Posts Tagged North Phoenix mechanics

Road Trip Ready Vehicle

Driving across the country can be an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, but are you sure that your car or truck can take the punishment? To be sure, you should contact your local auto mechanic and ask him or her to give your vehicle a nice once-over. Of course, if you want to save money, you can do the checkup yourself. The following six items should be checked before you take your car out on the open road. If you don’t, you may find yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere with no ride and no luck.

Flush The Radiator

You should replace your coolant at least once per year. Over time, the radiator coolant can break down and it can begin to corrode your radiator. This can lead to very expensive problems later on. It’s best to just flush it and fill it when it comes to preparing for a long road trip.

Check Your Tires

If you’re going to be traveling in the summer, that likely means rain. Make sure the tread on your tires will accommodate wet or otherwise hazardous roads. You wouldn’t want to find yourself in a ditch or worse. And while you’re down there, make sure you also check your tire’s pressure. Look in the vehicle’s instruction manual for the proper psi.

Replace Windshield Wipers

During the winter months, your windshield wipers can become warped and useless. It’s best to replace them so that you never have to worry about not being able to see in torrential downpours.

Replace Your Air Filter

This should be done at least twice per year. It takes five minutes and it will save you loads of headaches in the future.

How Are Your Brakes?

You shouldn’t attempt a brake job unless you’re specifically trained to do so. That being said, your brakes should be inspected twice per year to make sure that everything is up to par. You never want to take chances with your vehicle’s brakes, especially when you’re traveling a long way on unfamiliar roads.

Check Your Battery

If your battery is corroded or the connections appear loose, try cleaning it and tightening the wires and cords that connect to the positive and negative ports. Use a voltmeter to test the connections. If you’re getting adequate power and you’ve managed to clear the corrosion, you should be good to go. But if your battery isn’t working adequately, it’s better to change it now rather than later. You never know when it’ll die, and it’ll probably happen at the least opportune moment.

If you are heading out on a road trip, contact Auto Air & Electric where we will make sure you get to and from your destination safely with expert auto air conditioner repair and general automotive services.

Auto Air & Electricl

2240 W. Bell Rd
Phoenix,
AZ
85023

(602) 548-0901

Six Vehicle Problems You Can’t Afford to Ignore

You like your vehicle and you rely on it to take you wherever you need to go. However, when your car starts to develop a problem, it can be a very stressful time. Most people have no idea how to diagnose problems with their automobiles and that means they risk being taken advantage of by unscrupulous auto mechanics looking to make a quick buck. But the following list may help you pinpoint any problems without needing to pay for expensive diagnostics work.
1. Your car isn’t stopping as it should: This can be caused by brake fading. If stopping distance seems to increase, which causes longer braking distances, you may need to have your brakes looked at or replaced.
2. Car moves right or left when brakes are applied: In this instance, your brakes may be grabbing. This is when the brakes engage suddenly whenever you apply steady pressure to your brake pedal. This can cause serious problems when driving and should never be left to get any worse.
3. Engine cuts out: This is caused by a temporary complete loss of power. If your engine quits at regular intervals under heavy acceleration, you may want to take it in right away as this could indicate a serious problem, but it can also be minor. A professional will determine the best course of action.
4. You hear a popcorn sound under the hood: This is caused by mild to severe pings during detonation. If the problem gets worse while accelerating, don’t drive the car until you can bring it in for a checkup.
5. Puddles under your vehicle: Dark puddles can either mean oil, axle grease, power steering fluid or transmission oil. If the puddles are yellow, green, pink or orange, you may be leaking coolant. And if the puddle is clear, this could just be normal condensation from your vehicle’s A/C system. If you’re unsure what that substance is under your car, don’t just let it go. It’s better to get it checked out than be sorry later.
6. Odd smells coming from your car: If you smell a thick, heavy odor accompanied by smoke, you may be burning oil. And if the odor is more like burnt toast, you may have an electrical short. And if the odor is hot and metallic, you may have an antifreeze or coolant disorder. And if the smell is more akin to rotten eggs than anything, that could indicate a problem with your emissions. Any foul odor coming from your car is a bad thing and should be checked out as soon as possible.

To help you find an auto mechanic that can help you diagnose these problems and many others, visit Auto Air & Electric, where you’ll find this and much more, including complete auto service and maintenance in North Phoenix .

Call Auto Air & Electric at 602-548-0901 for more information.

Email: Mike@autoairandelectric.com

Auto Air & Electricl

2240 W. Bell Rd
Phoenix,
AZ
85023

(602) 548-0901

Steps to take in Buying a Used Car

6 Things You Should Do Before You Buy a Used Car

Used car shopping is an exciting time, especially when you find one you really like. But before you hand over any money for that vehicle, make sure it’s in good working order. Just as you should never judge a book by its cover, you should never trust the health and history of a car just by how shiny its paint job looks. Instead, take these six very important steps when it comes to deciding whether or not to buy that used car you have your eyes on.

Go For a Test Drive

Before you pay money for any car, new or used, you should take it for a test drive. If the owner of the vehicle insists to go with you, make sure the person doesn’t try to cover up any odd noises or smells. Some owners will talk over the noises while you’re test driving or they’ll temporarily mask engine odors with strong air fresheners. It’s best to focus in on the car while you’re driving. Pay attention to how it feels, how it smells and listen for any clunking or other odd noises that could indicate problems.

Outside of the Car

While you’re circling the car, check the front and rear bumpers by pushing down on them. If the shocks are good, you should feel continuous bounce. But if the car feels squishy, the shocks are probably worn and should be replaced before you pay for the vehicle.

Check the Tires

The tires should have proper tread and proper inflation. Tires are not cheap and you should never assume that the tires are in good working order. To be safe, always check tires as part of the overall package when purchasing a used automobile.

Check Electrical Devices

Does the air conditioner work? What about the radio or CD player? Do all the dials work? What about any of the extra features that came with the model in question? These are important considerations as automotive electric repair isn’t cheap.

Check Carfax

While you’re checking out the car, put the VIN number into Carfax and get an accurate snapshot of that vehicle’s history. You’ll be able to tell if the vehicle has been in an accident, what repairs were done, etc.

Bring It To a Certified Mechanic

The best way to determine whether or not you’re spending your money wisely is to bring the vehicle in question to a certified auto mechanic shop. At Auto Air & Electric, we will take the vehicle through a multi-point systems check. We will give you an accurate report that includes our recommendation and any repairs the vehicle may need. Come into Auto Air & Electric and let us help you find the perfect used car.

Call 602-548-0901

Email: Sales@autoairandelectric.com

Auto Air & Electric

2240 W. Bell Rd
Phoenix,
AZ
85023

(602) 548-0901

Posts Tagged North Phoenix mechanics

Road Trip Ready Vehicle

Road Trip Ready Vehicle

Six Vehicle Problems You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Six Vehicle Problems You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Steps to take in Buying a Used Car

6 Things You Should Do Before You Buy a Used Car

Call 602-548-0901

Email: Sales@autoairandelectric.com

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