February 2021

While you know if your vehicle isn’t running right or if you hear weird sounds, you need auto repair in Philadelphia, PA to keep things running well. But you may not recognize that it’s also a good idea to get regular tune ups. There’s power in that maintenance and you will want to catch small issues and problems early so they don’t become a bigger deal. Here’s a list of things that will benefit you and your vehicle when you have regular repairs and tune ups done on your vehicle.

Fuel Efficiency

You want to be at the gas station less often, not more often. Having a tune up can tweak any little thing that you might not have noticed to ensure that your vehicle is running as well as it can. Even little things can cause you to use more gas than you should. Once everything is running efficiently, you won’t have to be at the gas station as often and you can get more mileage per gallon of gas.

Ensure A Smooth Ride

As cars age, they don’t drive as smoothly as they used to. It might be a little shake or a big bump. That can be due to a number of factors. But it’s important to have a comfortable ride and to make the vehicle easy to drive. You can make the car stay in good shape for the rides you need to take through regular tune ups. When things are primed for optimum use, the ride will feel smoother as well.

Getting The Dash Lights Put Out

When you notice one of the lights on your dashboard is illuminated, it’s time for a tune up. Not only do you want that light off so it’s not distracting you while you are driving, but you also want to make sure everything is running well. The tune up will take care of whatever lit the light and check and tweak everything else as well.

Insurance For Safety

You likely take your kids for a regular check up at the doctor’s office and your vehicle is similar. You want the mechanic you use to know your vehicle well so they can spot any little thing that might go wrong. They can find small problems and heal them quickly before they get out of hand. Just as a physician might prescribe a medication for an infection so it doesn’t spread, the mechanic will give you a tune up and repair to improve things on your vehicle and keep things from getting worse.

The tune up is a good idea for any vehicle and when you get auto repair in Philadelphia, PA the next time around, ask at what interval tune ups are recommended for your vehicle. The professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help you with maintenance like tune ups, oil changes, and other such things. But we can also help with big repairs come around and you need our help with diagnosing issues that come about.

Looking for a PA state inspection near me? Visit Schafer’s Auto Center today and we will take care of you.

There are lots of important parts on any vehicle and you could need auto repair in Philadelphia, PA on any of them. But when it comes to safety, there aren’t many parts that are more important than the brakes. This part works every time you drive. When you slow down, have to stop, or need to stop abruptly, they are there for you. Over time, you will see wear and tear on your brakes and that’s normal. But that could also force them to become ineffective. You need to keep the brakes in top shape so ensure that you can stop when you need to and drive as safely as possible.

The brake system has rotors, calipers, and brake pads. All you have to do to make things work is push on the brakes and the car slows and then stops. But there’s a lot going on inside. The brake pedal, when you push it, sends brake fluid through the lines and moves the pistons, which make the brake shoe push on a rotor to cause friction on the brake drum. It’s a lot more complicated than it sounds when you just push on the brake. There’s a lot more going on than just a pedal being pushed onto the vehicle floor. There are a lot of factors involved and you have to make sure they are all working, or the brakes won’t perform. The best way to do that is through preventative maintenance.

One of the smaller jobs that will need to be done from time to time is brake pad replacement. By getting the brake pads replaced as needed, you prevent other, harder-to-fix, larger, more expensive things from going wrong. You will know that you should have the brake pads checked out when you notice that your brakes are sticking, squealing, or getting harder to push down.

What happens if brake pads wear out?

There’s nothing you can really do to keep the brake pads from wearing, other than drive your car nicely and avoid slamming on the brakes. The pads are going to get worn because you use them regularly. But replacing them is much cheaper than replacing any other brake parts. And that change can make your brakes operate well without wearing in other areas.

It’s a good idea to have the brake pads checked regularly, like with the oil changes and other maintenance. That way, the mechanic can let you know when things are starting to wear, and you can plan ahead for when you need to replace those pads.

In need of PA state inspection near me?

If you need any kind of auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help you. Give us a call and we can set up a time to look your vehicle over, give it an oil change, check on the brakes, and let you know if anything else is going wrong or about to wear out. We want you to drive safely and we want to make your vehicle lasts as long as possible in good condition the whole way through.

