Archive for the ‘Car Repair’ Category
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
That brand new car you’re eying may have a great sticker price, but do you know what it will cost you once you drive it off the showroom floor? When purchasing a new or pre-owned vehicle, it is very important to think about the repair and insurance costs.
It may seem obvious to think about repair and insurance costs, but many people become distracted when they see their dream car at a price too good to be true. Here are a few things to consider, so your repair and insurance costs are not through the roof:
- Luxury vs. Necessity – Luxury cars are great, but are the repair costs in your price range? Luxury cars typically cost more to repair. These cars also carry higher insurance costs.
- Technology – Those automatic/computer features may seem cool when you purchase your new car, but they will sometimes cost a pretty penny to repair.
- Domestic vs. Imported – Imported car parts typically run a little higher than domestic car parts. This sometimes adds to the price of repair bills.
To help you learn more about the insurance and repair costs for a new vehicle, we recommend talking with your mechanic and your auto insurance representative. Talking with these people can help you decide whether it’s better to go for the $20,000 car vs. the $30,000 car.
After you buy the car, be sure to keep up on regular maintenance issues. Having a Phoenix oil change or a Tucson car tune up can go a long way in increasing the life of your new vehicle.
Tags: New Car, Phoenix Oil Change, Repair And Insurance Costs, Tucson Car Tune Up
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Friday, August 27th, 2010
A few posts back we discussed how your car’s a/c system works. We now thought it would be helpful to talk about diagnosing air conditioning problems.
A common a/c cooling problem is a coolant leak. Typically the coolant has escaped through a hole in the hose or there is a leak in one of the major parts such as the evaporator or condenser.
For newer cars, leaks are not much of a problem since hoses and seals are new. But for older cars, leaks can be a major problem. If your vehicle is not blowing out cold air, it is possible you have a coolant leak.
Sometimes your vehicle’s air conditioning will intermittently blow out cold air. If this is the case, there could be unwanted air or moisture in the a/c system, which causes ice to form and blocks the system.
If you hear some strange noises when you run your vehicle’s air conditioner, it typically means the compressor needs to be replaced. The compressor is the part of the a/c system that takes the refrigerant gas and pressurizes it before it is sent through the a/c system.
Another problem is smelling a foul odor when you start your vehicle’s a/c system. This often comes from bacteria growing in the vents. Chemicals can be sprayed in the vents to get rid of the bacteria and the smell.
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, we recommend taking your vehicle to a reputable mechanic. A Las Cruces auto air conditioning repair or a Santa Fe auto air conditioning repair will make your summer a lot cooler.
Tags: Las Cruces Auto Air Conditioning Repair, Santa Fe Auto Air Conditioning Repair
Posted in Auto Air Conditioning, Car Repair | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010
If you’re driving your car and you feel a pulsation through the brake pedal or steering wheel, you may have a warped rotor.
If you’re unfamiliar with this, a rotor is a part of your car’s disk braking system located on each end of each axle. A properly functioning rotor interacts with the brake pads to ensure your vehicle will be able to slow down and stop. Damaged rotors can cause problems stopping.
Warped rotors are a problem in some newer cars because the rotors are thin, which causes them to get warped easier.
Causes of warped rotors include common wear and tear as well as if the brakes are very hot after a long drive. Rotors also can become warped if your vehicle’s brake pads are not regularly replaced.
While it is possible to inspect your vehicle’s braking system to see if the rotors are warped, we recommend taking your vehicle to a reputable mechanic to diagnose the problem.
Depending on the severity of the problem, mechanics can repair the rotors by shaving off a small area of the rotor surface to make it smooth again. Other times, the rotor is beyond repair and must be replaced.
We recommend taking your vehicle to the mechanic if you feel a pulsation coming from the brakes. Having an Albuquerque brake check or an El Paso brake check can help diagnose this problem.
Tags: Albuquerque Brake Check, El Paso Brake Check
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Repair | No Comments »
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Taking care of your vehicle increases its longevity and decreases the time and money you have to spend at the mechanics. When it comes to brake care, there are several preventative measures you can take to ensure your brakes are working and lasting longer.
