Why Have Your Car Serviced By A Mesa, AZ Auto Repair In The Fall

by | Nov 16, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips

If your vehicle is in need of repairs and you have been putting it off, now is the time to make sure they are done. Winter is the next holiday and you will want to have all the repairs done before the cold weather sets in completely. If you are wondering why you need to find a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop to work on your vehicle before winter, be sure to consider all of these reasons to have your car serviced now.

Save Time

When winter weather hits it can be hard to find a time to have your vehicle worked on. The poor road conditions can make accidents more common. This means there will be more cars trying to get into the shop for repair and you may have to wait longer to have your car worked on or to get it into the shop. If you are worried about having your vehicle worked on in a timely manner you will want to make sure you have it serviced in the fall when there are no as many vehicles involved in accidents and in need of repairs.

Save Money

The winter can cause serious problems for your car and if there is already something wrong, the winter could make it worse. That means you could pay a lot more for vehicle repairs. Instead of putting it off any longer try to get your repairs made before the winter weather hits. This can allow the car repair shop to make the repairs and look for other problems that might cause issues for you during the winter. This can help save you a lot of money that can be used for the holidays or other winter expenses.

Keep Your Car Safe

If you want to make sure your vehicle is safe for the winter and you want to trust it to get you where you need to be, you should have your car serviced in the fall. This will make it possible to get all the problems fixed before it gets cold or before they become worse. It can make your vehicle more reliable so you don’t get stranded somewhere when it is cold outside and so you can feel confident in your car being dependable when you drive it wherever you need to go.

If you have a car and you need to have some repairs made, don’t put it off any longer. You want to have the car in good condition when you drive it during the winter. One of the ways to ensure it’s reliable and won’t cause problems is to take it to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop in the fall before the winter weather hits. The above are just a few reasons you should do this. If you are ready to get your car serviced make an appointment with Network Automotive Service Center. We are here to help with all your automotive needs.

Tips For Cleaning Your Car Windows

by | Nov 2, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips

Dirty car windows are more than a cosmetic problem. Glare from a hazy windshield at sunrise or sunset can wipe out your view of the road in an instant, and here in the Mesa area, between desert dust, monsoon storms, hard water spots, and months of harsh sun, glass gets dirty fast and in ways that a quick swipe will not fix. Clean windows are one of the simplest safety upgrades you can give your car, and doing the job right takes only a little technique. Here are the tips that make the difference between streaky glass and a crystal-clear view.

Use the Right Cleaner and the Right Cloth

Household glass cleaners are not always safe for cars. Many contain ammonia, which can damage window tint and dry out rubber seals over time. Choose an automotive glass cleaner labeled tint-safe, or make a simple mix of water with a splash of white vinegar.

The cloth matters as much as the cleaner. Paper towels leave lint and can scratch over time, and an old bath towel just pushes grime around. Use clean microfiber towels, and use at least two: one to clean and one to dry. Wash them separately from laundry with fabric softener, since softener residue causes streaks. A dedicated set of glass-only towels is a small investment that pays off every time.

Do Not Forget Your Wiper Blades

Sometimes the smeary mess on your windshield is not the glass at all. Wiper blades collect dust, grit, and oily road film, and every time they sweep, they drag that grime across your freshly cleaned windshield. Wipe the rubber edge of each blade with a damp microfiber cloth or a bit of vinegar until the cloth comes away clean.

Arizona is brutally hard on wiper blades. Months of intense sun bake the rubber until it cracks and hardens, and many drivers do not discover their blades are shot until the first monsoon downpour hits. If your blades chatter, skip, or leave streaks after cleaning, replace them. It is one of the cheapest safety fixes on the entire car, and it is far better done before storm season than during it.

Clean Inside and Outside, and Know Which Side Is Dirty

Window grime builds on both sides of the glass. Outside, it is dust, bugs, and water spots. Inside, it is a hazy film that comes from plastics in the dashboard slowly off-gassing in the heat, plus fingerprints and residue from the defroster. That interior film is a major cause of nighttime glare, and Arizona’s cabin temperatures speed it up considerably.

