Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some very commonly asked questions and
answers to these questions for you. If you have any other questions
please bring you vehicle by Fenders by Enders and ask us any
service, repair or mechanical questions you have about your vehicle.
Q:
How often should I rotate my tires?
A:
To prevent premature wear on your tires they
should be rotated every other oil change or about every 6,000 miles.
Q:
The “check engine” or “service engine” light came
on, what does that mean?
A:
Your vehicle has sensors and computerized
components that monitor and manage your vehicle’s emissions and
performance. If one of these fails the “check engine” light will
come on and even though your car my seem to be running fine, it is
important to have this checked out
to prevent possible long-term problems.
Q:
What is the importance of changing my timing belt
at the recommended interval?
A:
The failure of a timing belt can result in major
engine damage. The cost of replacing the timing belt compared to
repairing the engine damage that could result is a lot less. So, YES
when it is time to get your timing belt changed, get it changed.
Q:
How often should I get my oil changed?
A:
The most recommended interval is every 3,000
miles or 3 months. This may vary depending on certain things
however. If you have any questions discuss this with your service
mechanic at your next oil change.
Q:
When should I replace my car’s fuel filter?
A:
This should be done approximately every 30,000 miles or every 6
months with the Ethanol being added to gasoline. This helps ensure
dependable and trouble-free performance of your vehicle.
Q:
How often should I have
my fuel injection system cleaned?
A:
You should have your vehicle’s fuel injection system cleaned about
once a year. This will not only keep it working right but can
improve performance, reduce fuel consumption and lower emission
levels of your vehicle, which are some real benefits.
Q:
Why have a mechanic
clean my fuel injector system when I can get a bottle injector
cleaner off the shelf?
A:
The add-in to tank fuel injector cleaners generally have a base of
kerosene, alcohol, methanol, acetone or ketones which are highly
caustic and flammable cleaners. These will generally either burn up
before it can reach the combustion chamber and leave additional
deposits on top of what it was supposed to remove. Or due to the
caustic nature of these cleaners, they can actually cause damage to
seals and coatings in many of today’s fuel injection systems.
Q:
A fuse has blown-out and I need to replace it,
what should I do?
A:
Always replace a burned-out fuse with one of the
same amperage (printed on the fuse). Note that if the fuse continues
to blow, you should have this checked by a service technician to
find out what is causing it to blow-out repetitively, this could be
pointing to an issue that could become worse if neglected.
Q:
How often should I change my spark plugs?
A:
For maximum fuel economy and peak engine
performance, your spark plugs should be replaced every 30 months or
30,000 miles, unless your vehicle is equipped with 100,000-mile
platinum tipped spark plugs.
Q:
What should I do if my car starts to overheat?
A: 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 fluid level in the radiator; the hot fluid can cause
severe burns. The best thing to do is have your car towed to Fenders
by Enders for proper service.
Q:
My engine oil is milky brown, why?
A: Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil.
This can be caused by a blown head gasket (or other gasket), a
failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is
very serious and needs to be checked by a professional mechanic
immediately.
Q:
How do I make sure my car battery has a good
electrical connection?
A:
Battery cables and terminals should be cleaned
and inspected periodically to make sure they provide a good
electrical connection.