Regular Service Will Keep Your Subaru Running Smoothly
With the day-to-day things that crop up in life, it's easy to get behind on regular maintenance for your Subaru. To keep your vehicle running reliably for everything you need to do in Carson City, bringing it in for necessary service visits plays an integral role. Both your owner's manual and your technician can remind you of when certain services should be performed according to your specific Subaru model. Still, a general guideline can help to keep you up to date on the most important services.
Best Routine Services
Oil Changes
There's no single service that has more impact on the health of your engine over time than simple, regular oil changes. Luckily, oil changes are generally quick and relatively inexpensive compared to the good they do, making it easier to keep up with regular service visits. Fresh oil and a new filter ensure precision engine components stay clean and lubricated, lowering engine temperatures and reducing fuel consumption. You'll want to have them done every 5,000 miles or so unless you're using your vehicle for towing or hauling frequently around South Lake Tahoe.
Brake Service
Stop-and-go traffic is the real culprit in brake pads wearing down quickly, although pulling a trailer or your particular driving style can also influence how quickly brakes wear down. While such an individual rate is difficult to predict, brake pads generally need changing every 30,000 miles. Another common brake service is replacing brake fluid, which is usually necessary every two years or so.
Tire Service
Tires will smooth your ride through Minden and provide plenty of grip for turns or slippery road conditions with proper maintenance. You can monitor your tire pressure manually or through dashboard readouts, and it's good to check it regularly to ensure your tires stay within their ideal range. Every six months or so, a tire rotation will ensure you avoid uneven wear patches that shorten tire lifespan by leaving them vulnerable to punctures.
Routine Engine Inspections
Something as complex as your engine needs a routine inspection to catch small issues before they develop into something larger and more expensive to fix. Having your technician look under the hood at least once yearly will give you trained eyes ready to spot strange leaks, cracked hoses, split belts, failing gaskets, and exposed wires before they unexpectedly end your trip.
Long-Term Services
Timing and Serpentine Belt Change
You'll have many happy years of driving your Subaru around Gardnerville before it becomes necessary to have these belts replaced. They usually last for 70,000 or more miles, making them a once-in-a-vehicle lifetime repair. It's not one you can put off or ignore; however, if either fails, it will lead to catastrophic damage, so make sure you follow your technician's advice on the repair schedule.
Transmission Service
Your Subaru will need to have its transmission cleaned, inspected, and its fluid replaced every 50,000 or so miles in order to continue providing reliable performance as you're driving through Truckee.
Coolant System Flush
Your radiator keeps your engine from overheating, protecting certain components that can be damaged when temperatures climb too high. While the system is as airtight as possible, no seal can hold out forever. Moisture and other contaminants can infiltrate your coolant, lowering its effectiveness. A thorough cleaning of the system and replacing spent fluid with fresh coolant every five years or so will help to ensure optimal performance and avoid corrosion of radiator parts.
Inspections
Your exhaust, differentials, suspension, and fuel systems must be regularly checked and maintained to ensure they function properly.
Make it last with routine maintenance.
We realize it can be confusing to figure out why and when a service or maintenance must be done to your Subaru throughout its lifetime. We don’t expect you to know it all, so we’ve come up with a way to explain what’s going on with the key systems of your Subaru and how we can keep them performing at their best.
Check out these fun videos that show common maintenance items and operations related to your Subaru. This way, you can learn a little bit more about your vehicle and what to expect when you bring it in for service.
Brakes
With all of life’s starts and stops, you eventually need a rest. For your Subaru to come to a rest, it needs well-maintained brakes. Our factory trained technicians are experienced in brake inspections and replacement, and they know the right parts that are specifically engineered for your vehicle.
Did you know Genuine Subaru brake pads are made and tested with specific materials that not only help you stop safely, but help regulate the balance and control of your vehicle while braking? Other repair shops may recommend any replacement brake parts, but we have the correct ones that are calibrated to work specifically with your vehicle’s braking system so you remain in control if you need to step hard on the brakes.
