Auto Repair Tempe

It's no surprise your vehicle will drive better if all the wheels are pointed in the same direction. That's called wheel alignment. What might you notice first if your wheels are out of alignment? Usually it's that your vehicle pulls to one side or the other. Now, something you won't notice right away but will if you keep driving when you're out of alignment, is your tires are wearing unevenly and fairly quickly, and that's not good. When your vehicle is pulling to one side, you have to steer it back straight. The outside of the tire just wears out fast because you're constantly turning as you correct against the pull. Not mention it can be very exhausting on a long road trip, fighting to keep the vehicle going straight down the road. What causes wheels to go out of alignment? Some of the things are slamming into a pothole, smacking a curb or something like a rock. And it doesn't have to be a big shock either, it could just be the regular bumps and bangs of daily driving tha ... read more

Your windshield wipers take a beating from the elements, yet you rely on them to help improve your visibility during dangerous conditions, and also to remove dirt and debris that may distract you from paying attention to the road ahead. If properly maintained, they'll help make sure you arrive at your destination and back in one piece. If you fail to pay them any attention, however, not only do they leave a mess behind, but they may also pose a safety hazard. Fortunately, there are quite a few things you can do to help maintain and care for your windshield wipers. Make Sure They Stay Clean This seems counterproductive, but it can be done. To maintain your windshield wiper blades, make sure your windshield stays clean. Consider making it a habit to clean your windshield every time you fill up at the pump. Most gas stations provide a windshield cleaning solution and squeegee conveniently next to the gas pumps, yet hardly anyone ever pays attention. The dirt and debris on your wi ... read more

There are a lot of things people come to dread during the hot summer months, especially in areas where the thermometer climbs into the triple digits (Tempe, Chandler. Phoenix anyone?) One of these dreaded things is getting into a hot car and sweating it out until the air conditioner can work its magic. There are a few different things you can do to help keep your car considerably cooler. One of the most obvious things is to park in the shade. While this isn't always possible, if it is, it truly can help. Now, there are a few downsides to this: sometimes, the only tree in the parking lot is a good distance away from the building, so you'll have to walk farther in the heat. Another issue is the trees are often home to birds, and they love to leave droppings all over cars (especially recently washed ones). Think about where and when you're parking. If possible, park so that the sun is behind your car. This way, it will not be shining directly into the driver's seat, whi ... read more

Welcome to the final installment of this series and the last article of 2013! In this final edition we're going to look at some of the highlights of coming European makes and models. Let's begin with Audi, specifically the 2014 Audi RS7. In this video, Motor Trend's Carlos Lago tests the new Audi RS7 through over 500 miles of German roads, including top-speed blasts on the unrestricted Autobahn. With 560 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque from its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, the RS7 eclipses even the R8's 5.2-liter V-10 in power delivery. We find out just how monstrous the resulting acceleration is -- as well as the top speed -- though the green countryside of southern Germany. Mercedes-Benz has some fantastic new models. Let's have as look at the 2014 S550. Here's an additional video on the new S Class from Mercedes themselves. In their words, "With the three engineering priorities 'Intelligent Drive', 'Efficient Technology' and 'Essence of Luxury', the new Mercedes-Benz S-C ... read more

As a new year approaches it's an exciting time for automotive enthusiasts. Why? The new year models and technology begin to leak out and be introduced to the public. For some models it's simply a slight refresh, and for others a radical departure that engages the imagination! In this four-part series we'll be looking at awesome video footage revealing what's in store for 2014, both the average and the very highest levels of automotive perfection. First up is the new 2014 Chrysler 300C. To me, from the day this modern version was released, looked like the coolest gangster sedan that even a sports car enthusiast wouldn't mind using to just to cruise down the road in style.   Okay, this next one is an unusual entry to say the least, but it certainly is a unique and interesting approach to the automotive world and sparking the shared interest in cars between parents and their children. The concept, brought to us by Toyota and called the "Camatte57s", is aimed at bringing p ... read more

Just imagine...you're stuck in traffic on a summer afternoon with sweat trickling down your face, your hands almost slipping of the steering wheel and the back of your shirt soaking wet. That's certainly not how you want to get to your desired destination, be it work, a lunch, or in fact anywhere at all. You might have already noticed what’s missing from this situation we just imagined, which is what brings us to our topic of discussion. It has the potential to make your life miserable, which is why it's extremely important to make sure your vehicle's air conditioning system is in good condition, especially on our hot summer days when you need it the most. This is not only to ensure a comfortable journey but is also important for your health and the health of your passengers. Here are a few things that must be kept in mind throughout the summer. People who have diminished resistance to heat should pay even greater heed to these guidelines. Typical Causes of Syst ... read more

Volvo has always done things a little differently than BMW and Mercedes. Rather than hold back updates and release them all in "mid-cycle refreshes," Volvo prefers to let the changes dribble out slowly year after year. As a result of this process a car can change significantly over time but it happens so incrementally that to the casual observer it's still the same car that launched four years ago. Such is the case with the 2015 Volvo S60. The S60 launched just four short years ago (US launch was three years ago in 2011), this S60 has new bumpers, hood, grille, seats, dashboard, infotainment system, gauge cluster, headlamps, new and revised safety systems, all-new engines, and a new 8-speed transmission. The question is, are these changes enough to keep the S60 fresh and competitive while we wait for the complete model-line makeover everyone is expecting in the next few years? Have a look at this video review

So, the government was shut down for sixteen days. Did that keep shoppers away from the car lots? Apparently not! According to Michigan Live, car companies, including the Big Three, reported a combined sales of 1.2 million vehicles in October. Doesn't sound much like a slump does it? In fact, it was an eleven percent increase over last year's figures. According to Jessica Caldwell, a senior analyst at Edmunds.com, "This was a really interesting month. Probably one that hasn’t seen such volatility in quite some time. It definitely had a lull when the government shutdown went longer than people anticipated." Caldwell elaborated with the fact that October sales picked up as soon as the Shut Down was over. Each of the Detroit car makers reported double-digit gains in October. Many automakers and experts have actually upped their yearly sales estimates from the low- to ... read more

From Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valves to O2 Sensors, your exhaust system has a critically important job to do to keep your car operating efficiently. Your vehicles exhaust system is engineered to withstand extreme conditions, including high exhaust temperatures, corrosive gasses, road salt (where applicable) and water. The vehicle's exhaust system performs three important functions. It directs exhaust gases from the engine to the rear of the vehicle, it treats the exhaust gases to reduce emissions and it reduces noise produced by the engine's combustion process. Key components of the exhaust system include: Exhaust Manifolds Gaskets Exhaust Pipes Catalytic Converters Resonators Mufflers Tail Pipes Flex Joints Heat Shields Exhaust Hangers Malfunctions can be caused by environmental damage, or even problems with the ignition or fuel systems. Catalytic converters can be damaged if the check engine light is flashing and the vehicle continues to be driven. The exhaus ... read more

When my check engine light comes on, I'm torn between utter panic and just wanting to ignore it and hope it goes away. How about you? How does it make you feel just thinking about it? It's understandable of course, because that same check engine light could be coming on for anything, from serious damage to your transmission all the way down to just a loose gas cap. "A loose gas cap?" you say. "There's a trouble code for that, seriously?" That's a really good question. There's a very common misconception that the trouble codes stored in your engine computer when your check engine light comes on will specifically identify a problem. It's really more like pointing to the symptoms of a problem. Take your temperature, for instance. Say it's 101 degrees. Your heat sensor, the thermometer, tells you your temperature is out of the norm ... read more