Auto Repair Tempe

Self-driving cars could cut road deaths by 80%, but without better security they put us at risk of car hacking and even ransoms, experts at SXSW say Youre about to drive to work. You turn on the ignition and a message on the dash lights up. Weve hacked your car! Pay 10 bitcoin to get it back. Hacking into software and then demanding a ransom to release it whats known as ransomware is not new. Finnish security expert Mikko Hypponen fully expects it to become a reality as self-driving or autonomous cars start to become more commonplace. Already, one hacker claims to have taken control of some systems on board a passenger plane he was on, getting as far as issuing a climb command that he accessed through the entertainment system. Another pair of hackers caused a ... read more

Living in the Valley of The Sun you probably don't do much driving on snow and ice. And that could be more of an issue than you might realize, especially if you plan on doing a little snow skiing this winter up north. A little advanced knowledge in driving in winter conditions could save you from some expensive repairs or even physical harm. Winter roads can be trouble. Ice, snow, slush, and sludge all create a mess that can be difficult to drive in. On top of that, it gets dark much earlier and sweeping snow, on-coming headlights, and a dirty windshield can make visibility difficult. Sometimes, our tires lose grip with the surface of the road, causing the vehicle to slide out of control. This guide shows you how to keep your cool and recover from an ice-induced skid. Wheel Spinning This type of skidding occurs when you apply too much pressure to the gas pedal for the available traction. It occurs when there's a lot of soft sno ... 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

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 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

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

There's nothing like the let down of noticing the first dent on your new car. As one person put it, "it's not much fun to wax a dent". Getting it fixed is certainly an option, but maybe a pricey one. Or is it? Perhaps you've seen paint-less dent removal advertised or even offered in a local, exterior mall kiosk. Have you ever wondered how it works, and even if it works? I've wondered myself. My experiences of popping out a dent in many materials is that there's always some kind or remnant of the damage left behind. Not to mention we're usually talking metal here (sometimes plastic of some variety). Well, wonder no more how this is accomplished, all without removing any body parts from your car. Here's a beginners guide demonstrating the type of techniques and equipment used! And here are a few more examples

For more than a century people have been using cars, trucks and other personal vehicles to transport themselves, other people and goods from one location to another. In fact, the motorized vehicle went from being a luxury to a necessity in many parts of the world where public transportation and other options are limited. As a result of this dependence, it's vital the automobiles on the road are kept in good repair. The work needed to do so has changed a great deal since the first cars hit the road, and is likely to continue evolving along with the rest of the industry. A few decades ago, there were many people who could perform simple repairs on their own vehicles. On top of that, "backyard mechanics" were common. These men could take care of the more complicated auto repair matters, including the engine and other complex issues. Of course, the majority of people would take their cars and trucks to a mechanic shop with licensed mechanics. Dealership shops were a great place f ... read more

Since spring is upon us, you might take a moment to consider, is your vehicle ready for the new season change? Every vehicle is unique with its own specific needs and maintenance, but most vehicles will require routine maintenance in order to ensure proper function for years to come. To prepare your vehicle for spring follow this guide to ensure your vehicle looks good, and functions as it should. Wash Your Car and Detail It Road grime can be damaging to your vehicle’s paint and parts, which may reduce the resale value. The extreme temperatures and the constant grime make it impractical to continuously wash our cars during the winter, so spring is an ideal time to give your car a much needed ‘spa-treatment’, if you will. So how do you go about cleaning your car? Visit a car wash in your local area and consider purchasing the largest package you can afford. To get the most out of this ‘cleanse’, be sure to purchase a package that will include cleaning of the undercarriage ... read more

No matter how well you take care of your car, everyone is going to have to take their vehicle to the mechanic at some point. There are probably a few different mechanics in your area. Which one do you take your car to? (We certainly appreciate it when you choose Elite Auto Repair!) There are a few things you need to find out about a mechanic before entrusting him with your vehicle. Remember, your car is the most likely the second-most expensive thing you own--the only thing most people have that cost more is their home. Don't let a second-rate mechanic work on your vehicle. Otherwise, you may discover he has created more problems than he solved. Read Reviews The first place to start your search for a mechanic is to read some reviews online. You'll be able to find a number of different customer reviews online, although remember that some of them could have been written by either the business itself or one of its competitors. However, most reviews ar ... read more