Severe Service Requirements

July 23, 2022

A lot of Royal Oak drivers have asked whether or not they should use their severe service maintenance schedule, which is listed in their vehicle's owner's manual. It can be somewhat confusing, so we decided to consult an expert. Cricket Killingsworth is from QMI/Heartland, a manufacturer of au... More

Clean Air for Your Engine: Engine Air Filters In Royal Oak

July 19, 2022

Every Royal Oak car owner who has taken their car in for an oil change has been told that their engine air filter's dirty. Here's what goes into the determination of when to change the filter: First, your vehicle owner's manual will have a recommendation of when the filter should be replaced. So... More

TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires and the Maintenance Mindset

July 18, 2022

When it comes to their vehicles, some Royal Oak residents don't have a maintenance mindset. They know they need to take care of their cars, but it just seems really hard to get them to remember to do it. Royal Oak drivers generally accept that many things in life require regular maintenance but ... More

TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires Maintenance Tips: The Belt Goes On

July 14, 2022

All Royal Oak service advisors know that without the alternator, the battery will go dead in a few miles. The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. And on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump. The water pump circulates coolant t... More

Keeping Your Car Young in Royal Oak

July 11, 2022

As Royal Oak consumers, we live in a disposable society. It's amazing all the stuff we throw away.New stuff comes out so fast in Michigan, and much of it is fairly cheap, so we just toss the old and move on. It seems like when we were kids our parents were real sticklers about taking care of our ... More

Busted: The Maintenance-Free Myth in Royal Oak

June 28, 2022

There's a segment of the Royal Oak area population that's not committed to proper vehicle maintenance. Now, the ignition system in your vehicle is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer. Spark plugs rarely get fouled and will last for as much as 100,000 miles (160,000 kilom... More

The Easy Way to Save Cash in Royal Oak

June 19, 2022

The hottest Michigan news story may be different every day, but there's one topic that seems to come up over and over again the price of gas in Royal Oak. If you feel like most of your paycheck goes into your gas tank, this post is for you. Here are several basic things people in Royal Oak can ... More

Hold the Oil! (Oil Pan Gasket Replacement)

December 19, 2021

You've likely heard how important oil is to your vehicle's engine. Did you know that there's one part that's responsible for holding that oil so you can use it every day? It's called the oil pan, and it sits at the bottom of the engine. The oil pan is a vital, though simple, part of your engine's... More

Don't Miss a Beat (Importance of Regular Maintenance)

September 19, 2021

In many places, license plates have to be renewed every year or else you can't drive your vehicle legally. Usually, you'll get a reminder from the agency that issues the plates. That kind of regular attention needs to be paid to your vehicle as well. Its manufacturer has determined a schedule o... More

Technician Training at TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires

August 22, 2021

Your vehicle is important to you, and keeping it running properly is important to your lifestyle. That's why you're smart enough to have it serviced regularly at TLC Custom Exhaust Brakes & Tires in Royal Oak. And even though it may just be routine maintenance, you want it done right by automoti... More