CAR CARE BLOG
August 18, 2017 / miscellaneous
Preventing a Battery Disaster
Hey guys it has been some time since I have had time to sit down and write a blog. With the hot humid weather we have been having here in NC I felt that it is necessary to talk about your battery and how to prevent disaster. Did you know that the #1 reason for cars breaking down on the side of the road is the battery? Most people don't think about their battery until their car won't start and then it is too late. Heat takes a toll on batteries and if your battery is the least bit weak during this hot time, then the probability of your car leaving you stranded without any warning is at its highest. Yes you can jump your car off and get it going but it may not get you far. What most people don't know is that once a battery gets below a certain cranking amp, then the car will just cut off on you going down the road. Just think about how dangerous this could be and what an inconvenience it may cause you. If you are unsure of the age or condition of your battery just take it to a professional shop and get a battery check. A little upfront effort can save you a whole lot of heartaches.
Winterization
December 9, 2016 /miscellaneous
As winter quickly approaches, don't let it catch you off guard. The freezing temps can do a number on your car-----from busted radiators caused by incorrect mixture of antifreeze or old antifreeze that has lost its strength to no start from weak batteries. A little preventative goes a long way.
The Car Care Council recommends the following steps for winterizing your vehicle:
- Have the battery and charging system checked for optimum performance. Cold weather is hard on batteries.
- Clean, flush and put new antifreeze in the cooling system. As a general rule of thumb, this should be done every two years.
- Make sure heaters, defrosters and wipers work properly.. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.
- Check the tire tread depth and tire pressure. If snow and ice are a problem in your area, consider special tires designed to grip slick roads. During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly.
Be - Be diligent about changing the oil and filter at recommended intervals. Dirty oil can spell trouble in winter. Have your technician check the fuel, air and transmission filters at the same time.
Automotive Apps--Here to stay
June 28, 2016 /miscellaneous
I am old school so it is hard for me to wrap my head around all the technology that is out there now. There is literally an App for anything you can think of, even for cars. They can guide your way and inform you of problems ahead, tell you where you children are, find gas stations, help you find your parked car, and everything in between. Listed below of just a few that I have come across that seem to be some of the favorites.
- My Max Speed: If you worry about your kid this can monitor your car's location and speed and is an excellent way to keep your children safe and out of harm's way.
- Drive Safe.Ly: How hard is it to not pick up your phone while driving when you hear a beep alerting you of a message. Drive Safe.Ly solves this problem by reading the message to you without even having to push a button.
- IconRoad: This app monitors your vehicle's position on the road and alerts the driver of possible collisions, lane departures and hazards.
- Find My Car: This is my favorite!! What woman wouldn't love this. This app keeps track of the location where you parked your car. It automatically tracks and saves your location so you will no longer have to roar the parking lot for your lost car. GOTTA HAVE!
- MMGuardian: This is another app that assures you kid stays safe while driving. Install the app on your phone and from there you will be able to block phone calls and text messages while your kid is driving. This way they will not be tempted!!!
Try downloading one of these apps and let us know how it works for you OR if you know of another app that you love let us know so we can pass it on.
A/C Repair Advice
Advice for customers:
May 13, 2016 /A/C
1. Automotive A/C systems contain numerous components. These components never fail all at the same time.
2. Blended refrigerants are NEVER recommended - always use pure refrigerant and test new tanks for purity.
3. Refrigerant leaks can be extremely difficult to find. Sometimes dye and driving time are the only way to successfully identify a leak.
4. A bad fan clutch or condenser fan will greatly reduce cooling and can internally damage or destroy the compressor.
5. An A/C system that has been empty for weeks or months might not immediately show a leak after charging.
6. A repair estimate is only an ESTIMATE. Hidden issues not detectable at first may emerge after the initial repair.
7. Refrigerant leaks never fix themselves, and stop-leak only causes more problems.
8.To stay cooler, always use low to medium fan speeds and MAX/recirculate
9.Avoid long periods of idling with the A/C on in hot weather to prolong the life of your car's A/C system.
A/C Maintenance can save the day
May 1, 2016 /A/C
As a society we have gotten so accustomed to comfort. Nothing seems to irritate us more than being hot and sticky. We get cranky, less productive, and our fuse gets short. We often overlook maintenance on our A/C system and just wait until it quits cooling and then our lack of A/C becomes an emergency to us. Don’t get caught off guard with no A/C in your car this summer. To avoid being left in the heat, take your vehicle to a trusted shop and get the A/C checked out. An A/C service can help assure that you stay cool. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
SPRING CLEANING
March 15, 2016 /maintenance
Spring is just around the corner and it seems almost like summer on some days. Everyone seems to get that urge to do spring cleaning at this time of year, but we often overlook our vehicle. That car needs that cleaning and sprucing up just as much as your home does. Winter grime and road salts have taken a toll; living and eating in our car has created trash; the trunk as become a storage closet; and we have probably put off some basic maintenance. There is no better time to take care of all that necessary spring cleaning. It will lift your spirits, save you money, extend the life of your car and give you peace of mind.
New Exemption :NC State Inspection Guidelines
February 10, 2016 /miscellaneous
Believe it or not, the state has given a small break to owners of newer vehicles. There is now a 3 year/70,000 Mile Emissions Inspection Exemption. The law eliminates the requirement of an emissions Inspection on vehicles registered in NC that meet certain {.....}
WHAT IS A WHEEL ALIGNMENT?
January 20, 2016 /alignment
Alignment, also known as wheel alignment or tire alignment, is a very important part of maintenance to your vehicle. Keeping your car in alignment can help your tires last much longer, improve {.....}
DO I NEED AN ALIGNMENT?
January 26, 2016 /alignment
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
Did you just get new tires? If so, then you definitely need an alignment to help prevent premature tire wear.
Do I feel my vehicle pulling to the left or right? Indicates that your vehicle needs an alignment.
Is your steering wheel off center when you are driving straight? Another good indication that an alignment is needed.
Do you feel a vibration in you steering wheel? Probably need {.....}
HOW TO SELECT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP
December 8, 2015 / miscellaneous
Have you ever felt the dread of going to an auto repair shop--almost as bad as the dread you feel when you go to the dentist? No one wants to spend out their hard earned money for a repair on their car. However, {....}
WHEN TO THROW IN TOWEL AND GET ANOTHER CAR?
November 5, 2015 / miscellaneous
Well sometimes you just know that the time is here to throw in the towel. Most of the time it is not a clear black and white decision that is easily made. Many factors should be considered before making this decision. A car is a big investment and should not be taken lightly. 1. Does something seem to be going wrong {....}
We at Paul's Automotive Service & Repair are very vested in Education. We believe that education is empowerment and empowerment gives individuals the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions concerning their vehicles and their safety. Without the necessary information no one can be expected to make good decisions and are basically at the mercy of what anyone might tell them. No one is ever too old or too young to learn basic information that will help extend the life of their car, help avoid unnecessary costly repairs, avoid unnecessary breakdowns and stay safe on the highway. We have seen so many individuals with major vehicle issues that could have been prevented if only the individual had known some basic car care information.
Thus this BLOG has materialized to inform car owners about basic car care and safety and steps they can take to help prevent major problems that could cost them thousands in unnecessary repairs.