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 James Island, 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 James Island County Park near James Island, 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 Indigo Hall Assisted Living and Memory Care in James Island, 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.
JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — The James Island Town Council voted to request that the South Carolina Department of Transportation remove a median from a planned safety improvement project.The SCDOT project SC-171 involves safety improvements along Folly Road, a busy corridor used daily by island residents. The project includes sidewalks, better crossways and infrastructure updates, but a proposed median has drawn opposition from residents and council members.“Call us, the people of the Town of James Island foolish, bu...
JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — The James Island Town Council voted to request that the South Carolina Department of Transportation remove a median from a planned safety improvement project.
The SCDOT project SC-171 involves safety improvements along Folly Road, a busy corridor used daily by island residents. The project includes sidewalks, better crossways and infrastructure updates, but a proposed median has drawn opposition from residents and council members.
“Call us, the people of the Town of James Island foolish, but we know this road, we drive this road every day and we think these are going to be detrimental to our neighborhoods, detrimental to our businesses and detrimental to the functionality of Folly Road,” Councilman Lewis Dodson said.
Dodson made a motion to authorize the mayor’s request that SCDOT remove the controversial median from the project and replace it with other effective safety measures. Thursday evening, the council approved the motion unanimously.
Residents spoke during public comment, defending their concerns about peace, safety, business and quality of life.
“55 years of living on this James Island, I got a big problem with it. I don’t just have a problem. Every person in this folder right here, pages and pages and pages of citizens,” Marilyn Clifford, a James Island community member, said as she showed a packet of signatures protesting the median.
Another resident, John Peters, said the median would add to existing congestion problems on the road.
“They want to just add more to the problem. That’s really what it’s going to be. More congestion. If not, there’ll end up being bumper-to-bumper accidents more than anything and still we’re going to have the problem,” Peters said.
“We want 90%, let’s just work out the safety of the rest of it. That’s the goal,” Dodson said.
Councilman Michael Williams said the town must be willing to fight to ensure the rest of the project moves forward if the median is rejected.
Just two weeks ago, SCDOT engineers came to talk about the project with the community members and nearly everyone echoed the same sentiment: they liked most of the plan, just not the median.
After continuing to ask if it was possible to move forward with the improvement project without the medians, residents feel they are still in the dark with no clear answer from engineers.
“I was told he was noncommittal and listened to us, but I felt like he was somewhat defensive of the project. I feel like he believes that it will not happen if we don’t, but he did imply that he would look at things again,” Mayor Brook Lyon said.
A concern engineers expressed during the last meeting two weeks ago was that the project’s funding would be dependent on the median’s cost.
Lyon said the town will begin conversations with federal representatives to explore alternative options and what that means for funding the rest of the project.
“We have to be willing to fight to the nth degree to make sure that 90% happens to make sure that the feds commit to making this happen if we reject the median,” Williams said.
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — As Charleston County moves forward with a more than $350 million road project aimed at easing congestion at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and Main Road, some drivers said the construction is disrupting their daily routine and raising safety concerns.The long-planned project includes building a new interchange with flyover off-ramps connecting northbound and southbound U.S. 17 to Main Road, along with a Main Road spur bridge over U.S. 17. County leaders have said the improvements are designed to ...
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — As Charleston County moves forward with a more than $350 million road project aimed at easing congestion at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and Main Road, some drivers said the construction is disrupting their daily routine and raising safety concerns.
The long-planned project includes building a new interchange with flyover off-ramps connecting northbound and southbound U.S. 17 to Main Road, along with a Main Road spur bridge over U.S. 17. County leaders have said the improvements are designed to address persistent traffic backups in one of the region’s fastest-growing areas.
A key concern for one driver, James Adams, is the closure of Old Charleston Highway, which is being used to store construction equipment and allow crews to move between the two major roadways. The closure has limited direct access to several nearby businesses, including a Waffle House, a laundromat and a seafood restaurant.
Drivers who once used Old Charleston Highway as a side route now must enter and exit through the heavily congested intersection, navigating fast-moving traffic and frequent standstills.
Adams, who has lived in the area since 2016 and commutes from James Island, said he used to regularly visit the Waffle House near the intersection. Now, he often avoids it.
“With the construction, it’s not safe to turn around,” Adams said. “No matter how far you go down, you’re going to have to fight the traffic and then turn around and come back. I’m living over on James Island, which makes it a big problem.”
He said he is especially frustrated by the decision to block off direct access to the businesses.
“I’m just concerned that they have blocked the entrance into the businesses over here,” Adams said. “I mean, there’s no reason that they can’t allow customers to still come straight across.”
Adams said he has also noticed fewer customers inside the restaurants.
“All the businesses here, not only just Waffle House, are having the same problem,” Adams said. “People are not going… because of this construction. In fact, the Waffle House would normally be completely full right now and there’s just a few people in it.”
Adams said when construction first began, Old Charleston Highway remained open to drivers. Now that access is blocked, he worries the detours are not only inconvenient but potentially dangerous.
Project Manager Herb Nimz said the county understands the frustrations but emphasized the long-term goal of the work.
“We appreciate the community’s patience as the U.S. 17 and Main Road improvements take shape,” Nimz said. “There’s no question that a project of this scale brings temporary disruptions, and the project team is working hard to manage those impacts while keeping this critical work on track. In the end, these short-term inconveniences will pay off with safer travel, reduced congestion, and smoother, more reliable commutes for everyone.”
