Harvey's Helpful Tips — To keep your vehicle running right
- How often should I rotate my tires?
- Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?
- What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on?
- What should I do if my car overheats?
- How often should I have my oil changed?
- Why is my engine oil milky brown?
- How do I ensure my car battery has a good electrical connection?
- Should I be using synthetic motor oil in my car or truck?
- When should I replace my car's fuel filter?
- When should I change my spark plugs?
- I need to replace a burned out fuse, what should I do?
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How often should I rotate my tires?
Your tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 6,000 miles. Failure to rotate your tires is the most common cause of premature tire wear.
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Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?
The failure of a timing belt in many cars and trucks can result in serious engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much higher than the cost of replacing a timing belt.
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What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on?
Modern vehicles have many sensors and components that manage your vehicle's engine performance and emissions with the onboard computer. When one of these components fail, the check engine light is illuminated. Although your car seems to run fine, it's important to have the issue addressed to prevent future problems.
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What should I do if my car overheats?
This is a very serious problem. If your car overheats for too long, you can seriously 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 coolant level in the radiator as the hot coolant and steam may cause severe burns. The best thing to do is have your car towed to Ewing Bros. Service Dept.
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How often should I have my oil changed?
You should change your oil every 3,000 miles or as suggested by your vehicle's owner's manual.
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Why is my engine oil milky brown?
Milky brown color engine oil is an indication of water or coolant in the oil. This is usually caused by a blown head gasket, a broken transmission cooler, or possibly cracked engine block. This is a very serious condition and needs to be checked by a trained technician immediately.
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How do I ensure my car battery has a good electrical connection?
Battery cables and terminals should be inspected and cleaned periodically to make certain they provide a good electrical connection.
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Should I be using synthetic motor oil in my car or truck?
Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, or turbocharged engines. Vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot summer months), or vehicles that operate in extremely hot climates may also benefit from using synthetic motor oil. Although more expensive than petroleum based oil, synthetic motor oil may also improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between oil changes.
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When should I replace my car's fuel filter?
To help maintain reliable performance and fuel economy, replace your car's fuel filter every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your owner's manual.
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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.
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I need to replace a burned out fuse, what should I do?
Always replace burned-out fuses with ones of the same amperage. If a fuse continues to blow, you should have the circuit checked by one of our trained technicians.