Auto Repair Tempe

On this episode of Ignition, Carlos Lago of Motor Trend magazine heads to a rain soaked Road America to test the limits of the all new BMW M3! Reworked from the ground up, the 2015 M3 ditches the screaming V8 of the last generation for an all new twin turbocharged inline six producing 425hp and 406lb-ft of twisting force. Designed to outperform its predecessor in every measurable way, has the M3 become numb in its quest for higher performance, or will it deliver on its promise of being the best driving M yet? Let's find out in the video below... Ignition appears every other Monday on the Motor Trend YouTube channel

It seems like every cost involved with your car keeps increasing. Gas prices keep climbing, maintenance seems to cost more and more, and every time you have to replace something, it eats a hole in your pocketbook. There are some things you can do to help keep your car in good shape. Most of these things don't cost much in time or money, but you do have to remember to do them when they're needed. One very important thing to do is actually read the owner's manual that comes with your car. Some people assume that since they've been driving for years, the owner's manual has nothing new to tell them. However, this booklet outlines everything you need to know about proper maintenance for you vehicle. It tells you when to schedule your oil changes (it's NOT every 3,000 miles), how long your warranty covers different parts of your car, and more. Not only do you need to read this information, you also need to make sure you keep your owner's manual in the car so you ... read more

With the way the price of gas continues to rise and rise, hybrid cars have become more and more popular. But there are a lot of different myths about hybrids. If you're seriously considering purchasing a hybrid car, you need to learn what's fact and what's fiction. Here are four different myths about hybrid cars and the truth about them. Hybrids Aren't As Powerful As Gas-Powered Vehicles The truth is that hybrids, especially the more recent models, have just as much horsepower and get-up-and-go as other cars. Hybrid technology is continuing to evolve, and as it does, the vehicles become more and more powerful. In fact, some of the newest hybrids on the market can beat a number of traditional vehicles in a zero to 60 test. Hybrids Are Not Affordable For The Average Person While it's very true that when they first hit the market, hybrids were fairly expensive. However, like any new technology, the cost quickly dropped. Today, you can p ... read more

The Advantages of Synthetic Blend Motor Oil in the Tempe, Chandler and Phoenix Areas Motor oil is one of the most important fluids in your vehicle. It handles important tasks like carrying away heat from vital engine parts, reducing the friction between engine parts and removing corrosive particles from the engine. Because the cost of replacing an engine can be a major expense, it makes good economic sense to do all you can to extend its lifespan. This means maintaining the oil in your vehicle's engine based on the recommendations of your car's manufacturer. However, it's important to realize your vehicle may require more frequent oil changes based on the environmental conditions your car is operating under. When you go too long between oil changes, you potentially risk serious damage to your car's engine due to the sludge that builds up as the oil bre ... read more

Engine Cooling System If your car is overheating, it can be very serious. You shouldn't continue to drive if you see the temperature gauge has moved towards the "hot" side. Your car may not immediately explode or anything like that, but driving with an overheating engine can cause serious damage to your vehicle. It's better to pull over and deal with it right away instead of risking very expensive repairs later. There are a number of things that can cause your engine to overheat. Some of these are fairly common issues, especially on a hot summer day in the Phoenix, Tempe and Chandler areas. Improperly Circulating Coolant If the water/antifreeze mixture isn't circulating correctly, the engine will start to overheat. This mixture keeps your engine cool during the hot months and prev ... read more

If you're thinking about buying a new car, you're already prepared to spend a good amount of money. Even if you get financing, you may need to make a pretty good sized down payment. However, there are a few different things you can do that'll help you save a little bit more money. Here are a few of these tips. Know the Car you Want Car salesmen want you to walk onto their lot and drive away in a new car. If you know exactly what car you want, that's fine. If you haven't researched, though, you may not know a particular vehicle's drawbacks, concerns other drivers have about it, or the best price. If you walk onto a lot knowing the value of a car, you're one step ahead of the salesman already. Don't buy until you’ve educated yourself about the vehicle. Know When to Buy The myth about buying a car in certain months is actually true. This has to do with when dealers get in the newest models. New models tend to come in ... read more

Can you ever have TOO MUCH horsepower, performance, and handling? Most auto enthusiasts would exclaim with a resounding, "NO!" We have to admit, around here this is all pretty popular too! For 2016 Ford has teamed up with Petty's Garage to make one head-turning Mustang! Here's the lowdown from Erick Ayapana over at Motor Trend... "Ford has once again teamed up with Petty’s Garage to create a limited-edition Mustang GT. The modified creations, called Petty’s Garage 2016 Ford Mustang GT King editions, make more power than the stock Mustang GTs and will sell in small numbers. "For starters, Petty’s Garage bolts on a Ford Performance supercharger that adds an additional 235 horsepower for a total of 670 hp. A level two option bumps power to 727 hp. Other modifications include TrakPak Ford Performance halfshafts, adjustable front and ... read more

You've selected the car, you've road tested the car, everything is fine, but still, remember one thing, you never fall in love with a car. Especially when you're negotiating to buy it. Cars are just mechanical devices and there are all kinds of them. You can go to the next dealer and find the same thing so, don't fall in love, at least not just yet. :) Now, it's time to make the actual deal. There are certain key things about making a deal on an automobile. You have to remember that the dealership is in business to make a profit, they're entitled to make a profit, they have a big overhead. Trying to get them below where they would make a profit is probably not going to happen. If they do that on a regular basis they're going to be out of business in short order. You want to negotiate a price based on your research that's fair to both you and the dealer. Once you get to that point, remember, everything that's promised to you, has to be in writing and i ... read more

All new cars and light trucks, since 2008, have come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. The TPMS system detects when a tire becomes under-inflated and lights up a warning light on the dash. So what's the big deal? Well, under-inflated tires can be a real safety concern. First of all, they don't handle properly, and that can lead to an accident. And second, under-inflated tires can overheat and cause the tire to come apart, which can also lead to an accident. Government regulations requiring TPMS systems aim to reduce accidents and save lives, a very worthy goal. There are also positive environmental effects, because under-inflated tires are fuel wasters. You lose one percent of your fuel economy for every three pounds of pressure below ideal. So, proper tire inflation can save you a tank of gas a year. And, your tires last longer, so you won't have to replace them as often. There are two kinds of TPMS systems. Direct systems have a battery-powered sensor in each ... read more

There are many things we all carry around in our cars. Usually, however, these things are items that we don't really need--books, an extra set of clothing, maybe even some snacks. But there are some things that everyone truly does need to have in their cars in case of emergencies. If you're ever stuck on the side of the road or lost, here are some of the items you should have in your car. A first-aid kit. You never know when you may need a first-aid kit. Make certain it includes a wide variety of items such as bandages, disinfectant, some medication, etc. You may not need it for yourself, but you may come across others who do. A flashlight. This is very important if your car breaks down at night. Even if you only drive in the city, don't count on the street lights to provide enough light to see by. You may also need a flashlight during the day to see under your hood or under the car. Also remember to carry extra batteries fo ... read more