Car Blog

It is common to hear some minor squeeking from your brakes, but do you know when it's too much? Brake dust can build up and cause some squeeking. Keeping your wheels and brakes clean can help, but sometimes it's unavoidable. Have your pads checked at all services (oil changes, tires, etc) and you should not have any problems. If you hear grinding or squeeking even when you are not using the brakes, get to your mechanic and have it checked out. Learn more about your brakes... Kevin

How to find a repair shop you can trust. Sometimes it is not what you know but who you know that makes all the difference in the world. You do not have to be a mechanic if you have a good repair shop that you can trust. Let's look at a few tips to finding a repair shop you can trust. - Ask friends and family for recommendations Word of mouth can be a great way to find an auto repair shop. Find out why they like that shop and ask them what kind of work they have had done there. - Don't always assume that a dealership is your best bet for repairs. New car dealerships usually have the highest shop rate around and the newest equipment but that does not always mean the best customer service. There are a lot of repair shops with qualified mechanics outside of dealerships. - Look for accreditation from groups like ASE and MAP. Certification shows that the shop has gone the extra mile to keep on top of their automotive education. - When visiting, look for a clean well organized shop area and office. This should give you a peak into how the business is run. Can you really expect quality and fast service if the place is a mess? - Your first job should be a small one, like an oil change or brake job. Get a feel for the shop and how they treat their customers. When you have a major problem you will be comfortable knowing you have dealt with them before. Once you have found a good repair shop there are a few things to remember. Always keep good records of repairs. This can help resolve problems down the road. Make sure your repair shop knows you are happy. We always complain about the negative things, but we never mention the good. Also keep learning about your car. A good repair shop will be happy to deal with an educated customer. Take Care, Kevin Schappell

I always use a quality car wash soap, and never use dish washing liquid. Dish washing liquid can remove wax and leave your car's finish unprotected. I always start at the top of the car and work my way down. I prefer to use a wash mit, instead of a sponge, and make sure that I rinse the mit of any dirt, before I put it back into the bucket. Work in small sections and rinse often to prevent the soap from drying onto the finish. Always wash in a shady area when possible. When done washing, chamoise to dry your car, but make sure whatever you use is clean, so you do not scratch the finish. More car care tips can be found here.... http://www.autoeducation.com/carcare/intro.htm Kevin

It's that time of year again, and many of you out there are dealing with snow, sleet and ice on the roads. Take care of your car's body with a few quick and easy tips... 1. Wash the salt and chemicals off of your car as much as possible. Road crews throw down salt and other chemicals to melt ice, but it can also damage your car's body panels. Make sure to clean under the car too, a high pressure hose at your local car wash is the best. 2. Make sure you have a good coat of wax before the snow hits. This will help protect your paint and make getting snow off your car easier. 3. Don't scratch your paint when brushing snow off the hood and trunk of your car. Using an ice scraper or other hard object to remove snow can harm your car's finish quicker than sandpaper. Good luck, Kevin

What do you want to see on AutoEducation.com? We are working on bring you the best information to help you learn about how your car works. Even if you don't work on your own car, and just want to know what your mechanic is talking about, AutoEducation.com is the place for you. We always try to lay out the issues in easy to understand terms, and relate complex concepts to everyday knowledge. If you want to learn something that is not covered on the site, email me and let me know. Kevin@autoeducation.com