Auto Repair Tempe

How Do I Know If My Mechanic is Honest?     Considering there are some 800,000 auto mechanics in the US, about one for every 316 cars, it makes sense that most drivers don’t know much about cars. Unfortunately, dishonest mechanics might exploit that inexperience, overcharging for auto repairs or suggesting unnecessary and expensive services, to name a few. How do you know if your mechanic is being honest? How Dishonest Mechanics Work Dishonest mechanics may exploit the unaware by hyping up a service, with confusing technobabble, or suggesting “shotgun” repairs. If you hear, “Your car is going to (explode, burn, die) if you don’t do this,” be wary and get a second opinion. Rarely is a repair such a dire emergency. Dishonest mechanics and hack mechanics might suggest shotgun repairs. There’s almost no chance that your no-start problem will need a starter, battery, and alternator to fix. Similarly, there’s almost zero chance t ... read more

How to Do A Brake Job the Right Way Why do we need another article on doing a brake job? This article will give you the know-how and numerous tips to help you solve common braking issues on today’s vehicles. In this article, I will give you professional advice and technician-accredited tips that we’ve been using at our shop for years. Hopefully, whether you’re a driver, do-it-yourselfer, or technician, these steps and tips will help you make the right decisions when it comes to addressing brake repairs on whatever vehicle you’re driving or working on. One of the first things you need to start with is why your vehicle needs brake repairs in the first place. At the risk of minimizing your technical expertise, no matter what level you are at, I believe it’s important to first nail down the reason behind the brake job. On the one hand, if you know you need brake repairs because you’ve done a brake inspection and have verified that brake pad thickness ... read more

With the price of gas continuing to increase, many people are looking for ways of increasing their car's fuel efficiency. The more miles per gallon you can get, the less you have to fill up and the more money you can save. While some would say the answer is to buy a hybrid vehicle, these cars are still fairly expensive, plus it makes no sense to buy a new car if the one you're currently driving isn't that old and is in good running condition. Instead, make use of these top five ways you can increase the fuel efficiency of your car. 1) Be Smart About How You Drive. While different brands and models of cars have different optimal fuel speeds, all of them start to see a major decrease in efficiency when being driven over 50 miles per hour. Rapidly accelerating also wastes gas and decreases your efficiency. In fact, it's been estimated that speeding, rapid acceleration and quickly hitting the brakes can drop your fuel efficiency by more than 30 percent. In ... read more

It happens to everyone at some point: you're running late, it's a big day, and just when you think you're going to make it, you turn your key and...your car does nothing. There are a number of reasons why your car may not start. Some of them can be pretty quick, inexpensive fixes, but some may require the assistance of a professional mechanic. Here are some of the more common issues that can cause your car to not start. Check the Battery Cables If your car makes no noise at all when you try to start it, one of the battery cables may be the problem. Look to see if they're corroded. If you're comfortable using hand tools under the hood, you can take a screwdriver, push the point between the connector and the battery post, and twist it a little. If the engine then starts, the problem is the cable, and you'll need to replace as soon as possible. Is the Battery Dead? If your car makes a clicking noise, the problem may be the battery ... read more

Today we're going to look at five bad automatic transmission driving habits. Is it okay to coast down a hill in neutral? Should you put the car in neutral when you come to a stop? What is the safest way to launch an automatic car? Is it okay to switch from reverse to drive while the vehicle is moving? What happens when you put the vehicle in park? Check out the video below for the answers to these five questions! Here's a link to the Arizona law on coasting in neutral: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/28/00895.htm&Title=28&DocType=ARS

Understanding The Battery Indicator Light The charging system light or battery indicator light shouldn't be ignored.. Whenever this indicator light turns on, it means that the vehicle is relying solely on the stored battery power to continue to power all of its electronic components. Unfortunately, this means the car is limited in how far it can travel before the car dies due to lack of electrical power. Most vehicles will display the warning light in one of three ways: The light may be red or amber and displays the "CHG" or "ALT" icons. The indicator light is red and displays the "BATT" when the key is in the ignition and the engine is off. Most commonly, there's a red icon that represents a car battery.   Before the 1990's, the charging systems in vehicles relied on a voltage regulator near or inside the alternator itself to function properly. The light was attached to the battery and whenever the vehicle started, th ... read more

Choosing the best, whether synthetic or conventional, engine oil is highly controversial and debated. Motor oil is surrounded with myths and questions. Today we'll look at the answers to these common motor oil questions: What does 5W-30 mean? Why should I change my oil? What is the typical composition of motor oil? Are aftermarket oil additives needed? What does synthetic oil mean? Can you mix synthetic with conventional oil? Can synthetic be used to break in an engine? What causes sludge? Why should I use the viscosity grade that the manufacturer recommends? Check out the video below for the answers to these frequently asked questions. And remember, if you're ever unsure about a topic like this as it applies to your cars, we're only a phone call away

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

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

With the economy continuing to ebb and flow unpredictably, many Americans are making the decision to keep their older vehicles. While there are trade-offs involved, one of them doesn’t have to be fuel economy. Following the tips in this article will help you understand why fuel economy suffers, and what you can do to prevent it from happening to you. The Importance of Maintaining Your Older Vehicle You can prevent most expensive repair bills and keep your car performing its best by making an effort to schedule routine maintenance and inspections. When you’re diligent about maintenance, you’re not only saving money; you’re maintaining your investment, and we're always here to help at Elite Auto Repair. What Causes Gas Mileage to Decrease? A number of factors could be contributing to your car’s poor fuel economy. Simply put: Poor fuel economy means your car doesn't run as efficiently as it could be. Which means more money out of your pocket beca ... read more