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1. How often
should I have the tires rotated? |
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Regular and proper tire
rotation promotes more uniform wear for all of the tires
on a vehicle. We recommend tire rotation every 6 months
or 6,000 miles. Four-wheel drive vehicles may require
rotation even sooner—like every 4,000 miles. Check your
vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's rotation
recommendations. A good rule of thumb is to rotate your
tires every-other oil change.
The first rotation is the
most important. When tires are rotated, inflation
pressures must be adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer's
recommendations. Monroe Turnpike Service Center offers
complete tire rotation and computerized spin balancing,
free, with the purchase of a set of tires. |
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2. How much air
should I put in my tires? |
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Proper tire
inflation is very important for your vehicle’s safety and
performance. The recommended inflation level for each vehicle
should be located on a door placard usually located on the
inside of the driver’s side door or on a door post. If not,
refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual. It is also recommended
that you check tire inflation when tires are cold because air
expands in heat and will give an unreliable pressure reading.
Generally, you should check or adjust tire inflation at least
once a month, before heading out on a long trip, and/or if
traveling with a heavy load. And don't forget to check the
spare. It is recommended that you use the actual vehicle’s
recommended tire inflation as opposed to the pressure level
listed on the sidewall of the tires themselves, which may not be
applicable to your vehicle.
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3. I
need new tires. How do I figure out what size and kind I need
for my car? |
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The
sidewall of your current tires can tell you what you need to
know about the tires currently on your vehicle.
But it’s important to talk to a tire professional to determine
the right tire for you and your driving habits. Getting the
right tire is so much more than getting just the right size. We
need to know about your driving habits, the driving conditions
you’re in most often, the number of passengers you carry
regularly, the mileage you cover, as well as your preference for
traction, performance, and/or handling. Not to mention the level
of satisfaction with your current tires.
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4. Why are the edges worn off my tires? |
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Worn tire edges are typically an indication of
improper wheel alignment, but it could also mean loose or worn
steering or suspension parts. If you notice uneven tread wear on
your tires, it is recommended that you have your tires inspected
by a Monroe Turnpike Service Center technician as soon as
possible.
Although most people rarely ever do it, it is important that you
check your tires often for wear. Many tire brands have tread
wear indicator bars molded right into the tread. Check these
bars closely and when you notice that the tread is worn down to
where you can see a solid bar of rubber across the width of the
tread, then it is time to replace the tire. Remember, as the
tire tread is worn down you will begin to experience less
traction in all weather conditions, especially rain and snow
conditions. In most cases tire replacement should occur prior to
the tread wear indicator bars being exposed. If you are
concerned bring your vehicle into Monroe Turnpike Service Center
and have one of our ASE certified technicians examine them
for you.
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5. Why does my car pull to one side? |
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One of
the most common causes of your car pulling to either the left or
right is that your wheels are out of alignment. Bad alignment
can also cause loose handling or wandering, a vibration or
shimmy in the steering wheel, or the steering wheel not being
centered when your car is moving forward.
Your car's alignment
is NOT the same as wheel balance, though the two are often
confused. Alignment is the wheel's position to the frame of the
car. Balance is the actual symmetry of the tire, using
counterweights clipped to the wheel to offset any heavier spots
so the tire spins perfectly. Incorrect alignment settings and
out of balance tire and wheel assemblies can lead to irregular
tire wear.
If your car pulls, it could be something else entirely (such as
a brake problem or even a bad tire). If you notice any of these
symptoms you should have your car’s alignment checked by a
certified technician as soon as possible. Wheel alignment is not
something you can do at home. Instead, we recommend that you
bring your car in so that a Monroe Turnpike Service Center
certified technician can do this work for you. It’s a good idea
to have your alignment checked every 10,000 miles—or at least
once a year—even if you don’t notice any of the problems
described above.
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6. My brakes
squeal when I press them. Is it time to replace? |
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It could be as
simple as debris or brake dust on the brake pads or shoes, or
due to glazed rotors or drums—which would need to be resurfaced
or replaced.
If you hear a high-pitched squeal when your foot is OFF the
brake pedal that goes away when your foot is on the pedal, this
is an indication that you need service. Squeal Indicators are
installed by the vehicle manufacturer to let you know it’s time
to replace the brake pads.
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7. My steering
wheel shakes when I apply the brakes. Why? |
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If there is a
noticeable shaking or shimmying of the steering wheel when you
apply the brakes on your vehicle, it is most likely indicative
of a warped brake rotor or drum, but it could also indicate a
suspension problem such as a loose front-end part or possibly a
bad strut or shock absorber.
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8. How do brakes work? What does each part
do? |
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On disc brakes, when
the brake pedal is pushed, pads with friction material "grab"
the rotor, which rotates with the wheel, to stop the rotation.
Drum brakes also rotate with the wheel, but when the brake pedal
is pushed two brake shoes are pushed outward, against the drum,
to stop the rotation.
