Check and/or change your Air Filter every 6 months to improve fuel economy and keep your engine running smoothly.
It’s hard to give a specific time or mileage figure because the life of the filter depends on how much crud it ingests. A filter that lasts 20,000 or even 30,000 miles on a vehicle that’s driven mostly on expressways may last only a month or two in a rural setting where the vehicle is driven frequently on gravel roads. Changing it annually or every 15,000 miles for preventative maintenance may be a good recommendation for the city driver, but not its country cousin.
Regardless of the mileage or time, a filter should be replaced before it reaches the point where it creates a significant restriction to airflow. But when exactly that point is reached is subject to opinion.
A slightly dirty filter actually cleans more efficiently than a brand new filter. That’s because the debris trapped by the filter element helps screen out smaller particles that try to get through. But eventually every filter reaches the point where it causes enough of a pressure drop to restrict airflow. Fuel economy, performance and emissions begin to deteriorate and get progressively worse until the dirty filter is replaced.
Many heavy-duty trucks have a “restriction” meter on the air filter housing that signals when the filter is dirty enough to need replacing. But lacking such a device, the best you can do is guess.
Removing the filter and holding it up to a light will show you how dirty it is. If it’s really caked with dirt, it obviously needs to be replaced. Trying to shake or blow the dirt out is a waste of time because too much of it will be embedded in the filter fibers.
NOTE: Many filters that appear to be dirty are in fact still good and do not really need to be replaced. So it’s up to you. If you think it’s dirty, replace it. If you don’t think it’s dirty enough to need replacing, then don’t.
Check and/or change your Air Filter every 6 months to improve fuel economy and keep your engine running smoothly.
Most car batteries today are maintenance-free, sealed and can last more than three years. The first sign your battery should be replaced is often trouble starting the engine
Have your antifreeze fluid changed and Cooling System flushed every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Newer formulas, however, may last up to 50,000 miles.
Schedule a complete and Engine Diagnostics (Professional Maintenance) check every 15, 30, 60, and 90,000 miles.
Take 10 minutes and use our Monthly Checklist to do your own quick visual car inspection and fluid levels check.
Tire rotation or rotating tires is the the practice of moving automobile wheels and tires from one position on the car to another, to ensure even tire wear.
Have your Wheel Alignment checked every other tire rotation and always when installing new tires. Wheel alignment sometimes referred to as tracking, is part of standard automobile maintenance
Joe’s Tires proudly serves the local Berkeley, CA area. We understand that getting your car fixed or buying new tires can be overwhelming. Let us help you choose from our large selection of Tires.
I remember calling Ken Betts Chevron Service Center asking if I could get my 2001 BMW 740iL in for an alignment. He said that the best person he can recommend… read more is Joe’s Tires. Amazing service and was detailed on what I needed and what could use an adjustment. They are really good with their work car felt amazing and did it quickly than expected. Thanks again! Will becoming here again and telling people about this spot.
Tito was awesome. Got my company car in and out for a reasonable price and he communicated well. He made sure I got what I needed (tires and alignment) and… read more didn’t try to fluff the service or price up. Solid place for business. I will be listing this place as my companies go to for service.
Tesla had failed me and my alignment was severely off resulting in my tire wear being very uneven.
No fear because Joe’s Tires fixed it well within the allotted… read more estimate time (just over an hour vs the est. 2 hours). I even had to cut my coffee time short because they were so quick, which, as an added bonus there are tons of shops and restaurants around the area to hang out at while you wait.
Really good service. Tito advised me on my options for tires in a very trustworthy manner, without making any hard sells. Also, they said they’ll provide free tire… read more rotation after 6 months.
Definitely the most wonderful tire experience ever! I know nothing about tires but my mechanic said I needed new front tires and recommended Joe’s…I called and they scheduled an… read more appointment for the next day. In addition to ordering the correct tires, they discovered I had a bent rim and bad tire on the back. They got the rim repaired and did an alignment. OMG…what a difference in driving that made. Every single person I dealt with was just wonderful and I am very grateful to have this place as a resource for the future. I would give it 10 stars!
They were reasonably priced, very pleasant and honest. They could have tricked me into buying a new tire when all it really needed was a patch. When I do need… read more new tires, I will definitely go to this place. Their shop is immaculately clean, and they have a nice waiting area.