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July 2018

Get Into A Vehicle Inspection Routine

By | Vehicle Inspection | No Comments

Time has a way of sneaking by everyone. They say that a day can last a lifetime, but yet years seem to slide by like nothing. If you have quite a distance between your home and your office, it’s easy enough to rack up miles on your vehicle in Pennsylvania. You know you need a regular Philadelphia vehicle inspection routine in order to keep things operating well. But what do you need to do? It’s not too late to start a vehicle inspection routine. Here are a few things you should try to do, depending on the type of vehicle you drive.

Monthly

There are a couple of items you will want to do on a monthly basis and they don’t take long. Mark your calendar for the beginning of the month or another date that is convenient to spend a few extra moments on your car. You can even do it while you are filling up with gas.  You will want to check the tire inflation to make sure all of the tires are properly inflated to the right level. You will also want to check the oil and transmission fluid levels. Check the lights to make sure they are working right and update the windshield washer fluid if it is low.

5,000 Mile Check

Every time you drive 5,000 miles, there are certain things you will want to do as well. You might need an oil change, for example, to prevent deposits from forming in the engine. You could also get a tire rotation to get even wear on your tires, which makes them last longer. If you take your vehicle in for an oil change, get a vehicle inspection and ask if there is anything else it needs to maintain its efficiency.

15,000 Mile Check

At 15,000 miles, you will want to replace air filters and cabin filters. You might also want to check the wiper blades if you have used them a lot. Make sure the battery has reserve staring power and check the battery cables and clean corrosion from them if need be. You might also want to inspect the belts for signs of cracks.

30,000 Mile Check

This is where the transmission fluid should be flushed, replaced, or changed out. You will also want to flush the coolant from the radiator and look for leaks. Check the engine over careful to make sure there aren’t any issues popping up there.

Any Time-Vehicle Inspection

If you need a vehicle inspection in Philadelphia at any point, all you have to do is contact Schafer’s Auto Repair. It’s hard to keep track of what needs to be done and when. Just stay on top of your regular oil changes at the right intervals and SAC will take care of the rest when you come in for those. Call Schafer’s Auto Center at 215-755-1270 or stop by and ask questions about what your vehicle needs at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148. We’re here to keep your car in working order!

Tire Safety Homework for Any Car Owner

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

It might be a relief when schools let out so you don’t have to badger your kids about doing their homework any longer. But summer is just as important of a time to do your own homework on your tires as any other season of the year. When you ignore tire safety in Philadelphia, things happen. And that could mean you’re sitting by the side of the road waiting for a tow truck—or worse. Do your tire homeowner and you’re a lot less likely to get yourself into trouble where they are concerned. Here are a few homework items to put on your to-do list.

Check Tire Pressure

Your vehicle is designed to hold tire pressure at a certain level in order to remain functional and efficient. If your tire pressure goes down in one or more tires, things start to go awry. You could hurt your fuel economy or shorten the tire’s lifespan in the meantime. Get in the habit of checking the tire pressure when you get gas, or at least once a month, to make sure everything is good and at the right level.

Avoid Mixing Tires

If you have one tire that gets a hole in it, don’t buy a different tire to replace it. You need something that is the same size and tread pattern as the others or you will mix things and not have a vehicle that handles correctly. It’s always best to replace all four tires at once, but that’s not always possible. If you have to get just one, get the same one as the others.

Regular Rotations

No vehicle is always going to have even weight distribution and to fight off uneven wear, make sure your tires are rotated regularly. You’ll want to get them rotated ever 5,000 miles, or every oil change appointment. It’s an easy time to take care of that homework item.

Inspect Treat

You need to keep an eye on the tread of your tires to make sure they are at a safe depth. Take a penny and insert it into the groove with Lincoln’s head down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tread is too low. When you keep an eye on the tread with regular inspections, you’ll see it happening and be able to anticipate when you need new tires.

Get Help As Needed

Not everyone is going to think about tire safety in Philadelphia on a regular basis. That’s why it’s nice to have a partnership with a shop you can trust, like Schafer’s Auto Repair. Our technicians at SAC are the best when it comes to tires and we’ll keep an eye on every important detail for you. Whether you know you need tire help or not, give us a call for your Philadelphia auto repair needs and we’ll take a look at the tires too. Contact Schafer’s Auto Center at 215-755-1270 for an appointment or stop by 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 with your tire questions. We’re here to help!

Leave Certain Car Maintenance to Pros

By | Auto Maintenance | No Comments

Some people just love to tinker around the garage. And since the car is generally in the garage, they might tinker with that as well. Whether they like to change the oil to feel handy or try out a few repairs, there are some items that are best left to the professionals at SAR. Because of the complexity within cars today, some things are just too complicated to handle on your own. Keep these items in mind as you consider a DIY approach on your vehicle in Philadelphia.

-Brake Repair
If you’ve noticed your brakes are taking longer to stop the vehicle, or you hear a squealing noise, you might recognize that it’s time for brake repair. Sure, it might just be the brake pads and that would be great. It’s the most inexpensive part to replace. However, when it comes to your brakes, you never want to mess around. Brakes are an important (if not the most important) safety element. You don’t want to miss anything or mess anything up and put your life and the lives of others with you and around you, at risk.

