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January 2020

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

Properly Inflating Tires To Prevent Auto Repair

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There are a lot of things you can do to keep your car healthy and to avoid auto repair in Philadelphia, PA. You likely get a regular oil change to keep your car in good working order and you change filters, get tune-ups, and do other things as well. But did you know that keeping your tires inflated to the proper level can do a lot for your vehicle—even in preventing repairs? Here are a few reasons to keep those tires in the proper inflation levels.

Reason 1: Optimize Fuel Efficiency

There aren’t many drivers who want to waste money on gas. Cars need gas to propel their engines, but at the same time, you don’t have to pay for more of it than you should. When your tires are even and properly inflated, you will get a better miles per gallon reading from your vehicle. You won’t have to fill up the tank as frequently and you can go farther on each gallon.

Reason 2: Reduce Wear On Tires

Tires are something you will have to replace on your vehicle eventually, no matter how good you are to them. But you can reduce their wear and prolong their life if you inflate them to the proper levels and ensure that they stay there. You won’t have to buy new tires as soon and the tires you have will perform better.

Reason 3: Remain Safe While Driving

There are a lot of things that can put you in danger when you are operating a vehicle, but your tires are one such item. If they aren’t inflated right, you won’t have as much grip on the road nor as much control. Checking the tire pressure and making sure it is right could help you avoid an accident or another dangerous situation.

Reason 4: Prevent Unnecessary Auto Repairs

There are some auto repairs, like oil changes, that are necessary and regular. But there are other things you can prevent to save yourself extra headaches. Tire pressure seems like a small thing, but it can actually go a long way in helping you prevent auto repairs that you wouldn’t have had to make otherwise.

If you need to figure out what tire pressure is right for your vehicle, the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here for you. Many vehicles today take tire pressure readings as part of their computerized internal system and they will tell you when a tire is low. If you don’t have a vehicle like that, keep a tire pressure gauge in the vehicle and take a reading whenever you get gas to make sure you are at the right levels. If you need advice, or other auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, call SAR at (215) 755-1270 or visit with us in person at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148. We want your vehicle to be as safe, effective, and efficient as possible for as long as possible. Keeping tabs on tire pressure and other areas can help.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

How Long Does Auto Repair Take?

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It’s hard to get by even one day without your vehicle. Most people use their car to get to work, to drive their kids to school, to run errands and so on. When you need auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, it never feels convenient. And you don’t want the repairs to take very long. But how long is it going to take? You can’t have just one answer to that question. It depends on a number of things and can be influenced by all of them. Here are some of the factors that go into how long the auto repair on your vehicle will take.

The Service Needed

One of the first things that will determine how long the service will take is what service is being done. If you are getting new windshield wipers, that’s not going to take very long. If you need to have your engine rebuild, that’s something that happens in a matter of weeks. Most auto repairs can be done in a few hours. Larger ones, usually a day or two, but there are some that are more extensive.

The Company Doing The Service

The auto repair shop you work with will impact the length of your service as well. If you get a shop with lots of experience, they will be able to fix the vehicle efficiently and effectively while wasting very little time. If you get someone inexperienced, it will take longer, and you may not be able to guarantee the quality of the work. The company doing the repair matters a great deal.

The Time Of Year

There are times of the year that are busier than others. In the summer, there are usually more cars on the road, taking vacations etc, so there might be more auto repairs needed. In the winter, the cold impacts how vehicles operate and that can bring more into the shop as well. If you have to go in during a busy time, that will make the repairs take longer.

The Number Of Repairs

If you are getting an oil change in addition to a change in spark plugs, a tire rotation, and new brake pads, that’s, of course, going to take longer than one of those things alone. If you’re getting a bunch done at once, the time frame will be lengthened.

When you need to know how much time your auto repair in Philadelphia, PA is going to take, the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center have the answers you need. We understand that there’s never a good time for auto repairs and we will do the job as quickly and efficiently as possible. Call us for an appointment at (215) 755-1270 and we can give you an idea how long the repairs will take so you can make ride arrangements as needed. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’re here to help you with any needs you have on your vehicle, large or small. We offer honest advice and quality work to every customer.

