Ernie's Service Center Frequently Asked Questions

(831) 335-5332
6281 Graham Hill Road
Felton, CA 95018
Ernie’s Service Center’s staff members are committed to serving their community.
Q: Do you give free estimates?
A: "No, because we don’t do quick, visual inspections. If we’re doing a brake inspection, for example, we’ll take the vehicle apart and thoroughly inspect and measure the wear on all the brake components. That’ll take about half an hour, and we have to charge for that. Also, when we’re doing an inspection, we’re checking to make sure everything is working; we’re not looking for things we can charge you for fixing."
Q: What’s the first thing I should do when my check engine light comes on?
A: "On cars manufactured in the last 12 years or so, there are 35 to 40 sensors that could cause the check engine light to come on. It’s impossible to tell what the exact problem is without hooking up a scanner and reading the trouble code, but if the check engine light is flashing, that indicates a Type A, or 'catalyst damaging,' fault. In that case, stop running the car and have it towed to a repair shop. A solid light indicates a Type B fault. That’s less serious, but you still need to get the car into a shop as soon as possible."
Q: How do I know if my car needs a tune-up?
A: "There are two ways. The first is to simply follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and have it serviced as recommended. The other way is to wait until the car is running roughly, you notice a drop in fuel economy, or it becomes hard to start in the morning."
Q: Why do I need to replace my oil every 3,000 miles?
A: "The additives in oil become depleted after some 3,000 miles of use. The oil alone, without the additives, will increase wear on the engine. Over time, the oil will also become contaminated by fuel and dirt and need to be purged and replaced."
Q: What are the main causes of tire damage?
A: "One is physical factors like nails and potholes. The other, which is less obvious but just as common, is poor alignment or worn suspensions."