How Much to Fix It?

Information about auto repair and preventive maintenance

Defensive Driving for Experienced Drivers

After a while, driving becomes like second nature. Experienced drivers often get behind the wheel putting little thought into what they are doing. We roll with the motions, going from point A to point B while running our vehicle as we always do. As we become more comfortable in our vehicles, operating it becomes an almost mindless task, creating a little added danger on the roads. Imagine all of the people driving around you, not totally paying attention to what driving really entails. As a teen, we were excited and ready for the adventure ahead of us. We paid attention to the roads and were cognitively engaged in the driving process. So what happens when we forget about the true task at hand and drive without much thought or effort? According to Perry Barndt, star of CNBC Prime’s “The Car Chasers,” there are some driving tips that all adults should be reminded of before their driving gets truly dangerous.
Driving defensively is crucial to staying safe on the roadways, according to The Car Chasers on CNBC. We too often take driving for granted and forget that it comes with a lot of responsibility. In essence, we are responsible for protecting the lives of those in our vehicle and in other vehicles. Whether it means keeping our car safe with preventative vehicle maintenance done regularly from a trusted auto repair shop, or driving with safe habits, we can all do our part to make our roads safer for all drivers. According to the article from CNBC, “just one individual’s actions behind the wheel that keep roads safe, but also those of other drivers. In order to stay safe, motor operators must stay alert, aware, and in the moment when behind the wheel.”
Our Tempe auto repair shop wants to share these tips with you as explained by The Car Chasers. First, do not tailgate. Following others too close behind on the road is dangerous and many people fail to leave enough space between the cars in front. If the front car makes an abrupt stop, it could cause an accident. They suggest one car length for every ten miles per hour. Second, avoid distractions while driving, as it is critical for increased safety while driving. Eating, texting, talking on the phone, and even adjusting the radio are dangerous habits to do while driving and cost thousands of lives each year. Keeping your hands and eyes on the road at all times is one of the most important habits drivers can do. Third, they suggest that you look 300 feet in front of you, looking past the hood of your car. Scanning the area around you can also help to avoid sudden surprises and to anticipate what might happen before it does. To learn more from this CNBC article or watch the video clip, click here. Our auto repair shop urges all drivers to be safer, be more aware, and be more proactive when it comes to how you drive your vehicle no matter how many years of experience you have under your belt.

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No Comments by  /  May 20, 2013  /  Posted in: Uncategorized
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Does Your Diesel Do Good Work?

Due to their efficiency and durability, diesel engines have become the standard in powering the nation’s fleet trucks. From buses to bulldozers and boats, the diesel engine has proven its ability to get the job done. Over the years, diesel engine service and diesel repair has become increasingly complex as engines and their components begin to use more electronic systems to control their operation. An example of this is the fuel injection and the engine timing systems. Both systems rely heavily on microprocessors used to maximize fuel efficiency and require special diagnostic equipment in order to diagnose diesel engine problems and adjust engine functions.

In addition to computerized systems and diagnostic equipment, servicing and repairing a diesel requires a variety of power and machine tools. When repairing a diesel you may need tools such as pneumatic wrenches, lathes, grinding machines, and welding equipment. Not only are these tools expensive, they tend to be large and difficult to store.

If you have a diesel engine and are in need of maintenance or repair, it is probably best you visit your local diesel shop. Auto repair shops with diesel mechanics are equipped to handle many kinds of repairs. They are able to work on the vehicles electrical system, make engine repairs, and even retrofit engines with emission control systems to help you comply with state pollution regulations. When visiting your local repair shop you can expect the diesel mechanics to perform a variety of inspection procures such as:

• Test drive the vehicle to diagnose problems
• Inspect the brake system
• Inspect the power steering
• Check the transmission
• Check and/or change the oil
• Check the fluids and battery
• Check for leaks

Depending on the reason for your visit, you local diesel repair shop may also:

• Adjust and align the wheels
• Check and/or replace belts & hoses
• Change the glow plugs
• Correct the cranking speed
• Fix problems with excessive smoke

Today light-duty trucks are saturated with computerized equipment so definitely take some time to locate your closest diesel repair shop and have your family, business, or fleet vehicles fixed right.

