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When you own a vehicle, you are responsible for a lot of things. You have to fill it with gas if you want to get from place to place, and you have to make sure your license is up to date. You will need to get registered within the state and get the proper insurance. To be a responsible driver, there’s a lot to keep up with! But you have to have transportation so you do your best. To keep your car in proper running condition, you will also need to get tune-up service from time to time. Since it’s not something that is required, it can be hard to remember and hard to convince yourself to make the effort. But here are just a few reasons why tune-up service is a good idea.

Safety Concerns
You never know what’s going on with your vehicle unless you hear something wrong. Sometimes, when those indications are ignored long enough, things can go horribly awry. Tune-up service can help you prevent things like brake failure or getting stranded by the side of the road. It’s a safety issue and you don’t want to be caught in the midst of a dangerous situation. A tune-up will help you avoid those situations by fixing small things before they get larger.

Money Savings
No one wants to have to spend money on their vehicles, but cars are an investment and they won’t keep running if you don’t pay attention to them. It can be hard to talk yourself into a tune-up service because it takes time and also a little bit of money. But when you think about what you are avoiding (plenty of issues that could pop up with your vehicle) you are actually likely saving quite a bit of time and money. Tune-up service can make sure your vehicle is running effectively and efficiently. If there’s something little going wrong, it can be fixed at that time for a small price. On the other hand, if you avoid services, much larger things can go wrong and cost you a lot more later on.

Efficiency
Buying gas for your vehicle is necessary, but you don’t want to buy any more than necessary. You also have to have tires on your car, but you don’t want to replace them before you absolutely have to. Getting a tune-up service can make sure your vehicle is efficient in a number of ways. That will help you avoid those larger expenses as long as possible. You’ll buy less gas and fewer tires over the life of your vehicle.

When you are ready to take advantage of the benefits a Philadelphia ,PA tune-up service can bring along with it, contact Schafer’s Auto Center at 215-755-1270 to make an appointment. We’ll take a look at your vehicle and ensure that it is running safely and efficiently so you get the most out of it. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’re here to help!

How would you like to need transmission repair? You wouldn’t? No way! Of course, no one wants to have to deal with transmission repair, but if it happens to you, it can give you peace of mind to have the right auto shop backing you up. You can leave your transmission repair in the right hands and understand that your vehicle will be in as good as new condition when you get it back…at least where the transmission is concerned! There are plenty of places you could go in Philadelphia, but only one shop is the right choice for you. That shop is Schafer’s Auto Center! Here are a few reasons we’d like you to bring your vehicle to us for transmission repair.

We are a complete service repair center
Sure, there are plenty of places you could take your vehicle for transmission repair. There are even shops that specialize in transmission repair. But when you bring your vehicle to us, we can take care of every issue under the sun. You know you’re having trouble with your transmission, but you might also need an oil change. Wouldn’t it be nice to take care of everything at the same time? We can do that with ease!

Our technicians are true masters
When you come to our shop, you will see that we have 7 full access bays and even a full size heavy duty truck lift so we can handle any transmission repair you bring us. Besides that, we only hire expert technicians that are ASE trained and certified. They don’t work for us without being a master technician because we only want to pass the best services along to you.

We are family owned and operated
What does it mean to be family owned and operated? That means that our employer and employees live and work among you! We don’t serve a corporate office and we don’t have quotes we have to meet. We are a part of your community. We treat you like family and like neighbors because that’s exactly what you are to us! When it comes to transmission repair, we will be honest with you from start to finish. We have to go home at night to a house near yours in the same city. We want to be able to sleep at night and that means we won’t cheat you out of any hard earned money. We’re upfront and honest and we tell you the repairs you need and that’s it!

If you are ready for Philadelphia ,PA transmission repair, the professional technicians at Schafer’s Auto Center are ready to help you. Just give us a call to make an appointment at 215-755-1270. We can get your transmission repair taken care of as well as any other issues your vehicle is having. Just let us know how we can help you! We’re located in a convenient spot, too, at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148. We’re looking forward to working with you soon!

