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Take a few moments and become familiar with our Services link with more detail on all aspects. Take care of your car and it will take care of you. Following basic car maintenance tips can help keep you on the road and out of the repair shop. A little vehicular TLC can even help stretch your fuel dollar and help the environment too.
HERE ARE SOME CAR CARE GUIDELINES:
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.
A car tire inflated to 35 pounds per square inch (psi) can lose one psi every month or for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change, so your car maintenance checklist should include checking tire pressure. Find the recommended level in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb. And don’t forget the spare.
Rotate tires every 6,000 miles to prevent uneven wear, replace them when they become worn and have the alignment checked if the car pulls to either side when driving or if you notice uneven tire wear.
Checking and changing oil is critical to keep today’s engines running properly and efficiently. Follow manufacturer guidelines for changing the lubricant – generally, every 3,000 miles or three to six months.
Check the oil level with the engine off and the car parked on a level surface. Open the hood, remove the dipstick, wipe it clean with a cloth or paper towel, then return it to the oil reservoir. Take it out again and see whether the level is within the acceptable range marked on the dipstick. If you add oil, don’t overfill, which can damage the engine.
Checking the automatic transmission fluid is another vital item on the car maintenance checklist. Look for a reservoir marked ATF (automatic transmission fluid) and follow the same steps as monitoring the oil level – only this time, with the engine running. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for change intervals, about every 30,000 miles.
Replace most engine coolant or antifreeze every 30,000 miles – or every two to three years. Newer formulas, however, may last up to 50,000 miles. To check coolant level, turn the car off and wait for the engine to cool. Locate the coolant reservoir (usually a translucent plastic tank) and eyeball the level of the coolant against the full and low indicators.
Power steering fluid should be changed every three years or 50,000 miles. If you have a power steering fluid reservoir, check the level visually; otherwise, follow the dipstick method. Low power steering fluid may indicate a leak, so have your mechanic take a look.
Check to ensure that brake fluid levels are within tolerance. How often you need to replace brake pads or other components depends on how you drive and typical driving conditions. Warning signs of a brake problem include noise, vibration or “grabbing” when you apply the brakes. Working on your brakes is a job probably best left to the professionals.
Basic car maintenance suggests changing your air filter each year or every 12,000-15,000 miles. A clean air filter can help your engine “breathe” better and improve gas mileage and reduce harmful emissions.
Replace it annually to help prevent debris from clogging your car’s fuel line.
Windshield wiper care is one of the most neglected basic car care tips. Replace the blades every six to 12 months or whenever the rubber becomes worn. Check the wiper fluid reservoir every week or so and keep it full.
With your car turned on and parked, have someone walk around to see that your lights are working – headlights, brake and tail lights, turn signals, etc. Replacing bulbs in today’s vehicles can be a challenge. Have a mechanic do the job, particularly replacing and aiming headlights. A pro also knows if the problem is a blown fuse, not a burned out bulb.
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 had a great customer service experience. I would recommend Joe's to any of my friends. I usually go to Big O Tires, but I thought I would try a… read more different “local” business and I am glad I did. Thanks!
Emalee M.
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.
This place is great.. I Had some tires badly in need of replacing. I then had one go flat, so on a friend recommendation I took it there. Place was… read more very clean and guy “Robe” was real nice and helpful.. They had the tires replace and me back on the road in about 40 mins. I would recommend this place to anyone needing tire work.
Bruce T.
Tito and Carlos were professional and kind when I walked in. I needed a jump for my car a few blocks down, and Joe's was extremely gracious and ended up… read more helping me out. I took a quick ride with Jorge, who jumped my car and saved the day. These guys rock, and you should come to them first for any auto issue!
Jeremy L.
Joes tires is amazing! They were there for me when Toyota of Berkeley referred me when I was having tire troubles. But what truly makes them amazing in my book… read more is that, when my tired were low on air and my check tire pressure light came on, I called and they had me come over right away. They filled the air in my tires, the light went away, and they didn't charge me anything for it. That's some great neighborly kindness. I really appreciate that. Until next time.
Cheers!
Jerico O.
Wow! What a find! I felt like I went back in time 40 years to when people were more courteous and honest. Quick and excellent work. Very fair pricing. True… read more gem of a place. Will forever be getting my tires from Joes without question.
Bette T.
Called in to make an appointment for an wheel alignment and some rude as* hat refused to put me through to make one then hung up on me. I was… read more inquiring to purchase 4 new tires as well. Instantly lost my business. Worst customer service, EVER.
Michael K.
Was in from out of town and blew a tire and was on a very tight time crunch.
Jose at Joe's tire was amazing!! worked with us to get us… read more out quickly fair price and very friendly. Highly recommend these guys.
David D.
If you're going to buy tires I'd suggest getting them here. Yeah you could probably find them cheaper online but then who's going to install them? Are they going to… read more come with a rest warranty and fee rotation? Probably not.
Sometimes you have to pay a little more to just have peace of mind.
I like how they also operate alongside Toyota of Berkeley. I own a Toyota and it's just reassuring that they operate under one roof.
They are great at customer service and will try their best to accommodate whatever it is you're looking for.
Show up with a selection of tires you've spent weeks looking through online and they will do their best to get them for you.
They might even have them in stock.
If they can't get the ones you want they will help you out in selecting a what would be their equal.
I don't usually review places that don't serve food. But they deserve it.
Thanks
Luis P.
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.