Auto Repair Tempe

Today we take a look at the upcoming 2015 Corvette Z06 and hear from the folks responsible for its development. With its new 625hp 6.2 liter supercharged engine and aero package developed from their racing program, the Z06 has surpassed the former ZR1's lap times. This is the fastest Corvette ever produced, and it does 0-60 in 2.95 seconds! Quarter mile time: 10.95 seconds at 127 mph That's with the available Z07 package, which includes the max-downforce aero kit, Brembo carbon-ceramics, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The starting price for the Corvette Z06 coupe is $78,995. The convertible Z06 starts at $83,995. Available: Second quarter of

All month long we've been talking about maintaining your current vehicle or preparing to safely purchase a good used car. Something you may take for granted is the safety featured of the car you're considering. Or maybe it's time to take stock of how safe your current vehicle is for you and your family. When choosing a car to buy you might want to be sure it offers modern safety features. Car safety features are getting more sophisticated and technologically advanced every day. Wich five safety features have had the biggest impact? #5: Lights Lights on automobiles have always been critical to driving safely. Brake lights, turn signals and headlights should be checked frequently to make sure they're operational at all times. And in case you didn't notice, turn signals only work if you use them! Another type of lighting used today is daytime running lights, which significantly increase the visibility of a vehicle in daylight and are a low-cost device that helps reduc ... read more

Chances are you've heard about diesel-powered vehicles, other than the big rigs, the 18-wheelers. They come in many shapes and sizes from compact cars to higher end Mercedes. In this short video series we hope to help you learn more about how a diesel functions and how it's different from a traditional gasoline engine. Enjoy Part 1 of "How Diesel Engines Work"

Automotive safety is always a serious concern for all responsible drivers. Lives are literally on the line. With the advancement in automotive technology, manufacturers have attained faster speed, but the main challenge is still safety. Although most manufacturers have put various safety measures in place, accidents continue to occur. Although most vehicles come with major car safety features such as seatbelts, a lot of drivers don't use them. Most states take the issue of car safety very seriously, and drivers are required to put all safety measures in place or get fined by law enforcement. Thank heavens for passive safety devices like airbags and crush zones that absorb dangerous crash energy. Maintenance: Although automotive reliability has improved a lot over the past several years, it's always important to check your car regularly. There are a few things every driver should do at least once a month to improve ... read more

General Motors was formed from the remnants of the Henry Ford Company. After a dispute between Henry Ford and his investors, Ford left the company along with several of his key partners in March 1902. Ford's financial backer William Murphy and Lemuel Bowen, called in engineer Henry M. Leland of Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing Company to appraise the plant and equipment in preparation for a liquidation of the company's assets. Instead of offering an appraisal, Leland persuaded Murphy and Bowen to continue manufacturing automobiles using Leland's proven single-cylinder engine. A new company called the Cadillac Automobile Company was established on 22 August 1902. The company was named after French explorer Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, who founded Detroit in 1701. General Motors purchased the company in 1909. Cadillac had laid the foundation for the modern mass production of automobiles by demonstrating the complete interchangeability of its precision pa ... read more

It's car cleaning day, and everything seemed well and good until you decided to vacuum out your car. While it's possible to vacuum out your car with your household vacuum, the adventure and obstacles you'll encounter will ensure nightmares to come for weeks. There is, however, a better option; purchasing a specialized car vacuum cleaner or even a cordless vacuum cleaner. Both have benefits as well as drawbacks. Your budget and particular needs will inspire your purchase decision. Car Vacuum Considerations Style No, we're not referring to how your vacuum cleaner looks. Come to think of it, I don't think any vacuum cleaner will win a beauty contest anytime soon, but when we talk about style, we're referring to the two broad categories of vacuum cleaners. They are: Cordless Vacuum Cleaners and Specialized Auto Vacuums Let's discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks of each, beginning with cordless vacuums. Cordless Vacuum Cleaners Pros: - Cordless, so ... read more

Steering is one of the things we take for granted in our vehicles. So, what are some of the things you should know about taking better care of your steering system? I like to think of steering in two areas. First, the power assist, and second, the actual parts that steer the vehicle. I'll bet most people under forty have never driven a car or truck without power steering. Most vehicles today have a hydraulic power steering pump that provides boost to help you steer. The pump is usually driven by the serpentine belt, but some newer vehicles have an electric pump. The important thing to keep in mind is these pumps and motors will eventually wear out, and the hoses will start to leak. We can postpone that day by having the power steering serviced from time to time. During this service we drain the old fluid and replace it with fresh fluid. This removes water and contaminants that can corrode power steering parts. Ask your Elite Service Advisor for your particular recommended change in ... read more

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