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.
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!
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.
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.
Motor oil has evolved significantly since its initial use in the late 1800s. While its primary purpose remains to lubricate and cool engine parts, modern engine oils offer numerous additional benefits that enhance engine performance. Another role of motor oil is to help maintain engine cleanliness by filtering out dirt and other contaminants. Moreover, engine oil can contain various beneficial chemical compounds, known as additives, that can enhance its performance.
Despite what you may have heard, you can safely mix synthetic and regular (conventional) oil in your engine. That is, as long as they have the correct viscosity and meet the performance and quality specifications set by your vehicle's manufacturer. However, there are rare exceptions, such as some older Mazda rotary engines that do not allow the use of synthetic oils, so it's important to check your owner's manual first.
Regardless of the type of oil your car requires, it plays a crucial role in maintaining efficient engine operation. Plus, regular oil changes can help you save on gas by ensuring that engine parts are well-coated and protected from wear and tear.
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 Isle of Palms, 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?
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.
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.
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.
Whether you're driving to see Isle of Palms County Park near Isle of Palms, 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.
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 The Palms of Mt Pleasant in Isle of Palms, 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.
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCIV) — On the Isle of Palms, concerns among the community are growing over firefighter and paramedic staffing.The wife of an Isle of Palms paramedic is sounding the alarm about coverage during medical emergencies. She claims that if the city doesn't make changes soon, there could be serious consequences during emergencies when lives are on the line."We lost quite a few firefighters last year," said Danielle Murphy, whose husband has been a firefighter for more than a decade.R...
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCIV) — On the Isle of Palms, concerns among the community are growing over firefighter and paramedic staffing.
The wife of an Isle of Palms paramedic is sounding the alarm about coverage during medical emergencies. She claims that if the city doesn't make changes soon, there could be serious consequences during emergencies when lives are on the line.
"We lost quite a few firefighters last year," said Danielle Murphy, whose husband has been a firefighter for more than a decade.
READ MORE | "Continued seawall dispute on Isle of Palms raises environmental concerns."
According to her, when he joined the Isle of Palms Fire Department, his starting salary was low. She believes that pay is the reason for staffing shortages.
There are currently six firefighter-paramedics employed, according to the Isle of Palms city website.
Murphy, however, contends they are down to three and two more may be leaving soon for better-paying jobs.
"We have three paramedics left and that is for two different fire stations," she said.
Isle of Palms said it has three open paramedic positions. They could not confirm the current salary for those employees.
Murphy has asked the Isle of Palms City Council to reconsider its budget, but has not found much success, she said.
City officials declined to comment on the matter.
Paramedics are crucial in providing critical care that EMTs can't.
READ MORE | "Isle of the Palms weighing funding options to renourish beach."
There was a four-day stretch with no paramedics working at the fire department, Murphy said.
"This is dire and people can die," she said. "The council has constantly brushed this off."
Isle of Palms officials officals hope the current wage and competition will attract more firefighter-paramedics, they said.
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) — The City of Isle of Palms is bringing back one of their committees after a four-year hiatus.The committee had its last meeting in 2022, ceasing to meet again after the city restructured its committee system. The City Council introduced workshops as a replacement to go over projects and finances in an additional meeting before voting.Now, the council has asked the Ways and Means Committee to return so they can have a meeting strictly for finances.“Our codes allow us some flexibilit...
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) — The City of Isle of Palms is bringing back one of their committees after a four-year hiatus.
The committee had its last meeting in 2022, ceasing to meet again after the city restructured its committee system. The City Council introduced workshops as a replacement to go over projects and finances in an additional meeting before voting.
Now, the council has asked the Ways and Means Committee to return so they can have a meeting strictly for finances.
“Our codes allow us some flexibility to rework our workshops and spend more time on the financial aspect of it as opposed to some of the projects or items needing approval,” Isle of Palms Mayor Philip Pounds said. “So, we’ll take those items for approval straight to a council meeting as opposed to stopping at a workshop and having some conversation.”
The committee would once again replace the workshops, meaning councilmembers would only see projects one time before voting.
Pounds believes the city has been successful with the workshop format, but said he received feedback from the council, who asked for a change.
Because of this, it’s coming back in April to give council more time to focus on project finances, such as drainage, beach restoration and road improvements.
“You know from a financial standpoint, we look at it every month,” Pounds said. ”We look at our results every month. We look at our cash position every month, but I’m very comfortable with where we sit from a budget in a reporting standpoint.”
The city has already started to restructure their meeting for a smooth transition.
The city hopes that adding back the Ways and Means committee could potentially streamline project financing, but they plan to continue to evaluate the process.
