GT Imports Limited

Family-Owned and Operated

Car Care Specialists

ASK A TECH

We are here to educate you about all your car care needs, that's why we compiled a list of our most commonly asked questions answered by our techs. From oil changes to that cranky sound your car makes when you turn it on, we want to equip you with helpful knowledge about YOUR vehicle. Your safety is our priority.

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Feel free to call us during our business hours! Our service advisors would be happy to answer all your car questions. OR reach out via our Q&A Form.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY OIL?

Honda recommends that on vehicle from 2000 - up you change the oil every 7,500 miles. Oil companies advise an oil change every 3000 miles. We suggest that you change your oil every 3,750 miles. Here are the factors to consider on oil change intervals:

Highway mileage is easy on the car. If most of your driving is highway driving, longer intervals are suggested. We suggest 5,000 to 6,000 mile intervals.
Short trips blacken oil quicker and break down its additives. For this type of driving a 3,750 mile interval is recommended.
Mountain driving, with its long grades is equally hard on oil stability. We recommend the 3,750 mile interval here, as well.
Folks who drive in dusty environments, such as on dirt roads or construction sites should use the 3,750 mile interval.
Sometimes we have customers who drive 6,000 miles or fewer per year. For these drivers we recommend a 6 month interval. This allows for a periodic safety inspection, airing the tires, topping off the washer fluid and checking the battery.

In conclusion, exercising a 3,750 mile oil change interval will keep the interior of your engine pristine. This also gives the tech the opportunity to check and maintain other vital parts of the car in a timely fashion.

WHAT ABOUT MY TIMING BELT?

If your car is a newer model, 1997 or later, the timing belt should be replaced every 105,000 miles or 7 years.
Model years 1990 to 1996 need replacement every 90,000 miles.
Cars from 1989 and older (“Dinosaur Cars”) should have the timing belts changed every 60,000 miles.

Replacing the timing belt at the recommended intervals will prevent this vital part from breaking while you are driving.

WHAT IF MY TIMING BELT BREAKS?

If the timing belt breaks, your car will, figuratively speaking, have a heart attack. The engine is, in a sense, a giant pump, pushing air and fuel through itself. Without the precision timing orchestrated by the timing belt, moving engine parts will clash together. When that happens, valves will bend, preventing air and fuel from moving through the engine. The result of this is that your car will stop dead in its tracks.

Repairing this damage requires us to actually split the motor in two, in order to replace all bent valves. This is an expensive repair, so staying in the recommended Honda, Acura, Toyota, and Lexus intervals will keep your car running smoothly.

IS DOING PERIODIC MAINTENANCE IMPORTANT?

Yes, absolutely! Regular maintenance is ALWAYS a help to any car. Periodic servicing of your Honda or Toyota vehicle addresses several important systems:

Fluids
- The oil in the engine is its lifeblood. It must be clean so that it will clot and become thick. Motor oil contains detergent that neutralizes corrosive acids that result from combustion.
- Brake fluid, such as DOT brake fluid, used in ABS brake systems and conventional brake systems should be flushed every 2 years. Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture and becomes acidic, attacking metal components in the system.
- Transmission fluid has a host of properties that go way over time, making it necessary to change this fluid every 30,000 miles. Failure to do this will cause transmission seals to harden and friction and heat to build up, which is a main killer of transmissions.
- Some cars feature a separate drive train component called a differential. It operates in a fluid that should be replaced every 2 years or 30,000 miles. At times, when this fluid is old, friction will build, creating a howling noise on sharp turns.
- Antifreeze is another vital fluid. Its job in the car is to take heat from the combustion area of the engine and deliver it to the radiator, where it is dispersed into the atmosphere. If there is an absence of antifreeze, the engine will overheat and damage itself. If the antifreeze is over 3 years old, it becomes corrosive and eats vital engine parts.
- Last, but not least, windshield washer fluid should be added periodically, protecting your driving visibility.
Chassis Maintenance
- In chassis maintenance, (or anything that holds your wheels onto your vehicle), our techs inspect all hinged and pivot points. All the hardware is re-torqued and alignment performed. This will keep the car noise-free and tires wearing to their maximum life.
Body Maintenance
- In a body maintenance, twice a year, our techs lubricate the ignition switch, window run channels, door hinges, door locks and hood latches. We also apply dry silicone to rubber door seals, keeping them from drying out. On vans, the sliding doors are lubricated with silicone grease to prevent roller breakdown.
Filters
Honda and Acura products feature 3 filters:
- The oil filter, which is replaced at every oil change.
- The air filter should be replaced every 30,000 miles, to increase gas mileage.
- The cabin filter, located behind the glove compartment, should be replaced every 2 years, to maintain a clean atmosphere within the car.
Tune-up
Most Honda and Acura products, model year 2000 and up, have a 105,000 mile interval for tune-up. Having regular tune-ups keeps your engine running stronger, smoother and keeps your gas mileage high. Older models need tune-up every 30,000 miles. When we tune your Honda or Acura, we:
- Replace the air filter.
- Replace spark plugs.
- Replace ignition rotor.
- Clean throttle body.
- Analyze car computer data.