Frequently Asked Questions

Dedicated to providing only the best customer service to each of our customers. Anywhere Automotive is always available to answer questions you have about your vehicle and our services. Anywhere Automotive has been providing auto repair services to customers for over 35 Years and we are your dealership Alternative. Call us today if you have concerns or questions About you Vehicle

What kind of things do I needed to keep my car in good running shape? It starts with preventative maintenance!

This helps to ensure your vehicle is running optimally and helps to avoid larger issues from developing. Overall, preventative maintenance makes your car safe, dependable, efficient, and in the end, saves you money. A well-maintained car will not only last longer but will get better gas mileage.

Each automobile manufacturer sets different standards as to when they recommend your vehicle needs an oil change.  In our experience, we have found doing an oil change every 3,000 miles works best.  If you have questions about what oil change schedule would work best for your vehicle, give us a call.

Synthetic motor oil and regular motor oil both start off life as crude oil.  However, synthetic motor oil has been refined and broken down to remove impurities.  This improves its stability and also improves its lubrication qualities at higher and lower temperatures.  Synthetic motor oil is a more costly choice.  There are a few scenarios in which we recommend using synthetic motor oil, such as performance vehicles with a turbo and in some high mileage vehicles.  Despite this, regular motor oil should not be looked down on.  It does a wonderful job at protecting your vehicle's engine and keeps it running smoothly.
You may notice your vehicle starts to run rough or the check engine light may come on.  Each vehicle has a different manufactures recommendation for when a tune up is needed.  You can check your owner's manual or stop in and we can help you determine if it's time for a tune up.
If you notice any cracks on your belts or hoses, it is time to replace them. Other indicators it is time to replace them is if they feel hard or extremely soft.  However, hoses can start to wear from the inside out, and this isn't something you would be able to see on a visual inspection.  We typically recommend you replace them every 2 to 4 years.
Once you notice your vehicles temperature is starting to climb, it is best to take immediate action.  First thing you should do is turn off your AC if you have it on and find a safe place to pull your car off the road.  Do NOT attempt to remove the radiator cap or check any of the hoses.  It is very dangerous to do this under these conditions, and you are likely to get severely burned.  A car that has over heated can cause massive damage, very quickly.  This is why it is important to pull off the road as soon as you safely can and have your vehicle towed to our shop for an inspection.
It is a good idea to check your coolant and engine oil at least 1 to 2 times a month to make sure the fluid looks good and is filled to the appropriate level.  Every manufacture will have suggested maintenance schedule for replacing your cars fluids.  In most cases, we suggest you change your coolant every 30,000 miles.  If you are unsure whether it is time to have your coolant replaced, stop by with your car, and we can help you determine if a coolant change is needed.
If your brakes make a grinding or squeaking noise, it normally means your brake pads are worn out and need to be changed.  It is always best to have any noise your brakes make looked at by a professional technician to make sure it isn't a safely issue. Your front brakes in most cases will ware out first because they do the majority of the stopping. Usually around 30 to 40 thousand moles they will need to be replaced. But you can always have them checked when you have your tires rotated.
This is a common question that we get asked all the time. And the answer is yes, wiper blades should be replaced every six months! The reason for this is because over time, wiper blades will become worn down and less effective at doing their job. So, to ensure a clear view of the road ahead, it's important to replace your wiper blades every six months. It's no secret that wiper blades are an important part of your car. They help keep you safe by ensuring a clear view of the road in all weather conditions. But with so many different wipers blade brands and models available, it can be difficult to know which ones are right for your vehicle. To clean your wiper blades, you will need to use a soft cloth and some soapy water. First, lift up your wiper blade and then wipe away any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the blade. Next, dip your cloth into the soapy water and then wipe down the wiper blade. Finally, rinse off the wiper blade with clean water and dry it off with a clean cloth.
When it comes to car maintenance, one of the most important – and often overlooked – components is the timing belt. A timing belt keeps the engine running smoothly, and if it's not in good condition, can cause all sorts of problems. So how do you know when it's time to change your timing belt? In this blog post, we'll discuss the signs that indicate you need a new timing belt. A timing belt is a rubber belt that synchronizes the crankshaft and camshaft in your engine, ensuring that the valves open and close at the correct time. The timing belt also keeps the pistons from colliding with the valves – a situation that would cause major engine damage. The timing belt is made of rubber, and over time, the rubber will deteriorate. If the timing belt snaps, it can cause major engine damage – in some cases, requiring an entirely new engine. For this reason, it's important to replace your timing belt according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule. Expect a timing belt to last from 60,000-100,000 miles.
Yes, we suggest that any time you are planning a trip with your vehicle, you have it inspected for any possible safety issues along with making sure it is in optimal running condition.  You don't want the highlight of your trip to be when the tow truck finally rescued you from the side of the road! If it has been a while since your last oil change, we typically suggest you have your oil changed before and after any long road trips.  In addition to an oil change, you will want to check and make sure all your lights are in working order, along with your windshield wipers.  Check all your fluids, belts and hoses, and inspect your battery to make sure it doesn't show any signs of corrosion.  It is also very important to check your tires to make sure you have plenty of tread, no cracks, and to ensure they are properly inflated according to the manufacturer's specifications.  We suggest you also take a few basic items with you in case of an emergency, such as jumper cables, some basic tools, a first aid kit, and water.