- Don’t ride your brakes: Many people will hit their brakes to sightsee or for no apparent reason. Use your brakes responsibly. Also, using a lower gear when driving down hills can help save your brakes.
- Change the brake fluid: From time to time your brake fluid will need to be changed. Flushing your brake fluid prevents major problems down the road.
- Don’t carry unnecessary weight in your vehicle: If you’ve been driving around with a weight set in the trunk of your car or any other unnecessary weight, ditch it. It can cause your brakes to wear down faster.
- Buy quality brakes If you’re planning on keeping your vehicle for a while, plan on purchasing quality brake parts. The extra money you spend will be well worth it in the long run because quality brakes use better materials.
- Don’t wait too long to replace parts: If you’re hearing grinding or squealing from your brakes. Don’t wait too long to bring your vehicle to the mechanic. Waiting could cause more serious problems to your vehicle’s brake system.
While it’s good to avoid riding your brakes, remember to always drive safely. Constant gas braking could cause an accident and damage to your vehicle. Remember, safety comes before saving a few dollars.
Following these steps along with a Phoenix brake check or a Tucson brake check will keep your brakes working longer.
Tags: Phoenix Brake Check, Tucson Brake Check
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Repair | No Comments »
Monday, August 16th, 2010
We’ve all been there. You start hearing that scratching, squealing sound when you hit the brake pedal, which means it’s time to go and visit the mechanic.
But it’s really not that bad. Knowing what to discuss with your mechanic will make the process a lot less like going to the dentist. Follow these tips and you’ll be fine.
The first thing you are likely to discuss with your mechanic is the source of the brake problem. There are likely two types of sounds you are hearing from your brakes. The squeaking and grinding sounds most likely involve the brake pads, while a pulsating feeling while driving is likely a warped rotor.
When talking with your mechanic, ask about seeing your vehicle’s old brake pads once they are removed from your vehicle. If they are not worn, there is no need to replace them. Most reputable mechanics will show you the brake pads without asking.
Another issue likely to arise is whether or not you need lifetime brakes pads. When considering lifetime brake pads, think about how long you are planning on keeping your vehicle. If you are not planning on keeping the car long, they may not be worth it.
To avoid regular discussions with the mechanic about your vehicle’s brakes, avoid riding your brakes too hard and be sure to keep your brakes and wheels clean. These preventative measures will increase the time between a Tucson brake repair or a Las Cruces brake repair.
Tags: Las Cruces Brake Repair, Tucson brake repair
Posted in Brake Repair Tips, Car Repair | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
A broken timing belt is an incredibly common and annoying problem that can not only be frustrating, but can also be expensive. Unfortunately, it’s one of the most common reasons for people’s cars breaking down.
Getting Las Cruces timing belt replacement service before it’s too late can save you a lot of money in the long run and can also prevent a lot of hassle. Generally, you’ll want to replace the timing belt every 60,000-100,000 miles. This info can be found in your owner’s manual.
Here are five common signs that you need Santa Fe timing belt replacement:
1. You notice more exhaust coming from your vehicle than normal.
2. Your older (60k+ miles) car is having difficulty starting.
3. Your car begins to shake from engine vibrations.
4. While driving, your car shuts off unexpectedly and has problems restarting.
5. Your mechanic mentions a problem with the timing belt – if you’re doing regular car maintenance (like you should be) your mechanic is trained to check for issues and warn you of problems.
Tags: Las Cruces timing belt replacement, Santa Fe timing belt replacement
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Friday, July 9th, 2010
Check out these common vehicle issues before any road trip.
Nothing puts the breaks on a road trip quicker than having your vehicle break down in the middle of nowhere. Even if you’ve always maintained your car perfectly, there are certain things you should check prior to every road trip.
By following the below list, you can be comfortable knowing that your car can handle the many miles of road ahead and won’t break down unexpectedly.
Things to check:
Oil – Remove the dipstick and check the oil for any sign of problems. When is the last time that the oil has been changed? If you’re going on a long road trip it may be a good idea to change the oil immediately before you leave and then once again when you get back.
Tire Pressure – Examine each of your tires to make sure that they are filled to the correct tire pressure.
