Taking care of your tires:

Proper tire maintenance is an important safety function as the tires are the only thing between you and the road. The most important aspect of tire maintenance is the proper inflation of your tires. Tire rotation, balance and alignment are important to ensure even tread wear and a comfortable ride.

Check Tire Pressure:
The tire air pressure is the single greatest cause of tire damage and failure. Low tire pressure will contribute to losing control of your car in an emergency situation. The air pressure should be checked on all tires, including the spare, at least once a month. Please consult your owner’s manual for the manufacturers recommended tire pressure. Cold and Hot pressures can be found on the sidewall of the tire.

Balance:
Wheel balance is a process in which you install small weights on the wheel to make sure that it is true. You will feel a vibration if a tire is out of balance especially at highway speeds. In addition, an out of balance tire can cause a flat spot on your tire that requires replacement.

Rotate:
It is a good idea to rotate your tires every 6,000-8,000 miles. This will prevent irregular and premature wear and allow you to get the maximum life expectancy from your investment. It’s a good habit to rotate your tires with every oil change.

Wheel Alignment:
We suggest having the car’s alignment checked at least once a year or when your tires are replaced. You will also want to have the alignment checked if your vehicle has any of the following: irregular tire wear, pulling or drifting to one side or a steering wheel that is off center.

Taking care of your car's fluids:

Remember to always check the fluids on your vehicle. The temperature of the vehicle not only affects the fluid levels but could cause injury if you come in contact with the hot engine parts.

Oil Change:
It’s a good idea to always follow the recommendation of the vehicles manufacturer but we recommended that you give your vehicle an oil change every 5,000 miles, replacing the filter as well.

The oil levels should be checked at regular intervals or before trips. Changing and checking your vehicle’s oil is an inexpensive task that will ensure that it operates trouble free, extending the life of your engine and preventing costly repairs. When you add oil to the vehicle be sure not to add too much as excessive oil can cause serious engine problems.

Coolant:
Once again, never check the coolant when the vehicle is hot as it may cause serious injury! Most new cars have a “coolant reservoir” that allows you to check the levels without opening the radiator cap; it should be closer to the Low mark when cold and closer to the High mark when hot. If the level is low and you do need to add fluid use the correct coolant concentration as recommended by the manufacturer. Change out the entire coolant once every two years at a minimum to maintain the correct PH balance of the coolant. Doing this will ensure the integrity of the gasket materials and prevent premature failure of many components.

Windshield Washer Fluid:
Only use windshield washer fluid as it contains anti-freeze and anti-corrosion ingredients. If you use water, during the winter months your reservoir will freeze and possibly crack the reservoir.

Brake Fluid:
It is a good practice to bleed brakes at least once a year as moisture tends to get trapped in the brake caliper and will eventually lead to caliper replacement.

My brakes are making a funny noise.
A chirping noise or continuous squeals and grinding noises almost always mean that your brakes are in need of a mechanic’s attention immediately. Brakes are designed to give you a warning when it is time for new brake pads; if the brake pads or shoes are replaced immediately when the chirping noise begins you can avoid expensive brake rotor replacement costs that will be incurred after the indicators are worn.