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.

Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro on How to Fix a Broken Exhaust Strap

We have all seen a car, barreling down the highway, muffler sparking as it bumps along the road.  It is an ugly thing, not to mention terribly dangerous.  If you even hear your muffler making that clunk, clunk bounce as you ride along, you need to see what the problem is.  You are likely looking at a broken or badly worn exhaust strap (also called an exhaust hanger).  An exhaust strap is a lot like a heavy duty strength rubber band.  Over time, that rubber begins to deteriorate and stretch.  As it begins to lose elasticity, it slowly loosens its grip on the muffler.  If your exhaust hanger has broken completely you get a dragging muffler.  Lucky for you, replacing an exhaust strap is an auto repair that you can do yourself.

First, you will need to find the exhaust straps on your automobile.  Start at the tailpipe and work backwards toward the muffler.  You will find one or more thick, black, rubber exhaust straps, or exhaust hangers.  If one of them is totally broken it will be pretty easy to see.  Check the hangers to see if they are tight. When you determine which one or ones are the problem, you’ll need to remove and replace them.   

To get an exhaust strap off you will remove it from the top mount attaching it to the car and the mount to the muffler itself.  Keep in mind that the strap may be in more than one piece if it was badly deteriorated.  Be sure that you remove all of the pieces.

Now it is time to install your new exhaust hanger or exhaust strap.  You should start by attaching the side that mounts right to the car.  Just let the strap hang where it is for now while you are prepping to attach the muffler.  This is where having a helper comes in handy.  If you are working alone, be sure to check out the mechanic tip below this section.  Have your helper hold the muffler in place so you can attach the new exhaust hanger. 

Mechanic Tip: When you are working solo and need to replace an exhaust strap, you will have to slip the muffler into the hanger at the same time you are securing the muffler in place. To install the new exhaust strap using only one hand, use a crescent wrench as your helper.  Grab a crescent wrench with a large hole and slide the handle’s end through your exhaust hanger.  Next place the hole in the handle over the exhaust mount.  Now just slide the exhaust hanger over the mount!  And you thought you needed a helper…

And you are done!  It is as simple as 1, 2, 3!  Locate the bad exhaust strap, remove the faulty exhaust hanger and replace it with a strong, new strap.  No more clunking! 

If you do not have the time to complete this auto repair on your own, we would love to help you out.  Drop by our Columbia, SC Auto Repair Shop , contact via web or call us at 803-735-7902 to set an appointment.  We have been proudly serving the greater Columbia SC area for nearly 30 years!

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.

Replace Your Fuel Tank Sending Unit with the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

A worn out fuel tank sending unit can cause any driver a headache.  While some will head in to a reputable auto repair shop or mechanic to have the work done, it isn’t always a necessity.  If you’re mechanically inclined and able to follow instructions, you can likely complete this job on your own.

Tools for the job

You will want to gather screwdrivers, both Phillips and flat head types, a hammer, open end wrenches, and the new fuel tank sending unit you will install.

 

Find Your Fuel Tank Sending Unit or Fuel Sender

In most vehicles, this isn’t as involved an auto repair as you might first think.  Start with your automobile’s manual.  The fuel tank sending unit is often positioned beneath the back seat, but it is still just as do-able if it is located under the carpet in your trunk.

 

Mechanic’s Safety Warning

ALWAYS start with disconnecting your negative battery cable!  This is done to ensure that no electrical sparks can occur.  You will be working in an extremely flammable area and MUST take all proper safety precautions.

 

How to Disconnect your Negative Battery Cable

Start with one of your wrenches on the outside nut of the negative battery cable.  You may need to place a second wrench on the opposite side as well.  Turn the nut counter-clockwise until approximately 1/16-inch from being off.  You should be able to get the cable loose with a slight twist.  If it is still stuck, you might want to try placing a flat head screwdriver into the gap above the bolt, and then gently pry it open.  Be sure that you DO NOT pull the terminal right up off the post.  This could result in serious injury. 

