Greensboro Auto Repair

With winter just around the corner, now is the time to ensure that your car is ready for the cold weather. Taking the time to perform a few simple maintenance items can help to ensure that your vehicle is reliable and safe for the winter months. Here is a winter maintenance checklist for your vehicle: Change oil and filter: Having the oil and filter changed regularly helps to keep your engine clean and running smoothly. Check tire pressure and tread: Make sure your tires are properly inflated and the tread is in good condition. If the tread is worn, consider getting new tires before winter weather sets in. Check brakes: Be sure to have your brakes inspected and serviced if necessary. Check belts and hoses: Make sure your belts and hoses are in good condition and free of cracks or leaks. Replace windshield wipers: Make sure you have a clean view of the road ahead of you. Check lights and signals: Make sure all of your lights and signals are working properly. Check battery: A wea ... read more

At Autotrends, we understand how Thanksgiving is all about spending quality time with loved ones, especially the ones that are far away. Many of us will bring some road travel in the next week, the next couple of weeks as a matter of fact. With many people traveling at once, the road can be hectic and dangerous. Despite the busy holidays, we encourage you to keep safety first in mind and follow these road travel tips this Thanksgiving: Prep Your Vehicle for the Road The team at Autotrends wants you to come together with your family and friends, so we want to help you weatherproof and prepare your car for the road while we are driving. If you have maintenance due soon, take your vehicle to our auto repair shop for an oil change, tire inspection and rotation, and more. We can check your other fluids too, including the transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, and more.  Pack an Emergency Road Kit No one wants to think about dealing with a breakdown over the holid ... read more

Oil changes are the single most important thing you should have done for your vehicle. It is also a service that occurs the most frequently over all the other services. Nevertheless, it is a maintenance task that car owners delay or skip. And doing so can result in major backlash.    The purpose of motor oil is to lubricate your engine parts to minimize friction and damage. When you have clean oil flowing through your engine, the components can work seamlessly without bumping against each other. Over time, oil loses its viscosity and effectiveness. If you do your duty of changing this fluid, it can wear down your engine parts quickly and cause corrosion and other failures.   A common side effect of poor engine maintenance is oil leaks. If you notice a dark or greasy-looking puddle under your parked car, there’s a good chance your car is leaking oil. However, most cars nowadays are made with protection underneath to catch leaking oil. To make sure your not car i ... read more

The water pump in vehicles is a delicate part that needs replacement once damaged. It's a very reliable part that, if damaged, there will be an all-out engine failure. The water pump is what keeps a vehicle cool and keeps the cooling system running. But, sometimes, your vehicle's water pump may fail. If it get damaged, it's dangerous to your vehicle. There are various reasons can cause the water pump to fail. Here are common symptoms of a failing water pump. 1. Unhealthy circulation The water pump moves coolant through the radiator and the engine to dissipate heat build-up. Rapid movements cause the closely connected parts to generate a lot of friction, thus causing heat. The pump is pulley driven with either the accessory drive, serpentine, or timing belt. A broken belt results in inefficiency. The impeller, usually on the inside part of the system, keeps it circulating. However, the impeller can wear down because of contaminants in the coolant. In additi ... read more

Our vehicle’s check engine light is one of many ways that your car can tell you that something is wrong under the hood. While it may seem like a big deal for this yellow indicator to illuminate, you should not stress or panic about it. As long as you have your vehicle inspected and diagnosed, you will be okay.    There are many explanations for why a check engine light may be on. Here are the four most popular reasons your check engine light is glowing. Loose or Damaged Gas Cap The gas lid is a small piece that keeps the fuel from leaking out of your fuel system. That way, toxic fumes don’t pollute the air and you don’t waste your money. A broken gas lid is one of the most common reasons for lit check engine lights. Luckily, it is an easy and inexpensive fix. Bad Catalytic Converter If the light is on for the catalytic converter, it is a rather serious issue. The catalytic converter is in charge of turning carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. To ensure ... read more

