Oil Change in Goose Creek, SC
Despite what the Jetsons would have you believe, automobiles like cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans are still a necessity in modern times. Whether you use your vehicle as a daily driver for running errands or as a weekend canyon carver, you rely on your automobile to get things done. But what happens when, out of the blue, your car quits working?
Imagine this: Your spouse is tied up with work, so you've got to pick up your kids and their friends from soccer practice. Suddenly, you hear a loud noise under the hood of your car. A yellow light comes on in your car's dashboard near the speedometer. You step on the gas to accelerate a little but get no response. You're not sure what's going on, but you do know that you've got to find a safe place to pull over. After a few minutes, smoke starts coming out of your engine bay, and you know you've got a serious problem on your hands. What could it be? And then, it dawns on you - it's been years since you had an oil change. Because of that, you've got to have a friend take your children and their friends back home while you wait for a tow truck to haul your vehicle away.
Scenarios like these are quite common in South Carolina. The truth is that it's easy to forget about having your oil changed in our fast-paced society, packed full of work obligations and after-school activities. Fortunately, having an oil change service is easy when A+ Auto Service is right down the road.
The Premier Oil Change Auto Shop in Goose Creek, SC
As a family-owned, independent oil change provider, we're proud to have served drivers with reliable car service and oil changes for more than 20 years. We are a full-service automotive shop that does everything from routine maintenance to major car repairs to engine and transmission rebuilds. We started off in 2004 as a Major Repair Auto Shop and made it through the 2008 recession, though it hit us very hard. We were able to rebuild and come back stronger in 2010 by adding more services and becoming a true full-service auto shop.

After growing our North Charleston location for the past 16 years, we decided it was time to expand and better serve the Lowcountry. In January 2019, we bought our Summerville location on Old Trolley Rd. With a limited budget and three months of labor-intensive work, we opened our doors with a new slogan: "Your Dealer Alternative."

When we say we're your car dealer alternative, we mean it. Car dealerships are notorious for long waits, shotty repair ability, high prices, and poor customer service. That's why, at A+ Auto, we prioritize hard work, quality repairs, fair pricing, and excellent customer service. Because, at the end of the day, that's the way we'd want to be treated if we needed an oil change in The Palmetto State.
As a family-owned and operated auto mechanic shop in Charleston, we are proud to serve the Lowcountry. After all, you're our neighbors, and neighbors must look out for one another. Swing by our shop to see the A+ Auto difference. We think you'll like what you see!

Here's Why Cars Need Oil to Function
The primary function of engine oil is to lubricate the moving parts in your engine. There are many intricate and high-speed components that make up an engine, many of which need oil. They need oil to operate smoothly and minimize the effects of friction and wear. It might sound hard to believe, but sometimes, the only thing preventing engine parts from grinding together is a small amount of engine lubricant.
Despite having proper oil levels, even a well-lubricated engine generates substantial amounts of heat. Another important function of engine oil is to help draw this heat away from your engine's components. By maintaining the correct temperatures, your vehicle will run smoothly. Without engine oil, the engine would rapidly seize and could potentially overheat.
Understanding why cars need oil to function is important. But you've also got to know how to check your oil levels to see if you need more. Consistent oil changes are essential for maintaining the reliability and optimal performance of your vehicle. Neglecting regular oil changes can result in severe repercussions for your car's health, potentially leading to complete engine failure if operated without sufficient oil. That's why, even if you can't do it on your own, it's smart to work with a professional oil change auto shop like A+ Auto for help.
When Do You Need to Change Your Car's Oil?
It used to be recommended to change your oil every 3,000-5,000 miles, but you might need to do it more or less often, depending on what your car manufacturer suggests. Always check your owner's manual for the recommended oil type, grade, and maintenance schedule. If a red oil light pops up on your dashboard, get your car checked right away because you could be dealing with low or no oil pressure or a serious oil leak.

