Maintaining your car doesn't have to be a hassle, just bring it to our team here at Jake's Auto Garage in Harper. We can take care of all the dirty work. However, it's important to know when you should get proper maintenance. Here are some quick tips and advice on the basics of car maintenance!
How often should I rotate my tires? - Here at Jake's Auto Garage we recommend you have us rotate your tires 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 have the timing belt replaced 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 long-term problems or failure of emission tests. Bring your vehicle to us at Jake's Auto Garage and we can diagnose any issues you might be having.
What should I do if my car starts to overheat? - Overheating is a very serious problem and 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 have your car towed to our shop here in Harper.
When should I get my oil changed? - At Jake's Auto Garage, we suggest you 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. Talk to our technicians today if you need extended mileage with your oil change.
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 gaskets), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by one of our professional technicians here at Jake's Auto Garage very quickly.
How to make sure my car battery has a good electrical connection? - Let our team here at Jake's Auto Garage check your battery cables and terminals. They should also be cleaned and inspected to make sure they provide a good electrical connection.
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-ups. If you're trying to decide if you should make the switch to synthetic, reach out to our team. We'd be happy to help!
When should I replace my car’s fuel filter? - To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, bring in your vehicle to 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, we encourage our customers to have us replace their spark plugs every 30 months or 30,000 miles. The only exception is if your vehicle is equipped with 100,000-mile platinum-tipped spark plugs.
Anytime you have questions about your vehicle maintenance or are concerned about what is going on under the hood let our team here at Jake's Auto Garage know. We are passionate about auto repair and we want to keep you safely traveling!
