by | Oct 25, 2021 | Car Care & Driving Tips
If you have parenting who are elderly, you might be the person who need to help them take care of their vehicle. You want to make sure the car is safe and you can do that by taking it to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop. Taking the car to a shop often for maintenance will not only ensure that it stays in good condition, but will also make it possible to get even more advantages from the service. Here are some things to keep in mind when trying to help your parents care for their vehicles.
Perhaps the most important reason. Only repairs at the correct time interval or earlier can protect the manufacturer’s warranty for the new car. Maintenance beyond the manufacturer’s guidelines may invalidate the warranty, and if something goes wrong, you may have to pay for repairs. They are designed to require maintenance to keep them in good working order.
Protect The Engine
Regular oil and filter changes can prevent dirt or dust from entering the oily parts of the engine and may cause major problems. It will also extend the life of the engine and ultimately the overall life of the car. Although someone rolls up their sleeves to change the oil and filter themselves, there is nothing wrong with it. Most of the time, they will not check other vehicle components to make sure they are in good condition.
Maintains Value
Most of the time, a car is one of the most expensive items you buy, second only to buying a house. Therefore, it is very important to protect this investment as much as possible by keeping the car in good condition. Oily parts also need to be kept in top condition, which can be achieved by checking your car regularly. If your parents plan to sell their vehicle or if you want to be able to sell it for them, this can be an important factor.
Protect Engine
An engine that is not regularly inspected will consume more fuel than a well-maintained engine, which means more travel. To the pump. Worn out cheap tires are worse in wet conditions and have a greater braking distance than premium tires with good treads, which means you are not as safe as you deserve. Brakes are the only thing holding you back, so why take the risk of maintaining them? Your parents may not be able to keep up with expensive repairs so it’s nice to handle the simple things for them so their car will work well.
If you are ready to help your parents take care of their vehicles, there are a lot of things that may need to be done. You can also take your car to a Chandler, AZ auto repair for inspections and maintenance. If you need some help, be sure to make an appointment with Network Automotive Service Center. We are here to help you with all your car needs. Give us a call today to help you parents today.
by | Oct 18, 2021 | Car Care & Driving Tips
If you are planning a winter road trip, it can be a good idea to have your car serviced by a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop. This will ensure your car is ready to take on the winter weather and will not be likely to stall or leave you stranded. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your road trip better.
Check The Weather
Road trips in winter will always encounter some obstacles when you travel, but the extreme degree of these obstacles must be limited. If your car is operating normally, heavy rain, a little ice or some snow on the road is not a big problem. However, if there is a blizzard or a very strong wind, you will want to stop your trip. There is no road trip worthy of death or risk of injury. So, make sure it’s just bad weather or you really need to worry about it.
Test Your Car’s Tires
Test your vehicle in winter. We talk about heated windshield wipers, but there is nothing more testable than tires. Even in clear weather, the tires can get really slick, not to mention having to deal with ice and thick snow. Before you set off, you must make sure that your tires are in good condition and ready to the rough road conditions you may encounter.
Pack The Essentials
Anything less will cause you trouble. If you think the weather is bad enough, look for winter footprints. The first thing is not to leave the car. If it really snows, you don’t want to do it anyway. When traveling, be sure to bring enough food, blankets, and thick clothes for a few days. Run the heater occasionally to keep the car warm, but there is no risk of discharging the battery or circulating exhaust gas in the car.
Pull Over When Needed
This advice applies to anything that negatively affects your driving-pull over and park until anything happens. It’s not worth risking your life in vain. Understand your limits and treat bad weather with due respect and requirements. You may not plan to pull over and wait for the bad weather to pass, but you may have to do so and it’s always easier if you have everything you need for survive.
If you are going to be planning a winter road trip, there are a lot of things you should do to make sure your car is ready for the road. The above options are just a few of those things. You know your car better than anyone so if there is something else that it needs, be sure to get it ready in time. If you are ready to have your car serviced by a professional or inspected to make sure it is ready for the winter, be sure to call a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop. You can make an appointment with Network Automotive Service Center. We are here to help with all your car repair needs.
by | Oct 11, 2021 | Car Care & Driving Tips
If you have just bought a new car and you want to be able to ensure it runs properly and is in the best working condition before you buy it or start to drive it, you may want to take it to a service repair shop to have it inspected. This will let you know if there are small issues that you might need to have repaired. It can help you avoid buying a car with issues or taking a new car on a road trip and not be prepared for any issues that may arise. Here are some reasons to take your new car to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop.
Rule Out Issues
Even new cars can have small problems that cause an issue and make it uncomfortable to drive or lead to bigger problems if not repaired. If you buy a new car and you have a warranty for it. you will want to identify any problems as soon as you can so they can be covered on under the warranty. Most warranties are limited and can only be claimed in a short time. If your car is checked and no problems are found, you can have the peace of mind of knowing its ready to drive.
