Service Specials
- LUBE-OIL+FILTER CHANGE FOR ONLY $27.55
Contact Keith or Pete in the Big Lot Service Department
Toll Free 800-568-2354 or Local 218-291-1682
Up to 5 quartsof 5-30 or 10-30 Mobil oil, other oil brands or synthetic oils extra.
If you read the fine print in your owners manual on vehicles where a specific mileage/time recommendation is made, you'll often discover that the once a year, 7,500 mile oil change is for vehicles that are driven under "ideal" operating circumstances. What most of us think of as "normal" driving is actually "severe service" driving.
Severe service driving includes:
Frequent short trips (less than 10 miles, especially during cold weather)
Stop-and-go city traffic driving
Driving in dusty conditions (gravel roads, etc.)
Driving at sustained highway speeds during hot weather.
For severe service driving (which is what most of us do), the most common recommendation is to change the oil every 3,000 miles or six months (which ever comes first). This is especially important on older, high mileage (over 100,000 miles) engines.
For maximum protection, many people change their oil every 3,000 miles or three to six months regardless of what kind of driving they do.
We service all makes and models!
- TIRE ROTATION FOR ONLY $13.88
Contact Keith or Pete in the Big Lot Service Department
Toll Free 800-568-2354 or Local 218-291-1682
Tire rotation or rotating tires is the practice of moving automobile wheels and tires from one position on the car, to another, to ensure even tire wear. Tire wear is uneven for any number of reasons.[1] Even tire wear is desirable to maintain consistent performance in the vehicle.
By design, the weight on the front and rear axles differs which causes uneven wear. With the majority of cars being front-engine cars, the front axle typically bears more of the weight. For rear wheel drive vehicles, the weight distribution between front and back approaches 50:50. Front wheel drive vehicles also have the differential in front, adding to the weight, with a typical weight distribution of no better than 60:40. This means, all else being equal, the front tires wear out at almost twice the rate of the rear wheels, especially when factoring the additional stress that braking puts on the front tires. Thus, tire rotation needs to occur more frequently for front-wheel drive vehicles.
Turning the vehicle will cause uneven tire wear. The outside, front tire is worn disproportionately. Cloverleaf interchanges, and parking ramps turn right in left hand drive (otherwise known as right hand traffic) countries, causing the left front tire to be worn faster than the right front. Furthermore, right turns are tighter than left turns, also causing more tire wear. Conversely the sidewalls on the right tire tends to be bumped and rubbed against the curb while parking the vehicle, causing asymmetric sidewall wear. The symmetric opposite occurs in countries that drive on the left.
In addition, mechanical problems in the vehicle may cause uneven tire wear. The wheels need to be aligned with each other and the vehicle. The wheel that is out of alignment will tend to be dragged along by the other wheels, causing uneven wear in that tire. If the alignment is such that the vehicle tends to turn, the driver will correct by steering against the tendency. In effect the vehicle is constantly turning, causing uneven tire wear. Also, if a tire is under or over-inflated, it will wear differently than the other tires on the vehicle. Rotating will not help in this case and the inflation needs to be corrected.
Car manufacturers will recommend tire rotation frequency and pattern. Depending on the specifics of the vehicle, tire rotation may be recommended every 12,000 km (7,500 mi). The rotation pattern is typically moving the back wheels to the front, and the front to the back, but crossing them when moving to the back. If the tires are unidirectional, the rotation can only be rotated front to back on the same side of the vehicle to preserve the rotational direction of the tires. Most unidirectional tires can be moved from side to side if they are remounted; tires with asymmetric rims are a rare exception. More complex rotation patterns are required if the vehicle has a full-size spare tire that is part of the rotation, or if there are snow tires.
To clarify; the pattern for asymmetrical tires to be rotated, or positioned, is for the tires on the driving axle of two-wheel drive vehicles to remain on the same side of the vehicle as they are moved to the non-driving axle, and for the tires on the non-driving axle to cross over to the opposite side of the vehicle as they are placed onto the driving axle. For All Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles and Four Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles, it is recommended that the tires from each axle cross over as the fronts move to the rear and rears to the front. For the 4WD configuration, it is dependent upon how much 4WD driving is actually performed, whether it's controlled via mechanical/computerized devices or in vehicle controls, the recommendation will likely be found in the Owner/Operator manual or can be obtained by speaking to the manufacturer or dealership.
Current thinking stresses the desirability of keeping the best tires on the rear wheels of the vehicle, whether it is front, or rear wheel drive. The reason for this is that if the rear wheels lose grip before the front ones, an oversteer condition will occur, which is harder to control than the corresponding understeer which will happen if a front wheel is lost. This is also the case if a tire blows out, so the intuitive belief that the front steering/driving tires need to be the best quality is not actually the case.
We service all makes and models!
- TIRE ROTATION & WHEEL BALANCE FOR ONLY $38.78
Contact Keith or Pete in the Big Lot Service Department
Toll Free 800-568-2354 or Local 218-291-1682
Should balance be added at tire rotation time?
Yes, if you are experiencing a vibration from the tires that might indicate a problem.
We service all makes and models!
- REPLACE FUEL FILTER ON MOST MODELS FOR ONLY $49.95
Contact Keith or Pete in the Big Lot Service Department
Toll Free 800-568-2354 or Local 218-291-1682
How often should I change my fuel filter?