When you purchase a vehicle, new or used, you have a new commitment on your hands. Yes, you paid for the vehicle upfront, but you also have to pay for auto repair in Philadelphia, PA along the way. Here are a few questions that people frequently ask about auto repair to help you get what you need without overdoing it.

How Often Are Tune Ups Recommended?

This is going to depend from vehicle to vehicle. You need to know what regularly scheduled maintenance items are required and recommended by your car’s manufacturer. While you can have things checked over when you get oil changes, you will generally need some tune ups every 10,000-12,000 miles. If you have a newer car, you may be able to go 25,000 miles between tunes ups and major tune ups might not have to be done but every 100,000 miles.

Furthermore, regular tune up with avoid the overdue oil change symptoms and keep your car in top performance.

Why Are Tune Ups Beneficial?

You want your car to run well and function properly so that it is efficient, but also so it is not damaged where it needs major repairs. Depending on what your vehicle needs in the tune up, you can see an increased efficiency in mileage, a better ride, and many other things.

How Much Do They Cost?

Tune ups are actually a lot cheaper than you might think. Especially if you consider the things they prevent on your vehicle. By tuning certain things up, you are preventing major issues with minor tweaks. You are saving a lot of money. The overall cost is going to depend on the auto repair shop you visit, the make and model of your vehicle, and the results of the inspection that goes with the tune up. It will cost more if more things need to be done in the midst of the tuning, of course.

Do I Have To Get Tune Ups?

You are the car owner. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do with your vehicle. However, if you overlook tune ups, you might end up with larger things wrong with your car later. You will break down on the side of the road, for example, and have a much bigger repair bill than you would have otherwise. While you don’t have to get tune ups, oil changes, or anything else on your vehicle, it’s highly recommended to keep your car in working order for as long as possible.

When you have other questions about what is done during a tune-up or what auto repair in Philadelphia, PA is recommended and when the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help. We want your vehicle to run as well as possible for as long as possible. Give us a call and ask whatever you need to know or schedule an inspection and tune-up for your vehicle. We won’t pretend things are wrong that isn’t wrong. We don’t operate that way. We’re honest about the things that we see, and we are willing to explain them to you and show them to you in person as well.

What happens if brake pads wear out?

When your brake pads wear out, you are endangering yourself, the people inside the car as well as pedestrians. Do not take your brakes for granted. Regular check-up is the key to make sure your braking system is in top condition.

There are enough things going on in your life that the last thing you need is to jump in your car and realize that things aren’t working right or, worse, it won’t start at all. It’s best to keep your vehicle going with regular auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, and maintenance, and when you are a smart driver, you know common warning signs that something is amiss, and you need to get into the auto shop. When you see any of these indicators, make auto repair a priority so you don’t have more of a headache on your hands than you do with your regular daily life.

The Engine Light Is On

No one wants to see the engine light on the dashboard, but it’s dangerous to avoid looking at it in hopes that it will go off. The light is on for a reason and the car’s system is trying to let you know there’s a maintenance issue. It might be something very small and if you catch it early, it won’t take much time or money to fix. If you ignore it, things could get worse and cost more, causing even more damage and inconvenience.

The Vehicle Stalls

If you are used to your vehicle popping off easily, if your car lags for a moment before starting up, that could be a warning sign that something is breaking down. Stalling can be dangerous, depending on your situation, and you want to make sure your vehicle will start and stay running when you need it. Get in for a tune-up to check things over.

Fuel Economy Is Sinking

You might regularly fill up about once a week because of the amount you drive. If you find yourself having to fill up twice a week, but you aren’t driving any longer than normal, that could be a problem with the fuel economy. IF you are getting fewer miles per gallon, there’s an issue somewhere. It can be a number of things that are simple to fix and it’s wort your time to look into it so you can pay less at the pump.

Squealing Brakes

If you hear any change in your brakes or notice that you are taking longer to stop, you will want to get them checked out as soon as you can. Usually, the brake pads need to be replaced, but if you want too long, the problem can spread into things that are more serious and harder to replace.

There are other things to watch for when you have a vehicle and it’s important to get auto repair in Philadelphia, PA right away so you can get the most from your vehicle. You want to be safe and keep everyone around you safe as well. The professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help you with every problem you might have with your vehicle, big or small. It’s important to take note of things as you drive since you know your car best.