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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Why do timing belts need to be replaced?
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Like all other components to vehicles, appliances, furniture, etc, timing belts wear out with time. Proper care of your vehicle is needed in order to assure its longevity and reliability. This includes the routine replacing of belts at regular intervals--before they break. When timing belts break, the engine stops causing, at the mininimum, a tow to a repair shop. Timing belt breakage can cause damage to your engine resulting in extensive and costly repairs--in the most extreme cases...a new engine.
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Why do cars need "preventative maintenance"?
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A properly maintained car will be more dependable, longer lasting, and safer to run. As a car owner, you have a responsibility to ensure that emission controls receive regular service and proper functioning and doing your part to keep the air that we breathe clean.. Routine maintenance on your car helps you reach these goals by keeping your enging running effectively, and reducing the risk of potential problems that may leave you stranded. A car that is properly and periodically maintained is also worth more at a trade or when sold, and will also result in an intact warranty.
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What type of motor oil do you recommend?
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Your owner's manual can give you the motor oil recommendation for your vehicle. Generally speaking, 10W-30 or 10W-40 is most commonly recommended for year-round driving. 5W-30 is now approved for later model engines on a year-round basis, but not for many turbocharged, diesel, or some high output V-8 engines.
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How often should my oil and filter be changed?
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Changing the oil and filter should be done often enough to protect your engine from premature wear and viscosity breakdown, generally every 3 to 6 months or 3000 miles--whichever comes first. A new filter should be installed each time oil is changed.
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What should a "complete" Tune-Up include?
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A complete tune-up should combine the elements of preventive maintenance, adjustment and performance analysis. The best guide as to when this should occur is to follow the recommended spark plug replacement interval in your owner's manual. Below is a list of recommended items to be included in a complete engine tune-up:
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Replace spark plugs
Check (and replace/adjust if necessary) distributor cap and rotor, timing, ignition cables, and adjust idle speed
Check ignition performance
Check compression and/or power balance, exhaust emissions
Check dignostic trouble codes
Install new air filter
Replace fuel filter and PCV valve
Check all vital fluid levels, belts/hoses, and all safety items
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