Either system could have anti-lock brakes, which puts a computer
in control of each wheel individually to “pump” the brakes
extremely quickly during a panic stop situation to avoid wheels
locking and vehicle skidding.
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9. Can you give me an idea of what I should
be checking on my car, and how often? |
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10. What should I
do seasonally on my vehicle?
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11. How often should I change the fluids in
my car? |
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Use the chart below
to keep track of what fluids you need changed and when. Keep in
mind, these are general guidelines. You should check your
vehicle’s owner’s manual to see what is specifically recommended
for your type of car.
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12. My car shakes
between 30-50 mph. What is causing this? |
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This typically
indicates a tire-balancing problem (NOT an alignment problem,
see question #5).
However, it could be associated with your vehicle’s suspension,
such as a loose front-end part. Properly balanced tires are
important for driving comfort and long tire life. Unbalanced
tires can cause vibration, resulting in driver fatigue,
premature tire wear, and unnecessary wear to your vehicle's
suspension. Tires should be rebalanced at the first sign of
vibration or shimmy. Vibration may also be due to misalignment
or mechanical problems. The tire experts at Monroe Turnpike
Service Center can provide excellent diagnosis and repair.
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13. When does my
car need a tune-up? |
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Due to the advent of
computers, vehicles no longer require “tune-ups.” What they do
need periodically are new spark plugs and wires. The mileage
varies depending on the type of plug (i.e., regular or
platinum). Most regular spark plugs should be changed anywhere
from 50,000-100,000 miles, based on your vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations and the type of driving you do.
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14. What are the
belts and hoses and how often should I change them? |
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In most
new model cars, one belt does it all. When you start your car,
your engine’s combustion process moves internal parts, which
then powers a belt (or a series of belts, depending on your car)
at the front of the engine block. This main belt—called a
serpentine belt—powers everything from the water pump to the air
conditioner to your power steering.
Belts and hoses should be checked on a regular basis.
Replacement is typically done at 50,000 miles, depending on the
type
of driving you do.
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15. I smell
something sweet inside my car. What is it? |
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If you notice a
sweet smell coming from your vehicle this is usually an
indication of an antifreeze leak. If the smell is coming through
your vents it is possible that there is a problem with your
car’s heater core. If the smell is coming from under the hood
there are many possibilities, but they all indicate some kind of
antifreeze leak. This must be checked as soon as possible. If
not, you run the risk of your vehicle’s engine overheating and
doing much greater damage.
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16. Why is the
“Check Engine” light on? |
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An illuminated
“check engine” light is an indication that your vehicle’s
computer has picked up a signal from one or more of its sensors
telling it there is a problem. You may or may not detect the
problem yourself, but it should be checked out as soon as
possible. Monroe Turnpike Service Center certified technicians
have access to all of the coding information and official
technical service bulletins that apply to your vehicle’s
specific make and model. This is not necessarily a quick fix, as
it could take some time to diagnose the problem.
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17. What does the
“Service Engine Soon” light mean? |
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This typically
indicates that it is time for an oil change.
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18. What could be causing the chirping sound under the hood? |
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If you
notice a chirping sound coming from under the hood, it could
indicate a possible belt problem or belt tension problem. But
there are a number of pulleys and other various parts under your
hood that could also make a similar noise, such as the water
pump or alternator. These need to be checked to make sure that
no breakdown has occurred. Any one of these problems—if not
addressed promptly—could result in your vehicle needing to be
towed to a repair facility. Therefore we recommend having the
problem checked out by a certified technician as soon as
possible.
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19. My car won’t start, what is wrong? |
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Most likely it’s
either the battery, the starter or the alternator, though your
ignition system is made up of a numerous other parts and it
could be something else. Below is a chart of some common
problems:
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20. Do I need to follow my vehicle’s maintenance schedule? |
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Yes, it is very
important that you follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.
Be sure to refer to the owner’s manual and keep good records of
all maintenance performed. This helps keep problems to a minimum
and insures a safe, dependable vehicle. Once you have a repair
done at Monroe Turnpike Service Center we will also send out
handy reminders in the mail for upcoming routine maintenance on
your vehicle--and a coupon for it!
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21. Do I have to have auto service work done at a dealer? |
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No, contrary to
popular opinion, it is not necessary that you have your
maintenance work done at an auto dealership. Any repair facility
with ASE-certified technicians and the proper diagnostic
equipment would be able to follow and perform the required
maintenance or repairs on your vehicle, and often for much less
than what a dealership would charge for the same work!
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22. Why does it cost so much to diagnose my
car’s problem? |
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To diagnose a
computer problem on today’s modern vehicles, our certified
technicians must go through very extensive (and expensive)
training. In addition, the equipment used by the technician to
get accurate readings is costly. But Monroe turnpike Service
Center does have the best trained mechanics in the business,
trained to work on all makes and models. So rest assured, we'll
do it as fast as we can. And we'll fix it right, the first time,
to help you get back on the road, usually in one day! Can your
dealer do that?
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