Charlotte Auto Repair

An oil change is a simple service with high importance for every vehicle owner. Oil change services are vital for the overall operation of your car because engine oil supports engine efficiency and performance. Low or dirty oil can ultimately lead to excess heat, corrosion, and metal-to-metal contact damage between different engine parts. Engine repairs can be expensive, so it is best to avoid engine damage as much as possible by staying on top of your oil change schedule.    Once you put clean engine oil in your car, it will circulate to lubricate engine parts and regulate heat. It also helps move any dirt or debris through the oil filter to prevent nasty build-up. Some notable signs indicate that your vehicle requires an oil change and filter replacement:  The dashboard check engine light or oil light is lit up Your engine makes grinding or knocking sounds You notice dark and dirty oil on the dipstick You smell oil around your vehicle There's dark exhaust sm ... read more

Besides oil changes, brake inspections and repairs are among the most common services that vehicle owners must get. After all, everyone needs their brakes to be working properly to get them safely from point a to point b! There is definitely more than one part at play when it comes to your brake system. Today, we will be discussing the different parts, especially the pads and rotors. Most vehicles on the road today have disc brake systems as opposed to the traditional drum brake. Disc brakes have three primary parts: caliper, brake pad, and brake rotor.   Brake Pads vs. Brake Rotors Brake pads are fastened to the calipers, which are clamp-like parts that close when you apply pressure on the brake pedal. The calipers and pads grab onto the brake rotors, which are the disc-like structures themselves. The rotors are in sync with the wheels, so when the calipers hold onto the rotors, your car will slow down.    When to Replace Brake Pads or Rotors Like any other vehic ... read more

If you weren't aware already, your engine produces an intense amount of heat. Even with your regular oil changes, it can produce enough heat to destroy itself, which is why it heavily relies on coolant. Without replacing and inspecting the cooling system, your engine can wreak havoc and break down. A radiator flush from Pete's Auto Service can ensure that your cooling system and the engine are in the best possible condition year-round.   The coolant system is comprised of many parts, including the head gaskets, water pump, heater core, head gaskets, radiator, and heater control valve. These pieces ensure the delivery of the antifreeze mixture (coolant) to the engine to help remove excess heat. The coolant is circulated through the engine through the water pump, stretching back to the radiator and heater core to disperse heat. The more you use your coolant, the less effective it becomes. Coolant fluid deteriorates over time, making the system susceptible to rust and corro ... read more

Your vehicle's exhaust system is one of the largest systems in your car, stretching from the engine all the way to the exhaust pipe. The nice thing about your exhaust system is that it can clue you into its condition fairly easily. For example, a roaring tailpipe could imply problems in your muffler. Odorous and dark exhaust fumes, on the other hand, can signify several issues in your car's engine or exhaust system.   A solid and healthy exhaust system is attributed to keeping your car running silently, maintaining fuel efficiency, and reducing the hazardous output of gases from your engine. Some states (and counties) even go as far as requiring vehicle owners to pass emission tests to ensure everyone's safety.   What Are the Symptoms of Exhaust System Problems? If part of the exhaust system is not functioning correctly, you will likely notice the following symptoms: Smell of Gasoline The exhaust system parts running under your car are subject to very high ... read more

Main beam headlights (also referred to as high beam headlights) can make your driving feel a lot safer in the right situations. However, main beam headlights can be a significant safety hazard when misused—knowing how and when you use your main beams is critical for every driver of every age.    What Are They Main beam headlights give you a choice to make your headlights brighter when you have difficulty seeing through your windshield. They can also be called high beam headlights, flashers, full beam, high beam, and blinders. Most vehicles' main beam is controlled by the stick on the left side of your steering wheel, which also controls your turn signals. When your high beams are on, you'll notice straight away that your headlights are brighter. They illuminate a larger surface area, allowing you to see more of the road ahead.   When To Use  Most of the time, your low beams are bright enough in the city, where there are plenty of streetlights. Ho ... read more

Imagine heading out, read to start your day, and your car refuses to reverse out of the garage. The average person would probably freak out. You rely on reverse gear to back out of a parking space is something we do and rely on every day. If your car doesn't follow this command, then the problem is likely stemming from your transmission. The transmission is your vehicle's gear shifter. Modern transmissions are usually made up of five to six gear sets that power your vehicle. Not only does a malfunctioning reverse function prevent you from going places, but it could mean your vehicle is in need of a significant repair. Your first step should be to ensure your parking brake is not active. Before attempting to back up again, we suggest that you let your car idle to warm up the transmission fluid. If those methods don't work, remain calm. Your next step is to phone a tow truck and wait. These problems listed below may be behind your stubborn car:   Low or Contaminated T ... read more

  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