It’s up there on a list of driving nightmares: you’re enjoying a leisurely drive when, suddenly, the “check engine” light comes on. That vague order is enough to put any driver on edge as they frantically try to listen, smell, or feel an issue with their car. However, there’s no reason to panic! At our Winston-Salem auto repair center, we can help diagnose the problem, and get you back on the road in no time.

Knowledge is Power

Fun fact: when a check engine light goes on, it can usually be attributed to one of several common issues. Becoming familiar with a few of them may be helpful next time you get that ominous message on your dashboard. One prominent issue that you may find is a need to replace your spark plugs or spark plug wires. Admittedly, this problem occurs when a car has a hefty amount of mileage on it, but if you’re driving around a used car, it may be just about time! The spark plugs are where all the magic begins when you turn the key- so you need to make sure they’re in prime condition, especially because faulty spark plugs can cause more serious problems later on. They could lead to issues with your car’s catalytic converter or ignition coil.

Another common issue that sets off the check engine light is a defunct oxygen sensor. Of course, getting routine auto repair done at our Winston-Salem location will stave off this issue for as long as possible, since this issue can be caused by neglecting oil changes. A potential consequence of neglecting your oxygen sensor is a decrease in fuel efficiency (up to 40%!), as it measures unburned oxygen in the car’s exhaust system.

Don’t Rule Anything Out

Sometimes, the biggest troublemakers are the most unsuspecting. Every time you top up your gas tank, you open your fuel cap. When it gets loose or gets lost, it can compromise your vehicle’s fuel economy and emit harmful emissions. Fortunately, this is an inexpensive and quick fix, and your wallet will be grateful you caught it in time.

Is your check engine light staring you down? Don’t put it off any longer. Contact us to set up an appointment and we’ll be happy to help you!

April showers bring May flowers… along with compromised visibility and reduced traction. According to Edmunds.com, there are more accidents caused by rain than by snowfall, sleet, and ice. The first step towards staying safe is making sure your vehicle is primed for bad weather. Our Winston-Salem auto repair center can check things like tire tread and your wiper blades, ensuring you’re not taking any unnecessary risks!

Don’t Get Caught Unprepared

Equipment is key once the weather gets nasty. Staying on top of routine vehicle maintenance may seem like a hassle, but it could be the difference between staying safe and getting into an accident. Winston-Salem drivers can count on us for necessary and top-quality auto repair and maintenance such as tire rotations and replacements, with a huge inventory of brand new tires.

Sometimes you don’t notice that you need new windshield wiper blades until you’re caught in a rain storm. Don’t let that happen to you! Regularly check your windshield wipers to make sure they’re in good condition. If they seem iffy and you’re not sure how to replace them, we’ll be happy to help you.

Approach Responsibly

Of course, the conditions of your tires and wiper blades aren’t the only mitigating factors in unpleasant weather. The onus is on all drivers to proceed with extreme caution. Make sure to slow down, since, according to Edmunds.com, your car’s traction is reduced by about one third in slippery weather. Keep more distance than usual between you and the car in front of you, and don’t activate any type of cruise control- adaptive or otherwise. That feature isn’t great in compromised driving situations because of the way the car’s weight is distributed while maintaining constant speed.

The best safety feature in your vehicle is your own attention, but proper care and maintenance doesn’t hurt, either. Visit our repair center to make sure your car, truck, van, or SUV is rain-ready!

With spring rapidly approaching, it’s hard to resist the temptation of a new beginning. So why bother? Start with your vehicle. A place where you spend so much time should be in impeccable shape once it’s time to roll the windows down and enjoy the spring air. Check out these tips from our Winston-Salem auto repair center for an idea of how to make the most of warmer weather.

A Thorough Cleaning

It’s called “spring cleaning” for a reason: open up the windows, air out your car, and get to work! Some prefer to get their car, truck, van, or SUV detailed at the turn of the seasons, but it can be more satisfying to do it yourself. Get rid of the junk that may have accumulated in your back seat. Sort and organize your glove compartment and center console. Throw out any trash, and clean out the trunk. Then, take a vacuum to the whole thing! This won’t only help get rid of allergens, but after a long, wet winter, there may be dirt, mud, and salt in the carpet of your vehicle.

