June 2017

You have a busy life, right? You can’t always think of everything that needs to get done around you. Maintenance is often overlooked when you get bogged down with work and family commitments. So how do you know when your car needs an oil change? There are several ways to tell that you need to find a place to take it in Philadelphia in order to get the oil change done fast!

1. The Oil is Black and Gritty

If you feel like you are due (or overdue) for an oil change, just take a glance at the oil in your vehicle. The original color is a honey brown. It will darken after a few weeks of use. But if you start to see particles mixed with the oil, you need to get it changed. Too much grit will overload the filter and contaminate the engine with all sorts of junk.

2. Your Engine is Running Louder

You know what your car usually sounds like. When your oil isn’t lubricating the engine anymore, it will start to rub, grind, and make odd noises. The louder the noise, the faster you need to visit Schafer’s Auto Center.

3. You Can’t Remember Your Last Oil Change

If you got your oil changed a few months ago, chances are you will at least vaguely remember getting it done. If you can’t remember when it was last done, you probably need to make an appointment and get your vehicle in. Get it changed and then write it down so you can remember for sure next time.

4. Oil Levels Drop

Your engine will eat the oil eventually. If you haven’t changed it in a while, your engine will start to eat the oil and you will see the levels drop. It will start to overwork the engine and things won’t run smoothly for long. Get it changed to get the levels back up to where they need to be.

5. Simply Mileage

Most oil needs to be changed in every 3,000-6,000 miles, depending on your vehicle. Keep the sticker from the shop on your window and when you hit the right number, take it in. It’s a simple way for you to keep track of the timing of those important oil change in Philadelphia.

When it’s time for an oil change, contact Schafer’s Auto Center at 215-755-1270 and make an appointment to bring your vehicle in. We’ve been in the business since 1964, and you can trust us to change your oil quickly and effectively. We’re conveniently located on one of the biggest and busiest streets in the city, so it’s easy to stop by and get that oil changed as needed. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’re looking forward to helping you with your vehicle. Besides oil changes, we can fix just about anything on a car or even a light truck. With honest, hard-working people on your side, you can’t go wrong.

There are so m any working parts on your vehicle, it can be hard to keep up with them all. The good news is that when you live in Philadelphia or the surrounding areas, you have a great place to go for the big and little details. Schafer’s Auto Center has been around since 1964 and can repair anything on your car or light truck. Whether it’s timing belt replacement, oil changes or anything in between, we’re here for you. Today, let’s look at the timing belt so you have all the information you need in that area.

A timing belt runs the engine camshaft. IT is called a timing belt for a reason. Its job is to time the opening and closing of the valve with an up and down motion of the pistons. If the timing belt isn’t operating and you have to replace it, it is one of the higher priced maintenance items you have to deal with over the life of your vehicle.

Most timing belt replacement needs will occur anywhere from 60,000 to 106,000 miles. You will find a recommended mileage in your car’s maintenance schedule from the manufacturer. Timing belts can last past the recommended intervals depending on how you drive and maintain the vehicle.

If you are nearing what your maintenance schedule says and you are wondering if your timing belt will need to be replaced or not, you can have an inspection down when you are in for a tune-up, oil change, or other items. Sometimes the timing belt will fail before the right time frame. That is usually due to faulty hardware. But if you are nearing or past the time your manufacturer recommends replacement, we can remove the covers that go over the timing belt and take a look. If you are planning a road trip and your timing belt is nearing its possible end, have an inspection done to give you peace of mind.

The cost of timing Philadelphia timing belt replacement will depend on the type of engine you have on your vehicle. You can expect anything from a couple hundred dollars all the way up to nearly a thousand depending on the complexity of the engine and the job at hand. You will want to ensure the installation is done correctly in order to make sure your vehicle runs properly for the long haul. That’s why we recommend you bring it to us for an inspection and for the ultimate timing belt replacement whenever that is needed.

Give Schafer’s Auto Center a call for an appointment today at 215-755-1270. We can check your timing belt for you and let you know if replacement is necessary right away or if you can go further o the belt you already have. We are a locally owned and operated business and we won’t recommend a service we wouldn’t do on our own vehicles. Stop by and see us soon at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148.

You’re a busy individual, we get it! Some days, you may not even feel like you have time to eat, much less get any other appointments in. Life can get busy and hectic, but if it’s important, you make time for it, right? A tune-up service for your vehicle in Philadelphia is important! Here are a few reasons you’ll want to make time for it.

Reason#1: It Will Save You Time Later

Do you have time to be stranded by the side of the road for an hour or longer, waiting for a tow truck to show up? We didn’t think so. Do you have time to wait for several hours while major repairs are done on your vehicle? That’s not idea either. Instead of letting either of those scenarios happen, get a regular tune-up service done on your vehicle and you can chalk it up to time well spent…and time well saved later!

Reason#2: It Will Save You Money

Sure, tune-up service options cost a bit of money up front but think about all the money you are saving later. When you get your brakes tuned and your brake pads changed, you are saving your brakes from needing a major repair later. The little maintenance efforts you put in today will save you a lot of money on things that won’t have to be done tomorrow.

Reason#3: It Will Make Your Car Last Longer

If you don’t relish the idea of buying a new vehicle anytime soon, you should be vigilant about making time for a tune-up service. When your vehicle runs efficiently and effectively because you keep up with your tune-ups, it will last you longer. You won’t have to buy a new car anytime soon and you can save yourself time and money in that area as well.

Reason#4: Catch Problems Early

You may take your vehicle for granted, but in all actuality, it can be a dangerous device. If something on your vehicle goes wrong, it can cause an accident or you could break down at an inopportune time. In order to catch the little things early, a tune-up service is highly recommended. Get those little things fixed before they cause big issues down the road.

If you are ready to make time for a Philadelphia , PA tune-up service, Schafer’s Auto Center will make the process as quick and easy as possible. Give us a call for an appointment today at 215-755-1270. We’ll allow you to choose a convenient time and we’ll cover all of the checkpoints as fast as we can. We know life doesn’t stop because your car needs a tune-up and we will make quick work of the process for you. Stop by and see us anytime on one of the business streets in the city! We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’re happy to help you with a tune-up service or anything else you need for your car or light truck.