A useful trick: wipe the outside of the glass with horizontal strokes and the inside with vertical strokes. If a streak remains, the direction tells you instantly which side it is on. When cleaning the inside of the windshield, use a dry microfiber first to lift the dusty film, then follow with cleaner sprayed onto the cloth rather than the glass, which keeps overspray off your dash and electronics.

Dry Properly and Work in the Shade

Streaks usually happen during drying, not cleaning. Use a fresh, dry microfiber and finish with light, overlapping strokes. A squeegee works well on large outer glass if you keep the blade clean.

Timing matters more here than most places. In the Arizona sun, cleaner flash-dries on hot glass before you can wipe it, leaving spots and haze. Work in the shade or in the garage, ideally early morning or evening, and never spray cleaner onto glass that is hot to the touch. If your water leaves white mineral spots, our hard desert water is the culprit; wiping dry promptly prevents most of it.

When Dirty Glass Signals a Bigger Problem

A few glass problems are not cleaning problems:

• Washer fluid that will not spray can mean an empty reservoir, clogged nozzles, or a failed pump.
• A film that returns quickly on the inside of the windshield can sometimes point to a coolant leak in the heater core, especially if it comes with a sweet smell.
• Fog on the inside that will not clear can indicate an A/C or ventilation issue.
• Chips and cracks scatter light and grow with heat and vibration, so deal with them early.

If your windows keep fogging, filming, or your washers and wipers are not doing their job, have it looked at rather than living with it. You can reach Network Automotive Service Center at (480) 444-0242, and you will find more everyday upkeep advice in our car care and driving tips.

Mirrors, Cameras, and Sensors Count Too

Clean visibility is no longer just about glass. Modern vehicles see the road through backup cameras, parking sensors, and the camera and radar units behind the windshield that power lane keeping and emergency braking features. When those lenses and sensors are coated in desert dust or monsoon grime, the systems that depend on them work poorly or throw warnings.

Add these to your cleaning routine:

• Backup camera lens, usually near the tailgate handle or license plate. A gentle wipe with a damp microfiber restores a sharp image; grit rubbed dry can scratch the lens.
• Side mirrors, including the small blind spot indicators built into many of them.
• Parking sensors, the small round buttons in the bumpers, which misread when caked with dirt.
• The windshield area in front of the rearview mirror, where driver assistance cameras look through the glass. Keep that patch spotless inside and out.

After a dust storm rolls through the Valley, a two minute walk-around with a microfiber cloth brings all of these back to full strength. If a camera stays cloudy or a sensor keeps complaining after cleaning, it may need professional attention rather than another wipe.

See the Road Clearly

Clean glass, healthy wipers, and working washers are a team, and together they cost almost nothing compared to what they protect. Network Automotive Service Center is family-owned and has served East Valley drivers since 1995. If anything on your vehicle needs attention, from wiper systems to complete inspections, browse our services and call (480) 444-0242 to schedule a visit. We will help you keep your view of the road as clear as it should be.

Why Service Your New Car Before You Drive It At A Chandler, AZ Auto Repair Shop?

by | Oct 26, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips

If you are thinking about buying a new car or if you have recently purchased one and you want to make sure it is running well and everything is working as it should, you should consider taking it to a nearest Car Repair shop. In most cases, new cars leave the lot running properly, but that doesn’t mean thee couldn’t be a small problem with your vehicle that could later lead to a larger one. While you might not want to think about taking your new car to a shop as soon as you get it, it can help you avoid more serious problems and could help you find them before they become worse. Here are a few reasons why you should consider this option.

Warranty

If your vehicle has a warranty, it may cover the cost or parts and labor if there is a problem. Sometimes the warranties last a few months and other times they are only good for a short time after you drive off with your new car. If you want to make sure any issues are found and paid for before the warranty expires. You don’t want to waste any time. Having your car inspected as soon as possible to ensure you are not paying more than necessary for repairs.