Safe For Travel
You always want to make sure your car is safe to be driven. Don’t assume all new cars are safe and in good working condition. You will want to have your vehicle inspected to ensure there are not issues with the tires, brakes, and other things that could easily go wrong and make your vehicle unsafe to drive. It’s always nice to have a professional tell you that the car is in great condition.
Before You Buy
If you are thinking about buying a new car and you are able to test drive it, you may want to take it to a repair shop to have it inspected. A quick inspection can tell you if the car has any problems or if there are things that might be wrong with it before you buy it. This will make it easier to decide if the car is a good value or if you need to negotiate a lower price but pointing out things that are wrong with it and should be repaired. In some cases the car seller may be willing to make any repairs before they sell you a car.
If you are getting ready to buy a new car or if you have purchased a new car and you want to be able to ensure that it is in good condition and running properly, you may want to take it a to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop to have the repairs made. If you are ready to make an appointment to have the car serviced, be sure to each out to Network Automotive Service Center. We are happy to work on your car and let you know if it needs any repairs.
by | Oct 4, 2021 | Car Care & Driving Tips
When you go to sell your car, you may just be ready to just get rid of it and move on to your new one. If you want to get the most money out of your car and feel good about selling it, you may want to have it taken to ta repair shop to have any problems diagnosed. This may not be a priority to you but it’s something that can help you sell your car faster and get the most out of it. Here are a few reasons why you may want to take your car to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop before you sell it.
Selling Points
When people are looking to buy a new car thy want to know it has been maintained and is in good condition. When you have a car inspected and are able to provide proof that you have done so, it could be a serious selling point for those who are interested in the vehicle. They will have some peace of mind knowing that the car is in good condition and may be more likely to buy it.
Be An Honest Seller
You don’t want to take a chance of someone buying a car from you that is in less than perfect condition. If you aren’t sure if your car has a problem, of if you think it could have something wrong with it and just want to make sure that you are correct so you can either fix it or at the very least tell the buyer about the problem, it’s a smart idea to take it a professional. If you don’t plan to have the issue resolved yourself, you can at least let the buyer know what they can expect to deal with so they can make a smart decision about their purchase.
Get More Money
If you want to be able to get a fair amount of money for your car, you will have to be able to show that the car is worth the amount you are asking. You can do this my ensuring that there are no major problems with the vehicle and your car is in good condition. When you list the car for sale, you can mention that it was inspected or that some issues were prepared so the perspective buyers will feel like the car is a good deal and worth the cost.
If you’re planning to sell a vehicle and you are wondering if you should take it to a car repair shop, you have a lot of things to consider. While you might be in a hurry to sell it, it can pay off to spend some time and money making sure the car is in good condition. The above suggestions are just a few reasons why you might want to have your car checked by a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop before you sell it. If you are ready to make an appointment to have your car serviced, be sure to reach out to Network Automotive Service Center. We are happy to assist you with all your car needs.
by | Sep 20, 2021 | Car Care & Driving Tips
Salt water and cars are natural enemies. Whether you are hauling a boat to a lake, making the drive to the California coast, or taking the family down to Rocky Point for a beach weekend, every hour your vehicle spends around salt spray, salty air, or salted sand gives corrosion a head start. Arizona drivers actually have an advantage here: our dry climate is one of the most rust-friendly places in the country to own a car, and that makes it doubly worth protecting when you leave that bubble. Here is how salt water damages vehicles, and exactly what to do before, during, and after a trip to keep it from leaving a permanent mark.
Why Salt Water Is So Hard on Vehicles
Salt accelerates oxidation. When salt water or salty mist settles on your car, it attracts and holds moisture against metal, and the salt itself speeds up the chemical reaction that turns steel into rust. The damage rarely starts where you can see it. Paint protects the body panels, so corrosion goes to work on the underside first: brake lines, fasteners, exhaust hangers, suspension mounting points, and the seams and crevices where washing rarely reaches.
Salt is also hard on the electrical side. Corroded connectors and ground points cause the kind of intermittent electrical gremlins that are miserable to chase later, which is why the aftermath of beach trips sometimes shows up in our battery and electrical bay months down the road.
Before the Trip: Give Your Car Armor
Protection starts before you leave the driveway:
- Wash and wax first. A fresh coat of wax seals paint so salt spray sits on the wax instead of the clear coat, and a clean car makes post-trip washing more effective.
- Check for existing chips and scratches. Bare metal exposed by a rock chip is exactly where salt gets to work fastest. Touch up chips before the trip, not after.
- Check tire pressures before the drive. A long highway run to the coast is a good reason anyway, and it is nicer to do at home than in beach humidity.
- Consider the undercarriage. If beach trips are a regular part of your life, ask about undercoating options and inspect existing coatings for gaps.
During the Trip: Limit the Exposure
You cannot avoid salty air at the coast, but you can avoid the worst exposure. Park away from the surf line where spray and mist are heaviest, and avoid driving on wet sand or through tidal water; salt water deep enough to reach brakes, wheel bearings, and underbody wiring does damage in minutes that takes years to fully surface. If you launch a boat trailer into salt water, rinse the trailer and the tow vehicle’s rear end the same day; trailers live a hard life and give you a preview of what salt does to unprotected metal.