Top 5 Reasons to Get an Oil Change in Goose Creek, SC
A recent survey conducted by the Car Care Council revealed that 22% of vehicles are equipped with either low or contaminated engine oil. Taking proactive steps to change a vehicle's oil and filter can help ensure that the engine continues to operate at peak performance and can prevent drivers from incurring costly repairs in the future. Try comparing the average cost of a year's worth of oil changes (about $200) to the cost of damage caused by neglecting them ($4,000+). It's clear to see that having your car's oil changed regularly is hugely beneficial for your bank account.

Proper lubrication is essential for moving parts to prevent the creation of friction, which leads to the generation of heat. To avoid excessive friction and engine overheating, it is crucial to ensure that the oil is clean and at the right levels.

Imagine all the moving parts of your car's engine: its valves, pistons, and other parts moving at high speeds. If these parts are not properly lubricated with oil, they will generate a lot of heat and cause significant wear and tear on the engine. Consult the owner's manual to find out the exact viscosity and quality of oil that your vehicle needs, and make sure to maintain it at the recommended level.

When your engine isn't properly lubricated, it can consume more fuel than normal, so it's a good idea to ensure that your engine has enough clean oil. When you get an oil change to replace your dirty oil, it can improve your gas mileage by 1-2%. That doesn't sound like much, but for the average driver, it can mean big savings over time.

Dirt can be extremely harmful to engines. With time, dirt can lead to corrosion and reduce an engine's lifespan. Furthermore, as time passes, oil deteriorates and transforms into "sludge." The key is to maintain a clean engine. Regular oil and filter changes aid in eliminating particles and sludge, ensuring that engines remain in optimal condition.

You don't have to be a graduate from Southeastern College Charleston in Goose Creek, SC to know that routine car maintenance makes your vehicle last longer. Contaminant buildup from old oil reduces a car's fuel efficiency and performance and causes its internal parts to experience increased strain. Plus, an overworked engine is more likely to develop issues and have a shorter lifespan in the long run. Why deal with those problems when you can help prevent them with an oil change from A+ Auto Service?

The Right Oil at a Price You Can Afford
Now that you understand why oil and oil changes are so important, you may be looking for reliable oil change services. Head to your local A+ Auto Service for a quality oil change and learn why so many South Carolina drivers trust our professional technicians to service their vehicles.
Oil Change Myth #1: Thicker Oil is Best for Your Engine
During the 1960s, when classic Camaros and majestic Mustangs dominated the drag strips, there might have been some truth to this. The clearances between engine parts were not as precise as they are today, and a thicker oil might have assisted in reducing certain types of engine wear. However, back then, it was mainly the anti-wear additives in the oil that offered proper protection in other types of engine wear - such as in the valve train - rather than the viscosity itself.
Using motor oil that is too thick nowadays could, at best, lower engine efficiency. At worst, it could impede proper lubrication (especially on cold mornings), affect the performance of certain engine parts that depend on oil pressure as a hydraulic fluid, and result in even greater engine wear. Some vehicles may display an illuminated check engine light if the wrong viscosity oil is used. This means that many newer vehicles necessitate lower viscosity grades to accommodate tighter tolerances and deliver improved fuel economy.
The bottom line is that thicker oil doesn't equal better. If your engine is stock, you should read your owner's manual to find out your oil recommendations.

Oil Change Myth #2: Black Oil = Immediate Oil Change in Goose Creek, SC
It's a common belief that you should change your oil when it turns black, but it might not always be necessary. The darkening of engine oil occurs naturally due to oxidation from heating cycles. The detergents and dispersants in engine oil work to clean the engine by absorbing soot, carbon, and other combustion byproducts, which also darkens your oil.
Although changing your oil before it's time to do so isn't inherently harmful, it could hurt your wallet. Ultimately, black engine oil can be a natural occurrence and a sign that it's doing its job effectively. The best course of action is to change your engine oil and oil filter according to your vehicle manufacturer's suggested maintenance schedule.

