Q: How often should my tires be rotated?
A: Your tires should be rotated every oil change, or every 5-6,000 miles. Periodic rotation and maintaining proper wheel alignment are the best ways to improve longevity of your tires, and save money in the long run.

Q: How important is changing my oil and how often should it be done?
A: Changing your oil every 3-5,000 miles consistently is your best insurance to keep your engine from wearing out prematurely. Not only do we put in fresh, high-quality oil, we remove the old oil that becomes filled with dust, dirt, and other contaminants. We also replace your oil filter with a quality filter that ensures oil is in your engine when it starts. The worst thing you can do is allow your engine oil to run low or totally out of oil. Letting your oil level get low causes the remaining oil to be cycled through your engine more often, leading to a breakdown of the oils lubricating properties at the molecular level.

Q: What does it mean when my brakes squeal?
A: There is a wear bar on your brake pads/shoes that alerts you when your pads are worn to 2mm, and will require replacement soon. Brake pads start at about 12 mm, and once they are worn down, the backing plate on the pad or shoe will start to wear on the rotors (metal to metal contact). If it is allowed to continue, the rotors will become grooved and will require replacement, which is significantly more expensive than machining the rotors. Pay attention to noises and get your brakes checked! Be aware that if the noise goes away, it is probably because you have worn through the wear bar, and are now approaching metal to metal contact.

Q: What can make my engine overheat?
A: Overheating is extremely destructive to your engine, and the resulting damage could require replacement of your engine (lots of $$), so pay attention to your dashboard gauges. There are numerous systems that could fail and cause your engine to overheat, such as:

• Clogged or leaking radiator/hoses
• Inoperable thermostat (would require replacement)
• Low or no coolant (leaks from hoses, radiator)
• Low or no oil (check for possible leaks)
• Problem with the water pump

Q: How often do I need an alignment?
A: Always have an alignment done whenever you put on new tires (or change summer and winter tires). Aligning your suspension will make sure that your tires will wear as evenly as possible, thereby making them last as longer. Other indications that you should have your alignment checked and adjusted :

• Your steering wheel is off-center when you are driving straight
• Steering wheel pulls to the right or left
• Excessive tire wear, especially on the edges

Q: What maintenance is needed for my car battery?
A: Corrosion on battery terminals, cables and/or clamps make them poor conductors of electricity, and will reduce the life of your battery. Therefore, these areas should be checked quarterly and cleaned as needed.

Q: What should I do if my oil pressure light comes on?
A: Pull over immediately and turn off your car! Do not continue to drive, or you may damage the engine irreparably. Check your engine oil level, or call your favorite Honest Accurate Auto Service technician and get some advice before moving on.

Q: I am hearing/feeling grinding when I shift gears – what would make that sound?
A: Grinding when shifting generally means that your clutch is wearing and may go out soon. You should have it checked soon, so that you are not left stranded when it does stop working.

We will continue to add to our Frequently Asked Questions page. However, if you have specific questions you would like to see answered, please email your question to Info@HonestAccurateAuto.com, and let us provide an answer!