Vehicle Maintenance

  • Top Questions to Ask A Mechanic, When Routine Services Are Being Preformed

    technician

    A good technician will give your car a quick inspection whenever you have maintenance performed. Fluid levels, tire condition, dashboard lights, and a variety of other items typically are briefly explored whenever you bring your vehicle in for maintenance. At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, we're good at noticing things that need repair, but the fact of the matter is that only you know your car. You know when your car feels off when its been serviced last (or that it hasn't been serviced at all,) and have at least some vague idea of what’s going on with your vehicle day to day. Here are some questions you can ask us next time you come by the shop;

  • Using Your Jumper Cables

    Man with jumper cables

    At some point or another, it’ll happen to you. You leave your headlights on, your battery finally fails, or for some other reason, you don’t have enough juice to start your car. Don’t call a tow truck just yet, though...Downtown Automotive in Siler City has the info you need to properly jump-start your car.

  • Valve Adjustment are an essential part for keeping your car running

    Valves on car

    In the realm of performance engines, valve adjustments are an essential part of keeping your car running its best. When you add customization to the mix, valve timing becomes even more critical, and it’s important the technician adjusting them really knows their stuff. At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, NC, we’ve got you covered.

  • What Does a Ball Joint Do?

    ball joint

    At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, we know you’re busy. We also know that while there are certain issues with your car, truck, or SUV you can ignore for a while, some of them shouldn’t wait. While serious issues are often obvious, sometimes they aren’t - ball joints are one such case.

  • What Does That Check Engine Light Mean?

    check engine light on in car dash

    It’s a busy morning, you’ve finally gotten everyone where they need to be and you’re just pulling into the parking lot at work when your dash light starts glaring at you. Your check engine light shines bright, but you have no idea why. Whether you can tell a difference in the way your car, truck, or SUV is running, your car is trying to tell you something. At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, NC, we can help!

  • What Does That Check Engine Light Mean?

    check engine light on dash image

    It’s a busy morning, you’ve finally gotten everyone where they need to be and you’re just pulling into the parking lot at work when your dash light starts glaring at you. Your check engine light shines bright, but you have no idea why. Whether you can tell a difference in the way your car, truck, or SUV is running, your car is trying to tell you something. At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, NC, we can help!

  • What does the PCV System do & why is it important to you?

    emissions testing being done on a vehicle

    On modern vehicles, the PCV system (Positive Crankcase Ventilation System) is essential to ensuring your car or truck is ready to go when you are and remains a long-lasting, reliable vehicle. It’s much more than just emissions control - your PCV system serves multiple purposes and is quite interesting! How does it work, and what are those purposes?  Here at Downtown Automotive in Siler City, NC, we have those answers for you!

  • What Happens When You Don’t Change Your Oil?

    sludge in the engine image

    At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, NC, we recommend always making it a priority to change your oil on time. Here’s a look into why it’s so important, and what happens if you don’t keep up with oil changes.

    Sludge - If oil stays in an engine too long, sludge begins to build up anywhere oil can go. The oil absorbs tiny debris and contaminants, kind of like a liquid sponge - once it’s at capacity, that oil begins to stick, clog, and build up throughout the engine. Small veins that carry oil to components like actuators, turbos, and bearings will become blocked, starving critical components of oil and causing component or engine failure.

  • What Is A Short Throw Shifter

    mechanic

    At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, routine maintenance and repair isn’t the only thing we do. For custom parts installation, you can also count on us. Common modification enthusiasts do is swapping to a short-throw shifter; but what actually is a short-throw shifter, and what does it do?

  • What is an ASE Certified Technician and Why Does it Matter?

    mechanic standing in garage and holding wrench

    At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, NC, quality and precision are our top priority. We specialize in well-engineered performance and luxury vehicles like BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Land Rover, and Subaru - cars and SUVs that require the right touch. For this reason, we employ ASE certified technicians, to guarantee we’re the best in the business.