Oil Change Myth #3: You Must Get an Oil Change Before Road Tripping
Whether you're driving to see Central Creek Park near Goose Creek, SC or you're traveling to see family, road-tripping is one of the most fun and exciting ways to enjoy your vehicle. According to some drivers, though, you've got to change your oil before embarking on a long road trip. While it is important to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before a lengthy drive, changing your oil beforehand isn't always needed.
If your oil change interval indicates that there are still many miles left before needing service, you should be OK. However, it's still a good idea to check and make sure your oil levels are where they should be before road-tripping. If your car is scheduled for an oil change shortly after you return, you can probably wait until you get back from your trip. In any case, there's really no downside to getting your oil changed early - if it gives you peace of mind, go ahead and do it.

Superb Oil Change Service in Goose Creek, SC, Starts with A+ Auto
You may be on the fence about getting an oil change, but the consequences of not doing so can be horrible. At best, you'll experience diminished performance and gas mileage. At worst, you or a member of your family could end up in Stratford Place Assisted Living Memory Care in Goose Creek, SC because your engine failed and you got in a car wreck.
Why risk your safety when you can swing by A+ Auto every few thousand miles for a quality oil change? You'll benefit from a healthier car, and you won't have to wait for hours on end like you would at a dealership. Plus, you'll be treated with the care, compassion, and professionalism that only a local auto repair shop can provide. Contact A+ Auto to schedule your oil change service and learn more about why we're the Lowcountry's top choice for reliable auto repairs.
Latest News in Goose Creek, SC
A growing Goose Creek looks to spend $13 million on new city offices and public event space
Teri Errico Griffishttps://www.postandcourier.com/news/south-carolina-goose-creek-government-office-event/article_af8017b2-e57f-11ef-b55d-d7456fb586b7.html
GOOSE CREEK — The population here has more than doubled in the last 25 years. And that growth is showing no signs of slowing down, with hundreds of new homes under development, dozens of new restaurants opening and a future destination district in the works.The one thing Mayor Greg Habib said the city truly needs, however, is more office space to...
GOOSE CREEK — The population here has more than doubled in the last 25 years. And that growth is showing no signs of slowing down, with hundreds of new homes under development, dozens of new restaurants opening and a future destination district in the works.
The one thing Mayor Greg Habib said the city truly needs, however, is more office space to serve residents' needs and an event space to gather together.
In the next two years he hopes to make both happen with a new $13 million municipal complex that will serve as city council’s meeting chambers and a venue for weddings, community events and art shows.
The future hall, currently dubbed The Assembly at Goose Creek, is expected to come online in 2026. It will be located behind to the current building by the pond.
“We recognized Goose Creek lacks event spaces,” Habib told The Post and Courier, noting there are very few overall in Berkeley County. “That morphed into a conversation of, well, if we need new office space, we should build an office building and an event center.”
The current government building was erected in 1999 to support a population of roughly 20,000 people. Today, about 50,000 residents live in Goose Creek, and the city has continued to beef up its staff to support them. (Think inspectors, planners and more to address the growing number of permits issued, code inspections and interactions with developers.)
Building out city hall was always part of the master plan, Habib said, but the lack of office space over the last three years has forced the city to get serious about expanding. Staff already has had to reconfigure their workspaces several times over, splitting offices, desk sharing and even repurposing the city council conference room into more cubicles.
Who will pay for it?
Habib said Goose Creek is lucky to have the funds and the flexibility to choose how it pays for The Assembly.
“We have enough cash to pay for it, over and above our required reserve funds,” Habib said. “Interest rates may say maybe you don’t spend all that cash, maybe you do go borrow money if municipal rates are good.”
Some of the funding will come from American Rescue Funds, with a majority stemming from Goose Creek’s booming economy, such as Roper St. Francis' upcoming hospital development, Habib said.
The permit application for Roper's 50-bed hospital in the Carnes Crossroads community was around $250,000, and that money went directly into the city’s fund balance.
As for the cost of daily operations, rent from regular events should more than cover salaries, utilities and more.