 

Accessing your Fuel Tank Sending Unit

The fuel tank sending unit or fuel sender is located on top of your auto’s fuel tank.  You usually access it by going under the rear seat of the car.  In some vehicles you will have to access the fuel tank by looking under the carpet in your trunk.  Once you have found your access point, you will find an access cover that is protecting the fuel tank sending unit.  The cover will most likely be secured by some screws.  You will start with lifting up either the back seat or carpet in the trunk.  Find the access cover described above.  Once you have found it, simply remove the screws securing it and remove the cover.  You are now looking at your fuel tank sending unit.

 

Removing your Faulty Fuel Tank Sending Unit

The fuel tank sending unit should have a wiring harness that is plugged in right on top.  Unplug the entire harness and just move it off to the side.  If you sending unit is secured by screws or bolts of some kind, you will need to remove those as well.

There are a couple of different ways you fuel sending unit may “lock” into place.  Many use the twist-lock type.  There will be visible notches around the edge.  You can put the tip of a flat head screwdriver into one of them and then tap it in a counter-clockwise direction.  Once it has rotated loose, you will need to very carefully remove it from the gas tank.  It will have a long rod with a float attached, so don’t just jerk it out.

 

Install a new Fuel Tank Sending Unit

All that is left now is to replace the old unit with your brand new fuel tank sending unit.  Follow the instructions backwards now to re-install all screws, nuts, bolts and access covers along the way.  Don’t forget to plug the wiring harness back into the new unit. 

And that is it!  You are done and once again are ready to roll.  If you have read through this tutorial and do not feel 100% comfortable with performing this type of auto repair, stop now.  We would be happy to schedule an auto repair or auto maintenance appointment at our Columbia, SC auto repair shop.  At Sanford’s Automotive Service, we ALWAYS do it right the first time!

How to Replace a Thermostat by the Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

Among auto repairs a driver will commonly face is replacing a bad thermostat.  If you are comfortable performing mechanic work yourself, we can walk you through replacing a bad thermostat yourself.  This will only require about 30 minutes and it is a relatively cheap part to replace. It will be a simple task if you just follow basic auto safety tips and this how to tutorial.

For this job you will want to have a flat head screwdriver, nut driver, or ratchet to use for removing hose clamps and probably the thermostat housing bolts.  Double-check to ensure you have the proper sized tools too.  You will also need to have some work rags as well as a drip pan for the fluids. You might want to have a little extra coolant on hand too. It is important to replace any fluids lost during the repair.  A flat scraper may be useful when removing your old gasket as well.  Most important, be sure you have your new thermostat and gasket.

First Step: Thermostat Removal

First you must locate your thermostat. They are commonly found on top of the radiator hose.  Occasionally we see one mounted on the bottom. Place the drip pan under the work area to catch fluids that leak when you disconnect things. Use the tools listed above to disconnect your top radiator hose from your engine. Once it is loose, remove it from the engine allowing all drips to fall into the pan beneath. Next remove the thermostat housing bolts. These bolts keep your thermostat securely in place.  With the housing bolts free, remove the housing and lift your thermostat out.

Step Two: New Thermostat Installation

Usually you will find pieces of your old gasket sticking around the area you pulled the thermostat from.  Use a work rag to plug the hole and your flat scraper to scrape the entire old gasket away. This area needs to be as clean as possible before you proceed.  Once done, you will need to set the new gasket in place.  Now install your new thermostat.  Be sure that the power unit is pointing to the block.  Once positioned, replace the housing and the housing bolts removed earlier.  Be sure they have a tight fit. Next, reattach the radiator hose and clamp you disconnected in the beginning. Your last step should be to determine how much coolant you need to replace.  Be sure you add enough to bring the water or coolant level back to the area marking full. 

Step Three: Test your work

It really is just that simple!  Replacing a thermostat is cost efficient and easily done right in your parking spot or driveway.  As the proud owner of an auto repair shop owner, I truly pride myself on educating our customers; not only on the repairs I perform, but on ways you can save money by safely performing basic auto repairs at home. If you ever doubt your work, your abilities to perform auto repairs, or you simply don’t have the time, just bring your car or truck to Sanford’s Automotive Service in Columbia, SC.  We offer superior customer service, total customer satisfaction, and we always do it right the first time.