Showing posts with label auto maintenance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label auto maintenance. Show all posts

Monday, December 30, 2013

The Importance of Professional Auto Maintenance, Car Repair and Check-Ups



Autos are always an expensive investment, and can become even more expensive when future car or truck repairs and maintenance are factored in. If not taken care of well right from the start, you may not get another chance at keeping your auto running as well as it should. Having regular maintenance and automotive check-ups reduces the chances of getting pulled over for small vehicle violations like burnt auto bulbs, and increases your odds of finding auto problems before they require extensive or high cost auto repairs. Most importantly, regular professional auto maintenance and checkups will greatly reduces your chances of unexpected break downs leaving you in a bad situation on the side of the road.

A certified mechanic will perform a car or truck repairs with an expert hand, but will also inspect the entire car. Don’t wait for something to go terribly wrong. You should never take your vehicle to just any auto repair shop or mechanic. Think carefully about who you trust to perform your auto repairs and vehicle maintenance.

Professional automotive repair and maintenance means you should be dealing with a true expert in auto repairs. This does not mean that they are looking to charge you hundreds for a replacement or checkup like some may do. A true professional auto repair shop or reputable certified mechanic looks at every part of your car and makes sure that it is working as well as it can. A professional mechanic may want to have a look at the vehicle’s fluids, engine, brakes, tires, air conditioning and heating systems and possibly even your auto glass in some cases.

A mechanic checks often checks fluids for proper levels, normal color and viscosity, and to determine if there is any leakage occurring. Auto repair professionals will measure your coolant, oil, brake and transmission fluids. Proper inspection will make sure your automotive systems both holding fluids adequately and circulate properly.

A reputable mechanic may also want to take a look at your electrical connections and auto wiring. This is to determine if all of your automotive lights, blinkers, flashers and signal lights are properly attached and not worn or stripped away in areas. It is not uncommon for auto troubles to be attributed to things like damaged lines or badly worn cables, which could even cause fires in some cases.

Also to be examined is your brakes. Squeaky, squealing brakes may not cause an accident, but they do require an auto repair. Your auto repair shop can measure the pressure build-up, examine low pressure warnings, locate leaks in your air pressure system and see whether your brakes are responding as they should. Brake repairs of some type are needed on nearly every car or truck at some time or another.

As a final point, it is especially important to check your tires well.  There should be a visual inspection of your tires as well as a check on their air pressure. Underinflated tires heat up easily and reduce your car’s fuel efficiency. An auto repair shop or certified mechanic looks for cracks, damage or areas of excessive wear in the tires that might warrant tire replacement. Driving on bad or nearly bad tires reduces the traction between your tire and the road surface.  This increases your chances of having serious auto accidents.

Bringing your car in for maintenance, auto repairs or other auto servicing should not be simply about fixing a glitch. You need care for your entire car. You need an auto repair shop that cares about your vehicle as much as you do. Come to Sanford’s Automotive Service in Columbia, SC.  Our auto repair shop and ASE Certified Master Mechanic will be happy to service your auto, domestic or foreign.  Sanford’s has served the drivers of the greater Columbia area with the best auto service, superior customer service and affordable auto repair prices since 1989.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Columbia SC Mechanic Saves Money on Auto Repairs: Do it Yourself Jobs



The Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro is all for helping you save some money on auto repairs.   

While we love to serve all of our wonderful customers, we also know that there are some auto repair or auto maintenance tasks they can easily do themselves.  Of course, you could stop by our north Columbia, SC auto repair shop and have us take care of it for you if you’d like.  But for those ready to take on a little bit of beginner level auto mechanics, there are multiple tasks you can safely and easily do.

Many of you may think that performing auto repairs or maintenance must take special tools and an in-depth knowledge of all of your vehicle’s intricate systems.  While some repairs really do require all of that, you can still easily save cash by taking care of the simpler stuff on your own.  Believe it or not, you can do more than just change your oil.  With some basic tools and the patience to read and follow the step-by-step instructions, you can not only save money but increase your own confidence by performing your own work too.

In addition to changing your own oil, I’d like to highlight a few other tasks you can easily take on. 

Replace Air Filter


This one is really easy.  Any auto repair shop will be happy to handle this easy task, but why hand over your hard earned money when you can do it yourself in minutes!  Changing your air filter requires minimal tools and time.  These simple instructions to replace your air filter will have you done in no time!

Replace Fuel Filter


I know, any auto repair occurring around the fuel tank may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be.  If you can follow instructions and observe all of the basic rules of auto repair safety you should have no problem at all.  We have provided you a detailed tutorial on how to replace a fuel filter on our Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro Blog. 

Flush Cooling System


Again, I know “flushing” any system may sound a bit taxing to a novice mechanic, but we all have to start somewhere!  This sounds much harder than it is.  In fact, in one afternoon you can completely flush your radiator and cooling system yourself.  Be sure to gather all of the materials need before you drain the radiator though, or you could end up adding a lot of extra work to the job.

There are some auto repairs and auto maintenance jobs that really can be done by a beginner and be done just as well as a certified mechanic could perform the task.  Remember, follow the advice of a proven, reputable mechanic and do not be afraid to ask questions if you need to.  All mechanics start someplace, and today you can start with the simple auto repair tutorials linked above.  To schedule Columbia, SC auto repair appointments just email us, give us a call or visit us at www.SanfordsAuto.com.