The Car Place
Luxury Car Specialists - Your One-Stop Dealer Alternative in Raleigh
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The Car Place
4813 Hargrove Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27616
Call Today!
(919) 878-5600
Servicing Your BMW, Mini, Mercedes, Smart, Lexus, Audi
 
Q. How often should I rotate my tires?
Your tires should be rotated every other oil change, or every 6000 miles. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear.
Q. Is it really necessary to replace my timing belt at the recommended interval?
YES. The failure of a timing belt in many cars can result in major engine damage. The cost of repairing an engine with a broken timing belt is much greater than the cost of a timing belt replacement.
Q. What does it mean if my "check engine" or "service engine soon" light comes on?
There are many sensors and computerized components that manage your vehicle’s engine performance and emissions. When one of these fails, the "check engine" light is illuminated. Although your car may seem to run fine, it is important to have the issue addressed to prevent long-term problems.
Q. What should I do if my car starts to overheat?
This is a very serious problem – if your car overheats for too long, you can damage your engine. As soon as possible, find a safe place to pull off the road and shut the engine off! Do not attempt to check the fluid level in the radiator; the hot fluid can cause severe burns. The best thing to do is have your car towed to The Car Place.
Q. When should I get my oil changed?
You should get your oil changed every 3000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Q. Why is engine oil milky brown?
Milky brown engine oil is an indication of coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (or other gasket), a failed transmission cooler, or cracked casings. This condition is very serious and needs to be checked by a professional technician immediately.
Q. How do I make sure my car battery has a good electrical connection?
Battery cables and terminals should be cleaned and inspected periodically to make sure they provide a good electrical connection.
Q. Should I consider using synthetic motor oil in my vehicle?
Synthetic motor oils can be a good choice for high output, turbocharged or supercharged engines. Or for vehicles that are used for towing (especially during hot weather), and vehicles that operate in extremely cold or hot climates. Although more expensive than mineral-based oils, synthetic motor oils can improve fuel economy and provide longer intervals between changes.
Q. When should I replace my car’s fuel filter?
To help ensure dependable, trouble-free performance, replace your car's fuel filter approximately every 30,000 miles or as recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual.
Q. When should I change my spark plugs?
For maximum fuel economy and peak engine performance, your spark plugs should be replaced every 30 months or 30,000 miles, unless your vehicle is equipped with 100,000-mile platinum tipped spark plugs.
Q. I need to replace a burned out fuse, what should I do?
Always replace burned-out fuses with ones of the same amperage (printed on the fuse) and note that if a fuse continues to "blow," you should have the circuit checked professionally by one of our technicians for defects.
Customer Testimonials
" I have been going to the Car Place for over 5 years. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and I trust them with my car. They take the time to explain the work needed, make sure the job is done right. I've recommended The Car Place to several of my friends.”  
- Denise - Raleigh, NC            

"I have been taking my Audis to The Car Place over the past 10 years. They have fixed problems that the dealer could not solve. Thanks for the top notch service.”  
- Bryan - Raleigh, NC            

“The Car Place in three words or less....professional, knowledgable, personable, accomodating, respectful, trustworthy, patient, great listeners, consistent.....did I say knowledgable? Sorry, couldn't do it in just three words. No one else touches my car.”  
- Tim Grady - 2000 BMW 740i            

“We appreciate the many times you have gone the extra mile to answer our questions and relieve our car pains. The Car Place is not only knowledgeable in what they do, they run a business that is committed to honest, top-notch customer service, with a focus on quality auto repair.” 
- Alan and Melba McGee

" I purchased my 1985 turbo 300 diesel Mercedes in 1988 and Ronnie King, co-owner of The Car Place, Inc., and his quite competent ASE Certified Technicians have kept it going for most of these past 20+ years. To all the office staff and technicians at The Car Place ... Thank you for your outstanding 5 star service, continued honesty, complementary hand car washes ... and most importantly ... Thank you for your exceptional care of my special 'Oldie but Goody' ... We could not have made it this far without you!”       
- Anne - Raleigh, NC 

"Wow, I am impressed. Your people are great (helpful, intelligent), your facility is impressive, and your work is excellent. My Toyota was done exactly as promised with no problems. I have a Lexus and a BMW as well; you’ll be seeing those cars in the future. Thanks again….. ”       
- Mark - Raleigh, NC 

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