Do you have an electric car? Its motor relies on special brushes to keep it running, and they do wear out. Starting at about 50,000–60,000 miles, you should have them checked and replaced when worn down.
While car's today are very efficient, they are quite complex so anyone attempting to perform a repair will need special tools. This is in stark contrast to the cars of decades past that only required traditional tools to fix.
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.
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.
Did you know that manual transmissions need transmission fluid in order to perform properly? If shifting has become difficult or is different, or the fluid color has changed or grit is present, it's time to bring your car or truck in.
If you drive an electric car, its motor relies on special brushes to keep it running, and they eventually wear out. Have them checked for signs of wear starting at about 50,000–60,000 miles.
If the automatic transmission fluid in your car is low or deteriorating, it will cause the transmission to slip. Check the car’s owner’s manual to find out what type the manufacturer recommends.
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.
Do you drive a car or truck with a standard transmission? If you hear chattering when changing gears it can mean low or contaminated transmission fluid. Have it checked by a trained mechanic.
What does it mean when someone says that the tire has a high aspect ratio? Well, it refers to low-performance tires. The lower aspect ratio refers to the high performance of tires.
Has your check engine light lit up out of the blue? Try tightening your gas cap (after you pull over and stop, of course. If this doesn't work, it may still be only a simple fix. Have us run a diagnostic.
Even if you love working on your car, we do not recommend working on struts yourself. Strut repair and replacement requires intricate work. Then, once the wheels are back on they need to be realigned. Let professionals handle that job.
If corrosion should build up on the battery terminals, this could lead to a loss of power.
Do not take any chances with your brakes. If you hear them squealing when you depress the pedal, or they don't feel right, bring your car in to have the brake pads checked and replaced.
Whenever the engine temperature warning light comes on, pull over and turn your car off and wait at least thirty minutes before opening the hood. If the problem persists, bring your car to us for repair.
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.
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you are is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you are is a maniac?” - George Carlin
To improve steering and balance the wear on your tires, have the alignment on your vehicle checked periodically, and rotate the wheels according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Transmission fluid has three main functions. Can you list them? Well, they are lubricating the transmission's moving parts, washing away any loose debris, and acting as the hydraulic fluid. Problems in any one of these functions can cause transmission failure.
Should the engine temperature warning light come on while you're driving, pull over and turn your car off. Wait at least thirty minutes before opening the hood to prevent accidental scalding. Unless you know exactly what the problem is and how to fix it, arrange to bring the car to us.
The cars of decades past are certainly less complex than what's available today. However, this doesn't mean that they're easier to fix. In fact, they may prove to be a serious challenge as there are no onboard computers that can tell mechanics exactly what's wrong.
"A business, like an automobile, has to be driven, in order to get results." - B. C. Forbes. We are driven to be successful.
Did you know your vehicle’s air-conditioner works year-round, even in winter? When you turn on the defroster, the condenser comes on, drying the air before sending it to the windshield. Have the refrigerant level checked at the beginning of both the summer and winter driving seasons.
If you're having problems with your car's automatic transmission, it would be a very good idea to send it off for repair right away. Continuing to use the vehicle in its current state is something you shouldn't do because complete failure can occur without warning and leave you in a bad spot.
Black transmission fluid, sticky transmission fluid, and a burned fluid smell are the telltale signs of internal transmission issues. Black fluid indicates worn-out internal clutches, sticky fluid indicates overheating, and smelly fluid indicates high heat that caused the fluid to burn.
When reading the label on an oil container, do you know what the "W" means? Nope, not weight. It stands for winter, and refers to its viscosity in cold temperatures.
Did you buy a new part to replace an old one, but it's outside your DIY skills? Bring it to us and we'll install it for you. This is a pretty common practice and we'll be glad to help you out.
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.
If you want to extend the life of your tires, avoid aggressive starts and stops. It not only prevents damage or wear and tear, but produces fewer emissions as well.
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.
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.
At over 300 million, the United States has more cars than any other country in the world. China comes in a distant second, at 78 million.
If your car’s battery stops charging all of a sudden, a mechanic will first check the fan belts. In particular, he or she will want to inspect the belt that loops around the alternator as a loose or missing one will definitely cause this issue.