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) — A property owner on the Isle of Palms has appealed a judge’s order to remove a seawall he built, leading to new legal battles after years of controversy.All parties involved filed appeals following a Dec. 30, 2025, decision by Judge Ralph King Anderson III ordering the removal of the man-made structure as it violates state coastal protection law.The case has since been transferred to the Court of Appeals. Property owner Rom Reddy, the Coastal Conservation League, the South Carolina Envir...
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) — A property owner on the Isle of Palms has appealed a judge’s order to remove a seawall he built, leading to new legal battles after years of controversy.
All parties involved filed appeals following a Dec. 30, 2025, decision by Judge Ralph King Anderson III ordering the removal of the man-made structure as it violates state coastal protection law.
The case has since been transferred to the Court of Appeals. Property owner Rom Reddy, the Coastal Conservation League, the South Carolina Environmental Law Project and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services all submitted appeals.
Reddy also filed a motion to stay, which would allow the wall to remain in place until the Court of Appeals issues a final decision.
The seawall first sparked controversy in 2024 over erosion concerns and questions about how to properly protect homes while preserving the environment.
The original court order included a detailed timeline and corrective action requirements for removing the structure and restoring the beach. However, it declined to reinstate the $289,000 civil penalty originally assessed by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. Both the department and the law project are seeking that penalty in their appeals.
Lori Cary-Kothera, the chief conservation officer at the Coastal Conservation League, said in a statement that illegal seawalls offer an illusion of protection while guaranteeing long-term destruction.
“They harden one slice of shoreline at the cost of the living, dynamic beach system that actually provides natural storm protection,” Cary-Kothera said. “Enforcement of the beach regulations is critical.”
Reddy said he would not have needed to build the seawall if there had been more protection and restoration of the sand dunes when asked back in 2024.
“Our appeal is focused on ensuring that the full legal framework and evidentiary record supporting that outcome are accurately and completely addressed on review, including the Coastal Tidelands and Wetlands Act’s protections for natural beach dynamics and the enforcement authority the law provides, so that the full range of remedies necessary to protect South Carolina’s coast is preserved,” Leslie Lenhardt, the law project’s senior attorney, said.
Environmental advocacy groups say this type of seawall would only bring further erosion to beaches and go against state law. They said it also blocks public beach access.
ISLE OF PALMS — Although two Civil War-era shipwrecks that sit a mile off the coast of the barrier island aren’t a new discovery, they present another hurdle for the city as the start date for work on a large-scale renourishment project approaches.It hasn't been smooth sailing for the Isle of Palms as the city prepares for the $32 million project.City leaders are already facing a $10 million funding gap for the work, and they hope to avoid dipping into tourism accounts to fill it.Project leaders with Coastal ...
ISLE OF PALMS — Although two Civil War-era shipwrecks that sit a mile off the coast of the barrier island aren’t a new discovery, they present another hurdle for the city as the start date for work on a large-scale renourishment project approaches.
It hasn't been smooth sailing for the Isle of Palms as the city prepares for the $32 million project.
City leaders are already facing a $10 million funding gap for the work, and they hope to avoid dipping into tourism accounts to fill it.
Project leaders with Coastal Science and Engineering, the city’s contracted firm leading the renourishment work, say they’re facing new challenges, too, with updated restrictions from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service around turtle and seabird nesting season that could impact when and where construction takes place.
On top of all that, the city’s coastal engineers in charge of the upcoming beach renourishment must maneuver around the wreckage sites to access the necessary 1.7 million cubic yards of sand offshore.
The wreckage is what remains of an attempt by Union powers to block Confederate ships from running the Charleston Harbor during the Civil War called the Stone Fleets.
In the early 1860s, Union forces bought dozens of former whaling and merchant ships, weighed them down with heavy stone and granite and scuttled them — sinking them intentionally in a checkerboard pattern.
James Spirek, an underwater archaeologist with the University of South Carolina’s Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, surveyed the wreckage of the Stone Fleet in 2013.
“These obstructions were intended to frustrate the passage of blockade runners bringing war material and other sundry products from Europe and returning laden with cotton, rice and naval stores,” Spirek wrote in a 2013 survey report about the Stone Fleet.
The hope was that the scuttled ships would bolster the small number of vessels tasked with enforcing the blockade, according to reports from the Maritime Research Division at USC.
Thirteen of those vessels were sunk as part of the Second Stone Fleet, their masts stripped down and some set ablaze as they sank.
These ships were meant to block the entrance to the harbor and cut off access as ships tried to make their way through Maffitt’s Channel, the channel into the harbor near Sullivan’s Island.
