Auto Repair Tempe

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

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