1.)  How often should I change my oil?

Check your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.  We suggest you change the oil every 3,000 miles or three to six months.
Click Here to see video:  "What Happens When You Don't Change Your Oil Part 1"

2.) When should my tires be balanced and rotated?

Unbalanced tires can cause vibration, resulting in driver fatigue, premature tire wear and unnecessary wear to your vehicle’s suspension. Tires should always be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time, or when they are remounted after repair. Tire vibration may also be caused by poor tire alignment or other mechanical problems.

 

3.)  When does my car need a tune up?

Tune up needs vary from car to car. Check the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you notice decreased fuel mileage or the engine running rough have it checked by a professional. If the check engine light is on it should not be ignored among other things it can mean the engine is running either to rich or too lean on fuel, neither is good for the vehicle.

4.)  What is the difference between a wheel balance and a wheel alignment?

An alignment actually measures and adjusts the suspension of the vehicle to set the direction the wheels point and the angle of contact with the road and how these change when turning. Suspensions that are not adjusted properly can cause excessive tire wear and reduced control of the vehicle. This condition can be both annoying and unsafe.  A balance spins the wheel to make sure that the wheel/tire assembly does not have a heavy spot. Things that spin fast but are not "balanced" can vibrate violently. This also can be both annoying and unsafe.

 

5.)  When should your shocks be replaced?

You can tell by pressing down on one corner of the car and making it bounce. When you quit it should quit bouncing within 1 1/2 bounces. Also when you are driving on a rough road going around a curve it will feel like it is "fishtailing" or another words it will feel like the rear end is trying to come around to the front.

 

6.)  How do I know if my brakes need replacing?

There are two ways to check for brake wear on disc brakes: by looking and by listening. First, check for wear by looking at your brake pads through the spaces between the wheel’s spokes. The outside pad will be pressed against a metal rotor. Generally, there should be at least 1/4 inch of pad. If you see less than 1/4 inch of pad, you may want to have your brake pads inspected or replaced.

Have you ever heard a high-pitched screeching sound when you applied your brakes? That’s a small metal shim, called an indicator, which is giving you an audible warning that you need to replace your brake pads. You should be aware of this sound (which is loud enough to be heard while the windows are up, but not necessarily loud enough to be heard over the radio or air conditioner). If you hear it regularly, quickly make an appointment with your mechanic.