Monthly Archives: June 2016

Responsible Car Pooling

There are a lot of available automotive services that can fit your car’s needs. Some are necessary at regular intervals for maintenance, and some are needed only when certain symptoms are noticed. As a responsible car owner, it is your job to know every single car service that is available and how frequently your car requires them.

This is especially true if you frequently car pool and carry other adults or children in your car. For a lot of people, car pooling back and forth to work with other workmates, and even car pooling children back and froth to school is not just responsible for environmental reasons, but also for financial ones. When it is your turn to carry the other adults or even children in your vehicle, you are basically taking their lives into your hands.

Keeping your vehicle well maintained, safe and reliable becomes even more important for responsible drivers.

Although you can check fluids in between scheduled maintenance services, you should leave the actual services up to the car care professionals who are able to spot any potential problems with their trained eye and are able to expertly prepare your vehicle for safe driving. Go to your trusted and skilled car repair shop to have the mechanic perform all of the following automotive services at their scheduled time:
Brake Services, Tune ups, Fuel Injection Services, State Inspection Services, Wiper Blade Replacement, and Tire Rotation and Balance.

Here are some additional tips and advice for Car Pooling:

Get Better Gas Mileage-
When it is your turn to provide the car pooling, your miles will no doubt increase on that day as you may be driving more than one person to more than one location. Go to a reliable car care center and have a full service oil and lube. You might want to consider requesting your mechanic to use a high mileage oil filter. This type of oil filter has a special gel added to it that reduces wear on your engine. It maintains oil viscosity and is designed to neutralize acids. This helps to keep your engine’s components clean and therefore improves mileage.

Be Prepared-

It is always a good idea to keep an emergency first aid kit, extra blankets, an extra change of clothes, bottles of water, and snacks to make sure your passengers can be comfortable and safe while you await assistance. Make sure you have a cell phone that is charged up so you can call for help if needed. You can also prepare the car itself by making sure your wiper washer fluid is topped off. Have your local trusted Car Shop perform Radiator Maintenance with a Radiator Flush. The leading cause of mechanical failure while driving on the highway is due to failure of your cooling system. This causes damage to your engine and transmission and will leave you on the side of the road, along with the passengers you are carpooling.

Tips For Choosing the Right Automotive Shop

Your vehicle may be of your most important investments. Choosing the right automotive shop for repairs and maintenance is crucial to keeping your vehicle running at its peak performance. One shop may not be appropriate for every type of automobile. Foreign and luxury vehicles may require specialized services and parts that economical models do not.

Vehicle owners tend to prefer auto shops that offer competitive pricing and quality workmanship. Finding a shop that meets both criteria can be difficult. It is best to research your choices before you actually need car service so that you can fully explore all of your options.

Listed below are some tips you can follow to find the best automotive shop for you.

Ask Friends:

Listen to recommendations from friends, family, and co-workers. These people can provide firsthand details of their experiences with various shops. Be sure to ask friends who drive vehicles that are similar makes and models to your automobile.

Check Complaints:

Look on the Internet to see any negative comments that people have posted about local shops. Contact the Better Business Bureau and other consumer organizations to find out what kind of complaints, if any, have been submitted against the shop you are considering.

Call The Shop:

Simply asking a few questions can help you decide whether or not you should visit the shop. Inquire about the mechanics’ experience with your type of vehicle and find out if they specialize in certain kinds of repairs. Ask how long they have been in business and what kind of licensing they have.

Visit The Shop:

As you pull into the shop, check out the other vehicles in the parking lot and those being serviced. Take notice if the vehicles are of the same value as yours. Determine whether the equipment looks modern and well cared for. Check to see that the facility is clean and well maintained.

Remember That Bigger is Not Always Better:

A fancy building and a large staff may look impressive, but many times keeping such a large overhead results in higher prices. Many of these high-end establishments must charge more for their services in order to pay their staff and maintain their building. Don’t be fooled by the modest garages that you see around town. Many times, these establishments have some of the most highly trained mechanics and offer competitive prices.

Ask The Right Questions:

Be sure to inquire about any warranties that the shop may offer on parts and labor. Find out what kind of replacement parts they use. Many vehicle manufacturers suggest that you only use OEM parts. Finally, ask about theft and fire insurance while your vehicle is on the property.

