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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 brought my car in with a slow leak in one of tires due to a small screw in the center of the tread. My car had also recently developed… read more a slight wobble in the front wheels at highway speeds, that I suspected was due to a slight imbalance in the front wheels.
At the shop the man at the counter told me that I probably needed new front tires, before he even looked at the car. When he did look at the car he said that they could do nothing, as the tread was too badly worn.
I measured my tread depth with my tread gauge and found about 50% tread remaining on the fronts and 38% on the rear. The tire industry guidelines recommend not fixing a puncture if there is less than 20% tread left. Additionally, all my tread had worn evenly across the faces of the tires.
I then went to Don's Tire in Berkeley and they had no problem in fixing the puncture and rebalancing my front wheels, with the result that my car is running smoothly at all speeds.
My next set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires for the car will not be bought from this shop.
Jim N.
I put off getting my tire looked at, but they were able to get me in for a same day appointment. They were very thorough and took their time to… read more find a hidden nail in my tire. Great service, nice people, clean and comfy waiting area.
Alison P.
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 rotation after… read more 6 months.
Paul M.
Last night I got a flat tire at 4:45 and my regular tire shop couldn't help me so I called Joe's and I took my car down there immediately. I… read more thought I would have to wait til the next day but they stayed a little late and fixed it with a smile. They are my new favorite tire shop in Berkeley! Thanks Joe's for going to extra mile. Having my car back for the weekend makes a huge difference!
Hillary M.
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 estimate time… read more (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.
Tien N.
Joe's Tires fixed the nail in my tire. I found the service to be extremely fast and friendly. The repair was also very reasonable. Highly recommend their services.
Holly A.
Came 15 min to 6pm for them to check my tires… the guy said I have another job I can't help you.
Manager said: “tire repair takes an hour”
Horrible… read more service.
Is not even about the closing time, is the employees' attitude.
Yudith V.
The guy I initially spoke to over the phone in the morning was really nice and patient with all of my questions while I was trying to figure out the… read more best solution for my circumstance (hence 2 stars instead of 1). I tried to give a call back later in the day to make sure there's still availability for the tire I needed, however both times the phone was answered and got hung up right away.
I'm hesitant on ever coming back as a customer, as I understand business can fluctuate a lot throughout the day and I wouldn't mind being on hold until the customers in store were served, but a customer over the phone should be given the same respect and attention.
Cindy N.
I needed new tires fast – it was an emergency – and they got me in on short notice. Super kind, too. Will come back.
Haley H.
I'll always go to Joe's now. The other week on a Saturday, I noticed a tire in really bad shape, and I was just a couple blocks from Joe's. I… read more drove there. When I saw how busy they were, the line of cars waiting to get in, the busy waiting area, technicians running around all over there place, I did not expect they would be able to take me that day.
They did, no problem – what a place! They are so professional, knowledgeable, efficient and NICE. They easily and smoothly handled all us customers. My technician quickly helped me pick tires, someone gave me a ride home, 2 hours later the same person picked me up and it was all done. EASY!
I'm a super-happy customer. I've been going to America's Tires in Walnut Creek for 20 years, and they are excellent too. But what convenience to have this kind of customer service, and a ride home, that meant a lot. From now on, it's Joe's. I'm so happy I found them.
Sharon S.