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.

Services

Creech Import Repair is a full-service repair shop. We can complete many different auto repair services including brake repair, engine repair, complete standard, and scheduled maintenance services, check engine light and performance issues, North Carolina State Inspections, heating & air conditioning and much more. With customer satisfaction as our ultimate goal, you can trust Creech Import Repair to provide you with honest work that is completed in a timely manner, at an affordable price, and by certified ASE technicians.
We specialize in Asian vehicles, but also service Domestic vehicles (limited).

Our services performed on both Asian and Domestic (U.S.) vehicles include:

A/C Repair & Service
Brake repairs
Electrical System Repair
Fuel system diagnostics
NC State Inspections
New tire sales. Falken tire dealer
Computer Diagnostics
Engine Repair & Service
Roadside Assistance
Timing Belt Replacement
Tune-Ups & Oil Changes
Check Engine Light Diagnostics
Cooling System Service & Repair
Factory Recommended Maintenance
Safety Inspections
Tire Balancing
Wheel Alignment

Our customers have consistently trusted our auto repair services. Creech Import Repair is a 5-star rated automobile repair shop in Raleigh, and we take our responsibility to live up to your expectations very seriously. We hire only the most capable ASE certified technicians, use the latest in technology for diagnostics and repair, operate in a fashion designed to minimize our environmental impact, and keep our facility stocked with the highest quality, most innovative automotive repair equipment. If you are unsure of what is wrong with your vehicle, or your Check Engine light is on, bring your vehicle to Creech Import Repair for a diagnosis! Every new car is equipped with a computer, or ECM (electronic control module) that monitors and controls the vehicle’s powertrain, consisting of the engine and transmission. The ECM is designed to keep your vehicle running at maximum efficiency with the least emissions. With today’s new regulations concerning emissions, it is imperative that you maintain your car’s health by ensuring the parameters of the ECM are set correctly. We have the technology to take information from your vehicle’s ECM and start the diagnostic process. The ECM does not necessarily tell us exactly what is wrong with your vehicle, but it does give our technicians a great starting point and speeds up the entire repair process.

Services

Contact us today for an estimate with the most trusted auto repair shop in Wake County, Creech Import Repair!