Here at All Tune & Lube, we have changed thousands of vehicle owners’ oil and have seen almost everything under the hood. Every driver comes in with their own thoughts on getting their oil changed, and those beliefs usually come from what family members have told them or what they’ve read on the internet. However, there is a lot of misinformation out there that can lead to major problems with your car, truck, or SUV. We’ve compiled a list of common myths about oil changes that we often hear at our auto repair shop in Cedar Rapids. We hope this helps you understand the best way to take care of your vehicle. OIL CHANGE MYTH #1 CHANGE YOUR OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES OR 3 MONTHS This is the most common myth you will hear about oil changes, and many people still follow it to a tee. However, oils and engines have changed a lot over the decades. When this saying came into popularity, this guideline was the rule for those engines at that time. Nowadays, the type of oil dictates t ... read more

You know how winters are in Iowa—sunny one day, four inches of snow the next, and ice the following week! The weather can change in a minute, but your car can always be ready for whatever the winter clouds bring to Cedar Rapids. Here are a few things you can do to prepare your car for winter so you can have peace of mind going into the season. START WITH A COMPLETE INSPECTION The first thing we recommend is a Total Car Inspection. Here at All Tune & Lube, you get a thorough maintenance inspection that shows you exactly where your car, truck, or SUV stands. One of our ASE-certified mechanics will take a good look at your brakes, filters, and hoses and checks off a lot of other items, too. We provide this inspection with every visit, so bring your vehicle in for an oil change—another great thing to do before the weather gets cold—and we’ll see how your vehicle is doing and what it needs in order to be ready for the winter season. GAUGE YOUR CAR’S BAT ... read more

Have you ever heard a rattling sound coming from your car and just turned up your radio to pretend you couldn’t hear anything? I think we all have. But, we are here to tell you as to why you may not want to ignore all those weird noises coming from your car. There are certain types of auto repairs that you can put off for a month or two if you really need to. Maybe the air conditioner isn’t blowing ice cold air as you want it to. Yeah, it is annoying, but you will still be able to use your vehicle during the meantime. However, there are some auto repairs you need to have fixed as soon as possible to prevent further problems with your car. 1. REASONS TO NOT IGNORE CAR REPAIRS The three main reasons as to why waiting on a repair could work against you are: It could cause more damage. You could end up stranded on the side of the road. It could cost you more money. Even if the issue seems small, it could be the beginning of an underlying issue that could cause your car t ... read more

That pesky Check Engine Light that occasionally illuminates on your dashboard is the first indicator that something may not be right. It is incredibly annoying and tends to appear at the worst possible time, but ignoring it can cause bigger issues down the road (literally). There are numerous reasons that can trigger the check engine light ranging from a loose fuel cap to a problem with the ignition. To help ease the stress, we have compiled a list of common reasons as to why your check-engine light may come on. A LOOSE OR FAULTY FUEL CAP A loose fuel cap is one of the most common reasons as to why your check-engine light will turn on. The fuel cap is essential to sealing the fuel system and maintaining pressure within the fuel tank. It also prevents gas fumes from leaving the fuel tank and keeps the whole system under the correct pressure. If you get gas and your check engine light turns on right away, pull over and make sure it is fastened all the way – or not on top of yo ... read more