple car part has a large impact on how a car's engine performs, especially if the filter becomes clogged up. Below are the most common signs that an engine's air filter might need to be replaced. You can have a new filter quickly installed at your local used car dealership. Misfiring Engine The combustion chambers inside your car's engine need a steady supply of fresh oxygen to mix with the fuel. If a clogged air filter restricts this inflow of air, the fuel-air mixture becomes unbalanced. This leads to a build-up of excess unburned fuel inside the chambers, which eventually starts to coat the spark plugs in sooty residue. These fouled spark plugs start to misfire, causing the engine to sputter and shake and struggle to perform. more Reduced Acceleration As a result of this misfiring, your engine will rapidly lose power. You'll find it reacting sluggishly when you step on the gas. This might cause problems when you're trying to overtake another car or cross a busy intersection. Falling Gas Mileage When an engine is starved of oxygen because of a clogged filter, it will continue burning through fuel only less efficiently. This means you'll be stopping for gas more often and watching your weekly fuel expenditure steadily rise. Black Exhaust Smoke The excess fuel that a clogged filter causes to build inside the combustion chambers can begin to escape through the exhaust pipes. In the intense heat of the exhaust system, this fuel might combust, causing backfiring. It might also ignite partially, causing black smoke to emerge from behind your car. Check Engine Light Fortunately, the various engine issues caused by a clogged air filter will almost always trigger the check engine light to appear on your instrument panel. It's best not to ignore this warning light; have a technician take a look without delay. Filthy-Looking Filter If you suspect that your air filter might be causing problems, pop the hood to inspect it. Be sure to check in between the filter's pleats. If there are significant dark patches of congealed dirt and grime, you probably need a new filter. Replace Your Filter at Your Local Used Car Dealer Most of the time, air filters will last about a year. If you've been using the same filter for this long or longer, consider visiting your nearest dealership for a new one. If you regularly use particularly dusty roads, or you drive daily in heavy traffic with lots of airborne contaminants, you might need to replace your filter more frequently than this. Have your air filter inspected and replaced today at Duncan Suzuki. We're been diligently serving the region's drivers with top-notch vehicles, deals, and customer service for over 20 years.

When looking for a new mechanic, drivers sometimes worry about being over-serviced with poor-quality work. You can avoid this risk by knowing the signs of a technician you can trust to do a great job. Here are six key qualities to look out for in a auto mechanic when you next take your car in for servicing or repairs. You'll find all six of them and more at your local used car dealership. Experience Whatever the professional service you're looking for, whether it's baking, bookkeeping, home selling, or vehicle servicing, wouldn't you always want to hire the most experienced individuals possible? No matter how keen and qualified a mechanic is, when it comes to cars, nothing beats experience. more Look for dealerships that have been serving their local communities successfully for at least a couple of decades. The fact that they've been around for so long and are still going strong means they're doing things right and have earned repeat, long-term customers. Training Modern vehicles require up-to-date specialist equipment for the best servicing and repair work. Make sure your technician receives regular high-quality training to keep them abreast of changes. This training should, of course, cover every important car part and service type. This includes general automotive repair, preventative car maintenance, engine diagnostics, synthetic oil replacement, cooling system and radiator repair, brake maintenance and repair, and much more. Certification Whenever you visit a dealership, also check that the mechanics are fully certified, which is an additional assurance of quality work. The Automotive Service Excellence certificate is one industry standard to look out for. Communication If you aren't overly familiar with the inner workings of your vehicle, as is the case with most drivers, then the mechanic's communication skills matter a great deal too. They should be able to explain in clear and simple terms what the problem is. They should generally be friendly, personable, and easy to get along with. Call Your Local Used Car Dealership First Before visiting your local dealership, you can always reassure yourself with a quick call on the phone. They probably won't be able to diagnose a car's problem over the phone, but at least you'll quickly learn that they're courteous and professional with clear communication skills. Cost-Consciousness The best mechanics want happy long-term customers. This means always acting in your best long-term financial interests. This means focusing on helping you keep your car in excellent condition at minimal costs. A good mechanic will also let you know about upcoming future expenses you're likely to face, such as replacements of tiers and brake pads. Specialization Every car make and model is different. So you'll often find cost savings simply by hiring mechanics who specialize in your particular vehicle. A mechanic who primarily works on used vehicles has repaired your car model dozens, hundreds, perhaps even thousands of times before and will therefore be able to diagnose and fix issues far more efficiently than a generalist technician. To have your car serviced and repaired by experienced professionals today, visit Duncan Suzuki. Our certified mechanics and all our staff always put the customer first and have been doing so for over 20 years.

