How to Save Money on Auto Repairs: Tips from a Yuma, AZ Mechanic
Depending on what your car needs, auto repairs can be pricey! According to Cars.com, the average cost of repairs is generally between $400-$600. Although that’s a good ballpark figure for many types of repairs, your actual repair costs can vary quite a bit depending on which part is being repaired or replaced, the make and…
What’s the Best Type of Fuel/Gas for My Car?
It might be a question you have every time you pull up to the gas pump: what’s the best type of fuel for my car? Does the octane matter? Can one give you better mileage than another? Understanding Octane Regular fuel is 87 octane; premium fuel is 91 or 93. Mid-grade octane falls in the…
What’s a Differential?
Most drivers have heard of a differential—but what does it actually do? When making a turn in your vehicle, the outer wheels travel faster and further than the inner wheels. The differential is a specialized gearbox that transfers power from the engine to the wheels, while also allowing the wheels to rotate at different speeds…
Is it Really Necessary to Service Your Transmission?
Whether you have a manual or an automatic, the transmission is one of the hardest working (and expensive!) systems in your car. Like the engine, transmissions contain a fluid that helps keep the moving parts lubricated, cleans and protects the metal surfaces, conditions the gaskets, and prevents excessive wear. In an automatic transmission, the transmission…
Why Are My Brakes Making That Sound?
When it comes to vehicle sounds, noise coming from the brakes can be the most disconcerting. After all, your braking system is one of the most important features keeping you safe on the road. Some brake noises are benign; others are more worrisome and should be checked out right away. Here are some of the…
What You Should Know About Jump-Starting Your Car
Most of us have experienced a dead battery at some point. You turn the key, and instead of hearing the roar of your engine coming to life, there’s either silence or a series of repetitive clicks. The engine refuses to turn over—and this is the only time you should jump-start your car. If you’re driving…
Your Oil Questions Answered
Today’s engines are quite a bit different than engines in the past. They need less maintenance, are more powerful, and need less fuel. Since they don’t require as much maintenance as older engines, oil changes have become even more important for keeping your engine in good shape. All oil used today is “paraffin-based” oil; this…
How to Spot Car Trouble Using Only Your Senses
One of the best things about owning a car for years is that you really get to know it. You know what it sounds like when it’s running well, which vibrations are normal, and what to expect from its performance. So, it’s generally easy to tell when something feels different or “off” with your car…
What You Should Know About the Oil Warning Lights
Engines run at extremely high temperatures; they rely on oil to provide lubrication and carry the potentially damaging heat away. To be able to do this, however, you need to have enough motor oil, and it needs to be flowing at the right pressure. If there’s a problem detected with the oil system, it will…
Is Your AC Ready for Summer? Find Out with 5 Simple Steps
Did you know Yuma is one of the hottest, sunniest cities in the U.S.? Needless to say, air conditioning is a lifesaver here! Unfortunately, many drivers don’t think about their AC until there’s a problem. There’s nothing worse than being in 100+ degree weather and discovering that your air conditioning isn’t working! For that reason,…