Tag: Auto Repair

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU NEED A NEW BATTERY FOR YOUR CAR?

WHAT DOES A BATTERY DO?
A battery is what helps fire up the engine. It is a source of power that helps in the ignition process. It also provides charge and power to other accessories of the car. Any car requires a battery as it is useful for various purposes in a car like starting the engine, stabilizing it, filtering, and also for car accessories like electrical lighting and dashboard lights. It helps provide power whenever the charging system is unable to carry excess loads and maintains the flow of charging system when it is not operating.

WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?
The battery is really important as your car won’t start without it being fully charged or the other accessories won’t be able to function without it. When the battery is fully charged the car can run smoothly and start on the first attempt.

SIGNS TO GET IT REPLACED
A battery usually lasts 4-6 years depending on usage and maintenance. But it does start showing wear and tear after a couple of years of usage. It is an important component that needs to be taken care of regularly. Here are the signs that a car shows to indicate that the battery requires being replaced.

Check battery sign: The first thing you will notice when the battery is low of having any other problems is the check battery sign. It can be due to various reasons that the check battery light might pop-up like lose cable ends, low liquid level, and other. When you notice the sign it does not mean that it is something major and requires immediate attention. It just means that you need to get the battery checked in few days to figure out the problem.

Engine cranks but does not start: When the battery is a couple of years old or been idle for a while, it takes some time to crank up the engine. The car might require for tries to start as the battery charged gets low when it stays idle. It can also happen during the winter season. After a couple of years, the battery needs to be charged, cleaned, and maintained to get the best performance. It will also help it last longer.

Sometimes the car starts, sometimes do not: As the battery gets past its prime, the battery starts showing major signs like this which directly indicates that it requires being replaced. The car won’t be able to start even after many tries as the battery has lost its ability to recharge itself as it could before.

Taken to the limit: When you have used battery to its full potential by maintaining it, cleaning it, and recharging it, the battery finally will give up when it has run its course. The car would not able to crank up the engine after a lot of tries and there would be no use of getting too charged again.

Not even cranking the engine: This is the sign that shows that the battery is dead and has to be replaced immediately. The engine won’t even crank and the car won’t show any sign on the dashboard of a battery.

WHERE TO GET IT REPLACED
The best thing to do to get a battery replaced is to find a mechanic near you. Look for a local auto repair shop in the nearby area who is well-known auto repair service provider and people in the locality trust. You can also search online or call a mobile mechanic at your home or office to get the battery replaced. The process of replacing a battery is quite simple but is better to get it replaced by a professional as any sort of ignorance while replacing the battery can affect its lifespan and cause problems to the car as well. Even you can DIY it if you have some experience of doing it or by watching a tutorial. Still, for the best results, it is better to get it replaced by a professional mechanic.

These are the signs which indicate that the battery requires being replaced. Once you notice these signs, it means that the time is near to get a battery replacement done are to get it checked.

The importance of Pre-purchase inspection before buying Used Cars

Getting the pre-purchase inspection done before buying used cars is really important for many reasons. Only a professional mechanic can give you the answer to the question you might have before purchasing a used car. A professional opinion would benefit you a lot in the long term. Here’s why you should get a pre-purchase inspection done before purchasing a used car.

DIAGNOSING PARTS
It is necessary to get the pre-purchase inspection done for used cars as they might not be what they look like from the outside. The exterior might look great, but it’s under the hood what matters. The pre-purchase inspection helps to find out the real condition of the car by diagnosing each part of the engine, brake condition, tyres and tear and much more. This pre-inspection helps to understand how long the parts will last and when you might have to pay a huge amount to get them repaired or replaced.

Diagnosing also helps to know about the auto repair problems that might be in the car or happen in the near future. Some car owners tend to sell the car just before it is about to cost them a huge amount of money in repair and pre-purchase used car inspection saves you from falling into such kind of traps. The pre-purchase inspection gets you complete information about the car from inside-out and lets you know whether it would be worth the investment or not.

