Charlotte Auto Repair

  Every driver should learn how to jump-start their vehicle at one point or another. Even though it might look intimidating, It’s a procedure that is much more simpler than it seems. If you don’t know the first thing about it, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to take it on anytime and anywhere by the end of this article.    Before you can recharge and get going, here are few things you need: A power source - either a portable battery or another powered vehicle Jumper Cables Jumper cables are long insulated cables with toothy clips on one or both ends. The clips are distinguished by color, usually red and black, to indicate positive and negative polarity. The red clip is positive, whereas the black clip is negative.  We recommend that you always keep a set of dependable jumper cables in your vehicle at all times. A collection of jumper cables can be purchased at an auto parts store or a big box store for less than $30 and will last many ... read more

When your car battery starts to die, it will usually have some symptoms in tow. The first thing you'll notice is that it won't charge anymore. It may simply charge up to half capacity and then fail completely. Another symptom could be weak battery power, meaning that it can only hold a charge for a short amount of time before giving up completely. In the final stages of failure, your vehicle may fail to even start-up or can die soon after driving.  If the battery is able to be saved, there are different ways to recharge it. Most commonly, the battery can be recharged by a jump start from another vehicle, or a portable battery jump-start kit. Getting a jump start or jumping the car is a great way to get your vehicle going if the battery dies. Many people find this a convenient way to start their vehicles in this predicament. For the best results, always use cables that are compatible with your make and model vehicle. Always connect them up correctly to ensure there are no ... read more

5 Signs It's Time for a Wheel Alignment Wheel alignment is the process of adjusting the angle at which the wheel meets the road. It is done by aligning the suspension system. Most suspension systems are misaligned as a result of road accidents or rough driving. Since both of these scenarios are inevitable, regular wheel alignment is essential. Here are signs that the car's wheels need alignment. 1. Abnormal Tire Wear A perfectly aligned wheel wears uniformly. Abnormal wearing points to problems with alignment, suspension, or tire pressure. If the wheel only wears on the outside or inside edges, it can be a problem with the camber adjustment. Additionally, toe adjustment problems cause scalloping and feathering of your wheels. 2. Car Pulls to One Side When driving straight on a level road, the vehicle should move straight with little effort on the steering wheel. However, if the vehicle tends to pull to one side, it may be time to have the alignment checked and corrected ac ... read more

For most drivers, tires aren't the most exciting feature of a vehicle. But they are one of the most important parts of your car, and having a regular tire rotation done is a vital part of maintaining the safety and performance of your vehicle. In fact, there are many benefits to performing a regular tire rotation. 1. Rotating the tires make them last longer. Tires on the front of your vehicle wear down differently than rear tires. For example, if your vehicle has front-wheel-drive then the front tires will endure more wear due to braking, turning, and accelerating. Evening out the wear can increase your tire life by up to 20%. 2. Rotating the tires lowers the risk of tire failure by avoiding excessive wear. During bad road conditions such as heavy rain or snow, a worn-down tire could lose traction, resulting in sliding and loss of vehicle control. A tire that is too worn down could also result in an unexpected tire blow-out. 3. Rotating the tires improves your vehicle performanc ... read more

The brakes on your vehicle are one of the most important safety items in the car. You use them each and every time you drive. And, when you really need them to stop in order to avoid another vehicle, it's imperative that they work well. If your brakes are making noise, like a squealing, it's important not to ignore that. Your brakes should act in a silent, but efficient manner. When you start to hear a squeak when you touch the brakes, it could be an issue with some of the parts. The brake pads, for example, are the most common reason that the brakes will squeak. These pads are the first line of defense for the brakes. They are the first thing to wear out and they can give you indications that your brakes are on their way out. If you start to hear the noises, have them checked. Having the brake pads replaced doesn't cost nearly as much as damage to the rest of the brakes. Brake pads are going to wear out no matter how good you are to your vehicle, but they will wear out fa ... read more

If you've owned your vehicle for a while, it's likely that you've noticed the car's warning light indicators on the dashboard on at least one occasion. Sometimes, they flash at the most inconvenient times, and it may be tempting to ignore them, or even postpone a much-needed repair, due to a busy schedule or lack of time. There are vital reasons why your car's warning signals should never be disregarded, as they could increase safety or performance issues when you drive. Checking your Oil Pressure Your car's engine is one of the most important components, and ensuring it has just the right amount of oil will determine whether it runs properly or not. A light indicating oil pressure means you should check the levels immediately with a dipstick, then decide how to proceed next. Too little or too much oil can damage your vehicle's engine, which means keeping a constant eye on your levels will preserve your car's performance and help you avoid getting stuc ... read more

Winter is an exciting moment, especially for those who love the snow, but can be a real danger for drivers. Snowy conditions lead to a string of wrecks and accidents, making it a dangerous season for travelers. With shorter daylight hours and foggy weather reducing visibility, it is risky even for experienced drivers. Unless you are a snowboarding enthusiast, snowfall is only enjoyable while indoors. Also, avoid driving where possible; it is the best way to prevent the inherent danger of driving in winter. One important rule for winter driving is determining if it's necessary. If you must drive, arrive safely with these safety tips in the snow. Make sure you have good tires Traction is a defining factor of tire grip on the road. You can consider chains or snow tires but make sure they are correctly inflated because tire pressure fluctuates with temperature change. Seek professional advice for the right setup and tire balance for your vehicle. Experts recom ... read more

During wintertime, road conditions in most places around the country become wet, snowy, and even icy. It’s of utmost importance to have a proper assessment of your tires’ condition so you can feel secure and minimize the risk of an accident when driving during the winter months. Tire Maintenance Tips You don’t have to be an auto technician to inspect your tires’ condition and provide them with proper care. Tires are easy to inspect, unlike other mechanical parts of your car. You can check them wherever you are parked. Walk around your car and see if any tires are flat or low. Check if tire tread is worn more in some areas of the tire. Check for gashes, bulges, or other objects lodge in the tire. Check for other signs of wear, like worn, cracked, or cut sidewalls. Perform a penny test on your tires once a month. Take a penny and place it in a way that Lincoln’s head is positioned in the deepest part of the tread. On each tire, check s ... read more

The head gasket is a component within your vehicle that you have mostly likely heard of, but don't quite understand. The head gasket is the block that is located between the engine block and the cylinder head, as demonstrated in the image above. This part has a hard job because it is constantly put under high pressure and blistering temperatures. If your head gasket is blown, this is another way of saying that your head gasket is leaking. A blown head gasket means that it is allowing coolant to leak out of the engine or it could mean that coolant is getting into the cylinder. When you continue to drive with a blown head gasket, the coolant and exhaust gases are going to the wrong places which can cause engine metal and parts to warp and wear down significantly. Leaking coolant through a blown head gasket can cause a multitude of different issues, including causing low coolant levels which can cause engine overheating and warping, damage your spark plugs, cause ... read more

While driving on the road, typically you can enjoy a smooth ride because of your vehicle's suspension system. Within the suspension system lives the shock absorbers and the struts, which are both important integrally and to the overall comfort of your drive. Shocks and struts endure quite a bit of force and heat with every ride, which is why they do tend to wear down over time with regular use of your vehicle. When these parts are worn, damage can start occurring to your tires and you'll notice that your ride has become much bumpier than usual.  How long do shocks and struts typically last? The answer will depend on a number of factors, including the make and model of your vehicle and your own individual driving habits. However, they typically last around 30,000 to 50,000 miles. If it's been a while since you had your suspension system inspected, look out for the following symptoms:  Car bounces excessively when driving over bumps or uneven surfaces Vibrating o ... read more