One reason to service your new car before you drive it is because many dealerships offer a warranty if you have the service done before you take possession of the car. That warranty may cover certain repairs, such as radiator repair, that are needed within a certain amount of time after you buy the car.

Prevent Bigger Problems

While new cars usually don’t have a lot of miles on them and haven’t been driven far enough for an issue to occur, some can come off the manufacturing line with issues and the dealer may not even know it. If nobody has driven the car, it can be hard for these issues to be known. Once you drive the vehicle you may notice them. The longer you put off fixing these small issues, the worse they can become, and the harder they will be to fix. If you want to make sure you handle them early on so they don’t get worse with time.

If you don’t service your new car before you drive it, you could run into some big problems down the road. One of the most common issues is a rattling exhaust. This can be caused by a loose heat shield or an accumulation of dirt and grime in the exhaust system. If left unchecked, it can eventually lead to engine damage. servicing your new car before you drive it will help ensure that everything is properly tightened and cleaned, preventing any expensive repairs down the line.

Save Money

You don’t want to buy a car that has a lot of problems and issues. You want to buy a car that you can trust. If you have purchased your vehicle new and you take it to a shop and find out there are problems with it, you may be able to return it. It’s a good idea to have the car inspected as soon as possible to find any issue or problems in time,

If you are buying a new car or if you have recently bought one and you want to know that you made a smart purchase and have a good car, you may want to consider taking that car to a Chandler, AZ auto repair to have it inspected. You can make an appointment with Network Automotive Service Center to have your vehicle inspected and checked today to ensure it is working well and will be dependable. Give us a call or stop by today to make an appointment to have your vehicle serviced.

Why Take Your Car To A Mesa, AZ Auto Repair Shop Before Your Vacation

by | Oct 19, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips

If you are planning a vacation, it may be an exciting time. You have probably been working on the plans for a while and getting everything ready to make your trip. When it comes time to start preparing, be sure to consider taking your vehicle to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop to have it inspected before you leave. There are many reasons you should consider doing this. Here are some of them.

Safe Driving

Everyone wants to feel safe while on the road and when you have your vehicle inspected and get the okay from the car shop that the vehicle is safe to drive. You can feel confident that your car will not have any major issues. You can ask the car shop to check your brakes, tires, engine, and other things that are important and help keep your vehicle safe on the road. You can also ask them to give it a tune-up so you know everything is good to go and your vehicle will be dependable. This ensures it won’t fail you and you will get to where you need to be on time

Better Gas Mileage

You may be surprised to learn that your vehicle gets better gas mileage when it is running properly and has been recently maintenance. This is because your vehicle doesn’t have to work as hard to do basic things. If you are going on a long trip, this can save you a lot of gas and a lot of money. That’s money that can be used for other things on your trip that can bring new memories and special moments to your family. If you think your car is not getting the gas mileage it should get, you can bring this up at your appointment and have a mechanic check it out.

Better Ride

Long trips can be exhausting and if your car is bumping or the steering is difficult, it can be even harder to feel comfortable or enjoy the trip. If you want to make sure your car is running well and will drive well, you will want to have your tires, wheels, shocks, and brakes checked before you leave. These things all determine how your car handles the road and how many bumps and turns you feel. The better it rides, the better your trip.

If you are planning a trip or vacation and you want to make sure your vehicle is ready for the ride, be sure to consider taking it to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop. The right shop will make sure your vehicle is ready to take on your trip and will get you where you need to be. You can make an appointment with Network Automotive Service Center to learn more about our services and to have your vehicle looked at and repaired for your next vacation. Give us a call or stop by to learn more about our services and all the ways we can help you.

