The next time that you need your oil changed, remember these tips to help make the process easier.

1) How Much Oil Does My Vehicle Need?

The size of your engine will dictate the amount of oil that you need.  Bigger engines require more oil to fill them.  This could greatly affect your choice in oil.  Most oil changes include up to five quarts of oil.  If your vehicle requires more than that, it could greatly increase the price, especially if the oil is expensive.

2) Which Oil is Best for My Engine?

The grade of oil is the first number that is listed when talking about oil.   It goes up to 70.  This number can also be called the oil weight.  Common oil grades are 5W-30, 10W-20, and 20W-30.  The “W” lets you know that that oil meets low temperature standards.  The second number is the motor oil viscosity and will be 10, 20 or 30.  The best viscosity for your engine will depend on its type and will be listed in your owner’s manual.

3) Should I Get Conventional or Semi/Full Synthetic Oil?

Depending on the age of your vehicle or type of engine, semi or full synthetic oil could be recommended.  Most vehicles that have more than 75,000 miles should be using a special high-mileage blend, which is usually semi synthetic.  Certain performance engines require full synthetic oil.  You should be able to find this information in your owner’s manual.  Be aware that full synthetic can cost up to three times as much as conventional oil and semi synthetic will also be more (but not as much as full synthetic).

Knowing the type of oil that is best for your engine can help you save money and keep it running smoothly.  This will increase its efficiency and help it last longer.

The oil filter removes contaminants such as dirt, carbon and particles of metal from your car’s oil before they wreak havoc on your engine. For such a cheap part, the oil filter is a critical component to your engine. With all that in mind, how do you find the best oil filter? Here are a few things to consider.

Don’t be cheap: Oil filters can range in price from $5 to $20. While you may be tempted to go for the cheaper oil filter, the more expensive oil filters will be able to remove more contaminants on a single pass than cheaper ones.

Get the right one: A common problem is purchasing the correct oil filter for your vehicle. Most oil filters look the same so it can be deceiving. Read the product catalogue to make sure you are buying the right filter.

Know your filter: Some filters are meant to last 3,000 miles. Others last longer at 6,000 miles. If you purchase a 3,000 mile filter you need to change it every 3,000 miles. The filter loses its effectiveness once you go beyond it’s suggested lifespan.

Be sure to always use quality parts when changing your oil filter and consult a reputable mechanic or parts supplier if you have any questions. Having an Albuquerque oil change or a Tucson oil change can supply you with the right oil filter.

We’ve broken them down into two categories: “Preventative Care” and “Care at the Shop.”

Preventative Care

• Having regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tune-ups, can keep your car running smoothly and prevent engine damage.

• Be sure all of your vehicle’s liquids are always at proper levels. This can prevent major flare-ups such as an overheated engine down the road.

• When you know your car has a problem, do not wait months to take it to the mechanic. This could only make the problem worse.

• Fill your vehicle with top-quality gasoline. Using a better gasoline grade prevents deposits from building up in your engine.

• Don’t be hard on your vehicle. Driving your vehicle like a NASCAR driver could cause unnecessary damage, especially if you get into an accident.

Care At the Shop

• Visit garage owners and ask about hourly rates. Comparing hourly rates must be balanced against the mechanic’s skill and qualification. You don’t want to skimp just to save money.

• Bring your vehicle to a certified mechanic. Working with a certified mechanic ensures your vehicle gets necessary services that are done right.

• Check with family members to find reputable mechanics with fair prices.

• Research prospective mechanics. Check the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints.

Follow these tips — along with getting a Santa Fe oil change or a Albuquerque oil change – and you’ll save a ton of money over the long haul.

Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. If you’re going to give your vehicle a tune up here’s what you need to do:

• Replace the fuel filter
• Replace the air filter
• Replace worn belts
• Change the spark plugs
• Service the battery, be sure to clean the filters
• Check and replace fluids, replace oil filter

For some cars you may also have to:

• Adjust the clutch
• Replace the distributor cap

This could be challenging especially if you don’t have the proper tools and equipment to get the job done right. It is not uncommon to see vehicles damaged thanks to the handiwork work of a novice mechanic.

A tune-up can take between two to four hours of labor for a competent mechanic. How long will it take someone working out of their home garage? Don’t get us wrong. A tune-up is something your car needs. It definitely keeps your vehicle running smoothly.

But it’s better to take it to a qualified mechanic to ensure it is done properly. Another benefit: a mechanic can examine the rest of your vehicle to pinpoint a problem that may have gone undetected by an amateur mechanic. Additionally, you will need to properly dispose of old fluids such as oil, which can be a tedious process.

We recommend taking your car to a reputable mechanic for your next tune up. Getting a Tucson car tune up or a Las Cruces car tune up will ensure it’s done right the first time.

Whether you purchased a brand-new car  or a used one, here are a few things you should be doing so you don’t encounter any major problems down the road.

Every Three Months

Every three months, be sure to check your fluids. You should also change your oil every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. Three-month fluid inspection should include:

• Oil
• Brake fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Window washer fluid

Also, be sure to check the coolant. Your coolant should be about 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water. If you’re not up to mixing a coolant cocktail, your auto-parts store should sell some pre-mixed coolant.

Every Six Months

At the six-month mark, you should check your battery as well as your tire depth. Without the proper tire depth, you may not be able to make a quick, sudden stop with your vehicle. Be sure to also check if it’s time for another oil change.

Every Year

At year end, you should flush your radiator, which prevents rust and corrosion in the radiator, which can lead to expensive repairs. You will also want to check your:

• Spark plugs
• Fuel filter
• Brake pads
• Windshield wipers

If confident enough, some of this you can do on your own, but always have a trusted mechanic on speed-dial should you run into any problems.

Follow these steps and you won’t need Tucson brake repair or Albuquerque brake repair for a long time. The only possible headaches, you’ll be having is from the new-car smell.

Between your Phoenix transmission flush, your brake fluid flush, and your power steering flush, it seems like vehicles are constantly in need of a fluid flush of some sort. For many people who are told they need a fluid flush, it seems as though you car is constantly thirsty for fluid or maybe that your mechanic is just making things up!

Of course, fluid flushes are real and a very important part of properly maintaining your car. The fluids used in your vehicle are vital for keeping your car on the road and fully functioning for years to come

Like an oil change which replaces old oil that has collected soot and metallic particles that can cause damage to the engine, fluid flushes involve removing the old and dirty fluids and replacing them with fresh fluid.

The fluids in your vehicle all have a different lifespan so you will need to consult your owner’s manual or a certified mechanic for more details on when you will need to change yours.

If you need a Tucson transmission flush or any other fluid flush, don’t hold off, take care of it right away or risk damage to your vehicle.

Welcome to the Brake Masters Blog.

This blog is owned and maintained by Brake Masters, the “honest brake” store.

Its purpose is to provide consumers with product updates, news, Brake Masters coupons and consumer suggestions for automotive inquires and operations.

We will write about how to maintain your vehicle, auto brake repair issues, common causes for vehicle issues, product suggestions, how to expand the life of your vehicle, money saving ideas, and other important information to help benefit you.

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