Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I change my oil?
2. How often should I receive a tune-up?
3. Do I really have to rotate my tires?
4. Are there any special signs I should look for when purchasing a used car?
5. Do I have to go to the dealership for regularly scheduled maintenance?
6. How often should belts and hoses be replaced?
7. What should be included in a "complete brake job?"

 

 

1. How often should I change my oil?

The simple answer: every 3,000 miles or 3 months (whichever comes first) for regular oil, every 5,000 miles or 5 months (whichever comes first) for synthetic. But in truth, the answer isn't quite that simple. Check out the article "Lube Jobs" on our Tricks of the Trade page for a more comprehensive answer. TOP

 

2. How often should I receive a tune-up?

Most cars require regularly scheduled tune-ups yearly and major maintenance at 30,000 miles. TOP

 

3. Do I really have to rotate my tires?

Yes. Rotation ensures the even wear of all four tires, which maximizes their lifespan. TOP

 

4. Are there any special signs I should look for when purchasing a used car?

Obviously, if you take the car for a test drive and it's making strange noises or isn't driving properly, that's a good sign the car isn't in optimal condition. But there can always be issues with a car that don't present themselves in plain sight (or sound) when you take it for a spin. To be safe, you should always get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic. The cost is minor and these types of inspections almost always arm a buyer with valuable information that can be used to negotiate the price of the vehicle. TOP

 

 

5. Do I have to go to the dealership for regularly scheduled maintenance?

No! You can certainly have maintenance performed at any independent repair shop of your choosing and still maintain the warranty on your car. And you should! Why? Let's say your engine locks up at 20,000 miles. Most warranties will cover that repair, but if you don't have service records indicating that you've been maintaining your car properly (getting routine oil changes, etc.), your warranty might not foot the bill! So by all means, get your regularly scheduled maintenance performed by a mechanic you trust at a repair shop you like. You don't have to depend on the dealership. TOP

 

 

6. How often should belts and hoses be replaced?

Most hose manufacturers recommend replacing hoses every four years. With V-belts, every three years or 36,000 miles. The incidence of failure rises sharply after the forth year for hoses and the third year for belts. A typical serpentine belt lifespan is about five years or 50,000 miles. Serpentine belts are thinner and more flexible than V-belts. They run cooler and last longer, but they cost about twice as much to replace. TOP

 

 

7. What should be included in a "complete brake job?"

A complete brake job should restore a vehicle’s brake system and braking performance to good-as-new condition and should begin with a thorough inspection of the entire brake system: lining condition, rotors and drums, calipers and wheel cylinders, brake hardware, hoses, lines and master cylinder. Anything less would be an incomplete brake job. Brake components that should be replaced will obviously depend upon the age, milage and wear. There is no simple answer that explains which items will need replacing and which ones won’t. It’s a judgment call your mechanic must make. TOP