Keep Your Cool This Summer

June 17th, 2014

Auto-Repair-ACBefore the blazing sun of summer leaves you sweating and feverishly rolling down the windows, consult a mechanic to inspect your air conditioning system for leaks, cracks or other malfunctions. There is no greater summertime discomfort than peeling yourself out of a scorching vehicle. Beat the heat with air conditioning repair. Like most auto repair an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of good. Never allow a tiny problem turn into a disaster; as a minor air conditioning repair is often relatively quick and inexpensive, while a larger fix may not be.

As the air conditioning system in a vehicle ages, constant check-ups and addressing small problems will save both time and money in the future. If the air conditioning system in a vehicle is not offering the cooling power it once did, there are several preventative measures whi ...[more]

  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Preparing for Summer Holiday Travel

May 22nd, 2014
Before you hit the road this summer let us assist you in making yourself aware of a few important inspections and checks you can make to prepare yourself for those long, hot road trips. With a quick pre-trip vehicle check-up it is easy to determine how road-ready a vehicle is before experiencing problems on vacation or during travels. Conducting a vehicle inspection before leaving will help to avoid troublesome repairs and prevent potential safety hazards that result from a break down far from home. While some complications are not foreseeable, using the upmost caution and preparation will help to protect your vehicle and its occupants. 
 
Always schedule a tune-up before major trips as even a minor appointment with a mechanic could reveal a potential issue you did not detect or notice from driving. Tu ...[more]
  Posted in: Tires 101, Auto Repair 101

Oil Changes for Mother’s Day

May 7th, 2014
When you were growing up, your Mother gave you the world!  So, what better way to show her how much you care about her than the gift of vehicle maintenance. Skip the cheesy cards and give the Mother in your life a gift that is not only practical, but one she can enjoy for 3,000–5,000 miles. Transform that forgettable bouquet of flowers into a memorable oil change with sentimental value that truly shows how much you care about her safety and the longevity of her vehicle. This is a thoughtful gift any Mother will use and make her feel like a queen while doing an everyday task such as having an oil change. 
 
Preventative maintenance is the most effective step any vehicle owner could utilize to both improve the performance of their vehicle and protect the longev ...[more]
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Simple Vehicle Maintenance to Improve Fuel Economy

April 30th, 2014
With fluctuating fuel prices soaring higher each day, we will do almost anything to save money on transportation especially when it comes to conserving fuel.   However, traditional tips such as turning off the air conditioning and driving slowly are not the only ways to conserve gas mileage. In fact there are many simple, painless steps any vehicle owner can take to ensure their car is operating as efficiently as possible with minimal effort. Taking these steps to conserve gas mileage will not only save money, but also build healthy habits for your vehicle to ensure safety and maintain quality of the vehicle.
 
Be conscientious of your tire pressure. Most vehicle owners underestimate the importance of properly inflated tires.  When inflated properly, you can save nearly 4% on gas mileage. Under-inflated tires c ...[more]
  Posted in: Tires 101, Auto Repair 101

April: National Car Care Month

April 21st, 2014
April is National Car Care Month and there is no better time to break free from the chains of winter to start your journey to a dependable, road ready vehicle. Routine maintenance can seem overwhelming and with a never ending cycle of checks and replacements, sometimes it is hard to remember where one project ends and the next one begins. Knowledge is power and whether you are a mechanic or soccer mom every vehicle owner should have at least passing knowledge about their vehicle.
 
Allowing your vehicle to fall into disrepair during the winter months is nearly inevitable. Spending time working on a vehicle during an icy day is less likely than waking a hibernating bear and nearly as pleasant. Thus, when April is sprung upon us there is no better reason to go outside and enjoy the be ...[more]
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Spring is the Season for Change

March 27th, 2014
As the weather changes and the world is energized to get out and do something, you can start with a simple change:  changing the fluids in your vehicle. It’s fast.  It’s easy.  It’s not expensive, and it is the single most important thing you can do to maintain your car or truck. 
 
A quick run down of the fluids in your vehicle are Oil, Coolant, Transmission Fluid, Brake Fluid, Power Steering, and Washer Fluid. To maintain your vehicle’s proper functions, you want to make sure you are changing the oil, and flushing out or replacing the coolant and transmission fluid. Washer fluid should be checked and topped off whenever it is low (most vehicles have a light that will indicate when the reservoir needs to be filled).  Brake Fluid and Power Steering Fluid should rarely, if ...[more]
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

How Do Potholes Damage Your Vehicle?

March 13th, 2014
It’s peak pothole season out there and no one is immune to their sneaky destruction. We’ve all hit them at some point, and every time it happens, you see it only a second before it gets you, often too late to miss it. These little road hazards lay in wait, with their dips, bumps, and sharp toothy edges, just waiting to ruin your day. They can cause a sudden jolt all the way up to a blown tire.  And, I hate to report, they aren’t disappearing any time soon. Potholes are every tire’s sworn enemies. Many of us are passionate about potholes, as we have personally sacrificed many hubcaps to them over the years. 
 
The way that potholes work is that roads will freeze and thaw causing erosion of the dirt beneath the pavement.  This weakens the asphalt in the process. A ...[more]
  Posted in: Tires 101

Do You Have Good Brakes?

February 28th, 2014
There are some things on your vehicle that you should have confidence in and never worry about. Is everyone buckled up? Do I have a full tank of gas? Your vehicle should make you feel safe and secure, and keep you and your loved ones safe throughout your travel. It goes then, without much, saying that you also need to be confident in your brakes. This function is the one thing keeping you out of harm’s way in the event of an accident or road hazard. Think about it, you do not want to find out in the middle of a busy highway when everyone has slammed on their brakes that yours have not been properly maintained or are failing. Knowing that your brakes are in great condition will keep you safe, and prevent a leading cause for many accidents on the road. 
 
There are several chec ...[more]
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Determining the Age of a Tire

February 14th, 2014
When it comes to determining the age of a tire, it is easiest to identify when the tire was manufactured by reading its Tire Identification Number (often referred to as the tire’s serial number or DOT number). Unlike vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and the serial numbers used on many other consumer goods (which identify one specific item), Tire Identification Numbers are really batch codes that identify several components.
 
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires that Tire Identification Numbers be a combination of the letters DOT, followed by ten, eleven or twelve letters or numbers that identify the manufacturing location, tire size and manufacturer's code, along with the week and year the tire was m ...[more]
  Posted in: Tires 101

5 Simple New Years Resolutions for Your Vehicle

January 14th, 2014
Resolutions For Your Vehicle
This year you might resolve to fix your house, work out more, eat healthier, or go for that goal you’ve had your eye on for years. This year should also be the year that you resolve to fix or maintain your vehicle, lower your repair costs, lower your gas usage, and add a few years onto your trusted vehicle. With a few simple resolutions, you can keep your vehicle as happy and healthy as you strive to be this year. 
 

 

This year, resolve to: 

 

 
  1. Keep up on your oil changes! Your seasonal (every 3 months or every 3,000 miles) oil changes are the best thing ...[more]
  Posted in: Tires 101, Auto Repair 101
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