The overall project is expected to be completed by September 2028. There is currently no timeline for when Old Charleston Highway will reopen.
CHARLESTON — The archive room at the county's main library branch will temporarily close and move its materials before the building undergoes renovations.The South Carolina room — a room that holds a collection of books, maps and other research materials detailing the history of the state with an emphasis on Charleston and the Lowcountry — will be unavailable starting May 1 for roughly eight to 10 weeks as staff move its contents to 1248 Camp Road on James Island.The archives will be made available by appointm...
CHARLESTON — The archive room at the county's main library branch will temporarily close and move its materials before the building undergoes renovations.
The South Carolina room — a room that holds a collection of books, maps and other research materials detailing the history of the state with an emphasis on Charleston and the Lowcountry — will be unavailable starting May 1 for roughly eight to 10 weeks as staff move its contents to 1248 Camp Road on James Island.
The archives will be made available by appointment and electronic correspondence only while at the James Island location, said to Doug Reynolds, CCPL associate director of communications and marketing. He wrote in an email that hours of operation for that location will be released once they’re finalized.
The library on Calhoun Street is the last of the county libraries scheduled for upgrades. The work is part of a $108.5 million referendum that called for updates to all Charleston County Public Library branches, which voters passed in 2014.
While the main location is closed for renovations, the county will lease space at 1142 Morrison Drive — the former International Longshoreman’s Association’s union hall building — for two years.
The new location will have the children, teen and adult book collections, as well as public computer space and room for activities like story time, CCPL Executive Director Angela Craig previously told The Post and Courier.
Located on the Upper Peninsula and close to a CARTA bus stop, the union hall site will be easily accessible for patrons, she said.
The renovations are expected to cost $7.8 million. An additional $3.2 million has been set aside for architecture fees, permitting fees and contingency funding for emergencies and any unforeseen cost increases.
A major part of the renovations include relocating the teen section from the third floor to the second floor, which will make the second floor a dedicated youth services floor. All adult content on the second floor will be moved to the third floor.
The library will also update its technology, like projectors for the auditorium and meeting rooms.
The renovations for the main branch are expected to take around 18 months. Once the construction timeline is finalized, Reynolds wrote that they’ll share specifics on when the library will close.
JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — Several local entities are coming together to continue monitoring and keeping the James Island Creek as clean as possible.The Town of James Island Public Works Committee to accept an agreement between the Town of James Island, the city of Charleston and Charleston County to work together on improving the creek’s water quality by implementing watershed plans, managing drainage to prevent pollution and addressing high bacteria levels in the creek, which is classified as an “impaired waterwa...
JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) — Several local entities are coming together to continue monitoring and keeping the James Island Creek as clean as possible.
The Town of James Island Public Works Committee to accept an agreement between the Town of James Island, the city of Charleston and Charleston County to work together on improving the creek’s water quality by implementing watershed plans, managing drainage to prevent pollution and addressing high bacteria levels in the creek, which is classified as an “impaired waterway.”
The James Island town council is set to vote on the agreement to make it official on Thursday.
The James Island Creek’s water quality parameter of concern is a fecal indicator bacteria called Enterococci, which has been identified in the creek since 2016. This form of bacteria originates from the intestine of warm-blooded animals, and although not generally considered harmful to humans, it is an indicator of other pathogenic bacteria that pose a human health risk.
“There are higher than higher levels of bacteria than we would like to see in the creek, which can lead to health issues for anyone swimming in it, whether it’s you or your pets or your family,” Elsbeth Noe, a Charleston County civil engineer, says. “It can cause stomach symptoms or skin infections and things like that, and then equally importantly, high levels of bacteria also have negative impacts on the environment and the wildlife that lives there.”
The specific agreement is for MS4 monitoring, which is for a municipal separate storm sewer system. The agreement also includes the collection of grab samples and supplementary environmental data, laboratory analysis for bacteria found in the creek and data analysis and reports on their findings.
“It’s important to monitor the creek because monitoring is really what allows us to find different pollutant sources,” Noe says. “We want to try and find the things that we can control.”
An assessment study with an initial term of one year and up to five additional one-year terms will also be conducted.
Town of James Island show officials estimate the total cost of the monitoring to be less than $70,000 per year. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services confirms the Town of James Island is covered under the Charleston County MS4 permit.
The 4,352-acre creek is sometimes used for boating, kayaking, swimming and fishing, but officials want to warn residents that it should be used with caution.
“James Island Creek is a beautiful, beautiful body of water that cuts through the heart of James Island,” Charleston City Councilwoman Leslie Skardon says. “This testing is a priority for the city, the county, and the town to make sure that the people who live on James Island can continue to enjoy what makes the island so special.”
In collaboration with the Charleston Water System and Charleston Waterkeeper, these local entities also released a watershed management for the creek in 2021.
In 2024, the Charleston Waterkeeper said the James Island Creek passed the bacteria level test 10 percent more than in 2023, meaning it is on the route to recovery. However, there is still a long way to go and officials say the monitoring will help tremendously.
“Restoring the health of the creek is very important to us, but we think it’s important that residents know that through these efforts we can’t necessarily make it 100% safe to swim all of the time,” Noe says. “It is a long process to detect these pollutants and even if we find one, a new one may come up later.”
The Town of James Island council meeting is on Thursday at 7 p.m.
“It is so important to invest in our environment and in science and testing because if we can spend a little dollars now for prevention later on from someone getting sick, it’s well worth it,” Skardon says.
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