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 North Charleston, 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 North Charleston, 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 Bridge at Charleston in North Charleston, 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.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Questions are growing after several community cats that had been living for years near a North Charleston The Home Depot suddenly disappeared.Caregivers say the cats weren’t just strays — they were part of a managed colony under a trap-neuter-return program, where animals are sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to the area they know.For Jennifer Conlon, those cats became part of her daily life.“They’ve been with us for years. We’ve spent so much time fi...
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Questions are growing after several community cats that had been living for years near a North Charleston The Home Depot suddenly disappeared.
Caregivers say the cats weren’t just strays — they were part of a managed colony under a trap-neuter-return program, where animals are sterilized, vaccinated, and returned to the area they know.
For Jennifer Conlon, those cats became part of her daily life.
“They’ve been with us for years. We’ve spent so much time fixing them, feeding them…they have homes here,” Conlon said.
But recently, she says, that routine was disrupted.
“A couple of them disappeared… and we found out they were trapping them over at Home Depot,” she said.
Advocates say posts began circulating online, alleging that a trapper had been hired to remove cats from the property.
Maggie Cloninger, president and co-founder of Hope for Feral Hearts, says there are still more questions than answers.
“There was a post in a private group saying this Home Depot had set out traps to remove colony cats that have lived here for years… and we haven’t been able to confirm where they went,” Cloninger said.
In a statement to Live 5 News, Home Depot acknowledged the situation, saying in part that it has asked the store to stop working with the trapper involved.
Still, caregivers say the biggest concern remains the cats’ whereabouts.
Under Charleston County ordinance, free-roaming cats that are part of a managed TNR program are allowed to remain in the community if properly cared for.
Animal welfare experts say those programs are designed to reduce overpopulation and stabilize colonies over time.
“Spaying and neutering these cats and returning them where they live… it prevents more from moving in. It’s what actually controls the population,” a representative with Charleston Animal Society said.
Advocates say if cats need to be removed, there is typically a process involving animal control, microchip checks and relocation to a verified rescue or sanctuary.
They say it’s unclear whether those steps were followed in this case.
Cloninger says relocating cats improperly can put them at serious risk.
“They rely on caregivers for food and shelter… so putting them somewhere unfamiliar—they don’t know how to survive. Right now, they could be fighting for their lives,” she said.
For those who cared for them, the situation is personal.
Until more information is released, caregivers say they’re left asking one question: “Where are the cats?”
CHARLESTON — Community members got their first real glimpse at potential designs for future affordable housing that city staff and architects from Europe and Savannah have been working on this week.The $125,000 week-long design effort is part of Mayor William Cogswell’s housing initiative called Project 3500 that aims to add 3,500 new affordable units by 2032 and redevelop wide swaths of the peninsula.Most onlookers March 18 marveled at the sketches and mock-ups that embrace Charleston’s historic charm. But so...
CHARLESTON — Community members got their first real glimpse at potential designs for future affordable housing that city staff and architects from Europe and Savannah have been working on this week.
The $125,000 week-long design effort is part of Mayor William Cogswell’s housing initiative called Project 3500 that aims to add 3,500 new affordable units by 2032 and redevelop wide swaths of the peninsula.
Most onlookers March 18 marveled at the sketches and mock-ups that embrace Charleston’s historic charm. But some expressed concerns about whether longtime low-income residents currently living at sites the city is targeting will be displaced.
Others wondered whether those residents might not have been able to attend the 5 p.m. weekday event held at the city’s Dock Street Theater downtown.
“This is very much still a work in progress,” Cogswell said adding that critiques about the accessibility of the location were valid.
Before any of the designs are finalized, Cogswell said city staff will go on the road and take them to the neighborhoods where residents will be most impacted.
To meet the city’s ambitious housing goal, Cogswell wants to redevelop nearly 100 acres across the peninsula combining properties the city owns with Charleston Housing Authority sites that were already earmarked for redevelopment, along with land the county owns along Morrison Drive.
Cogswell brought in architects and designers he and other city leaders met during a tour of Europe late last year to help plan and design the targeted sites into communities of density-packed, smaller buildings that look like downtown Charleston, rather than the tall boxy apartment complexes that have popped up along the upper peninsula.
“I’m gravitating toward the designs that keep it looking historic,” said Bri Meyer, a student blacksmith at the American College of the Building Arts. “Beauty shouldn’t dictate what you can afford.”
