Turn around, don't drown. Venturing through flooded roadways with your vehicle is a gamble you don’t want to take. The force of floodwaters can be unexpectedly strong, with the power to shift heavy objects, from boulders to entire homes.   When you drive into a flooded area, you're putting yourself at risk of losing control of your vehicle. A mere six inches of swiftly flowing water has the strength to topple an adult, while a foot of water can sweep a small car off its wheels, according to the National Weather Service. At least 38% of the people who died in floodwater in 2022 were driving.   Floodwater can stall your engine, ruin your electrical system, and compromise your car's safety features. It can damage roadways and hamper your ability to navigate safely. In the worst-case scenario, you could find ... read more

Frequently driving in stop-and-go traffic or regularly taking short rides to the grocery store can harm your vehicle. Take your car to Milex Complete Auto Care for regular maintenance to ensure it continues to run efficiently. Effects of Traffic and Short Drives The average one-way commute time for American workers is 27.6 minutes, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. While hybrid schedules and remote working helped unclog some of our country’s major highways in recent years, sitting in traffic is still a reality for many Americans. Listening to podcasts and streaming music help solve some of the monotony associated with commuting, but it does nothing to prevent the wear and tear on your vehicle. If you spend a lot of time stuck in traffic, you need to take steps to ensure your car continues to get good gas mileage and maintain its resale value ... read more

Is your car shaking when you hit the brakes? Take it to Milex Complete Auto Care for a checkup. Shaking is an indication of a problem and should not be ignored.   If your car shakes when you hit the brakes, there’s likely an easy solution. Milex is a leader in the auto repair industry, and our mechanics have the training and experience to diagnose the problem and get your back out on the road. We’ve been helping Americans with their cars for more than 50 years. Milex is part of Moran Family of Brands, a franchisor of six brands in the aftermarket auto and window tinting industry.   Let’s explore some of the common problems associated with shaking.   Brakes. The most common culprit when you encounter shaking when you slow down is the brakes. Most new vehicles have disc brakes. The disc, or brake rotor, decelerates when the brake pads apply friction. Over time, brake rotors can warp because friction from the brake pads slowly wears ... read more

Summertime temperatures can do a number on your vehicle. Milex Complete Auto Care has some tips to keep your car running smoothly during the hot summer months.   If you’ve complained about high temperatures this summer, you’re not alone. As Europe battled an unprecedented heat wave last month, temperatures in the United States are also climbing. June marked the world’s sixth hottest month on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. At least 100 million Americans were under excessive heat warnings during the third week of July as temperatures rose well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit across the United States. Although this stretch of warm weather will pass, high temperatures are prompting Americans to crank thei ... read more

If you are racking up the miles on your car and nearing the 100,000-mile mark, it’s time to make an appointment for service at your local Milex Complete Auto Care.   Americans spend an average of 10 hours and 50 minutes in their car each week. By the time the odometer hits 100,000 miles, you’ve logged a lot of memories in your vehicle. If your car’s sentimental value and the high price tag on a new car are prompting you to hold onto your vehicle well past its prime, you aren’t alone. People are keeping their cars longer than ever. The average age of cars on the road is 12.2 years, a record high.   Good news! Today’s cars are built to withstand the ... read more

Before you head out for your summer road trip, Milex Complete Auto Care recommends making sure your tires are ready to hit the pavement.   Prior to packing your bags and stocking up on road trip snacks, it’s important to make sure your tires are ready for the trip. The condition of your tires will impact your car's performance and safety. The experts at Milex Complete Auto Care compiled a checklist you can use to get your tires ready to travel.   All-Weather Tires. If you put snow tires on to provide traction during the winter months, replace them with all-season tires that will handle well during a summer downpour.   Tire Pressure. Check the PSI on your tires. As the temperature goes up, the PSI in your tires increases. For every 10-degree rise in temperature, the tire pressure goes up by one PSI. Over-inflated tires can cause blowouts or overheat.   Tread. Do a visual check of the tread on your t ... read more

Don’t be lured in by repair shops offering discount brake service. Getting a good brake job will extend the life of your vehicle and save you money on repair costs in the long run. While you want your car to run smoothly when you step on the gas, it’s just as important for your car to stop properly when you hit the brakes. The leading cause of car crashes in the United States is distracted driving and weather, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration reported. However, about 22 percent of crashes caused by vehicle-related problems are due to faulty brakes. The experts at Milex Complete Auto Care recommend staying on top of brake maintenance to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle and keep you safe on the roads. How Brakes Work The brakes function by absorbing energy from a moving system to stop motion. When you press on ... read more

What People Should Know About Brake Systems   Brakes are the unsung hero of the car. Stepping on the accelerator and moving down the road is the fun part and gets all the glory, but even more important is the ability to stop or slow down. Effective braking is something we take for granted—until it’s too late. Thankfully, brakes are good about giving warning signs when they are wearing, indicating that it’s time for a refresh. Understanding how different types of braking systems work is a good foundation for knowing when it’s time. Each braking system comprises different parts that work together to brake safely.   How Do Braking Systems Work? When you press the brake pedal, you activate a cylinder, which sends brake fluid to your brake calipers, to engage your brake pads. The brake pads apply pressure to your rotors. The resulting friction is what slows ... read more

Why Speeding is Bad for Your Car Not only is speeding against the law but it is also a grave safety risk for yourself as a driver, others driving around you and your vehicle. Whether you have a need for speed or are running late, take a minute to educate yourself on the negative consequences speeding can have on your car. You lose fuel. There is a price to pay at the gas pump when you speed. Generally, once you go over 50 miles an hour and for every five miles an hour faster that you drive, you’re basically ensuring that you’ll be spending an additional 18 cents per gallon for gas.  If you rapidly accelerate, you can lower your gas mileage by 15 to 30 percent at highway speeds and 10 to 40 percent in regular traffic. You can damage your vehicle. Driving 85 in a 70-mile speed limit on the freeway doesn’t mean that you’re destroying your engine b ... read more

August is Brake Safety Awareness Month, which is a great time to make sure your car’s brakes are in proper working order.  Although the issue of if your brakes are functioning correctly sounds like an easy question, there are several things to monitor when looking and listening for signs that perhaps you need new brakes. Are you seeing or hearing the following? Thin brake pads. You can actually tell by looking at your brakes if you likely are going to have problems. All you need is a ruler. If your brake pads are less than a quarter of an inch thick, you should replace them. Low brake fluids. If the brake fluid level in the master cylinder is low, you may have a problem. Another red flag that you probably need new breaks is if there’s a copper content of 2000 ppm or greater in your brake fluid. Scraping or grinding noises when you press down on the brakes. If you hear this, it’s time to get brake pads as soon as possible. If you don’t, you could do enou ... read more