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No Comments by  /  May 14, 2013  /  Posted in: Uncategorized
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Reducing Main Source of Air Pollution in Metro Areas

April 29-May 3 was Air Quality Awareness Week and the perfect time to promote the importance of reducing air pollution. By properly maintaining your vehicle’s emission system and passing state-required emissions testing, you can maintain quality air and protect our environment. Everyone benefits from improved air quality when the release of excessive vehicle emissions is prevented. Over the last few decades, major improvements have been made to vehicles in regards to reducing emissions and improving fuel economy. Our Tempe auto repair shop offers emissions services for those of you who have failed your state emissions test and need a proper diagnosis and fix before retesting occurs. Likewise, we can diagnose a check engine light indicator and fix engine issues as well.
Motor vehicles are a leading source of air pollution in the metropolitan areas of Arizona. Vehicles manufactured today are designed to operate more cleanly than the new vehicles of past decades. Vehicle manufacturers have complied with more stringent emissions standards set by the federal government each year. New emissions devices combined with unleaded fuel have improved vehicle emissions during the past four decades; however, manufacturers still have no control over routine maintenance of a vehicle once it leaves the dealership. This then becomes the responsibility of the vehicle’s owner. Preventative maintenance at our auto repair shop couldn’t be easier. We offer an array of services to keep your vehicle working properly and your emissions low.
Studies show those most affected by poor air quality are those with respiratory illnesses. Obviously emissions gases are a health effect on humans. When passenger vehicle emissions react with heat and sunlight, ground-level ozone is formed. Because ground-level ozone is highly reactive, high concentrations can cause throat irritation, congestion, chest pains, lung irritation, nausea, and labored breathing for anyone exposed to this pollution. Ozone can also aggravate the breathing of those with lung or heart conditions. Performing repairs on the vehicle before emissions issues worsen will help reduce ground-level ozone.
Your car’s emission system controls the emissions, exhaust and pollutants using multiple sensors, computerized engine controls and the exhaust components. The emission system substantially reduces harmful gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and prevents harmful gasoline vapors from escaping at the fuel tank. Should you fail a state emissions test, bring your car to our Tempe auto repair shop for our emissions services. We will diagnosis and fix the problem and bring your car back to the emissions station for retesting. Responsible car maintenance and today’s technology are already working to reduce emissions and improve air quality. Contact our auto repair shop to see how you can do your part too.

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No Comments by  /  May 10, 2013  /  Posted in: Auto repair, Driving Laws, Preventative Maintenance, Vehicle Emissions Inspection
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Going on a Green Road Trip

April 22nd was Earth Day and our auto repair shop wants to remind you that our environment and our planet are precious enough to celebrate every day, not just one day each year. So as road trip season comes to a start, we thought it would be appropriate to share some of the best ways to hit the road and be eco-friendly at the same time. Modifying our driving habits and the way we think about road trips could help reduce our carbon footprints and give a little back to the environment. By reducing emissions and improving fuel economy, your next road trip could be eco-friendly – something you can feel good about.

It isn’t always what you drive, but how you drive that is most important. One of the easiest ways to stay eco-friendly while driving is altering your driving habits. If your car has cruise control, take advantage of it. Experts say that cruise control can prevent unnecessary speed changes which waste gas and increases emissions. Likewise, even if you’re driving at a constant speed, going too fast wastes gas. Within the range of normal highway speeds, each 10 miles per hour faster will reduce your fuel economy by 15% to 20%, according to tests by Consumer Reports and Edmunds.com. Aggressive acceleration and hard braking waste an amazing amount of fuel. In testing by Edmunds.com, aggressive driving cut fuel economy by about 25%. Lighten the load before you head out too. Extra weight impacts fuel economy. Packing stuff on roof-top bins and racks cut fuel economy by about 21%, according to tests done by Edmunds.com.

Here at our auto repair shop we are big on preventative auto maintenance. We want to help you get your car performing at its best before you hit the road. It will improve fuel economy, reduce emissions, and improve your safety on the road. Some of the most important services are brakes, checking vital fluids, battery, service oil changes, tires, and also checking belts and important systems. We will care for your vehicle just as we would our own before heading out on the road. It is great to be road trip ready this spring, but it’s even better to be eco-friendly ready. Road trips that keep the environment in mind don’t have to be shorter or in a hybrid vehicle. By altering your driving habits, reducing the interior weight of your vehicle, and preparing your vehicle for optimal performance, you will be ready for your upcoming eco-friendly road trip.

