Charlotte Auto Repair

Your vehicle's engine is made up of hundreds of different components, all working together to provide you with a seamless driving experience. One such component, the head gasket, is commonly referred to but it often misunderstood. What exactly is an engine head gasket and what is its purpose? While the head gasket is small and doesn't look complex (a flat piece of metal with holes in it) it has a vital job. There are also many different types of gaskets in your vehicle, not just the head gasket. The primary job of these gaskets is to prevent debris from getting into the engine, maintain consistent internal pressure, and to keep fluids and other vital liquids inside the engine.  While we are on the topic of the engine head gasket, let's take a look at all of the different gaskets in your vehicle and what they do.  Head Gasket - the head gasket in your engine's cylinder has the important job of preventing any combustion gases from gettin ... read more

At Woodie's Auto Service & Repair Centers, we want to reassure you that during these trying times, we are designated as an essential business and all locations will remain open during normal business hours for your automotive needs.   The well-being of our employees and customers is our number one priority, so we are now offering both curbside services and complimentary pickup and delivery for your convenience.  We are also implementing the following measures to ensure that we do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19: Our staff members are washing their hands often. Technicians are required to wear latex gloves on every vehicle and will change them often. Advisors are, when available, wearing latex gloves and changing them as often. Customer keys are wiped down before placing them in repair order packets. Technicians are to use steering wheel covers on all vehicles. (When available) Technicians are to use disinfectant to wipe down steering w ... read more

When many people think about their vehicle's electrical system, they think that the battery is the main power behind everything. While the battery does provide charge to start is your vehicle and run your electrical systems, the alternator is actually the component that keeps your battery charged while your car is running. Without a working alternator, you will find yourself with a vehicle that only runs for a short amount of time and then shuts off on you.  While your vehicle is running, your alternator is essential recycling power and charging the battery. The alternator is located in the engine compartment and is a part of the starting and charging systems. If your alternator is working as it should, you will notice one or more of the following symptoms:  Battery warning light has turned on Dead battery Battery starts but doesn't hold charge and shuts off mid-drive Dim interior lights Problems with electrical components such as power windows, radio, etc.  ... read more

If you're a parent of a teenage driver who is just starting out, you may feel anxious or worried every time you know that your child is behind the wheel. You may wonder, have I done enough to prepare them to drive safely and smartly? There are always risk factors involved when a new driver gets on the road, but preparing them as much as possible will give you more ease as a parent of teen behind the wheel.  Here are some tips for how you can help your teenager be a better driver:  Set an example for your teen. Believe it or not, many teenagers will repeat their parent's bad driving habits because they've learned them from seeing you drive throughout the years. Set an example by following the speed limit, driving safely, following traffic laws, and always wearing your seatbelt.  Try to limit the amount of time your teenager drives at night, if possible. Driving at night is harder and less visible, so getting them better at day driving before being allowed t ... read more

It’s that time of the season when we start thinking about what changes or resolutions we plan to make for the upcoming year. 2019 has ended and we all hope that 2020 will bring us health and good fortune. Many people will think about what resolutions to make such as going to the gym more often, eating healthier, and waking up earlier. These are all fantastic resolutions, but have you thought about any changes you will be making when it comes to your car?  Nobody is a perfect vehicle owner, but there are many ways in which the regular car driver can not only take better care of their vehicle but save money on car repairs in the new year. It is a great idea to think of a vehicle resolution that you can make going into 2020 that will help you protect your car investment and save you money on repairs. Here are some of our top vehicle changes to make for 2020: Try to keep your car clean and free of garbage Clean out your trunk - it will give you much better fuel efficiency Ha ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Woodie's Auto Service & Repair Centers! 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 Woodie'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, flar ... read more

What is defensive driving? Defensive driving is just another term for driving alert and safe on the road. Especially if you are driving during heavy traffic hours, defensive driving is a great way to protect yourself from accidents by being aware of surrounding cars. Before you even get on the road, planning your trip and understanding the weather and road conditions is the first step in defensive driving. Here are some other ways to practice defensive driving:  Check your mirrors every 5 minutes or so and always be aware of vehicles around you.   Be courteous and allow other vehicles attempting to switch lanes to have the right away. Switching lanes in traffic can be dangerous and trying to fight others on switching lanes puts you at risk for an accident if the other car doesn’t see you.    Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, just in case you need to brake quickly.   Be wary of aggressive drivers who may not be p ... read more

The head gasket is one of those terms that many of us have probably heard of, but don't quite understand. The head gasket is the block that is located between the engine block and the cylinder head. This part has a tough job because it is constantly put under high pressure and high temperatures. If your head gasket is blown, this is another way of saying that your head gasket has a leak.  A head gasket leak basically 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 places that they shouldn't and this will start to cause engine metal and parts to warp and wear significantly. Leaking coolant can cause a multitude of different issues, including causing low coolant levels which can cause engine overheating and warping, damage your spark plugs, cause issues with the motor, rust piston rings and cylinder walls ... read more

Traveling by car is a great and inexpensive way to go on vacation or visit family or friends. Many people are opting for a car ride rather than a flight, because it's cheaper and less restrictive in terms of what you bring along. If you are planning a trip in the near future in your vehicle, check out the car travel tips listed below to help you be prepared for anything on the road:  Take an extra car key. Keys can easily be lost or left behind, and having an extra key will be a lifesaving in this instance.  Bring an actual paper map with you, just in case you don't have service or your GPS fails.  If you're bringing a trailer or hitch, make sure that it is installed to regulations and that all lights are working properly.  Have your vehicle inspected before you hit the road to ensure that all is in proper working order Make sure you have driving arrangements planned so that one driver doesn't get stuck behind the wheel for an extended period of ... read more

Noisy brakes are not only annoying, but can also be a cause for concern depending on the severity of the noise and when it occurs. Brake squeal is is caused by high frequency vibration, which can be caused by vibrations between the pads and rotors, the pads and calipers, or the calipers and their mounts.  Brake noise can be worrisome for some people, because they immediately believe that something must be wrong with their vehicle. Noise may indicate trouble, but the only way to know for sure is to have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes and determine the culprit of the noises.  If nothing is really wrong in terms of brake performance, then your trusted mechanic can still make a few adjustments to certain parts to try and eliminate the squealing noise. We recommend bringing your vehicle into our shop if you're concerned about any noises and our experts will determine the best solution for you.