— For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Today’s cars and trucks let their owners know when it’s time to change the oil, but drivers who are used to keeping up with it themselves may still have the “every 3,000 miles” ingrained into their thoughts.

However you keep up with it, changing the oil is probably the single most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your vehicle’s engine.

And for those do-it-yourselfers, the knowledgeable staff at Advance Auto Parts can help steer you to the proper oil and oil filter for your vehicle.

Most motorists know that oil changes have to happen at least periodically, even if they don’t know precisely when or how often.

The folks at Advance Auto can help you with questions about brands, types, weights of oil.

If you decide to change the oil yourself, always remember Safety First!

Following are a few reminders when changing the oil in your car or truck:

• Park on a level surface and put chocks behind the tires.
• It doesn’t hurt to put a jack stand under the car – even if it isn’t jacked up – for extra protection.
• Gather tools and materials – gloves, eye protection, funnel, drain pan.
• Don’t over-tighten the oil plug or filter.
• Let the oil drain for about 15 minutes.
• Make sure the old oil filter gasket doesn’t stay stuck to the engine!

Advance Auto Parts stores have oil disposal receptacles. Please dispose of used oil and filters properly.

The information contained in this post is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship.

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For our sponsor, Advance Auto Parts, as part of a paid radio sponsorship on WIZS.

Vehicles don’t usually break down in convenient locations, like the driveway. Vehicle owners can help to make sure their cars and trucks stay in good working order with regular tuneups, whether performed at home or by your favorite mechanic.

Advance Auto Parts maintains a wide inventory of replacement parts, from spark plugs to air filters and the cabin air filters, to keep drivers driving and cars moving.

Michael Puckett, manager of the Advance Auto on Raleigh, said it could be time for a tuneup if the engine is “missing” on one cylinder, or if the ride is a little rough.

Today’s spark plugs can last longer, but they also are more expensive, Puckett said on Thursday’s Pop the Hood segment.

The staff at Advance Auto can help customers choose the correct plug for their vehicle. “We can verify by putting in the VIN,” he said, or even use the vehicle’s license plate to verify the make and model. Different vehicle manufacturers use different brands of spark plug, so it’s important to install the proper plug.

Proper maintenance can prolong the life of a spark plug, and Puckett said he’s seen plugs last for 150,000 to 200,000 miles. Most manufacturers recommend changing the plugs at 100,000 miles, but he said to refer to your vehicle manual for your car’s specs.

And those cabin air filters that seem to magically disappear under and behind the dashboard, help keep debris and more out of the vehicle’s cabin. A clogged cabin air filter can reduce the efficiency of the air conditioning; with the upcoming summertime heat, that wouldn’t be good.

“If you keep your vehicle up,” Puckett said, “a lot of times, you’ll be running clear and free.”

Check out all the products and services that Advance Auto Parts offers, in-store and online.

Now, through Aug. 16, spend $50 with Speed Perks and get 20 cents off a gallon of gas at participating Shell stations.Visit https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/ to learn more.

The information contained in this post and the broadcast audio attached is not advice from Advance Auto Parts or WIZS.  Safety First!  Always seek proper help.  This is presented for its informational value on and is part of a paid advertising sponsorship. 

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