Ask Us About Tires!
Call Today: (215) 755-1270
Call Us Today (215) 755-1270
Monthly Archives

September 2018

Sep 24
0
auto mechanic in Philadelphia, PA

Auto Mechanic Advice on Bigger Tires

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

You may know quite a bit about cars, but unless you’ve studied them endlessly and work with them daily, you don’t know as much as a Philadelphia, PA auto mechanic. Before you upgrade your vehicle with bigger tires to show off your style, you might want to check into the details on what those tires will actually do to your vehicle. Use the advice from an auto mechanic to gauge whether or not it’s a good move.  

Bigger tires and wheels are often a desirable upgrade for those who love to go off-roading or those who just want to drive regular places every day. You can go to any parking lot and count the number of SUVs with tires that are obviously larger than those the vehicle came with. Everyone wants their vehicle to look “cool,” but tires can make or break the vehicle in both the style and performance realm.  

Driving on bad tires or tires that don’t fit the vehicle properly can take a toll on any car. When you upgrade to bigger tires, keep in mind that you also have to upgrade your rims. There are plenty of benefits to bigger tires, but there are disadvantages as well.  

If you are driving a truck, you might want a lift kit to allow room for bigger tires and wheels to give you the height you want. This often a good option for those who like to drive off-road. The lift kit not only makes room for the larger tires, but it gets the vehicle farther off the ground, so it handles better on rough terrain. However, these kits can be expensive. New wheels, tires and a lift kit add up and that’s not even putting anything into parts and labor yet. Lift kits can also change the center of gravity on a vehicle, so drivers need to be careful making sharp turns. And larger tires and wheels could decrease gas mileage.  Philadelphia, PA auto mechanic

If you have a car and want bigger tires, it doesn’t make quite a much sense. Your tire diameter can affect the accuracy of your speedometer, so you need to make sure the tires and wheels fit under the fenders. You can do that with “plus sizing.” This method uses wheels that are larger in diameter, but smaller in the side wall. They are faster and better with handling, but they can also slow acceleration capabilities.  

If you are thinking about getting different tires of any kind, whether larger or normal in size, contact the experts at Schafer’s Auto Center. Your Philadelphia, PA auto mechanics are experts in the field and we can tell you just what your car or truck can handle and what would be best for your preferences. Give SAR a call at (215) 755-1270 to ask questions about tires or to make an appointment. You can also stop by and visit us with your inquiries at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA. We want your vehicle to run as good as possible and that often starts with quality tires.  

Sep 17
0
auto repair in Philadelphia, PA

What To Do With An Overheating Car

By | Auto Repair | No Comments

The summer months bring a lot more than fun in the sun. They also bring plenty of heat and humidity. Whether you’re on vacation in an even hotter region of the country, or just trying to get by in Pennsylvania, you might need Philadelphia, PA auto repair at some point because of the heat. Because when the weather outside is hot, things are even hotter in your car. You can’t always prepare for overheating to happen so it’s good to know what to do when it occurs.  

Prevent Overheating 

If at all possible, it’s best to prevent overheating from happening in the first place. First, you need to get auto repair and maintenance on a regular basis, so you can avoid engine trouble. There are lots of systems in the vehicles today that regulate temperatures. Engine oil, for example, lubricates the moving parts in the engine. When the oil badly needs to be changed, the engine can overheat. There are a lot of cooling systems in a vehicle including belts, coolant fluids, fans, and more. If any of those things go bad, overheating can happen. Keeping up to date with maintenance is your best overheating prevention method.  

What To Do When Overheating 

Whether you are good at maintaining your vehicle or not, overheating can happen. If it happens to you, follow these steps to ensure you get through the situation safely.  

Step 1: Pull Over 

Philadelphia, PA auto repair

When you pull off to the side of the road, as far away from traffic as you can get, turn on your hazard lights so other drivers can see you. Also, turn the engine off.  

Step 2: Don’t Open the Hood 

It’s tempting to pop the hood of your vehicle if you see steam rising, but instead, you should let the vehicle cool down for half an hour or so, or until the temperature gauge has a normal reading on it.  

Step 3: Check Coolant Levels 

Take a peek at the transparent reservoir near your radiator. If the levels are low, get coolant and fill up. You might want to carry an extra bottle in your vehicle on hot days or for long trips.  

Step 4: Check for Leaks 

Look at the various hoses and see if they are leaking anywhere. If you don’t feel pressure in the hoses, there’s a leak and you have a problem that needs auto repair.  

Step 5: Get Auto Repair 

If you aren’t sure what’s wrong or how to fix it, find an auto mechanic to help. You can get roadside assistance or call a trusted auto repair shop.  

Schafer’s Auto Center is here to help you avoid overheating on the side of the road. Give us a call at (215) 755-1270 for all of your Philadelphia, PA auto repair needs, and we’ll keep your vehicle in good shape, so you never end up stranded when you’re trying to get somewhere. Our shop is located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA and we can repair or maintain anything on your vehicle whenever you need a tune-up. 

