What’s that funny squealing noise that I hear for a few seconds after I start my car in the morning and why do I care? It’s like this: The starter motor and alternator are electrical mirror images of each other. The starter motor takes a large amount of electrical energy to produce mechanical energy. The […]
View PostFront Disk Brakes Replaced
So your car needs the front disc brakes replaced. This is a pretty common job in a repair shop, but there are big differences between what different shops do when they perform a front disc brake job. What do you need to know? First, the front disc brake system has three major parts: the ROTOR, […]
View PostInitial Evaluation of a Used Car
I have been asked many times what I look for when buying a used car. What might you look for to decide if the vehicle you’re considering buying is worth taking to a mechanic and paying for a used car evaluation? (Which I always recommend, by the way.) My usual routine to qualify it for […]
View PostDon’t Drive to Tacoma
What do you do when the nearest dealer for your make of vehicle is in Tacoma? I’m talking about Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Mini-Cooper, Land Rover, Jaguar, and Lexus. Does this mean you have to take the day off and drive to Tacoma to get your vehicle serviced or repaired? Absolutely not! You are looking […]
View PostCheck Engine Light
Is there really a good reason to pay an automotive shop to have your check engine light diagnosed? If you Google “check engine light” you can find a lot of advice recommending you simply go to a local parts store, some of who will “scan” the code in the computer for free. Sounds like a […]
View PostBatteries
Cold weather is upon us and this is a time that battery failures occur most often. Not only does extreme cold make an engine harder to turn over in the morning, but it also slows down the chemical process that produces electricity in the battery cells. If you ever go to start your car and […]
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