What type of services do you provide?

OnDemandMechanic provides maintenance services for our customers based on their vehicles maintenance schedule. During our first visit we will gather information about your vehicle and the manufacturers maintenance schedule and will send you reminders when maintenance on your vehicle is due. Just call us and schedule a time for us to come to your location to complete the maintenance item, it’s that simple!

What other services do you provide?

OnDemandMechanic can provide services beyond normal schedule maintenance tasks. We can perform repair tasks such as brake repair / replace, alternator replacement, starter replacement and others. If you do not see a service listed on our website, contact us for more information.

Oil Changes

Why Should I Change My Oil Regularly?

OnDemandMechanic recommends changing your oil on a regular bases. Not changing engine oil on a regular basis can cause undue wear and tear on internal engine components shortening the life of your vehicle. Regular oil changes will keep your engine clean and running great for longer.

How Often Should I Change My Oil?

You should follow the maintenance schedule in your vehicles owners guide for recommended intervals between oil changes. If you do not have access to a maintenance schedule, the rule of thumb is to change your oil about every 5000 miles, your mileage may vary. The key is to keep your oil changed regularly to avoid undue wear on your engine.

If you use a fully synthetic or synthetic blend of oil you can go a longer period of time between oil changes as synthetic oil does not break down like regular oil does.

Tire Rotation

Why Should I Rotate My Tires Every 5000 Miles?

To prevent excessive wear to your tires you should rotate them every 5000 miles. Front tires wear differently than rear tires and since the front wheels are the turning wheels, they are more susceptible to unusual wear patterns which is why they should be rotated to the rear on a regular basis.

What Is The Correct Way To Rotate Tires?

With radial tires the recommendation is to keep them rotating in the same direction. The front and rear right tires should be swapped, and the front and rear left tires should be swapped. Often times when radials are "cross rotated" the steel belts inside the tire can start to separate which can cause ride problems and potential steering issues. Always check your vehicles owners manual for recommendations on the proper way to rotate your tires.

Drive Belt

Why Should I Change The Drive Belt?

Newer vehicles often have a single drive belt that turns all of the accessories attached to your engine. Things like the water pump, alternator, power steering pump, and sometimes even the A/C are driven by the same belt. If this belt breaks it can cause your vehicle to over heat and leave you stranded on the side of the road.

For most vehicles the recommended replacement mileage for a drive belt is 100,000 miles. It is an easy, inexpensive repair and may keep you from being stranded on the highway.

How Do I Check The Drive Belt For Wear?

Inspecting your drive belt for wear is fairly simple. Look at the underside of the belt and check for missing pieces of the belt or cracks in the belt. Often times a more thorough inspection can be done by removing the belt first.

Spark Plugs & Wires

Why Should I Change My Spark Plugs?

The electrodes on the end of a spark plug start to burn and break down over time. It is recommended to change your spark plugs and spark plug wires per your vehicles maintenance schedule for the optimum spark and best efficiency for your engine. Most of the time spark plugs are all that are required but the spark plug wires should be inspected for any damage or indication that they may need replacement. Since most vehicles go 100,000 miles between spark plug changes it’s a good idea to replace the spark plug wires at the time you replace the spark plugs.

Do I Have To Change My Spark Plug Wires?

In most cases, especially with newer vehicles, it is not necessary to replace spark plug wires every time the spark plugs are replaced. OnDemandMechanic recommends spark plug wire replacement every time the spark plugs are changed since it is common these days for spark plugs to last 100,000 miles. Replacing the spark plug wires when replacing the spark plugs is cheap insurance that your vehicle will stay running it’s best and most efficient.

Radiator Flush

Why Should I Change My Anti-Freeze Regularly?

Changing your anti-freeze on a regular basis helps keep your engine running at it's optimal temperature. Over time anti-freeze can break down and start corroding the inside of your cooling system causing internal damage to cooling components such as the water pump.

How Often Should I Change My Anti-Freeze?

You should follow the maintenance schedule in your vehicles owners guide for recommended intervals between radiator flushes. If you do not have access to a maintenance schedule, the recommendation could be as little at 50,000 miles to as much as 150,000 miles. The key is to change your anti-freeze regularly to avoid undue wear on cooling system components.

Consultations

What Used Car Consulting Service Do You Provide?

While it is impossible to know exactly what is going on internally with an engine, transmission, or rear differential, we have mechanics with experience to be able to let you know if potential problems may be lurking. We will take a ride with you and inspect the vehicle along with you.

Brakes

Why Should I Have My Brakes Checked?

The most important thing you need your vehicle to do is STOP! If your brakes are squealing every time you stop it could mean that it’s time to replace them. It may also mean that they are just dirty which can cause brakes to squeal. Let OnDemandMechanic come out and inspect them for you to give you peace of mind that you will be able to stop your vehicle when you need it most.

What Is The Difference Between Disc and Drum Brakes?

Today most modern vehicles use a disc brake system on all 4 wheels but there are still some that have disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the back. With the exception of older vehicles most cars and trucks use disc brakes on the front. Disc brakes are more efficient and have better “stopping power” than drum brakes. Since 75% of your braking comes from your front brakes, it is VERY important that they work at peak efficiency. Drum brakes are commonly used on the rear since they are not as efficient as disc brakes and the rear brakes provide only about 20 – 25% of a vehicles stopping ability.

Frequently Asked Questions