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November 2019

auto repair Philadelphia, PA

Routine Auto Repairs To Remember

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If you’re not a car person, it’s important to learn at least a little bit about car ownership and maintenance so you can stay on top of auto repair in Philadelphia, PA. While you don’t have to know the inner workings of the vehicle, you will want to know about some of the routine maintenance items that you have to take care of on a regular basis. Cars are machinery and they log hundreds of miles (or more) each month. The parts that operate together wear and you’ll need to keep everything in working order to get what you need from the vehicle. Here are some of the routine repairs and maintenance items you will need on any vehicle.

Oil Changes

The most notable and normal maintenance routine is the classic oil change. It’s essential to keep the oil in your vehicle clean and running smoothly so you don’t have engine problems, like overheating, that could cause huge and costly damage to the vehicle. It usually doesn’t take long for a service shop to do the job, especially if you have an appointment, and it can make a huge difference in the efficiency of your vehicle over the long haul. It’s also a good chance for mechanics to do a quick check up on the car.

Tire Replacement

The tires on your vehicle are the only things connecting the car to the road, so they take a lot of the wear when you stop, go, turn, and so on. Tires have tread patterns that help you drive safety and eventually, those wear down. Once the treads are worn, the car is no longer safe to drive ad you’ll need new tires. That happens, on average, every 50,000 miles or so. You can get more out of your tires by having them rotated to wear evenly.

Brake Maintenance

The brakes are a hard-working system. Think about bringing a large, heavy, metal object to a stop over and over again. The braking system could require a number of things over the years and they all need attention. The brake pads are the most common thing that needs to be replaced as they will be the first thing to wear. If you keep them fresh, the rest of the brakes are better off. You might also need a brake fluid flush to keep things operating well.

These are just a few of the main auto repairs in Philadelphia, PA that you will need on a regular or semi-regular basis as your vehicle ages and gets you from place to place safely. IF you aren’t’ sure when things need to be done, you can rely on the technicians at Schafer’s Auto Center to help you get on a regular schedule. Give us a call at (215) 755-1270 and tell us about your vehicle. We can then look at manufacturer recommendations for things like oil changes and help you set up something that works for you. We’ll also check over the entire vehicle whenever you bring it in to watch for brake wear and other important things. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

Creating A Budget For Auto Repairs

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Have you ever been in the situation where you had an unexpected repair and your budget just couldn’t handle it? You likely know, possibly even from experience, that auto repair in Philadelphia, PA never happens at a ‘good’ time. There’s no such thing as a convenient time for your car to need repairs, right? Since your car is vital to your life, it’s important to budget for repairs so you are prepared for those inevitable times.

When you set up your family budget, you likely have a car payment and insurance on that budget. But you would be smart to set aside a little every month for auto repairs as well as maintenance. You know you are going to have to get oil changes and it’s good to have maintenance checks as well. And you never know when something else might come up so it’s nice to have that pocket of money available for when things turn south on your vehicle.

Driving a car isn’t all about buying the car upfront. There are a lot of other expenses that go into car ownership. You have to get gas to make the car run, for example. You have to spend money on oil changes, new filters, and other such items. The car has to run smoothly to do you any good and, in the long run, that can cost you. Anticipate those costs and keep an eye on the owner’s manual so you know when the transmission fluid needs to be changed and other such things and you can prepare your budget accordingly.

You likely know how important care maintenance is. IT makes sense that by spending a little on maintenance checks on a regular basis, you can save a lot in the long run. It’s cheaper, for example, to get something small fixed now than to wait, have something major break down, and have huge costs ahead of you. While it might feel like your vehicle costs a lot, even on small things, it could be much worse.

If you need help budgeting for your auto repairs, the professionals in the industry can aid you in that process. While they can’t help you save or tell you how to control your money, they can tell you how much certain elements you will need cost (like oil changes!) and how often you will need to have those things done so you can ensure you have the money for it—plus some extra for unexpected repairs.