There are some things you just have to do in life, whether you want to or not. Your body needs water, so you have to drink it, whether you like it or not! It’d be nice to add hours into your day so you can get more done, but you have to sleep, there’s no getting around it! The same can be said about the mechanical world. When it comes to your vehicle, there are things that are necessary to its very life. When you live in Philadelphia, it can be very inconvenient to get stranded by a vehicle that decides to shut down on you. And it never happens at a convenient time, right? Not that there really ever is such a time… When it comes to keeping your vehicle running smoothly for the long haul, the oil change is essential!!!

Oil Changes are Like Water
An oil change is essential to the life of your vehicle because your vehicle runs based on your engine. When your engine runs out of oil, it starts grinding and eventually shuts down. If the engine runs on oil that is too old, it can get gummy and also cause other issues, which eventually shut it down. The engine runs smoothly on good, clean oil. That’s something you can count on. When you are dehydrated, you don’t run as well either, right? Have you ever seen someone pass out from dehydration and heat exhaustion? That’s what happens to your engine if you don’t change the oil. It simply can’t operate any longer! An oil change is a necessity for the life of your vehicle and the well being of your engine.

Oil Changes Save Money
While you might put off an oil change because you don’t like paying for it, you need to think of it as more of an investment into the life of your vehicle. Sure, oil changes cost money. Sure, you’d rather save that money and spend it on something else. But isn’t your vehicle worth a little money for an oil change every now and then? Because in reality, you are saving quite a bit of money when you have an Philadelphia ,PA oil change. If you don’t have that oil changed in time and your engine stops, you have a lot bigger (and more expensive) issues on your hand. You will actually SAVE money in getting those regular oil change services.

When you need an oil change, you want it done fast and you want it done right. You can get both at Schafer’s Auto Center. Give us a call and make an appointment based on your busy lifestyle. You can reach us at 215-755-1270. We’re happy to change your oil and check your vehicle over to make sure everything is running efficiently and effectively. We’re conveniently located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 so it will be easy for you to slip in and see us to get that oil change.

While you use your car to get around Philadelphia on a daily basis, how often do you sit down and think about the individual parts in the car? Rarely? Never? You may notice when the tires are low on air or if the brakes are squeaking, but what about the timing belt? The timing belt is actually one of the most important parts of your car and you need to maintain it properly! It keeps your engine running properly and with it breaks; it can be a big deal. There are a number of things that go into the timing of timing belt replacement. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Mileage
Your timing belt will need to be replaced between 50,000 and 70,000 miles, depending on the make and model of your car. Not every vehicle even has a timing belt so you will want to check your owner’s manual in order to see if it applies to you at all. You should also check and see what type of engine you have, interference or non-interference engine.

Engine Types
Interference engines have valves and pistons sharing the same air space. They don’t touch unless the timing break skips or breaks. That timing belt can cause a huge failure that requires replacing bent valves and removing the head. The repairs can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the damage that is done. Non-interference engines don’t risk the contact if the timing belt breaks. You can still be stranded in Philadelphia breaks so you will still want to have timing belt replacement at the right time in order to avoid inconveniences.

Makes and Models
Timing belt replacement largely depends on the make and model of your vehicle as well as how you drive it. If you have an older vehicle, it might need timing belt replacement sooner than a newer vehicle. If you don’t’ drive your vehicle very much, it might not need it as soon as a vehicle that is driven on a daily basis. There are many factors to keep in mind, but mileage is a big determining factor on any make and model. However, the mileage is different for varied vehicles. Take a look at your owner’s manual and see what timeframe you have on the timing belt replacement.

Call Schafer’s Auto!
The Professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help with all of your vehicle needs. Give us a call at 215-755-1270 and schedule your next oil change or tune-up today. If you have questions about timing belt replacement, just ask! We can take a look at your Philadelphia timing belt replacement and give you a full report on its lifespan when you bring your vehicle in. We want to make sure you are operating a safe and efficient vehicle at all times. Stop by and see us today at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148. You can trust your vehicle maintenance and repairs to our technicians.

