Auto Repair
Over their lifetime, all cars will eventually need to have some form of
Auto Repair performed in order to keep them running smoothly. Whether it is scheduled maintenance or something unexpected, auto repair is a fact of life that all car owners must deal with at some point. Some of the most common auto repairs likely to be necessary during the course of ownership are things such as changing a tire, replacing brake system components, and performing scheduled maintenance to the engine or transmission. However, modern automobiles are highly complex machines and as such, repairs may become necessary unexpectedly.
While most people will need to take their automobiles to a licensed professional for repair, there are those that may try the do-it-yourself route. This is a decision to consider very carefully before going forward. While a potentially significant amount of money might be saved by completing repairs yourself, specific equipment, knowledge and experience may be necessary that preclude this from being a reasonable option. Ultimately, the decision should be made based on the complexity of the necessary repair as well as the mechanical skill of the owner. If there is any doubt, the vehicle should be taken to a licensed professional.
For those that choose the do-it-yourself route, a certain level of mechanical competency and required tools are necessary. Additionally, specific research about your vehicle and the required repair should be undertaken. Vehicle-specific service manuals are available at local automotive parts retailers, local book stores and online vendors. Additionally, online automotive communities are valuable resources. Often, very detailed instructions for any given repairs are available for review. Other members may also be available to answer specific questions you might have.
In general, most people will feel more comfortable taking their vehicle to a licensed professional. In this case, a reputable and qualified auto repair shop needs to be located. An excellent place to start with if you bought your vehicle new is the dealership you purchased your vehicle at. If you purchased a used car, a dealership that specializes in selling the particular make and model of your vehicle or an independent auto repair shop is an option. These can usually be located in your local phone directory or via the Internet. Additionally, as with the do-it-yourself mechanic, online automotive communities are a valuable source of information. Members will generally be happy to recommend shops where they have had good experiences and steer you away from ones where they haven’t.
While auto repair is an unfortunate fact of life, it need not be a stressful one. With the help of our expert online articles and the education they provide, you can make confident and informed decisions about auto repair whenever necessary whether you choose the do-it-yourself route or take your car to a licensed professional.
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What Most People Don’t Know about Auto Repair Insurance
Posted on October 7, 2013When it comes to auto repair insurance coverage, there are many things about this type of coverage many people are unaware of. In fact, before you purchase one of these policies, you should know of its limitations, and whether you need the coverage at all. Auto Repair Insurance: Things to Consider If you’re considering auto […]
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Where to Find Online Auto Repair Manuals
Posted on October 7, 2013When you are a do-it-yourself mechanic, nothing is more important than good auto repair manuals. These often make the difference between making a successful repair and just blankly staring at your car. Traditional printed auto repair manuals have been around for years, but in the era of the Internet, online versions have become available that […]
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What is the Best Auto Repair Insurance Plan to Purchase Based on Income?
Posted on October 7, 2013If you are planning to buy a new or used vehicle, and are looking to purchase an auto repair insurance policy for that vehicle, you will want to be aware of the different types of policies available in the benefits and costs of each type. Also, you might want to consider your personal income when […]
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How to Get Extended Warranties with Auto Repair Insurance
Posted on October 7, 2013If you’re looking to extend the warranty coverage on your vehicle, an auto repair insurance policy may provide the coverage you need. An auto repair insurance policy is simply another name for an extended warranty or mechanical breakdown insurance policy. Both types of coverage offer the benefit of additional warranty protection. How Auto Repair Insurance […]
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Is Auto Repair Insurance Necessary for Everyone?