Your car depends on a healthy battery to start your engine. Over time your battery will slowly wear out and eventually fail. As your used car dealer, we can test your battery and replace it or repair any damaged components to ensure it's working correctly. We like you to know some signs that you'll probably need a new car battery soon. Your Battery Is Old A car battery usually works effectively for three to five years before it needs replacement. With good care, a battery can last for up to six years. Inevitably, your battery will age and start to fail. Battery failure is usually caused by the breakdown of chemicals inside the battery, but can also occur due to other worn or damaged components. more There are tell-tale signs that your battery is failing, including increasing difficulty in starting the engine and dim interior and headlights when your engine is switched off. These signs aren't definitive, and they can be caused by other issues. We recommend booking a battery check-up. We'll connect your battery to our battery tester and check its health. If it's failing, we can install a new one for you. Phantom Drain A phantom drain is a strange situation where your battery is working perfectly and then is almost dead. This situation usually occurs overnight when the engine is switched off. When your engine isn't running, the battery supplies power to all your devices, including the alarm, lights, and other accessories. These systems don't place a strain on a healthy battery. The phantom drain is caused by an electrical system that doesn't switch off when it should. The glove box and trunk lights are two of the main systems affected. These lights will remain on due to an electrical fault and will drain significant amounts of power in just a few hours. If you experienced a phantom drain, we'll trace the source of the drain and repair it to fix this problem. Rotten Egg Smell A nasty rotten egg smell from the engine usually means your battery is failing. A failing battery leads to the creation of hydrogen sulfide gas, which causes corrosion and hastens battery failure. It can also be due to a faulty alternator that provides too much power to your battery. The alternator is responsible for recharging your battery and usually does this very efficiently. A worn alternator could be supplying more power to the battery than it should. This additional power increases the temperature in the battery and causes the chemicals to boil. The boiling chemicals produce a harsh rotten egg smell. We'll examine your alternator and install a new one if necessary. If your battery is failing, call us right away at Duncan Suzuki! Our rigorously trained technicians will fix the problem!

Good, well-maintained brakes allow you to control your speed and stop in an instant. This can be vital, as a potential accident situation could occur at any time. Brake components can wear out through use, and you'll need a brake repair. Your Suzuki dealer in Pulaski, VA, can fix any braking issues for you. These are a few signs that your brakes need to be checked. Screeching Noises Your brake pads are an essential part of your braking system. They fit into the brake calipers and generate friction against the wheel rotors. This friction slows and stops the rotors. The pads have a thick friction material covering, but this covering wears down slightly each time you use your brakes. The material covering is 1/2" thick when the pad is new, and when it reaches 1/4" thickness it's time to change the pads. more The pads manufacturers build a warning into each pad by installing a metal spike. Once the pad drops to 1/4", this spike will scratch against the rotor and produce a loud screeching noise. When you hear a screeching noise, you know you need new pads ASAP. Weak Brake Pedal When you step on the brake pedal, you expect resistance. The harder your press on the pedal, the more resistance you'll encounter. This resistance is due to the pressure in the braking system. High pressure is essential, as your brakes have to slow and stop a vehicle weighing an average of 4,000 lbs that's moving at speed. If you encounter little resistance from the pedal, this is a worrying sign. It means that the pressure in the brake system is low. The possible causes of low pressure are a blockage in the system or a brake fluid leak. Air can cause a blockage and reduce the pressure in the system. Low brake pressure means that the brakes will take much longer to engage. Pulling to One Side If your Suzuki pulls to one side when you hit the brakes, part of your braking system has failed. This problem occurs when the brakes on only one side of your car engage. Your car automatically moves towards the side with the working brake. This failure can be dangerous, as turning to one side could potentially result in an accident if it happens unexpectedly. Pulling could mean a hydraulic failure, as the brake fluid isn't exerting pressure on the caliper. This problem could also be a mechanical failure as the relevant caliper may have failed. Our technicians will examine your braking system and find and fix the problem. Don't risk driving with a braking problem. Come and see us at Duncan Suzuki.

Your Suzuki's alternator has the vital job of supplying all of the power for your car's systems and devices. The alternator generates power by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Like any component, your alternator may eventually start to fail, and you'll need an alternator repair. In Pulaski, VA, your friendly Suzuki dealer can help you. These are signs that your alternator is failing. Burning Wiring The electricity produced by your alternator has to be transported throughout your car. This requires a large network of wires and cables that run through your engine. A car's engine is a very inhospitable place for wiring, as it's hot and subject to constant movement. The wiring is protected by thick plastic and rubber coverings, but wires can still get damaged. more In time, wires can fray or break. A broken or damaged wire will cut off electricity to one or more of your car's components. The lack of electricity will be noted by your car's computer. Your alternator will be ordered to supply more power, and this causes the wiring to heat up. As the wiring gets hotter, it can cause the rubber or plastic coverings to burn. A Dead Battery Your car's battery has a limited life, and if it's over five years old, it's probably worn out. If, however, you have a newer battery that runs down, the problem could be a worn alternator. As your alternator gets older, it produces less electricity. Eventually, your alternator won't be able to produce enough electricity for all of your car's systems and devices. The lack of power will also affect your battery, as the alternator is responsible for keeping it fully charged. A worn alternator won't be able to fully recharge your battery. Your battery will slowly grow weaker, and will eventually fail due to lack of recharging. Our technicians can your alternator, and we'll replace it if it's failing. Blown Alternator Fuse Your alternator, like any other electrical system, is controlled by a fuse. Fuses are designed to protect the component they're connected to from electrical faults by blowing. A fuse that blows will cut off power to the component it's responsible for. This protects the component from damage but switches it off until the fuse is replaced. If your alternator fuse blows, the alternator will shut down. When the alternator isn't working, your battery will have to supply power. A car battery isn't designed to supply all of your car's electrical needs, and this will cause it to fail. Most alternator problems can be quickly and easily fixed. If you suspect a problem with your alternator, call us at Duncan Suzuki.

