Monthly Archives: September 2019

BATTERY CARE AND REPLACEMENT

So how often does your car battery need to be replaced? You might be surprised to know that it’s roughly 3 to 4 years. This is just the average and many batteries fail earlier and some even later. So, to make sure you don’t get surprised by a sudden no start condition. At Westside Transmission & Automotive our certified mechanics check your battery every time you come in for any auto repairs or maintenance. Even if your battery is testing OK, we’ll still recommend replacing it around 4 years old just to make sure you always get where you’re going; nobody wants to be left stranded! AUTO BATTERY REPLACEMENT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST All vehicles need a good battery to start and run well. The latest vehicles increasingly rely on computers to run every electrical system, and these computers need clean, consistent power to not only allow your car to start but keep running. Car batteries that are old, weak and leaking acid can cause serious damage to electri ... read more

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Am I Choosing the Right Gas for My Car?

Wondering which gas to use in your car? The vehicle’s manufacturer makes it easy to decide what to put in your tank. Just look for the fueling info in the car’s manual, or if you don’t want to thumb through all those pages, check inside your gas-tank door. A label there should indicate whether your car needs premium unleaded fuel. Using lower-grade gas than what is required for your car may affect its power, torque, and overall performance. Your fuel economy may decrease as well. But here’s an important question: Does the language in your car’s manual suggest premium gas, or does it say your car requires it? If it’s a suggestion rather than a necessity, your car (and your wallet) will likely be fine with regular unleaded fuel. Premium vs. Regular Unleaded gas is considered “premium” or “regular” depending on its octane level. This determination can vary state to state, but typically, gas with an octane leve ... read more

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What to Look for When Purchasing a Used Vehicle

Purchasing a used car can be a scary and daunting experience. There are many factors to consider before taking the plunge. It is important to take several factors under consideration and taking the time to properly check out the vehicle can save you a headache down the road. Before you purchase a used car, take some time to check the exterior, interior, and underneath the hood to make sure there aren’t any major problems. Take the car for a test drive to see how it handles on the road. Finally, check the vehicle’s history and negotiate a reasonable price before coming to a final decision. Follow these tips to help take the headache out of looking for a used car. ExteriorPark the car on level ground before checking it out. Inspecting the car on even ground allows you to see if anything in the undercarriage is out of line or sagging. It also makes it easier for you to see and check the state of the tires. Tip: Engage the parking b ... read more

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It Is Important to Change You Spark Plugs Regularly

Even the smallest engine components like your spark plugs can greatly affect the performance of your vehicle. In a four-cylinder engine spark, plugs can fire up to 1600 times, that equals 400 fires per min per cylinder. Worn fouled or damaged spark plugs can damage your engine, reduce fuel efficiency and cause poor performance like misfiring, hard starting, and sluggish acceleration. Check your owner’s manual to see at what intervals your vehicle requires its spark plugs to be changed. The regular maintenance of your vehicles spark plugs can prevent more costly problems from developing in the future. Here is what to look for: Rattling, pinging or knocking sounds The misfiring of spark plugs can cause sounds from the force of the pistons and from the failure of the combustion to not work properly. Pistons move at very high velocities and bad spark plugs that misfire could lead to constant rattling, pinging and knocking sounds coming from your engine compartment. Hard vehicle ... read more

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