Frequently Asked Auto Repair Questions from Madden Auto Repair in Bartlesville, OK

Your tires should be rotated every other oil change or every 5,000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a significant cause of premature tire wear.

YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in significant engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than a timing belt replacement.

Many sensors and computerized components manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the “check engine” light illuminates. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is essential to address the issue to prevent long-term problems or failure of emission tests.

This is a serious problem—if your car overheats too long, you can damage its engine. Find a safe place to pull off the road and shut off the engine immediately! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator, as it can burn you. The best thing to do is tow your car to a repair shop.

You should get your oil changed every 3,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. If intervals are extended, ensure you use oil capable of extended mileage changes.

Milky brown engine oil indicates coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (or other gasket), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is severe and needs to be quickly checked by a professional technician.

Battery cables and terminals should be cleaned and inspected to ensure an excellent electrical connection.

Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high-output turbocharged or supercharged engines, vehicles used for towing (especially during hot weather), and vehicles operated in extremely cold or hot climates. Though several times more expensive than mineral-based motor oils, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes. They also provide instant lubrication on start-up.

To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, replace your car’s fuel filter approximately every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Your spark plugs should be replaced every 30 months or 30,000 miles for maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance unless your vehicle is equipped with 100,000-mile platinum-tipped spark plugs.

Always replace burned-out fuses with ones of the same amperage (printed on the fuse), and note that if a fuse continues to “blow,” you should have the circuit checked professionally by one of our technicians for defects.