- Safety November 19, 2024
Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
Whether from a puncture, a gradual air leak or a blowout, a flat tire is a surefire way to ruin your day. And, of course, a flat tire always seems to happen when you’re in a time crunch or the weather is bad or you’re out of town. Rather than waiting for roadside assistance or […]
- Maintenance November 13, 2024
Breathe Easy: How Often to Replace the Cabin Air Filter
Everyone knows the importance of changing out the air filters in your home. But don’t forget about your car’s air filter! The US EPA notes that the concentration of pollutants is often 2-5 times higher indoors than outdoors. And the air quality could be just as bad (if not worse) in your car. After all, […]
- Maintenance September 23, 2024
Choosing Your Next Car: Gas vs. Hybrid vs. Electric Cars
No matter how long you’ve had your car, you’re probably already thinking about your next one. The traditional choice is a gas-powered vehicle, but hybrid and electric cars are becoming more and more popular! Why choose one over the other? What are the differences between them? How is a plug-in hybrid different than a regular […]
- Maintenance July 30, 2024
The Importance of Vehicle Inspections
In 2019-2020, the Virginia General Assembly considered a budget plan that eliminated the Virginia State Vehicle Inspection program. Across the state, citizens cheered! No more sitting in line for an annual inspection? What’s not to love, right? A lot, actually. Mandatory vehicle inspections are controversial. Only 15 states, including Virginia, currently require periodic safety inspections. […]
- Maintenance July 16, 2024
What Is a Serpentine Belt? And When Should You Replace It?
A common philosophy for car repair is, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” It seems counter-intuitive to spend money replacing a car part that is working fine. But it’s often more cost-effective in the long run! This is especially true for serpentine belt replacement. The serpentine belt is a vital component of your vehicle. […]
- Maintenance June 11, 2024
6 Reasons Your Car Is Overheating (& What to Do About It)
We’ve all seen it—a driver stranded on the side of the road, perplexed as their vehicle stalls and smokes. You may have even been there yourself. Engine overheating is most common during the summertime in warm weather, but it’s possible any time of year. Although there are ways to prevent your car from overheating, no […]
- Maintenance April 19, 2024
The Essential Car Maintenance Checklist
Your car is one of the most expensive and important things you own! And how long it lasts depends on how well you maintain it. Your car will need services that you can DIY like checking fluid levels, vacuuming the carpets and waxing the exterior. It will also need services a repair shop will help […]
- Maintenance August 10, 2023
Do You Have to Replace Rotors When Replacing Brake Pads?
Choosing the right brake service for your car can be overwhelming-and that’s before you consider the price! When you are considering having your brakes serviced, there several questions you should ask: When you replace the brake pads, do you need to change your rotors as well? What’s the difference between resurfacing and replacing your rotors? […]
- Maintenance February 7, 2023
Wheel Alignment vs. Balance: What’s the Difference?
If you own a car, you’ve probably heard about the importance of wheel alignment and wheel balancing. Both services extend tire life and improve steering/handling performance, but they shouldn’t be confused for the same thing! So, what is the difference between wheel alignment and balancing? Keep reading to find out. What is wheel alignment and balancing? Wheel […]
- Maintenance February 1, 2023
Common Car Noises and What They Mean
We know it can be hard to try to describe the strange sounds your car is making: “It sounds like a squeaky see-saw when I turn.” “First I hear clicks, then it starts clacking.” “My car sounds like Chewbacca—HERRNNNGGHHHH.” Some car noises are normal—tires hum, windshield wipers swish, and mirrors whistle in the wind. But […]