Frequently Asked Questions
My Check Engine Light is on. What should I do?
What is a tune-up?
What is an Injector Cleaning?
What are the benefits of synthetic oils?
What is the difference between different color antifreeze?
How do I know whether I should repair or replace my vehicle?
My Check Engine Light is on. What should I do?
Visit our Contact Us page and schedule an appointment with us. We'll scan your vehicle for DTC's (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) and give you a general idea of what the problem is for no charge. Depending on the codes present, we may be able to give a rough estimate for diagnostics and repairs, although diagnostics must be performed to verify problems and identify defective parts or other repairs required.
What is a tune-up?
For modern vehicles, a tune-up can mean many different things. Traditionally a tune-up meant replacing ignition parts such as spark plugs and wires, and the ditributor cap and rotor. Most of today's vehicles no longer have distributors, and rough-running or poor fuel economy conditions can be caused by a wide variety of different electronic and mechanical problems. These problems can range from bad spark plugs to faulty Oxygen Sensors or other sensors, clogged fuel or air filters, or any number of other problems. For more information on how a modern engine system works, see our Tech Info article on Electronic Fuel Injection.
What is an Injector Cleaning?
Visit our Tech Info section and view the article on Fuel Injection Service for detailed information on an FSN Fuel System Service.
What are the benefits of synthetic oils?
Synthetic oil costs have recently come significantly closer to that of conventional oils. Synthetic oils resist breaking down due to heat, friction and mechanical shearing, and provide significantly better lubrication on cold-starts, when most engine wear typically occurs. Synthetic oils also resist sludging, which can cause oil passages in the engine to become clogged over time, reducing lubrication or even causing engine failure, particularly when conventional oils are run beyond 3,000mi change intervals. FSN uses synthetic oils almost exclusively.
What is the difference between different color antifreeze?
Antifreeze/coolants come in several types, the most common being green ethylene-glycol coolant, orange/pink Dex-Cool coolant, and gold/yellow GO-5 coolant. While GO-5 coolant can generally be mixed with either Dex-Cool or green coolant, orange/pink Dex-Cool and green coolants should never be mixed, as a sludge can form in the cooling system, severely reducing efficiency. Generally speaking, most vehicles still use green coolant, but 1995-later GM vehicles, along with some Japanese vehicles, use Dex-Cool. GO-5 is found in a variety of Ford and Chrysler vehicles, although many Chrysler vehicles also use Dex-Cool. The best way to determine what coolant your vehicle takes is to look for a label near the radiator or coolant overflow bottle, or ask us here at FSN by visiting our Contact Us page.
How do I know whether I should repair or replace my vehicle?
The first step is to determine the resale or trade-in value of your vehicle. Kelly Blue Book will give a reasonably accurate value for most vehicles. Next, determine the cost of a replacement vehicle that will suit your needs. Bring your vehicle to Fleet Service Northwest for a complete inspection, and we can give you an estimate for all repairs the vehicle currently needs, and help you determine the overall condition and likelihood of future repair expenses on your vehicle. If you're considering buying a used vehicle, we can also inspect it, providing estimates and advice to help you determine all aspects of vehicle repair or replacement.
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