When you need auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, or maintenance of any kind, contact the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center. You can call us at (215) 755-1270 to set up an appointment or you can stop by and see us in person to talk over some issues at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148. We understand your vehicle is an investment and also a necessity in your life and we’ll help you take good care of it and make it last as long as possible.

auto repair Philadelphia

Auto Repair For An Overheating Vehicle

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There’s never a good time for your car to overheat. In fact, it usually happens at the worst possible time, right? And it could mean your vehicle needs serious auto repair in Philadelphia, PA. If you notice the temperature gauge rising toward the hot side, you shouldn’t continue to drive. Pull over so you don’t damage the engine by overheating it. Rather than risk expensive repairs later, it’s best to get things in line right away. Here are a few things that could be wrong if your vehicle has overheated.

Coolant That Isn’t Circulating

The coolant within the engine is responsible for keeping the temperature at the right level. This mix of water and antifreeze prevents the engine from freezing in cold months and overheating in hot months. If there’s a crack or leak, it can leak out or evaporate completely, which means there won’t be anything left to cool the engine and it will overheat. If there are hoses that are broken and not allowing the coolant in, the same can happen.

Leaking Fluids

If the antifreeze levels are always low, even when you add more, it’s likely because there is a leak in the system somewhere. You may or may not know where, but before you experience overheating on the side of the road, it’s best to get repairs done quickly.

Hoses Need To Be Replaced

Hoses can wear out and they can get blocked or even detach. If they aren’t blocked entirely, but only in part, they can still prevent the proper coolant levels from circulating to the right places. Hoses aren’t hard or expensive to replace, but if ignored, they can cause large enough issues.

Engine Malfunctions

If the coolant levels are normal and working okay, there can be serious engine issues that you need to address as soon as possible. They will only get worse if you let them sit so get them inspected as soon as you can get into the repair shop.

Reacting To An Overheating Situation

It can be very scary when your engine overheats, but it’s important to pull over and turn off the air conditioning right away. Instead, turn on the heater to blow some of the heat away from the engine of the vehicle. Try putting your car in neutral and then revving the engine to make the fan and water pump work fast and pull air into the radiator to cool down the engine. You can also open the hood to release heat and let air circulate, but be careful of possible hot steam that might come out.

If you need help with your engine, whether you suspect it’s going to overheat, or it already has, contact the specialists in auto repair in Philadelphia, PA at Schafer’s Auto Center. Call us at (215) 755-1270for an appointment or to ask questions. You can also visit with us in person or bring the vehicle to 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148. SAR technicians are here to help however we can.

auto repair in Philadelphia

Used Car Buying Tips

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If you are looking to buy a new car (or a new-to-you car), you’re not alone. Sure, there are new vehicles on the lots all over the place, but they aren’t always in your price range or budget. Used cars are usually more affordable, but they come with challenges as well. How can you get the right vehicle that will work well and take you a long way? Nearly 40 million used cars change owners each year. If this is the year for you, use these tips to your advantage so you don’t find yourself needing auto repair in Philadelphia, PA right after you drive off the lot.

Tip 1: Decide What You Can Afford

If you are taking out a loan for a used car, make sure you can afford the payments You need to know your bottom line and what you are comfortable spending. You don’t want to get a car you like and then realize later you can’t take the payments.

Tip 2: Make A List Of Options

There might be certain vehicles you find attractive or certain styles you want because of the space they have or the mileage they get. Make a list of possibilities so when you hit the used car lots, you have some targets. You might also have things in mind like, the car much be less than 5 years old or have fewer than 50,000 miles. List those details and stick to them.

Tip 3: Know Prices

Prices are often driven by where you are shopping. You can find used cars in new car dealership lots, used lots, private websites, and in many other locations. You want to know where you can get an honest deal and a good price for what you need.

Tip 4: Check Vehicle History Reports

When you find some possible vehicles, take a look at the vehicle history reports. You might find out that the vehicle has been in a serious accident and though it looks repaired, you just never know. The sooner you look at the history, the more you will know about it.

Tip 5: Have An Auto Repair Shop Take A Look

Most people don’t buy homes until the homes have been inspected. Likewise, it’s only smart to have a used car looked over by an auto repair shop before you invest in it. Bring the vehicle in for a full inspection so you know if everything is in good condition and in working order for now and for the future use.

If you are looking for a used vehicle, the auto repair in Philadelphia, PA at Schafer’s Auto Center are happy to help you figure out which vehicle is the best for the money you have to offer. Call us for an appointment at (215) 755-1270 and bring your options in and we’ll take a look and give you a full report and inspection. You can visit us at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’ll help you take care of whatever vehicle you choose once you make the purchase as well.

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