It’s not cheap to live in Philadelphia. Let’s face it; there are a lot of expenses and only so much money to go around! When it comes to your vehicle, you need it to get around, but you also want to save as much money for other areas of your life. If you are looking to save money, the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help with a few ideas.

Idea 1: Ride Share
If you want to save money on gas and other things within your vehicle, see if you can find someone else in your neighborhood that goes to the same area for work that you do. You can carpool and share rides to and from the office. That will cut down on your car’s commute by half and you will have someone to chat with during the commute.

Idea 2: Public Transportation
If you have some simple errands to run that don’t include hauling a lot of groceries into your home, you might consider public transportation to give your vehicle a break. You can save money on gas and maintenance and enjoy some of the local community ties as well

Idea 3: Search Gas Deals
It might look as if every gas station has the same price, but if you look around, you will notice that some are cheaper than others, even if only be a few cents. Keep tabs on the gas stations where you normally fill up and choose the cheapest options. There are also sometimes gas stations that offer special deals if you have a credit card with them or have a point system to help you save. Those little amounts can add up in the long run.

Idea 4: Keep Up With Your Tune-Up Service
One of the most important things you can do for your vehicle in order to save money is having a regular tune-up service. This might seem backwards because doesn’t a tune-up service actually cost money? Yes, but you are saving money in the long run! Here’s how. When you have a tune-up service, your vehicle will be running as efficiently and effectively as possible. You will use less gas and get better mileage, which will save you at the gas pump. You will also be able to fix anything small early before it becomes a big, expensive problem, which will also save you money.

Saving money when it comes to your vehicle can be a big deal and the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center want to help in any way they can. We give cars a Philadelphia ,PA tune-up service in order to ensure they are running at their best for you. We won’t want you to get stranded at an inconvenient time in Philadelphia and we don’t want you wasting any money either. Give us a calla t 215-755-1270 and set up your tune-up service today. A little time and money now will save a lot later. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148. See you soon!

Timing belts and timing chains have been around in car engines for decades. The biggest drawback of the timing belt is its limitations as time goes by. Timing belts wear down and the rubber stresses and dries out. If you don’t know much about vehicles, chances are you don’t know when your timing belt needs to be replaced. You also may not know the mileage levels at which to consider timing belt replacement. The professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center are here to help with Philadelphia timing belt replacement and other maintenance items. We’ll help you determine when replacement is necessary (generally around 60,000 miles) and the best course of action for your vehicle and your budget.

Potential Dangers of Ignoring Replacement

The timing belt is an integral part of any vehicle. If you don’t replace them at the right time, they can lead to dangers and other problems with higher costs. Here are a few to consider.

Engine Damage

Timing belts allow the valves to hit the pistons at the right time. If the belt isn’t under normal operating conditions or breaks and jumps off gears, the valves could strike a cylinder and cause severe and costly damage to the engine. If you are running your vehicle over the recommended mileage change for timing belt replacement, you may be on borrowed time. Timing belt replacement is much cheaper than fixing, rebuilding, or replacing an engine because of damage that is caused due to a worn out timing belt.

Hard to Find Parts

Timing belt replacement is a preventative maintenance measure that you can utilize to avoid other issues, but car owners often ignore it. In fact, it’s so prevalent that many car manufacturers and engine parts makers don’t stock engine components for timing belts after 5-7 years because there will only be a handful of those vehicles still on the road. It can be hard to find crankshafts, pistons, connecting rods and other items for older engines because manufacturers don’t find it economic to create those parts. It is in your best interest to avoid having to find those hard-to-find parts by having timing belt replacement done in Philadelphia at the right intervals.

Contact the Right Shop for Help

Timing belt replacement can be difficult for those who don’t know what they are doing and it requires special tools that only skilled technicians have. It might cost you labor to have a professional do the job, but that will still cost less than engine damage that avoiding the issue can cause. If you need Philadelphia timing belt replacement, or you want a technician to tell you when the time is right for the replacement, contact Schafer’s Auto Center at 215-755-1270. We’ll never tell you that you need to do something on your vehicle just because. We take pride in honest, quality work. Our shop is located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’re here to help with your vehicle’s maintenance needs.

