Q and A | Auto Repair

How often should you have your oil changed?
How often should you replace your cabin filter?
How often should you replace your Transmission Fluid?
How often should you have your Radiator Flushed?
How often should you replace your Brake Fluid?
How often should you have a Tune-Up?


How often should you have your oil changed?

Every car is different and requires unique treatment.  For this reason, there is no accurate “rule of thumb” for how often you should have your oil changed.  You should check the manufacture’s recommendation in your owner’s manual to get the most accurate mileage estimate.  The suggested mileage between oil changes can range anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000.  There are also instances when you should consider having your oil changed more frequently than recommended:

  • Driving in areas of extreme temperatures
  • Driving frequently on uneven, or unpaved roads
  • Driving an older car

How often should you replace your cabin filter? 

The best time of year to have your cabin filter inspected and replaced is in the beginning of winter.  During spring, summer, and fall months, your filter has been working hard trapping any and all contaminants that are trying to make their way into your vehicle through your HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) system.

You should have your cabin filter changed at least once a year, or every 12,000-15,000 miles.  However, there are some instances when it should be done more frequently.  For example, if you are driving in areas of low air quality, then you should have your filter inspected more often.  Also, driving on dirt, gravel, or other unpaved surfaces will reduce the life of a cabin filter.

How often should you replace your Transmission Fluid?

It is best to follow your manufacturer’s suggestions when it comes to the frequency of changing your transmission oil.  But, you should also take into considering how your vehicle is being driven.  If you experience more stop-and-go driving, then this will shorten the life of your transmission fluid and you should have it replaced more often.

How often should you have your Radiator Flushed?

You should have your car’s radiator flushed and filled on an annual basis, or as per your owner’s manual recommendations.  This is not very often when compared to the other areas of your car.  It is also affordable when considering the importance of a properly maintained radiator.

How often should you replace your Brake Fluid?

It is wise to check with your car’s manufacturer to see how often your brake fluid should be changed.  But, most likely, it’s something that needs to be done every 3-4 years to be safe.  This period of time also varies depending on your driving conditions.  If any of the following situations apply to your driving, then you should follow a “severe schedule” and have your brake fluid changed more frequently:

  • Extreme weather conditions
  • Most trips are less than 10 miles
  • Frequent stop-and-go traffic conditions
  • Uneven, or unpaved roads

How often should you have a Tune-Up?

Most importantly, you should not wait until you notice something is wrong with your car’s performance to bring it into Quality Lube Plus.  At that point, you are bringing your vehicle in for a repair rather than a tune-up.  To avoid this, you should check your car manufacturer’s recommendation for tune ups.  Generally, most manufacturers will suggest having your vehicle “tuned up” every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.  But to be on the safe side, and keep your car running at optimal performance, having a tune-up once a year would be a wise decision.