Our #1 Maintenance Recommendation: Regular Oil Changes

It’s simple. The easiest, least expensive way to preserve the health of your car, truck, or van, boost performance, and extend engine life, is to change the oil regularly. Whether you own a sturdy four-cylinder or a high-performance brute, a thin layer of oil is the only thing between you and major engine trouble.

We recommend that you keep to the service schedule in your owner’s manual. This small investment in preventative maintenance can save you thousands in fuel costs and car repairs over the life of your vehicle. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can improve your gas economy by 5-6% by keeping your car in shape and using the recommended grade of oil for your engine.*

The Pros Who Know

The trained technicians at Tolker Auto Service can advise you on the best oil for your make, model, and mileage. We carry a wide range of viscosities and formulations,  and full-synthetic oils.

Tolker Auto Service will drain and replace your oil, install a new oil filter, check the air pressure, inspect your brakes, and do a quick lube. We’ll also recycle your old oil for you, safely and in an environmentally-responsible manner.

Our auto service team can also assist you by performing required maintenance, according to the schedule in your owner’s manual, and reminding you when it’s time for your next servicing.

Come to Tolker Auto Service for oil changes and all scheduled maint. We’ll help you keep your vehicle running in top condition, fulfill the conditions of your manufacturer’s warranty, and save you time and money.

The Real Car Key?
Scheduled Maintanance.

Everyone loves a new car. The key to new car ownership, however, is not the one you put in the ignition. It’s scheduled maintenance. By taking it to experts at Tolker Auto Service, you can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars by taking care of your car right from the start, and without spending a fortune.

First thing, consult your owner’s manual. It contains the maintenance schedule—all of the oil changes, filter replacements, etc.—that your manufacturer expects you to perform. Keep on schedule, or you risk voiding the warranty. Scheduled maintenance also guards against major repairs, improves performance and handling, and boosts trade-in value.

Keep Safe, Save Money

A well-maintained vehicle is a safe vehicle and one that won’t burn money later on. For example, your brakes and tires require frequent safety inspections. Brakes need periodic adjustments and replacement pads or shoes. Tires need to be rotated so that they wear evenly, last longer, and provide you control on the road. Scheduled maintenance helps you avoid expensive problems and keeps your car running efficiently. Changing your oil and keeping your tires inflated to the correct pressure can also help you get 5% better gas mileage—that’s a yearly savings of $75 yearly, based on $3 gas, 30 mpg, and 15,000 highway miles annually.

The Maintenance Pros

Our trained technicians service all makes and models of passenger cars, trucks, and vans, including major mileage services. We stock the most common replacement parts and can order parts to be delivered the same day from distributors and dealers. Our purchasing power means significant savings for you on oil, automotive fluids, replacement parts, tires, and more. For dealer-quality auto maintenance services for less, make an appointment today.

Warranty Protection

You are responsible for the maintenance and safe operation of your vehicle, according to the instructions in your owner’s manual. For your convenience, any Mr. Tire, Tread Quarters, or Autotire can print a copy of the service schedule for any make and model vehicle. Tires often have a separate warranty. Some oil manufacturers will even give an engine warranty if you change oil according to their schedule.

Why DIY?

Tolker Auto Service will drain and replace your oil, install a new oil filter,  check the air pressure, inspect your brakes, and lubricate the chassis.† We’ll even recycle the dirty oil for you. Many of today’s computerized vehicles also require special diagnostic tools and training. Our ASE-certified technicians are the best in the business. Remember, the key to long-term satisfaction and cost-savings, is to keep on schedule with your scheduled maintenance. Schedule your appointment on line today.

For a Safe, Smooth Ride, Make Sure Your Suspension Can Take a Punch

Potholes, bumps, crumbling shoulders, cloverleaf ramps...the road can dish out some punishment. To ensure all of the components of your suspension system work properly, have them checked periodically by a professional. The techs at Tolker Auto Service will be happy to inspect your suspension and all your under car system

Your vehicle’s suspension has three important functions:

Road isolation

• Shocks, springs, and struts prevent the force of every jolt, bump, and vibration from being transferred directly to your body. Your vehicle’s suspension isolates you from this pounding and gives you a comfortable ride.

Road holding

• Four patches of tire rubber, not much bigger than a slice of bread, keep your two-ton car on the road. When you drive over bumps or dips, the suspension system keeps the contact patches on the road.

Cornering

• When you follow a curve, or make a turn, your suspension system, including anti-sway bars, pushes back against this directional force and prevents roll overs.

