Today’s cars can go a lot further, especially if they’re running on synthetic oils. As a general rule of thumb, you can go about 5,000 miles or 6 months before it’s time to change the oil. Most cars today have computerized systems that will remind you when it is time to make an appointment for your oil change.

But what if you don’t? What if you ignore it and keep on driving? Cars are certainly designed to give you fair warning. For example, when your gas light comes on, you’ve got about 40 miles left on that tank to get to a gas station. But that doesn’t mean you should push your luck.

If you don’t change your oil in your vehicle on time, you’re not lubricating your engine properly and carrying the heat away from it. There are thousands of components in your engine and that oil helps keep it going. But as it does, it picks up dirt and other little bits of debris from your engine. This is food for keeping those particles out of your engine, but with time, the oil becomes dirty and needs to be changed.

Neglect to change your oil and you’ll wind up with engine problems, a much more expensive repair than taking it in for maintenance as you should. Your parts will become too hot and with time, the engine becomes less efficient. Leave it too long and the parts of your engine will wear out. If you don’t change your oil at all, your engine will likely shut down and need to be replaced completely.

It’s not cheap to replace an engine, and although we have fair prices here at Main Street Automotive, we think you’d rather do the preventative maintenance of an oil change a few times a year than drop a chunk of change on a new engine. Depending on the age of your car, it may not even be worth it to replace.

Let us take care of your car at Main Street Automotive. We’re here to help keep your car running as it should and we offer oil changes and other maintenance at great prices. We’ll have you in and out so you’ll be ready to hit the road. With the weather warming up, now’s a great time for spring cleaning and getting that oil changed. Make an appointment today!

Honest and affordable are very important qualities to uphold that owner Mike Starr strongly holds dear. You can feel it from the moment you walk in for service, whether it’s routine maintenance or you’ve got a problem with your vehicle. As part of caring for the customer, Mainstreet Automotive is like a good neighbor in Crestview. One that makes you feel comfortable from the start.

Recently, Mainstreet Automotive underwent some serious renovations in late 2017 to further ensure the comfort and convenience of all customers. The next time you visit, you’ll notice the window that makes it easier for the staff in the front to communicate with technicians. You’ll also notice the completely refinished checkerboard floors that look like a fresh checkered flag at the races.

The waiting area is comfortable and clean with plenty of chairs around a flat screen TV and magazines for you to pass the time. But one of the best improvements is something that every parent and child will be happiest about. Even though the technicians at Mainstreet Automotive do their best to serve you as quickly as possible, waiting for the completion of your service is something you must do.

For those waiting with small children, 5 minutes can feel like 5 hours. Every parent knows that feeling as they try to sit and watch TV, read a magazine, or even get some work done via their smartphones. Waiting for your car to be serviced while you have your kids with you is a form of torture for every parent out there. The new kids’ play area at Mainstreet Automotive will forever alleviate that. This enclosed carpeted area offers a safe space with toys and tv for kids to play just adjacent to the waiting area.

Parents can sit and read, work or watch TV in peace, or even have a grown-up conversation without being interrupted constantly while kids play within sight in a safe area filled with games and toys to keep them occupied. In fact, it will keep them so busy that when you tell them it’s time to go home because the car is ready, they’ll throw a fit. But hey, at least you’ll get a little quiet time while you’re visiting Mainstreet Automotive for your next service check up! Make an appointment today at 850-689-1728.

1. Windshield Wipers – Every hurricane brings large amounts of rain with it.  If your windshield wipers are streaking and not cleaning the window well you are compromising your vision and the safety of you and your family.  It’s a quick and easy fix from your local automotive store.  We also recommend using rain-x on the windows to give you improved visibility even in a downpour.
2. Tire Pressure – Make sure your tires aren’t under-inflated or over inflated.  This affects the traction of your tires and also can harm your gas mileage.  Most people don’t bother to check their tires and I bet 95% of you have under-inflated tires if you were to check right now.  Most local gas stations have an outside air pump that takes quarters.  Just drop by and check and inflate each to the recommended pressure inside of the doorjamb,
3. Spare Tire – Have you checked it lately? Is it properly inflated? Do you have the proper tools if you need to change a tire.  Some people buy used cars and don’t even realize they are missing a tire jack or lug nut tool.  If any of those things is missing or defective you can’t change your tire. As your trying to escape a natural disaster is not the time you want to figure this out.
4. Basic Maintenance – Oil changes and recommended maintenance are important to keeping your reliable and running where you can count on it.
5. Burnt Out Lights – Do you only have one headlight working?  Are your blinker lights, brake lights, and flashers all working properly?  It’s easy to have someone in your car testing brakes and indicators while you walk around and check. If a light isn’t working get an easy bulb replacement from your local automotive shop and replace.  Usually pretty easy and prevents you from getting a ticket too.
6. Car Insurance – As of today most insurance companies will still let you modify your insurance in the Florida Panhandle.  But as the storm gets closer, they prevent you from making any changes.  I just added comprehensive and collision to my personal car today in the Geico app just for safety and in case I need to drive extra among a bunch of other stressed out drivers on the interstate. I even added rental car coverage too.  If you do this for only a week it usually only costs about an extra $10 – $15 for a week.  Just make sure once the hurricane passes to remove the coverage. Your car insurance company will NEVER tell you this.
7. Fill Up on Gas Early – As the storm gets closer more and more people start running to the gas pumps.  Going late at night can help you avoid long lines since most gas stations are 24/7 in today’s world. If you have an extra 2.5 or 5 gallon plastic gas dispenser this is your chance to fill it up now.  Worst case scenario, the hurricane misses us and you just use that gas the very next time you vehicle needs it.  You don’t want to leave gas with ethanol stored for very long.
8. Emergency Tool Kit in Your Vehicle – “Must-have” emergency items include: an automotive toolkit, a pocket knife, extra fuses, road flares, emergency tire sealant, extra quarts of motor oil, power steering fluid and antifreeze, sandpaper, electrical and duct tape, a tire jack, jumper cables, a flashlight, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, pen and paper, a blanket, a can opener, a first aid kit, and extra reserves of water and food.

BONUS – Get cash from the bank – When electrical problems happen, credit card processing machines can stop working but businesses will still take cash.  It never hurts to have an extra $200-$300 on you in cash if you can.

Drop by or call us today to get tires checked or replaced, routine maintenance, or a even simple oil change in Crestview, FL at (850) 689-1728.