Tips For Keeping Your Car Clean In The Winter From Chandler, AZ Auto Repair

by | Oct 12, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips

Winter in the Chandler area is nothing like winter in Ohio, but it is still the season when cars quietly get grimy. Cooler mornings mean condensation and dew that glue dust to your paint. Winter visitors and holiday road trips put more miles on the odometer. And if your travels take you up to Prescott, Flagstaff, or anywhere the highways get de-iced, your car can come home wearing road salt and cinders that genuinely damage paint and metal. Keeping a car clean through winter is not about vanity; it is about protecting the finish and catching problems early. Here are practical tips from a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop for keeping your vehicle clean and protected until spring.

Start With a Coat of Wax Before the Season

Wax is the cheapest paint protection you can buy. A good coat of wax seals the clear coat against moisture, dust, and road grime, and it makes every wash afterward faster because contaminants rinse off instead of sticking. Apply a quality wax in late fall, before winter driving begins, and your paint spends the season behind a sacrificial barrier instead of taking the abuse directly. If you make regular trips to higher elevations where roads are treated, wax is even more valuable, because it slows salt’s ability to sit directly on paint.

Keep Washing, Even When It Is Cool Out

Drivers tend to wash less in winter, which is exactly backwards when your car is picking up more grime. A consistent wash routine matters for three reasons:

• Dust and dirt left on paint act like fine sandpaper every time something brushes the surface.
• Bird droppings, sap, and water spots etch into clear coat the longer they sit.
• Washing forces you to look closely at your car, which is how you notice chips, leaks, and tire wear early.

Pay special attention to the lower body panels and behind the wheels, where road grime concentrates. Mid-morning or early afternoon washes work well on cool days, giving the car time to dry fully.

Do Not Forget the Undercarriage After Mountain Trips

This is the tip Valley drivers skip most often. If you drive to snow country, everything the road crews put down, including salt, magnesium chloride, and cinders, ends up packed into your wheel wells and coating the underside of your car. Down here it never gets rinsed off by rain, so it just sits there holding moisture against metal, and corrosion gets a head start on brake lines, fasteners, and suspension components.

After any trip on treated roads, rinse the undercarriage thoroughly, either with a hose at home or a drive-through wash with an undercarriage option. It takes minutes and prevents the kind of hidden corrosion that surprises people years later. If you are not sure whether the roads on your route were treated, err on the side of the rinse; it is a few minutes and a few dollars against a corrosion problem that never fully goes away once it starts. For more seasonal advice like this, browse our car care and driving tips archive.

Protect the Interior From Winter Traffic

Cooler months bring more passengers, more food runs, more holiday hauling, and more of everything ending up on your carpet. A few easy habits keep the cabin in shape:

• Use rubber or all-weather floor mats through the season; they catch dirt and spills and rinse clean in the driveway.
• Vacuum regularly so grit does not grind into carpet fibers.
• Wipe interior plastics and treat leather or vinyl; even mild winter sun in Arizona continues to dry and age surfaces year-round.
• Keep a small trash bag in the car; it is boring advice that works.

Clean Glass and Wiper Blades Improve Safety, Not Just Looks

Winter is the rainy season in the Valley, and the first storm after a dry stretch turns windshield film into smeary glare. Clean the inside and outside of your glass, and inspect your wiper blades, which harden and crack in our summer heat long before most drivers replace them. If your blades chatter or streak, replace them before the next storm rolls in. While you are at it, top off washer fluid; dusty roads plus a little drizzle empties a reservoir surprisingly fast.

Watch the Dust as Much as the Dirt

The East Valley’s version of winter grime includes plenty of dust, and dust does more than dull your paint. It works into door jambs and hinges, coats sensors and camera lenses that modern safety systems rely on, and packs into the cabin air filter that determines what you breathe with the windows up. As part of your winter cleaning routine, wipe down camera and sensor areas (a backup camera you cannot see through is a safety feature you do not have), clean the door jambs when you wash, and have the cabin air filter checked if airflow from the vents seems weaker or the interior smells dusty. These are two-minute tasks that keep the car’s eyes and lungs clear through the season.

