🔧 “Your Car Ain’t a Crawfish—It Don’t Boil Just for Fun”

🔧 Don’t Let Your Ride Fall Apart — A Louisiana Guide to Preventative Maintenance

From Rock’s Tire & Auto — Livin’ Local, Wrenchin’ Right

Down here in Louisiana, we know a thing or two about taking care of what matters—whether it’s family, food, or that ol’ truck that’s been with you longer than some relatives. At Rock’s, we believe in catching problems before they leave you broke down on the side of Hwy 190 sweatin’ through your shirt.

That’s why preventative maintenance is so important. It’s the regular upkeep that keeps your car, truck, or SUV runnin’ smooth, safe, and ready for whatever the roads—or the weather—throw your way.

Let’s break down some of the key services we offer and what they actually do for your ride:

🛢️ Oil Changes — Keep That Engine Happy

How often: Every 3,000 to 7,000 miles (depends on your vehicle + oil type)

Why it matters: Your engine's got a lot of moving parts that rub against each other at high speeds. Oil keeps things slick and cool. Over time, it gets dirty and thick, and when that happens, parts start to grind—and engines start to die.

What it prevents:

• Sludge buildup

• Overheating

• Full engine failure (and that ain’t cheap)

  
  

🛑 Brake System Service — Stop When You Wanna, Not When You Have To

How often: Check pads every 6 months; fluid service every 2 years

Here’s the deal: Brake fluid is hydroscopic, which means it pulls in moisture from the air. Over time, that water can boil inside your brake lines, causing a spongy pedal—or worse—lock-ups or total brake failure. Not something you want when you're tryin’ to stop at a red light in Covington traffic.

What it prevents:

• Soft brake pedal

• Corroded brake lines

• Locked calipers and stuck pistons

• Unsafe stopping distances

  
  

🔁 Transmission Fluid Service — Keepin’ Those Shifts Smooth

How often: Every 30,000 to 60,000 miles

Why it’s important: Transmission fluid keeps gears shifting clean and cool. Over time, it breaks down and turns into sludge, especially in the heat and humidity we’ve got down here. That can lead to slipping, hesitation, and major damage to one of the most expensive parts of your vehicle.

What it prevents:

• Harsh or delayed shifting

• Transmission overheating

• Internal clutch and gear wear

Let your transmission fail and you’re lookin’ at a $3,000–$6,000 fix. We’d rather service it for a couple hundred and keep you rollin’.

❄️ Coolant Flush — Don’t Let That Engine Boil Over

How often: Every 2–3 years or 30,000 miles

What you might not know: Old coolant gets acidic and eats through your radiator, water pump, and even heater core. Plus, it loses its ability to protect against corrosion and heat. Down here in the South, we push engines hard in the heat, and without fresh coolant, you’re asking for a busted head gasket or worse.

What it prevents:

• Overheating

• Cooling system leaks

• Water pump and thermostat failure

  
  

🔋 Battery & Charging System Check — No Click, No Crank, No Ride

How often: Every oil change or 2x/year

Why it matters: Batteries don’t last forever, and neither do alternators. Corroded terminals, weak voltage, or failing belts can leave you stranded. We’ll test the battery, check the charging rate, and make sure your starter ain’t about to give up on you.

What it prevents:

• Dead battery

• Electrical system failure

• Getting stranded at night in a Rouses parking lot

  
  

🔧 Tune-Ups — Keepin’ Your Engine Smart

How often: Every 30,000 miles or as needed

Includes: Spark plugs, wires, filters, and computer diagnostics

Why it matters: Your engine relies on good spark, clean air, and proper fuel delivery. When those go bad, your mileage drops, performance suffers, and your check engine light comes on faster than you can say "boudin."

What it prevents:

• Poor gas mileage

• Misfires and hard starts

• Emissions issues and failed inspections

  
  

🌀 Timing & Serpentine Belts — The Rubber That Keeps You Rollin’

Serpentine: Replace every 50,000–70,000 miles

Timing Belt: Replace around 60,000–100,000 miles

Why they matter: Your serpentine belt runs your alternator, AC, power steering, and water pump. Timing belts keep your engine in sync—if they snap, your engine could be toast.

What it prevents:

• Total engine failure (especially in interference engines)

• Loss of steering or power

• Overheating

  
  

🛞 Tire Maintenance — Grip, Comfort, and Fuel Savings

Includes: Rotations, balances, alignments

Why it matters: Uneven wear causes vibrations, pulls your car to one side, and wears out your suspension. Plus, underinflated tires = poor gas mileage.

What it prevents:

• Tire blowouts

• Suspension damage

• Wasted fuel and money

  
  

🌬️ Air Filters — For You and Your Engine

Engine air filter: Every 15,000–30,000 miles

Cabin air filter: Every 12,000–15,000 miles

Why it matters: A dirty engine filter chokes your motor. A dirty cabin filter? That chokes you. We don’t want either one.

What it prevents:

• Poor engine performance

• Bad smells in the car

• HVAC strain and overheating

  
  

🚘 Suspension & Steering Components — Smooth Rides & Sharp Turns

Check annually or at the first sign of clunks, rattles, or pulling

Includes: Shocks, struts, ball joints, tie rods, control arms

What it prevents:

• Rough, unstable rides

• Excessive tire wear

• Loss of steering control

  
  

So, What’s the Big Deal?

Skipping maintenance might save you a few bucks today, but it’ll cost you way more tomorrow. We’re talkin’:

• Tow trucks

• Rental cars

• Big-time repairs

• Safety risks

And nobody wants that, especially when you’ve got places to be and a life to live.

👨‍🔧 Let Rock’s Help You Stay Ahead

At Rock’s Tire & Auto, we don’t just turn wrenches—we take care of folks. When you roll in, you get straight talk, honest work, and a crew that treats your vehicle like it’s our own.

✅ Need help figuring out what your vehicle’s due for?✅ Not sure when your last service was?

📞 Give us a call or swing by—we’ll get you on a plan that keeps your ride safe, reliable, and ready to roll.

Thanks for trusting Rock’s—we’ll keep you out the shop and on the road.

— Rock & the Crew