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No Comments by  /  May 4, 2013  /  Posted in: Auto repair, Improve Gas Mileage, Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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Protect your investment with proper maintenance

A vehicle is an investment and most people put in a lot of money from the get-go and do not necessarily plan on putting in thousands of dollars down the road on repairs and service. Sure, vehicles will need some TLC which costs money, but the best way to be money smart when it comes to your vehicle is to ensure that it is properly maintained. Waiting until it is too late will cost you thousands of dollars more than many folks are able to pay. So this Money Smart Week April 20-27, we want to remind you just how important proper preventative maintenance can be as a money-saving tool in the long run. In fact, a vehicle properly maintained and kept three years after your payments end will save you $20,000 to $30,000.

So just what are the most expensive repairs? Well besides battery replacement and investment and cooling system flushes, you could also spend extra money on failing to rotate your tires and keep them at their proper inflation levels. This service is FREE with an oil change from our auto repair shop yet could end up costing you anywhere between three hundred dollars to twenty-five hundred dollars. Ignoring tire needs could lead to suspension problems, alignment issues, ball joint replacement, control arm bushing, and much more. None of these services end up being cheap and all will have a direct impact on the performance and safety of your vehicle.

Being money smart doesn’t mean skipping maintenance and service on your vehicle to save the extra bucks. Not only will this compromise your vehicle’s performance and parts, but it will also compromise the safety of your vehicle on the road, leading to accidents, injuries, or worse. Transmission service is also a vital part of proper maintenance. Using the proper fluids and having your transmission flushed by an experienced auto repair shop will prevent serious and expensive repairs. Transmission fluid is the life blood of your transmission. It cleans, cools, and lubricates all the moving parts inside. Over time, heat destroys the fluid’s ability to lubricate and the detergent in the fluid eventually loses its ability to clean.

As an owner of a vehicle, you are responsible for keeping your vehicle working and safe. Being money smart means investing money when you need it before it is too late. There are plenty of other services and costly repairs that you may encounter, but partnering with our Tempe auto repair shop for preventative maintenance is the best way to be money smart now, and years from now.

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No Comments by  /  April 29, 2013  /  Posted in: Auto repair, Driving Safety, Improve Gas Mileage, Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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Car Care Starts with Proper Vehicle Maintenance

April is Car Care Month, the perfect time to get your car to a trusted auto repair shop for some preventative vehicle maintenance and routine checks. Monitoring the condition of your vehicle and its parts can save a lot of time and money in the future. In fact, a vehicle properly maintained and kept three years after your payments end will save you $20,000 to $30,000. While financial savings may seem like the biggest advantage for preventative maintenance, you will also save yourself a lot of time, stress, and improve your safety while on the road. Let Car Care Month be the motivation you need to get your vehicle to our auto repair shop.

Caring for your car is an ongoing job. It isn’t just about repairing damage or parts. It is maintaining them so that we don’t have to repair your vehicle so often. Each time we open the hood of your vehicle, we will go through a series of safety checks and monitor the condition of the essential parts of your vehicle. We also offer a service interval schedule so that you can schedule upcoming maintenance and keep your vehicle running safer and smoother.

More and more Americans are keeping their vehicles past the 100,000, 150,000, and even 200,000 mile marks. The United States’ economy continue to put pressure on consumers to keep driving their older vehicles for longer and the key to doing this is certainly proper car care and preventative maintenance services. The average age of a passenger vehicle in the U.S. has increased to about 11 years, according to researchers R.L. Polk. While many drivers try to maintain their vehicles themselves, not everything preventative can be DIY. Cars are just like people. As they age, they require more attention from specialists, especially in the parts most critical to their ongoing survival.

Our trusted repair shop offers a number of preventative services like brakes, batteries, cooling systems and many more. The philosophy behind vehicle servicing and regular maintenance is one of prevention rather than cure. Again, with our service interval schedule, keeping up with proper vehicle maintenance is actually pretty easy. Consumer vehicle neglect has now reached $62 billion in annual unperformed vehicle maintenance in the United States. This Car Care Month, start saving the money you deserve with the auto repair shop you deserve.

 

 

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No Comments by  /  April 16, 2013  /  Posted in: Auto repair, Driving Safety, Improve Gas Mileage, Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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Drive on sleep, not on caffeine

Most of us make it through the day and evening with at least one cup of coffee. In fact, among coffee drinkers the average coffee consumption in the United States is 3.1 cups of coffee per day. Per capita men drink approximately 1.9 cups per day, whereas women drink an average of 1.4 cups of coffee a day. March was National Caffeine Awareness Week, aimed at increasing productivity while combating our need for caffeine stimuli. When we are tired, there are many things we don’t want to do. But have you ever thought about the things we do when we are tired? How about driving? While it may be natural for many of us, it has been compared to drunk driving when it comes to how dangerous it is.