Use Cleaning Time as Inspection Time

A clean car is easier to read. Washing and detailing puts your eyes a few inches from tires, paint, glass, and the driveway under the car, which is exactly where early warnings show up: a nail in the tread, a fresh fluid spot on the concrete, a headlight lens fogging over, a belt squeal on cold start. When cleaning turns up something mechanical, do not let it slide until spring. Small findings are cheap findings, and you can always call (480) 444-0242 to ask whether what you found needs attention now or can wait for your next service.

Network Automotive Service Center has been family-owned since 1995, and we have spent those years helping East Valley drivers keep their vehicles in shape through every season, not just summer. You can learn more about the shop on our about page. If your winter car care turns up a leak, a noise, worn tires, or anything else that needs a professional eye, explore our services or call (480) 444-0242 to schedule a visit. A clean car and a well-maintained car tend to be the same car.

Safety Tips For Winter Driving From A Mesa, AZ Auto Repair Shop

by | Oct 5, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips

Winter driving in Mesa looks nothing like the snow-covered commutes you see in car commercials, but that does not mean the season is risk-free. Arizona winters bring their own hazards: sudden rain on oil-slicked roads, cold snaps that finish off heat-weakened batteries, early darkness, holiday travel, and trips up to the high country where real winter weather is waiting. A little preparation goes a long way, and a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop can help you handle the items you cannot check yourself.

Test Your Battery Before Cold Mornings Arrive

Here is something many Valley drivers do not realize: summer is what kills car batteries in Arizona, but winter is when they die. Months of extreme heat evaporate electrolyte and corrode the internals, quietly reducing the battery’s capacity. Then the first genuinely cold morning arrives, the engine needs more cranking power than usual, and the weakened battery cannot deliver it. That is why battery failures spike when temperatures drop.

A battery test takes minutes and tells you whether yours has enough reserve capacity left to get through the season. If your battery is more than a few years old, has visible corrosion on the terminals, or the engine has been cranking slower lately, get it tested before you get stranded. Our battery and electrical articles cover the warning signs in more depth.

Get Your Tires Ready for Wet Roads

Rain is rare enough in the Valley that when it finally falls, roads become unusually slick. Months of accumulated oil and rubber residue float to the surface in the first minutes of a storm, and worn tires struggle to grip through it. Before winter rain season:

• Check tread depth. Tires that were fine on dry pavement all summer may not have enough tread left to channel water away and resist hydroplaning.
• Check pressure monthly. Tire pressure drops as temperatures fall, and underinflated tires handle poorly and wear faster. Do not be surprised if your pressure warning light appears on the first cold morning.
• Look for dry rot. The desert sun is hard on rubber. Cracking in the sidewalls means the tire is aging out even if the tread looks decent.

Replace Wipers and Check Your Lights

Wiper blades in Arizona bake in the sun for months while barely being used, so when the first winter storm hits, many drivers discover their blades are cracked and useless at the worst possible moment. Wipers are inexpensive. Replace them before you need them, and top off washer fluid while you are at it, since winter road spray and dust can coat a windshield quickly.

Shorter days also mean far more of your driving happens in the dark. Walk around the car and confirm that headlights, brake lights, and turn signals all work, and have cloudy or yellowed headlight lenses addressed. Being able to see and be seen matters more in winter than any other season here.

Have Your Fluids and Cooling System Inspected

Coolant does two jobs: it prevents overheating in summer and prevents freezing in the engine during cold snaps. After a brutal Arizona summer, coolant may be degraded or low, and hoses and belts may be cracked from heat exposure. A winter inspection should verify coolant condition and protection level, check for leaks, and look over belts and hoses before a cold-weather failure leaves you on the shoulder.

It is also smart to confirm your heater and defroster work properly. You may not have touched them since March, and a foggy windshield you cannot clear is a genuine safety hazard on a rainy night. If anything on this list is outside your comfort zone, call us at (480) 444-0242 and we will take care of it for you.

