Category: Car Advice

Keep your car clean by washing it regularly as well as keeping the interior clean. Not only is a dirty car an eyesore but dirt can scratch the paint surface and bird dropping can actually eat into the car’s finish causing permanent damage. We all know there is a lot of dust in Yuma so […]

Here in Yuma, we all know the summer heat can be intense. On the day this is being written, the forecast is for 114 degrees this afternoon! This is an area of the country where air conditioning is more of a “must have” than a convenience. When your car has been parked in the sun, […]

You might wonder what precautions and procedures take place for auto repair companies like Accurate Automotive attention here in Yuma. It has been an interesting exercise in trying to think of the things that must be done to protect staff and clients alike. There are the obvious things like sanitizing counters and frequently touched surfaces […]

Buying a used car can be a stressful time. Knowing a bit more about do’s and don’ts may help relieve some of that stress. First, what is your budget? That can either be the amount you have saved up or it can be the amount you may have to borrow. Knowing what the payments will […]

A mass air flow sensor (MAF) is a device that is between the air filter and the intake manifold. Its job is to measure the mass of the air entering the engine. Note that the word is “mass”, not amount or volume. The mass of the air entering the engine is affected by things such […]

Many cars and trucks have solid windows and windshields with a black edge and black dots near the black edge that get smaller in size as they move away from the edge. Did you ever wonder why the black edge and the black dots are there? The explanation is pretty simple and logical. Windshields and […]

Here in Yuma air conditioning is more than a luxury, it is a must have for our homes, our businesses, our cars and all the places we visit each day. But, did you ever wonder just how air conditioning (a/c) works? How does it make the “cold” air that keeps us cool in all those […]

The answer isn’t what you were probably expecting. It is “routine maintenance”! We all dread car repairs because it is expensive and always inconvenient. However, following the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals will greatly reduce the odds of a breakdown. Better yet, the inconvenience is avoided because you can make appointments for your routine maintenance services […]

One of the worst things we hear from our clients is this statement: “I just bought this car and got a great deal. Please check it out and let me know if it needs anything.” ARGH! We just want to scream and ask, “Why didn’t you bring it to us first?!” We have had to […]

Do you really know the answer to that question? When was the last time you checked all of the lights on your car or truck? Look around you as you drive. On almost any trip across town to run an errand, go to work, etc., look around you at traffic lights and you will more […]

Everywhere we drive we find roads that are in need of maintenance and repair. Often there are potholes to be contended with and it seems that most drivers do little to avoid them. Potholes should be avoided when safely possible. It’s not a terrible thing if you can’t avoid them, and it certainly is not […]

Choosing the correct brake pads for your car can sometimes be confusing. There seems to be a number of choices and, of course, price options available when selecting the brake pads you want to have on your car. We always recommend the pads that most closely match the manufacturer’s original pad type as that is […]

The Traction Control System (TCS) in your vehicle is responsible for helping your vehicle maintain control by assisting with road grip in slippery conditions. If a wheel loses traction, the TCS will automatically engage to keep your car stable and headed in the direction you intend. It works by using the same components as your […]

In September, 2018, Hurricane Florence dumped immense amounts of rain over the east coast doing about $22 billion in property damage while flooding homes, businesses, and of course, automobiles of all kinds. You definitely do not want to buy a vehicle that has been in flood waters, sometimes for days at a time! Sitting under […]

Questions? Ask us right now! Click on the chat box on the bottom right of the page.    

In your engine there are hundreds of moving parts that need to be properly lubricated to ensure they do not fail prematurely and provide maximum efficiency while the engine is running, and that’s just the beginning. Motor Oil is essentially the life-blood of any automotive vehicle, it ensures that the engine stays clean, friction free, […]

We all know how important it is to keep up with our vehicle’s maintenance such as oil changes, making sure fluids are topped of and clean, replacing worn brake pads, fuel and air filters, etc. But what about washing the vehicle? How often should that be done and why? There is a lot of dust […]

People often wonder, just how far can I drive on a spare tire? As with many things, the correct answer is, “It depends”. Flat tires are always inconvenient and frustrating when they occur. In Yuma Arizona, it can be compounded by our extremely hot temperatures in the summer months. The answer varies by the tire […]

One of the most popular misconceptions in the automotive industry is the myth that you have to take your car back to the dealership for maintenance services to keep your warranty intact. Naturally, dealerships do nothing to dispel this myth, they may even perpetuate it so that they are able to keep the consumer coming […]

People often wonder whether certain maintenance items that may be recommended to them by a shop are really necessary. Others want to do a good job of maintenance on their car but aren’t sure how except to just take it in for oil changes when the sticker that was placed on the car the last […]

One of the things many people do all too often is allowing the fuel level to become too low. Many don’t realize that the fuel pumps are located inside the fuel tank. The fuel acts as a cooling agent for the fuel pump so running the fuel tank low on fuel causes the pump to […]

It is always a good idea to check your car’s lighting system before taking a road trip to ensure your car is as safe as possible (among other things such as tire condition and pressures). Lights play a critical role in ensuring your safety such as turn indicators, brake lights, and of course, headlights. Have […]

Some car repairs and maintenance may be tax deductible under the right circumstances. The first question to be answered is whether the car was used for business purposes. Driving to work and back is not business related but if you use your car to travel between two business locations or to deliver goods or services, […]

Oftentimes warning lights, squeaks, vibration or noises are ignored by vehicle owners as the car seems to be functioning fine otherwise. But what is the cost of ignoring these signs? In some cases the cost can be negligible such as squealing brakes when the pad material is over the minimum thickness since replacing the pads […]

Traditional lead acid batteries are filled with sulfuric acid and so are AGM batteries. The difference is in the interior construction of the battery. A traditional battery has lead plates and allows the acid to slosh around inside the battery. An AGM battery has fiberglass mats that absorb the acid. That’s where the name comes […]