Johnson City Auto Repair

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

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

Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash Staying Safe While Driving In The Rain. We have some rainier months ahead of us in Tennessee, and that means some interesting driving conditions, too. Rain brings all sorts of special surprises to the surface. Despite the odd "crazy driver," rain is sure to bring some dangerous road conditions as well. Rain introduces all sorts of problems to our roads. Wet conditions wear away the road surface and cause problems for tire stability. Moisture leads to mud, loose gravel, chunky asphalt, and more. All of which can cause major problems, not to mention being blinded by heavy rainfall; due to bad windshield wipers! So, here are a few ways to stay safe while driving in the rain. What Can I ... read more

Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay   Turkey time is over, Santa's flown home, and Johnson City wakes up to the light of a new day. Happy New Year's everyone, I hope you are all doing great! With that being said, I'm sure we all have some things we would like to improve this year, or maybe some goals we want to reach for the future. Let's include our vehicles in all the fun and make a shortlist of New Year's resolutions that cover their needs too.   Our vehicles work hard, sometimes too hard. Depending on our lifestyle and jobs, our vehicles might be shut away for weeks-on-end; or stuck in the field day after day. Both situations call for some special attention, and maybe ... read more

Photo by Blake Carpenter on Unsplash   The frosty grasp of winter has its grip on us here in Tennessee. While we love to see the holiday season and all of its wonderful sidekicks, like eggnog, cider, pies, and oh so much more, we can't avoid the downside of the holidays. The snowy roads, rainy conditions, black ice, and slippery muddy pitfalls are out there, and it's just a matter of time before we encounter them. It's more important than ever to prepare your vehicle for the winter conditions it will face, and December isn't too late to get started!   You can't lose by preparing your vehicle for the inevitable! Winter conditions are very hard on the underside of our vehicles, tires, fluids, and more. Prepar ... read more

Photo by Ann Danilina on Unsplash   Thanksgiving, for many of us, is our favorite time of the year. A time when we all get together to share our favorite recipes, to bask in the food-coma to come! However, it can be a deceptively dangerous time to drive with so many of us hitting the road at once. There are some things to consider before hitting the road on a belly full-o-turkey!   Crazy drivers, cars full of kids, and sleepy people full of food are some of the hurdles you might encounter on your Thanksgiving route! Let's all take the time to be a little extra careful, so we have even more to be thankful for this year. Check out this list of 10 tips for handling Thanksgiving traffic!   1. Stay Awake - This might see ... read more