Plan Ahead for High-Country Trips

Plenty of East Valley families head north during the winter for snow play, holidays, or a change of scenery, and that drive takes you from desert warmth into genuine mountain winter in a couple of hours. Before a trip to higher elevations, make sure your vehicle has been inspected, your tires have strong tread, and your coolant is rated for freezing temperatures. Pack an emergency kit with water, snacks, blankets, a flashlight, and a phone charger. Check road conditions before you leave, and give yourself extra time so you are not tempted to rush on unfamiliar wet or icy roads.

Adjust Your Driving for the Season

Even a perfectly maintained car needs a driver who respects the conditions. Slow down at the first sign of rain, since the road is slickest in the opening minutes of a storm. Increase your following distance, brake earlier and more gently, and be patient with drivers who see rain a few times a year. At night, use your lights sooner than you think you need them. These habits cost nothing and prevent the most common winter accidents in the Valley.

Pack a Winter Emergency Kit, Valley Style

Emergency kits are not just for snow country. A winter kit for East Valley driving should cover the realities of our season: cold nights, rain, and the chance of a breakdown far from home. Keep water and non-perishable snacks in the car, along with a warm layer or blanket for each regular passenger, because desert temperatures drop fast after sunset and a roadside wait in the dark gets cold quickly.

Add a flashlight with fresh batteries, a phone charger, jumper cables, a basic first aid kit, and a reflective triangle or flares so other drivers can see you. If your winter plans include trips to higher elevations, expand the kit with gloves, extra blankets, and an ice scraper, and check whether your route requires any traction equipment before you leave. The whole kit fits in a small bin in the trunk, costs little to assemble, and turns a bad night into a manageable inconvenience.

Get Winter-Ready With One Visit

Everything above, from the battery test to the coolant check, can be handled in a single inspection visit. Network Automotive Service Center has been family-owned since 1995, serving Mesa and the East Valley through every season. Take a look at our services and call (480) 444-0242 to schedule your winter check. A prepared car makes the whole season safer for you and your family.

How To Learn More About A Chandler, AZ Auto Repair Shop

by | Sep 28, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips

If you are ready to have your car repaired or if it needs some maintenance, you should consider taking it to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop. You don’t just want to choose the first shop you see or one you know nothing about. You want to make sure the auto repair shop you choose has a good reputation and is capable of repairing your car properly. Here are some ways you can find out more about a car repair shop so you can decide if it is the right option for you.

Social Media

Check to see if the shop you are interested in has a social media page. Many businesses have pages to they can stay in touch with their customers, have their customers leave review and ratings, and share information about their hours and any special deals they may be offering at the time. Just search for the name of the company on the social media platform and see what other customers are saying about them. You can read posts and reviews and get an idea of the types of services the shop provides.

Read also: Tips For Keeping Your Car Clean In The Winter From Chandler, AZ Auto Repair

Website

Almost every auto shop has a website. They are designed for customers to learn more about the company so they can decide if they want to bring their vehicle to them. Some even allow you to make appointments online or email them with questions or concerns. You can find the website of the shops that interest you and then read them to learn more about the company. You can find out what types of services they offer, read reviews from previous customers, and learn about any awards they may have received for doing a good job in the industry or the community.

Word Of Mouth

One of the best ways to find out if an auto shop is reputable is to ask around. People will tell you if they have experience with a shop and how that experience turned out. You can learn a lot by listening to what people have to say about a company. You can also ask the shop if they have any references that they would be willing to share with you. Many are happy to offer information about their customer service so they can make you confidant with your decision to choose them for your auto repair needs.

Read also: Common Dashboard Lights That Require Chandler, AZ Auto Repair

If you are thinking about taking your vehicle to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop, be sure to compare several before choosing one. You should take your time and do your research to learn about a company before you take your car there. If you need help with auto repairs, be sure to consider Network Automotive Service Center. We offer a variety of different auto services and we are happy to help you get your car back on the road and make it safe for you and your family. Give us a call to make an appointment for your vehicle.