For high mileage vehicles, replacing the fuel filter annually for preventative maintenance is a good idea for two reasons. By the time a vehicle is six or seven years old, there can be a fair amount of rust and debris in the fuel tank. Rust can be formed by moisture and condensation, and debris can get into your tank anytime you add fuel. So changing it on a periodic basis can help minimize the risk of plugging.
Most newer vehicles do not have a specified interval for replacing the fuel filter. In fact, some even have "lifetime" filters that supposedly never need to be changed. But any filter can plug up if enough rust or debris gets sucked into the fuel inlet.
Gasoline is supposed to be filtered at the pump. But it sometimes isn't. What's more, the fuel you put in your tank may be contaminated with water from leaky underground storage tanks, improperly mixed alcohol blends, or even watered-down by an unscrupulous operator who's trying to make a fast buck. So there are no guarantees.
Replacing the filter periodically for preventative maintenance is simply insurance that reduces the risk of it plugging up. Given enough time, every filter will eventually reach the end of its service life. Even the filter in a brand new vehicle right off the showroom floor is at risk if the owner happens to get a dirty tank of fuel.
Filter Inspection
If you don't want to replace the filter unnecessarily, you can remove it and check it to see if it passes air easily (More information on replacing fuel filtersis available). If the filter creates any significant resistance when you blow through it, it needs to be replaced.
We service all makes and models!
- SAVE $25.00-$50.00 ON SET OF FOUR COOPER TIRES!
Contact Keith or Pete in the Big Lot Service Department
Toll Free 800-568-2354 or Local 218-291-1682
Replacement Tire Selection,
What Tire is Right for Your Vehicle?
When replacing tires, always consult the vehicle manufacturer to determine original equipment requirements.
Consult the tire placard, normally located on a door frame, door edge, or glove box door, or owner's manual for the original tire size, speed rating and recommended operating inflation pressures.
When replacing tires on a vehicle, it is recommended and preferred that all four tires be replaced.
When replacing tires on a vehicle, it is recommended and preferred that all four tires be replaced at the same time for continued optimal vehicle performance. However, for those cases where this is not feasible, the new tires should always be placed on the rear axle of the vehicle. Generally, new tires with deeper tread will provide better grip and evacuate water more effectively, which is important as a driver approaches hydroplane situations. Placing greater traction on the rear axle on wet surfaces is necessary to prevent possible oversteer condition and possible loss of vehicle control, especially during sudden maneuvers.
We service all makes and models!
- AIR CONDTIONING CHECK FOR ONLY $60.92, DOES NOT INCLUDE REFRIGERANT
Contact Keith or Pete in the Big Lot Service Department
Toll Free 800-568-2354 or Local 218-291-1682
Auto Air Conditioning - Keep Your Auto Air Conditioning in Top Shape!
You always expect your auto air conditioning to work when you turn on the switch, but did you know that there are several things you can do yourself to keep the air conditioning system in top shape?
Things to Check Under the Hood
Drive Belt
A drive belt makes the air conditioning compressor turn, and that keeps the cooling refrigerant circulating like it should. If the belt is worn, stretched or cracked it can slip or break -- which stops the compressor. When that happens, circulation stops and the air conditioner quits cooling.
The drive belt and compressor are sometimes hard to find, especially in newer vehicles with covers and components that hide them. The next time you take the vehicle to the shop, ask the technician to show you where the belt and compressor are located.
Air Conditioning Condenser
The air conditioning condenser is located in front of the vehicle's radiator and looks a lot like the radiator. Refrigerant runs through the condenser and air flows across its cooling fins, removing heat from the circulating refrigerant.
If the fins become damaged or plugged up with debris, air flow is restricted, and that means heat isn't removed properly. Restriction can also cause the vehicle to overheat. Check the fins periodically to make sure they are clean and in good condition.
Signs of Air Conditioning Problems
Wet carpeting on hot, humid days can indicate a clogged air conditioner drain. When the drain is working correctly you'll see a good amount of water dripping to the pavement under the vehicle after you park.
A vibration or abnormal noise when the fan is on could indicate debris in the blower fan (mice like to make nests in fans).
A reduced amount of air coming out the vents, especially if it happens after driving for awhile, might mean the air conditioner's evaporator is freezing up.
A musty or mildewy odor when the fan is first turned on, or all the time when the system is running, can indicate that mold or mildew is growing in the evaporator box.
You can reduce the buildup of mold and mildew by turning the A/C recirculation switch off when you park the truck. If your vehicle doesn't have a recirculation switch, turn the A/C switch away from the "Max Air" position every time you shut the engine off.
Some vehicles will still develop a musty odor, but many service departments offer an evaporator cleaning procedure to eliminate the smell.
A Few More Auto Air Conditioning Tips
When you get into a hot car, roll your windows down a little for the first few blocks. If you have a recirculation button, make sure it's turned off. After the hot air is gone, turn recirc on to get the most out of your system.
We're all concerned with fuel mileage, but modern auto air conditioning systems are pretty efficient. Turning the A/C off results in minimal gas savings.
We service all makes and models!
- VEHICLE RECONDITIONING SPECIAL FOR ONLY $89.42
Contact Keith or Pete in the Big Lot Service Department
Toll Free 800-568-2354 or Local 218-291-1682
Do you want to make your vehicle look like new? Contact us and schedule an appointment to have you vehicle cleaned today. This price includes and interior shampoo, wash, vacuum, and windows.
We service all makes and models!
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