Next, the moment you’ve been waiting for: the wash and wax. Cleaning a winter’s worth of salt, grime, and debris off of your vehicle and getting it back to the gleaming shine you love will be infinitely satisfying. It’ll also pay off in the long run, since a salt buildup can cause major problems, the least of which is rust.

Keep Up With Your Routine

After toughing it out all winter, your car may need more than just superficial TLC. You can head to Winston-Salem to get thorough maintenance done at our auto repair center! We’ll make sure your tire pressure, wiper blades, and alignment are all in good shape, as well as checking out your engine.

Get ready for an amazing road trip season ahead. Visit us today and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of!

We’re well on our way to April showers- are you ready? If it’s been awhile since you paid attention to how your wiper blades are treating your windshield, it may be time to go outside and take a look. Our auto repair center in Winston-Salem has the advice (and parts) you need to make sure they’re in good working order.

Listen to What They’re Telling You

Your windshield wipers give you clear signals when they’re ready to retire. Streaking, skipping, splitting, and squeaking are all surefire signs it’s time to buy a new pair. Make sure you also inspect them regularly. Look for things like corrosion (especially at the joints of the wipers), squeegee stiffness, and cracking- all of which indicate that the wiper blades need to go. We have a large selection of wiper blades at our Winston-Salem auto repair facility that will keep your visibility great even on the rainiest of days- just check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to make sure you order the right set!

Once you’ve installed the new pair, there are a few tips to make sure they’re on correctly. Check the edges of the squeegee to make sure that they’re flat. If they are rounded, the contact with the windshield will be compromised. Pull gently on the wiper blade to make sure it’s been installed tightly, and then double-check to make sure the squeegee is secure in the wiper.

Keeping Your Wipers Squeaky Clean

There are some ways to extend the longevity of your wiper blades. Wiping them regularly with a rag dampened with mild dish liquid or windshield wiper fluid will clean off the debris it picks up from your windshield, such as road salt or mud. Should they freeze onto your windshield, use your vehicle’s defroster while clearing snow and ice out of the way to free them.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to take care of your windshield wipers- getting stuck in a rainstorm is hardly the time to remember they need to be replaced. Contact our service center if you have any questions about your wiper blades or would like to order a replacement pair!

January and February are rough winter months- a bad time in a season that’s already not ideal for your car. Low temperatures and rough weather can take a toll on your vehicle’s tires, brakes, and other systems. At our auto repair center in Winston-Salem, we have some advice to help you keep your car, truck, van, or SUV in top shape and make it through the season without incident- all performed efficiently and skilfully by the experts on our team.

Revitalize Your Vehicle

Tires, brakes, and batteries are the three things that absolutely need to be checked out before the bad weather hits Winston-Salem. Making sure your battery’s connections are tight, clean, and free of corrosion will ensure its longevity and hardiness for winter. If it’s more than three years old, get it tested and replaced if necessary. Tires should have good tread to help keep your car in control in inclement conditions, always working in tandem with your brakes, which should also be inspected to make sure they’re road-ready.

Always See Clearly

Invisibility is a great superpower, but not an ideal road condition. Whether they’re wiping away road salt or the latest onset of sleet and snow, drivers need their windshield wiper blades in prime condition. Cracking, stiffness, and streaky results are all signs of worn wiper blades that need replacement. You can do this yourself, but if you’re not sure how, it’s never a bad idea to ask the experts- we’re just a phone call away.

Don’t forget that the heater and defroster make it easier to clear off your windows. If these systems aren’t in order, getting rid of ice or snow will be much more difficult than it has to be. When you just want to get into your car and get on your way, you’ll wish you had the heater and defroster checked out before the weather got especially bad.

Don’t get left in the cold this season. Our auto repair center performs a range of services, including necessary tune-ups and inspections to help make it through the rougher seasons. Contact us or call us at 866-242-1277 if you have any questions about the care of your car.