Keep the windows up near the beach when the car is parked, too. Salty mist that settles inside the cabin holds moisture in carpets and on electronics, and interior corrosion is even harder to chase than exterior.
After the Trip: Rinse Like You Mean It
The single most important step happens when you get home. Do not wait a week; wash the car promptly and thoroughly:
- Rinse the entire body with plenty of clean water before touching it with a mitt, so salt crystals rinse away instead of grinding into paint.
- Wash with a proper car soap, hitting lower panels, wheel wells, and behind the wheels where spray concentrates.
- Rinse the undercarriage thoroughly with a hose or a drive-through wash with an underbody option. This is the step that actually protects the parts salt attacks first.
- Dry the car and follow up with wax if the trip was long or the exposure heavy.
Do not forget the parts you touched. Door jambs, the trunk or tailgate opening, and the inside of the fuel door all collect salty residue from hands and beach gear, and they are easy to hit with a quick wipe while the car dries.
For trips involving actual salt water contact, such as launching at the coast, repeat the underbody rinse a second time a few days later. Salt hides in seams and drains out slowly.
The Same Rules Apply to Mountain Road Salt
Beach trips are not the only salt exposure Arizona vehicles see. Drives to snow country, whether that is Flagstaff, the White Mountains, or a ski trip out of state, put your car on roads treated with salt and de-icing chemicals that behave exactly like ocean spray: they cling to the undercarriage, hold moisture against metal, and quietly corrode brake lines and fasteners. Because it rarely rains hard in the Valley, that residue does not rinse itself off; it just rides around under your car for months. Treat a snow trip like a beach trip: rinse the underbody thoroughly when you get home, and give the wheel wells extra attention where slush packs in and dries.
Watch for Damage That Already Started
If your vehicle has a history of coastal trips, keep an eye out for early corrosion signs: paint bubbling along lower panels or around wheel arches, surface rust on suspension components, crusty white or rust-colored buildup on fasteners, or electrical oddities like flickering lights and intermittent sensors. Caught early, surface corrosion can be cleaned and sealed before it spreads. Ignored, it works from the inside of seams outward, and by the time it is visible it is established. If you have spotted any of these, or you just want the undercarriage inspected after a beach-heavy summer, call (480) 444-0242 and have a technician take a look during your next service.
Arizona cars are famously clean underneath, and keeping yours that way is worth a little ritual around every coastal trip: wax before, caution during, thorough rinse after. For more practical guidance like this, browse our car care and driving tips archive. And if your vehicle needs an inspection, maintenance, or repair before your next road trip, explore our services or call Network Automotive Service Center, family-owned since 1995, at (480) 444-0242. A weekend at the beach should leave you with photos, not corrosion.
by | Sep 6, 2021 | Car Care & Driving Tips
When you are driving in a vehicle with children or even if you are alone, you will want to make sure you are safe at all times. That is sometimes easier said than done and accidents can happen when you least expect it. One way to protect yourself and your family while driving is to make sure your car is in good condition. You can do this by taking your car to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop. There are other things you can do that are just as important. Here are a few things that can help you stay safe on the road.
Reduce Distractions
To assist with limiting interruptions, put your telephone in driving mode. It’ll detect that you’re moving and send an auto-answer to any individual who messages you, saying that you’re driving. Or then again set your telephone aside and recall that PDAs aren’t the lone kind of interruption. Youngsters in the vehicle, the food you’re eating, and the espresso you’re drinking can likewise take your consideration off the street. You want to make sure you are always focused on the road and that all distractions are gone while you are in the car.
Buckle Up
There are three sorts of individuals in this world: the individuals who clasp before they even beginning the vehicle, the individuals who skip safety belts when they’re simply driving down the road yet wear them on lengthy drives, and the individuals who appear to overlook safety belts by and large. We should all endeavor to be the primary individual, since safety belts truly can save lives. In case there’s an accident, the safety belt keeps you in the vehicle and offers you the most obvious opportunity to brave the accident powers.
Stay Alert
Driving when you’re exhausted, known as sluggish driving, can introduce some genuine security concerns. Being restless can debilitate your driving the same way drinking an excessive amount of liquor does. You may believe you’re fine to push through a lengthy drive and try not to need to drive at a more traffic time, however that probably won’t be the situation. Likewise to occupied driving, when you close your eyelids for even a concise second, it can affect your reaction time and cause sad outcomes in a crisis circumstance
When you are driving a car, you need to be safe at all times. Car accidents can be serious and cause major problems. You don’t want to get hurt yourself or harm anyone else. There are some things you can do to reduce your chances of an accident. The above are just a few of those things. It’s also important to make sure your vehicle is in safe, working condition. You can take it to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop to make sure it’s roadworthy. If you need help finding the right car repair shop, be sure to call Network Automotive Service Center. We are here to help you with all your vehicle repair needs.