If you have children, you know they never ask to go to the doctor. In fact, some of them fear the doctor. They don’t want to get shots, after all. But as the parent, you know what’s best for them. Taking them to the doctor for those shots will help them prevent getting really sick later. You are doing it to help them, not to hurt them. Knowing that forces you to follow through with those doctor’s visits, no matter how much they resist.

Of course, your vehicle isn’t as important to your life as your children, but you still want to take good care of it. And, unlike a child, your vehicle actually will beg you for a tune-up service. There are a number of things your vehicle will do that will show you it’s time for a tune-up. And, like a child, if you follow through with those tune-up services, the vehicle can prevent getting really sick later.

Here are a few signs that your vehicle is just asking to go to the shop for a Philadelphia tune-up service.

Warning Lights

When you see warning lights on your dashboard, it’s easy enough to ignore. You just don’t look at them, right? When your child has a fever, you don’t ignore that. There must be something causing it! When your car has a warning light, the same is true. Don’t ignore it! Find out what is going on to cause the light to go off so you can prevent anything worse from happening.

Poor Gas Mileage

You know what your car should get by way of gas mileage. The sticker told you when you first bought the vehicle and you know how often you have to get gas. If you find yourself getting gas more often than you used to, that means there’s something wrong with your vehicle. It needs that tune-up service so you can find out. If your child doesn’t have the energy he used to, of course you’re going to find out what’s wrong. You should do the same for your car so it will work longer and harder for you.

Rough Starts

You want your vehicle to start with ease every time you turn the key. It needs to be reliable so you can get where you’re going, when you need to get there. If you notice a rough start or if it is hard to get the car going at all, it’s time to call in and get that tune-up service scheduled right away.

At Schafer’s Auto Center, we never put vehicles before children, but we understand how important your car is to your way of life. You have to have a vehicle to get to work, to get your children to school, and to take them in to the doctor when they are sick. When you need a Philadelphia ,PA tune-up service, call for an appointment at 215-755-1270 and then bring the vehicle to us at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148.

When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, there are things you can do and things you can ignore. Of course, you want to maintain your vehicle as best you can so it runs effectively and efficiently or longer. But there are also things on the vehicle maintenance list that you cannot ignore—by law. Everyone has to get a Philadelphia smog check, for example, in order to drive in a legal manner around the state.

Why Get a Smog Check?

Number one, it’s the law. That in and of itself is enough reason to get the check you’re supposed to have. Pennsylvania requires these state vehicle safety inspections and emissions tests for a reason. They want to ensure that every vehicle on the road is under safe operation. The inspections can help prevent vehicle failures that lead to serious crashes and injuries. The smog test portion of the test will help ensure that no vehicle is putting out more into the environment than it absolutely has to in order to operate. The state inspection and smog check are often performed at the same time so they can all be done at once.

You want to get a smog test for your own good, as well. Not only will you ensure that you are doing your part for the environment, but you will also know that your vehicle is running efficiently and nothing is out of sync. When your car emits too much smog, something is wrong and you will want to look into that further later.

What Happens Upon Failure?

With any luck, your car will pass the smog check each and every time, but sometimes, that might not happen. When you have an inspection, you’ll get a printed report with the results. If you fail the smog test, you will have to make the related repairs within 30 days and get the car re-inspected. If you take longer than 30 days, the shop can charge you to perform the tests all over again. Otherwise, the re-testing is free and incorporated under what you were already charged.

What do Smog Tests Cost?

Car ownership isn’t cheap and you have to pay for things like regular maintenance and smog checks over the years. The price varies from shop to shop and some will charge as much as $100. You can, however, find shops that will do it for $60-70. Just make sure they are state certified shops and you are good to go.

When you need a Philadelphia , PA smog check or state inspection, contact Schafer’s Auto Center at 215-755-1270. We have the certified technicians who can do the job for you quickly and efficiently at a price you can afford. We want your vehicle to be safe and we want you to be a legal driver. Call with any questions you have or to set up an appointment. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 and we’d love to help you out any time!

