Halloween Driving Safety Tips

October 17th, 2019
Trick or Treat! Kids and adults both love Halloween with all the candy, costumes and fun of being up late. As witches, superheroes, ghosts and celebrities roam the streets in search of candy and treats, drivers need to be cautious when driving. Halloween can be a dangerous time for drivers and pedestrians alike. Statistics have shown Halloween is one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians. It is a night filled with darkness, increased pedestrian traffic and all sorts of distractions. 
 
Let’s not let this fun evening turn into a tragedy. Following these driving safety tips can help drivers and pedestrians be safe this Halloween. 
 

Drivers:Halloween Safety

1. Use your headlights — Halloween nights can ...[more]
  Tags: Auto Repair
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Car Smells and What They Mean

September 12th, 2019
Does your car have an unpleasant, lingering aroma? Usually your first impression will be to check for food that may have been left under seats. If the culprit isn’t food that has gone bad, there are several other reasons that may be the cause of the unpleasant smell. The last thing you want is your passengers in your being uncomfortable by the smell or worse question your hygiene. You need to find the source of the odor because an air freshener will only mask what could be a serious issue. Automotive Smells
 

What’s That Smell?

Rotten Eggs - If the smell is similar to rotten eggs, this may be because your catalytic converter has gone bad. The root cause could be an engine or emissions system problem that made the converter overheat, thus causing the rotten egg smell.
  Tags: Auto Maintenance
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Used Car Pre-Purchase Checklist

August 15th, 2019
If you’re considering buying a used car, your mind is probably whirling with all the possible unseen problems and damage you could be missing. Not to worry though! We’ve put together a quick checklist to help you ensure you don’t have any surprises pop up after the money has been spent. Car Buying Tips
 

Follow these quick guidelines the next time you’re out buying a used car: 

 

Step 1 - Do Your Research!

 
The first step in buying any car is the research before you ever go look at the vehicle in person. If you have a type, make, or model of the vehicle you’re looking for, start there. You will want to look for common issues with the model you’re pursuing. Different types of vehicle ...[more]
  Tags: auto repair
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Why is My Auto AC Blowing Hot Air?

July 11th, 2019
Picture this. It’s a typical hot summer day. You just got done winning an intense kickball game. You are hot and exhausted. All you want to do is cool down and head home to have a relaxing evening. When you get to your car, you blast the AC.  You wait and wait, but it never gets cold. It’s actually blowing hot air! How could this be? Well, it could be a couple of different factors. The three most common issues it could be are a refrigerant leak, a worn-out compressor or problems Car AC Repair and Servicewith the electrical system.
 
If you are experiencing a refrigerant leak, this is because your AC system is no longer sealed properly, and the refrigerant in your car is now evaporating into gas. This happens because it is no longer under the pressure of a closed-looped AC system. If your pressu ...[more]
  Tags: AC Service
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Why Are My Headlights Foggy?

June 27th, 2019
 
 
Have you noticed your vehicle’s headlights have grown foggier over time, even though you’ve kept up with car washes and other general maintenance? Are you having difficulty seeing the road in front of you at night or are worried about your visibility to other drivers? Foggy or yellowed headlights are a fact of life for many drivers, but they don’t have to be for you and your vehicle. Read on to learn what you need to know about headlights and the headlight restoration process from our experienced auto technicians.Headlight Restoration
 

What Are Headlights Made Of?

Headlights were originally made with glass, but this fragile material made them prone to cracking and shattering. Over the years, auto manufacturers have moved to making headlig ...[more]
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Summer Road Trip Tips

May 30th, 2019
The days are getting longer, school is out, and summer is almost here! The rising temperatures have a lot of people itching to hop into their car and head to a body of water or hiking trail. Summer vacations are a time to unplug, relax and have fun with your family and friends. They do, however, require a bit of preparation beforehand. If you are foregoing the airport in favor of a road trip, it’s important to give your vehicle a little TLC before hitting the road to ensure a safe, smooth trip. Nothing can put a damper on a summer road trip quite like vehicle trouble. Before heading out, it’s a good rule of thumb to do a quick check – and service if necessary – of some items on your vehicle. Summer Road Trip Tips
 
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that come in direct contact with ...[more]
  Tags: auto repair
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

How Do My Brakes Work?

April 11th, 2019
It’s a sunny day and you’re driving down the road with your windows down and music turned up. All of a sudden, the car in front of you stops abruptly, causing you to slam on your brakes. Thank goodness your brakes worked perfectly, and you avoided a collision. Until this incident occurred you probably haven’t given your brake system much thought. Sure, you know your brakes should be inspected and serviced every once in a while… but how do they actually make your car stop with just a tap of the foot? How Brakes Work
 
When you really stop and think, you realize brakes are a pretty amazing invention. They have the power to bring a large, multi-ton machine traveling at 70 miles per hour to a complete stop with just a push of the pedal. This ability is all thanks to science! 
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Why You Shouldn’t Drive on an Empty Gas Tank

March 14th, 2019
You’ve probably been told at some point in your driving career to not drive your car while the gas tank is on empty, but did you know why that is? This recommendation is more than just an old wives’ tale—you can damage your car by ignoring that gas light for too long.Driving with no Gas
 
First, you should understand what your fuel light indicator really means. When you hear the familiar “ding” that accompanies your fuel light, your fuel tank has reached “reserve” levels, or around 10-15% capacity. It is possible to calculate how long that will last using your car’s average range, but we would advise against it, just to be safe. Avoid doing the math if you know you are the type of person to risk it and drive on empty anyway.
 
One reason it ...[more]
  Tags: auto repair
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

How Potholes Can Damage Your Car

February 28th, 2019
Most of us have been taught to avoid potholes while driving. It was probably one of the very first things we learned behind the wheel! Although most us know driving over potholes is bad for our vehicles, very few know exactly why that is. These are the parts of your vehicle you should be worried about if you accidentally drive over a pothole:
 
Steering SystemAuto Repair & Potholes
 
If you hit a pothole, you risk misaligning your steering system. If you have noticed your vehicle pulling to the left or right while you are trying to steer straight, you could have a misaligned steering system. Other signs include uneven tire wear, squealing tires, or a crooked steering wheel while driving straight.
 
Tires...[more]
  Tags: auto repair
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Auto Repair Jargon You Should Know

February 14th, 2019
Unless you consider yourself a car enthusiast, you may find yourself feeling a bit lost when having conversations with your mechanic. At times, it can feel like you are speaking to someone using a different language with words like “grease monkey,” “kickdown,” and “oversquare” whizzing past your head like dodgeballs. Hopefully, this list of common auto repair terms will help your next conversation with your mechanic go a bit more seamlessly:Auto Mechanic Terms
 
  • Aftermarket – This term applies to parts which are not made by the original manufacturer. The best aftermarket parts will meet or exceed the quality of the original parts in your vehicle.
  • Hesitation – “Hesitation” refers to the lack of response which occurs when you first accele ...[more]
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101
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