CHECKING QUALITY
Checking the quality of the car is really important. Whether the parts in the car are original or cheap replicas or alternatives from the market. Pre-purchase inspection helps to find out whether the parts of the car are genuine or not. As cheap parts used for brakes, oil and others can harm the lifespan of a car which is already been used and you are about to purchase it. The quality of parts and interior, as well as exterior, is really important to check as a car lifespan depends on all its components.

REAL WORTH
The main reason to get the pre-purchase inspection done is to find out the real worth of the car. Usually, the quoted price is always higher than what it should be. The inspection helps to find out the real price or worth of the car after proper diagnosis and checking. Whether it is worth the money being quoted and how long would the car last. Both these important questions get answered when you decide to get the pre-purchase inspection done. It also helps you get assured that you won’t have to worry about any auto repair problems for a couple of years if the car is in good condition.

You can get the pre-purchase inspection for used cars done by hiring a mechanic near you. Local mechanics and mobile mechanic provide this service. Mobile mechanics provide car pre-purchase car inspection service at an affordable price and do all the necessary diagnosis and checks required to assure the quality of the car and find out its true value.

TIPS TO MAKE BRAKE PADS LAST LONGER

Here are some tips that professional mechanics would suggest to help brake pads last longer.

SPEED CONTROL
The brake pads get most affected when you press the brake to stop at high speeds. The higher the speed, the more heat the brake pads would have to deal with. It causes the brake pads to wear out quicker and needs to be stopped in order to make the brake pads last longer. Brake pads replacement is one auto repair that people don’t like to get done again and again but want it to last longer. Hence, taking some precautionary measures are better than regretting paying and visiting auto repair shops.

PEDAL CONTROL
People often ignore using the right foot to press the brake pedal. The brake pedal and accelerator should be pressed using the same foot by taking the force of one and pressing the other. If you use the left foot, their brakes might wear out sooner as the brake and accelerator are simultaneous without the driver knowing that he is making the mistake. You can notice that some cars when passing by having their brake lights on which happens to due people being unaware of the problem and using different feet to press the pedals.

SMOOTH DRIVING
Driving smoothly at a constant speed or going for a cruise rather than short drives is always better for brake pads. On long drives and cruises, you don’t have to press the pedal as often as you have to in the city. Don’t wait till you reach the bumps to press the brakes. Instead, keep an eye out for it and slow down according to prevent unwanted braking which causes unnecessary wear and tear to the brake pads.

KEEP THE CAR LIGHT
Make sure you don’t carry any unnecessary weight in the car. An overloaded or heavy car causes the brake pads to wear out quicker as it has to take more pressure. Avoid carrying any unwanted things in the car and just keep a basic emergency kit. If the car is heavy, it causes a problem to the tyres and affects the fuel economy.

BRAKE FLUID CHANGE
The brake fluid plays a really important role in the braking system and it needs to be changed on a timely basis to avoid brake pads from wearing out soon. The brake fluids keep the temperatures in control when there is excess heat generated due to emergency braking and high-speed braking.

Brake pad replacement doesn’t cost too much. But if you do the rash driving, you might require getting this auto repair done a lot. So follow few simple things and save money as well as time.

HOW TO KEEP CAR HEADLIGHTS IN GOOD CONDITION

All car drivers need good visibility of the road to drive safely and headlights are placed in the front of the car for that particular purpose. It helps to see at night and during rainy and dusty weather which justifies why they should be kept in good condition. Any auto repair shop or car mechanic would suggest you to keep the headlights clean and in good condition for clear visibility while driving.

WHY HEADLIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT

The purpose of lights is safety and communication. The headlights ensure that the driver can drive safely and communicate with other drivers through signals using the headlights, sidelights and tail lights. The headlights make sure that the road is visible to the driver under any sort of driving condition be it snowy, stormy, dusty, rainy, foggy etc. It is really important for a driver to make sure that the low and high beams are working fine and there is no fog or dust on the headlight. Headlights are important for a driver’s safety as it helps the driver drive under any sort of bad light condition. It also helps other drivers coming from the opposite side see you. These are the reasons why headlights are important.

IF DAMAGED, HOW TO RESOLVE IT?

Maintaining a car’s headlight is not a difficult job to do. The headlights face many problems which can be solved by taking some simple steps and measures.