Some signs of suspension trouble include heavy leaning on corners, nose diving at stop signs or lights, bouncing or floating, and excessive vibrations. Your Mr. Tire, Tread Quarters, or Autotire technician has the experience and precision equipment to diagnose problems, measure and adjust your suspension, and return it to original specs. If your vehicle exhibits any of these symptoms, don’t ignore them, because they often indicate vehicle control and safety issues.

There are several types of suspension systems:

Independent Front Suspension - The MacPherson strut, introduced by Earle S. MacPherson in 1949, is the most common type of front suspension. This design allows the front wheels to move independently. Shock absorber and coil spring are mounted as a single compact, light-weight unit that can be used on front-wheel drive vehicles.

Double Wishbone Suspension - Also know as an A arm, is another type of independent front suspension system. It uses two wishbone shaped arms that bear shock absorbers and coil springs. The double wishbone design gives more control over camber—the angle at which the wheels contact the road—and helps improve cornering and minimize roll and sway. This design is common on larger vehicles.

Dependent Front Suspension – This design is used almost exclusively on trucks with rigid front axles. Leaf springs and shock absorbers keep the solid bar suspension in place.

Independent Rear Suspension – MacPherson struts or double wishbones also can be used on rear wheels to provide four-wheel independent suspension.

Dependent Rear Suspension – In cars of trucks with fixed rear drive axles, leaf springs or coil springs attach directly to the axle and frame. Shock absorbers can be mounted separately or as part of a combined unit with coil springs.

Torsion Bar Suspension – Many SUVs use torsion bars—a metal bar attached to a lever—instead of coil springs to suspend the chassis.

The modern car suspension is one of the great feats of engineering and manufacturing. Keep yours inspected and maintained for miles of safety and comfort.

Is Your Car Stealing Your Lunch Money?

Try these Gas Pump Smackdowns

With gas prices hovering around $4/gallon for regular gas again, what can you do to keep from being bullied at the pump by your car?

Plenty! Try these no-cost and low-cost smackdowns from Mr. Tire, Tread Quarters and Autotire. You’ll save green and you’ll go green, too.

Smackdown #1 – Check your tires. Get up to 3% better gas mileage by keeping your tires inflated to the correct air pressure. Use an accurate pressure gauge. Don’t fill your tires by eye. Or, stop by our shop where you live or work. We’ll be happy to top off your tires. Not only do you save money on gas, you save money on tires because your treads wear longer. Estimated gasoline savings @ $4 per gallon - $0.12/gallon.

Smackdown #2 – Use the recommended grade of oil. Regular oil changes will maximize your vehicle’s performance, protect your engine and improve your gas mileage by up to 2%. Using the wrong grade of oil, 10W-30 instead of 5W-30, for example, cancels out that savings. Ask us to recommend a lubricant for your vehicle.

Smackdown #3 – Keep your engine in tune. If you notice a drop off in your mpg, a loss of power, or if your vehicle stalls, knocks, or runs rough, it could be time for a professional tune-up. Definitely, have an evaluation if your check engine light comes on or the vehicle fails your state emissions test. A properly tuned engine improves gas mileage an average of 4%. Save on Tune-up/Engine Service with our coupon. Est. savings - $0.15/gallon.

Smackdown #4 – Lighten the load. Are you driving around with a set of golf clubs in the trunk? Bocce balls? Books for the library sale? Tools “just in case”? Reduce unnecessary cargo weight and improve your fuel economy by 1 percent or more. Est. savings - $0.04/gallon.

Smackdown #5 – Slow down. Driving 55 versus 70 miles per hour reduces your gas consumption by a whopping 25%. Est. savings - $1.00/gallon.

Smackdown #6 – Steady as you go. Gradual accelerations and decelerations, constant highway speed, and sensible braking save you an additional 10% on gas. Cruise control helps on the expressways. Est. savings - $0.40/gallon.

Smackdown #7 – Get an alignment. Your wheels are like four draft horses. You want them pulling in the same direction. The next time you change or rotate your tires, have the alignment checked.  Est. savings - $0.02/gallon.

Smackdown #8 – Idleness is the Devil’s playground. Stop excessive idling and you can save up to 20% on your gas consumption. For argument’s sake, we’ll say 5%. Est. savings - $0.02/gallon.