“I want people to know that this was very thoughtfully planned, both the idea to spend this kind of money on this kind of project, but also what we needed to meet the needs of our citizenry," Habib said.
What's planned for the space
The new 13,500-square-foot structure will consist of offices, a conference room, storage, a warming kitchen and the main 3,500-square-foot hall that will be co-used as council chambers and an event space.
The primary room can hold approximately 240 people standing and has a nearly 3,000-square-foot pre-function hall that can serve as a secondary gathering area or a food prep station for weddings and parties, said Alexis Kiser, special projects manager for the city.
"There will be city-sponsored events, just like there currently is across our municipal campus," Kiser said, adding the city has already tossed around family events and a potential comic book convention.
When town meetings arise, council can roll out a dais — the bench for council members — that will be housed otherwise in a storage room.
Outside, a 7,500-square-foot terrace will overlook the pond at city hall.
“That alone is half the building size,” Kiser said. “The idea for that and the hall is if you’re running a wedding for example, you’re not sacrificing event space.”
The existing building will remain the primary offices for the town and chamber for the next 18 months. Towards the latter half of 2026, the current two-story council chamber will be converted into eight dedicated closed-door offices, six touchdown spaces, a conference room and a reception area for permitting.
Kiser anticipates breaking ground in the middle of March with the building going vertical in June. Toward the end of 2026, there’ll be an overlap of about six months of construction where council will be without a chamber and will most likely head to off-site venues like schools or libraries.
City council will review The Assembly at Goose Creek plans at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 in town hall during its monthly meeting.
Inside Goose Creek operations of the largest military shipbuilder in the US
Hollie Moorehttps://charlestonbusiness.com/inside-goose-creek-operations-of-the-largest-military-shipbuilder-in-the-u-s/
Home>Manufacturing>Inside Goose Creek operations of the largest military shipbuilder in the USA new division of the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S. is in full swing after establishing operations in South Carolina just two months ago.Newport News Shipbuilding-Charleston Operations, a facility in a division of Virginia-based ...
Inside Goose Creek operations of the largest military shipbuilder in the US
A new division of the largest military shipbuilder in the U.S. is in full swing after establishing operations in South Carolina just two months ago.
Newport News Shipbuilding-Charleston Operations, a facility in a division of Virginia-based Huntington Ingalls Industries, better known as HII, began in Goose Creek roughly 60 days ago.
In two days, the site, which spans nearly 50 acres and includes roughly 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space, will send off its first structural unit to NNS headquarters in Virginia for U.S. Navy aircraft carrier production.
NNS is the sole builder of aircraft carriers for the nation and one of the two companies that build submarines for the U.S., Matt Needy, general manager and vice president of Charleston operations, said during a tour of the sprawling facility on Wednesday. The company has overseen the design, construction, overhaul and repair of more than 800 ships for the U.S. Navy and commercial customers since beginning 139 years ago.
The purpose of the NNS Goose Creek operations is to specialize in modules of the submarines and aircraft carriers to unburden the main production in Virginia, Needy said.
In January HII closed on the acquisition of all the assets of metal fabricator W International SC LLC and Vivid Empire SC LLC (collectively “W International”). Financial terms of the deal were not revealed.
The company specializes in two classes of nuclear-powered submarines, the Virginia-Class and the Columbia-Class. Modules that the Goose Creek operations produce include the habitability module, auxiliary machine room and weapons module of the Virginia-Class along with the auxiliary machine room and the weapons module for the Columbia-Class, Needy said.
Needy said HII had it sights set on South Carolina for some time, considering the pre-established manufacturing workforce in the region.
“Because of the buildings, because of the people that are here, because of the pipelines, because of the state and regional and educational relationships that we already had the foundation of, this became the obvious choice to most rapidly expand capacity and frequency for Newport News,” Needy said.
Creating a workforce pipeline
During the acquisition, 99% of the legacy employees from W International transitioned. Currently employing 475 workers at the Goose Creek location, Needy hopes to see those numbers rise by the hundreds.
