My check engine light is on. Is it safe to drive?

Basic rule that holds true with any vehicle, if the check engine light is on steady, and the vehicle is running ok with good oil pressure and not overheating, then it should be safe to drive until you can have the vehicle checked by your shop. If however the check engine light is flashing, and or you detect a performance problem, then it’s not recommended to drive the vehicle any distance.

My battery light is on in the dash. Is it safe to drive?

Normally when the battery light is on, that indicates a possible issue with the alternator. If indeed the alternator isn’t recharging the battery, you run the risk of being stranded if driven as the battery voltage will become depleted.

When should I have maintenance items like spark plugs, driveline fluids, timing belt, filters, etc?

By far the easiest way to keep up with all the maintenance items on your vehicle is to stay close to the Manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. Remember all vehicles may not have the same service intervals for a certain item. So It’s always best to check the owner's manual for your specific vehicle.

We are driving on a long trip soon, but my car isn’t due for any maintenance yet. Should I have the vehicle looked over before leaving?

Absolutely 100% you should have the vehicle checked over before driving on any long trips. Things like spare tire pressure, quick visual inspection of tires for nails/cuts and pressures. Visual inspection under the hood to assure no leaks and all fluid levels are good. These things take maybe 15 minutes and are totally worth the piece of mind while traveling long distances.

There is a warning light on in my dash. What should I do? It seems to be running ok.

Every warning light on the instrument panel has a purpose. Warning lights are there to alert us that a computer/module has detected an abnormality in one of the systems on your vehicle. If you’re not sure what the light indicates, there is a section in your owner's manual that will give detailed information related to the light in question.

I have noticed a fluid leak under my car when parking ?

Any fluid leak should be inspected by your shop to verify the source. Trying to identify fluid on your driveway or parking lot can be a bit tricky. Coolant while water based, can have an oily feel on your fingers and may lead you to think it’s engine oil. Engine oil and transmission fluid are similar, but transmission fluid if not too spent, will have a red look unless it’s a CVT transmission. Engine oil could be darker looking, or clear if you just had the oil changed recently. Brake fluid is usually clear, but oily feeling much like engine oil. Checking the under hood fluid levels many times can lead you in the right direction.

How often should I change my engine oil?

I don’t think any 2 vehicle manufacturers are the same. At Creech Import Repair, we recommend every 5,000 miles to change the oil and filter. Many mfg’s recommend longer intervals, but if they extend past 5k we highly recommend checking the engine oil level every 1,000 miles. By nature of design, any internal combustion engine is going to use or consume some amount of oil. Also detergent in oil is designed to suspend by-products of combustion, which is what eventually turns the engine oil dark. At some point the detergent content will become loaded and can’t store anymore. This is the point when the engine can start to gum up inside with deposits and can be harmful to your engine and shorten its life.

Switch To Synthetic Oil: 5 Big Reasons

Get an Oil Change in Raleigh

There is no doubt that every engine will suffer wear and tear from daily use. How much abuse it takes depends on many factors, including the kind of oil you use. It doesn't matter if you take your vehicle to Valvoline Instant Oil Change or from Walmart. You should consider using synthetic oil, and here's why.

Conventional oil is crude oil that has simply been pump out of the ground and process in a factory, making it usable in your vehicle's engine. Simply put: it is a very basic kind of oil. This oil has artificially made ("synthesized") chemical compounds that provide first-rate mechanical and chemical properties, making a synthetic oil change in Raleigh your best option.
Here are 5 reasons why you choose synthetic oil over conventional oil when you get your oil changes:

Provides superior engine wear protection, resulting in longer engine life
Provides better flow at very cold and very high temperatures, making engine start-ups easier and ultra protection in hot climates
Increased horsepower and torque due to less drag on engine components
Improved fuel economy in certain engines
Less sludge or engine build-up

Large Misconception About Synthetic Oil

There is a large misconception that using synthetic oil in your oil change allows you to go more miles between oil change intervals. Furthermore, this simply is not true. Furthermore, getting your oil changed in Raleigh requires you to follow your vehicle's scheduled maintenance schedule, regardless of the type of oil you use. Also, conventional oil, although useful, cannot provide the superior protections that synthetic oil can, even if you missed your regularly scheduled oil change interval. We can't wait to help you with your next oil change. Lastly, get your oil change coupons today and extend the life of your vehicle's engine.

5 Reasons To Switch To Synthetic Oil

Get an Oil Change in Raleigh

Large Misconception About Synthetic Oil