Ask Us About Tires!
Monthly Archives

February 2020

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

5 Tips for Increasing Fuel Efficiency

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

The price of gas isn’t likely going to go down to where you remember it being when you were a kid. And while you keep on top of auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, there are other things you can do to keep things running smoothly and increase your fuel efficiency so times between fill ups are longer. Here are five tips to help you achieve that goal:

Tip 1: Clean Out The Car

Do you ever feel like you are living out of your car? You might keep things in there that you never use, but you just haven’t gotten around to taking them out. Take a few minutes the next chance you get to clean your car out. There could be things in the trunk you will never need, and that extra weight can drag your fuel efficiency down.

Tip 2: Keep The Vehicle In Good Condition

Performing regular maintenance on your vehicle can take your fuel efficiency to the max. You’ll want to do a bunch of little things like check the tire pressure, get regular oil changes and use the oil recommended for your vehicle, and ensure that the fluids are topped off. Your auto repair technician can give you more tips on how to maintain your vehicle.

Tip 3: Drive Smart

One of the biggest things you can do is drive in a smart, safe manner. Rapidly accelerating or slamming on the breaks isn’t good for many parts of your vehicle, especially the fuel efficiency. Driving at 50 mph gets you the best efficiency and you can do good things for your vehicle when you obey speed limits. It’s safer, too!

Tip 4: Combine Trips

Making lots of trips with your vehicle, of course, is going to kill the fuel efficiency faster than one longer trip. Try to line your errands up all in one day so you are only stopping and starting that one time instead of lots of times over the week.

Tip 5: Change Your Route

Check your normal routes to take the kids to school, to go to work, and so on and see if you can find a more direct path or cut back on the number of times you have to stop. Avoiding traffic and congestion, for example, can help and driving on the interstate at 50 mph instead of through town with lower speeds and stopping and starting also helps.

If you want more tips on getting your fuel efficiency levels up, contact the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center. If it turns out you need auto repair in Philadelphia, PA to get your vehicle back on track, we can help with that. Having a tune up is something that can aid your goal quite a bit. Call SAR at (215) 755-1270 and we can set you up with an appointment to look things over. We can also talk to you in person and give you some tips based on what vehicle you have when you stop by 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

The Dangers Of Worn Tires

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

Anyone who drives a car can acknowledge how important the tires are. They’re what meets the road between the car and the ground. And while you might also know you want to keep your tires properly inflated, do you know the dangers that come along with having tires that are too worn? Either way, it’s always good to have a refresher. Prevent auto repair in Philadelphia, PA and dangerous situations by keeping your tires in good condition.

Tire Aging

Older tires are like rubber bands. Once rubber bands have been used and exposed to the elements for a long time, they crack and stretch out. Aging tires are similar. They wear and cracks start to form in the rubber. You may not see them at first because they are on the inside, but they can separate the rubber on the outside eventually. There are advanced tires that can withstand more miles than others because of special chemicals, but they will still age eventually.

Tire Limits

You should know the average lifespan of a tire, but when you ask, you could get different opinions from various auto repair shops. It often depends on how much you drive, what kind of vehicle you have, how well you maintain the tires, and so on. You should get them checked every time you get an oil change to keep track of their wear and aging process. Some manufacturers say you should get them replaced every 6 years while others recommend every 10 years.

Wearing Faster

You can have an impact on how fast your tires age in a number of ways. Where you store your vehicle, for example, will make a difference. If you store your vehicle in a garage, that’s easier on the tires than sitting outside in the elements all the time. The way you use the vehicle has an impact as well. If you drive at the speed limit, avoid hutting curbs, and have the tires rotated regularly, that will help the wear to stay down to normal limits instead of speeding up the aging process.

Age Of Your Tires

You may wonder how old your current tires are because not everyone keeps track that closely. Or perhaps you bought a used vehicle and you have no idea how old the tires are. There are a lot of numbers on the tires so it can be hard to tell what’s what. All you have to do is ask the next time you get an oil change and the technicians at the auto repair shop can tell you with ease.