Smackdown #9 – Turn off the air. Air conditioning reduces your fuel economy by as much as 20%. Worse, is idling while your air condition is running. Unfortunately, driving at 55 mph with the windows down cancels half of the gain. Est. savings - $0.40/gallon.

Smackdown #10 – Walk. If you live a few blocks from work, school or leisure activities, why drive at all? The exercise is good for you and your family.

Congratulations! You just drove down the price of gas $0.81 cents—$1.12 when you drive without air conditioning on a warm day, and an impressive $1.82 when your drive 55 instead of 70 mph on the expressway. If you drive 20,000 miles per year and your car gets 25 miles per gallon, that’s an annual savings of at least $650.

Tolker Auto Service offer fast, convenient maintenance services that boost fuel economy. Schedule an appointment on line.

10 Tips to Save Green by Driving Green

When it comes to your carbon footprint, are you a Cinderella or a Bigfoot? The great thing about becoming a more environmentally conscious driver is that you usually save money, through improved fuel economy and other cost reductions. Here are 10 green tips that you might not have considered before:

#1 – Become More Sensitive. Fixing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve your fuel economy by as much as 40%.* This device helps regulate the important air-fuel ratio. Over time, the sensor’s sensitivity erodes. After 50,000 miles it often needs replacement. A visit to Tolker Auto Service will ensure that your vehicle runs at peak efficiency.

#2 – Get a Breath of Fresh Air...for Your Car. Many car owners are good about changing the oil and checking the air in their tires, but forget that their vehicle has other needs. Like air. A dirty air filter can reduce your fuel economy by as much as 10%. It’s like running with a pinched nose. So, when you change the oil and oil filter, don’t forget the air filter. Better yet, come to Tolker Auto Service for scheduled maintenance and save up to 50% over dealer cost.

#3 Don’t Top Off Your Gas Tank. This is a bad habit. It costs you money and causes air pollution. (By “topping off,” we mean adding a tenth of a gallon or more past the point when the gas pump nozzle automatically shuts off. For example, to put in “the last drop” or round off to the nearest dollar.) Topping off neutralizes your vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery canister. Toxic gas vapors have no place to go but into the atmosphere. Picture dollar bills floating away.

#4 - Tighten Your Gas Cap. According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, a loose cap can cause you to lose up to 30 gallons of gasoline per year into thin air.** So click it or replace it to save up to $100 or more annually. Check the instructions on your gas cap or in your owner’s manual to ensure the proper seal. In some case, a loose cap will trigger the check engine light or a check gas cap message on your dash.

#5 – Recycle Your Oil. Used motor oil is a leading cause of pollution in our lakes, streams and rivers. One quart of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.*** Because oil doesn’t wear out—just gets dirty—it’s relatively easy to clean, recycle and reuse. It’s a question of getting the oil to a collection facility such as Tolker Auto Service. We recycle all of the used oil that we collect at our stores, as well as any oil dropped off by customers and community members. Convenient oil recycling is just one more reason to come to Tolker Auto Service for our Oil Change service.

#6 – Trust the Check Engine Light. Because dashboard warning lights can mean anything from a loose gas cap to major engine trouble, many car owners ignore them. Don’t. And not just to avoid a seized engine. You could be wasting fuel and exceeding auto emissions standards that in the long run cost you more money.

#7 – Store the Car Top Rack. Do you carry a bike, kayak, canoe, or skis on top of your car? To reduce wind resistance—and improve gas mileage—take the carry rack off your car when you’re not using it.

#8 – Fix the Leak in Your Air Conditioner. The choice is yours. Keep filling your car air conditioner with expensive refrigerant. Or, get the leaks fixed. Not only will you stop your money seeping out into the atmosphere, with older cars you can prevent the release of obsolete ozone-depleting refrigerants.

#9 – Take a Slow Ride, Take It Easy. You probably have come across this tip, but it bears repeating. Stick to the speed limit, make gradual starts and stops, and you can improve your gas mileage by up to 33% on the highway and 5% in the town.*

#10 – Join Forces. Park and ride, carpooling, ridesharing and public transportation save you money on gas and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle (not to mention you). At the same time these strategies cut fuel consumption and reduce auto emissions.

Take care of the planet, save serious money on your car and make your family and friends green with envy.

Maintaining Your Older Vehicle

Are you driving a car or truck with 75,000 miles or more on the odometer? This can be a smart move financially—if you invest the time and money to properly maintain your vehicle. Tolker Auto Service can help, starting with these tips from our ASE-certified technicians:

Keep on Schedule

Most new car owners follow the maintenance schedule in their owner’s manual. But at 36 months or 60,000 miles—whenever the warranty expires—they begin to let things slide. That’s a big mistake. This is precisely the time to have us carefully check your vehicle for potential problems.

