Frequently Asked Service Questions

Your Common Car Repair and Maintenance Questions, Answered

At Imperial Cars, we strive to give each and every one of our customers a top-notch experience, whether you're buying your next car from us or just taking advantage of our diverse service center. We're here to help you make the most of your automotive experience, and that includes keeping your car, truck, or SUV running smoothly for hundreds of thousands of miles. Over the years, we've heard and seen just about everything, and we're here now to answer some of your most frequently asked car service and repair questions.

Are Oil Changes Really That Important?

Yes. Absolutely. Your engine oil coats your fast-moving engine parts with a lubricating layer that protects them from heat and friction that would otherwise severely damage your engine. Over time, heat and friction will break down your engine oil too, and when it becomes unable to properly coat those engine parts you'll be in big trouble very quickly. Combine that with sludge from a clogged oil filter blocking critical oil pathways inside your engine and you've got a recipe for disaster. If you plan on your vehicle getting past 75,000 miles without any issues, regular oil changes are your best friend.

How Can I Tell My Brakes are Going Bad?

With sound insulation materials, higher build quality, and climate control systems that reduce how often you drive with your windows open, the old method of listening for the brake pad squeal to determine when to have your brakes looked at is a bit outdated. We recommend having your brakes inspected at least every 15,000 miles or at every other oil change so you can stay ahead of wearing brake pads and prevent any further issues.

How Does an Alignment Help Me?

While you may not necessarily feel a big difference when your vehicle suspension isn't aligned properly, you will notice other issues that can cost you in the long run. For starters, a misaligned suspension can cause premature or uneven tire wear. In some cases that tire wear may be on a part of your tire that is hard to see, such as the inside shoulder. This leaves you susceptible to sudden blowouts and unpredictable handling on slippery surfaces. Having your vehicle alignment performed with each tire change is the least you can do, but we recommend having it done at least once every year, considering the number of potholes on our area roads after winter and spring temperatures and moisture have taken their toll.

Is Changing My Air Filter Important?

Your engine requires a specific mixture of air and fuel to be at its best, and restricted air flow from a dirty air filter can cause both power loss and a loss of fuel economy. To keep your engine running smoothly and to keep your fuel budget in check, be sure to have your air filter checked with each oil change and replaced whenever it becomes clogged.

Should I Have My Coolant System Flushed?

While the name coolant is self-explanatory, it is important to know just how critical this fluid is to keeping your engine healthy. Coolant dissipates heat from your engine through the radiator, and having dirty coolant means you risk clogging those critical pathways that your coolant needs to flow through to work properly. Having your cooling system flushed on a yearly basis or every 20,000 miles is a great way to stay ahead of this potential issue and keep your engine healthy for years to come.

My Tires are Old But Still Have Tread on Them, What Should I Do?

While tread depth is one indicator of tire health, the quality of the rubber matters almost as much. Oil and sun damage can mean that even an unused tire would be useless if exposed to the elements for an extended period of time, and we recommend never leaving a set of tires on your vehicle for more than five years, even if the tread is in excellent condition.