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March 2019

Purchasing Tires At The Auto Repair Shop 

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You know your vehicle is going to need an oil change every so often. You know other things will wear down on it as well. Most people keep their vehicles long enough to put on new brake pads and almost everyone has to replace the tires at some point. When you’ve tested your tires and you know the tread is worn, head to the local auto repair shop in Philadelphia, PA to look into new tires. Here are some tips to help you make the best decisions.   

Tip 1: Read Reviews First 

It’s impossible to know which tires will perform the best miles and miles down the road. The best way to tell is to read reviews from people who have those tires. Watch specifically for reviews from people that have a similar vehicle to yours to get the best read on the subject. Cars often drive well on new tires, but you need to know how your vehicle will do on specific tires after thousands of miles.   

Tip 2: Watch For Rebates 

If you’ve ever purchased tires before, you know they’re costly. If you know the life in your tires is coming to an end, start watching for rebates on tires from the manufacturer you’re eyeing. Top brands often offer discounts through rebates on their tires. You’ll want to swap out your tires when the time is right according to the rebates, if at all possible. If you have a good relationship with your auto repair shop, notify them that you are looking and they can keep an eye out for those deals as well.   

Tip 3: Check The Newness 

You assume when you get tires that they are actually new, however that’s not always the case. Just because the tires haven’t been used before doesn’t mean they’re new. They could have sat in a warehouse, exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures for months before they made their way to you. Check the four-digit number on the side of the tire to learn when it was manufactured before you drive away. If the tire isn’t brand new, ask where it was tored.   

Tip 4: Buy The Best In Your Budget 

It doesn’t pay off to buy tires of a lower quality just because you want to save money. If it’s all you can afford, then you might not have any options. But if you have a good budget, use it because it will lead you to a more responsible outcome. Good tires cut back on gas usage and bring a lot of other benefits to your vehicle.   

If you need help from a Philadelphia, PA auto repair shop to choose new tires, Schafer’s Auto Center is here to help. The experts at SAR can take a look at your tires and let you know when they need to be replaced. We can also make recommendations as to what you should get as replacements based on our experiences and your budget. Give us a call at (215) 755-1270 or stop and see us at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148.   

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

You Might Need Auto Repair 

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How much do you know about cars? There are people who know every make, model, and year under the sun and then there are people who know how to drive and that’s it. If you don’t know nearly as much as you should about your vehicle, you might wonder how you will know if you need auto repair in Philadelphia, PA. These examples will tell you that you should at least get to an auto repair shop to have things checked out.   

Your Owner’s Manual Says So 

The owner’s manual that comes with your vehicle isn’t exactly exciting reading, but it holds key, important details to caring for your car. Even if you don’t soak in every detail, check the owner’s manual to see when you are due for what. If your vehicle is about to hit 100,000 miles, for example, you might need several maintenance items done so you can prevent damage in the future. Keeping tabs on the owner’s manual helps you keep up with maintenance so you won’t need unexpected auto repair.   

Something Sounds Funny 

You spend more time with your vehicle than anyone else. You know what it sounds like when you step on the brakes, start the engine, or accelerate after a stoplight. When something sounds off or changes in some way, that’s a sign that you might need auto repairs. You won’t know for sure until you take it in for a checkup, but it’s better to do that than let it go and cause deeper issues to arise.   

It Just Stopped Working 

You certainly don’t want to be stranded by the roadside, but if your vehicle quits for whatever reason, whether you know the reason or not, it’s a pretty good sign that you need auto repair. Even if you keep up with oil changes, other things can go wrong and you just never know when. If you get the vehicle going again after you let it rest a bit, great. But you better head straight to an auto repair shop before risking it on the road anywhere else.   

It doesn’t matter how much you know about auto repair in Philadelphia, PA as long as you can safely operate your vehicle because there are experts you can turn to for help on any car-related issue. The experts at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help you out with any vehicle repairs or maintenance you need. Give the professionals at SAR a call at (215) 755-1270 and ask your questions. We love to hear details about your vehicle and diagnosing issues is our specialty. All you have to do is make sure you bring your car to us on a regular basis and we’ll take care of the rest. You’re welcome to stop by and check out our shop at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 or speak with one of our technicians in person. We’ll look over your vehicle, get that oil change done, and take care of anything else you need along the way.  

