Nevada and North Carolina Auto Repair

The power steering has been used for several years, taking the hard work out of driving. Before the power steering was introduced, drivers applied more effort making driving a bit challenging. Original power steering systems mainly relied on hydraulic pumps for easy management. With technological advancement, we have electrical power steering that uses a warning light to indicate issues. The Power Steering Warning Light When your power steering develops a problem, a red or yellow warning sign in the shape of a steering wheel with an exclamation mark or EPS for electric power steering will appear on your car's dashboard. If you neglect the warning light and continue driving, you risk compromising your power steering system, damaging it more, and causing accidents. What the Power Steering Light Mean The power steering light largely depends on the car model and make and whether it's an electric or hydraulic system. Generally, when the light comes on, your car is about to los ... read more

How are some vehicles from as early as the 2010s, 2000s, and even the 90s still on the road today, let alone reliable? Read on to learn how you can spend less on repairs, and get the most miles out of your vehicle. Tip #1: Don’t overlook smaller problems When you catch an odd sign, like a burning smell or knocking sound, with your vehicle, do not look past it. Smaller problems can lead to major ones if left unchecked. You can avoid them altogether if you go through regular vehicle inspections.  Tip #2: Never skip oil changes Oil change services are the best maintenance you can get for your car. When you keep your engine supplied with clean motor oil, you significantly reduce engine wear and tear, which will make your vehicle last longer. You should have your oil changes done every 3,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on the oil your manufacturer recommends. Whatever you do, you should be consistent with your oil changes. Tip #3: Remember to keep fluids clean and full  ... read more

Car noise is a significant issue for your car. While some strange car noises are nothing to worry about, others can indicate something serious that needs attention. It's always better to be safe than sorry, so if you hear any of these noises coming from your vehicle, don't hesitate to take it in for a check-up. Here are five common car noises you should never ignore: Screeching Exhaust When your exhaust leaks when accelerating, you get a deafening noise. Although the noise may not cause much harm, it does indicate that your exhaust system needs to be repaired. You probably need a new muffler or pipes. A grinding noise when you brake If you hear your brakes making a grinding noise, it could mean that you need to replace your brake pads. Brake pads wear out over time and eventually become worn out. As soon as you start hearing these types of noises, it's best to get your vehicle checked out by a professional. A Consistent Rattling Noise Loose parts inside your vehicle ... read more

One overlooked part of the brake system is the brake fluid. Most people remember their brake pads, brake calipers, and brake rotors, but none of these components would have a part to play without the help of brake fluid. This solution creates the pressure needed to slow and stop your vehicle.    Hydraulic braking systems need brake fluid to power their brakes. When you apply pressure to the brake pedal, the fluid is pushed through the system. This fluid, also known as DOT fluid, is stored under the hood. One major weakness of brake fluid is that it can be corrupted by moisture in the air. This is why manufacturers often make the fluid reservoir clear to allow you to read its levels without opening the cap.  Signs That Indicate Low Brake Fluid Loose or spongy brake pedals - The feeling of your brake pedal can give you a ton of insight into the health of your braking system. It should never feel too firm or too soft. If the pedal feels too loose or easily gets pushed t ... read more

Keeping a stash of useful items and helpful tools can help you in desperate times. While you may think you’re the safest driver in the world, some incidents are unavoidable and out of your hands. Out of the millions of accidents that happen every year in the US, it is likely that you are going to be in one or more in your lifetime. We’re not trying to scare you, but it is the reality. What you can do on your end is simple – preparation.    To ease the stress and worries of breakdowns from an accident, flat tire, overheating engine, etc, we recommend bringing along these items on your daily drives (and ESPECIALLY long road trips). Here are all the items you should include in your road safety kit: First Aid Kit Flashlight Batteries Compass Jumper Cables Portable Battery Pack Phone Chargers Tire Pressure Gauge Portable Air Compressor Bungee Cords or Rope Multi-tool Spare Tire, Lugged Wrench, Jack Gloves Extra Supply of Car Fluids Duct Tape Sho ... read more

