Posted on 8/30/2021
When you have a braking issue, bringing your car to a complete stop can take more effort than it should. Spongy brakes—also referred to as soft, squishy, or mushy brakes—can cause significant trouble if not tend to immediately with a proper brake inspection and service. Unfortunately, several problems could lead to spongy brake pedals. Here are some of the most common causes that we've seen at Autotrends: #1: Air in the Brake Lines Air in the brake lines is one of the most prevalent causes of abnormally soft brake pedals. Braking systems depend on evenly distributed hydraulic pressure to bring cars to a complete stopping point. Excess air in the lines will throw off the movement and result in additional time, distance, and/or effort for your car to stop. You may be thinking, "How does air even get in there anyway". And the answer is through leaks or too low brake fluid. Bleeding your brakes is a typical solution to get rid of the air and introduce cl ... read more
Posted on 7/16/2021
Your car's electrical system consists of the battery, starter, and alternator. The three parts collectively work to power your vehicle and its electrical components (radio, interior/exterior lights, power seats, etc.). If one of these parts is not working correctly, you're out of luck. Your car won't start or run. Here is some more information regarding the three essential parts of your electrical system: Battery: The battery powers all your vehicle's electrical components. The battery provides the current required to start the engine and engage the fuel system. Starter: Though the battery supplies power to the engine, the starter triggers the engine pistons to start working. Currents flow from the battery to the starter to move the crankshaft that starts the piston. Alternator: The alternator recharges the battery every time your car is on. This piece ensures you get a sufficient power supply to the peripheral components of your vehicle.  ... read more
Posted on 8/6/2015
Last month, Wheels 4 Hope placed 8 program cars! Autotrends is honored to be a part of such an amazing program. Take a look at the stories below to see how lives were changed. Cynthia has been living at the Masonic Home for children since she was young. She is currently learning life-skills and getting support in the Masonic's Independent Living Program. She is also going to college at ECU while working part-time. During the summer she works as a lifeguard. Felice received her Honda Civic through the Wheels 4 Hope vehicle program. This is her first car since 2007! This blessing will allow Felice to pursue additional job opportunities (preferably working with special needs children) and get to her Life Skills classes. Kristie loves her first car-a Honda Accord! Kristie has led a tough life at a young age when she found herself homeless at 17 after her mother passed ... read more
Posted on 4/16/2013
Maintenance you can do yourself (if you are not comfortable doing these yourself, please call us) Brake Fluid Loosen the clip on the master cylinder and remove the lid. If fluid is needed, consult your vehicle owner's manual for the correct type and fill to the recommended level. (If condition recurs, call Autotrends) Engine Oil The best time to check the oil level is five minutes after a fully warmed-up engine is turned off. Remove the oil dipstick, wipe it clean and insert fully. Remove the dipstick again to determine the oil level. Add oil only when the level is at or below the ADD Oil mark. (Caution: Do not overfill.) Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Fluid Apply the parking brake and put the engine in neutral before checking these fluid levels. The engine should be running and the transmission should be at operating temperature. Remove the dipstick, wipe clean and insert full ... read more