A Full Service Auto Repair Shop
ZA & D SERVICE STATION
FAQ/Help Center
Everything You Need to Know
We’ve taken some of the questions we get asked most frequently and compiled them in one place. If there’s something you still need to know or an answer isn’t detailed enough, please get in touch and we will get back to you shortly.
What vehicles do we repair?
We work most of gas and diesel vehicles. Small cars, SUVs and tricks. In Diesel vehicles we specialize in small, mid and light trucks. No big trucks, sorry.
Do you charge for estimates?
If the job is done with us, the estimate os FREE, if not, we charge a fair price for the diagnostic.
12 Car Maintenance Tips to Save You Money
1. Check your spare tire.
It’s just as important to maintain the spare as it is the active tires on your car. The last thing you need is to discover your spare is flat when you need it most. That’s when you’ll need to call a tow truck—which could cost you a lot of money. It’s better to spend a dollar on an air pump to inflate your spare.
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Maintenance Tip: Test the air pressure of your driving tires and your spare tire once a month.
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2. Change the oil.
Oil problems can be some of the most expensive car maintenance issues to fix, since oil affects a lot of your car’s functionalities. It’s better to spend a discreet amount of money to get the oil changed than risking wearing out your engine.
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Maintenance Tip: Change the oil every 5,000 miles or follow what is recommended by your car manufacturer.
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3. Keep the battery clean.
Corrosion can form on the terminals of your battery. They could develop a crack or a electricity blockage, leaving you stranded. Since a quality car battery and a tow can represent an unexpected expense, buying a $5 wire brush and keeping the terminals looking spiffy is money well invested.
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Maintenance Tip: Test your battery twice a year and inspect it for corrosion.
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4. Replace the brake pads.
Do you hear a squeaking sound when you hit the brakes? If so, your brake pads could be on their last legs. A new set plus the labor charge if a professional installs them is -relatively- a low investment.
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Maintenance Tip: Check the brake fluid every time you change the oil to be sure it’s not dark in color. If it is, you’re going to need to change the brake system sooner rather than later.
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5. Replace your air filter.
Your car’s air filter keeps pollutants from coming in through the vents. The air filter does a very important task, so you want to check on it. Plus using an old air filter long past its life can lead to major problems for your air conditioning system.
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Maintenance Tip: Change your air filter every 12 months or 12,000 miles.
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6. Get new windshield wipers.
Depending on the make and model of your car, buying new windshield wipers can run you from $30 to $50 for the pair. While that seems like a hefty price tag for something so small, efficient wipers are a necessity when you’re out on the open road. After all, if you can’t see the road, you really shouldn’t be driving. And if you don’t clean the windshield, dirt can build up over time and may even cause the glass to break down.
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Maintenance Tip: Check your windshield wipers at the change of each season and replace them when necessary.
7. Get your tires rotated.
The tires on your car do not wear down evenly. Sometimes the front or back set of tires can wear down at different rates depending on your car, your speed and your roads. Rotate those tires and you can extend their life and save money.
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Maintenance Tip: Rotate your tires every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
8. Check the shocks, springs and struts (suspension system).
The suspension system is one of the intricate parts of your car that you most likely take for granted. We rarely think about it—until it stops doing its job and makes a nightmare out of your ride. If you find that one of the shocks does need to be replaced, make sure to replace all four of them. We know, it’s sad but true.
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Maintenance Tip: Check the shocks and full suspension system every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.
9. Check your coolant.
If you don’t stay on top of changing your coolant, you run the risk of serious corrosion inside your car. The coolant affects everything from the heater and air conditioner to the radiator and water pump.
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Maintenance Tip: It’s a good idea to check your coolant twice a year—once before the warm weather hits and again before the cold weather swoops in.
10. Check your spark plugs.
If your engine is giving you trouble, one of the common reasons (and easy fixes) is the spark plugs. And since engine work can be out-of-this-world expensive, swapping out a $15 to $30 spark plug is a small price to pay for avoiding major engine overhaul.
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Maintenance Tip: Check and change the spark plugs about every 30,000 miles.
11. Inspect your belts and hoses.
Giving your belts and hoses a once-over can save you from a huge mechanic bill later on down the road. Worn-down belts can cause other damage to essential components of your car. And if you have a weak radiator hose, it could go belly up completely, which would cause your engine to overheat and not run at all. That’s bad news.
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Maintenance Tip: Replace your timing belt every 60,000 miles and your serpentine belt every 40,000 miles. It’s recommended that you change your hoses every four years or whenever one is showing signs of wear.
12. Do the emissions inspection.
By keeping up with the necessary car maintenance on your vehicle, it should pass with flying colors. But in case it fails the test, that’s something you will not want to happen. The emissions facility will tell you what failed and what needs to be fixed in order to fully pass the inspection.
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Maintenance Tip: Don’t forget to take your car in for inspection once a year.