A car breakdown can be a frightening thing to experience. Luckily, there are many signs you can pay attention to which will help you make the best of the situation and avoid emergencies like being stranded on the side of the road. How Does My Car's Cooling System Work? The processes that make your car drive produce a lot of heat, and this is exactly why your car's cooling system is so crucial to staying on the road. When there's too much heat trapped around your car's engine, it can result in reduced function or even leave you stranded. To alleviate this situation, your car's cooling system pushes the hot air away from the engine and into the surrounding environment. If your car's cooling system isn't functioning properly, you may quickly run into issues as your car overheats and even experiences engine failure. Why Do Cars Overheat? Cars can overheat for a variety of reasons, including internal issues like a poorly fun ... read more

When your engine oil light comes on, it may be your engine is low on oil or there's not enough oil pressure in the system. The problem could be a loose or dirty oil filter or a bad seal. Learn how to know when you need to stop driving or get an oil change. Why Is the Engine Oil Light On? 1) Low oil level. The most common reason the engine oil light is on is the low oil level. When this happens, it will tell you to add more engine oil, so your car does not seize up and stop working. 2) Oil filter change. The second most common reason for the light coming on is that you need to change your car oil filter. It will help remove any impurities in the engine and reduce the risk of getting stranded in the middle of nowhere. 3) Faulty sensor: If this is true, you will have to take your vehicle to a mechanic or auto shop as soon as possible, so they can diagnose and replace any faulty parts that may be causing the issue. What To Do When the Engine Oil Light Comes On When the engine oil ... read more

Car maintenance is one of those things that can be easy to put on the long finger when your vehicle is running smoothly and appears in good health. However, scheduling your auto tune-up can save you in the long run on significant damage and expensive repair. If all is not running as it should and you notice any of the following 4 signs from your car, you should book your car in immediately. The Engine Light Comes On It may be tempting to ignore those little annoying lights that appear out of nowhere on the dashboard but some are much more pressing than others. Make yourself familiar with your user's manual so that you can make the distinction when one appears. Ignoring an engine light could mean long-term damage to your engine should you keep driving. Unusual Noises or Vibrations This may seem obvious but it can be easy to get used to a new noise or drown it out with the radio. Only a trained mechanic will be able to distinguish the likely cause of some of the more unusual soun ... read more

The transmission is a very important part of your vehicle. Have you ever heard "Well, the tranny's going"? This is a situation that you'll want to avoid by checking the transmission fluid. Checking your transmission fluid will help you look for any change in color or smell in the fluid, as it will tell you if your transmission is running smoothly. If you are not sure how to check your transmission fluid, check out the tips below so that it'll be an effortless task for you to do! How to Check the Transmission Fluid Checking the transmission fluid uses a similar dipstick as the oil one, too. The difference is, of course, the transmission dipstick measures the amount of fluid in your transmission. If there are signs that the fluid levels are low, it can show that there is a leak somewhere that you'll need to check. You'll need to make sure that you do not overfill the transmission as well, as foaming can cause additional issues. Turn your vehicle on for a ... read more

If the quality of your car ride feels off, you shouldn't ignore it. There could be a chance that your suspension has gone bad. However, you can put them to the test by doing the bounce test.   How to Test Your Shocks with the Bounce Test The bounce test is a tool-free test that you can do at home to determine your shocks' condition. Little to no expertise is required, and it will only take 5 minutes.  Follow the following steps: Park your vehicle on a flat surface Go to one corner of your car; you're going to be doing each corner individually. In one quick motion, push down on your car as hard as you can and release your body weight. Notice how your vehicle reacts. If it springs up to normal position right away, your shocks are doing fine. If it bounces once, your shocks are going to go bad soon. And if it jumps more than once, you need new shocks pronto. Repeat the test on your other car corners. You can visually inspect the suspension a ... read more