Posted on October 7, 2013If you’re considering auto repair insurance coverage, such as an extended warranty or a mechanical breakdown insurance policy, there are several things you need to consider. If you carefully research your options, you may find you don’t need this type of coverage at all. Does Everyone Need Extra Repair Coverage? Whenever you purchase a vehicle […]
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How to Repair a Rusted Brake Line
Posted on October 7, 2013The method used for brake line repairs is a direct function of the extent of damage involved. Depending on the extent of damage, either whole line or sectional replacements are possible. The repair generally involves three steps. Step 1: Brake Line Replacement In order to replace the Brake Line, follow the below mentioned steps: Verify […]
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Most Reliable Auto Repair Insurance Companies
Posted on October 7, 2013If you’re thinking of purchasing an auto repair insurance policy for your vehicle, it is important to find reliable companies that offer this type of coverage. While there are certainly many companies that offer mechanical breakdown policies or extended warranties, some are definitely considered to be better and more reliable than others. Warranty Direct Warranty […]
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How to get Discount Auto Repair Insurance
Posted on October 7, 2013When shopping for an auto repair insurance policy, it’s important not to pay too much or rather try to save as much money as possible. So, here is a quick how-to guide on how to find discount auto repair insurance. Step 1 – Use the Internet You can search for companies that provide auto repair […]
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How to get Auto Repair Insurance Quotes
Posted on October 7, 2013Whether you just bought a new car or you anticipate necessary repairs for an older vehicle you own, one of the best things to do is to start looking into auto repair insurance. This can help you to save money should your vehicle break down on you. Here are some tips to find the right […]
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Does AAA offer Auto Repair Insurance?
Posted on October 7, 2013If you are thinking of purchasing auto repair insurance for your vehicle, you may want to consider AAA for your car repair insurance coverage needs. While the national AAA Association does not offer auto repair insurance coverage or automobile extended warranties, many state level AAA associations and clubs do offer this type of coverage. Even […]
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How to Do Your Own Auto Glass Chip Repair
Posted on October 7, 2013One repair that is often overlooked until too late is auto glass chip repair. While a chip in your windshield may not seem like much, contamination from environmental debris and stresses from changing temperatures can cause it to grow over time, leading to cracks and much more expensive repairs. However, it does not have to […]
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Common Auto Repair Insurance Scams
Posted on October 7, 2013Although an auto repair insurance policy can save you money on some types of common vehicle repairs, you should be aware of the potential for fraud and scams associated with these types of policies. Here’s a quick list of common scams related to auto repair insurance. Final Notice Companies Always be aware of companies that […]
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Do-It-Yourself Auto Repair vs. Auto Repair Insurance
Posted on October 7, 2013When considering the costs associated with repairing a vehicle, you generally have two choices: handling it yourself or purchasing an auto repair insurance policy. There are advantages and disadvantages to both choices, and this article will discuss a couple of each. Advantages and Disadvantages of Do-It-Yourself Auto Repair One of the biggest advantages with handling […]
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Average Auto Repair Insurance Price Based on Age
Posted on October 7, 2013Auto repair insurance gets more expensive the younger you are. Regardless of your age, there is affordable insurance out there. You just have to know where to look. There is actually nothing such as a fixed auto repair insurance depending on what age you are. There are other factors that come into play as well, […]
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Advantages of AAA Warranty for Auto Repair Insurance
Posted on October 7, 2013If you’re considering auto repair insurance or an extended warranty, there are several reasons you might choose to consider AAA for your repair insurance needs. Here’s a quick list of the advantages that choosing AAA offers to consumers that need additional warranty protection for their vehicles. Coverage for High Mileage Vehicles Although many other extended […]
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How Does An Electric Parking Brake Work?
Posted on October 7, 2013One of the newest features in vehicles these days is the electronic parking brake. An electronic parking brake allows drivers to operate their vehicles safely, especially when they are parking on steep inclines. The brake is attached to the computer in your vehicle, and automatically released when the vehicle is shifted into drive and the […]
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What Brands of Brake Pads Have Easy Installation?
Posted on October 7, 2013Where brake pads and installation is concerned, it can be hard to determine what brands are the easiest to install. Generally speaking, brake pads are not as difficult to install as other do-it-yourself repairs. What can complicate installation is the type of car and the accessibility of the brake assembly. Typically, brake pads made by […]
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What Brands Make Dustless Brake Pads?
Posted on October 7, 2013Three popular manufacturerers of dustless brake pads are AXXIS Brakes, EBC Brakes and Hawk Performance. These companies produce a wide range of brake products for automobiles, trucks and motorcycles, and are well known for quality dustless brake pads for performance cars. Dustless brake pads are used in high performance vehicles and street racers because of their high heat absorbing properties and […]
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Are there any Brands that Specialize in Disc Brake Pads?
