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 The “standard” quart-sized filter that was once common on most engines has been replaced by a pint-sized (or smaller) filter.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.
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.
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.
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… read more rotation after 6 months.
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.… read more I 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.
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.