If you need new tires, a rotation, or have other auto repair needs in Philadelphia, PA, the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help. Give us a call at (215) 755-1270 to make an appointment and we’ll help you with any of your car care needs. You can also stop by to see a few tires and to ask questions. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

Improving The Performance Of Your Vehicle With Auto Repair

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

If you feel like your vehicle isn’t performing at its peak, there are many reasons that could be behind it. But you don’t just have to suck it up and deal with it. There are things you can do to improve the way your vehicle performs. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get the auto repair in Philadelphia, PA you need. There are simple, even inexpensive ways to get better performance from your car. Here are a few to look into and consider:

New Spark Plugs

Spark plugs last a long time. That being said, that length is about 100,000 miles. You will only have to replace them once in the lifetime of the vehicle, but if your car has edged over the 100,000-mile mark and the spark plugs have never been replaced, they could be hurting the vehicle’s performance. They can get corroded and dirty over time and that can have an impact on your vehicle. You will get more out of the car when you replace them as needed.

The Right Motor Oil

When you get your oil changed, there are options for which oil you use. The technicians may give you a choice and you gravitate toward the cheapest option. But what does the manufacturer recommend? You need to go with the motor oil that is actually designed for your vehicle so you can get the best performance from it. If you have a higher mileage car, certain oils are going to perform better. They are going to cost more, but you get more from them as well. If you aren’t sure which motor oil is best for your vehicle in its current state, ask your technicians for advice.

Lose The Weight

Do you have a trunk full of books you’ve been meaning to donate to the library? Do you feel like you live out of car because of all the stuff you cart around? Go through the vehicle and take everything out that isn’t absolutely necessary. The engine works harder when the car has more weight. If you have too much in your vehicle, you’re putting more stress on it than it needs and that can lessen its performance.

Trust The Right Mechanics

If you want the best performance for your car, find auto repair mechanics you can trust and then take their advice. IF you have any questions, they can answer, and you know they are doing what is best for your situation.

The auto repair in Philadelphia, PA you can trust is always located at Schafer’s Auto Center. We treat your vehicle like our own and only tell you do to things to the car that we would do if it was ours. Call us with questions at (215) 755-1270 or set up an appointment for repairs or maintenance. You can visit with us in person at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148. At SAR, we want nothing but the best performance for your vehicle.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

Keeping Your Car Warranty Good

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

When you buy a new car, you get a lot of perks. First, there’s the new car smell. Then, there’s the fact that everything is brand new and you have no worries about anything going bad or breaking down for a lot of miles. You will still have regular maintenance and auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, but that’s the case with any vehicle. Another perk you get is a warranty on the vehicle. Most companies will give you warranties that are good for a certain number of years or a certain number of miles. But there are also things you can do to void that warranty and you will want to avoid doing so if at all possible. Here are a few things to do to keep that warranty in good standing so you can use it if you need it within the parameters that are set upon it.

Read Through The Manual

Every vehicle will come with an owner’s manual and if you’ve never had a vehicle of that type before, you need to know all about it. Even if you’ve had something similar before, this vehicle is brand new and might have changes within it. Read through the manual so you know what you need to know and take note of certain maintenance items that need to be done at regular intervals.

Maintain The Vehicle Regularly

New or not, every vehicle needs regular attention. You will need oil changes every few months and certain fluids will have to be replaced at a certain time. If you don’t run these maintenance items according to the manual, you could void the warranty somewhere before it expires. You will want to stay on top of maintenance, so the warranty is there for you if you need it.

Get Auto Repairs Sooner Rather Than Later

Never ignore something that seems to be going wrong with your car. That’s true for any time, but when it is under warranty, you want to get it in as soon as possible. If the warranty covers it, you can get it fixed for free and you don’t have to worry about anything larger going wrong because you waited. Waiting means your warranty is less likely to cover things as well.

Use Real Parts

If your car needs a repair or replacement, you will have to use parts that are manufacturer approved. If you use parts that are generic (and cheaper!) it could void your warrant altogether. The manufacturer parts are sometimes more, but they’re higher in quality as well, which makes them worth it.

When you are learning about your new vehicle and how you should go about auto repair in Philadelphia, PA to keep the warranty intact for as long as possible, the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center can help. Call us at (215) 755-1270 if you have any questions about your new vehicle and we can help you keep the warranty and the vehicle in the best working order possible. Visit SAR at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148.

Call Now Button