Know what it takes to keep your vehicle maintained

Q: How often should I rotate my tires?
A: Your tires should be rotates every other oil changes, or every 6,000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear.

Q: Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?
A: Yes. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.

Q: What does it mean if my “check engine” or “service engine soon” light comes on?
A: There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the “check engine” light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issues addressed to prevent long-term problems.

Q: What should I do if my car starts to overheat?
A: This is very serious problem – if your car overheats for too long, you can damage 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; the hot fluid can cause severe burns. The best thing to do is have your car towed to Hillside Auto Service.

Q: When should I get my oil changed?
A: You should get your oil changed every 3,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Q: How do I make sure my car battery has a good electrical connection?
A: Battery cables and terminals should be cleaned and inspected periodically to make sure they provide a good electrical connection.

Q: When should I replace my car’s fuel filter?
A: To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, your spark plugs should be replaced every 30 months of 30,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Q: When should I change my spark plugs?
A: 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.

Q: I need to replace a burned out fuse, what should I do?
A: 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.