Get Several Estimates:

Do not be afraid to call and visit a few shops in your area. Compare prices and services to decide which shop will suit you best. Remember that the lowest price does not always mean you are getting a good deal. Whether you drive a luxury vehicle or a less expensive model, you want to make sure that all repairs and maintenance is done correctly. Shoddy work can damage your vehicle and cause more expensive repairs in the future.

Just like finding the perfect doctor, finding an automotive shop is a very personal decision. Follow your instincts and you will find a shop that will serve you well.

Mechanic Car Servicing Basics

Everyone who owns a car needs the services of a mechanic from time to time since things can go wrong any time. Even when your car does not have any issues, it is still good to have a mechanic who will service your car to ensure that you drive safely on the road. There are many things that can go wrong and while some of these you can repair them on your own, there are others that need someone qualified to do the repairs.

The car brakes are important for safe driving and there are different things that could go wrong with them. One of the most common issues is when the brake pads wear out because there is constant friction against them. There will be a squeaking noise every time you slow down and a mechanic will have to replace the brake shoes. Sometimes, it might be something that you can rectify on your own like if there is a stone wedged between the shoe and the brake disk. When your car vibrates more when you are driving over rough surfaces, it means that the suspension has packed in. This is job that should be left for the mechanic to repair so that you do not end up making the problem worse.

The battery is normally charged when the car is ignited and when it is in motion since this is when the alternator rotates to give charge. This means that the battery is constantly refilled so that there is sufficient energy to operate the windshield wipers, lights and to keep driving. However, when it stops working, there might be one of the several reasons causing the problem. For instance, if you accidentally left the car on for long, this will drain the battery. You can connect jump leads to your battery and also to that of another car, start the engine on the other car to give yours a jump start to bring it back to life.

The engine is a vital part and the oil and air filters should be regularly cleaned and changed when required. To ensure that your car is well serviced, it is imperative to have a qualified and well experienced mechanic. You can research different automotive certifications since a qualified mechanic will be certified and the certification will indicate areas he is proficient in.

Online reviews can also be used to get information on the level of customer satisfaction the mechanic has provided. You can also find a good mechanic by asking for recommendations from relatives, friends and business associates, on one that they may have worked with before or know of. A local mechanic is a good bet since he is competing with other larger corporations and his objective is to build a long term relationship with clients.

Additionally, if your car breaks down, you are assured that he can easily get to where you are and offer you the assistance you need. Ensure that you have the contact number of your mechanic and you should also have a first aid kit as well as a tool box in case of an emergency while waiting for the mechanic to arrive.

Automotive Locksmith Services

Getting locked out of your vehicle is never a fun thing. It always seems to happen at the most inopportune time. You start your car, step out to take a flyer off your windshield and the door shuts and locks behind you. Better yet, you pull to the side of the highway to check a tire that feels low, and discover you are locked out. These can be dangerous circumstances, especially if you are on the side of the highway. They can be even worse if you have the car running or a small child inside.

Your best bet is to call a car locksmith. Many companies offer technicians that specialize in automobiles. An auto locksmith is someone who has trained in the various types of locks and doors on car today. Unlike household locks, cars have thousands of different styles. A car locksmith would also know how to get your door open without doing damage to your paint or vehicle. This is not always an easy job when it comes to shove a piece of metal between glass, a painted car, and a rubber gasket, and then managing to pop the lock. A reliable locksmith should offer insurance as well, if an accident occurs.

Most companies now offer 24 hour locksmiths. Unfortunately, doors do not only lock during the day. These companies will usually charge a higher price for late night service. However, when you consider having your car towed or paying a locksmith, the solution is probably pretty simple. Some companies even offer a guaranteed arrival time, such as service in thirty minutes. This can be very helpful if you are in a hurry. You should always consider the locksmith credentials before you do choose. Make sure they are with a reliable company and that they can provide identification before you allow them access to your running car.

You should always provide all the information about your situation when calling an auto locksmith. For example if you are in an unsafe situation or under hazardous conditions, a locksmith may recommend you to the authorities. If you have a small child in the car during extreme heat, it may be better to have the police come to your assistance. They may have an officer in your vicinity that can provide quick relief. However, unless you have an actual emergency, most officers cannot help. Most of police departments will not take on the liability.