Alexandria VA auto repair

A wheel alignment service corrects your wheel’s angles to have them pointing in the right direction. There are many reasons why your car’s tires can lose their alignment. While it may not seem dangerous to you now, misalignment can create costly and extensive damages.   Every automaker has alignment specifications depending on the model and size of the vehicle. When your car’s wheels are knocked out of alignment, your tires won’t grip the road properly. Therefore, your vehicle’s handling and performance will be negatively impacted. Additionally, it will wear down your tires unevenly and prematurely.  What Causes Tires to Lose Alignment Wheel alignment intervals can vary depending on your vehicle, driving conditions, and tires. Road Impacts: If you frequently ram into curbs, run into potholes, and speed over road bumps, don’t be surprised if your wheel alignment is off. These impacts, minor or major, can throw your vehicle’s wheel ... read more

Do you finally have your eye on a car but are having doubts because it is second-hand. Get yourself a pre-purchase inspection to ease your worries. What Is a Pre-Purchase Inspection? A pre-purchase inspection is a thorough evaluation by a certified person to ascertain the aesthetic, technical, and safety condition of the vehicle before finalizing the purchase. A trained mechanic or automotive expert who is familiar with the brand and model of the vehicle performs the majority of checks. The purpose of the PPI is to identify current problems or maintenance issues that might later cause financial or safety concerns for the buyer. When Do You Need a Pre-Purchase Inspection Some of the things you should consider before getting a pre-purchase inspection include whether the car is; • Owned by a certified person and has warranty • Being sold locally • The car has valid insurance After buying the car, any issues you experience are on your budget. Therefore, it's crit ... read more

It's no secret that the summertime is an easy time for mechanical failure to occur. When the heat cranks up in Alexandria, VA, many drivers will need to keep an eye out for their vehicle's performance and efficiency. The best way to avoid car problems this summer is with preventative maintenance. Follow some of these tips below to prevent unwanted breakdowns: Engine Performance - If you notice any engine issues, such as hard starts, rough idling, stalling, or a general lack of power, your car may be due for a tune-up. Additionally, you should get an oil change if you plan to do a lot of driving this summer. Cooling System - Coolant is a vital fluid that keeps your car from overheating. With temperatures climbing high, make sure you have a mechanic check your cooling system. You should flush your radiator every 1-2 years. Windshield Wipers - Windshield wipers should be changed at least once every year. Rain showers can come a ... read more

With the current stay-at-home orders, our customers' cars may be sitting in driveways and garages for days or weeks at a time. In order to keep your car in good shape, it's important to start your car at least once a week and keep up with routine car care to help prevent potential maintenance issues. When starting your car weekly, let it run for at least five minutes. (If you car is in a garage, be sure to open the door first.) Alternatively, taking your car for a short drive can also help with other maintenance issues: Battery – Today’s vehicles have several computers that are always in operation, so if a car sits too long without recharging, the battery could die within a couple of weeks.  Tires – Checking the tire pressure frequently is more important if the car is parked for long periods of time. Vehicles that sit idle too long can develop flat spots, so taking a brief drive every once in a while will help prevent ... read more

Factory Scheduled Maintenance is a list of maintenance items, that your car's manufacturer recommend be completed usually every 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, 90,000 miles or more. These intervals and the maintenance items they recommend vary by the make and model of your vehicle, so it's best to check your car's owner's manual for more details. Each interval has some basic maintenance involved (oil change, etc.), as well as, more detailed inspections of fluids, filters, spark plugs, and wear and tear. The manufacturer sets these guidelines to get the best possible performance based on normal driving conditions. The bottom line: having your car's scheduled maintenance completed can prevent long-term and costly damage down the road. When you bring your vehicle in for it's factory scheduled maintenance, we're able to catch a smaller problem before it becomes a major problem - saving your money and time. Speaking of "normal dri ... read more