RIX Off-Road Division
- Suspension Lifts
- Wheels
- Tires
- Accessories (Off-Road/Overland)
RIX Motorsports Division
- Suspension
- Brakes
- Exhaust
- Wheel & Tires
- Clutch/drivetrain
- Preventative maintenance
- Track preparation
REPAIRS:
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
Anti-lock brake systems ensure that the wheels don’t stop rotating during braking, preventing the car from skidding and offering better control of your vehicle. If the ABS light comes on in your car call RIX Automotive. We’d be happy to take a look at your car to diagnoses and fix the problem.
BRAKE FLUID FLUSHES
Brake fluid will absorb water from the air over time, causing the brake system to become less effective and the fluid to become corroded, with potential of damaging the system. Having a brake fluid flush regularly to ensure that your vehicle is using fresh fluid is vital. Ask anyone on our team to help you get on schedule to have your brake fluid flushed on schedule.
BRAKE HOSES
A brake hose is a tube that carries pressurized brake fluid from the master cylinder to the brakes. A crushed hose can cause a lagged or slow brake, and a leak in the hose can ultimately cause the entire brake system to fail. These don’t need to be replaced often but should be replaced when cracking is identified.
BRAKE PAD & SHOE REPLACEMENT
Brake pads are a common replacement and can be identified by a squealing sound. If you hear a grinding, metal to metal sound it’s likely it’s too late and your rotors or drums are being damaged.
BATTERY, CHARGING AND STARTING SYSTEMS
The starting and charging system provides support for starting a vehicle's engine and provides power to features that need electricity to operate. The starting system in an internal combustion engine vehicle is made up of the starter motor and the ignition switch.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIAGNOSTIC
Just about anything wrong with your vehicle's ignition system will likely cause your check engine light to come on. We run a thorough diagnostic and troubleshoot to determine the root of the problem and do our best to get you back on the road again as quickly and as safely as possible.
DRIVETRAIN
The drivetrain is the group of components of a motor vehicle that deliver power to the driving wheels.A common symptom of a failing driveshaft is an intense shaking coming from underneath the vehicle
SUSPENSION
Suspension is the system of tires, tire air, springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels and allows relative motion between the two. A damaged or collapsed spring can cause sagging and noise and affect alignment angles. While you can still drive, the ride will be rough and the car will be difficult to control in an emergency.
TRANSMISSION
A transmission changes gears depending on car speed and accelerator input (i.e., how far down you push the pedal of your car) so that the engine's RPM or “revolutions per minute” are kept appropriately low. This provides two benefits: Fuel consumption is decreased and the turning gears do not overload your engine
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
To ensure your vehicle continues to be reliable and stable, routine preventative maintenance appointments is key. At RIX Automotive, we provide a complete preventative maintenance program to keep you on track with your vehicle’s routine maintenance needs. We carry all of the comprehensive fluids, oils, filters and belts your vehicle needs to keep running healthy. We offer a complimentary vehicle health inspection with all of our maintenance services, which includes a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s major wear items allowing us to identify any areas of concern and educate you on the overall health of your vehicle.
FLUIDS
One of the areas we inspect is the fluids in your vehicle. Fluids are a crucial part of your vehicle’s system to ensure it keeps running smoothly and prevents overheating. Fluids include brake fluid, anti-freeze, power steering and wiper fluids. Radiators are also checked during this inspection for leaks.
FILTERS
Another area we’ll inspect are the filters. Oil filters, fuel filters and air filters can easily become clogged with debris, dust, oil and natural elements. Its important to keep these clean to allow for clean flow from one compartment to the other. Overtime, microscopic particles can build up and reduce efficiencies within your vehicle. For example, your engine’s air filter; an engine needs a mix of fuel and air to create combustion which can happen when your motor can’t breathe. To prevent this from happening, your filters must be replaced on a regular basis. Also, the cabin air filter can easily be overlooked, however is one of the most recognized difference while riding in the vehicle.
TIRE BALANCING
Balancing your tires is an important component of preventative maintenance. When tires are not balanced, this puts a strain on other components of your vehicle including suspension, braking, and drivetrain systems, which can be costly in then long run. Having your tires inspected on a regular basis allows for a smoother ride and cost savings, preventing for further damages to your vehicle.
TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT
As part of preventative maintenance, timing belts are high on priority list. Most Japanese vehicles have interference fit engines meaning if the timing belt breaks or becomes out of mechanical time severe internal engine damage will occur as the pistons and valves make contact with each other and “interfere” with each others space at the same time usually resulting in bent valves and damaged pistons. RIX Automotive understands the importance of timing belt maintenance and offers timing maintenance packages for all Japanese vehicles.
AIR CONDITIONING
Heating and A/C systems may break eventually with usage, hoses or pipes may clog and drip if not serviced, causing reduced efficiency heating and cooling capabilities. Regular maintenance will keep your AC system operating at peak performance!
COOLANT SYSTEM FLUSH
The coolant system transfers excess heat from one part of the engine through to the radiator. Over time, the coolant becomes old and dirty and will negatively impact the system's performance. To make sure the system is working effectively, consider having a regular coolant system flush.
HOSES
Hoses transfer coolant and antifreeze throughout the engine's cooling system (including the radiator). Sooner or later, your vehicle's hoses will dry out and crack. It’s important to check these regularly to determine if they need replacement before causing damage to your engine.This should be completed by an expert, call us today to thoroughly inspect your vehicle’s hoses.
RADIATOR FLUSH
A radiator is the part of your vehicle that keeps the engine cool and protects it from over-heating. The radiator must remain clean to stay cool. With time, sludge, rust and other debris will build up inside your car’s radiator. This causes the cooling system to be blocked and less effective. To prevent this from happening we recommend a radiator flush when needed.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CHECK ON YOUR VEHICLE?
To help ensure good performance, fuel economy and emissions, we highly recommend that vehicle owners take the time necessary to become familiar with their vehicle. Study the owner's manual to become thoroughly acquainted with the operation of all systems. Pay special attention to the indicator lights and instruments.
There are some simple and inexpensive preventative maintenance items you can do on your own to help extend the life of your vehicle and ensure a safer driving experience. Each vehicle is different, so always reference your owner’s manual for specific guidance in service schedules.
Most vehicles require oil changes regularly every 3,000 – 5,000 miles
Check all fluid levels including brake, power steering, transmission, windshield washer fluid and antifreeze (coolant)
Tire inflation levels should be checked on a regular basis to ensure they’re not over or under-inflated. This can result in loss of fuel efficiency.
For some vehicles chassis needs to be lubricated frequently to extend the life of the moving components of the vehicle’s suspension.
Your engine should be tuned. A fouled spark plug or plugged fuel injector can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.
Checking battery cables for corrosion and cleaning them as needed should be done regularly. Battery fluid should also be checked and filled if it’s low (unless it’s a maintenance-free battery.
Headlights, turn signals, brake and tail lights should be checked frequently.
Inspect engine belts regularly. Worn or torn belts will affect the engine performance.
Filters need to be checked every other oil change for clogging or damage.
The cooling system should be inspected. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically. DIYers, never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled! The tightness and condition of drive belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a pro.