Complete Lube & Maintenance Center

Tire Rotation

A significant factor affecting how tires wear down is their position on your vehicle. A car’s driven wheels wear down faster than their other wheels because they work extra hard. To keep that from becoming an issue, you’ll need to get regular tire rotation services.

Cary’s can take care of your vehicle’s tire rotation needs. This is more in-depth than it might seem— depending on the wheels your car drives, you’ll need to follow one of many possible tire rotation patterns. Our team has the knowledge required to rotate your tires successfully.

Protect Your Tires with These Tips:

• Check your tires regularly. If you notice foreign objects stuck in your tires, sidewall problems, or signs of uneven wear, it’s time to ask the professionals for help.
• Keep an eye on your tread depth. All tires have to be replaced at some point or another. Try putting a small coin into your treads—start the process of finding new tires if you can see most of the coin’s face.
• Don’t ignore wheel alignment. Does your car regularly pull to one side? If so, your wheels may be misaligned.
• Make sure your tire pressure is OK. You should be able to find the correct pressure level for your tires in your car’s manual or on a label on the front driver’s side door.

Coolant Flush

AYour vehicle’s engine generates enough heat to destroy itself every day. So, it’s important to reduce or eliminate the chance of experiencing heat-related engine trouble. The downside of a failed cooling system, amongst other things, is leaving you stranded on the road. For this and many other reasons, your car’s cooling system is one worth keeping in top-working condition.

The following is included in your coolant flush:

• Check for leaks, cracks, and worn elements.
• Check pressure conditions and coolant volume.
• Flush and dispose of used coolant fluid.
• Install any necessary replacement parts.
• Refill the system with antifreeze coolant fluid.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU FLUSH ENGINE COOLANT?
For starters, if you notice any of the symptoms below, it's very possible you have a leak and need to get that inspected immediately. Since heat is produced every time you drive, a coolant leak or poor cooling system could spell disaster for your vehicle. Antifreeze doesn’t expire – but like anything else, it can certainly deteriorate over time. Your owner’s manual will often provide recommended mileage intervals to change your coolant, but this can range from 30,000 miles to 120,000 miles. With such a variance from vehicle to vehicle, it’s important to stick to your maintenance schedule or have your coolant tested at your nearest Brakes Plus.

SIGNS YOU NEED A COOLANT FLUSH:

• Overheating engine – Stuck with a steaming hood on the side of the road? A vehicle that overheats easily is likely in need of new engine coolant.
• High temperature gauge – If your engine temperature gauge often runs hot, your vehicle will suffer for it. A coolant flush is a simple way to prevent bigger engine repairs later!
• Maple syrup scent – Unless you regularly host pancake breakfasts from your car, the smell of maple syrup could spell bad news. You'll notice this sweet smell of antifreeze if it's being burnt by your engine.
• Leaking fluid – Antifreeze is commonly green or orange, but it can come in different colors. Puddles of antifreeze below your vehicle always spells trouble.
• Refill the system with antifreeze coolant fluid.

Brake Flush

A brake fluid flush essentially takes all the old, dirty brake fluid out of your system and replaces it with fresh, clean fluid. Including a brake fluid flush in your regular car maintenance is important and should be done around every 30,000 miles or every two years, whichever comes first.

Symptoms when a flush may be required:

• Leaky Brake Fluid
• Contaminated Brake Fluid
• Brake Pedal Feels Soft
• The ABS Light Turns On (on some vehicles this is a warning when you need a brake flush)

Transmission Drain & Fill

When doing a transmission fluid flush, the concept is to get all of the old fluid out at once and simply replace it with new fluid. With a drain and fill, you are only removing about half of the fluid from the transmission via the drain bolt, replacing it, and then adding the same amount of new fluid that came out.

Manual transmissions generally need transmission fluid changes more frequently than automatic transmissions. The average recommended interval for manual transmissions is around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. For automatic transmissions, the recommended interval is around 60,000 to 100,000 miles

4 Common signs that it’s time for a flush:

• Grinding and Strange Noise. When a transmission becomes bogged down with dirt, grease and other debris it may begin to show signs similar to that of low transmission fluid levels.
• Hard to Shift Gears.
• Slipping Gears.
• Vehicle Surge.

Power Steering Drain & Fill

Power steering fluid flows through the power steering hydraulic system. The system is pressurized by the power steering pump and by way of valves, plungers, or pistons decreases the effort needed by the driver to turn the steering wheel. When the pump stops pumping, the pressure drops and the power steering system loses its hydraulic pressure.

As components in the steering system wear, metal particles will contaminate the fluid, which will cause seals in the system to leak and components to eventually fail. Checking the fluid level and changing the fluid at regular intervals recommended by the manufacturer is important for the life of the hoses, pistons, valves, seals, and the power steering pump itself.

Symptoms when a drain & fill may be required:

• Groaning noise from the power steering pump or steering gear.
• Difficulty in turning the steering wheel.
• Contaminated fluid (brown/black).

Spark Plug Replacement

If a spark plug or two is faulty, your engine will have to run on fewer cylinders and can’t generate enough power. This condition, where one or more of your engine’s cylinders don’t produce power, is known as an engine misfire.

If a spark plug or two is faulty, your engine will have to run on fewer cylinders and can’t generate enough power. This condition, where one or more of your engine’s cylinders don’t produce power, is known as an engine misfire.

That’s not all, a bad spark plug also fails to generate enough spark to fire up your engine. And as you repeatedly crank the engine hoping for a start, you may drain the battery dead.

In short, replace your faulty spark plugs ASAP to prevent engine misfires and start-up troubles.

The following are common symptoms of failing spark plugs:

• Check engine light turns on.
• Reduced fuel efficiency.
• Rough engine idle.
• Car struggles to start.
• Engine hesitates during acceleration.
• Exhaust emissions smell like gasoline.

Battery Test & Replace

Service typically includes: Inspecting the battery, battery cables and terminals. Cleaning the battery surface and terminals. Performing an open circuit voltage and load test and treating the battery terminals to help prevent corrosion.

Generally, you should replace your car battery about every three years, but you could end up needing a replacement sooner. Factors like your climate and driving habits can affect your battery's lifespan and leave you needing a new one before the three-year mark.

Symptoms you need a new car battery:

• The engine cranks, but won't start.
• The engine won't crank (and the accessories and lights are off).
• You've had to jump start your car a lot.
• Your car battery is cracked, swollen or leaking.