Know Your Car FAQs

Yes! Wheel alignment helps makes sure that your tires are not being worn too much in any one spot. Alignment that’s out of order will drag your tires in a way that they’re not designed for.

Have your vehicle’s alignment done at least once every two years, as well as when you make steering or tire changes. Check for problems annually and whenever you feel that there’s a problem with steering or handling.

Check your suspension, tires, and steering. Vibration can cause unsafe tire wear, so act fast.

Postponing crucial maintenance could cost you more money in the long run! Many of your vehicle’s systems rely on one another. A breakdown in one could harm the others, leading to reduced fuel economy, costlier repairs, and other pricey problems.

If you fail to follow regular maintenance procedures at authorized auto shops, you could void your vehicle’s manufacturer warranty. For more details, check with your manufacturer – they are required by law to give you the information you need!

Don’t ignore the warning! Come into your local shop for a diagnosis. Remember, all lights come on when you first start your vehicle – if the check engine light is on later, that’s when you should be worried.

The modern fuel system is more streamlined than the old carburetor system, but it’s important to stay on top of maintenance. If you take the time to care for your fuel injection, intake valves, oxygen sensors, and other components, you’ll find that you gain increased fuel efficiency and a longer lasting, more effective engine than you would get from an old vehicle with a carburetor.

Some manufacturers claim you won’t need a tune-up until 100,000 miles with certain spark plugs. This isn’t necessarily true. You’ll gain a noticeable boost in fuel economy if you replace spark plugs older than 50,000 miles, which means you’ll save on gas. So why wait to get the tune-up?

Yes, you do! Your vehicle will last longer with quality lubricants. Chemicals can restore ph balances to protect internal workings from acidic substances, so chemicals are essential to most flushing services. Speak with us today to learn more.

Your timing belt is connected to a lot of very important elements, and if it goes without warning you could end up with very expensive engine repairs on your hands. It’s much more cost-effective to replace an aging belt than it is to take on all of the repairs that could result from a belt failure.

Your vehicle has lots of sensors checking its many systems. Problems with your systems will trigger these lights, so don’t ignore them! Bring your vehicle to us and let us have a look.

Yes, every 30,000 miles – unless you have platinum-tipped 100,000 mile spark plugs.

Maintenance is the proper upkeep of your car. Safety is what protects you and others on the road.

Yes, it’s a good idea! Check your climate control and make sure that your coolant is ready for the new outside temperature.

You might be able to tell yourself what fluid is leaking, using the color or consistency:

• Antifreeze leaks and overheated engines will show yellowish green, pastel blue, or florescent orange leaks. Check for bad hoses, water pumps, and leaking radiators.

• Oil leaks will be dark brown or black and oily. Look for bad seals or gaskets.

• Transmission fluid is red or pink

• Power steering fluid is light brown

• Differential fluid is brown

• Clear water is usually no problem – it could just be condensation from the air conditioner.

Check this list and see if you can identify the smell:

• Burned toast – this could be burning insulation. Check for a short, and don’t drive the vehicle until a technician looks at it!

• Rotten eggs – most likely a catalytic converter problem or an emissions problem. Come into our shop for help.

• Acrid, thick smell – check for burning oil and leaking oil.

• Gasoline vapors – if your car has failed to start, the engine could be flooded with oil. Wait before trying again, and come see us if the problem sticks around.

• Resin or chemical smell – overheated clutch or brakes. Check your emergency brake!

• Steamy, sweet smell – coolant leak. Keep an eye on that temperature gauge and come straight here – carefully! If you see any steam or other problems, have the vehicle towed.

Tell us what you’re hearing!

• Squeal – shrill noise, usually related to engine speed.

• Click – sharp noise related to engine or vehicle speed.

• Screech – very high sound when the vehicle is in motion.

• Rumble – low and rhythmic

• Clunk – a thump, often without warning.

The better you can describe what you’re hearing, the better we can help you.

Probably! It’s better to be safe than sorry. You’ll save money in the long run if you stay on top of your vehicle’s needs.

Every 7,500 miles – more often if you put your car through tough conditions or tasks. If you drive on hot, dusty roads or cold, snowy ones, aim for more like 3,000 mile intervals.  

That could mean that coolant is in the oil. Look for gasket problems, and act fast. The issue could be serious, and may even be your head gasket.

Yes, especially for high performance vehicles or towing vehicles. Synthetic oil is more reliable, but costs more.

Pull over and shut off your engine! An overheated car can cause serious damage to your engine, so just get it towed. Don’t attempt to check fluid levels – you could scald yourself.

Pay attention to all of them! Your engine light, oil light, ABS light, traction light, tire pressure light, and other alerts are all essential.

Have your cables, batteries, and terminals routinely cleaned and inspected.

Replace your old fuse with one of the same amperage. If you continue to have problems, come see us!

Every 30,000 miles, or as recommended in your manual.

There are lots of effective ways to improve fuel mileage. Here are a few!

• Check your tire pressure. 5 psi low could cost you up to 10% of your fuel mileage!

• Check wheel alignment. Make sure that your tires are working together! Bad alignment can cost you up to 15%.

• Check or replace your filters. Air filters matter to your engine – by as much as 10%.

• Change your oil. This protects and lubricates your engine. Use the proper grade, or you’ll lots 1 or 2% of your fuel economy.

• Get a tune-up! Spark plugs, injectors, and throttles can all have problems that limit fuel mileage. Neglecting these can cost you 4% of your fuel mileage.

• Empty your vehicle of unnecessary heavy items.

• Check your warning lights! Problems with your car can cost you dearly in fuel mileage.

• Observe the speed limit. It’s there for a reason!

The cabin air filter removes gases, odors, and other nasty contaminants from the air inside your vehicle.

In cars, air filters are relatively new – they’ve only been in American vehicles since 1994.

Nope! Your cabin air filter is more advanced and screens for different media.

Yes, very. Air filters protect your health and the air you breathe.

Usually, air filter are located behind your vehicle’s glove compartment or dashboards. They are sometimes in the engine compartment.

Once every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, depending on your vehicle. Check your owner’s manual for more information.

Fail to replace your air filter, and you’ll experience more unpleasant odors and less healthy air.