The most basic, important, and often overlooked maintenance item on a vehicle is the oil and filter change. Oil is responsible for lubricating all the internal parts of an engine - piston rings, main bearings, rod bearings, cam bearings, lifters, pushrods, and timing chains.  We recommend changing your engine oil every 3,000 miles with conventional or synthetic blend oils, and every 5,000 miles for full synthetic oils. On vehicles over 10 years old, it's a good idea to check the oil level between oil changes and top it off as needed to avoid potential engine damage. 

Similar to engine oil, transmission fluid keeps the internal transmission components lubricated. It's also responsible for supplying the force to apply clutches that make the shifts occur. Internal components wear down throughout the life of the transmission. Clutches lose friction material and metal components gradually wear and contaminate the fluid. Most manufacturers recommend changing the transmission fluid every 60,000-100,000 miles for normal vehicles, and every 30,000 to 60,000 for vehicles used for towing or hauling heavy loads. 

Engine coolant, or antifreeze, is responsible for keeping your engine from freezing in the winter and from boiling in the summer. It also provides the heat for your interior throughout the year by way of a heater core. Engine temperature is regulated within the cooling system by a mechanical thermostat. A faulty thermostat can cause the engine to overheat, which can lead to problems like head gasket failure. Regular maintenance can help ensure your system continues to work properly. Most manufactures recommend changing the engine coolant every 5 years or 100,000 miles. 

What's more important than driving your car? Stopping your car - and brake fluid provides the hydraulic force used to stop your vehicle in its tracks. Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture and seals in the braking system wear, causing the fluid to become contaminated and get dark. The typical service interval for brake fluid is 30,000 miles. Having your brake fluid changed on time will help ensure your brakes are responsive when you need them most.  

Brake pads are an essential part of your vehicle’s braking system. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder activates the brake calipers, which squeeze the brake pads against the brake rotors. The friction created between the pads and rotors slows your wheels, bringing your vehicle to a safe, controlled stop. 

As your brake pads wear down, your brake rotors experience wear as well. At Trusty Auto Repair, we recommend replacing brake pads and rotors together to ensure optimal braking performance, reduce noise and vibration, and help extend the life of your new brake pads.

​

Regular brake inspections are essential to keeping your vehicle safe on the road. Our technicians check brake pad thickness, rotor condition, and overall brake system operation to ensure everything is wearing evenly and functioning properly. Catching brake wear early can help prevent more expensive repairs and keep your vehicle stopping safely and reliably.

About every 100,000 miles, your vehicle's spark plugs need to be replaced (more frequently on older vehicles). Just like their name implies, spark plugs create the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the engine. Worn plugs can cause incomplete combustion (a misfire) and decrease power output in the engine. Left unchecked, a misfire can damage your catalytic converter - the device in the exhaust that's responsible for removing unhealthy contaminants like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons - and create costly repairs.