Taking care of your car doesn’t have to be expensive. Save up to 50% on schedule maintenance at Tolker Auto Service. In the long run, you save money by avoiding expensive repairs.

Maintaining your car doesn’t have to be difficult, either. We make it easy. Every time you visit, one of our experienced technicians gives your vehicle a courtesy maintenance inspection. We notify you of any work that needs to be done now and work that you should anticipate for future visits. We keep a computer record of your vehicle’s service schedule, maintenance, and repairs. We even send you oil change and other service reminders.

Oil Changes

We recommend regular oil changes. Follow the maintenance schedule and instructions in your owner’s manuarl. Or, ask the store manager at Tolker Auto service for a free service schedule print out.

As your car or truck ages, rubber seals deteriorate and piston rings wear. Combustion by-products, dirt, and other contaminants collect in the engine oil at a faster rate. Excessive engine wear and damage can result. You might want to consider a specially-formulated lubricant to prevent premature aging, condition seals throughout, prevent leaks, and remove harmful dirt and deposits from your engine.

Safety First

In today’s economy, many owners hang onto their old cars because they can’t afford a new one. Eventually, the priorities become:

• Safety
• Preventing breakdowns
• Avoiding major repairs

The longer you own a car, the more attuned you become to its signature sounds and even smells. Don’t hesitate to bring in your vehicle if you detect clicks, rattles, scrapes, unusual odors, blue exhaust, etc.

Take a proactive, systematic approach to safety and cost control:

Tires – Inflate your tires to the correct pressure and rotate them every other oil change for safety, even tread wear, and maximum tire life. If your $500 set of tires wears out at 30,000 miles instead of 65,000 miles, it’s like throwing away $250. Proper inflation can also improve your gas mileage by as much as 3 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Alignment – Keep your wheels in alignment to get the most out of the investment you have in your tires. When your wheels are not in perfect alignment they fight each other and the road, significantly reduce your gas mileage, and chew up your tires. Periodic alignment checks and adjustment when necessary can save you hundreds of dollars over the life of your vehicle. Your car will also handle better and give you a more comfortable ride.

Brakes – Brakes are one of your vehicle’s most important safety features. A good time for a complete brake inspection is during a tire change or rotation, when the wheels are off. Replace pads pr shoes when they wear out. Resurface or replace the rotors as recommended. Rotors are the discs in “disc” brakes. Your car wheels are bolted to the rotors. When you depress the brake pedal, the calipers squeeze the brake pads against the rotors and stop the car. Uneven rotor wear reduces braking power and can cause your brakes to shudder when you press the brake pedal. The rotors can sometimes be “turned” or “cut” on a lathe to make the braking surface true again.

Belts and Hoses – Rubber deteriorates over time. A broken timing belt or burst cooling system hose can leave you stranded. Better to replace these parts before they fail.

Automotive Fluids – Coolant and automotive lubricants collect dirt, specks of metal, and other contaminants, causing parts to wear, hoses and lines to deteriorate, and radiators to clog. Check levels periodically and replace according to your service schedule. A radiator “flush and fill,” for example is cheaper than a new radiator. Transmission fluid is a lot cheaper than a new transmission.

Steering – Replacing a leaky or worn ball joint is not a repair to postpone. Ball joints are like your car’s ankle joints. They essentially connect your wheels to your steering system. Grease oozing from the rubber “boot” around the ball joint is an early sign of trouble. Terminal symptoms include squeaking, rattling, and knocking. When ball joints go, it’s like a snapped ankle. The wheel collapses and can cause extensive damage—dangerous and expensive.

Power Train – CV joints often wear out on older front-wheel and all-wheel drive cars. It’s crucial that you replace them before they fail because they connect the drive shaft to the wheel axles. CV stands for “constant velocity,” an important requirement for transferring power from the engine to the wheels.

Suspension – Shocks, struts, and springs compress and release hundreds of thousands of time before they begin to weaken. These parts are essential for road holding, cornering, and cushioning you from bumps, jolts, and vibration. Your suspension can literally prevent your car from rolling over, so it’s important to monitor their condition. Because your shocks are unprotected and so close to the road, they are vulnerable to damage. Replace them when they become bent or leak.

Schedule an appointment on line.