Johnson City Auto Repair

By Adobe Photo Stock Know When To Replace Your Brakes Before Its Too Late To keep you and your family safe on the road, it is important to know the signs that it may be time to replace your brakes. Although replacing your brakes may seem daunting and expensive, it is necessary to maintain the safety of your vehicle. By being informed on when to replace your brakes, you can avoid putting yourself in danger by driving on worn-out brakes.  1. Your Car Takes Longer To Stop Than It Used To  If you've noticed that it's taking you longer to come to a stop, it may be time for new brakes. Over time, brake pads wear down and must be replaced for your car to operate properly. Putting off replacing your brake pads can be extremely dangerous as it takes more distance to come to a stop, increasing the chances of getting into an accident.  2. You Hear A Squealing Noise When You Brake  If you hear a high-pitched squealing noise whenever you brake, that is a sure sign ... read more

By Weyo   Keeping Cool in Holiday Traffic The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course, stress. One of the most common sources of holiday stress is traffic. Congested roads, long commutes, and bad drivers can turn even the cheeriest person into a Scrooge. But it doesn't have to be that way! Here are 7 ways you can stay calm during holiday traffic this season.   7 Tips For A Better Holiday Road Trip Keep your cool. This one may seem obvious, but it's worth repeating. Getting angry or frustrated while driving will not get you to your destination any faster. In fact, it will only make the situation worse by causing you to make poor decisions behind the wheel. If you feel angry, take a few deep breaths and try to relax. You'll get where you're going eventually. Plan ahead. One of the best ways to avoid holiday traffic is to plan your trips in advance. If you know you're going to be traveling during peak times, try to leave earlier or later ... read more

By Adobe Photo Stock   Get Your Car Ready for Winter: 5 Tips from the Pros It's that time of year again! Time to trade in your sandals for boots, your ice cream for hot chocolate, and your convertible for a sled. But before you fully embrace all things winter, there's one more thing you need to do: winterize your car. Here are five tips from the pros to get your vehicle ready for the cold weather ahead. How The Pros Prepare Their Vehicles For Winter 1. Check Your Tires  One of the most important things you can do to winterize your car is to ensure your tires are in good condition. In the winter months, roads are often icy and slippery, which can lead to accidents. Checking your tire tread depth and pressure regularly will help ensure that you have a good grip on the road and can avoid any accidents. 2. Change Your Oil  Another important tip to remember when winterizing your car is to change your oil. Cold weather can cause thicker oil, which means it won ... read more

By RobsonPhoto   Get your vehicle ready for rainy roads It's raining; it's pouring! Nothing catches unprepared drivers off guard like a surprise downpour. It's all too easy to overlook windshield wipers and tires. As we enter into the rainy season, here are three ways you can prepare your vehicle (and yourself) for wet weather conditions.    1. Check your windshield wipers and washer fluid levels Before the rain begins, take a minute to check that your windshield wipers are in good condition. Worn-out or damaged wipers won't be able to wipe away water as effectively, which can lead to decreased visibility while driving. While you're at it, check your washer fluid levels and top them off if necessary. There's nothing worse than having grimy water streaking down your windshield when trying to see where you're going!   2. Inspect your tires Make sure your tires have plenty of treads and are properly inflated. Driving in wet conditio ... read more

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio   What is "Preventative Maintenance"? Preventative maintenance is defined as regularly scheduled inspections, tests, servicing, and replacements of auto parts and systems. Its purpose is to help avoid expensive repairs or replacements down the road. Many carmakers release recommendations on when you should replace certain parts.   Auto repair shops may offer service packages at a discount. Some preventative maintenance tasks you can do yourself, such as checking your tire pressure and oil level, but others will require the help of a professional mechanic.   While it may seem like an unnecessary expense upfront, preventative maintenance can save you time and money in the long run by keeping your car running smoothly.   What is a "fluid exchange"? Auto repair shops often talk about performing a "fluid exchange" as part of routine maintenance. But what exactly is a fluid exchange?   In short, it ... read more

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay    Back To School Checklist The new school season is just around the corner, and that means one thing for parents: back-to-school shopping! But don't forget about your car. It's important to do some repairs and maintenance before the kids start filling up the backseat with homework and soccer gear. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for getting your car ready for the new school year.   Include These Items On Your Checklist Oil and Filter change - One of the most important things you can do for your car before the school year starts is to get an oil change. This will help keep your engine running smoothly and prevent any unexpected ... read more

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash   How Can I Make Sure My Car Doesn't Break Down? Death and taxes, as they say, are the only things guaranteed in life. However, it is safe to say that we have all experienced a vehicle breakdown as well, haha! While we might not add that to the list of life's guarantees, you want to be on top of things to prevent them or reduce them as much as possible.   There is no way to magically make them disappear, but there are certain ways you can dramatically reduce the likelihood of a vehicle breakdown. It comes down to "proper planning prevents poor performance" (does anyone else hear Dad's voice in the back of their head, haha?) the more your prepare, the better off you ... read more

Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay  How do I give my vehicle a summertime makeover? Just like us, our vehicles want to meet summer in the best condition possible. While we focus on our summer gym bodies, our tans, and trying to hit our diet goals. Our vehicles are more concerned with their fluids, machinery, and systems.   Generally, there are a few things you want to consider when getting your vehicle ready for a summertime makeover. How is the A/C system performing? Is it time for any upgrades? Does my vehicle need a new set of clothes (paint job, haha)? Is it time to service my vehicle's A/C system? The rule of thumb is this; you should service your vehicle's A/C s ... read more

Do I need to service my A/C system before summer? Summer's almost here, and we can feel the air getting muggier by the second. Even though temperatures don't get too crazy in Tennessee, the humidity can make for some pretty sweaty conditions. With that in mind, have you had your A/C system serviced this year? Do you think you need to? Here are a few things to consider as we roll into summer.   The simple answer to "should I service my A/C system before summer starts?" is yes! Definitely, you want to stay ahead of the game. Especially during the in-between months when temperatures are pleasant. It's best to bring it in for service now before it gets too humid! How do I know if my A/C system needs service? Luckily, the answer to this question is pretty straightforward. If your A/C (air conditioning) system needs service, you will notice one of these things, or maybe more than one. It may seem like everything under the sun indicates a problem, but a wide ra ... read more

Photo by Hilbert Hill on Unsplash You Need A Pre-Purchase Inspection The Pandemic did a number on vehicles prices over the past two years. Supply chain problems, logistical issues, and labor shortages have all combined to create an increase in both the new and used vehicle markets. That being said, when you need a vehicle, you need a vehicle, and there are still deals to be had.   The question is, what type of vehicle do you buy, and do you buy it used or new? If you do buy it used, how do you make sure that you get the most out of your purchase? Great questions, and we believe we have some answers for you in this month's blog! Is It Worth It To Purchase A Used Vehicle? That question depends on a few factors. First of all, yo ... read more