When brake linings are wearing out unusually fast, it's because of a leaking brake hose or the brake calipers are sticking, creating brake drag. We'll diagnose and repair the problem.
While an electric car may not have emissions worries, there are still some things that can cause it to fail inspection. Bring it in so we can check the brakes, headlight alignment, wipers, and anything else that can cause inspection problems.
Transmission fluid is the most important component of your car’s automatic transmission. So if you notice low fluid or fluid leakage, it indicates that there may be some problem with the transmission.
A pool of yellow-green liquid under your car, or the sudden, sickly smell of leaking coolant is never good. Get your car to us and let us make repairs to the engine's cooling system.
Why is it called a "Tune up"? The first ignition systems consisted of spark plugs and ignition coils and as these coils worked they would emit a buzzing sound. If they were all working together correctly they would all buzz at the same level and be “in tune.”
Have you noticed a shimmy, shake, or other odd movement when driving at highway speeds? It may be a problem with wheel alignment, wheel balance, or a bent wheel. Have it checked to determine the problem and what repairs are needed.
Backfires may have several causes including an air/fuel mixture that is too rich, a faulty oxygen sensor, or catalytic convertor, or there may be false reads being sent to the onboard computer about coolant temperature.
If it sounds like your car's turn signals are blinking too rapidly, it most likely the fuse is about to give out. Fortunately, this is a quick, easy and inexpensive repair.
"When Solomon said there was a time and a place for everything he had not encountered the problem of parking his automobile." - Bob Edwards
Are there little chirping noises coming from your engine while you're driving? It may be caused by loose, faulty or broken transmission mounts. If they're not repaired, bigger problems will follow.
If your vehicle's front suspension components need to be taken apart, chances are, you will need to have the wheels realigned when everything's put back together. This is because the removal of parts will invalidate adjustments previously done and thus cause the vehicle to veer to the left or to the right.
Periodically check your hoses and belts for signs of wear (especially before taking a road trip). If you think they need replacing, bring your car in and we'll double-check and replace them if necessary.
Milky brown engine oil color may indicate coolant in the oil. This can be caused by a failed transmission cooler, cracked casings or blown gasket. If this happens, get it inspected by our repair technicians immediately.
Over time, the rubber bushings holding your vehicle's suspension components in place will wear out and cause it to rattle. In this instance the only thing to do would be to have the undercarriage thoroughly inspected and have any failed or failing components replaced.
If your car's brakes are constantly squealing, you may want to stop by a garage to have the problem checked out. Chances are, your brake pads or brake rotors are worn so you will need to have them replaced as soon as possible.
Have you ever noticed that many of Volkswagen’s cars are named after various types of wind? For example, The Passat, is German for “trade wind,” Polo is German for “polar winds,” and the Jetta means “jet stream.”
Do you know that most cars can drive another 60+ miles after the fuel tank reaches empty? This is known as the “buffer zone”. The cars in the United States have the largest buffer zone of any vehicle.
It is important to make sure that the tires of your vehicle are properly inflated. Underinflated tires can be a safety hazard while driving.
The names of all Lamborghini’s cars are derived from the world of bullfighting. The Diablo and Murcielago are both the names of famous bulls, while the Estoque is the style of sword that Matadors use.
An interesting research study has revealed that women buy more new cars than men. In fact, it has been found that women buy 60% of all new cars sold, and influence 80% of all new car-buying decisions.
Anti-lock brakes have sensors on each wheel to monitor speed and prevent skidding when the brakes are suddenly applied, eliminating the need to pump the brakes in an emergency. Have them inspected when you rotate tires to keep them in good order.
If you want to keep your car under warranty, make sure to have the required work done at the intervals indicated in the owner’s manual. Failing to do so will not only void the warranty, but could also lead to greater problems.
Don't delay on having minor problems repaired. One thing can lead to another, and things get more expensive as you go. As soon as you suspect a problem, have it checked and corrected.
Don't ignore even the smallest crack in your car's windshield as it can quickly grow and cause it to fail. For everyone's safety, have the windshield repaired or replaced immediately.
Do you smell burning wires when you turn off your car's engine? In most cases, the problem is the battery cable, or a wire set is touching the hot engine. In either case, let us make the needed repair.
Yellow-green liquid under your car, or the sickly sweet odor of leaking coolant, is never good and, if not addressed, could lead to damage. Instead of just adding more coolant, have us check and repair the cooling system.
Change the transmission fluid in your car according to the manufacturer's recommendations. When you do, consider a system flush rather than a simple fluid change to clean out dirty fluid from the torque converter.
Did you know brake pads are designed to let you know when it’s time to replace them? When you hear squealing coming from the tire area when you brake, they're signaling it’s time to have the pads checked and replaced.
Gas charged shocks improve ride performance by increasing the ability of the fluid in the shocks to do its job, improving the ride on rough roads, and increasing stability when cornering. They may be a better choice than heavy-duty shocks for passenger cars.
Did you know that the founder of Audi, August Horch, started working as a blacksmith? Before starting his own venture, Horch worked under Benz for 3 years.
How long has it been since you had your shocks checked or replaced? Worn out shocks will damage your tires, axles, and undercarriage. Bad shocks can also result in loss of control while driving and lead to an accident.
Although 1886 is credited with being the birth year of the modern automobile, did you know that the first gas gauge wasn’t installed until 1922?
A ticking noise coming from the engine when your vehicle is idling or driving may signal a number of things. The problem could be with the rocker arm, the pistons or piston rings, the main bearing, or it could be with the fuel line assembly.
Your nose knows, so trust it. If you detect the odor of rotten eggs when your car's engine is running, it may be a problem with the catalytic converter or emissions control system.