Get enough sleep… bottom line. Most adults need 7 to 8 hours a night for the best amount of sleep, although some people may need as few as five hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep nightly. Driving while tired results in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries, and $12.5 billion in monetary losses. These figures may be the tip of the iceberg, since currently it is difficult to attribute crashes to sleepiness.  According to drowsydriving.org, “According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America poll, 60% of adult drivers – about 168 million people – say they have driven a vehicle while feeling drowsy in the past year, and more than one-third, (37% or 103 million people), have actually fallen asleep at the wheel! In fact, of those who have nodded off, 13% say they have done so at least once a month. Four percent – approximately eleven million drivers – admit they have had an accident or near accident because they dozed off or were too tired to drive.”

These statistics are eye-opening and our trusted auto repair shop  cares about your safety in and out of our shop. When you leave our garage, we still care. Our services range from serious repairs to basic oil changes, but no matter what, we want to keep you safe on the road. This may mean preventative maintenance or sharing with you ways to drive safer. We prefer to maintain your vehicle, not fix it. Before you get behind the wheel when tired, just remember that you are putting others at risk. Sleep deprivation increases the risk of a sleep-related crash; the less people sleep, the greater the risk. According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, people who sleep six to seven hours a night are twice as likely to be involved in such a crash as those sleeping 8 hours or more, while people sleeping less than 5 hours increased their risk four to five times. Life can get busy with work, children, social activities, and so on. Don’t let it increase your risk for an accident. Remember, drowsy driving is unsafe driving.

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No Comments by  /  March 29, 2013  /  Posted in: Auto repair, Driving Laws, Driving Safety, Preventative Maintenance
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Environmentally Friendly Auto Repair Shop

We take care of your vehicles, but did you know that we also take care of the environment? Unfortunately, not all auto repair shops are as environmentally-responsible as we are. During and after oil changes, there tends to be too much improper disposal of used motor oil or other fluids. There are also to many  vehicles on the road leaking oil and fluids, which are running into the earth and the groundwater we count on. As National Groundwater Awareness Week continues March 10-16, we need to all jump on board to protect this vital resource and ensure that we do our part to reduce groundwater contamination and keep our drinking water safer, as well as the water we live near.

Used motor oil is just one of many groundwater contaminants that we must be aware of. Some of the major sources of these products are storage tanks, septic systems, hazardous waste sites, landfills, and the widespread use of road salts, fertilizers, pesticides, oils and other chemicals. They have a direct impact on our drinking water, as fifty percent of the United States population depends on groundwater for daily drinking water. Proper recycling will ensure that used motor oil does not make its way into local surface and groundwater resources. Should oil get into the environment, it can quickly pollute large amounts of water. In fact, just one gallon of motor oil can create an oil slick on surface water up to eight acres in size, contaminate one million gallons of freshwater (the equivalent of one year’s water supply for fifty people), and produce a four-acre area of soil unusable for planting for decades.

Proper disposal reduces the amount of motor oil in groundwater. The United States generates 1.3 billion gallons of used motor oil each year-approximately 13 percent of which is disposed of improperly. Improperly disposed of motor oil therefore could “potentially be a widespread source of MTBE in ground water.” At our auto repair shop, we view oil changes as a way that we can better protect our environment. We encourage you to be sure to pick an mechanic which will do the same. What we do with the used oil from our cars plays an important role in our needs for transportation with our desire for a clean and healthy environment today and for future generations.

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No Comments by  /  March 15, 2013  /  Posted in: Uncategorized
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87 Octane a Fine Choice

Your vehicle is an investment and most drivers make an honest attempt to care for it the best they can. Sometimes this means putting a lot of money into it, and sometimes it means just going through the process of preventative maintenance to keep it running smoothly. No matter how you value or care for your vehicle, there is one thing we all have in common – we need fuel to make it run. Although there are certainly other methods becoming popular these days, the majority of drivers still find themselves filling up at the pump all too often. There is a little bit more to the process than most drivers are aware of and if you don’t know why there are choices for octanes, keep reading.