  • What should you do if you blow a tire?

    man frustrated leaning on car

    The best way to deal with a blown tire is to prevent it from happening in the first place. However, eventually, a flat tire is going to occur, and it’ll most likely be when you least need it. From Downtown Automotive in Siler City, NC, here’s what you need to do.

  • What to Know About Your Vehicle's Lights

    Vehicles driving on a highway with headlights on

    All the lights on your vehicle have an important job to do. Brake lights, tail lights, blinkers, reverse lights, and headlights are a crucial part of driving. Lights make you visible, make things visible to you, and allow you to communicate with other drivers. All of a vehicle’s lights make driving easier and safer, and all of them are important...not to mention legally required.

  • What to Look For When Buying a Vehicle

    man holding car keys

    In the market for a new car, truck, or SUV? Used cars aren’t always what they seem; here’s some advice from Downtown Automotive in Siler City to make sure you get the used car of your dreams.

  • When and Why Your Vehicle Needs a Tune-up

    man holding spark plug in hands

    Tune-ups are an important and frequently neglected aspect of automotive care. Most drivers don’t really consider the mechanical condition of their car, so long as nothing is wrong with it. However, if a vehicle is tuned-up and maintained correctly, many mechanical failures (and expenses) will be avoided altogether. So whne is the right time to get a tune-up?

  • When Is It Time To Replace a Tire?

    Tires lined up on racks

    At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, we change many tires that should’ve been replaced long ago. Your tires can go for miles and miles, but there always comes a time to replace them. So how can you tell when the right time is?

  • When is it Time to Test Your Vehicle's Battery?

    Mechanic testing a car's battery

    Chances are you don’t pay much attention to your vehicle’s battery until it dies, when you get to perform the dreary dual task of waiting for a jump while simultaneously calling for an appointment to get a new battery fitted. Of course, that’s if you’re sure it’s the battery that’s dead in the first place. The only way to be certain is to take it in to be tested. However, it generally helps to know the health of your vehicle battery prior to finding yourself stranded.

  • When To Rotate Your Tires

    man working on tire

    Tire rotations are a part of vehicle maintenance. The purpose of rotating your tires is to make them last as long as possible, prevent your suspension from wearing out prematurely, and keep the drivability of your car in the best possible condition. So when should you get a tire rotation?

  • When To Run Diagnostics On Your Vehicle

    Modern vehicles are becoming increasingly complex, and as a result, computer diagnostic systems are becoming a necessity rather than a convenience. At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, NC, our state of the art technology and trained technicians are ready to diagnose any transmission issue you may be experiencing with your car, truck, or SUV.

  • When Was The Last Time You Got Your Oil Changed?

    oil being poured into car

    At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, NC, we do our best to keep you on the road. A huge part of being able to do that is proper vehicle maintenance; when was the last time you changed your oil?

  • Where Did Speed Limits Come From?

    maximum speed 55 sign

    At Downtown Automotive in Siler City, the history of cars is a huge topic of interest to us. Here’s an interesting piece of automotive trivia, from us to you.

  • Jasper
  • 247towing
  • 24-Hour Dropoff
  • Acdelco
  • Ari Fleet
  • ASE
  • Auto Zone
  • B&W Trailer Hitches
  • BF Goodrich
  • Bosch Automotive
  • Bridgestone Firestone
  • Carquest Direct Hit
  • Cooper Tires
  • Dunlop Tires
  • Element Fleet
  • Enterprise Fleet
  • Goodyear
  • Hankook Tires
  • iATN
  • Loaner Car
  • Michelin
  • Motorcraft Parts
  • NAPA AutoCare Center
  • NFIB
  • Pet Friendly
  • Radiator
  • Reese Hitches
  • State Inspection
  • Tech-net
  • Tires
  • Toyo
  • Valvoline
  • 12 Month Warranty
  • Wifi Available

Downtown Automotive

202 S Chatham Ave
Siler City, NC 27344
Get Directions

location small (919) 742-2365
AFTER HOURS: (919) 842-2606

SHOP HOURS

Weekdays:   8:00am - 5:00pm
Weekends: Closed