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It is recommended that you get an Oil Change on your vehicle every 3,500 miles for regular oil and every 5,000 miles for synthetic oil. Checking and changing the oil is essential to keep today’s engines working properly and efficiently. Check the oil level with the engine and the car parked on a flat surface. Open the hood, remove the dipstick, wipe off with a cloth towel or paper, then back into the oil tank. Pull it again and see if the level is within the acceptable range marked on the dipstick. If you add the oil yourself, do not over fill. Over filling can damage the engine.
Most automobile manufacturers recommend oil changes once every year or every 7,500 miles of car and light truck gasoline engines. Diesel engines and turbocharged gasoline engines, the usual recommendation is every 3,000 miles or six months.
You’ll find that a once a year (7,500 mile) oil change is for vehicles driven in ideal circumstances. What most of us think is “normal” driving is actually “severe service” driving. This includes frequent short trips (less than 10 miles, especially in cold weather), stop-and-go city traffic driving, driving in dusty conditions (gravel roads, etc), and sustained highway driving speed during the warm season. For this type of driving behavior, the recommendation is to change the oil every 3,000 miles or six months.
For maximum protection, most oil companies say to change the oil every 3,000 miles or three to six months regardless of what type of driving you do. Regular oil changes for preventative maintenance are cheap insurance against engine wear, and will always save you money in the long run if you keep a car for more than three or four years. It’s very uncommon to see an engine that has been well maintained with regular oil changes develop major bearing, ring, cam or valve problems under 100,000 miles.
To reduce the costs of vehicle ownership and maintenance, many car makers say the oil filter only needs to be replaced at every other oil change. Most mechanics will tell you this is false economy.
The oil filters on most engines today have been downsized to save weight, cost and space. The “standard” quart-sized filter that was once common on most engines has been replaced by a pint-sized (or smaller) filter. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that a smaller filter has less total filtering capacity. Even so, the little filters should be adequate for a 3,000 mile oil change intervals — but may run out of capacity long before a second oil change at 6,000 or 15,000 miles.
Replacing the oil filter every time the oil is changed, therefore, is highly recommended.
If you do your own oil changes, make sure you get the correct filter for your engine. Follow the filter manufacturer’s listings in its catalog. Many filters that look the same on the outside have different internal valving. Many overhead cam engines, for example, require an “anti-drainback” valve in the filter to prevent oil from draining out of the filter when the engine is shut off. This allows oil pressure to reach critical engine parts more quickly when the engine is restarted. Filters that are mounted sideways on the engine typically require an anti-drainback valve.
Used motor oil should be disposed of properly. The Environmental Protection Agency does not consider used motor oil to be a hazardous chemical, but it can foul ground water and does contain traces of lead. The best way to dispose of used motor oil is to take it to a service station, quick lube shop, parts store or other facility for recycling. Your old oil will either be rerefined into other lubricants or petroleum products, or burned as fuel.
Do not dump used motor oil on the ground, down a drain, into a storm sewer or place it in the trash. Many landfills will not accept used motor oil even if it is in a sealed container because it will eventually leak out into the ground. If you can’t find an environmentally-acceptable way to dispose of the stuff, maybe you shouldn’t be changing your own oil. Service facilities that do oil changes all have storage tanks and recycling programs to dispose of used oil.
It is recommended that you get an Oil Change on your vehicle every 3,500 miles for regular oil and every 5,000 miles for synthetic oil. Checking and changing the oil is essential to keep today’s engines working properly and efficiently.
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.
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.
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.
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 tire… read more 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.
Very friendly, super fast service and a great deal. Carlos was super helpful and made my experience a joy! Highly recommend
Luke R.
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.
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.
Had a flat tire, and decided it was time for new shoes for my Tesla. It was evening hours, so I bought tires online on Joe's website for next day… read more delivery, and called next morning for installation appointment. They took me in the same day.
Entire experience was professional, courteous and flawless. Had all 4 tires changed and car realigned (which is not straightforward with Tesla) in under 2 hours. They even changed the valve stems and caps for free.
Would (and likely: will) go there again.
Luther S.
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.
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.