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147 Million Gallons of Wasted Gas?
With gas prices skyrocketing, finding ways to make our cars run more efficiently makes good sense. Learn some simple and inexpensive ways to help your car run better, and save some money at the same time.… more
Beware: An Engine Flush Could Damage Your Car
Having your engine "flushed" sounds like a good idea. But be sure you know that this service can actually cause thousands of dollars in damage to your car.… more
Consumer Beware
Few of us feel confident when needing car repair. We've all heard horror stories of how people have been ripped off at repair shops. Being an informed consumer, knowing what to look for, and knowing what to expect can make all the difference.… more
Drivers Should 'Air' on the Side of Safety
A new nationwide survey shows that 55% of vehicles had at least one under inflated tire and only one in six vehicles had four properly inflated tires. … more
Five Steps to a "Greener" Car
No matter what car you drive, learn simple ways to make your car more environmentally friendly.… more
Gas Saving Tips for Memorial Day Weekend Driving
Learn how car maintenance can help save you dollars at the gas pump this holiday weekend.… more
Gas Saving Tips for Your Auto
With the price of gasoline skyrocketing, all of us could use some help in learning how to save fuel in our cars. While these tips will help you do that, they’ll also help you increase the life of your car.… more
It's Easy Being "Green"
It’s easy to become a “green” driver. Do you part in helping the environment by learning some simple tips for keeping your vehicle maintained properly and by driving in a non-aggressive manner on Arizona's highways.… more
Recycle Your Used Motor Oil
If you change the oil in your car, know the appropriate way to dispose of your used motor oil.… more
Should You Buy A New Car or Keep Your Present One?
All of us would enjoy driving a shiny, brand-new car. But is that the wisest financial decision? Your car is usually your second largest investment behind your home, so make sure you understand the pros and cons of buying a new car versus hanging on to the one you have now.… more
Setting Expectations: A Primer for Basic Repairs
A GarageFly.com Feature Article
Knowledge is power when it comes to getting basic repairs and maintenance done to your vehicle. The more you know about your car and the potential costs involved with maintaining it, the more likely you will feel as if you’ve received a fair deal.
Oil Changes
Oil is truly the lifeline of your car; without it the engine will lock up. Oil is what keeps your pistons and crank and all other moving parts inside of the vehicle’s engine moving. Heat and wear are the most common things that break down your oil, which is especially important to remember in Arizona. It is just a fact that the better the condition of the oil, the better your vehicle will perform. There are many different kinds of oil to choose from, so always check your owner’s manual to see what type of oil the manufacturer recommends and the suggested frequency of an oil change. A good rule of thumb is to change your oil every 3,000 miles.
Price: Typical oil change should be around $23 plus tax.
Tires
It is important that you get your tires checked for damage every time you get your oil changed. And as a rule, you should rotate your tires around 6,000 miles, which would be every other oil change. It takes about five minutes to rotate your tires unless the vehicle has locking lug nuts, in which case it will take a bit longer. It is best to have your tires rotated from front to back as it keeps tire wear balanced. If one side is wearing faster that the other, have the balance or front end checked out as your vehicle could be off alignment or a front end part might be going bad.
Price: If it’s not included in the price of an oil change, a tire rotation should not cost more than $10.
Belts and Hoses
Your vehicle’s belts and hoses need to be in good shape all of the time. In fact, they should really be checked every time you pop the hood. Your cooling system antifreeze uses hoses to travel to and from the engine, then back into the reservoir or radiator. Hoses should last about 30,000 miles. The same can be said for the belts. Belts constantly move and keep your air conditioning, power steering pump, water pump, and alternator going all at the same time. If the belts break, then the vehicle will stop, and you can lose all of the power to those items.
Price: Hoses can cost between $12 and $25. Belts can cost between $30 and $50 each, and some vehicles have as many as three. There will also be a labor charge for replacing belts, on most vehicles it can be anywhere from $35 to $60.
Batteries, Alternators and Starters
A vehicle battery generally lasts about three years, so be prepared to have it fail around that time. Alternators and starters are known to last longer, up to five years. However, in the harsh heat of Arizona, it is always a good idea to have your repair shop check all three of them regularly. Labor charges will be different for the many different types of vehicles on the market today. And that system works all together, so when one of the three fails it will most likely affect the other.
Price: These items along with the labor can be quite costly, but in most cases they will last for another three to five years and some come with very good warranties.
Your Bill
A good mechanic will listen to what you are saying, so be sure to tell them all you can about the problem, as it will give them a better start on fixing and diagnosing your problem. Diagnostics are not free, so expect a charge for that service in addition to the cost of the parts and labor.
Price: Most shops today charge for various supplies, which can consist of rags, topping off your window washer fluids, transmission and power steering fluids, and using chemicals that clean your batteries. In most cases, this charge is a percentage of the overall ticket; this can vary between $2 to 8 percent of the total bill.