The city hopes developers, who will eventually take the designs and build them, will partner with the college in an effort to keep building costs down and also keep that future skilled workforce local.
Cassandra Stilley, who is studying stonemasonry, said the city is taking a novel approach by considering historic designs and materials to make new spaces where you can’t tell which apartment is affordable and which is “high end.”
Cogswell began the March 18 open house by saying that the design teams wanted feedback. But there was no way to record any suggestions, compliments or critiques residents brought. Cogswell said they were listening and would incorporate the verbal feedback as they move forward.
On March 16, at the kick-off event, Cogswell was caught off guard when the audience members asked questions about costs and the potential displacement of residents living at the targeted sites.
“It doesn’t feel true to genuine feedback,” said Lin Jay, an organizer with the Friends of Gadsden Creek.
Only a few acres remain of the once vibrant tidal creek that runs near Gadsden Green, one of the housing authority properties that is being redesigned. Jay said mock-up panels on display showed part of the remaining creek filled in and built over, which she said is alarming.
She’s less interested in the designs and called it “shiny stuff.” Her focus is wanting to preserve the natural amenity that the creek provides to the community surrounding it.
“I don’t think anyone’s against affordable housing,” said Margaret Ling, who lives near the Wagner Terrace neighborhood. “But are we actually listening to the people who live there?”
Cogswell has said that adding nearby city properties to the mix allows for a staggered build out, which will also help ensure that those currently living in Housing Authority properties won’t be displaced while the re-development happens.
“This effort is about creating housing that reflects Charleston and works for the people who call it home,” Cogswell said in a statement the city sent after this story published online. “We are committed to a thoughtful process, and we look forward to hearing from residents in the weeks ahead.”
The city plans to distribute comment cards at the final workshop on March 20, launch an online feedback form to collect input from residents across the city, and bring the preliminary design concepts directly into neighborhoods through a series of community meetings and pop-up events, according to the news release.
The week-long workshop will end March 20 with a wrap-up presentation where the design team will show the week’s progress and discuss next steps. That event starts at 5 p.m. at Dock Street Theater, 135 Church St.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the updated location of the final workshop on March 20, and the city’s response to how it will handle feedback going forward.
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — More than 1,000 families attended a community baby shower Saturday, with some arriving hours in advance, as Molina Healthcare of South Carolina and community partners distributed supplies to new and expectant parents.Over 5,000 diapers, baby wipes, baby clothing and food were distributed at the event. The Charleston Hispanic Association also gave out more than 10 tons of free food. Participants gathered information about maternal health resources and Molina member benefits.Molina Healthcare...
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — More than 1,000 families attended a community baby shower Saturday, with some arriving hours in advance, as Molina Healthcare of South Carolina and community partners distributed supplies to new and expectant parents.
Over 5,000 diapers, baby wipes, baby clothing and food were distributed at the event. The Charleston Hispanic Association also gave out more than 10 tons of free food. Participants gathered information about maternal health resources and Molina member benefits.
Molina Healthcare of South Carolina organized the event in partnership with Healing Hurts Ministries, the Charleston Hispanic Association and Learn4Life.
David Irizarry, senior growth specialist for community engagement at Molina Healthcare, said two out of every five families skip a meal to pay for diapers.
“Today when you come out and you look around and you see moms smiling, and families coming together, it fills our heart, because we know these events are making a difference,” Irizarry said.
Dr. Tamela Brown, principal of Learn4Life High School Charleston, said the event brought the community together.
“It’s just a beautiful blend of community partners and education where our community can come in and get what they need,” Brown said.
Learn4Life is a tuition-free, nonprofit public school that provides students with learning opportunities, life skills and career training. To learn more about it, head to the Learn4Life website.
Nefateri Smalls, executive director of Healing Hurts Ministries, said the turnout reflected the scale of need in the community.
“I always have an expectation for the lives that we’re going to impact. But when I see them in numbers, it just lets you know that the need is not only great but that they recognize that there’s someone there that’s going to walk alongside them. So this, it really makes my heartbeat,” Smalls said.
The event comes as financial pressure on families continues to grow. According to data from the National Diaper Bank, the cost of diapers has increased by more than 20%. Rising gas and grocery prices have added to the strain on expectant families.
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