Charlotte Auto Repair

Winter tires are something that most of us here in the east have either thought about owning or have owned in our lifetime. With cold fronts and the potential of snow fall each winter, having winter tires can be necessary especially when traveling through mountainous areas or feet of snow.  You may be wondering, do my regular tires not work in the snow? What about all-season tires? The truth is, while all-season tires may be an option for mild winter, they aren't ideal for snow weather or heavy winters. This is because all-season tires are more-so just designed to have more tread that the standard tires while winter tires are specially designed to have maximum tread and are purposely made it perform better while driving through snow.  Winter tires offer deep tread and special tire edges grip the road and reduce snow buildup, which can cause to your vehicle sliding and losing control. They are also made with rubber tread which works well in freezing temperatures because ... read more

It's officially the fall season, and it's time to start thinking about how to get your vehicle ready for autumn. With the colder weather, it's important to inspect certain parts of your vehicle to ensure that everything is in working condition to handle the weather changes.  Here are some measures you can take to prepare your vehicle for the autumn season: Check your vehicle's winshield wipers for cracks, fraying, or tearing. If you notice any issues, new winshield wipers should be installed.  Inspect the tires for proper tread and wear patterns. Treat will be very important when it comes to driving in wet weather.  Examine fluid levels to ensure that fluids are clean and topped off. Inspect your vehicle's belts and hoses for any cracks or wearing.  Double-check that your vehicle's heating and defrosting systems are working properly.  Check your vehicle's lights including headlights, brake lights, and blinker lights to ensure ... read more

It's back to school season, which means it's time to get back into the schedule of waking up early and dropping the kids off at school before either heading out to do errands or going to work yourself. If you have children and will be busy driving around this school season, we recommend a Back to School Vehicle Inspection to give you peace of mind and to keep your family safe on the road.  A Back to School Vehicle Inspection will:  Check all vital components to ensure that they are working properly Check all fluid levels  Inspect tires for air pressure and tread Complete full visual bumper to bumper inspection of car to determine if any areas need to be looked at more thoroughly Make sure that your vehicle is up to date on all factory recommended services Replace any necessary parts, such as windshield wipers or air filters If you're due for a back to school inspection, bring your vehicle into Pete's Auto Service or give us a call today. We will ma ... read more

It’s the summer months, which means that your teenager is home from school and has much more time to start learning and understand how to drive before the big test. If you’ll be working on teaching your teenager how to drive this summer, here are some helpful reminders and tips to communicate in order to promote safe and legal driving.  If your teenager has a driver’s learner’s permit, the best place to begin your teaching is in a parking lot that is vacant or not too busy. Here, you can practice basic stop and go methods and parking techniques. This is always less stressful for a beginning drive since there isn’t much traffic around.  Teach your teenager about the SMOG method. This is a great way to teach your teen how to safely switch lanes while on the road. S - signal the direction you wish to turn, M - check rear view and side mirrors for other vehicles, O - be sure to look over your shoulder to check your blind spots, and G - go when all ... read more

We understand that having your engine overheat while driving can be extremely scary and stressful. If you do find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is find a safe place to pull over. Even if you feel your vehicle can make it to the nearest auto repair center, the best thing to do is just call for a tow and have your vehicle towed into your trusted shop. Driving when the engine is overheating can cause more damage and make the repairs more extensive and expensive.    If you see smoke coming from underneath the hood, refrain from opening the hood. The engine components will be extremely hot and can cause severe burns if you try to touch anything under the hood.    The temperature warning light is the most common indication of an overheating engine. However, you can also pay attention to the temperature gauge and if you notice that it is very high, that is another indication that your engine is running at a high temp.    If your engine does ove ... read more

It's just about summer time, and getting stuck on your summer road trip without a working air conditioning system will not be ideal for you and your passengers. If it's been a while since your last A/C inspection, the experts here at Pete's Auto Service can help.  Our goal is to keep you comfortable on the road all throughout summer. There are a certain symptoms to look out for while driving that may indicate an A/C system problem. As soon as you notice something off, it's important to have your car inspected. A small problem with the air conditioning can get worse over time, and cause more issues.  If you notice any of the following symptoms, your air conditioning system may need a repair: No air blows out of vents Hot air blows out of vents Unusual smell or noise when A/C is turned on Air temperature doesn't match setting (e.g. only slightly cold when turned on blast) These are just some of the most common symtpoms of an A/C problem. However, if yo ... read more

Your vehicle’s tires are an extremely important safety feature of your vehicle. They are the only component between your car and the road, and help ensure that you are able to accelerate, stop, and turn successfully and safely. Poor tires can cause a number of different issues, ranging from lack of control to tire blowouts. Good tire maintenance will not only protect you on the road, but will also save you money on new tires throughout the years.    A commonly overlooked tire service is proper tire pressure. When your tires are low in pressure, excessive tire wear can occur and blow outs can happen. It isn’t safe to drive with low tire pressure and it is a very easy fix. You can usually do this yourself at your local gas station that provides free air.    If your tires aren’t aligned or balanced properly, excessive wear could be occurring that is severely affecting the overall lifespan of your tires. An alignment and balance is usually required eve ... read more

It’s officially Spring, and what better time to take advantage of the warming weather than planning your next road trip. The winter season can be harsh on our vehicles, especially in extremely cold weather conditions. Spring is the perfect time to bring your vehicle into our experts for a full inspection to catch any small problems now before they become larger, more expensive problems down the road.    Our top Spring vehicle maintenance services include:    Staying on top of all factory recommended maintenance Check an oil and filter change is your car is due Inspect coolant levels and condition Look at all belts and hoses for an wear or cracks Make sure that air conditioning works well Check your tires for pressure, tread, and overall condition Test headlights, tail lights, brake lights, and all interior lights to ensure that they are working properly Change your windshield wipers and top off wiper fluid Have all fluids including power steering, tra ... read more

Brakes are super important when it comes to accurately controlling our vehicles on the road and staying safe. An issue with your vehicle’s brakes can sometime start small, and starting to gradually get worse over time. If you ever notice a problem with your brakes, it is important to have your vehicle looked at by your trusted local auto mechanic as soon as possible. Ignoring a small issue can turn into a larger one, that could eventually lead to brake failure and have devastating consequences.    Brake problems can manifest in many different ways, whether you notice a lack in performance or are suddenly experiencing a strange vibration while braking. Brake problems can stem from a number of different components, including brake pads or shoes, brake rotors, brake lines, and much more.    Any of the following symptoms can indicate an issue with your brakes:    Noticeable lack or decrease in brake performance Brake pedal goes all the way to the fl ... read more

When your car starts to make strange noises while driving, it’s usually never a good sign.  Certain noises can indicate specific problems depending on where they are coming from and when they happen. If you ever notice a strange noise while driving, be sure to take note of it. If it continually happens every time you drive, it’s time to have your vehicle inspected.    The problem causing the noise can vary depending on where the noise is coming from and when it happens. Here are some common noises and their source:    Squealing, screeching, or grinding while braking Sputtering or rattling exhaust noises from underneath the car Chirping or squealing noise from under the hood Humming, growling or roaring noise while accelerating or driving at faster speeds   As soon as you notice a strange noise, be sure to note down where it seemed to be coming from and when it happened. Understanding when the noise occurs and where it could be coming fro ... read more