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.
Have the cabin filter checked and changed regularly. Though its primary purpose is to keep the air inside the car clean, if it is old or clogged it can cause dirt to build up on your engine.
To extend the life of your brakes, give them a good spraying every time you wash your car. This will remove any accumulation of dust or dirt that can cause the pads to deteriorate.
If you notice that your vehicle is consuming oil at an unusual rate, the first thing to do is check for a leak. Place a clean sheet of cardboard underneath the car, and check later for signs of an oil leak. If there isn't any indication of one, have the engine analyzed for other problems.
A wonderful quote by a true car lover: “You cannot buy happiness, but you can buy cars, and that is kind of the same thing.”
If you turn the ignition key of your car and all you hear is a clunk, you may have a bad battery. However, if the one you have installed is fairly new and the vehicle is used often, then you may have a charging issue which is something that will require professional repair.
The differential allows your vehicle’s wheels to rotate at different speeds on the axle, for example, when turning around a corner. The main cause of a differential failure is the misalignment of the unit, axles or drive shafts.
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.
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.
Survey: Do you prefer washing your car by hand or at a car wash? If you use a car wash, do you pay for the extra services such as vacuuming, treating the dash with protectant and "new car" scent?
Did you know your car has a cabin filter? Be sure to have it checked and changed regularly. While its primary purpose is to keep the air inside the car clean, if it's old and clogged, it can cause dirt to build up in your engine.
If you lose your brakes while you’re on the road, you should never try to nurse the vehicle to your destination. Instead, pull over as slowly and safely as you can and call for a tow to the nearest auto repair facility.
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.
Did you know that the oil in your car does more than lubricate parts? It is also a key component of the engines cooling system as it helps to dissipate heat from moving parts.
When you have your oil changed also have the wheel alignment on your vehicle checked and rotate the tires. Not only does this improve steering it also balances tire wear to get the longest life out of them.
Is there liquid dripping from your car? If it's clear, it's most likely water condensation. However, black or brown liquid is likely motor oil, red is often transmission or power steering fluid, while yellow or green is coolant.
Check your tires regularly. Keep them properly inflated, check the tread depth, and look for signs of excessive wear. If you notice scalloping along the outer edges, or erratic wear, it could indicate a problem. Bring your car buy for a quick check.
What’s the significance of the D.O.T. number on a tire? It indicates the factory that built the tire, its batch number, and its manufacture date.
While replacing a faulty part on your vehicle may seem straightforward, this isn’t always the case. More often than not, a lot of other parts will need to be removed before you get to the target component so it would be advisable to have an experienced mechanic take on the task.
Hearing a high-pitched whine coming from the engine after it has started? It could indicate a problem with the starter or the flywheel. The only way to be sure is to have it checked and then repaired, if necessary.
Batteries in electric cars are sealed, so DIY repairs and maintenance are not recommended. To prevent damage and voiding the warranty, trust the skills of our trained technicians for all repairs.
What’s the significance of the D.O.T. number on a tire? It indicates the factory that built the tire, its batch number, and its manufacture date.
While replacing a faulty part on your vehicle may seem straightforward, this isn’t always the case. More often than not, a lot of other parts will need to be removed before you get to the target component so it would be advisable to have an experienced mechanic take on the task.
The gudgeon pin is a name given to the pin that holds the piston to the connecting rod. It is under constant stress from the motion of the piston and is subject to different types of force being applied.
It is a good idea to periodically check the oil level in your car’s engine, especially as it nears time to have the oil changed. Not only does it tell you how much oil is in the engine, you can get an idea of how dirty the oil is.
Hearing a high-pitched whine coming from the engine after it has started? It could indicate a problem with the starter or the flywheel. The only way to be sure is to have it checked and then repaired, if necessary.
Batteries in electric cars are sealed, so DIY repairs and maintenance are not recommended. To prevent damage and voiding the warranty, trust the skills of our trained technicians for all repairs.
What’s the significance of the D.O.T. number on a tire? It indicates the factory that built the tire, its batch number, and its manufacture date.
