Charlotte Auto Repair

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

It’s that time again, where we think about the goals that we want to make for the new year. While you may be thinking the usual, such as being on time more often, visiting family, or going to the gym more often, you may not have considered making a resolution or two for your vehicle. Here are some resolution ideas that you can make for your car to keep you safe on the road into 2019!   Clean Out your Car   Cleaning out the inside of your vehicle will help you to feel more organized and give your car that new car feeling! A clutter car can make it difficult to feel comfortable while driving, especially for passengers.   Schedule your Vehicle Maintenance Deadlines in your Planner   The most important part of owning a vehicle is staying current with your vehicle’s recommended maintenance and services. If you have a planner or calendar, jotting down dates of your upcoming services will help you keep track of when it’s time to bring your vehicle i ... read more

Winter weather is heavy around this time of year, and more than ever it is important to make sure your vehicle is well prepared and ready for any weather condition that comes your way. The wet, rainy, icy, and snowy weather can make driving slightly more difficult, and will also require that your vehicle is in top condition to avoid trouble on the road. To keep safe on the road this winter, be sure to check off all of the following maintenance tips for your vehicle.    Change Windshield Wipers   Windshield wipers typically only last a year, and usually become dry and cracked over the hot summer time. A fresh pair of windshield wipers will make sure that you can see clearly on the road through rain and snow.    Check Tires   Tires are a very important safety feature when it comes to your vehicle. Tires that are bald or worn down can be hazardous when driving in wet weather conditions, because it prevents your tires from hav ... read more

Halloween is around the corner, and it’s no secret that on Halloween night, children will be walking around the streets going from door to door to trick-or-treat and spend time with friends and family. With the increase of kids on the street, it is important that we all practice safe driving on Halloween in order to ensure the safety of all and keep this holiday fun and stress-free.    When driving through neighborhoods on Halloween, be sure to drive slowly and carefully. Be aware of your surroundings and any children that are nearby. Always stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and stop signs so that they can cross safely. Be extra careful when backing out of your driveway as well - children could be passing behind you and may not notice that you are reversing. Also take caution while pulling into driveways and approach slowly.    If you have children who will be participating in trick-or-treating, be sure to remind your kids to be safe. Remind them not to wal ... read more