Fountain Hills Arizona Frequently Asked Auto Repair Quesitons | FAQ by Airpark Auto Clinic

How much will it cost to fix my car?
It depends on the complexity of the repair. What does it mean when my check engine light come on? Usually it is an emission related failure.

How long will it take to fix my car?
Normally one day on most repairs.

How often should my transmission be services?
On older cars every 20,000 miles, newer cars every 40,000.

When does my car need and alignment?
At least every year.

What does it mean when my brakes squeek?
Could be worn out or to hard brake material.

What is best for my car, regular oil or synthetic oil?
Older cars standard oil, newer cars synthetic oil.

How often should my tire pressure be checked?
Every 30 days.

What should I do if my engine starts to overheat?
Turn on your heater, it has another fan and little radiator that will help cool your engine, until you can stop and let it cool down and can inspect the cooling system.

How often should I change my oil?
Regular oil should be changed every 3,000 miles, synthetic oil every 5,000 miles. Be proactive about checking your oil, once a month is good maintenance practice.

What should the tire pressure be on my car?
The tire pressure should always be set by the tire manufacturer’s suggested PSI (pound per square inch) pressure specs. The specs can be found on the side of your tire. Properly inflated tires will give you better gas mileage, tire wear, and over all handling of your vehicle.

How often should I check my anti-freeze?
Checking the anti-freeze as well as all other fluids is very important for proper vehicle maintenance; again once a month is good practice.

How long do spark plugs last?
That really depends upon the type of spark plugs that are in your vehicle. Vehicles 15 years old or older are more likely to have standard plugs with approximate life expectancy of 12,000-15,000 miles, newer model vehicles up to 2000 are usually platinum tipped, lasting approximately 60,000 - 100,000 miles. Lastly, some 2001 and newer model vehicles come with iridium tipped plugs which could lat up to 90,000 miles.

How often should I change the timing belt on my car?
Best to refer to the owner's manual for exact mileage details regarding timing belt maintenance. Timing belts are made of rubber and should be considered a regularly scheduled maintenance item. If you are unsure of your need to replace the timing belt we recomend consulting the mechanic for a diagnosis. Additionally, some vehicles have timing chains instead of timing belts, they are not considered a maintenance item like the timing belt (as they are made of metal) and may last up to 200,000 miles before needing replacement.

Why should I do a pre-buy inspection on a car before I buy it?
When purchasing a pre-owned vehicle it is extremely important know exactly what you are getting yourself into. You don't want to end up with a lemon and get more than you bargained for.

Airpark Auto Clinic can provide you with a thorough pre-buy inspection. We check for body damage which may invisible to the untrained eye, covered by bondo and paint. We inspect the vehicle's mechanical soundness by checking the engine, drivetrain, belts, hoses, and search for oil leakes.

Additionally we do a comprehensive safety check including break and lights testing, suspension examination, as well as frame examination for damage and wear.

No one wants surprises after the purchase of a new used vehicle. An additional benefit to the pre-buy inspection is the fact finding sheet that you will be armed with when negotiating a final sale price.

Contact Us With Any Further Questions You May Have.