Critical parts of your engine are lubricated, cleaned and cooled by your car's oil filter. Other specifically formulated fluids are used for the operation and protection of systems and components such as brakes, cooling, power steering, automatic and manual transmissions, and transfer cases.
Your car may also be equipped with a variety of filters including those for the transmission, fuel system and interior ventilation.

Why Do I Need This Service?

Periodic oil and filter changes help keep your engine clean on the inside. Dust, metallic shavings, condensation and even antifreeze can contaminate motor oil. Additives, which break down over time, are also subject to contamination.
Other fluids in your vehicle may require periodic replacement. For example, most automatic transmission failures are heat-related, and automatic transmission fluid breaks down rapidly when sujected to high temperatures.
Your car owner's manual may specify periodic flushing and filling of the brake hydraulic system because conaminated breake fluid may lead to erosion and other problems in the hydraulic system, especially on vehicles with antilock brakes (ABS).

     Typical Service

• Change Oil and filter every 3,000 miles or 3 months.
• Many car manufacturers recommend extended oil drain intervals for some drivers.
• If you regularly make short trips in your car, drive in stop-and-go traffic, idle for extended periods, drive in dusty or dirty air conditions, tow a trailer or live in a cold-weather regions - stay with the 3,000 mile/three-month schedule.
• For automatic transmissions, brakes, power steering and axles, vehicle-specific fluids should be used.
• Coolant should be changed every two years of 24,000 miles on cars with ethylene glycol antifreeze. Extended life coolants require less frequent changes.

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Many experts urge replacing belts, radiator and heater hoses at specific recommended intervals to prevent your car from breaking down. Losing a belt today can mean BIG trouble for the engine because of serpentine belts are used on most engines to turn the water pump, alternator, power steering and air-conditioning compressor. If the belt snaps, everything is lost and you may be stranded.
Older cars use individual V-belts for these various accessories. A blown hose could result in an overheated engine and can cause additional damage.

Why Do I Need This Service?

It's not easy to know the true condition of a belt or hose by its outward apperance, because most belts and hoses fail from the inside out. Rubber hoses can become hard and brittl, deteriorating with age and exposure to heat, causeing the hose to split, blister or leak.
Belts also break down with heath, mileage and age. Every time a belt passes around a pulley, it bends. Flexing produces heat that causes the rubber to harden over time, In addition, if the belt is loose or slips, the wear process can be accelerated.

     Typical Service

• Hoses and belts are checked at each oil change for age hardening (or softening) by pinching. Any hose that feels rock hard or mush is due for replacement. Leaking, visible cracks, blistering or any other visible damage on the outside of the hose would also indicate a need for replacement.
• The clamps should be replaced when new hoses are installed.
• V-belts should be replaced when new hoses are installed.
• V-belts and serpentine belts should be checked for loosesness.
• Replace the timing belt between 60,000 and 90,000 miles or based on the interval specified in the owner's manual.

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The brake system is your cars most important safety system. Never put off routine brake inspections or any needed repair so that your car can continue to operate as designed.

Why Do I Need This Service?

 Brakes are a normal wear item for any car. Eventually, they're going to need to be replaced for both performance and safety reasons. Planning can also save you money- your brakes won’t get to the “metal-to-metal" point, which usually means accelerating expensive rotor or drum replacement.
Your car owner’s manual might specify periodic flushing and filling of the brake hydraulic system. Contaminated brake fluid may lead to erosion and other problems in the hydraulic system, especially on cars with antilock brakes (ABS).

     Typical Service

• Have your brake linings, drums and rotors, and brake fluid inspected.
• It's always best to be able to plan ahead for brake work by knowing the brake condition as your car ages.
• The typical "brake job” consists of brake pad and/or shoe replacement, along with related hardware. Depending on the condition or thickness of the drums or rotors, machining or replacement may be necessary
• The parking brake should also he checked for proper operation and adjustment. In some cases, the parking brake shoes/pads may need replacement.

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A proper and routine tune-up allows your engine to work hand-in-hand with the rest of your car’s powertrain. This is how optimum car performance is achieved.

Why Do I Need This Service?

A well-tuned engine delivers the best balance of power and fuel economy and produces the lowest level of emissions. Modern engines compensate for worn parts to a degree, giving you the sense that everything is fine with your car. A routine tune-up will restore your car to its normal operating state, and contribute tothe overall efficiency ofthe engine and emissions system.

     Typical Service

• Based on spark plug type, the replacement interval can range from 30,000 to 100,000 miles.
• Replace any other ignition system and/or emissions system parts that may be needed or recommended.
• Replace the fuel and air filters.
• Adiust ignition timing and idle speeds (if applicable)
• Ensure the onboard computer control system is working properly.

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Maintaining your car’s wheel alignment reduces tire wear improves fuel economy and handling, and increases driving enjoyment and safety

Why Do I Need This Service?