The strategy was ultimately regarded as ineffective. Quick-shifting sands and strong tides destroyed many of the sunken ships.
“The ships broke apart and pieces washed ashore, a new channel supposedly scoured out, and blockade runners bypassed the obstructions with minimal diversion,” Spirek wrote in his 2013 survey report.
But some Confederate ships succumbed to the blockade and the Stone Fleet.
In 1863, a 205-foot-long Scottish-built ship called the Georgiana was spotted by the Union blockaders. The ship would have had to navigate the Second Stone Fleet while trying to quietly slip into the harbor unnoticed — an attempt that ended in Union gunfire.
The sinking of the Georgiana was reported as a “disaster” in the Charleston Mercury, the newspaper that wrote of the incident in 1863.
The captain ran the ship aground on the Isle of Palms, then called Long Island Beach, to evade capture, the paper reported. It was further destroyed by Union forces and stripped of its contents, which consisted of ammunition, rifles and battle axes.
About a year later, another blockade runner called the Mary Bowers hit the remains of the Georgiana. Sonar images show the ships are situated in the shape of an ‘X,’ with the Mary Bowers sitting on top of the Georgiana, roughly five feet below the surface at low tide.
Today the two ships, along with remnants of the Second Stone Fleet, are also situated within an ideal borrow site for the island’s beach renourishment projects. Renourishment is completed with the use of long pipes, which take sediment from offshore and pump the material onto the beach.
The sand here is compatible with the Isle of Palms shores, and there’s plenty of it — enough to last 30 or 40 years, city council learned last summer.
The shipwrecks are valuable cultural resources and regarded as such by the State Historic Preservation Office. But their location—smack dab in the middle of a plethora of fresh sand for the deeply eroded island—means crews will need to work around them in order to dredge sand.
It’s an issue that engineers ran into while gearing up for the 2018 renourishment on the island. But additional research into the shipwrecks, and advancements of sonar imaging, have helped get a clearer picture of the wreckage.
These advances allow crews to get closer to the shipwrecks and retrieve the necessary 1.7 million cubic yards of sand offshore for the upcoming renourishment work.
“It's a cultural resource, and so we're working with (the State Historic Preservation Office) to avoid those areas. Previously ... that whole area was off limits,” Patrick Barrineau, a coastal science with CSE, told city council last summer. “It frees us up from a lot of previous restrictions that we've experienced off IOP.”
Project leaders anticipate work could start on June 1 or earlier, with construction ending in the winter.
In this timeframe, the city will more than likely have to juggle the beach-wide construction while managing peak tourist season — another hoop for the Isle of Palms to jump through as the island tries to recover from widespread erosion.
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) — Isle of Palms is planning a beach renourishment project to fight worsening erosion, which is estimated to be more than $30 million.City leaders say the plan is to dredge sand from offshore and pump it back onto the beach.“We’ll go 3 to 4 miles offshore and pump sand back to the island,” Mayor Phillip Pounds said.The city plans to place more than two million cubic yards of sand, focused on the Wild Dunes area and Breach Inlet.In recent years, erosion has affected...
ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) — Isle of Palms is planning a beach renourishment project to fight worsening erosion, which is estimated to be more than $30 million.
City leaders say the plan is to dredge sand from offshore and pump it back onto the beach.
“We’ll go 3 to 4 miles offshore and pump sand back to the island,” Mayor Phillip Pounds said.
The city plans to place more than two million cubic yards of sand, focused on the Wild Dunes area and Breach Inlet.
In recent years, erosion has affected more than beachgoers. Residents say it’s threatening oceanfront homes.
“In this corner here, a breach inlet is, I think, seen at the worst, the erosion,” said John Chiappardi, a resident of Isle of Palms. “I’ve seen swimming pools go into the ocean. I mean, I think there’s lost eight pools or something to that effect.”
For now, sandbags have been used in emergencies, but officials say those have been taken over during high tides.
“Tides have come over the sandbags in some areas, particularly in the Wild Dunes area,” Pounds said.
The last beach renourishment project was in 2018 and helped with the problem temporarily.
“It lasted, you know, pretty good for six years. We had been planning to do it in 2028, but we moved it up two years,” Pounds said.
Some residents want a more permanent fix.
“It’s correcting the problem, but we don’t know if it’s temporary or permanently,” Chiappardi said.
But that is not up to the city, but instead the state’s legislature.
“You know, in South Carolina, you’re limited by what you can do on the beach, certainly the public beach,” Pounds said.
Hard erosion walls are one of the structures that could help the problem, but aren’t allowed.
This project is estimated to start around the summer of this year.
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