Check back often as this area will always be updated on a regular basis.

In this section we hope to answer at least a few of your question that you may have about the maintenance requirements for your vehicle.  If you have other questions that are not answered here please feel free to call us, e-mail us or visit our discussion forum.  You will find links to lead you to all of this information along the left side of the page.

Table of Contents

1. What does oil actually do in my engine and how often do I need to change it?
2. What is the difference between regular oil and synthetic oil and is one better than the other?
3. Why should I change my coolant and how often does it need to be done?
4. Why should I change my power steering fluid and how often does it need to be done?
5. Why should I change my brake fluid and how often should it be done?
6. Why should I change my transmission fluid and how often should it be done?
7. What is an injector flush or fuel system service?  Why should I do this?  How often?
8. Can I service my vehicle at an independent shop even if I am under warranty by the manufacturer?
9. What does it mean if my check engine light comes on and can I still drive the vehicle?

What does oil actually do in my engine and how often do I need to change it?

Engine oil is the lifeblood of your engine.  This is what creates lubrication between parts and prevents wear from metal on metal contact of engine parts.  You engine oil is the main reason why your engine continues to run.  The oil breaks down over time however and does not do it's job of lubricating and cooling parts properly.  Most engine oils today are created to pass certain longevity specifications.  Due to the cost factor in creating a better oil however most of them are created to "just" pass the necessary testing to be accepted in the market place today.  This is the reason why we see more and more additives on the market today.  Using a semi-synthetic or a full synthetic oil will increase the longevity of the oil in your vehicle. 

Back to Top

What is the difference between synthetic and regular engine oil?

The difference is quite simply the number or quantity of additives that are placed in the oil during the refining process.  Synthetic oil starts off with the same basic principal components as regular oil does.  The refining process simply includes the addition of many more or much stronger concentrates of additives.  The more additives that are placed in the oil the more expensive this oil must become due the the shear cost of the additives used and the extra time committed to refining as such.  The MOA formula that is shown in the above mentioned oil change interval creates a "house blend semi-synthetic oil" that is very cost effective when compared to the actual cost of a synthetic oil change.  All the same results with less expense.  This leads back to the statement made earlier about what BG Products does.  They simply take a good product and make it better.

Back to Top

Why should I change my coolant and how often?

Your coolant should be changed every 2 years / 40,000 Km or 24,000 miles.  This should be done in order to protect your engine from the sludge and scale that builds up in the system.  Coolant will also become very acidic over a period of time and operation.  This service ensures that the Ph level will be put back within normal or acceptable levels.  Our cooling system service is not a drain and fill.  We provide a flush of the cooling system that actually back flushes the coolant (as recommended by most manufacturers)  in order to provide the most effective cleaning.  In other words if you are going to shop price on this service simply be sure that you are comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges.  Our cooling system service will remove corrosion from your cooling system as you see on the picture below:

Why should I change my power steering fluid and how often?

Power steering fluid is really nothing more than another oil for your vehicle.  Just as engine oil requires replacement so does your power steering fluid.  As with any oil it breaks down over time and use.  Power steering fluid is not subjected to the same heat that engine oil is and therefore does not require replacement as often.  This fluid does still break down however and requires replacement.  We suggest that you change your power steering fluid every 2 years / 40,000 Km or 24,000 Miles to avoid undue wear or breakdown in the system. 

Back to Top

Why Should I change my brake fluid and how often?

Brake fluid is simply a hydraulic oil.  One of the major factors in deciding when to change brake fluid is the moisture content within the fluid.  Brake fluid is very hydroscopic and as such is "thirsty for water."  If you were to leave a container of brake fluid open for any length of time in a room or situation where moisture was available in the atmosphere (and some always is) it would absorb that moisture very quickly.  When brake fluid is put to the ultimate test of stopping your vehicle it reaches boiling point temperatures that far exceed that of water.  The higher the moisture content in the fluid the lower the boiling point and thus the less effective the fluid becomes.  Brake fluid that requires replacement will cause "brake fade."  This is a situation where the brake pedal want to sink to the floor.  You will find that you have much more travel on the brake pedal than normally required to bring your vehicle to a stop.  We Suggest that you change your brake fluid every 2 years / 40,000 Km or 24,000 Miles. 

Back to Top

Why should I change my transmission fluid and how often?

Transmission fluid is nothing more than another oil in your vehicle.  It provides both cooling and lubrication for the transmission parts just the same as engine oil does for your engine.  Your transmission fluid will break down over time and stop doing it's job completely if left too long.  Vehicles today are made smaller and lighter than ever before yet we still expect to pull our trailers and move in stop and go traffic as much or more than ever.  This puts a tremendous strain on the fluids in your vehicle.  As with any oil your transmission fluid requires regular changes in or to protect those vital parts.  A typical transmission overhaul would be well over a thousand dollars on most two wheel drive vehicles and substantially higher on a four wheel or all wheel drive vehicle.  This service can extend the life of your transmission substantially.  We recommend that you change your transmission fluid once every 2 years / 40,000 Km or 24,000 Miles to avoid costly break down and repair. 

Back to Top

What is a fuel system service or injection service and how often should I do this?

Our fuel injection service should be performed at minimum every two years / 40,000 Km or  24,000 miles at best performance this service should be done every 18 months / 30,000 Km or 18,000 miles.  We suggest this service due to the positive results that have been found with increased power, fuel economy and over all drivability of the vehicle along with decreased emissions. 

Back to Top

Can I service my vehicle at an independent shop even if it is still under warranty by the manufacturer?

YES!  Is the simple answer to this question.  Although the dealer would like to have you service your vehicle through them they are not able to force you to do so for warranty or for any other purpose.  Dealers have banded together for a number of years now in trying to have the average consumer assume that they must service at the dealer in order to keep manufacturer or extended warranties valid.  This is simply not true.  You may service your vehicle at any shop that has just one licensed mechanic on duty during servicing.  The reason that dealers want you to service with them is quite simple.  A transmission or other fluid leak that would be considered a seepage problem rather than a leak would not qualify for warranty.  The question for you is:  Who would you rather have decide if it is a leak or a seepage problem?  The dealer who is obligated by warranty or an independent shop that is not obligated to do this no charge.  We would be happy to tell you about this leak so that it may be looked after under warranty in order to just gain your maintenance business and to have you as a customer after your warranty has expired.

Back to Top

What does it mean if my check engine light comes on and can I still drive my vehicle?

In most late model vehicles a check engine light can mean too many things to even try and pin point without a bit of diagnostic equipment.  Your check engine light is most likely to come on due to an emissions component failure and is not likely to leave you stranded but this is not to say that it couldn't.  If you have a check engine light that has been coming on intermittently then we would suggest that you should try to determine that it comes on only after reaching highway speeds, only when the climate is high in humidity, only when the vehicle is warm, only when the vehicle is cold etc.  Also note that the vehicle is running properly when it it is on or if it starts to run rough or has a lack of power when the light is on.  These types of answers will help the service consultant determine the best way to duplicate your concern.  Although they can scan the computer for history codes most diagnostics will require duplication of the light coming on in order to finalize a diagnosis and move on to making the needed repair(s).

Back to Top