Auto Maintenance Tips

Preventative maintenance

prolong the life of your car

These basic car maintenance tips will give you a general guide, but so much depends on driving habits. At Kerber Automotive we form a partnership with each customer and get to know their driving habits and avoid costly auto repairs through regular maintenance. Wondering about your manufacturer's scheduled maintenance schedule? Read more. Also read Myths About Car Care. Cars we service.

When should I get my oil changed?
We recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles. You may be able to go longer if you're a bit more technical and check under your hood for the levels (ex. oil, fluids, belts, hoses & tire pressure).

What do I need to do when my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on?
There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these components fail, the "check engine" light comes on. If the light is on steady and driving appears fine you have time to schedule maintenance. If the light is flashing and you’re having a drivability issue this needs immediate attention.

When should I change my spark plugs?
Spark plugs are key to maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance. Replace your spark plugs every 30 months or 30,000 miles, unless your vehicle is equipped with 100,000-mile platinum tipped spark plugs.

How often do I need to rotate my tires?
Every other oil change is a good rule of thumb, or every 6,000 miles. Neglecting tire rotation is a major cause of premature tire wear. Rotation will extend tire life span. Properly inflated tires help fuel efficiency, handling and performance. Also read Myths About Car Care.

Is replacing the timing belt at the recommended interval really necessary?
YES. In most all cars with a timing belt the failure will be catastrophic engine damage. Repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much more expensive than the cost of a timing belt replacement. Read more about timing belt service.

What do I do if my car starts to overheat?
This is always serious—if your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. As soon as possible, safely pull off the road and turn the engine OFF! Don’t try to check the fluid level in the radiator as you can get burned by it. The best thing is to have your car towed to a repair shop.

What is synthetic motor oil?
Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines, vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), or vehicles that are operated in extremely cold or hot climates. Though more expensive than mineral-based motor oils, synthetic motor oil, can improve fuel efficiency and provide longer intervals between changes.

When do I need to replace my car’s fuel filter?
Approximately every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual is best to help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance.

When do I need to replace my air filter?
For maximum fuel efficiency and performance we recommend 15,000—30,000 miles.

How often do I change my cabin filter?
The function of the cabin filter is cleaning the air passing through the a/c and heater. Neglected it WILL result in poor a/c and heater performance over time. We recommend changing it every 15,000—30,000 miles or once a year.