Auto Repair Tempe

All of us that have ever owned a vehicle, know that parts wear out and break down, occasionally leaving us on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. Regular servicing and maintenance can help diagnose small issues before they become huge repairs, but no matter how much you keep your car in top shape, repairs are simply a fact of life for car owners. Depending on the type of repair needed, costs can be minimal or you might seem you need a second mortgage in order to pay the mechanic. Simple Repairs Are Not Always Simple Many people think a flat tire or new battery is no big deal and are surprised to find out how expensive some basic repairs can be. Another wrong turn consumers often make is diagnosing the problem by themselves. Unless you're a mechanic or grew up in an oily smelling garage, you probably don’t know as much as you think you do. You might assume when your car won’t start, it’s only the battery when a certified mechanic will be able to t ... read more

Let's talk about making your tires last longer with regular tire rotation and wheel balancing. Let's start with tire rotation. In normal driving, your front tires wear more on the shoulders, because they handle much of the cornering forces in turns. Front-wheel drive vehicles have even more force on the front tires. We rotate the tires so that all the tires do some duty on the front end, as well as getting a little break on the back end. That way all four tires wear more evenly over their life and last longer. You may have heard tires are always rotated front to back. Is that true? For most vehicles, yes. Some manufacturers recommend a cross-rotational pattern that includes the spare tire, and some high-performance vehicles have a different-sized tire on the front and in the rear and may even have unidirectional tires that can only be on the left or right side of the vehicle. Your Elite Service Advisor can help you sort that out and will perform the right tire rotation for your ve ... read more

As we mentioned last week, we're quickly moving into the buying season for the new 2015 model year. One of the popular auto manufacturers is Volvo, which was recently purchased by Geely. Many industry watchers have been curiously waiting to see what this new version of the Volvo brand would produce. With the introduction of the model we're featuring today, many feel that this will completely redefine the Volvo brand. Volvo has finally revealed the all-new 2015 XC90 luxury crossover SUV, perhaps their most important new product in decades. Notice the engine selections available with turbocharged, supercharged and hybrid models. Consider a couple of reaction comments from automotive enthusiasts made when first seeing this new reveal: "One of a kind vehicle. This new Volvo xc90 2015 is pushing all possible boundaries. BMW Mercedes and all other luxury levels watch out for New VOLVO products coming soon in the near future. This particular model is phenomenal, it's stunning and the te ... read more

In this last quarter of 2014 (wow, that came around fast, didn't it?) it might be time once again to consider the purchase of a new car. While today's head-to-head comparison is for 2014 models, there's a lot of good information that will apply to the 2015 model year. Are you considering an update of your German vehicle, or perhaps you're considering getting into your first one? Either way, don't forget that Elite Auto Repair is a qualified and certified auto repair shop for all German automobiles. If you enjoy a little more "oomph" (that's a special technical auto repair term) in your ride, you don't have to give that up just because you're ride is more sophisticated, or business-like. In this episode of the "Head 2 Head" show, the host sets out to discover which German hot-rod-personal-luxury-coupe is the best you can get. The 507 Coupe is the last iteration of the W204 C63. With the exception of the very limited-run Black Series ... read more

Most motorists are aware of the dangers surrounding tires that are poorly inflated or flat, but many aren't aware of the hidden dangers of an old or worn tire. The danger doesn't immediately present itself making motorists more inclined to keep their tires. The older a tire is, the higher a risk for the tread to separate unexpectedly. Often, during the worst of times resulting in auto accidents, which may involve injuries or even death. For years, it was common knowledge for people to buy tires based on the tread usage. Many diagrams and pictures can be found in vehicle maintenance books as well as the Internet depicting the use of a penny to determine the condition of the tire itself. Unfortunately, few realize how the structural components of a tire will deteriorate over time regardless of outside appearances. An old tire, regardless of how new it looks can potentially pose a safety hazard. For some motorists, they may never have to worry about old tires. If you drive betwee ... read more

Yes, you heard that right...the two companies are looking into using tomato fibers for making automobile parts! They're testing the durability of this idea in relation to car wiring brackets and storage containers. Something like this is obviously very bio-friendly, as it employs tomato skins. "We're exploring whether this food processing byproduct makes sense for an automotive application," said Ellen Lee, plastics research technical specialist for Ford. "Our goal is to develop a strong, lightweight material that meets our vehicle requirements, while at the same time reducing our overall environmental impact." "We are delighted that the technology has been validated," said Vidhu Nagpal, a Heinz packaging director. "Although we are in the very early stages, and many questions remain, we are excited about the possibilities this could produce and the advancement of sustainable 100% plant-based plastics." This is the first time the auto industry and plants have crossed paths ... read more

The 2015 Lexus NX is a luxury compact crossover and competes with vehicles like Audi Q5 and BMW X3. The design is aggressive and the features are impressive. Although late to the upscale, small SUV party, the Lexus NX is far more than a fancy Toyota RAV4. Rather than typical Lexus plushness, the NX aims to be sporty and engaging. Engines include a new turbo four-cylinder (this is the first ever Turbo from Lexus for the American market) and a hybrid. Let's take a look

Here in the Valley Of The Sun we mainly know "winter time" as simply "not quite as hot as summer". Winterizing your car might not seem applicable. However, if you live up north, like the Flagstaff area, or you plan to travel in northern Arizona this winter, the following information may be of interest and importance to you. While today's cars don't require much extra maintenance to turn on in the coldest months, sometimes even with a remote starter from the warmth of your kitchen, there are still a few things that you can do to make sure that your automobile is in top shape this winter. Many of these tips you can handle on your own, but a few you may want to leave to one of our trained mechanics. Check your battery. Cold weather can affect your car's battery. The reactions needed to generate power in a car battery slow down as temperatures drop. At five degrees Fahrenheit, a fully-charged battery's rated amp-hour capacity drops to half. That, along with the ... read more

You may have been late on a few bills, or life quite literally handed you lemons, and it all seems irrelevant now, until you go to purchase a new car. The only thing stopping you is a stellar credit history and the lack of funds. What’s a desperate person to do? While it may seem appealing to purchase a car from those on-the-corner-lots, the follow-up maintenance and repairs may be more expensive in the long run. Is purchasing a new vehicle with bad credit feasibly possible? Yes, but only if you do your homework first. Of course, signing for a new car won’t immediately grant you top-notch credit status, but it will re-establish your credit over time if you’re diligent on your payments. So how do you go about the process? You need to apply for and take out a loan. While the ‘sketchy ’dealership on the corner may be one alternative, beware that not all dealerships will report to the credit bureaus (which is what you need to re-establish your cr ... read more

Your axles are the last link in transferring power from the engine to your wheels. They're strong parts that last a long time, but they can run into trouble. Of course, axles just wear out over time and need to be replaced, and sometimes axle seals leak, causing the axle to wear out prematurely. Lubricant leaks out and water and dirt can get in and contaminate the gears. When this happens, you might hear strange noises coming from your axle. If you have a rear wheel drive vehicle, the sound would be at the back. If you have a front wheel drive vehicle, the sound would be up front. Of course, with an all wheel drive vehicle, the sound could come from either the front or the back. It might be a groaning sound or a clunking noise when you’re turning. Your service technician here in Temple at Elite Auto Repair can inspect for leaking seals. There's a rubber boot that protects the constant velocity, or CV joints, on so ... read more