With systems like Vehicle Dynamics Control and EyeSight®, it’s crucial to use Genuine Subaru Parts in order for this technology to operate correctly. Learn more about your braking system, the signs of worn brakes, and our inspection process in the videos above.
EyeSight® is designed to avoid or lessen the severity of frontal crashes and is a driver assist system that may not operate optimally under all driving conditions. The driver is always responsible for safe driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors. See the Owner’s Manual for complete details.
Battery
If you’ve ever experienced being stuck with a dead battery, you know how draining the feeling is. We get that, and that’s why we will run a battery health test every time you bring your vehicle in for a multi-point inspection. We use a specific Subaru battery tester to monitor it, and the charging system as well. We’ll determine your battery’s state of charge to help prevent a no-start situation.
You may be aware that your battery helps start your vehicle and provides electricity for things like your lights and playing your favorite tunes. What you may not know are the many things that can affect its health – including its age and extreme temperatures – and one day it will need to be replaced. When it’s time, we'll have the exact replacement you'll need.
Air Filters
Air filters allow clean air in while keeping contaminants out. Your Subaru has two of them – one for the engine and one for the air you breathe inside your vehicle. Our factory trained technicians inspect both filters during the multi-point inspection.
When it comes time to change them, we’ll replace them with Genuine Subaru filters for the proper fit and proven filtration. Other places may recommend filters that fit “okay,” but only our Genuine Subaru filters are a direct replacement for the filters that were engineered to work best in your vehicle. See more about our filters in the Checking Engine Air Filter and Checking Cabin Air Filter videos.
Windshield Wipers
If your wiper blades cause streaking or chattering because the rubber is worn, we’ll gladly assist by replacing them with new ones. Continued use, the summer’s heat and winter’s brittle cold can affect the blades over the course of a year, and they’ll probably need to be replaced annually. A clear view of the road is always important to have. So, when your windshield needs clearing, you’re going to want well-functioning wipers on your Subaru to safely view the road ahead.
Shocks and Struts
The shocks and struts of your Subaru absorb the impact from unfortunate bumps in the road, and they help keep your ride feeling comfortable. We'll review them during our multi-point inspection, along with the other components of your suspension system, to make sure your vehicle handles safely and rides smoothly.
Sharp turns, cruising curves at freeway speeds, and hard braking can be handled confidently with healthy shocks and struts. Learn more about them, and the possible symptoms that might indicate that they need to be serviced, in the video above entitled “Worn Shocks and Struts”.
Advanced Repairs
Regular maintenance, such as oil changes or tire and brake replacement, is natural to any vehicle's upkeep. But over time, driving conditions and many miles on moving parts can cause the need for repairs to the engine, transmission, suspension and other major systems.
If it comes to the point where your Subaru needs advanced repair work, we have something that other shops can't provide – Subaru certified factory trained technicians. They have gained hands-on, vehicle-specific training at a Subaru Training Center and receive updated training annually. They specialize in repairing the unique Subaru Boxer® engine, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, EyeSight® and more, with tools and parts specifically designed for Subaru vehicles.
This means, at Michael Hohl Subaru, your vehicle is in the hands of knowledgeable technicians who are familiar with Subaru vehicles – inside and out. Not only do they know how your vehicle operates mechanically, but they are also familiar with the advanced electronics that operate your vehicle and are capable of interpreting data from specialized diagnostic computers. You'll also have a welcoming service team that's committed to repairing your Subaru correctly with Genuine Subaru Parts.
Hours
- Monday 7:00am - 06:00pm
- Tuesday 7:00am - 06:00pm
- Wednesday 7:00am - 06:00pm
- Thursday 7:00am - 06:00pm
- Friday 7:00am - 06:00pm
- Saturday 8:00am - 05:00pm
- Sunday Closed
Service Amenities
We strive to make your service visits more convenient and more enjoyable by offering:
- New Facility
- 24/7 Online Scheduling
- All service work guaranteed
- Complimentary Wi-Fi & TV
- Convenient hours
- We sell tires
