Engine Maintenance in The Plains

Engine Repair & Maintenance in The Plains

Your engine is one of, if not the most important component of your car. Without it working in proper order, it's impossible for you to go anywhere. If it runs inefficiently, you may face a whole host of problems that can be avoided with relatively simple maintenance. At The Plains Tire & Auto we provide all of the expertise and parts needed to keep your engine running happily and at peak efficiency.

Below are the services we can perform to ensure your engine remains healthy:

Check Engine Light
No one likes to see their car's "Check Engine" light come on. The light could mean a costly problem, like a bad catalytic converter, or it could be something minor, like a loose gas cap. At The Plains Tire & Auto, we can pull the code and diagnose the problem for you. Give us a call at 540-253-5251 or stop by the shop for our expert assistance.

Diesel
Although diesel engines don't require tune-ups and tend to last longer than gasoline engines, they do require regular maintenance. Typical maintenance tasks include:

• Changing the oil & filter
• Changing the air filter
• Changing the fuel filter
• Bleeding the fuel system
• Draining the water separators
• Refilling the urea injection system

You can count on the experts at The Plains Tire & Auto to help your diesel engine last a long time.

Fuel Injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an engine. Since 1990, fuel injectors have completely replaced carburetors as the primary means of getting gasoline into the engine. A fuel injector atomizes the fuel by forcibly pumping it through a small nozzle (under high pressure). Failure of the fuel injection system means poor performance and ultimately destroys the engine. Make sure your vehicle's fuel injection system is maintained properly. For all your fuel injection maintenance and replacement needs, call 540-253-5251 or visit The Plains Tire & Auto today.

Ignition
An ignition system is a system for igniting (using an electric spark) a mixture of fuel and air in a gasoline engine. A properly working ignition system means a properly starting engine and high performance from your car. For all your ignition system maintenance and replacement needs, call or visit The Plains Tire & Auto today.

Ignition Wires & Cables
Ignition cables also known as spark plug wires are an important part of your car's ignition system. They transfer the spark from the ignition coil to spark plugs that ignite the mixture of fuel and air. The mixture starts the engine. Over time, ignition wires and cables get weak and break down. This makes it impossible for the spark to reach the engine cylinders. This results in the engine misfiring. The car will eventually fail to start. If it does start, it will run poorly. Common symptoms of faulty ignition cables and wires are: poor gas mileage, engine misfires, engine light is on, and engine may vibrate. If your car needs new ignition cables and wires, call or visit The Plains Tire & Auto in The Plains, VA 20198. Here, you will have the wires and cables changed by a top-rated mechanic.

Oil, Lube, and Filter
To keep running smoothly, your car highly relies on oil, lube, and oil filters. Oil helps in lubricating, cooling, and cleaning the internal engine components. With time, motor oil becomes contaminated. Your car needs an oil, lube, and filter change every three months (or 3,000 miles). When it is time for a lube, oil, or filter change, take your vehicle to The Plains Tire & Auto in The Plains, VA 20198.

Spark Plugs
A spark plug delivers electric current to the combustion chamber from the ignition system. Spark plugs that haven't been changed for a long time can cause ignition problems. At The Plains Tire & Auto, we have automotive experts who will check and replace your spark plugs. For all your spark plug repair or replacement needs, call 540-253-5251 or visit The Plains Tire & Auto today.

Whether you're in need of simple oil service, or more significant engine maintenance, call The Plains Tire & Auto at 540-253-5251 to learn how we can help you get back on the road quickly!

Check Engine Light FAQs

Is it okay to drive with the engine light on?

The short answer, "No." The longer explanation is the light may indicate a serious engine failure and continuing to use your car as if nothing is wrong could result in a very expensive repair bill. The check engine light means you should stop driving and have your car looked at as soon as possible by a professional at The Plains Tire & Auto in The Plains.

What could cause a check engine light to come on?

Come by The Plains Tire & Auto and we can diagnose the reasons for a check engine light turning on. It can range from something serious like a faulty catalytic converter or potential engine failure to something simple like a loose gas cap or the need for a simple 50K or 100K mile manufacturer maintenance check.

What is the most common problem with my check engine light?

A loose gas cap is the most common cause of a check engine light coming on. But the best method to determine why the check engine light is on is to have a professional at The Plains Tire & Auto read the diagnostic code in the car's internal OBD computer.

What does an intermittent flashing check engine light mean?

Flashing check engine lights warn of severe situations requiring immediate attention. Get your vehicle to an auto repair shop as quickly as possible or get it safely parked and call a tow truck to take it to your preferred auto repair shop.

What does a solid check engine light mean?

A steady check engine light indicates a non-emergency issue. Come by The Plains Tire & Auto and we can help.

Serpentine Belt FAQs

How do I know if I need to replace my car's serpentine belt?

If your serpentine belt is failing, you may notice performance issues with your vehicle. The vehicle may frequently overheat. Your air conditioning or power steering may fail to work or not work properly. You may notice your vehicle battery failing to recharge if the alternator is affected by a bad serpentine belt. If you start to notice any of these issues we encourage you to bring your vehicle to The Plains Tire & Auto as soon as possible to avoid bigger problems and breakdown.

Spark Plug FAQs

What else should I replace when replacing spark plugs?

If you are considering having your vehicle's spark plugs replaced, there's a high probability that your spark plug wires need changing as well. Ignition wires become brittle over time. Old ignition wires can break and cause misfires or declining fuel economy.

How do you know when a spark plug needs to be replaced?

The most common sign a spark plug needs replacing is the feeling that the car's engine is hesitating when accelerating, but other signs may include misfiring at start up, rough idling, sluggish acceleration, declining fuel economy and engine knocking.