Fluids – Check and top off your transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid and engine coolant.
Belts and Hoses – Do a visual inspection of your belts and hoses to look for any breaks or cracks. Have any issues you discover fixed before you leave on your trip. Getting your El Paso timing belt replacement early can save you from thousands in engine damage later on.
Many people prefer to have an Albuquerque car tune up done before they leave on their trip. This allows them to feel comfortable knowing that their vehicle has been thoroughly tested and is ready to go. It also allows them to not have to worry about checking their vehicle themselves.
Also, don’t forget the tunes! A long road trip is always better with the right music playing from your car’s speakers.
Tags: Albuquerque Car Tune Up, El Paso timing belt replacement, Road Trip Checklist
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Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
There’s nothing quite like the roar of a finely tuned engine as your foot presses down onto the accelerator. The deep resonating sound can be very impressive. Did you know that the roar of an engine, though, could also be hiding some serious problems for your vehicle? This is especially true when the roaring gets louder as you actually accelerate while driving down the road. A Phoenix oil change may not be the first thing that enters your mind when you think of a loud engine during acceleration, but it should be. Low or old oil can lead to a louder engine. When the oil is this low or old, it is a good idea to have it changed before it leads to further engine damage.
Another route to take when considering the cause of the louder engine sounds during acceleration is your exhaust system. A routine Phoenix car tune up can ensure that your exhaust system is in working order and that no pinholes are developing in the exhaust pipe or separating in the exhaust manifold. This is a good time to spot any other developing problems as well. After all, a nicely tuned engine, roaring with power, may be cool, but leaking exhaust and burning oil just aren’t.
Tags: Phoenix Car Tune Up, Phoenix Oil Change
Posted in Car Repair | No Comments »
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Hiss! Tap! Clunk – Clunk! There are a variety of sounds your car or truck makes as it travels down the road. Some of these are normal. The hum of the highway under your tires, for instance, or the sound of a seatbelt in the wind, slapping the door frame when the window is down, are both perfectly normal sounds. Other sounds, especially when they happen again and again under the same circumstances, may be a sign of developing troubles. When you press on the brake pedal to stop and you hear a grinding or scraping sound you probably need to schedule an Albuquerque brake check right away!
After a long day of commuting in rush hour traffic, you finally pull into your driveway and shut off the car. You may take a moment to stop and have a deep breath or two in order to relax. As you sit there, you may have noticed your vehicle begins making clinking or popping noises. Most of these are normal cooling of metal as the engine parts try to get back to a normal temperature. However, if you hear a hissing sound every time you stop for the day and turn off your engine, especially if it is followed by an odd odor, you may have a leak in a hose. This is a good time to have an Albuquerque auto air conditioning repair done to check for cracks or holes in hoses. Listening to the little sounds now may save you big bucks later.
Tags: Albuquerque Auto Air Conditioning Repair, Albuquerque Brake Check
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Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
When planning your next Phoenix car tune up, don’t forget the timing belt. Your timing belt will vary from vehicle to vehicle in length, composition, and how it interacts with your car’s engine. Though a chain model is more durable, it is also more costly to produce and much louder while operation compared with the standard rubber composite belts used in most cars. Timing belts exist to transfer rotational power from the crankshaft to the camshaft with specific timing. There are two types of engines that use timing belts: Interference and Non-interference engines.
Interference Engine:
- Operates with piston and valve sharing the same space
- Piston and valve do not normally touch
- Timing belt failure can result in considerable damage
- Damage can occur simply from slippage of the timing belt
Non-interference Engine:
- Piston and valve do not share the same space
- Piston and valve do not normally touch
- Timing belt failure can results in less damage
- Slippage of the timing belt is not likely to cause damage
However, no matter what type of engine you have, if your timing belt goes, you won’t be going anywhere. For this reason, Phoenix timing belt replacement is a very important part of your normal vehicle maintenance. Most manufacturers advise having your timing belt changed at specific intervals. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will have the specific mileage for your vehicle, but it normally ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 miles. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Timing belts can fail without warning.
Tags: Phoenix Car Tune Up, Phoenix Timing Belt Replacement
Posted in Car Repair | 1 Comment »