Living in Philadelphia has a lot of benefits, but you also have a lot of requirements to meet when it comes to your vehicle. When you need a Philadelphia state inspection on your vehicle, you may not know what that means, especially if you are new to the area or a new driver. What are they looking for? What do you need to have it? Where can you get one? When you need that Philadelphia state inspection, it’s good to know what’s going on behind the scenes so you are prepared.

Technicians use an Onboard Diagnostic System

An OBD is a tool that technicians use as part of the emissions inspection. The computer has diagnostic software as well as a variety of sensors. It can monitor the vehicle’s ignition performance and fuel metering to make sure the car is working as it was designed. It can help to identify problems and recognize certain symptoms as well. The certified technician will connect the computer to a data link in your vehicle and download information to see how well the emission system is working in your car.

Benefits

The OBD brings a lot of benefits with it. First, you will know that your vehicle is not polluting the air more than it has to when you run it. Second, it can showcase any small or large issues in your vehicle that you can catch before they get worse. And third, it can help you maintain your vehicle to the proper standards to help it last longer.

Tailpipe Tests

Technicians will also use tailpipe probes to collect samples from the exhaust of your vehicle. They will then analyze the pollutants from the tailpipe that come out when the engine is idling. The exhaust information is important to telling if your vehicle is putting out more pollutants than necessary for its model year.

Benefits

When your car is polluting the air more than it is designed to, there are issues within your vehicle behind pollution. It means your car isn’t running efficiently and pretty soon, it might not run effectively either. To avoid getting stranded or dealing with even more costly repairs, it is best to get the fixes taken care of sooner rather than later.

Where to get a Philadelphia state inspection

You have to get a state inspection by law if you live in Pennsylvania. And if you want those tests to be recognized by the state, you have to go to an auto center that is certified by the state to run the tests. Don’t waste your time or money on something the state won’t accept. Instead, visit Schafer’s Auto Center and utilize our certified technicians when you need your state Philadelphia , PA vehicle inspection. We’ll do the required inspections, but we will also run an 80-point inspection free any time you visit to ensure that your car is in working order in every way. Make an appointment for your state inspection today by calling 215-755-1270. We’re located at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148.

Philadelphia is a large city with lots of residents and drivers. There are certain things that residents have to do, like pay taxes. There are also certain things that drivers have to do, like get a smog check. So why do you have to do this smog check? There are a number of reasons, and when you understand the depth behind it, you will complain less about having to do it…hopefully!

Smog Checks are Good for your Vehicle

While you may not care about smog coming from your car one way or the other, you should know that having a smog check is good for your car. When your car is putting out too much smog, there is something wrong with it. It might not be running as efficiently as it can and that can cost you more money in repairs, at the gas pump, and in other places. Getting and passing a smog check gives you peace of mind that your vehicle is doing okay. When you don’t pass, you will want to get things fixed so your car is back in line with the best.

Smog Checks are Good for the Environment

If every vehicle ran with high levels of smog coming out of it in the city of Philadelphia, can you imagine what the air would be like? We don’t even want to imagine. Everyone would have to wear a mask in order to even have a chance at breathing. Smog checks on vehicles are in place to help the environment as a whole and the breathing air in our city. They weren’t created to put a dent in your life and take time away from you. They were created for the safety of everyone who lives in the area.

Smog Checks are Mandatory

Whether you like them or not, you have to have a smog check at certain intervals. Many people couple them with their oil changes or other tune-ups so they don’t take another trip to the shop. It doesn’t really matter how you feel about them or whether or not you want one, you have to have a smog check in order to remain a legal driver.

When you are due for a Philadelphia , PA smog check, you want to make sure you visit a shop that has been approved by the state to do these checks. You don’t have to look any further than Schafer’s Auto Center. We can do your smog check, other vehicle inspections, and routine maintenance items all at the same time to save you trips to the shop. Give us a call today to set up an appointment at your convenience. Our phone number is 215-755-1270 and we’re happy to work around your busy schedule. When your time and day arrives, you will bring your car to 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148 for the smog check. We’ll get all the paperwork  for you to ensure you have what you need to prove your vehicle passed its smog test.