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August 2021

auto repair shop in Philadelphia, PA

Safety Tips For Roadside Tire Changing

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Even if you keep a close eye on your tire tread and air pressure, you can hit something on the road and blow a tire. Hopefully, you have a spare so you can get it changed. You can then buy a new one and get auto repair in Philadelphia, PA when you are able to get to the shop. But if you find yourself needing to change the tire on the road, here are some safety tips to help you do so safely.

1-Move To The Side

When you notice that your tire pressure is going down fast or, worse, you hear a pop and know the tire is gone, move to the side of the road as far off onto the shoulder as you can get. You are going to want as much space between your vehicle and the road as you can get so you can work on the tire. It can be hard to place your car just right when you are trying to get over as fast as you can but do the best you can with the idea in mind that you have a tire change coming.

2-Put On The Hazards

You want any vehicle coming toward you from either direction to know you are having issues and to be warned. They should move over a lane, if at all possible, to give you more space, but not every vehicle will, and some may not be able to, either. The hazards are going to help warn others and keep you safe, though.

3-Call Authorities

Depending on where your vehicle is situated and whether you can safely change the tire or not, you might want to call the authorities. They may be able to send a car out to sit in the road behind your vehicle with their lights on to warn people that there is an issue. If you have to overlap with the road in order to change the tire, their presence can keep vehicles away so you can safely do so.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA4-Call For Professional Help

If you don’t feel confident about changing the tire, or you have issues doing so when you tried, call for professionals to come to help you. They can set their truck up in the road to block traffic and make things safer. They can also get the old tire off and the new one on quickly so you aren’t on the road any longer than you have to be.

Once you make it into town and off the road, you will want to get auto repair in Philadelphia, PA on the tire that went flat on you. Sometimes, tires can be fixed and are just as safe as they were when they were new. Other times, you might need to get a brand new tire or a new spare to keep your car on the road safely. If you have questions about tires or any other auto repair need, contact Schafer’s Auto Center for answers or for an appointment.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

What To Do With A Roadside Breakdown

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It’s something you’d rather avoid, but when it happens, it happens. Your car broke down at the side of the road. You need auto repair in Philadelphia, PA what should you do? Here are some tips to help you safely through the process.

Tip 1: Move To The Side

If at all possible, the moment you notice something amiss with your vehicle, move it to the side of the road so you are out of the traffic before it completely shuts down. If it does stop in the road and you can’t move it automatically, you might want to place it in neutral and push it off the road onto the shoulder so you are safer and out of traffic then. You may need help in doing that and if you are alone, it can be hard to push it in the right direction without someone steering.

Tip 2: Put On The Hazards

You are going to want to put the hazard lights on so they are blinking. Those approaching the vehicle from any direction will be more easily able to see it. Even if it is sitting on the road, they will understand that it has a problem and that they need to go around it. It’s a safety feature on your vehicle and when it breaks down, that is the time to use it.

Tip 3: Call For Help

You are going to need a professional to come out and help you with the vehicle if you don’t know what’s wrong or how to fix it. If you know you are out of gas, for example, you can call a friend and have them bring you a can or ask them to give you a ride to the station so you can take gas back to your car. But if you don’t know what’s up, have a professional come take a look. Perhaps they can fix something small and get it running so you can take it to the shop or perhaps they will need to tow it.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PATip 4: Get A Ride To Town

If your vehicle is in a safe location and you feel okay about waiting by yourself or with your passenger, it’s okay to stay there and wait for the professional to come help. But if you’re in a dangerous spot on the road, it’s sweltering hot, or in the middle of the winter, you might want to call a friend and have them come get you. The professional can take a look at your vehicle when they arrive and report back to you, but in the meantime, you are safe and that’s what really matters.

