How often should I rotate my tires?
Your tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 7500 miles as a rule. Lighter cars show less wear than heavier trucks or suv's. Some lighter cars can go to the 3rd oil service or 10,000 miles. Some trucks/suv's require rotation more frequently @ 6000 mile intervals. Accurate Auto's trained tech's know what to look for to give you proper advice. Neglecting to rotate tires and maintain a good wheel alignment are major causes of premature tire wear.

Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?
YES. The failure of a timing belt is a huge inconvienience because your engine will fail to run. In some cars with interference motors the failure can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an interference engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement. (I recommend even catching it a bit earlier than manufacture recommendation because I've seen several fail before the recommended interval. Minnesota is considered severe duty. Ask us what type of timing belt you have.)

What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on?
There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance, transmission and emissions. When one of these fails or fails to read in the perameters the computer is set to see as normal, the "check engine" light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue addressed to prevent problems or breakdowns. Accurate Auto performs free courtesy checks to advise you if repair is necessary or not. $135 savings over what the dealer will charge.

What should I do if my car starts to overheat?
This is a very serious problem – if your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the engine off! Do not attempt to check the hot fluid level in the pressured radiator as it can burn you. The best thing to do is have your car towed to a repair shop. The cause for the overheat condition, belts, pump, fan and coolant level need to be checked before driving again.

When should I get my oil changed?
You should get your oil changed every 3000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

What is that milky brown engine oil?
Milky brown engine oil is an indication of moisture or coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (or other gasket), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked engine component. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional technician quickly before engine damage occurs.

Why to make sure my car battery has a good electrical connection?
Battery cables and terminals should be cleaned and inspected to make sure they provide a good electrical connection. Failure will cause engine not to start. Care needs to be taken when jump starting not to damage a battery or other electrical components and computers.

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.

Synthetic motor oils, though several times more expensive than mineral-based motor oils, can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes. They also provide instant lubrication on start-up.

When should I replace my car’s fuel filter?
To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, replace your car's fuel filter approximately every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.

When should I change my spark plugs?
Back in the 60's we changed plugs every 15,000 miles. Today's cars for maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance, your spark plugs should be replaced every 55,000 miles. We recommend for long life platinum plugs inspecting plugs periodically and replacing them around 95,000 miles give or take.

I need to replace a burned out fuse, what should I do?
Always replace a burned-out fuse with a fuse of the same amperage (printed on the fuse and owners manual should give fuse spec.) and note that if a fuse continues to "blow," you should have the circuit checked professionally by one of our technicians for short or component defect.