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Changing your oil is very important. So why are oil changes so critical to vehicle health? Fresh oil and the oil changes process conducts several important functions for your car's engine, including the following.

Most vehicles need oil change maintenance performed every 3,000 to 6,000 miles.  Refer to your owner's manual to find out when your vehicle will be due to have this important maintenance routine performed, all determined on your own driving conditions as well as mileage and time.

A critical aspect of the oil change is the draining of the old oil. This process…

Oil lubricates the moving parts of your engine. It keeps them cool by lowering friction and carrying heat away. It also keeps any grit or tiny particles from scratching tightly-fitted parts. So think of the oil in your engine as your vehicle’s lifeblood.

Heat breaks down oil. It can make the oil gummy or watery (or both), so that it doesn’t lubricate properly. And the longer it’s in the engine, the dirtier it gets. 

Replacing old oil with new, fixes all these problems. The fresh oil lubricates and cools better. When you flush the old oil out…

Rotating the tires, which is recommended by all tire manufacturers, involves changing the tire’s position on the vehicle from one wheel location to another. This helps to even out tire wear between all the tires so the tires last longer and do not develop abnormal wear patterns. 

Refer to your owner’s manual/tire manufacturer handbook for the recommendation as to the time/mileage intervals to rotate your tires.

On most vehicles, the front wheels tend to wear at a much faster rate than those on the rear. This is because we use the front wheels of course, to…

Typically, after 3,000 to 5,000 miles, it’s recommended that you perform an oil change. However, the mileage intervals can change depending on the make and model of your vehicle and your local driving conditions.

Not performing regular oil maintenance can be damaging to your vehicle in the long run which can lead to expensive engine repairs. Oil acts as an essential component to the overall health and functionality of your vehicle. Therefore, it’s essential to pay attention to your scheduled oil changes. If you need an oil change, stop by Rick Case Kia in Duluth. No…

Not necessarily. A certain amount of brake noise is considered “normal” these days because of the harder semi-metallic brake pads that are used in most front-wheel drive cars, trucks, vans and SUVs. This type of noise does not affect braking performance and does not indicate a brake problem. However, if the noise is objectionable, there are ways to eliminate it.

Brake squeal might be eliminated just by having one of Rick Case’s ASE-Certified Technicians - Mechanics resurface your brake rotors. Some brands of semi-metallic pads are inherently noisier than others because of the...

The condition of the cell plates inside the battery determines whether or not a battery is still serviceable. Current is produced when sulfuric acid in the battery reacts with lead in the cell plates. As the battery discharges, sulfate accumulates on the plates and reduces the battery's ability to make current. The sulfate is returned to solution when the alternator recharges the battery by forcing current to flow in the opposite direction.

Over time, some of the sulfate becomes permanently attached to the plates. The sulfate forms a barrier that diminishes the battery's ability to...

It always happens at the most inconvenient time. Vehicle batteries always die at the wrong time. Not that there’s necessarily any good time for a battery to fail. But you usually only discover it’s dead when you’re in a rush to get somewhere and your engine won’t turn over. Rick Case Kia in Duluth can help.

What should you do? 

Below are a few possible quick solutions that will get you back on the road in a short time.

Depending on where you are and what time of day your battery’s decided to punch the…

When Should I Get My Alignment?

If you’re wondering whether your vehicle needs an alignment, first look at your tires. Uneven tire wear -- often, more wear on the outside of some tires -- is a prime indicator that your car is likely out of alignment.

An out-of-alignment car is a common result of everyday driving. But the term alignment doesn’t really refer to your vehicle’s wheels but rather to the suspension. As part of normal driving, parts of your car’s suspension may become worn, and springs can be stretched out. Even a small accident or bumping a…