Over time, dirt can cause corrosion and decrease the life of an engine. ... Routine oil and filter changes help remove particles and sludge and keep engines at peak condition. Improves gas mileage. Poor engine lubrication can lead to increased fuel consumption, so make sure there is enough clean oil in the engine.

What happens when you don t change the oil in your car?
The most common issue is that the parts in your engine will become too hot. This can cause the engine to run less efficiently, and as time goes on, it can cause the engine components to warp and wear out. ... Eventually, if the oil is not changed, the entire engine will shut down and have to be replaced.

To determine the need for brake service, it's a good idea to get your brake system inspected regularly. You can do it at certain intervals, like every 10K miles, or ask your mechanic to check brakes with every oil change.

When should I replace brake pads?

Some brake pads need to be replaced after about 50,000 miles. This is relatively average. Like we said before, a number of factors can influence the rate at which your brakes and brake pads wear down. Some need to be replaced at 25,000 miles, while others can last for up to 70,000 miles.

What does it sound like when your rotors are bad?

Noisy brakes. One of the first symptoms commonly associated with bad brake rotors is noise. If the rotors are warped (meaning not perfectly flat) or severely worn, they may produce squealing or squeaking sounds. Usually warped rotors will produce a squeak, while severely worn rotors will produce a scraping sound.

When should I replace my wiper blades?

Wiper blades should be replaced every six months to a year or as soon as you notice a difference in driving visibility. When wiper blades no longer make proper contact with the windshield surface, they can begin to squeak, chatter, skip, smear or streak reducing driving visibility.

How do I know if my wiper blades need replacing?.

If you even suspect your blades aren't doing a good job, it's time to replace them.
1.Rubber Problems. Take a close look at your windshield wipers. ...
2.Windshield Streaks or Film. ...
3.Chattering Sounds. ...
4.Bent Frames. ...
5.Bad Windshield Contact. ...
6.Season Changes.

How do you know if your serpentine belt is going bad?

Cracks and wear on the belt. ... If you notice any of these, it is time to replace your serpentine/drive belt. As soon as you notice a squealing noise, loss of power steering, the engine overheating, or the belt looks bad, call a mechanic immediately to diagnose the problem further.

What happens when serpentine belt breaks?

That means when your belt breaks, slips and, ultimately, wears out, everything - from the power steering pump to the alternator and air conditioner - stops working. ... Broken hoses and belts are bad; a damaged engine is even worse. By replacing your belt periodically, you can minimize the risk of breakdown

What is power steering service?

Your vehicle's power steering system is very complex and is perhaps the most overlooked of all vehicle systems requiring regular maintenance. ... The power steering fluid should be exchanged whenever a system component (pump, hose, rack & pinion, etc.) is replaced.

How do you know if your power steering pump is going bad?.

If you hear a whining noise while turning the wheel of your vehicle, something is wrong with your power steering system. It could be a leak in the power steering pump or the fluid level could be low. If the fluid level is left this way for too long it can damage the whole power steering system.

How long does an AC recharge last?

Your air conditioning is not something that runs constantly, so unless you live in a very hot climate, you can usually expect a recharge to last at least three years.

Why not wait until it stops working to service the A/C?

The refrigerant in your car A/C works much like the oil in your engine, cooling and lubricating the compressor. In fact, the refrigerant carries the oil needed to lubricate the compressor. As the system gets low on refrigerant, the amount of oil carried to the compressor reduces, and the amount of heat the oil and refrigerant can carry away from the compressor goes down. Operating the A/C with low refrigerant is much like running your engine low on oil. It will cause damage.

What does a fuel system cleaning do?

Fuel injector cleaning or carburetor cleaning, intake valves, and combustion chambers with fuel system cleaner. Use fuel system cleaner to purge water from the fuel system. Lubricate valves, cylinders, injectors, and rings. Remove varnish, dirt, carbon and other deposits from the throttle body and throttle plate.

When should I change my engine air filter?

The engine air filter should be replaced between 15,000 and 30,000 miles, depending on driving conditions. If you drive on unpaved roads, it needs to be changed more often. If you don't drive a lot, an air filter should be replaced at least every 3 years, as with age it becomes brittle.

What does a dirty air filter cause?

A dirty air filter prevents the necessary volume of clean air from reaching the engine which affects the emission control systems of the car; reducing air flow and causing a too rich air-fuel mixture which can foul the spark plugs. Fouled spark plugs can create an engine miss, rough idle and even starting problems.

How do I know when my car needs a new battery?

Warning signs that may indicate your battery is on the fritz 1.The battery can be the problem if: Jump starting the car will start your car and it continues to run when the jumper cables are taken off. In this case, the alternator is not the problem because it keeps the battery charging once it is started.

The alternator can be the problem if: The car will jump start, but when the jumper cables are taken off, it shuts off. This is because the battery is not being charged by the alternator.

Contact your mechanic to schedule an appointment to test your battery and alternator.