  • If the headlights are dirty, you can use headlight cleaners to clean the headlights. Dirty headlights can cause problems seeing at night. It is good to clean the headlights whenever you wash your windshield.
  • If the headlights suffer from condensation, you can deal with it by removing the headlight and drilling a small hole in it. Make sure to drain the water out completely before putting it back again.
  • If the headlights turn yellow due to extensive UV exposure, you can use the haze clearing products available on the market it cleans it. This usually happens as the headlights are made of polycarbonate.

The most important thing to do to keep any component of a car in good condition is to maintain it. If you follow these steps when it is necessary, the headlights will stay in good condition and you will be able to drive safely and see the road clearly. Headlights should be checked every now and then and replaced annually for best results. Just getting your car serviced won’t clear the headlights, you need to get it done separately.

These are the ways a headlight can cause problems and the ways to resolve it to help you drive safe under any lighting condition.

WHY SO MANY BATTERY AND STARTER GOES BAD DURING WINTER SEASON?

WHY IT HAPPENS

This is the most common problem that people face during the winter season, “car not starting due to battery or starter problems”. During winter, it does get difficult for the battery to function as a battery is filled with chemicals that produce electrons. When the weather is cold it becomes difficult for the battery to produce more power as the battery produces fewer electrons. Therefore the starter motor has less energy to start the engine which leads to the car not starting easily.

During winter, the starter motor and car accessories like radio, headlights and other requires more power to function which affects the battery even more as the battery is not producing enough power compared to the warmer days. The starter motor demands more power than usual in winter as the engine oil becomes thick due to cold weather. This makes it difficult for the engine to start which causes the starter motor to demand more power.

These reasons cause the battery and starter to go bad during winter as the car requires more power than usual. The accessories and other components make it difficult for the battery to supply power in such weather resulting in the problems.

HOW TO AVOID IT

As the winter season arrives, get your car battery assessed and changed if required. If your battery is old, get it replaced. The life of batteries does differ, but assessment will help you get a better idea of the decision to make. The best thing to do is to buy the battery recommended in the owner’s manual.

Diagnose the problems on your own about what other problems might arise due to simple factors. Check for corrosion on battery terminals. Corrosion can cause major problems in starting the car. If there is corrosion clean it or get it cleaned at an auto repair shop or by calling an auto mobile mechanic service.

Another thing that can help avoid this problem is battery blanket. A battery blanket wraps the battery and covers it from all four sides. It produces heat that prevents the battery liquid from freezing. You can also add a trickle charger on the top of the battery that provides enough power to the battery to keep it from freezing when the car is off.

AUTO REPAIRS THAT CAN WAIT TO BE FIXED

The car problems should not be avoided and fixed immediately or as soon as possible. But these are the few auto repairs that can wait for a while to be fixed.

TYRE PROBLEMS

When a tyre loses air due to a small puncture, getting the tyre patched is an easy way to avoid the cost of a new replacement tire. All punctures don’t require the tyre to be changed. Sometimes when you get the tyre fixed it works for a longer period if the tyre has tread left to be used. Always check the tread when you get the tyres checked or fixed in order to have an idea about when to change it or how long it can still last.

AIR CONDITIONING ISSUES

This issue happens a lot as people use the air conditioner regularly in their cars regardless of the season. This is something you can shop around since this is a not an integral part of the car’s operations. This issue can be solved whenever you are free and does not need immediate attention.

WINDOW CONTROLS

Window controls are sensitive and the driver’s side has the power to control all the windows. If the control motor stops functioning, it will cause the window to get stuck in the position it is at that moment. If the window is fully ‘UP’ it’s not a problem, but if it’s down you need to manually pull it ‘UP’. If the window is ‘UP’, you can wait until you want to get it fixed.

INTERIOR ACCESSORIES

The interior accessories such a heater, radio, DVD player, GPS system, cigarette lighter, Bluetooth connectivity kit, data ports, radar detector and other accessories don’t require an immediate repair as they cause no problems to the functioning of the car or the safety.