Normal wear and road conditions can take their toll on your car's steering and suspension system, possibly throwing the alignment settings out of specifications. Ball joints, tie rods, steering arms, bushings and other suspension parts all wear gradually over time. Springs will gradually sag and age as miles accumulate.
All of these will affect alignment angles and adjustments need to be made or components need to be replaced to restore optimum handling.

     Typical Service

• Have your car’s alignment checked at least annually.
• Make sure it's a four-wheel alignment, whether car, light truck or SUV.
• Your technician will make adjustments to the camber, caster, toe and thrust angle, if needed.
• Have the alignment checked at the first sign of abnormal tire wear or improper vehicle handling.
• A wheel alignment is a good service to request as an "insurence policy” when you purchase a set of new tires.

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Your car's tires affect its ride, handling, traction and safety. Tires are the critical connection between your car and the road in all sorts of driving conditions.

Why Do I Need This Service?

To maximize tire life and safety check tire condition and inflation pressure regularly and have the tires rotated and balanced lire replacement may be necessary if the tread depth is below the minimum legal requirement, or the sidewalls are severely cracked or punctured. ln some cases, tread punctures cannot be repaired.

     Typical Service

• Check inflation pressure at least once a month (including the spare).
• Have the tires rotated every 6,000 miles.
• Rotation time also serves as a good opportunity to have the tires balanced. Unbalanced wheels can cause rapid wear of shock absorbers and struts, and wheel balance can change as a result of normal tire wear. On full-time four-wheel drive vehicles, a difference of only 1/4 inch between the outside circumference of the front and rear tires can cause expensive damage to the transfer case or center differential. Rotating the tires to keep their sizes equal is critical on these vehicles, and replacing all four tires at the same time, rather than just the front or rear tires, is highly recommended.
• Uneven or accelerated tire wear may indicate an alignment problem. Have your car's alignment checked at least once a year.

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ln 1996 an orange light on your car's dashboard labeled "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" became standard on all car makes and models The light tells you there s a problem with your car's engine and powertrain control system.

Why Do I Need This Service?

An illuminated "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" light indicates a problem detected by your cars on-board diagnostic system (OBD). The light cannot indicate the exact nature of the problem. We have tools designed to diagnose, check and remove the light. It is recommended that you bring your vehicle in at your earliest convenience to prevent further damage to your vehicle. Normally you will also feel a problem in your vehicle as soon as your light is on.

     Typical Service

• A flashing light indicates a problem that is currently happening and may require immediate attention, whereas a steady light can be diagnosed at the first convenient opportunity.
• A technician connects a "scan tool" to your car's onboard diagnostic system to determine the problem.
• Once the problem is pinpointed, repairs are made and the light is reset.
• Further testing and diagnostics may be required to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem.

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Your car's heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC) keeps your car's interior comfortable in any season by providing the right temperature and humidity level. The HVAC system also helps improve defroster operation.

Why Do I Need This Service?

Proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and safety reasons such as defrosting. The HVAC system will work as designed when you need it if you perform this service.

     Typical Service

• A thorough inspection of your car's HVAC system should be performed annually.
• A service technician checks pressures to test operation, refrigerant charge and outlet temperatures.
• If the system is found to be low on refrigerant, a leak test is performed to find the source of the leak.
• Refrigerant may be added if necessary to "top off" the system (some states do not allow "topping off").
• A technician may also check for evidence of refrigerant cross-contamination, which is the mixing of refrigerants.
• A/C service should also include a check of the compressor's drive belt and tension.

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Fuel economy is the number of miles/kilometers per gallon your car gets and this can vary depending on how you maintain and drive your vehicle. Low tire pressure a clogged air filter worn or fouled spark plugs can lower gas mileage. Aggressive driving can also reduce gas mileage as much as 33 percent on the highway and five percent on city streets as does excessive idling driving over the speed Iimit and using the cars A/C system.

Why Do I Need This Service?

A properly maintained vehicle can improve its efficiency and save you money.

Things to consider:

• Tlires can lose pressure due to seasonal temperature changes and prevent your vehicle from getting maximum performance and mileage.
• Air filters can become clogged with dirt, dust or bugs, which choke off the air and create a "rich" mixture that Wastes gas and causes the engine to lose power.
• Worn or fouled spark plugs can cause the engine to lose power or misfire and waste fuel.

     Typical Service

• Tire pressure should be checked at least monthly, including the spare. Underinflated tires can lead to higher fule costs by as much as three to five cents per gallon.
• The aire filter should be inspected at each oil change, which is recommended every 3,000 miles or per the owner's manual, and replaced when dirty, torn, water or oil soaked. Replacing a clogged filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
• A routine tune-up will include checking the spark plugs, which have a replacement interval ranging from 30,000 to 100,000 miles or per the owner's manual, replacing any other ignition system and/or emission system parts that may be needed, replacing the fuel and air filters, adjusting the ignition timing and idle speeds (if applicable), and ensuring the onboard computer control system is working properly. A tune-up can improve gas mileage by an average of four percent.

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