The check engine light can mean anything from a loose gas cap to a seriously misfiring engine. Ignore the warning, and you could end up damaging expensive components.

It also can be a sign that your car is getting poor fuel economy and emitting higher levels of pollutants. You should always have the car checked as soon as possible to prevent expensive damage.

• Avoid High speeds
• Do not accelerate or brake hard
• Keep tires properly inflated
• Use A/C sparingly
• Service vehicle regularly
• Use cruise control
• Avoid heavy loads
• Purchase a fuel efficient vehicle

• Check and Change oil — nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh oil changes
• Flush the cooling system and change coolant once a year
• Keep it clean – Hosing off winter salt and grime will help keep away rust
• Everything with moving parts need oil to survive
• Protect interior plastic by parking in the shade or use a window deflector screen

Every 3 months or 3000 miles is recommended, however check the manufactures recommendations for the car.

The automaker that has manufactured your car has done extensive testing on your car’s engine in the lab as well as in extreme real-world driving to determine its performance in many aspects.

Pull over check to see if antifreeze is leaking if so do not continue to drive the vehicle. It’s always a good idea to keep a flashlight, supply of water, antifreeze and brake fluid in your car. Having these items on-hand and knowing how to check your antifreeze can mean the difference between getting to a repair shop and a costly tow.

Go Green Auto Service recommends that you rotate your tires every 6000 miles or every 6 months.

Regularly rotating your tires helps evenly distribute tire wear – helping you get the most miles out of your tires while maximizing traction on all four wheels.

The best guide is the manufacturer’s recommendation for your vehicle, as this particular service varies from brand to brand and model to model.

Replacing worn-out spark plugs with new ones (with sharp new edges) effectively restores the ignition system’s efficiency. Misfires are reduced, power is restored, economy of operation is enhanced and emissions are reduced.