Some folks believe that when you fill up with premium gasoline, the vehicle will run better than with 87 octane. This, however, seems to be a myth debunked. If the vehicle is required to have premium gasoline, then it does need it for the sake of the engine. But what does 87, 89, or 91 octane gas really mean? Why are they called Regular, Mid-Grade, and Premium gasoline? Most people assume that the gas they put in their vehicle will affect their vehicle’s performance in some major way. The numbers relate to the fuel’s octane rating. The higher the number, the slower the fuel burns. An internal combustion engine uses pistons to squeeze fuel until it explodes. With high octane fuel, the pistons need to put more pressure on the fuel to get it to ignite.

Most cars are designed to run on a certain fuel rating. But what happens if you put a higher grade fuel in a vehicle that was designed for regular? Actually, nothing. Putting premium fuel into a normal car engine won’t a difference on performance or fuel economy. The big difference is simply the price. You will pay more money to fill your tank with premium gas for no reason at all, given that the engine doesn’t require a higher octane rating. If this is the case and you put regular gasoline in an engine that requires premium gas, it can actually damage the engine. Low-octane gas can cause a loud noise like a rattle, also known as engine knock, in high-performance vehicles. This means that the fuel is igniting too soon and may create too much pressure that the engine simply cannot sustain.

Our auto repair shop can care for your vehicle when it is in our shop, but we also want our customers to have the knowledge to care for their vehicle when it is at home and on the road as well. Knowing a little more about the gasoline and fuel ratings can help make more educated decisions and possibly save money. Many of you out there are putting premium gasoline at a higher cost when the same results could come from regular gasoline. Knowledge and preventative maintenance  are the best tools a driver can have. For more information, come see us here at our auto repair shop.

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No Comments by  /  March 13, 2013  /  Posted in: Auto repair, Improve Gas Mileage, Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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Safety Comes First When Jumpstarting a Dead Battery

There is nothing more inconvenient than a dead battery. It will literally strand you without the use of your vehicle, and without the help of either a jump box or another motorist it can lead to a stressful and desperate situation. Although the ultimate goal of jump starting a battery is to get your vehicle running, our auto repair shop urges all of our customers to remember than when jump starting your battery, safety must always come first. In stressful situations, it can be hard to slow down and use extra caution. But with the dangers that come with battery terminals and possible errors, safety must be used throughout each step as outlined in one of our teen driving videos.

Car batteries can explode due to detonation of hydrogen liberated by electrolysis of the water found in lead-acid car batteries. Some circumstances, like extreme heat or cold, are especially conducive to electrolysis. Likewise, placing clamps on the wrong battery terminals can also lead to injury. The real caution should be used before the jumpstarting even begins. Experts urge all drivers to be sure to wear safety goggles and gloves if you have them, and be sure to tuck away loose hair and clothing. Then inspect the car. If you find any leaks, damages, or cracks, do not try to jump start the car. Instead, have your vehicle towed to your local auto repair shop for safe battery service should that be the case. One you have determined that the battery is the problem, locate the battery and inspect it. You can then follow these steps:

  • Pop the hood and familiarize yourself with the battery and terminals. These will be marked with either a plus or a minus symbol. The negative symbol will usually be with the black cable and the red cable is the positive terminal. Check this yourself before proceeding. The positive terminal is usually slightly bigger in size than the negative terminal.
  • With either a jump box or jumper cables, clamp the cable around the terminal with the matching color. It is important to do this in order. First, connect one red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Second, connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the good battery. Third, connect one black clamp to the negative terminal of the good battery. Fourth, connect the other black clamp to a piece of grounded metal on the dead car. Try to find a piece of metal that is attached to the engine and is not painted or oily.
  • Wiggle the clamps to ensure that you have a good connection.
  • Start the working vehicle and let it idle for 30-60 seconds. This charges the dead battery.
  • Try to start the disabled vehicle. If it does not immediately turn over, allow a few minutes for charging before attempting to start the disabled vehicle again. If the vehicle still does not start, shut the engine off and rearrange the four clamps to verify a good electrical connection.

The vehicle should start if everything goes right. It is then important to come see us or your local trusted repair shop or mechanic for auto battery service. Here, that includes services like cleaning the battery, a thorough inspection, application of a leak detector, anti-corrosion protectors, and sealing of terminals. A dead battery doesn’t have to be a serious vehicle issue, but wrongly or unsafely jump starting a dead battery can be. Safety comes first and the rest is easy.

 

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No Comments by  /  March 11, 2013  /  Posted in: Auto repair, Driving Safety
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