Expert Automotive Services

Nothing in your engine works harder than your oil. With hundreds of moving parts, and thousands of explosions every minute, it’s no wonder that engine oil needs to be changed frequently!

We’ve all heard the old rule of thumb: Change your oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. But some car manufacturers have introduced extended oil change intervals. They figure that a modern vehicle driven under the right conditions can go for 5,000 miles between oil changes.

The key phrase here is “under the right conditions.” Severe driving conditions include stop and go, short trips, towing, hauling, hot, cold, and dusty driving and for most of us, that’s the way we use our cars in everyday life. Just remember, it’s cheaper to change your oil than your engine!

A tune-up is one job that’s changed a great deal over the course of automotive history and there’s no absolute definition of what exactly a tune-up should include, but most would agree that it involves replacing the spark plugs and performing other adjustments to maintain or restore like-new engine performance.

If you think your car needs a tune-up, it’s probably because you’re experiencing some kind of drivability problem. Your vehicle might be getting hard to start, not getting the fuel mileage it once did, hesitating or stalling, knocking or not running with the same zip and power as before. Any tune-up today should start with a battery of performance checks to base line or confirm the engine’s overall condition.

Tire rotation is one of the easiest auto maintenance tasks to accomplish, but it’s very important. Done properly, it can extend the life of your tires, improve your gas mileage and ensure that your car handles in a steady and predictable manner when you need to make a sudden turn or stop. The key to avoiding uneven tire wear is regularly moving each tire to a different corner of the car. This way, each tire experiences a variety of wear patterns over time, and wears out at the same rate as the other tires.
Day-to-day tire treadwear causes changes in the distribution of weight around the tire and wheel assembly. Balancing your wheels minimizes potential vibration felt in the steering wheel, seat, or floorboard and aids in proper tire treadwear. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, your wheels may need balancing: steering-wheel vibration at highway speeds, seat or floorboard vibration at highway speeds or scalloped/cupped wear patterns on your tires.

To keep your tire tread wearing evenly, we recommend rotating your tires and checking your wheel balance every other time you change your oil.

A timing belt controls the timing of the engine’s valves. When a timing belt snaps, certain types of engines can be ruined. There are two different types of engines: interference and non-interference. If a timing belt snaps or slips on an interference engine, the engine will be badly damaged costing a small fortune in repairs. If a timing belt snaps on a non-interference engine, the engine will be damaged but will not cost as much in repairs. It is best to replace the timing belt when you have reached the number of miles your car manual recommends for a replacement, or when you see some symptoms signaling that the timing belt is going bad.

An out-of-alignment car is a common result of everyday driving. But the term alignment doesn’t really refer to your car’s wheels but rather to the suspension. As part of normal driving, parts of your car’s suspension may become worn, and springs can be stretched out. Even a small accident or bumping a curb can disrupt your suspension, knocking some of the highly calibrated components off-kilter, making your wheels sit at improper angles. An alignment restores these angles to their correct measurements, making sure that your wheels sit straight.

The most visible benefit of an alignment is less tire wear. And when tires do wear down, they’ll do so evenly on a properly aligned suspension. An alignment will ensure that your car drives straight and handles properly, making your ride safer. You’ll also get better gas mileage because your tires will be properly aligned with the road, decreasing resistance.

A fully functioning brake system is crucial to your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of other drivers on the road. Your vehicle’s brake system involves highly engineered parts and precise movements that stop your vehicle by converting kinetic energy into thermal energy. When you press down on the brake pedal, the master cylinder pressurizes a system of hydraulic brake lines leading to each of the vehicle’s wheels, where brake pads or shoes press against a disc or drum and create the necessary friction needed to slow the vehicle to a complete stop. Over time, this friction and heat has the potential to wear down the brake shoes, brake pads, calipers, brake rotors, and other braking components. While the components comprising each brake system may vary, the warning signs for impending brake repairs are the same. For example, if your brakes squeal or grind when in use, if your vehicle pulls to one side when braking or if your brake pedal presses down too easily – also known as “spongy” brakes. Sometimes, your vehicle’s electronic diagnostic system will alert you to a potential brake issue by a service indicator light on the dashboard. While these are only some of the most common signs of potential problems with your vehicle’s brake system, noticing these signs of faulty brakes and seeking out a brake service can save you money down the line.

We suggest you have your brake system inspected with each tire rotation, which should occur every other oil change. Our brake inspection services include a complete examination of your vehicles brake system and if we find your brakes need repair, adjustment or replacement we will tell you exactly what’s required.