Alexis Mervin, a class-three welder, has been working at the facility for three years.
“Everyone gets along very well here, its a lot of team membership and working with each other,” Mervin said. “I’m over here building aircraft carriers for the Navy, submarines as well. It’s just an amazing experience.”
When joining the NNS Goose Creek facility, employees go through a 12-week course learning the specifics of NNS operations. During their training, they are considered full-time employees with benefits.
“This is a people-centered business,” Needy said. “It takes the heads, the hearts, the minds of a lot of great shipbuilders doing this complex work every day to bring the ships to life.”
Since starting the training program in October 2021, there have been about 1,200 students to graduate from it, Mark Schmitt, director of plant services operations, said. Schools like Goose Creek High School and Berkley High School teach a curriculum that helps the transition into the Newport News curriculum.
“You have these young guys and gals coming out of high school and signing letters in front of everybody going to colleges and universities,” Schmitt said. “Our version of that is The Summit. They come here, their parents come out here and they sign a letter of intent saying ‘I’m going to go be a welder for Newport News.’ It really is a powerful thing for us.”
Ashanti Grant, an 18-year-old welder for Newport News, heard about the opportunity through his high school. After attending Trident Technical College, he is finished his training with Newport News and has been working for about a year
“I didn’t know anything about welding before the job fair,” Grant said. “It’s really good here.”
Related: Boeing commits to $1 billion Charleston County expansion
Related: Nation’s largest military shipbuilder closes on Charleston County acquisition
The site spans 48-acres along the Cooper River, allowing access to deep water transportation as well as rail transportation that goes through the acreage. The land contains 480,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
Making an investment in the Lowcountry
Located next to the HII campus is a Leonardo DRS building under construction to open in 2026. The company is a leading provider of naval power and control technology solutions for the U.S. Navy. Needy said the two companies share a property line, road access and single barge slip so they are having meetings to maintain that relationship.
Materials for the productions are all sourced from the U.S. According to Needy, HII spends $500 million annually on local sourcing in the Lowcountry. Additionally, HII operations contribute $110 million per year in investments to its workforce, including education, scholarships, retirement and more.
“The Navy is in more demand than ever,” Needy said. “In my 34 years here with Newport News and the Huntington Ingalls Industries, I’ve never seen demand like the need for the ships that we build today.”
When the facility was W International, operations were exclusively a welding facility. Needy says the NNS goal is to build off those operations, scaling into something larger.
Needy said once the locations operations are at full capacity, it won’t just be steel structures for the modules being sent out, but fully outfitted modules with doors, walls, beds and more. He doesn’t expect the facility to be at its full-rate production capacity until 2027 and 2028.
Goose Creek neighbors push for increased traffic calming on Crowfield Boulevard
Caitlin Ashbaughhttps://www.live5news.com/2025/02/19/goose-creek-neighbors-push-increased-traffic-calming-crowfield-boulevard/
: |Updated: Feb. 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM ESTGOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) - Members of a neighborhood in Crowfield are advocating for traffic calming measures along a growing throughfare road.Crowfield Boulevard, a two-lane road, attaches on one end to Saint James Avenue, and on the other, College Park Road. The road can be frequented by commuters coming to or from major roadways like I-26, Highway 176, Highway 52 or Rivers Avenue.In 2013, the South Carolina Department of Transportation tracked 28, 400 daily commuters in the area...
: |Updated: Feb. 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM EST
GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) - Members of a neighborhood in Crowfield are advocating for traffic calming measures along a growing throughfare road.
Crowfield Boulevard, a two-lane road, attaches on one end to Saint James Avenue, and on the other, College Park Road. The road can be frequented by commuters coming to or from major roadways like I-26, Highway 176, Highway 52 or Rivers Avenue.
In 2013, the South Carolina Department of Transportation tracked 28, 400 daily commuters in the area. In 2023, the number rose to 39,100. As the number sits on a steady incline, neighbors on the lakeside are asking for increased traffic measures.
The surrounding area is full of walking trails, many of them which cross over the road. The boulevard currently has light-beaconed crosswalk signs and a speed limit of between 40 and 45 miles per hour.