-Engine Diagnostics
The engine is one of the most fun parts on a vehicle to tinker with. It’s what makes everything run! You can look all you want, but when it comes to taking parts out and putting things back in, you should really leave it up to SAC. If your check engine light comes on or you start hearing unusual noises, you might want to get things checked out. Sure, you can take a look at your owner’s manual and see what you can figure out, but the pros at Schafer’s Auto Center have sophisticated equipment that helps you get to the bottom of the story. They can hook up computer programs that get an in depth look at the engine and their education will enable them to decipher the codes they get to allow the root cause of the problem to come out to be cured.

-Tire Balancing
Tire rotations sound easy enough, and you can easily jack up the car and swap the wheels around, but balancing those tires and checking for uneven wear is very important to the health and well-being of your vehicle and the overall safety you get when driving. Rotate your tires on your own and try to balance them, but you are taking a risk that things might not be so safe. IT’s really best to leave the job to the pros at SA.

If you need professional help with any of these things, or just a simple oil change in Philadelphia and tune-up, contact Schafer’s Auto Center at 215-755-1270 for an appointment. We’re here to help with anything from simple to complicated! Our shop is located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’d love to have you come visit and ask questions. We want your vehicle to be as safe as possible and that starts with knowing what to do and when!

The Gift of Safety Comes in the Form of New Tires

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Your family might have just about everything you feel like you could want. You all have cell phones with more computing power than you could ever dream of. There’s an electric dog trimmer for the pets. You have personalized coffee mugs for every occasion. When someone’s birthday rolls around, what can you possibly get them that they don’t already have? Instead of floundering around the stores, think about giving someone (or your entire family!) the gift of safety. It’s not as shiny as something you open in a little box, but it’s a much better gift overall.

Tires aren’t’ a gift that just anyone will appreciate. They don’t have the same appeal as an edible fruit basket. But a set of new tires is much more than some people recognize. Once all of the elements are evident, they’ll appreciate it too. Here’s why!

  • Tires are the only part of the car that touches the road. When you want your family to be safe, you are showing your feelings for them. Getting new tires gives them capable handling and could even save their life down the road.
  • The right tires on a vehicle are like handing someone the gift of a good ride. Cars drive rough on worn down tires. Instead of a box of chocolates they’ll eat once, they get to enjoy the ride over and over again.
  • You get the gift of safety with new tires, but what about peace and quiet? There’s a lot to be said for quality tires, which can cut down on vibrations and road noise. People can converse in the car again, enjoy their music, and get a break from the rest of the world.
  • New tires show that you are dedicated to that person and to your family. Tires are something that last a long time and promote efficiency. They’ll save the family money on gas. They’ll get everyone where they’re going safety. There’s nothing like that kind of commitment to make a recipient feel good about the gift.

You may have never thought about giving someone, or your whole family, the gift of new tires. It’s not likely on anyone’s birthday list, after all. But living in Philadelphia puts demands on any vehicle and a new set of tires may be something your loved one truly needs. You can show them your love and commitment by providing a gift they actually need when there’s nothing else they could possibly want.

If you’re ready to look through some of the tire options, contact Schafer’s Auto Center at 215-755-1270. We can help you get the exact right tire for your vehicle so it will fit like a dream and drive even better. We understand how important tires are. They’re the only part of the car touching the road! They keep you safe and that’s important to us! Stop by and see us in our shop at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148. We are one of the most trusted auto repair specialists in Philadelphia, PA.

Beginner Tire Maintenance

By | Auto Maintenance | No Comments

When you took driver’s education courses, you may have learned how to change a tire or where to keep the spare, but other than that, you spent more time on rules, simulators, and driving experience. Even if you did go over more than that, you probably don’t remember much. The rules of the road take over and how to maintain your vehicle properly stays in the background. As a driver, there are a lot of things to remember and keep in order so you can remain safe. But whether you just started driving or you have been driving for years, it’s always good to go back to the basics and start with the one part of the car that touches the road…the tires.

Tires are the only part of the vehicle that touches the ground, which makes them crucial. They are a safety feature, they help determine fuel economy, and they are something that should be maintained with vigilance. Make your tires last with this advice from SAR.

#1: Know Tire Pressure
You need to know not only how to check tire pressure, but also what pressure your tires should be at. You also need to know how to add and take air out in case you need to make an adjustment. IT’s really a simple process and if you don’t know how to do it, the technicians as SAC would be happy to show you during your next visit.

#2: Know When Routine Maintenance is Necessary
You need to have your tires rotated on a regular basis. You will be able to get a mileage in your owner’s manual or a local mechanic can give you a good idea. You can then base that maintenance around other items, like oil changes. If you get your oil changes at a certain mileage point too, you can then get your tires rotated every other oil change, or whatever is best for their mileage.

#3: Keep an Eye on the Tread
When you visit SAR for regular maintenance, we’ll keep an eye on the treads of your tires as well. But it’s always good for you to know what to look for yourself so you know when tire replacement is coming your way. A new set of tires is an investment and you might need to budget and save for it.

With this tire advice, and the help of true professionals, you can make the most of your tires and keep them as safe as possible in the meantime. Tire maintenance plays a big role in your vehicle’s safety and efficiency. Your tires won’t last forever, no matter what you do, but maintenance will help them last longer in a safer manner. If you need tire advice, contact Schafer’s Auto Center for an appointment at 215-755-1270. We’re here to help with advice, maintenance, new tires, or anything else you need for auto service in Philadelphia. Stop by and see us at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and let’s work together to keep your tires and vehicle safe.

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