The best season to drive and enjoy with friends and family is the summer season. You feel like you have achieved your summer dreams when it's hot. However, the weather might be too hot when it's sunny, and you must put on your car A/C. If your A/C is blowing warm air, then that will be the beginning of a dull day. But why does your A/C blow warm air? Failing compressor A compressor is an essential component in your AC cooling system. It is responsible for pressurizing the refrigeration fluid throughout the system. Like in any other moving part in a machine, the compressor is vulnerable to tear and wear. A worn-out compressor will blow warm air and lead to engine overheating. If your AC blows warm air, contact your mechanic for a check-up. Low or leaking refrigerant Refrigerant is the fluid circulating through the cooling system and causes a cooling effect within your car as it expands and condenses. Since the fluid is an enclosed system, it cannot evaporate out of the syste ... read more

When you’re in a hurry, it is easy to stop by a drive-thru line for some food. You pull up, grab your food, and proceed to eat and drive. You may think the quick bite is harmless, but it can actually make your commute more dangerous.   Eating and driving is a dangerous condition that is not talked about enough when it comes to driving distractions. While it may be harmless for the number of times you’ve gotten away with it, it takes one incident to see how bad it can really be. This is because eating and driving take your attention away from driving.    Did you know that your reaction speed is lowered by 44% when you eat and drive? And drinking and driving slows it down by 22%? According to a survey by ExxonMobil, over 70% of drivers admit to eating behind the wheel on a regular basis. With accidents that occur due to this problem, it is shocking to see how many people still do it. Some cities have banned it, including Huron, South Dakota. You can be fine ... read more

According to most automakers, the average driver approximately drives 14,000-15,000 miles per year. We recommend that you track your mileage so that you can know when your vehicle is due for maintenance. In fact, most car manufacturers recommend services at specific mile intervals. Besides your regular oil changes, tire rotations, and filter changes, the major maintenance services typically occur at every 30,000 mile interval. Over time, fluid levels decrease, screws become loose, seals wear down, and filters collect dust and debris after miles and miles of driving.  Factory scheduled maintenance helps to minimize the wear and tear that naturally occurs when you drive. In fact, factory recommended services, or 30/60/90K service, can extend the life of your vehicle. The initial step in 30/60/90K maintenance is to evaluate the vehicle's major systems for signs of problems, followed by a number of steps that may include: Checking and changing air, cabin, oil, and fuel filters ... read more

The simple answer is yes. Before embarking on a long trip, you're obligated to ensure your car is in excellent shape to avoid breaking down midway through the journey. The best way to ascertain your vehicle is trip ready is to have your mechanic perform diagnostic and maintenance checks. Below are tips on things you should ask your mechanic to inspect. 1. Inspect Your Car Brakes The braking system is an important safety feature in your car as it is responsible for slowing it down and stopping. You need to ensure it operates at 100% capacity. If you've noticed any squealing, your braking system needs replacement. So before hitting the road, allow your mechanic to inspect your car brakes. If there is any problem with the brake fluid, braking pads, drums, hoses, or rotors, that is the perfect time to repair or replace any broken or worn-out parts. 2. Examine Your Tires One common problem you're likely to encounter during a long trip is a tire blowout. So, have your mechani ... read more

When spring comes around, it seems like our to-do lists are endless, especially when it comes to tidying things around. It's hard to balance it all, which is why car care often slips drivers' minds. Out of all the maintenance that you should be doing this season, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to have your cabin air filter changed. Here are 3 reasons why a new filter is a must-have for spring: Pollen Yep, we're talking about that yellow dust that makes some of us sneeze and have watery eyes. With pollen high this time of year, it's bound to get into your car, and you're going to need an effective filter to block it out. Let's kick off the season right and not let pollen get in the way. Clean Air to Breathe and Smell Pollen isn't the only disruptor that can get into your vents. Dust, mildew, and other allergens can collect on the filter over time. If you want fresh and clean air to breathe this spring, we recommend changing this filter ... read more