Johnson City Auto Repair

Photo by Austin Ramsey on Unsplash   Not many people outside of the auto repair industry know how the steering system operates. We found this great video that shows the steering system, and we hope it helps provide you with a few “ah-ha!” moments as you learn more about how your car makes turns.   All too often, people take the steering system for granted. It’s not hard to imagine why, either. You get into the car, start, put your foot on the pedals, and turn the steering wheel. It’s that simple!   But there are several signs you won’t want to miss regarding your steering system and vehicle safety. Here are a few things to pay attention to if you notice them taking place whil ... read more

Photo by Joshua Aragon on Unsplash    When we say air filter, you probably think about your car's system working to make the air on your vehicle cleaner for you to breathe!    But there is a big difference between the cabin air filter and engine air filter that you should know, and we will explain below:    Cabin Air Filter: This is also known as an air conditioning (A/C) filter. It allows the air that comes into your cabin to filter out any pollution from the outside air that would otherwise contaminate the car's cabin. This will enable you to have your car interior air clean and say bye to allergies.    Engine Air Filter: As the name says it, the engine air filter is located on your car's engine to keep it free of any debris that might ... read more

Welcome to our blog for July! Independence day is almost here, and we would love to share with you some of the fantastic ways you can celebrate with your family and friends.  But before that, make sure to have your car ready to take your family to have fun and explore the beautiful city of Johnson, CA and enjoy all the fun activities you can do! Below are some ideas that you might want to consider for this patriotic day.  Watch the fireworks: Get ready and take all your family and friends to enjoy watching the sky at night illuminated with thousands of fireworks! One of the best places to enjoy this fantastic night show in Johnson City is Freedom Hall Civic Center grounds.  Have a picnic: Instead of having a barbecue in your house backyard, invite your family to a park and have a picnic! Take a frisbee to enjoy the afternoon playing, and finally enjoy the fireworks at night! In Johnson City, there are many parks where you can have a l ... read more

You have a busy day ahead of you, and as you are driving through Johnson City on your way to work, you notice that your check engine light has appeared on your dashboard. You forget about it, promising to yourself that you will check it later, but soon enough, one day turns into multiple days, and your check engine light has not gone away.  The team at Ponder Auto Repair doesn’t want this to happen to you. When you notice that your check engine light has appeared on your dashboard, contact our team right away. Your check engine light could easily mean something minor, but it could also indicate something more serious. At our auto repair shop, your safety always comes first.  You can think of your check engine light as your vehicle’s way of talking with you, and at Ponder Auto Repair, we are adept at speaking your car’s language. We will perform a thorough inspection designed to identity the “what, why, and how” of whatever is causing your check ... read more

It is easy to forget about your vehicle’s tires, but think about how much we rely on them. Without properly maintained tires, we would find it challenging to get to our destination. Not only do properly maintained tires last longer, but they also contribute to vehicle safety for you, your passengers, and other vehicles on the road.  It is essential to take time for your tires, specifically your vehicle’s tire pressure. Low tire pressure can negatively affect your vehicle’s ability to brake, steer, and handle appropriately. If you need to perform an emergency stop or another sharp maneuver to avoid a collision, your tires need to be at the proper pressure level.  It is also essential to get your wheels aligned along with monitoring your vehicle's tire pressure, and your tires rotated. In fact, reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report that poor tires are responsible for 11,000 traffic crashes each year. Even worse, 200 peopl ... read more

Think of how much your body needs water to stay hydrated! Without water, your health would quickly diminish. It is exactly the same for your vehicle -- your car needs fluids to perform in tip-top shape. Your vehicle has certain fluids, which keep systems with your vehicle performing in optimal condition.  To keep your vehicle hydrated, it is essential to check these fluids regularly:  Gas: We know all about this fluid! This fluid powers your engine, and without gas, you wouldn't be able to go anywhere.  Oil: Oil minimizes any friction in your engine. Without oil, all the moving parts in your engine would grind together, which can cause severe damage to your engine.  Coolant/antifreeze: Coolant and antifreeze regulate your vehicle's temperature, so your car doesn't get too hot during the summer or too cold during the winter.  Transmission fluid: Your transmission fluid allows yo ... read more

The team at Ponder Auto Repair couldn't be more grateful for our customers. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve you and your vehicle. Because we recognize that it can be challenging to stick to a budget, we offer upcoming specials to help you stay up-to-date with preventative maintenance.  Here are the current upcoming specials we are offering at Ponder Auto Repair:    $49.95 FULL SYNTHETIC OIL PLUS FREE SEASONAL CHECKUP: Full Synthetic Oil service (for up to 5L and spin filter. Additional oil and cartridge filter extra) - fluid check - Complete courtesy inspection - tire check - top-off w/washer fluid, visual brake inspection. Cannot be combined with any other offers or specials. No cash value. Must make an appointment. Offer only while supplies last. See advisor for details. SAVE $10.00 OFF ANY PREMIUM ALIGNMENT SERVICE: Not good in combination ... read more

In and beyond Johnson City, TN is known for its beautiful and breathtaking views. You can hop in your vehicle and travel through piney woods, sky-scraping mountains, and just endless miles of picturesque scenery. This Valentine’s Day might look a little different this year, but the team at Ponder Auto Repair wants you to have a safe and memorable day nonetheless.  This year, we encourage you to take your special someone on a drive-through and around Johnson City, TN, and truly see what our magnificent state has to offer. Here are the most romantic drives in and around Johnson City, TN:  Cherohala Skyway: For breathtaking scenery, start with Cherohala Skyway. In the Cherokee National Forest City near Johnson City, TN, this drive stretches through the state and ends near the Nantahala National Forest in Waynesville. It is easily one of the most famous drives in the state, and for a good reason!  Great Smoky Mountains National Park: This long scenic drive through t ... read more

The team at Ponder Auto Repair wishes every one of you a safe and happy New Year! We are astounded that 2020 is over and that 2021 is upon us! We are so grateful for our clients who continued to choose us for auto repair over the year, and we look forward to seeing you soon in the New Year.  A new year often means a new chapter, and the team at Ponder Auto Repair thinks the perfect resolution for 2021 is to aim for better fuel economy with these tips. Not only will this save you money in the long-run, but it is also beneficial for the environment. Accomplish these New Year’s resolutions for better fuel economy and efficiency:  Accelerate gently! The faster and harder you press on the gas pedal, the more fuel you use. For maximum fuel efficiency, take five seconds to accelerate your vehicle to 12 miles per hour from a standstill. Think of a cup of coffee on your dashboard, and you can’t spill it.  Keep a steady speed. When you quickly fluctuate your speed ... read more

Purchasing a vehicle is one of the most significant purchases you may make in your lifetime, which means your car is a lifetime investment regardless of the make or model. Because your vehicle is such a precious investment, preventative maintenance is key to protecting your vehicle's longevity, driveability, and safety.  What exactly is preventative maintenance? Preventative maintenance is a regular service performed by a technician. Certain items will need to be changed at regular intervals, such as replacing your cabin and engine air filter and performing a wheel alignment. Our technicians can develop a preventative maintenance plan tailored to your owner’s manual, along with your specific driving habits.  Preventative maintenance allows our technicians to address any issues before they turn into bigger, more expensive problems. By keeping up on preventative maintenance, we often spot the budding signs of major auto repairs, which will save you money and time in ... read more