Sep 10
0
oil change in Philadelphia, PA

Don’t Get Oil Changes Too Often In Philadelphia, PA

By | Auto Maintenance, Auto Service | No Comments

If there’s one thing you know about your vehicle, it’s likely that it needs a Philadelphia, PA oil change at a certain interval. It used to be that people would try to come in every 3,000 miles to get the oil on their vehicles changed, but as technology changes, so do vehicle needs. While you may know the benefits of getting your oil changed when it is necessary, have you heard reasons not to change the oil too often? Here are a few to consider:  

Philadelphia, PA oil changeYou’re Wasting Money 

If there’s anything you can do to put more money into your budget without wasting anything, you’d like to do it, right? When you get your oil changed before it needs to be done, you’re wasting money. You have “oil to burn,” so to speak and getting the oil change done before you need it start burning new oil when you had old oil left to burn. No one wants to waste money on car maintenance unless it’s necessary.  

You’re Not Guaranteeing Anything 

Some drivers use oil changes as somewhat of a cheap insurance on their vehicles. If they change the oil often, nothing else will go wrong on the car, right? No, that’s not right at all. You can ensure that your oil is in good condition and that helps a number of things, including the engine, but it doesn’t ensure that everything is lined up perfectly all the time. All it really does is spend your money. Things might still break down later.  

Other Things Could Be “Found” 

Have you ever gone to a quick service oil change place only to learn that the mechanic thinks you also need new filters, new brakes, or any number of other things? Getting your oil changed too often won’t hurt your vehicle, but if you visit the wrong place, it could hurt your pocketbook even more with unnecessary fixes.  

If you really want to know how often you need an oil change, it is best to consult your owner’s manual. If you don’t want to look into anything car-related, ask a trusted mechanic for an estimate. Most vehicles are good today until about 5,000 miles. While you don’t want to get an oil change too soon, you also don’t want to go in too late. Finding the perfect balance spends your money in the appropriate way and gets the most out of the oil you have placed in your vehicle.   

Are you ready for an oil change? Do you need help finding a good balance on mileage between the oil changes? Contact the experts at Schafer’s Auto Center by calling (215) 755-1270 for an appointment. We’re here to help you get the oil changes you need—when you need them. We never tell you something needs to be done on your vehicle unless it is absolutely necessary. Visit us at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 for your next Philadelphia, PA oil change. 

 

Sep 03
0
Philadelphia, PA brake repair

Do You Need Brake Repair For A Stuck Parking Brake?

By | Brake Repair Shop | No Comments

Drivers use their regular brakes on a daily basis, but the parking brake is a different story. It’s something that only gets used when you park on a big hill and are worried about your car rolling when it is parked. Since it’s not something you use every day, you might not be completely sure how hard you need to yank on it to get things into place. Putting too much force on the parking brake can cause a jam and Philadelphia, PA brake repair may even become necessary. Understanding how and when to use the parking brake can help you avoid brake repair you’d rather not have.  

brake repair in Philadelphia, PAWhen To Use The Parking Brake 

If you drive a manual transmission, you might use the parking brake every time you park your car. That helps you understand how to use it a little better so you are less likely to get it stuck. On the other hand, since you use it so often, there are more opportunities for you to get into a jam. The parking brake engages a parking pawl, which is a metal pin that goes into a ring attached to the transmission. The transmission shaft can no longer turn so your vehicle won’t roll when parked. This brake is often a safeguard people use to keep their vehicle from moving on a hill.  

How Do Parking Brakes Get Stuck? 

Parking brakes are like any part on a vehicle—they can wear out. One issue with these brakes is corrosion. Water and dirt causes things to erode and that can then cause the brake to fail. Cables can snap and brake pads can stick. When that happens, you’ll need brake repair. To avoid corrosion, use the parking brake more often. At the very least, you will know when it needs to be fixed before it becomes an emergency.   

Another reason parking brakes get stuck is because you might have pulled on it too hard. The brakes can get stuck against the wall of the wheel drums if you pull on the lever too hard. To release a brake when it is stuck, try rocking the vehicle back and forth or climb under the car and manually pull the cables. You can also try setting and releasing the brake to knock them free. If you can’t get anything to work, you might need brake repair and a tow truck.  

The best way to avoid getting stuck with a parking brake that doesn’t work is to get Philadelphia, PA brake repair and maintenance checks. When you have your vehicle in to Schafer’s Auto Center for tune-ups, the professionals will check everything over and make sure things are operating in the highest order, including the parking brake and the ordinary brakes. Call us at (215) 755-1270 to make an appointment and we’ll get started on any maintenance items your vehicle needs. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’re happy to help your car in any way we can. 

 

Call Now Button