Jason Bermudez said the regular walks he takes with his five kids are times where he is on high alert. Bermudez adds he has witnessed cars that do not yield to the signs or speed through.
“As a parent, the first thing I do is I look through the windshield at the person to see if they even recognize there is a person at the crosswalk,” Bermudez said. “The increase in traffic makes it unsafe to cross the street.”
Heather Byrd moved to the area more than a decade ago in search of a home for her growing family. If her kids want to ride their bikes, she prefers it only when she can be around.
“I don’t let them because I’m scared for them to have anything to do with Crowfield Boulevard. People are stupid. I’m just not comfortable with them doing that. I would love to say they could come hang out on the lake or on the other portion of the lake. There is no lighting, no safety features that make me feel comfortable doing so,” Byrd said. “We’re going through a residential section of approximately 3,800 homes. That’s a lot of residents.”
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports 185 crashes on Crowfield Boulevard since 2022. Four of them involved pedestrians.
Byrd and Bermudez are asking for a traffic study to determine the next course of action. They have suggested the installation of increased lighting, pavement markings and, in some areas, roundabouts or traffic circles.
“Traffic on Crowfield is an issue. Over the last 10 years, you’ve seen the increase in population and how traffic has increased along Crowfield Boulevard,” Bermudez said.
“What’s the price of safety? Safer is better, not just for one person but for everybody. You can’t put a price on that,” Byrd said.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Goose Creek population boom pushes city to build $13 million multi-use facility
Jenna Herazohttps://www.live5news.com/2025/02/11/goose-creek-population-boom-pushes-city-build-13-million-multi-use-facility/
|Updated: Feb. 11, 2025 at 7:47 PM ESTGOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Goose Creek is talking about building a new multi-purpose facility, not only for city council meetings but also for residents and businesses to rent for events.At a city council meeting Tuesday night, council members unanimously approved the multi-million-dollar project that will now serve as an event center and as the council’s new chambers.Mayor Greg Habib said Goose Creek has had significant population growth over the past two decades a...
|Updated: Feb. 11, 2025 at 7:47 PM EST
GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Goose Creek is talking about building a new multi-purpose facility, not only for city council meetings but also for residents and businesses to rent for events.
At a city council meeting Tuesday night, council members unanimously approved the multi-million-dollar project that will now serve as an event center and as the council’s new chambers.
Mayor Greg Habib said Goose Creek has had significant population growth over the past two decades and with no signs of slowing down.
“We built this in 1999, and it’s served us very well for 25 years, and still serves us well today. But in 1999, the city of Goose Creek was 29,000 people. Today, it’s 50,000. So, we’ve grown, obviously significantly. To serve that number of people, we need more staff. We have adjusted this building just about as much as we can to fit as many people in it as we can,” he said.
Habib said they’ve run out of office space in the current town hall building they work out of, and they desperately need a new one in order to meet the demands of an expanding staff and growing population.
“It’s a really important investment. When you have more code enforcement officers and more building inspectors and more folks trying to serve the people who live in the City of Goose Creek, and the businesses doing business in the City of Goose Creek, you have to have somewhere to put them and this will be their nice new office here,” he said.
In response to office overcrowding, city leaders plan to build a brand-new, $13-million, 13,500 square-foot-multi-use facility, The Assembly.
“So, the new facility will be multi-purpose. It will be a place where we can hold our council meetings. But more than that, it’s a place where folks can hold events and the city can have events. We see people renting it out for family reunions, for weddings, for banquets, for all of those things in the years to come,” Habib said.
Habib said The Assembly will fill gaps the rapid population boom has created.
He noted that the council’s current chambers inside city hall will be converted into additional office space for their growing staff.
Construction for The Assembly is expected to begin later this spring.
The incoming addition will be built right next to the town’s existing city hall.
The building is set to be finished by the end of 2026.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
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