McCullough NAPA Car Care has compiled a list of common car care maintenance questions and their answers.
How Often Should I Rotate My Tires?
Your tires should be rotated every other oil change or every 5,000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear.
When Should I Get My Oil Changed?
It would help if you got your oil changed every 3,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. If intervals are extended, ensure that you use oil capable of extended mileage changes.
What Is Synthetic Motor Oil?
Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines. Vehicles used for towing (especially during hot weather) or vehicles operated in extremely cold or hot climates should also consider using synthetic motor oils.
Though several times more expensive than mineral-based, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes. They also provide instant lubrication on start-up.
Why Is My Engine Oil a Milky Brown Color?
Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket, a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is severe and needs to be checked by a professional technician.
Is It Necessary To Replace My Timing Belt at the Manufacturer’s 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?
Many sensors and computerized components manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one fails, the “check engine” light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to address the issue to prevent long-term problems or failure of emission tests.
What Should I Do If My Car Starts to Overheat?
This is a severe problem. If your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. If this happens, find a safe place to pull over and shut the engine off! Please do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator, as it can burn you. The best thing is to have your car towed to our repair shop.
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 has 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.
