Mastering Engine Diagnostics & Performance: Insights from Ditmire Motorworks

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Discover expert oil change & maintenance at Ditmire Motorworks in Absecon, NJ. Enhance your vehicle's performance. Schedule an online appointment now!

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BE SAFE OUT THERE 2026!!! This year, as with preceding years, the days between Memorial Day (Monday, May 25) and Labor Day (Monday, September 7) are expected to be the most dangerous and deadliest days for driving. With people taking vacations or engaging in Summertime activities, more people are on the roads, including young drivers who may lack experience. The CDC warns us that drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are 3x more likely to be involved in fatal car crashes during this time 1 , and the NFRS concurs 2 , revealing that these young drivers are 20% more likely to be involved in fatal car accidents during this time. This is speculated to be due to a number of risk factors including general inexperience driving, underage drinking, not taking proper safety precautions such as wearing seatbelts, speeding or driving unsafely, and distracted driving. This last behavior, of course, is not just a “teen thing”: with the advent of handheld cellular devices, we’ve all experienced those “pings” when we receive phone calls, texts, or messages….and we’re often guilty of looking to see who’s contacting us. If we receive a text, we may even take a few moments, brief as they seem, to see who’s contacting us or to respond. Distraction coupled with inexperience can be fatal….but overconfidence in one’s ability to multi-task can be equally dangerous for experienced drivers. Experienced drivers may over-estimate their abilities to perform other tasks while driving, and this can lead to avoidable accidents. “Multi-tasking” shouldn’t be applicable to driving. Even a few seconds of distraction can be deadly. The FCC warns us that 8% of fatal crashes, 12% of injury crashes, and 11% of all police-reported motor vehicle crashes resulted from distracted driving. And, while hands-free devices are safer options, distractions of any kind can be detrimental. With more than 3,300 people being killed and nearly 290,000 people being injured in these situations, this is definitely not something to be taken lightly 3 . Obviously, adding drinking or “being high” to distracted driving is a clear recipe for disaster, so exercise good judgement. And maybe you weren’t intoxicated driving to the shore, but if you ARE driving home, you’re still putting yourself in danger. Behaviors such as eating or attempting to perform other tasks while driving can also end up in disaster. If you’re travelling with passengers, make sure they know the importance of not distracting you as you drive. With more people on the roads over the Summer, the odds are higher that you could end up being involved in an accident, so, please, if you’re planning to be on the road this Summer, please be mindful of not only your own responsible behaviors, but also be on the lookout for any other drivers who might be engaging in unsafe behaviors. And if you’re unsure of the condition or “roadworthiness” of your vehicle, please stop by, and we’re happy to check it over and contribute to your safety! 1. https://www.cdc.gov/teen-drivers/risk-factors/index.html 2.https://nrsf.org/100-safest-days-summer#:~:text=Distraction%20includes%20but%20is%20not,before%20getting%20behind%20the%20wheel. 3. https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/dangers-texting-while-driving .

1. Oil: Proper lubrication is necessary for preventing premature wearing down of critical engine parts. It must be stated that, without proper lubrication, engine parts will experience much more friction and heat than they were designed to tolerate. Parts melt, warp, and break under those stresses, and those repairs, alone, will add up. Degraded oil also creates sludge, which can clog your engine and prevent proper oil flow through it. Thus, sticking to a rigid schedule of oil changes every 3,000-5,000 miles is a front-line priority in keeping your engine healthy and in maintaining reasonable fuel efficiency. If your car is having to work harder, it burns more fuel. However, it’s not just the oil changes. The quality of the oil used is a critical part of proper maintenance. Fully synthetic motor oils are a go-to for European import autos for several reasons: the oil molecules are fairly homogeneous in size and shape, reducing the viscosity that you will see with natural, unrefined motor oils. Fully synthetic motor oils also resist the sludge-producing thermal breakdown you see with natural oils. 2. Transmission: Most people don’t think much about transmission services until something starts to go wrong, but, by then, damage is done. Getting fluid services every 40,000 miles and using the appropriate high-performance transmission fluid for your car ensures that proper lubrication, cooling, cleaning, and hydraulic pressure are maintained and save on having to get transmission repairs later. A little attention to regular service, which isn’t expensive, can prevent a transmission replacement, which gets expensive. 3. Brakes: Obviously, being able to STOP is vitally important. Brake wear is a very progressive problem that you may not notice until the later stages, but, once you do, understand that it’s only going to get worse from there. Car parts don’t magically fix themselves, and no one wants to risk brake failure. Brake pads typically last 25,000-70,000 miles, and rotors 30,000-70,000 miles, but any grinding, screeching, or difficulty in stopping should trigger a trip to the shop. 4. Tires and Wheels: If you’ve ever experienced a blowout at speed, you’ll realize the importance of making sure your tires are roadworthy. Checking tire pressures routinely can ensure that you’re doing the first thing in maintaining them, but WHEEL ALIGNMENT is another aspect you need to consider. Your tires will last longer and be in better shape if you make sure your wheel alignment is maintained. Misaligned wheels put uneven stresses on tires that can compromise them and shorten their lifespans. Misaligned wheels can also contribute to expensive issues with your suspension system that you’d do better to avoid. Remember that Euro imports need 4-WHEEL ALIGNMENTS. 5. Check Engine Lights: Don’t be guilty of not getting these investigated in a timely fashion! The causes can be simple malfunctions that compromise your emissions, but they can also be the warning sign that something’s about to go bad. Especially, if the check engine light is flashing, you need to pull over and get a tow. Catastrophic engine failure will likely “total” your car, so don’t risk it. They’re called “warning lights” for a reason, and, no, it can’t wait until next week.

Discover expert brake, suspension & steering services at Ditmire Motorworks in Absecon, NJ. Enhance your car's performance. Schedule an online appointment now!