Menu
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.
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.
Yin L.
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!
Marci S.
Best tire shop in the area, Tito and Carlos are always helpful . I’ve never gotten a video inspection from a tire shop that’s is amazing !
jason c.
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… read more hour”
Horrible service.
Is not even about the closing time, is the employees’ attitude.
Yudith V.
Joe’s Tire is the place to go if you ever need your tires replaced or any tire services -the business goes out of its way to provide excellent service.
Sheila Z.
Extra large screw in my tire; they fixed it the same day and under an hour. They repaired and rotated! The front desk guys were both nice as well. Cheers!
sambacat w.
Got a flat driving around Berkeley. Needed a fix or replacement tire. Got a brand new tire I guess was fine and worked. But not a good… read more deal. Nice folks. Quick and good if you in a pinch around CollegeTown.
Dom C.
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.
Tien N.
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.
Brian R.
My air pressure light came on again a couple days after I had filled the tires due to my front right tire being low. After re-checking, I realized the… read more tire must have a leak. I drive into Joe’s Tires straight from summer camp pick up after a very short search for places nearby– shortly after 4pm. I expected to have to make an appointment for the next day or later in the week and also assumed I would need to replace the tire. To my surprise and delight, I was helped right away. They took the car and said it would probably be about an hour. 15 minutes later they called to say it was a simple fix– a screw had punctured the tire and they plugged the hole and patched it up. $35 and 15 minutes?? Amazing. They have my business for our two family cars for life!! Friendly, fast, fair.
Anjuna L.