Oil keeps the engine lubricated, cooled, and clean. As it flows through the engine, it maintains lubrication, dissipates heat, and carries off tiny particles and contaminants to the oil filter. Over time, the additives in oil break down and it must be replaced. Failing to perform oil changes will lead to reduced engine performance and efficiency and, eventually, total failure.
That depends on the type of oil you use, how hard you drive your vehicle, and in what kind of environments you drive it. Your owner’s manual has recommendations on service intervals, but for modern vehicles, every 5,000 miles is a good place to start.
Tire pressure matters a lot. Over- and underinflation can increase the wear and tear on your tires as well as raise the risk of blowouts. Overinflated tires are more likely to fail when driving over potholes, while underinflated tires are more likely to get ripped open by the friction.
Rotating your tires front to back, or even diagonally, helps even out the wear and increase the life of your tires. Generally, the front tires wear faster than the rear tires because, in front-wheel-drive vehicles like the RAV4, they are responsible for both driving and steering the vehicle.
If you hear a consistent squealing sound when you use the brakes, you need new brake pads. There are also other signs you should get your brakes checked. If you hear grinding while braking, get your brakes serviced immediately. You should also inspect your brakes if they feel mushy or your car displays any unusual braking behavior, like pulling to the side under hard stops.
Oil changes are generally the most common and frequent maintenance item your car needs. That means you should usually get your car serviced as often as you need oil changes and then, if needed, get other parts of your car serviced. Refer to your owner’s manual for more guidelines.
Yes. Dealerships have better facilities and customer service than other garages, as well as access to higher-quality, genuine OEM parts. Our technicians are also factory-trained to work specifically on your Toyota model. If your Tundra suddenly develops a strange quirk, nobody is better suited to identify and fix the problem than Krause Toyota.
Bring your car to the dealership to find out. The Check Engine Light lets you know that something related to the powertrain is going on, but there’s no real way to find out how serious it is until reading the code provided by the onboard computer. It could be as serious as an issue with the catalytic converter or as minor as a faulty gas cap.
Your car’s battery should be changed every three to five years. It depends on how often you start your car and how often you start it in very cold conditions. Because Pennsylvania winters can get fairly frosty, it’s generally better to err on the side of three years than five years. If you notice your car is beginning to struggle turning over in the winter, that’s a good sign you need a new battery soon.
We also carry a large selection of Toyota car parts and accessories at Krause Toyota. Whether you have a DIY project or if you’re simply searching for the right part, you can order it through your trustworthy Krause Toyota.