When your transmission is running properly, it transfers more power from your engine to the drive wheels and improves fuel economy. Over time, dirt builds up in the transmission as the fluid breaks down. Flushing transmission fluid gets rid of this buildup and prevents problems, such as jerking. Having your transmission serviced on a regular basis is a smart move and will extend its life. Service can range from a basic service check to a pressurized flush. Aside from the fact that a flush replaces the old fluid in your transmission with new fluid, this procedure also cleans the filter and system; in addition, it can identify minor transmission issues before they become major problems. We suggest having a transmission service completed at least every 30,000 miles.

Part of your vehicle’s drivetrain, the differential is a gearbox located between the drive wheels of your vehicle. Most four-wheel drive vehicles have both a front and rear differential. With the transmission, the differential delivers power from the engine to the axle that turns the vehicle’s wheels. The differential makes turning your car possible by allowing the wheels to turn at different speeds (the outside wheels need to spin faster than the inside wheels during a turn).
Differential fluid (or differential oil) lubricates the differential gears and carries heat away from them, helping them last longer. If the differential fluid leaks, breaks down or gets contaminated, the gears won’t move smoothly. Continuing to drive if the differential gears are grinding together can cause damage.
We’ll let you know the recommended differential service interval for your vehicle. To keep the seals, gears and bearings operating properly, we’ll remove the old differential fluid and replace it with new.

Factory scheduled maintenance is your typical 30/60/90/120K mile service. However, each manufacturer has its own recommendations on what services should be carried out at each interval. Having these maintenance services performed on time can prevent premature wear and tear, and ensure your vehicle operates safely. In many cases, specific services are required to maintain warranties.

Are you planning a road trip or looking to purchase a vehicle? Our multi-point vehicle inspection includes checking vital fluids, an under hood inspection, checking interior & exterior safety features and inspecting under the vehicle. Our Service Advisors will review our findings and if there are any concerns, we’ll help you prioritize repairs.

Shocks and struts do not need to be replaced at specific mileage intervals so understanding how to identify the warning signs associated with failing shocks and struts is integral to your safety and the safety of your passengers. Shocks and struts wear out over time and the implications of failure could be dangerous. New shocks and struts can make you stop up to 10 feet sooner, while providing increased vehicle stability and better driver control. Some indicators that you may need new shock or struts are; poor ride quality, “nose dive” when braking, “body roll” when turning, “squatting” upon acceleration or visible damage including dents, cuts or leaks. Remember, only a post card size portion of each tire touches the road at any given time. So, if you notice your vehicle not holding to the road well, it may be time to replace your struts or shocks.

There is no engine component more complex and essential than a car’s transmission. Transmissions are responsible for shifting gears (automatically or manually) to dynamically change the speed-torque ratio in order to deliver power to the wheels in an efficient manner based on the speed of the vehicle. In the event that a transmission does begin to fail in some way (or fails completely), we will recommend a replacement, a rebuilding process, or other smaller repairs to ensure that the car will function properly and reliably.

For many drivers on the road, there is nothing like driving a vehicle with a manual transmission. Between the satisfaction of up shifting, the feeling of being in total control over your vehicle and the street cred that comes with knowing how to drive a stick, it is easy to understand why many people feel the way they do. Clutches, like so many other parts in a vehicle, wear out over time. The rate of clutch wear depends on several factors, most prevalently your personal driving style and the geographic landscape in which you drive. If your clutch has worn down to where it is no longer effective, your vehicle will require a clutch replacement.

A fully functioning brake system is crucial to your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of other drivers on the road. Your vehicle’s brake system involves highly engineered parts and precise movements that stop your vehicle by converting kinetic energy into thermal energy. When you press down on the brake pedal, the master cylinder pressurizes a system of hydraulic brake lines leading to each of the vehicle’s wheels, where brake pads or shoes press against a disc or drum and create the necessary friction needed to slow the vehicle to a complete stop. Over time, this friction and heat has the potential to wear down the brake shoes, brake pads, calipers, brake rotors, and other braking components. While the components comprising each brake system may vary, the warning signs for impending brake repairs are the same. For example, if your brakes squeal or grind when in use, if your vehicle pulls to one side when braking or if your brake pedal presses down too easily – also known as “spongy” brakes. Sometimes, your vehicle’s electronic diagnostic system will alert you to a potential brake issue by a service indicator light on the dashboard. While these are only some of the most common signs of potential problems with your vehicle’s brake system, noticing these signs of faulty brakes and seeking out a brake service can save you money down the line.