Posted on October 7, 2013There are several manufacturers that specialize in disc brake pads. Both for high performance vehicles and everyday automobiles. A quick Internet search will bring back a host of search results for street racing brands and aftermarket parts makers. Many of these companies also produce disc brakes for auto manufacturers for production cars. Companies like Brembo have […]
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What will cause ABS Power Brakes to Diminish besides Normal Wear and Tear?
Posted on October 7, 2013ABS power brakes can fail for a number of reasons. For example, a wheel rotation sensor can fail, causing the system to go into “fail safe” mode or “limp” mode. “Fail safe” mode means that the car’s brakes will work, but the anti-lock feature will not. You can determine that there is a problem with your […]
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Can the Master Cylinder in Power Brakes cause them to Stick?
Posted on October 7, 2013Yes, a master cylinder failure can cause your master power brakes to stick. Normally, your master cylinder is filled with brake fluid. When you press the brake pedal, the hydraulic pressure in your brake system increases, which forces the calipers to grab the rotor or the shoes to engage the brake drums. If the system […]
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How Do You find out What Type of Gas Tank Sealant to Use?
Posted on October 7, 2013If you find your car is hard-starting, stumbling on idle or sluggish, your car may have a cracked gas tank for which you will need a gas tank sealant kit. KBS, Eastwood and AutoZone all make sealant kits. To locate a gas tank leak, you must clean the tank. Use a 20:1 mixture of muriatic […]
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What will cause a Gas Tank Hole?
Posted on October 7, 2013A gas tank hole can be because a number of causes. If your car has undercoating installed – undercoat is a paraffin-based spray-on coating that likes to grab and hold salt and other metal-eating chemicals – rust-out holes are possible. Or, if your car hits a large rock or pothole, you run the risk of a gas […]
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Do Torque Wrench Sets Also Come in Metric or US Systems?
Posted on October 7, 2013A torque wrench set does come in both systems. Indeed, the better systems actually have both indications on the wrench and have heads that will take either US or metric diameter systems. The reason that torque wrench sets come in both systems is that while the auto industry had its birth in Europe, (the United […]
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What Does Disc Brake Cleaner do besides Eliminate Brake Noise?
Posted on October 7, 2013Disc brake cleaner works like this: when you hit the brakes, the calipers grab the rotors and halt the vehicle that is equipped with disc brakes. After grabbing, the material on the calipers vaporizes a bit and becomes dust. In turn, the dust coats the front wheels with a fine black oxidized powder. As the […]
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Do Car Manufacturers Require Specific Brands for a Disc Brake Piston Tool?
Posted on October 7, 2013In general, a car manufacturer will require a specific disc brake piston tool to be used for repairs. From the manufacturer’s point of view this makes sense, as it locks the customer’s car into the dealership’s shop. However, given the number of similar tools available, this arrangement does not last for long, as independent shops […]
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Why Does a Rear Brake Drum Last Longer than the Front?
Posted on October 7, 2013A rear brake drum lasts longer than a front disc due to physics. In today’s typical front-engine/front-drive vehicle, 69 percent of the weight is over the driving/primary braking wheels. This means the rear wheels are just “along for the ride”, so to speak. Because most of the braking a turning force is in the front […]
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Why is there a US and Metric Ratchet Set instead of Just One System?
Posted on October 7, 2013Simply because there are two systems – a U.S. and a metric ratchet set — are both in use right now, and there is little chance that there will be any standardization in the next generation. It is true the U.S. is committed to the metric system, having made that clear in legislation during the […]
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What are the Most Common Reasons for a Low Brake Pedal?
Posted on October 7, 2013A low brake pedal is caused by a number of issues. There could be a break in one of your brake fluid lines. The master cylinder could be leaking. On a front disc/rear drum-equipped car the brake cylinders could be leaking as could, the emergency brake cylinder or the front caliper assemblies could be leaking […]
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How Do You Know if You Have a Stuck Brake Caliper?
Posted on October 7, 2013A stuck brake caliper will cause major problems with handling and steering, as well as creating a burning odor that is hard to miss. If your car has a stuck brake caliper in the front, the chances are good that if you can get going, it will feel is if you have to fight the […]
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