Auto Repair Tempe

You may not realize cleaning your engine can lengthen its life, help it run cooler, and allow you to find problems easier. The number of 100,000-mile cars on the road is at an all-time high, meaning engines are in need of proper care now more than ever before. Using a name brand engine degreaser in tandem with an engine protector is a simple routine to help care for the "heart" of your vehicle. Using an engine cleaning system twice per year, typically in spring and winter, will keep your vehicle running longer and more efficiently by protecting against wear and tear from exposure to external elements such as salt, snow, tar, dirt and road grime. Anyone can perform preventative maintenance easily themselves, which removes built-up residue and protects the engine, allowing it to run cooler, resist grime better, and last longer. Here are the simple steps to follow: Step 1: Before applying engine degreaser, shut off the engine and wait until it has cooled. Then, cover ... read more

Today it's time for a bit of light hearted fun. We're going to look at what happens when do-it-yourself car repair goes, really, really wrong! If you ever see anything like these on the road or in a parking lot, snap a shot of it and send it in to us, we'd love to see it

In some states Google is already operating self-driving cars, which are mainly updating Google maps street images. Have you ever wondered if this technology would come to the public at large? Just imagine, you get in your car on your way to work. You punch in your destination and then relax as you check e-mail and enjoy your morning coffee as your car automatically and safely delivers you to your destination. Near-future fact, or total fiction? It may be closer than you think! This update comes to us via AutoNews.com... It seems Automakers are pushing hard toward the goal of putting self-driving vehicles on public roads. The technology required to do so keeps showing up on new vehicles. Automobiles can already warn drivers of obstacles, impending collisions and lane departures. Some can nudge cars back into their lanes or even put the brakes on. However, a lack of infrastructure may slow the rise of auto-driving cars as it has the growth of e ... read more

I'm often asked questions about the cooling system, the system that cools your engine and keeps it at the proper operating temperature. I like to divide the topic into two areas. First, the coolant itself, and second, the parts that make up the cooling system. The coolant is the mix of water and antifreeze that circulates through the engine to draw off heat. First, you need to have the proper amount. If you don’t have enough coolant, it can't keep your engine cool. You also need the right kind of coolant. Different makes of vehicles require different coolant formulation, to protect against corrosion. Finally, your coolant needs to be fresh. Over time and miles, the anticorrosion additives in the coolant are depleted, and the coolant can actually start to eat away at the cooling system parts. Your owners manual and Elite Service Advisor can help you with the recommended coolant replacement schedule and make sure you're getting the right type of coolant. Now let's talk about the ... read more

Automatic overdrive systems are a form of transmission system offering significant performance enhancements and can also increase the efficiency of your car. When people hear the term 'overdrive' they may think it's all about speed, but that's not the focus of the feature. Overdrive can help a car to go faster, but it's really focused on allowing the engine to run at a lower RPM while maintaining the vehicle's current cruising speed. When To Use Overdrive Overdrive is an incredibly useful feature, and it's one you should use the vast majority of the time. The only time you'd likely need to turn overdrive off is if your vehicle is climbing a very steep hill or carrying/towing something incredibly heavy. In those situations, it's beneficial to be able to rev the engine a bit more. It's also useful to be able to go into lower gears if you're going down very steep hills. Many modern engines have 'smart' transmissions, w ... read more

Set to sell for less than half the price of the least expensive car in America, the 3-wheeled Elio is aiming to shake up the automotive industry. It isn't electric but uses a small gasoline-powered system. However, due it's small, light, and aerodynamic design, it's economical prowess is vast. The Elio features a 1+1, 2-seat design. It utilizes a 70-hp, 1-liter, 3-cylinder front-mounted engine. Now, compared to engine sizes you're used to hearing, even in sub compact cars, that still sounds like a pretty small engine perhaps more suited to a lawn mower, or at least a lawn tractor. Once again, due to its physical features it can hit speeds of up to 100 mph, and it can accelerate to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds. And the fuel economy is jaw-dropping. Up to 84 mpg on the highway and up to 49 mpg in the city. With a full tank of gas (only 8 gallons), the Elio can travel up to 672 miles. That's a road trip from New York to Detroit with no stopping for gas. Here are some other features ... read more

Thinking of buying a good used car? Here's another great group of vehicle suggestions from CarFax regarding judging the value of an used automobile you're thinking about purchasing. If you're looking to buy a used car, don't let car prices confuse you. Learn how vehicle history affects the price of cars in the video above. How Vehicle History Affects Used Car Prices We all know that vehicle history can have a big impact on car prices. When you’re out shopping for a used car you'll probably be paying close attention to its vehicle history report. Here are the top five things you should be looking for and how they may impact the price. #5: Don’t Get Rolled on a Rollback Inconsistent or rolled back odometers are still a big problem – even with cars that have digital odometers. Con men use high-tech equipment to make miles disappear in an attempt to rip off unsuspecting buyers. Beware if you check a car's history and discover miles may be missing. A typ ... read more

We see it all the time...bargain basement pricing for popular auto repair services. Today we're going to focus on the very important brake job, and why you should never skimp on a critical safety system like this. This video feature comes to us from David Rogers, the Monday Morning Mechanic. If you're concerned about your brakes, bring your car in for a free brake inspection. If you're in need of any repairs we'll provide you with a free estimate that's fair and complete

It happens to everyone at some point: you're running late, it's a big day, and just when you think you're going to make it, you turn your key and...your car does nothing. There are a number of reasons why your car may not start. Some of them can be pretty quick, inexpensive fixes, but some may require the assistance of a professional mechanic. Here are some of the more common issues that can cause your car to not start. Check the Battery Cables If your car makes no noise at all when you try to start it, one of the battery cables may be the problem. Look to see if they're corroded. If you're comfortable using hand tools under the hood, you can take a screwdriver, push the point between the connector and the battery post, and twist it a little. If the engine then starts, the problem is the cable, and you'll need to replace as soon as possible. Is the Battery Dead? If your car makes a clicking noise, the problem may be the battery ... read more

Helicopter drones are nothing new. Autonomous, self-driving cars are already on the road, in fact we talked a lot about these cars last month. But what if you could put the two of them together? It might be a challenge, but just imagine! It sounds like something out of a futuristic video game. Scientists at Carnegie Mellon's National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) have gotten together with Sikorsky, a leading supplier of military helicopters. In this 18-month study, the idea is to get eyes on the ground in areas too dangerous for humans by dropping autonomous vehicles from drone helicopters. (I never thought I would ever type that sentence!) Specifically, the study will use an auto-piloted Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter, which can carry an unmanned ground vehicle in a sling. The helicopter will drop the ground vehicle at a designated location and return to its base of operations. The driverless vehicle will then perform scans of its environment, biological, nuclear and ... read more