The 30, 60, 90 Rule.

In car maintenance this can be critical.  No matter what type of vehicle you happen to drive, the manufacturer has prescribed a regular maintenance schedule to keep your car or truck running at its best.  This is often known as 30, 60, and 90 thousand mile maintenance…or perhaps you have referred to it as “regularly scheduled maintenance.”

Why you should adhere to the schedule –

1.  Your vehicle’s warranty may very well depend on it.

2.  Small problems may not become big ones.

3.  It should prolong the life of your vehicle.

4.  It maintains and enhances your car’s value.

Routine maintenance is anything but routine at Jim’s Auto Service.  They specialize in it!  By routinely maintaining your car, Jim and his staff are confident you will think of them if major, emergency repairs are ever needed.  Trust Jim’s Auto Service for ALL your vehicle repair needs in the Raleigh area.  They are located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  Call (919) 824-4566.

When to Tune-Up.

It’s a question that vehicle owners in North Carolina need to know.  How often does your car need a tune-up?  If you are driving an older model around Raleigh you need a tune-up every 30,000 to 45,000 miles.  In modern cars, a "tune-up" is a major service that includes an oil change, replacement of an engine air filter, spark plugs and possibly a few additional items.

Spark plugs provide an electric spark to initiate combustion in your engine, so if the spark plugs are fouled-up or worn out, your engine won't run properly.  There are two types of spark plugs…conventional and long-life. Those long-life platinum-tipped spark plugs can last for 50,000-120,000 miles.

A tune-up is just one of the myriad of automotive services provided by Jim’s Auto Repair.  Jim and his exceptional crew have been keeping Raleigh drivers on the road for decades.  For any repair job on your vehicle foreign or domestic trust Jim’s Auto Repair.  They are located at 3711 Tarheel Dr.  Call ahead at (919) 824-4566.

Save the Environment…Save some $$$.

Everyone knows that hybrid and electric vehicles are growing in popularity as the price of gas continues to remain high.  Not only do buyers want to save money by having to fill up their tanks less often, but they also want to do their part to protect precious natural resources and reduce the greenhouse emissions that are harming our planet’s ozone layer.

Here are some of the special considerations for maintaining hybrids –

1.  Keep an eye on the battery as its shelf-life will eventually come to an end.

2.  The electric system on a hybrid or electric vehicle is advanced and complicated.

3.  Brakes should not need to be replaced as frequently.

4.  Be very careful if you try troubleshooting problems…you could get electrocuted!

That last one sounds dire.  It should and it should also prompt you to rely on a hybrid auto repair specialist such as Jim’s Auto Service of Raleigh.  They may have been around gas-powered cars for decades, but they know exactly how to keep your hybrid vehicle humming along as well.  Jim’s Auto Service is located at 3711 Tarheel Dr. in Raleigh.  Just call (919) 824-4566.

Turning 90,000.

One thing that will hopefully do this (if you want it to) is your car.  What should happen when your car turns 90 (90,000) that is?  For most cars made by major manufacturers, the 90,000-mile service is the third major service of your vehicle’s life.  These regularly scheduled services help maintain your ride and protect your investment for the long-term.

Here are some of the things included in this important service –

1.  Obviously, an oil change

2.  Replace the timing belt if needed

3.  Do the same with the hoses

4.  Clean the fuel system

5.  Check the brake pads and the battery

6.  Rotate and/or replace the tires

There are more steps that we will take which are too numerous to mention in this short space.  The point is, if you live in the Raleigh North Carolina area you can count on Jim’s Auto Service for ALL of your routine maintenance throughout the life of your vehicle.  Stop in at Jim’s Auto Service located at 3711 Tarheel Drive or call for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

It is Anything BUT Routine.

Routine maintenance…we are told how important it is.  Intellectually, we know that our vehicles will stay on the road longer if we pay attention to these two important words.  There are times, however when unexpected car issues will arise, and every vehicle will display certain warning signs.  Our mission is to reduce the potential for breakdown, and expensive repairs.

Here are some common car problems that arise –

1.  Number one these days is the check engine light.

2.  Your car’s engine is sputtering.

3.  The MPG is down noticeably.

4.  The brakes are squealing or grinding.

5.  Your steering wheel is shaking.

6.  You notice that the transmission has started slipping.

This, and other issues are the ones we troubleshoot here at Jim’s Auto Service.  Jim started our company decades ago on the premise that we will repair any and all automobiles, SUVs, and vans be they foreign or domestic on the roads of Raleigh NC.  Jim’s Auto Service is located at 3711 Tarheel Dr.  Call ahead and we’ll get you in right away at (919) 824-4566.   

We Can’t Tune a Fish, but We Can Tune a Car!

So, what about a tune up for your older car?  Just what is a tune up anyway?  A car tune-up is preventive maintenance performed on a vehicle to ensure it continues to hum along. A tune-up is typically regularly scheduled…once a year is reality on an older vehicle, and it offers the chance for you to get all of the preventive maintenance your car needs at that time.

Typically, when you have a tune-up performed, it will additionally include the replacement of several important wear-and-tear parts. Failure to replace these parts can result in decreased performance and other problems. Just as an example, the air filter will usually need to be replaced at least once per year.

My trained staff at Jim’s Auto Service know your car inside and out because we have worked on just about every make and model.  It gives us an advantage over the service department at a Raleigh area dealership.  People from the Triangle have been counting on us for years to keep their vehicles on the road.  Jim’s Auto Service at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh.

Dealer vs. Mechanic.

No, this is not the next Marvel super hero movie.  It is the choice that you have when you need your vehicle maintained.  Do you go to the dealership or to one of the area’s top mechanics?  Generally speaking, independent mechanics love dealerships. Why, because dealers' stiff rates and by-the-book approach can drive customers straight to a local independent specialist.

Dealerships can add hours of labor to a job that may take the local shop less time to accomplish.  One independent put it this way…”we have not sold out our imagination”.  Dealer vs. mechanic can be a bit of a dilemma for you.  One benchmark that you can follow is that if your car is no longer under warranty, trust the local mechanic.

One of Raleigh’s best local auto mechanics is Jim’s Auto Service.  Jim Liacos learned his trade on all types of vehicles.  He truly is one of our area’s top shade tree mechanics.  Weigh the differences between dealership and independent…especially time and cost.  Call Jim or drive in to his shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  You can always call ahead at (919) 824-4566.

Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh.

Wiper blades should be replaced every six months to a year or as soon as you notice a difference in driving visibility. When wiper blades no longer make proper contact with the windshield surface, they can begin to squeak, chatter, skip, smear or streak reducing driving visibility.  Danger Will Robinson, danger!

As the seasons change in the Raleigh area the snow, ice, rain and sun can cause the rubber compound on the blade to split and crack over time, creating reduced visibility when you use your wipers in inclement weather.  Responsible auto mechanics say periodically changing out your old blades for new ones to allow the windshield wiper to effectively remove debris.

It is just one of a myriad of car maintenance chores that you count on Jim Liacos to handle swiftly, accurately, and economically.  He and his crew at Jim’s Auto Service are some of the best auto maintenance professionals in the Raleigh area.  Call ahead for an appointment at Jim’s location 3711 Tarheel Drive.  That phone number is (919) 824-4566.