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Q. 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.
Q. Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt
at the 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.
Q. 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.
Q. 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; the hot fluid can cause severe burns. The best
thing to do is have your car towed to Absolute Auto Repair
Center in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
Q. 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.
Q. Why is engine oil milky brown?
Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the
oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (or other
gasket), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings.
This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a
professional technician immediately.
Q. How do I make sure my car battery has a good
electrical connection?
Battery cables and terminals should be cleaned and inspected
periodically to make sure they provide a good electrical
connection.
Q. Should I consider using synthetic motor oil in my
vehicle?
Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output,
turbocharged or supercharged engines. Or for vehicles that
are used for towing (especially during hot weather), and
vehicles that operate in extremely cold or hot climates.
Although more expensive than mineral-based oils, synthetic
motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer
intervals between changes.
Q. 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.
Q. 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 is equipped with 100,000-mile
platinum tipped spark plugs.
Q. 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. |
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