Some of the services found here will not be in your owner’s manual. Some of the services found here will be recommended more often than found in your owner’s manual. Our goal is to keep your car running smoothly and trouble free for as long as possible. The vehicle manufacturers are in the business of selling vehicles. They only want the vehicle to make it through the warranty period and maybe a bit longer so you will be happy and buy another vehicle. You must do at least the minimum required maintenance or the manufacturer can void any warranty that you have.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE.
We can perform any required maintenance and keep your warranty valid.
3,000 Mile Maintenance Package
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Lubricate chassis.
- Top off all fluid levels.
- Check and set tire pressures.
- Check antifreeze/coolant protection level.
- Check for any factory required maintenance due.
- Courtesy check.
- Reset maintenance reminder light.
Why change the engine oil and oil filter?
- To prolong the life of the engine
- Engine oil and the additives that it contains break down as the vehicle is driven. This leads to the build up of acids and sludge which can cause accelerated engine wear. Also, many modern vehicles have variable valve timing and other systems which rely on engine oil to operate properly. Dirty oil and sludge can cause these systems to fail which can lead to drivability and emissions related problems.
- The average cost of an oil change at Spectra Auto Services is $30 or less for most vehicles. The average cost of replacing an engine is $4500 or more. That is equal to 150 oil changes or more. If you change your oil every 3,000 miles, you would have to drive 450,000 miles before you would equal the cost of replacing the engine. Sludge related engine problems can still cost a couple of thousand dollars. As you can see, it is definitely more economical to change the oil and filter every 3000 miles.
6,000 Mile Maintenance Package
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Lubricate chassis.
- Top off all fluid levels.
- Check and set tire pressures.
- Check antifreeze/coolant protection level.
- Rotate and balance tires.
- Complete brake inspection.
- Check for any factory required maintenance due.
- Courtesy check.
- Reset maintenance reminder light.
It is necessary to rotate the tires to get the maximum life possible out of them. The front tires tend to wear more on the edges due to the left and right turning of the front wheels. If not rotated, this would cause the front tires to wear out prematurely. Balancing the tires insures that they will maintain a smooth ride, free of shimmy or vibration.
15,000 Mile Maintenance Package
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Lubricate chassis.
- Top off all fluid levels.
- Check and set tire pressures.
- Check antifreeze/coolant protection level.
- Replace engine air filter.
- Service battery (clean terminals and connections, load test battery).
- Check for any factory required maintenance due.
- Courtesy check.
- Reset maintenance reminder light.
The engine air filter filters the air entering the engine through the intake system and throttle body. It prevents dust, dirt, leaves and other debris from entering the engine and causing deposits in the engine that can cause increased engine wear, lower fuel economy and drivability problems such as rough idle and hesitation. As the air filter gets dirty it restricts the amount of air that can enter the engine choking the engine causing lower fuel economy and power levels.
30,000 Mile Maintenance Package
- Change engine oil.
- Replace engine oil filter.
- Lubricate chassis.
- Top off all fluid levels.
- Check and set tire pressures.
- Check antifreeze/coolant protection level.
- Rotate and balance tires.
- Complete brake inspection.
- Replace engine air filter.
- Replace fuel filter.
- Service battery (clean terminals and connections, load test battery).
- Drain and refill cooling system.
- Drain and refill transmission.
- Check for any factory required maintenance due.
- Courtesy check.
- Reset maintenance reminder light.
The fuel filter filters the fuel going from the gas tank to the fuel injectors. It prevents dirt and other contaminants that may be present in the fuel that you pump into your car from reaching the fuel injectors and other critical parts of the fuel injection system. As the fuel filter gets dirty, it becomes restricted which causes the fuel pump to work harder to push the fuel from the tank to the engine. This excess strain may damage the fuel pump over time and may even cause it to fail.
Engine antifreeze/coolant breaks down over time losing the ability to properly protect the cooling system and keep the engine from overheating. Worn out antifreeze will lower the boiling point of the system and allow corrosion to build up inside of the system. This can cause water pump failure, radiator leaks or restrictions, cylinder head gasket failures, thermostat failures and other problems.
Automatic transmission fluid, like engine oil, breaks down and becomes oxidized as the vehicle is driven. This causes gums and varnishes to deposit in the critical parts of the transmission. Also, as the fluid breaks down it loses its ability to properly lubricate the moving parts inside of the transmission. This can lead to increased transmission component wear, harsh or mushy shifting, chattering and slipping. These problems can eventually lead to transmission failure .
Manual transmission fluid is very similar to engine oil. As the vehicle is driven, the transmission oil breaks down and loses its ability to properly lubricate and protect the gears and bearings inside of the transmission. Normal wear and tear of the transmission causes minute particles of metal to wear off of the gears and bearings. These minute particles of metal can build up overtime and, along with the worn out fluid, become abrasive inside of the transmission. Regularly changing the fluid removes these particles and restores the lubrication and protection properties of the fluid.