It’s always best to prevent the major auto repair in Philadelphia, PA by having preventative maintenance done, but life just doesn’t always cooperate. The professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help you with breakdowns, oil changes, mystery noises, and everything in between. Give us a call to set up an appointment or stop by and ask questions.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

Choosing Good Auto Repair Shops For Maintenance

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There are lots of good shops out there that can help you with auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, but you are going to want the best. And while many shops offer quality services and have a good reputation for honesty, there are some bad apples out there, too. Here are a few ways you can avoid those bad ones and get the good auto repair for the maintenance you need on your vehicle.

Check Licensing and Certification

One thing you can do to protect your vehicle and your interests is to ask the auto repair shop if they have licensing and certification. It’s also wise to look at their insurance. While any shop can tell you that yes, they have that, you will want to see the proof in order to be certain. There’s no reason for any shop to be guarded about showing you proof of those things. If they act weird about it or don’t want to produce the documents, move on.

Check What Other People Are Saying

You want to know that the shop you are going to use is one that lots of people have had success with. Their reputation should be proven by their track record and experience. You can check with people you know and see if they have used the shop they are considering or if they have recommendations. You can also go online and read reviews outside of the auto shop website so you can get a full idea as to what people think of that shop and what their experiences were like. If you see too many bad reviews, you might want a different shop.

Look Into Pricing

You need fair prices from your auto repair shop. They should lowball the prices because that may very well mean that the quality might not be to the level that you need and want it. Prices that are too high mean they are trying to make more money off you than they should with the repairs you need. Middle of the road, fair prices are what you want and with the internet on hand, you can easily find out what prices are median and fair for your area.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PAMeet The Mechanic In Person

You should be able to meet the mechanic you are going to work with in person. They can take a short break from what they are working on or you can schedule a time to meet with them to talk about their experience with vehicles like yours and in the industry as a whole. This could be a long-term relationship and getting to know the person who will be working on your car can make you feel more comfortable in moving forward.

When you are looking for a new shop to help you with auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, try to look around when you aren’t in desperate need. Try some shops for maintenance items and see what you appreciate about each. The professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center would be happy to be in consideration for your repair needs.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

The Power Of A Tune Up To Auto Repair

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There are lots of various types of auto repair in Philadelphia, PA that is going to make your vehicle run better overall, but do you know just how powerful the tune up can be? It’s a wise thing to get before you go on a long trip, if you notice any issues with the vehicle, or even as a new season rolls over and you want an efficient car. Here are some of the things that tune up can do for you, all of which make the time and effort worth your while.

Better Mileage

You probably didn’t buy your vehicle hoping you could get poor gas mileage. Whether it gets good mileage or not, the mileage you get will only get better when you have a tune up on a regular basis. Things will run efficiently, which means fewer trips to the gas station between miles. It’s never a bad thing to spend less on gas and go further between pump stops.

Fix Small Things

When you have a tune up on your vehicle, the mechanic is going to notice anything small that might be starting to wear or need repairs or replacement. Those small things might be simple, like filters, or a bit more involved, like brake pads. But the smaller things are important because if they aren’t caught, they will get larger and cause other issues. You want to take care of them fast because they can prevent more costly problems from ever arising and keep you on the road in a safe and effective manner.

Run Efficiently

You want your vehicle to last for as long as possible. Even if you don’t plan to keep it forever, you want to be able to trade it in at a high price. That means you have to take care of it. It needs to run efficiently. That will help you to spend less on it over the years and it will cause you to be able to rely on it, both of which are very important.

auto repair in Philadelphia, PAStay Running Longer

No one buys a vehicle hoping it will die the following year. You want your vehicle to last and to run well at the same time. When you get tune ups done, it will run for much longer and at a much better rate than it would have otherwise.

There are lots of big reasons to go in for auto repair in Philadelphia, PA and if you notice any noises or other signs that your vehicle is a little off, you certainly should. But you should also go in for regular tune ups, just because they make your vehicle run well and can prevent larger issues. You can pay less on your car over time with the right mechanic and regular tune ups. The professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center have the right technicians for you and can certainly help you figure out what needs to be done and when to keep the car on the right track.

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