Philadelphia auto repair

Saving For Auto Repair

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You can’t always foresee mishaps, though it certainly would be nice if you could. While you might be a regular at your Philadelphia auto repair shop, getting oil changes and other regular maintenance, when something larger pops up, like the need for new tires, you may not always be prepared. Instead of being caught off guard, use these tips to save up for auto repairs when they occur.  

Tip 1: Keep Car In Good Condition 

One of the best ways to save money when it comes to your vehicle is to get the highest gas mileage possible. You won’t be at the gas pump as often and you can use that extra money to save up for new tires or other auto repair items that might come up. Watch how you drive and don’t slam on the brakes. Try not to accelerate too quickly, either, and get regular maintenance checks to keep everything tuned up.  

Tip 2: Create A Savings Plan 

If your vehicle is getting on in years, you know it’s only a matter of time before it starts to need auto repairs. Instead of letting those times come as a surprise, create a savings plan that you can stick to so you are prepared. Perhaps earmark a certain amount of money in savings or put a few dollars every month in a certain location so you can use it for those causes when they come about in the future.  

Tip 3: Look Into Costs 

When you have regular maintenance done, you are less likely to be surprised by auto repair needs. Your technician might tell you that your vehicle is okay now but will need new brakes in a few more months. That gives you time to get an estimate and plan for that need. You can then cut out your daily coffee runs, extra dinners out, and movies with friends to save for the auto repairs you know are coming. It’s just another reason why maintenance checks are a good idea.  

Tip 4: Utilize Rewards Programs 

There are certain gas stations that offer rewards programs for your loyalty. You can also save cents off per gallon of gas by shopping in certain grocery stores or using certain credit cards. Look into these rewards programs and take advantage of their savings. You can put the money you would have spent towards the auto repairs that will come around eventually.  

When you need Philadelphia auto repair, contact Schafer’s Auto Center at (215) 755-1270. We’re happy to help you with any repair needs, but we’re here for regular maintenance checks as well. We’ve seen all sorts of vehicles in all sorts of conditions and we can give you advice on how you might look ahead to possible repairs. At SAR, we want you to be as safe as possible within your vehicle and we’ll only recommend that you do something if it’s what we would do to our own vehicle. Visit us at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 for whatever your vehicle needs. 

Philadelphia auto repair

Performing Safety Checks On Your Tires

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If you were to be asked what part of your car keeps you the most safe, you might say the brakes. There really isn’t just one part as a lot of things have to work well together to keep your safety intact. But your Philadelphia auto repair shop would like for you to put your tires on your to-do list when you are running safety checks on your vehicle. Of course, any time you bring the vehicle in, the professionals can check things out for you. But between those maintenance checkups, it’s a good idea for you to keep an eye on several things yourself. Here are a few things to put into a tire safety checklist:  

  • Check The Tread Depth 

This is something you probably already know how to do. Worn out tire treads can prevent you from maintaining traction on the road, which is especially bad in snowy, wet, or rainy conditions. You might not be able to brake fast enough if you need to, either. To check your tread’s depth yourself, get a penny and put it between the treads with Lincoln’s head down. You won’t want to be able to see the top of his head. If you can, your tread is too worn and you need new tires. If you’re getting close, you can plan ahead for the expense.  

  • Check For Cracks 

Cracks happen in tires when the rubber starts to break down from wear and tear and exposure. You might see cracks on the tread blocks or sidewalls and that’s normal. But you should never see cords and you shouldn’t see tread separating from the rubber. Those signs will tell you that you are in need of new tires.  

  • Check Tire Pressure 

You should keep a handheld tire pressure gauge in your vehicle so you can check it when you get gas. Your ideal tire pressure can be found in your owner’s manual. Some newer vehicles will even warn you when the tire pressure gets too low, which can often happen when the temperatures drop in Philadelphia. Instead of driving on underinflated tires, throwing off your gas mileage and causing uneven wear, check them out and add air as necessary.  

If you are in need of new tires, or you want to have yours checked over for safety reasons, contact Schafer’s Auto Center at (215) 755-1270. Our Philadelphia auto repair shop can help you with anything vehicle-related. We can do oil changes and maintenance checkups, get you new tires, service older tires, and check the vehicle from front to back for any issues. We want you to maintain your safety on the road at all times and regular vehicle maintenance is a big part of that. Whether you’re in the market for new tires or just need an oil change, stop by SAR at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 for help. Our friendly professionals will get you taken care of and back on the road as quickly as possible. 

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