DIFFERENT BELTS ISSUES

There are many types of belts in cars such as Timing belt, Drive belt etc. These belts go through a lot of wear and tear over the time and you can notice it on the belts when they start to dry and crack. The dryness and cracks are the indication that it needs to be changed. But you still got enough time to go the auto repair shop to get it fixed.

These are the few things that can wait in being fixed when it comes to cars. And always go to a good auto repair mechanic or service provider to get it fixed with genuine parts for safety.

IMPORTANT TIPS TO KEEP YOUR CAR RUNNING RIGHT

Everyone likes a smooth functioning car and tries to maintain it to keep it that way. All cars are different in terms of engine, technology and made. But the ways to maintain them are basically the same. These are the basic tips that any auto repair service or auto mechanic would suggest you do in order to keep your car up and running.

OIL & FLUID CHANGE

Regular oil change and other fluid changes are necessary as they help the engine and other components function properly. There are many kinds of oil and fluids that need to be looked after like Engine oil, Coolant, Transmission oil, Brake fluids, Power Steering fluid etc. All these oils and fluids need to be checked and refilled on regular basis for better performance that would increase the lifespan of a car.

TYRE CHECKS

Checking a car’s tyre pressure every time you go to refill your gas is a habit that everyone should have. Tyres are the most important part of the car and need to be looked after. Tyres maintain the grip and traction between the road and the car. A simple thing as maintaining car’s tyre pressure can help in getting better road grip, longer brake life, rotors will last longer, the car won’t need an alignment soon and axel would be safe.

CHANGE WINDSHIELD WIPERS

The windshield wipers need to change after every few months as they take a lot of wear and tear whether they are used or not as they deal with a lot of weather changes. The most common sign that wipers need to be changed is when they fold underneath or crack on the edges. If not changed, it can damage the windshield and cause problems while driving in bad weather conditions. To drive safely, it is necessary to change windshield wipers.

AIR FILTER CHECK AND REPLACEMENT

A clean air filter provides more mileage, better acceleration, longer engine life, lowers emission and gives the better overall performance. It cleans the air entering the engine as well as prevents debris from entering the engine and harming it. When an air filter gets dirty, its capacity to filter the air going into the engine is reduced which makes the engine unable to function properly. It can cause various issues in the driving experience. The best thing to do is to examine and replace the air filter.

REGULAR SERVICE AND CHECKS

Any responsible car owner should service their car every 3-4 months to get the necessary checks done and parts replaced. Timely service increases the lifespan of a car and all its parts and accessories.

These are the basic tips that should be followed to keep your car running right.

HOW AUTO MECHANICS HAVE BECOME AUTO TECHNICIANS

The Job titles nowadays are getting revamped to make it more suitable and appropriate. Titles like stewardesses have changed to flight attendants, hairdressers are called hair stylists and many more. So when you take your car to fix it you are confronted by an auto technician.

Is there any difference between the two or are they the same?

To clear it out for you, the answer is no. There were various differences between auto mechanics and auto technicians. The main difference is the area of expertise they possess. Auto mechanics are good at fixing most of the parts of a car whereas auto technicians are trained to diagnose the problems that your car might be facing with help of computers. But it has not remained the same anymore.

Back when the On-board diagnosis was introduced in 1996, the car designers began using computers within your car to examine the systems operations. These computers can be connected to equipment and used to diagnose the problems within the car. The systems have become complex and training is definitely required to use them and that is what has transpired the need for Auto Technician. These technicians are trained to deal with computers and the compatible equipment to examine the car problems. Problems and data related to engine, performance and other aspects of the car are known through computer diagnosis.

As the time is changing, all the mechanics are getting well-trained in technical aspects of auto repair and all the technicians are learning how to be more tactical and handy. Whatever you may call them, their quality of work is the same, but their area of expertise differ a bit. Auto mechanic or auto technicians now choose a particular field to specialize in or a particular brand of car as the systems in most of the cars are different.

The innovations in technology are making the auto mechanics more skillful and the process of maintaining the car easy as well as complex. Easy in terms of getting to know the problem sooner and complex as the equipment cannot be used without proper training.

