North and South Carolina Auto Repair

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. 

Summer is notorious for high gas prices, and if you’re noticing that you have been spending much more on gas lately, it may be time to adjust your driving habits and make some changes. Although each tip for saving money on fuel has a small effect, making multiple changes can actually help keep money in your wallet when it comes to buying fuel.  Here are our top tips for saving money on fuel this summer:  Driving safer and smoother. If you are constantly hitting the gas pedal, slamming on your brakes, or driving fast - you are using up more fuel than needed. By adjusting your driving habits, such as driving at the speed limit and allowing yourself plenty of time to brake, you’ll end up using less gas and saving yourself some cash. Use the right fuel grade. Check your owner’s manual to make sure that your vehicle is getting the right grade of fuel at the pump. You may have been pumping premium in your car when you actually don’t need it.  Lighte ... 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 every 6,000 mil ... read more

We’ve all smelled an unusual scent on the road before, such as the spray of a skunk on the highway or the heavy smell of gasoline when an eight-wheeler drives past. However, if you’re ever in your own vehicle, and notice a smell that doesn’t go away, don’t ignore it. A smell that won’t go away that you smell while driving is an indicator that something may be wrong with your vehicle.  Some causes of a smell are less urgent than others, but the only way to be sure of the cause is to bring your vehicle into our shop an inspection as soon as you start noticing the weird smell. Here are some of the usual scents and what they can indicate: Gasoline - This usually means that your vehicle has a gas leak. This could be from the fuel injector line or fuel tank.  Burning Carpet - A burning carpet smell could be a sign of a brake problem. This should be inspected as soon as possible.  Burnt Rubber - A burnt rubber smell could be coming from a drive ... read more

Spring is a great time to take control of your vehicle’s maintenance. Driving in the winter weather can take a toll on our vehicles, causing wear and tear that can affect overall performance and fuel efficiency. Before your spring and summer road trip plans, be sure to come by our shop for a spring vehicle inspection. Here are the top spring maintenance items to keep your vehicle running smoothly into the summer! Read your vehicle’s owner’s manual and see if any recommended services are due Make sure you are current with your vehicle’s oil and filter change Have coolant levels, condition, and concentration checked Inspect belts & hoses for any wear and tear Test air conditioning and verify if it is working properly Check your tires - look at the overall condition, tread, and check tire pressure  Look at all lights, interior and exterior, to make sure they work properly including headlights, tail lights, and brake lights Change your windshield wi ... read more