Q. How often should I rotate my tires?
Your tires should be rotated every 6000 to 8000 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 needing major car repair. 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 needing significant car repair. For further information, check out our check engine light page.

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, causing increased car repair needs. 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 vehicle towed to Waterloo Automotive for service.

Q. When should I get my oil changed?
Oil is the lifeblood of your engine. We recommend 5,000 miles for synthetic blend motor oil, and 7,500 miles for full synthetic oil.

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. Bring your vehicle in for car repair as soon as possible.

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 as it is a much better lubricant.

Q. When should I replace my car's fuel filter?
To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance and reduce the likelihood of needing car repair, 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 iridium 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

Q. How can I avoid costly car repairs?
Routine maintenance is the best way for you to avoid having to repair your car. If you spend a little money on regular checkups for your auto, you can avoid more expensive car repairs down the road.

Call Waterloo Automotive today to have a specialist complete maintenance on your vehicle!

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