Tulsa Auto Repair Guide: How To Steer Clear of Car Problems
Keep Your Vehicle Performing at its Best With Tate Boys Maintenance Services
At Tate Boys, we go the extra mile to provide exceptional auto repair services in Tulsa, OK. Each of our mechanics is ASE-certified and uses quality replacement parts to ensure that your vehicle gets back on the road performing its best.
Our dedication to excellence has made us a preferred auto repair shop in Tulsa, and we’ve performed virtually every type of auto repair service throughout the years, which means we’ve seen it all. Many drivers who bring their vehicle in for auto repair in Tulsa are often shocked to hear that the problem with their vehicle or their recent breakdown could have been avoided with preventative maintenance.
At Tate Boys, we strive to provide quality maintenance and auto repair services, along with insightful education to help you get the most out of your vehicle. Let's explore a few key maintenance tips and discover how you can steer clear of major car problems throughout your vehicle's lifetime.
Maintenance Is Key
If you ask anyone who drives a high mileage vehicle how they managed to keep their vehicle for so long and put so many miles on it, they’ll tell you that they stayed on top of their maintenance schedule. Routine maintenance, also called preventative maintenance, is one of the best ways to avoid the need for expensive auto repair. Performing timely maintenance on your vehicle ensures that your vehicle's many components are operating in ideal conditions, which helps you get the most life out of your vehicle while preventing the need for costly repair.
The All-Important Oil Change
Of all the services your vehicle will need throughout its lifetime, oil changes are by far the most important. Your oil is tasked with cooling, lubricating, and cleaning the many moving parts in your engine and is vital for the safe operation of your motor. Although oil does a great job of protecting your engine, its life is finite, and it must be changed regularly.
The frequency with which your vehicle will require an oil change depends on the type of oil that your vehicle uses. There are three different types of oil that can be used in a combustion engine, each of which offers a different type of protection. Additionally, some types of oil are incompatible with certain types of engines, so it's important to understand exactly which type of oil your engine needs to avoid any irreversible damage.
Conventional Oil
Conventional oil is refined from crude oil and offers adequate protection for certain types of engines. Because conventional oil offers the most basic protection, it needs to be changed the most frequently. Additionally, because conventional oil loses its protective properties around 275°F, it is not compatible with every type of engine. If your engine is designed to run on conventional oil, we recommend getting an oil change at a local Tulsa Tate Boys, every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Synthetic Blend Oil
Synthetic blend oil has a conventional oil base with synthetic additives for added protection. This type of oil often has added cleaning agents and sealants to address gasket leaks and carbon buildup commonly found in high-mileage engines. We recommend that synthetic blend oil be changed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
Full Synthetic Oil
Full synthetic oil offers the best protection for your engine and also lasts the longest. Full synthetic oil is also derived from crude oil but is chemically modified and engineered to provide the highest degree of protection for your engine. Able to withstand temperatures of more than 450°F, this type of oil is compatible with many different engines and is required on many vehicles with turbocharged engines. We recommend that you replace your full synthetic oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.
Not Just an Oil Change — There’s More
While your vehicle's oil change may be one of the most important services that it'll need throughout its lifetime, it certainly isn’t the only service your vehicle will require. Vehicles with combustion engines have various components, like transmissions and cooling systems, that each require some level of maintenance to ensure that they continue to run optimally.
In your owner's manual, you can find a detailed list of your manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule that’s designed to keep your vehicle operating as reliably as possible. While different makes and models have different maintenance needs, here’s what you can generally expect your vehicle's maintenance needs to be:
- Coolant flush — every three years or 36,000 miles
- Tire rotation — every 7,500 miles
- Brake pad replacement — every 15,000 to 80,000 miles (depending on pad thickness)
- Battery replacement — every three years
- Tire replacement — every 30,000 to 80,000 miles (depending on tread depth and condition)
- Wheel alignment — every year
- Transmission fluid flush — every 60,000 to 100,000 miles
- Windshield wiper replacement — every year
Schedule Service Today at Tate Boys
Whether you need quality maintenance or trustworthy auto repair in Tulsa, we welcome you to schedule an appointment at Tate Boys today. In addition to our already competitive prices, you'll find fantastic special offers and service coupons that allow you to save even more money while taking the very best care of your vehicle.
No matter what car you drive, call our stores to schedule service at our Tulsa auto repair shop today and trust your vehicle in the hands of the automotive experts.
