How often should I rotate my tires?
You should rotate your tires every other oil change, or
every 6000 miles. This is very effective in preventing premature
tire wear.
Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at
the recommended interval?
YES. If the timing belt fails, it can result in MAJOR
engine damage. It is much cheaper to replace a timing belt than
to repair an engine with a damaged timing belt.
What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service
engine soon" light comes on?
Today's cars are equipped with many sensors and computerized
components that electronically control your vehicles emissions
and performance. When one of these fails, the "check
engine" or "service engine soon" lights up. Even if your
car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue
addressed to prevent long-term problems.
What should I do if my car starts to overheat?
This is a very serious problem – if your car overheats
for too long, you can seriously damage or destroy your engine.
As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and
shut the engine off! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in
the radiator as it is under pressure and can burn you. The
safest thing to do is have your car towed to a repair shop.
When should I get my oil changed?
Oil changes are one of the cheapest, most
effective forms of preventative maintenance. You should
have your oil changed every 3000 miles with conventional oil or
as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
What is that milky brown engine oil?
Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil.
This can be caused by a blown head gasket (other gasket), a
failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition
is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional
technician quickly.
How can I make sure my car battery has a good electrical
connection?
Battery cables and terminals should also be cleaned and
inspected to make sure they provide a good electrical
connection.
What is synthetic motor oil?
Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output,
turbocharged or supercharged engines, vehicles that are used for
towing (especially during hot weather), or vehicles that are
operated in extremely cold or hot climates.
Synthetic motor oils, though several times more expensive than
mineral-based motor oils, can improve fuel economy and provide
longer intervals between changes. They also provide instant
lubrication on start-up.
When should I replace my car’s fuel filter?
To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, replace
your car's fuel filter approximately every 30,000 miles or as
recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.
When should I change my spark plugs?
For maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance, your spark
plugs should be replaced every 30 months or 30,000 miles, unless
your vehicle is equipped with 100,000-mile platinum tipped spark
plugs.
I need to replace a burned out fuse, what should I
do?
Always replace burned-out fuses with ones of the same amperage
(printed on the fuse) and note that if a fuse continues to
"blow," you should have the circuit checked professionally by
one of our technicians for defects.
188 Route 70
Medford, NJ 08088