Philadelphia, PA auto repair

Identifying The Source Of Car Smells

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Is there a scent in your car that you don’t enjoy and can’t seem to get rid of? If you have a brother, or a pesky co-worker, check for fish under the seats. Otherwise, you might need auto repair in Philadelphia, PA and you don’t even realize it. Before you leave the windows down at all times just to get through the drive to work or home, look through these scents and see if repairs might be necessary.

The Smell Of Rotten Eggs

Rotten eggs are never a good smell, and, in a home, it can mean a gas leak, which is very dangerous. In your car, it might be due to a bad catalytic converter. The engine or emissions system could be having issues that make the converter overheat which causes the rotten smell of eggs. Assuming you don’t eat (and drop!) eggs in the car, this could very well be the real root of the smell.

Musty Or Moldy Air

When you turn on the air in your car, you want fresh air, not a moldy smell. You might have mold or mildew actually in the AC system if you get that scent in the air when you turn the system on. You’ll want to have it cleaned out so you can get good air quality in your car when the windows are closed.

Burning Paper

You’ve lit a fire. You know what it smells like when paper burns. You don’t expect to smell it when you are driving, but if it happens when you are changing gears, the clutch might be slipping, and the friction could cause the paper-based facings to smell burned.

Burning Rubber

If you peel out from a stoplight, you are burning rubber and you expect the smell. If you are driving like normal and smell it, that’s a different story. It might indicate a slipped belt or a loose hose that might rub against rotating items and cause that burning smell. Get it fixed before the burning ruins a part.

Burning Toast

We’ve all had toasters that toast a little overzealously, but you shouldn’t have that smell in your car. If you notice it, perhaps an electrical component has short-circuited or maybe insulation is overheating. Any electrical odor should be taken seriously because they can start fires.

The Smell Of Gas

You likely always smell gas when you are at a gas station. And perhaps even on your hands when you get back in the car. But if you smell it at a random time, you could have a gas leak or a fuel injector leak. That’s very dangerous and requires immediate attention.

If you smell things in your vehicle outside of the fast-food snacks you forgot to throw away last week, it’s important to pay attention to your nose and what auto repair in Philadelphia, PA your vehicle might need. Call Schafer’s Auto Center at (215) 755-1270 and tell us about the scent you’ve picked up. Then, visit us at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’ll take care of whatever issue you have.

Philadelphia, PA auto repairs

Temperature And You Tires

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

There are a wide variety of temperatures to deal with in this area of the country and the changes can have an impact on a lot of things. For one, your attire changes drastically from the summer to the winter months. The way you maintain your home changes as well. You switch off the AC for the heat, for example. Did you know that your tires are also affected by the change in temperatures? They are and specialists in auto repair in Philadelphia, PA can help you understand what’s happening and why.

The outside temperature can impact your tires in various ways. If there’s a quick, drastic change, for example, the pressure in your tires could change quite a bit as well. If it’s cool one day and hot the next, the pressure in the tire increases. If the temperature drops from the interior of your garage to outside of your home, the tire pressure could drop accordingly. When temperatures fluctuate, keep an eye on the tire pressure in your vehicle to keep it safe and efficient. Many vehicles today have automatic readers and the computer within the car will alert you when pressures are too low or too high. If not, keep a tire pressure gauge in your car and check the pressure when you get gas.

Tires are made of synthetic and rubber compounds and the oils in those help with elasticity. When the sun heats up, the oil can dry up more and that can cause the tires to split and crack or become more brittle. Watch for any wear of that type so you can replace the tires before you lead yourself into an unfortunate incident or even an accident.

Cold weather often causes tires to become dangerously under-inflated, which can lead to hazardous driving, especially in snowy conditions. You use more fuel and create more wear on the tire. They could even blow out if they aren’t attended to.

Keep an eye on your tires as temperatures change and check the tires for the manufacturer date code. That is the date by which the manufacturer recommends replacement. The year is generally at the 6-year mark. Even if tires look decent, they may not be of the right age if they are well above their age to be replaced.

IT’s best to get your vehicle in for auto repair in Philadelphia, PA as temperatures change for new seasons so you can have your tires inspected, your oil changes, and everything else checked out as well. You want to be able to drive safely in the heat of the summer, the cold of the winter, and every temperature in between. Contact the experts at Schafer’s Auto Center if you have questions about your tires, what you need to do under certain weather conditions, or how to maintain them well. You can call us at (215) 755-1270 or visit SAR for a tune-up in person when it’s convenient for you at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148.

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