Charlotte Auto Repair

With the spread of the COVID-19 virus among North Carolina, we understand the fear and uncertainty of having to distance yourself from others and take extra precautions to protect your health. While many businesses and schools are ordered to close, you still have the need to go out and purchase essential goods so that your family can eat and function. This is why is it so important not to forget about sanitizing your vehicle.  We advise you to keep hand sanitizer in your vehicle at all times. That way you can sanitize your hands as soon as you get into your vehicle. You should also be sure to use sanitizing wipes to wipe down all of the surfaces that you touch when in your vehicle. This includes the middle console controls such as the a/c and heating controls, radio, air vents, and shifter. Also, don't forget your steering wheel and door handles, both inside and outside.  Auto repair is considered an essential service, and therefore Pete's Auto Service in Charlotte ... read more

We can only imagine how our customers feel when they are off to run their errands and find that their vehicle is leaking. What is this leak? What does this leak mean? We are used to our cars running smoothly thanks to specific fluids that keep your vehicle lubricated for a smooth drive. As a driver can imagine, many different types of fluids keep your vehicle rolling safely down the road. With fluids ranging in color and consistency, we have a small guide to take note of. If you notice any of these leaks, do not hesitate to reach out to us at Pete’s Auto Service. Our team offers same-day service for most repairs and maintenance all managed by our top of the line ASE Certified Technicians.   What are the types of fluid leaks you should look out for?   Clear fluid – A clear fluid leak is usually water, and these leaks are typically from your vehicle’s air conditioner.    Light yellow to dark brown fluid – A leak that is anywhere betwe ... read more

While a total of 46 states current ban texting while driving, there are others ways that our smartphones can distract us behind the wheel. Even with texting being illegal in most states, it is still tempting to send that text while at a red light or stopped in traffic. However, smartphones are extremely distracting and are a huge factor in car accident injuries and deaths. By not using your smartphone while driving, you are protecting the lives of you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road.  We know that it can be hard not to pay attention to a call or text message on the road nowadays with everyone so involved in their technology. We challenge you to try to combat this bad habit but acknowledging when you are reaching for your phone while driving and stopping yourself. Here are some other ways to stop smartphone usage while driving:   Put your phone away and out of reach, either in a purse, backpack, trunk, or glove compartment. This will take away the tempta ... read more

You may be asking yourself, what changes can I make that will help my car stay reliable and dependable throughout 2020? Most people make resolutions regarding going to the gym, eating better, and living a healthier lifestyle. But if you really want to avoid stress and save yourself money throughout the year, making changes that will positively affect your vehicle is a big step in the right direction.  Poor vehicle maintenance and overall care can lead to unwanted breakdowns, major repairs, and even accidents. When you stay up to date with your vehicle's needs and ensure that your car is well taken care of, you will ensure that you go without car troubles throughout 2020. Here are some of our top ideas when it comes to make New Year's resolutions for your vehicle: Follow your vehicle's owner's manual and maintenance schedule to be sure that you never miss an important service. The experts here at Pete's Auto Service are always available to assist!   Inv ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Pete's Auto Service! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. With all the holidays comes lots of travel, so if you are planning a road trip in the near future, we recommend that you check off some important travel measures before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by the experts here at Pete's Auto Service before you hit the road. You never want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck without a working vehicle, so guaranteeing that your vehicle is ready for any road trip will keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind on the road.    Pack ample blankets and coats for the road to keep warm if you’re traveling in the cold this winter.    Have an emergency kit on hand in your trunk to help out in cases of emergencies. Some things to make sure you have with you include a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, flares, cell phone charg ... read more

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