Your car is an exceptional vehicle, and to keep it operating at its full potential, it requires regular car maintenance. Parts can wear out, lubricants can run low, and replaceable items need to be replaced. At your local used car dealership, we can provide all of your auto maintenance needs. These are a few of the services you'll find when you visit us. Transmission Service Your transmission is one of the hardest working parts of your car. It works continuously to convert your engine power into a usable form to move your wheels. The transmission is directly connected to our engine by the torque converter. This means that a problem with the transmission will also lead to problems with your engine. more When we service your transmission, our expert technicians check every part of it for signs of wear or damage. We replace gaskets and seals to ensure that there's no possibility of a transmission fluid leak. We also replace the transmission filter and refill the transmission with clean transmission fluid. You'll immediately notice the difference as soon as you shift your transmission into drive. Tire Rotations Your tires suffer wear and tear each time you drive. Slowly, the tread starts to get thinner, and parts of the tires take extra wear. Tires are expensive to replace, and this makes it important to keep them in good condition for as long as possible. When we rotate your tires, we switch tires from positions of greatest wear to positions of lesser wear. The level of wear and the positions on the tires that suffer depend on the type of drivetrain you have. FWD, RWD, and AWD vehicles all have different wear patterns. Once we've rotated your tires, you'll start to notice the benefits as you drive. Our technicians will also the alignment and balance of your tires as we rotate them. Battery Testing The battery in your car provides the charge that starts your engine. When you press the button, an electrical charge is sent from the battery to the starter solenoid. This charge powers the solenoid and begins the crank. A battery has a relatively limited lifespan, and it will wear out in three to five years. As the battery starts to wear out, it will become more difficult to charge. To prevent being stuck on the highway with a dead battery, we advise a battery test when your battery is three years old. We'll connect your battery to our testing unit and subject it to a series of tests. If your battery shows signs it's failing, we can replace it for you. We have many more services available! Come in and see us at Duncan Suzuki!

Your transmission suffers more wear and tear than any other part of your vehicle. The transmission operates under conditions of great heat and friction due to the hundreds of moving parts inside it. Any of these parts can wear out or break and will need to be replaced. We can help you when you need a transmission repair, and these are some of the signs to watch for. Shaking and Grinding Your transmission should shift gears smoothly and easily, regardless of whether you or your transmission control shift them. Grinding and shaking are signs of a transmission problem. The first sign of a problem with an automatic transmission is a slight difficulty when the computer shifts gears. This shaking feeling will become more jarring over time. more A manual transmission produces a grinding feeling when you shift gears. If the grinding continues when you press the clutch and shift the gear, it can also be a sign that there's damage to the clutch or gear synchronizers. Our technicians will examine your transmission, and find and fix the cause of the problem. Transmission Leak The transmission is filled with fluid, which lubricates the hundreds of working parts in the transmission. The fluid also reduces the temperature and provides hydraulic power to make gear shifting easier. Without this fluid, your transmission would very quickly overheat and suffer serious damage. Transmission fluid is bright red and turns a darker red as it ages and it has a sweet smell. A pool of this liquid on the ground means there's a transmission leak. The most common sources of leaks are from the seals, lines, or the transmission pump. There are seals in different parts of the transmission, and age and heat can crack one or more of the seals, and fluid will leak out. Fluid is carried throughout the transmission by steel and aluminum lines. These lines can suffer damage over time, and a small crack can cause a fluid leak. Finally, the transmission pump can get damaged and also leak. Difficulty Shifting Gears Another obvious sign of a transmission problem is a slow response in shifting gears. In an automatic transmission, you'll notice a delay between when the transmission computer shifts gears and when the gear engages. In time, this delay will become more noticeable. A manual transmission will show your RPMs as running higher than necessary for the speed you're traveling. Two of the most common reasons for difficulty in shifting are a lack of transmission fluid or a blocked transmission filter. Low transmission fluid will make gear shifting more difficult due to the reduced hydraulic force available. A blocked transmission filter will reduce the flow of the fluid and delay gear shifting. Many drivers worry as soon as they suspect a transmission problem. Transmission problems have a reputation for being very expensive. Early action to fix a problem can save you money. Call us at Duncan Suzuki, and our skilled technicians will repair the problem.