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.
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.
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!
This is complete and total BS:
“Recognizing the urgency of your situation, we regret any frustration it may have caused. Our team suggested leaving the vehicle for at least… read more two hours or scheduling an appointment at 8:00 am the following day. We understand that these options might not have aligned with your immediate needs, and we apologize for any inconvenience.”
The only option offered was coming back the next day. How does that work when one has a tire that won’t hold air. This is another example of why I will never ever give this company my business again, they are liars.
When i took my car in for a flat tire repair, they were so helpful and polite. Good price, consistent with what i expected. Upon my recommendation and that of… read more another friend, my husband took his car there and had a terrible experience. The sales person was rude and tried to gouge him with prices more than 4 times what they charged me! Will not go back
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.