In the end, it all comes down to this, the customers are benefited the most as preventive maintenance can be done now by examining the problem earlier. The cars are fixed using proper equipment and the auto mechanics and technicians are up-to-date with technology to fix the car soon without any risks.

CAN YOU TRUST MOBILE MECHANIC?

It is a question that arises in many people’s mind. Mobile mechanic services are hard to trust for some people as they don’t know the people who are going to fix their car. People usually prefer to go to their local mechanics or ask friends and family to suggest a good one. But mobile mechanics should be and can be trusted. Here are a few reasons to explain why.

THEY COME TO YOU

When your car breaks-down or needs service you can call or book a mobile service online and they come to you wherever you are. It makes the whole process hassle free and you don’t have to re-schedule your day according to your mechanic. It helps save time and the mechanic comes and diagnoses the car in front of you. If you already know the problem, you even get the quote before calling them which makes it safer for you as knowing how much you will have to pay for the services in advance makes you decide better.

ASSURED TRANSPARENT AND HONEST PRICING

The payment system with mobile auto-repair service providers is really simple. The customer gets the pricing details before the booking the service. The pricing is always reasonable and affordable for the services they provide. The price that is offered and the service are booked is what you have to pay for. There is no change in price later on and you don’t have to pay any additional cash to the mechanic either. This kind of transparent and honest pricing is what makes experience trustful.

COMPLETE SAFETY INSURED

A customer’s vehicle’s complete safety is insured as the mechanics are highly qualified and can handle all types of car issues. If a customer doesn’t know what’s wrong with his car, the mechanics are qualified and experienced enough to diagnose the car and point it out. The mechanics that are sent for a job specialize in that particular car problem. A customer can completely trust the mechanics with their car. The experience of the mechanics comes in handy and your car gets fixed soon and no time is wasted.

Mobile auto-repair service should totally be trusted as the services they provide are hassle free and secure. The payment methods are transparent and the mechanics are best in the business at what they do. And the most important part is that you don’t have to waste any additional time or money for getting your car fixed.

DO YOU NEED TO CHANGE ROTORS WITH BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENTS?

This is a question that comes up a lot when you go for a brake pad replacement as brakes of a car are its most important part. A driver’s safety depends on the condition of the brakes.

Basic Information About Brake Pads And Rotors

Most of the auto-repair shops and mechanics would suggest you change the rotors when you change your brake pads. It is necessary to do so as well taking into consideration a few other factors. All types of cars have rotors and to change all four of them can be quite expensive and not everyone can afford to do it frequently. Rotors generally have to be replaced after 15000 – 70000 miles. It also depends on your driving style as the way you apply brakes, the type of traffic conditions you drive in are all among the factors which affect the brake pads and rotors.

What To Do

Even though brakes pad and rotors work together, they are different parts and wear-out differently which makes it important to inspect each part carefully before getting it replaced.

Brake rotors need to have a certain amount of thickness for it to be considered safe. So, you need to check the thickness first. If the thickness is not as required, you should get it replaced as soon as possible. If you don’t replace the brake rotors thinking that it will still last for a while, you might observe a reduction in braking efficiency.

Precautions To Take

The other precautionary measure you can take is that when you get your brake pads replaced, you should get the rotors checked. If the surface of the rotors is uneven or looks a bit damaged, you should get the rotors surface machined to make it smooth and even. The other option here is to get the rotors turned. It will help maintain an even grip between the rotors and the brake pads. If the brake rotors are uneven or damaged, it may cause it to vibrate when you apply the brakes.

Decision Is Yours

In the end, it all comes down to this, if you can afford to change the rotors, it is best to do so. It will help you get phenomenal performance and your safety will be assured. If not, then wait till it gets to the minimum level to be considered safe and then get it changed.

Could Simple Maintenance Save You On Car Repair Costs?

When people think about auto repair, they immediately think about the high-priced solutions that are at Repair Shops. This happens a lot, too. You go to an auto body shop and they look under the hood, only to find out that you have a lot of work that needs done. They could give you an estimate for hundreds if not thousands of dollars, causing you to grimace at the price tag. How can one drop the price a bit? Well, that’s the thing about repairing cars, only a few people know how to do it correctly, and everyone else has to pay for the labor and the parts. But there is a way to reduce the overall cost, and it starts with understanding a few tips about maintenance. If you can just do a few simple things, you could reduce the cost of your repair bills outright. Take into consideration the following simple tips.

