Tips & Advice

Have Questions About Your Vehicle?

Call us at (770) 931-0222 or email us your questions about your vehicle and our experts will assist you. Don’t be ashamed to ask us anything we are always glad to educate our clients the more you know the better we can communicate with each other.

How often should I rotate my tires?

Your tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 6000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear.

Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the manufacturer recommended interval?

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.

What does it mean if my “check engine” or “service engine soon” light comes on?

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 issue addressed to prevent extending the cost of repairs or even an unexpected break down. If you reside in any of the emissions testing required counties you will not be able to renew your tag, the light must both work and be off after the initial start of your vehicle (’96 and newer models).

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 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 as it can burn you.

The best thing to do is contact us and let us walk you through the issue. If we are closed please email us or contact one of our 24 hour roadside assistance partners. They will assist you no matter what the time is. We have personally spoken to all of them they know what to do. Rest assure–we are always there for you.

When should I get my oil changed?

You should get your oil changed every 3000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. If intervals are extended, ensure you use oil that is capable of extended mileage changes.

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 to 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. We inspect batteries if visible on every oil change service or under hood service. If corrosion is found we will perform a free battery service and add a protection additive. (Note: If battery not under hood please request battery inspection or at any service free of charge for most vehicles).

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. If your vehicle is equipped with platinum or iridium plugs have them inspected around 60,000 for proper wear, most will last 100,000 miles if the proper maintenance has been performed.

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.

Suspension failure:

This is an example of a failed ball joint, the wheel completely can fall inward or outward depending upon which ball joint failed. In this case the lower failed. If the repair would have been made at the time it was recommended it would have been around $200, but in this situation the tow, body damage and other component damage due to the collapse led to over $600 and could have been life threatening, luckily the driver was moving at a slow speed and was in light traffic.

Tire failure:

A dry rotted tire is just as bad if not worse than a worn out tire. A purchase of a used tire with tread, but has passed its useful life as any product can lead to harmful and lethal repercussions. Expired meats, eggs, or others foods can smell, and look the same but once consumed can lead to poisonous and lethal side effects. A used tire with proper tread, but the rubber itself is dry and seems slightly cracked means it no longer has the same flexibility and cannot withstand the resistance of braking and handling as a new tire. The picture above was taken from a vehicle that was traveling at 50mph; luckily the owner was driving in light traffic and was able to control the vehicle upon its sudden blow out to the shoulder. There have been instances where the blow out was at higher speeds and more traffic and deaths were involved, not only the driver but also other innocent drivers including children. Don’t risk your life or the life of others.

Share the roads responsibly and ethically. Used tire retailers are not held responsible for these malfunctions and do not care about you nor the repercussions, only their profits be careful and educate your self about tire conditions and their expiration dates.

Emissions and fuel system failures:

This picture shows what happens when a over pressurized charcoal canister ruptures and contaminates the fuel system. Kia used as example, and common failure due to lack of a simple maintenance of canister filter not being replaced. Many shops are not aware of this required maintenance and can lead to a very expensive repair. This symptom is limited to certain makes and year models, but is very common. The small pellets in the fuel tank are charcoal from the canister that ruptured, this lead to refueling issues at the pump and also to a clogged and failed fuel pump, that should have lasted several years more. The filter service is roughly around $55 to $65, but this repair lead to over $650-$750. Maintenance is the key essential to a effective and low cost operating vehicle that can last for over 250,000 miles as our vehicles do. Spend a little and get a lot in return, for less over time. Spend a little and waste a lot of money prematurely and reduce life expectancy over a long period of time.