Do I really need to change my oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles?
It depends on the vehicle and driving conditions. Many newer vehicles can go 5,000 or even 10,000 miles before needing an oil change. That being said, if you are driving off-road or doing a lot of stop and go driving, the oil may break down faster than anticipated thus requiring you to change the oil sooner. The better the condition of the oil running through the car, the smoother your vehicle is probably going to run and the less likely you are to have engine problems.
Oil changes are much cheaper than new engines, when
in doubt it's better to err on the side of caution.
Why is it important to check my tire pressure on a regular basis?
Improperly inflated tires can dramtically reduce the life span of the tire and impact fuel economy. Have you ever tried rolling an underinflated ball? Doesn't work very well does it? It's the same principle for your car, if the tires aren't properly inflated the engine has to work harder forcing it to use more gas. The biggest issue is shortening the life of the tire. Improperly inflated tires, whether over- or under-inflated can cause the tire to wear unevenly. The uneven wear can create unsafe driving conditions or require you to replace the tire sooner than the normal. It only takes a few minutes to check but it can save you hundreds of dollars.
How to know when to replace car brake pads?
Replacing brake pads at the right time can be critical to your safety and to saving money by not damaging the rotors. The two most important senses are listening and feeling what happens when you brake. If you hear an abnormal squeal it's probably time to replace the pads. Likewise if you feel vibrations or a pulling when you press on the brake, it's a good indication that the pads are worn down. Again, it's super critical that as soon as you sense something is awry for you to bring your car in. Brand new pads are only 12mm thick, once the pad goes, it's metal components rubbing against each other and that becomes an expensive repair job.
What do the numbers mean on oil, and do I need to care which is used?
The first number(such as 10w) indicates the low-temperature(winter) viscosity. Viscosity is a measure of an oil's ability to flow and protect at certain temperatures. The lower the number, the easier the oil will flow in cold weather when starting your car. The second number indiates the thickness of the oil at operating temperatures. When you get an oil change you should follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
I have an older car, how important is it to change oil as frequently?
An oil change puts fresh oil into your car, more importantly it drains out the old oil that can become filled with dirt, metal particles and other contaminants. Infrequent oil changes can cause the contaminants to build up leading to lower gas mileage and possibly engine failure. An oil change is a great way to help keep your car running clean and smooth.
My car is still within the original manufacturer's warranty, do I have to take it to the dealer for service?
This is a huge misconception that the dealership has no incentive to correct. The dealership cannot require you to bring your car to them for service. All they can require to keep the warranty in force is that you have your vehicle serviced according to the manufacturer's recommended guidelines. Fortunately for you, we meet or exceed the specifications for factory services on all major makes and models and we're usually $40-$100 less than what the dealership charges.
In addition, we retain vehicle service history
records so should you have a warranty issue we can
help.
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