We suggest you have your brake system inspected with each tire rotation, which should occur every other oil change. Our brake inspection services include a complete examination of your vehicles brake system and if we find your brakes need repair, adjustment or replacement we will tell you exactly what’s required.

Without a fully functioning radiator & engine cooling system, things can get heated! When you drive, the parts within your engine are creating some serious friction – and that friction generates heat. Engines run efficiently when warmed up, and the temperature is maintained by many engine cooling parts; the radiator, cooling fans, water pump, thermostat, coolant, pressure cap, overflow tank reservoir and other misc. parts. A car’s radiator has the important task of keeping the engine cool. Radiator repair and maintenance is essential to the health of your engine and your vehicle. The most common radiator repairs involve simple part replacement and radiator fluid exchange. Additionally, most manufacturers recommend replacing coolant antifreeze at regular intervals.

Your vehicle’s air conditioning system is designed to keep you cool and comfortable. When it doesn’t perform properly, don’t fret: we’ll get you cooled off. We have the diagnostic tools to quickly pinpoint the reason for malfunction, regardless of the manufacturer. We will repair your cooling system in less time than you think, and restore its cooling back to normal.

When an engine “dies,” it does not have to be the end of your vehicle. If your vehicle is in relatively good shape it might make sense to update it by rebuilding or replacing the engine, rather than replacing the vehicle. However, other vehicle components could be the cause of engine failure. We’re here to help you determine your options and costs involved.

If your vehicle failed its Emission test, bring it and the Vehicle Inspection Report to Raceway! Your vehicle may have failed because the “Check Engine” light was on, OBD diagnostic trouble codes are set, it exceeded one or more of the allowable emissions limits established by the state for that vehicle. Or, it may have failed for visible smoke or missing emissions control equipment such as the catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, or gas cap. Regardless of the cause, we’ll have you passing that test in no time.

It can be pretty disturbing when the Check Engine light comes on. We wonder just how urgent it is. Generally speaking, it is not critical like a temperature or oil pressure light. When you get one of those, it means STOP NOW! But, if your Check Engine light flashes on and off, you know that it is more urgent and you need to get it checked immediately to prevent damage. You should slow down and avoid towing or heavy loads until you can get it check out. We have special diagnostic equipment that will retrieve the trouble code from the computer and help determine what is wrong. From there, we can fix it and get you back on the road.

Did you know that today’s cars carry more computer power than the Apollo 121 Lunar Module that landed on the moon in 1969? New cars have as many as 12 networked computers and over 5 miles of wiring. In fact, for the last decade or so, computers have been controlling about 85% of your vehicles functions! Cars have sensors for manifold air temperature, coolant temperature, manifold air pressure, airflow, throttle position, vehicle speed and oxygen content. All of this electronic wizardry is pretty complicated. How do you know when there is a problem? It’s simple – the Check Engine light comes on. We have special diagnostic equipment that will retrieve the trouble code from the computer and help determine what is wrong. From there, we can fix it and get you back on the road.

If your car starts making weird noises and they are sounds, which you are not accustomed to, it can be confusing. All cars will emit some sort of noise, which is the general nature of a vehicle. It develops what some people refer to as a “personality,” and these noises become part of the performance of the car. These noises do not necessarily mean anything is wrong with the vehicle, but we all get to know our cars, until one day it makes a noise that stands out from the usual tones. That’s when we tend to tune in and get worried. We’re here to figure out what’s going on!

There are plenty of smells emanating from your car. Some of them are perfectly normal, even if they’re annoying. Other odors are definitely evidence that something may be wrong. We can tell a lot about the source of an odor by simply walking around the car. Some odors are only apparent when the car is running, others when it’s hot and others when it’s sitting. Stop by and we’ll figure it out!

We work on all makes and models, including foreign and domestic vehicles. Make your appointment to have your car serviced today.

We offer pick-up and delivery services for your vehicle within a certain radius of our store. Call today to find out if we provide them for your area!

Buying a car is a big decision! When you are buying a used vehicle, you want to make sure you are making a good choice and getting the most value you can for your money. Trust Raceway’s pre-purchase inspection service to give you a full synopsis before you buy it.

Going on a road trip should be fun and exciting. Worrying about if your car will make the haul takes all the fun out of it. Come to Raceway for a trip check and we’ll let you know if your car needs anything before you take it on a long trip.