What Parts of My Vehicle Will Wear Out First?

If you are car or truck owner, it is likely that you have had to deal with the various car parts breaking down. Every vehicle has about 30,000 interconnected parts that all have to work together. Some of these parts are meant to wear down, while others might be more prone to failure early on in a car's life. We'll go over which parts are likely to fail when.

Oil and Filter

Your car's oil is designed to lubricate the engine components so that they don't grind together, reducing friction and wear on car parts such as pistons or bearings. Proper car maintenance includes changing your car's oil regularly by having a professional technician do it or doing it yourself with the right tools. Not doing so can allow dirt and debris to build up, which will eventually lead to engine failure. The car's oil filter is responsible for trapping any of this debris before it enters the engine. Though some technicians will replace an oil filter every time the oil is changed, the industry standard is every other time you change the oil. Also keep in mind that synthetic oils are designed to last longer. Average Lifespan: Around 3,000-5,000 miles for the car's oil and around 10,000 for its filter.

Wiper Blades

Windshield wipers are essential car parts that most people take for granted until they stop working. They help keep your windshield clear of rain, snow, or debris while you're driving. You can’t drive if you can’t see where you’re going. If you live in a climate with lots of different kinds of weather, then you already know how important your wiper blades are.  Wiper blades should be replaced as soon as they show signs of wear. If your car is equipped with a rear wiper blade, consider replacing that too. You might not use the rear wiper as much or rely on it as often, it still will wear down faster than you expect. Average Lifespan: Around six months of regular use.

Battery

This is probably the first one you thought of, and for good reason. After filters and wiper blades, the battery is one of the car parts that is most likely to fail early on. It is responsible for starting the car and running all of its electrical systems. If your battery is starting to show its age, you might want to consider replacing it. A good technician will check this often and steer you in the right direction. Average Lifespan: 4-6 years with normal use with average climatic conditions.

Brake Pads

Brake pads are made to wear down, so it should be no surprise that they make this list. They are designed to slow down or stop your car by applying direct contact to the rotor. This contact causes friction, causing them to gradually get thinner with use. The Average Lifespan: 4-6 years with normal use, or around 40,000 miles

Tires

Let's talk more about friction. The parts of a car most likely to wear down the fastest are the ones that create or experience friction. Just like brake pads, your vehicle's tires are made to wear down as they provide traction to your car. Average Lifespan: 6 years, for average use.

Spark Plugs

Some car parts will wear out over time because of the nature of their job. Spark plugs are designed to create sparks that ignite fuel in a vehicle's engine. This repeated sparking will eventually wear the spark plugs down and they will need to be replaced. Average Lifespan: 20,000-30,000 miles

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