If your car is overheating, and the upper radiator hose is significantly cooler than the lower hose, this is most likely due to a failed thermostat. Overheating is a serious issue that should never be ignored.
While you may be able to manage an oil change at home, it’s important to note that you will have to collect the used oil carefully and take it to a recycling facility. As such, it may be better to have a garage do the job to save yourself the hassle of disposing of the waste.
The United States has more cars than any other country in the world, at 300 million. China comes in a distant second, at 78 million.
Do you own an electric car? The motor has special brushes to keep it running, and these eventually wear out. Have them checked for damage every 50,000 to 60,000 miles and replace them if needed.
What's that noise? If you hear clicking from under the hood while the car is stopped, it usually means you are low on oil. Do not wait - get the vehicle in to a mechanic as low oil can permanently damage your engine.
Does your car engine sound like a banshee's wail when you start it? It's probably a loose or damaged belt. We'll diagnose the problem and replace damaged or worn belts as well as tightening everything that needs it.
There is a lot of debate as to how often the oil in your car or truck should be changed. Instead of relying on the advice of neighbors, friends or family, turn to your ride's owner's manual. The engineers who designed your vehicle know best.
Have your brakes started to squeak or squeal when you depress the brake pedal? That's an early warning sign that the brake pads have worn out and need to be replace. Don't delay having this done as it could lead to brake failure.
Has your car or truck's fuel efficiency fallen off? It could be an old, faulty or damaged oxygen sensor. Having it replaced can improve MPG by as much as forty percent.
Don't overlook or neglect the belts in your car's engine. If they look greasy or glazed, contain splits and chunking, or have cracks, then it’s time to replace them.
Did you know that it takes very little water on the road - only 1/12th of an inch - and a speed of 35mph for conditions to be right for hydroplaning? It's better not to use the cruise control under these conditions.
Do you know who invented the modern three-point seatbelt? Well, it was invented by Volvo 50 years ago? At that time, they made the patent open and free to all car manufacturers.
Do you own a car with a manual transmission? If you hear chattering when changing gears it's a sign of low or contaminated transmission fluid. We'll take care of the problem.
If your car's engine just cranks but won't start, the first thing you're going to want to check is if there's any fuel left. If there is, then you may want to have the vehicle professionally serviced because the fault could be anything from a dead sparkplug to a faulty fuel pump.
If the pressure diminishes when you step on the brakes, or the pedal goes all the way to the floor, it could be a problem with the master cylinder. Have it checked and repaired to prevent a safety hazard.
Parasitic draw is an abnormal and continuous battery drain that occurs when the vehicle is off. You likely won't notice any problem under normal operation, but if the vehicle sits for a few days, it could kill the battery.
If you clock a lot of miles over the course of a year, it would be prudent to have your vehicle inspected more often. This is particularly true if you drive long stretches over rough roads as your vehicle will experience a lot more wear and tear.
If your car is constantly overheating, this obviously means that there's something wrong with the cooling system. However, the issue could be one of many things like a broken water pump, leaky radiator hoses or even a blocked radiator so you're going to want to have a mechanic check things out.
Do you know that an average car is made up of more than 30,000 components? This includes all the little pieces put together to build this incredible machine.
If you clock a lot of miles over the course of a year, it would be prudent to have your vehicle inspected more often. This is particularly true if you drive long stretches over rough roads as your vehicle will experience a lot more wear and tear.
If your car is constantly overheating, this obviously means that there's something wrong with the cooling system. However, the issue could be one of many things like a broken water pump, leaky radiator hoses or even a blocked radiator so you're going to want to have a mechanic check things out.
We know that sometimes it's practically impossible to avoid hitting a pothole. If you do happen to slam into one, bring your car or truck in and have us check the wheels, tires, suspension system and alignment.
Did you know that a vehicle’s air-conditioner is operating even in winter? When you turn on your car’s defroster, the condenser comes on to dry the air before sending it to the windshield. Have the refrigerant checked at the beginning of summer and winter.
Who introduced the first air conditioning units in cars? They were introduced by the American carmaker Packard in the year 1939. At that time, the refrigerating coils were located behind the back seat.
Do you know that an average car is made up of more than 30,000 components? This includes all the little pieces put together to build this incredible machine.
If you clock a lot of miles over the course of a year, it would be prudent to have your vehicle inspected more often. This is particularly true if you drive long stretches over rough roads as your vehicle will experience a lot more wear and tear.
If your car is constantly overheating, this obviously means that there's something wrong with the cooling system. However, the issue could be one of many things like a broken water pump, leaky radiator hoses or even a blocked radiator so you're going to want to have a mechanic check things out.
We know that sometimes it's practically impossible to avoid hitting a pothole. If you do happen to slam into one, bring your car or truck in and have us check the wheels, tires, suspension system and alignment.
Are you having all the maintenance milestones for your car or truck attended to? Doing so helps you get every penny out of your investment and increases your ride's resale value. The owner's manual provides you information on what and when maintenance is needed.
Why is my car being a jerk? If you car is jerking while you are driving, it may indicate a fuel pump problem. When the fuel pump fails your car won't start, and repeated tries will drain your battery. Get thee to a mechanic.
Did you know that a vehicle’s air-conditioner is operating even in winter? When you turn on your car’s defroster, the condenser comes on to dry the air before sending it to the windshield. Have the refrigerant checked at the beginning of summer and winter.
Who introduced the first air conditioning units in cars? They were introduced by the American carmaker Packard in the year 1939. At that time, the refrigerating coils were located behind the back seat.
Do you know that an average car is made up of more than 30,000 components? This includes all the little pieces put together to build this incredible machine.
If you clock a lot of miles over the course of a year, it would be prudent to have your vehicle inspected more often. This is particularly true if you drive long stretches over rough roads as your vehicle will experience a lot more wear and tear.
