Is synthetic or conventional oil better for my vehicle’s engine?
Synthetic oil is distilled, purified and broken down to the basic molecules as well as being refined. This allows the oil molecules to be tailored to meet the needs of modern engines. This enables synthetic oil to keep your engine cleaner, protect better under high temperatures, flow better in low temperatures (like Saskatchewan winters) and offer advanced engine wear protection. There are different additive packages included in different types of synthetic oil to meet the needs of a specific engine. Synthetic oil costs more to produce and is therefore higher in price than conventional oil. It allows for longer service intervals and better performance where conventional oil would break down from heat or thicken in the cold. Clavet Service offers engine oil services for both synthetic and conventional engine oil. Our Maintenance Consultants can assist you in choosing the right oil for your vehicle’s engine based on manufacturer’s guidelines, taking into consideration the vehicle’s intended use and environment.
How often should I have my engine oil serviced?
The typical interval for engine oil services is 5,000 km or 3 months for conventional and 10,000 km or 6 months for synthetic. It is always best to consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or service information to see what the vehicle manufacturer recommends.
Is it really necessary to replace the timing belt in my vehicle when it is recommended?
YES! Many vehicles have interference engines, which mean that if the timing belt were to break serious damage will occur. If this happens your engine will need to be replaced or rebuilt. Even if your vehicle does not have an interference engine damage can still occur if the timing belt breaks. The manufacturer recommends a specific interval that should always be followed. The cost of a timing belt maintenance service is much lower than the cost of replacing or rebuilding your vehicle’s engine.
What should I do if a warning light comes on?
Your vehicle uses warning lights on your instrument cluster to indicate that a problem has occurred with a specific system. It is important to have your vehicle checked out as soon as possible when a light comes on to prevent any further damaged from occurring. Clavet Service has the equipment and training necessary to find and repair the problem for all makes and models. Call our Maintenance Consultants to schedule your vehicle in and fix the cause of the warning light.
If my vehicle is overheating what should I do?
The first thing to do is find a safe place to pull over as soon as possible and shut your vehicle off. Overheating is a very serious problem and can cause severe engine damage. If your vehicle has overheated DO NOT attempt to check the engine coolant level as you could be burned by the boiling engine coolant. The best choice is to call a tow truck and have your vehicle brought in to be inspected and find the cause of the overheating concern.
How often should my tires be rotated?
A good standard interval for tire rotation is every 10,000km. You can also consultant your owner’s manual or have our Maintenance Consultants consult service information for the interval recommended for your vehicle. Having the tires rotated on your vehicle ensures the most even wear and the longest life for your tires. Often for vehicle owners with a set of summer and winter tires the rotation intervals can be scheduled, depending on the mileage you drive, for fall and spring when it is time to perform your seasonal change over. Our trained technicians can point out any unusual or irregular signs of tire wear during a rotation service.