Use The Right Fuel

Do not go with premium fuel. Premium gasoline is not only going to be expensive, it’s not going to save your engine. In fact, you could end up doing what is called “pinging”, in your car. What this does, is it causes the engine to burn elements a bit faster, and could end up causing your car to end up with an engine fire over time. Now there are some exceptions to this rule, but chances are you are not driving a race car. Only special cars really need the premium gas that stations sell, and it’s not the average consumer. Don’t be fooled, don’t buy premium unless your owner’s manual specifically says that you should, simple as that.

Changing The Oil Properly

Every 3,000 miles, right? Well, that’s no longer the case. Today, you’re going to have to read your owner’s manual carefully. You can always try to go with 3,000-mile oil changes, but if your car isn’t that old, and has been made after 1992, you do not need to follow this rule. In fact, you could cause damage to the parts, especially for those that have to use a special type of motor oil. Read your owner’s manual, follow that as the bottom line, and don’t believe the hype that surrounds changing oil at every 3,000 miles, it’s not necessary.

Do Not Ignore The Lights

The lights on your dashboard are important. If you don’t understand them, then look at the owner’s manual and figure out what is wrong. Do not let the lights come up and ignore them. This includes tire pressure lights, check engine lights, and the dreaded oil light. If you ignore these, chances are to pay big bucks later. Some people have even driven for miles, but there will be a point where your car breaks down, and you’ll end up with a serious issue. Do not ignore the lights, and always double check what the lights mean if you don’t know what is going on. Doing so, will save you from making the costly error of ignoring them. Once you figure out the issue, go to a trusted Mechanic and save money on a bigger issue.

Tips To Avoid Car Repair Scams

It’s easy to get caught up with car repair issues. When you don’t know much about how to repair a vehicle, you are going to consult a mechanic at one point or another. Many Repair Shops know that people don’t know much about their vehicles, so often they take advantage of consumers. This is a major issue that can cost you a great deal of money. To offset that, you’re going to want to pursue a different path. In fact, consider the following tips that can help you avoid getting scammed, especially if you need some simple repairs.

Learn To Fix Smaller Issues

With the nature of the internet, you can look online and figure out what to do for minor things. Look online for tutorial videos, and different “how to” articles about your specific make and model. You’ll find that you can do a lot of the things that many garages charge a lot for, by yourself. Things like changing spark plugs, changing wires, fluids, adding different components, and even fixing filters etc., you can do a lot. This can save you hundreds of dollars. It’s easy to get through, even if you have a newer model that is normally difficult to manage. Just look online for how to learn to fix smaller issues, and you’ll no doubt be able to gain the upper hand.

Look For Reputable Mechanics

The next thing that you can do is simple, look online for a Mechanic that has been reviewed favorably. You can find a lot of reviews on the web, and they can tell you how to work with the right things moving forward. Looking for reputable mechanics is not a difficult matter, it’s just a matter of looking into reviews online. You’ll be surprised by how many people have reviewed mechanics near you.

Get Estimates

A Repair Shop that doesn’t allow you to get a free estimate is not to be trusted. Do not go with any company that doesn’t allow you to get an estimate of the issues that you’re having. You’ll find that you will end up with a positive view of garages and what the differences are in terms of pricing. Unless your car is not working at all, you should go around your area getting estimates. Always look to see what the cost for parts are, and then compare that to the labor. Ask the individuals if you can buy the parts yourself, and just pay for labor, and whether you can save money through other means. A reputable garage will give you a good quote, with no strings attached, and may give you a discount if you purchase their parts etc.

Use A Warranty

If your car is newer, you may be under warranty. Many consumers forget about this, or don’t inquire with their local dealership. Always look to see if your vehicle is under any warranty, and if it is, seek out specific help from the dealer and a garage that they are associated with. This will help you gain the upper hand with your car repairs, and could save you a great deal of money.