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.
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.
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.
by | Sep 7, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips
When it comes to being a safe driver, it means making sure your car is in good condition and ready for the road no matter the conditions. When winter arrives, the snow and ice can make it hard to keep your car on the road. There are certain things you can do including Mesa, AZ auto repair that will ensure your vehicle is ready for winter weather and any bad road conditions you might encounter when the temperatures outside drop.
Tires
Your tires need to be checked before you take your car on the road in the winter. If your tread is not good or if your tires need to be balanced or replaced, you will want to have that take care of before the bad weather approaches. Your tires need to be able to get good traction on the road and if you happen to slide or get stuck, they will need to have all the tread and traction they can get to get you back on the road and headed in the right direction. You can check your tires yourself or have them checked by professionals to ensure they are in good condition.
Heater
The last thing you want to happen is to find out your heater has stopped working on a cold winter day. You may not even think about using your heater or testing it until the first chilly morning when you need it. Your heater can stop working with little notice and just because it was blowing warm air fine last year doesn’t mean it will do the same this winter. If you notice that your heater is not working as well as it should be, you may want to take your vehicle to a shop to have it checked and repaired if necessary.
Fluids
It’s important to keep your fluids topped off in your car no matter what time of year it is, but if you fail to do so in the winter, it could lead to a cracked radiator or engine. This can be costly and could even cause you to have to leave your car at the shops for several days while the repairs are made. If you want to avoid any problems with your car, you should take it to ta repair shop before winter arrives to ensure your fluid levels are where they need to be and your car is ready for the cold.
Getting your car ready for winter doesn’t have to be difficult. There are plenty of things you can do that will ensure your vehicle is capable of getting your where you need to go safely in cold weather. If you need help checking your vehicle to ensure it’s ready for winter weather or if you are having problems with your car and need repairs, be sure to take your car to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop. You can trust Network Automotive Service Center for all your auto repair and maintenance needs.
by | Aug 24, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips
Your car is in the shop, and life does not pause while it is there. Work still starts on time, kids still need to get to school, and the refrigerator still empties itself on schedule. For most households in the Chandler area, being without a car for even a day takes real planning. The good news is that you have more options than you might think, and a little strategy makes repair downtime far less painful. Here is how to get around while your car is being repaired, and how to keep the downtime as short as possible.
Start by Getting a Realistic Timeline
Before you solve the transportation problem, find out how big the problem actually is. Some repairs are done the same day, while jobs that involve ordering parts or deeper diagnostic work can stretch longer. When you drop the car off, ask the shop for their honest estimate and ask them to call you if anything changes.
Knowing whether you are bridging one afternoon or several days changes everything about your plan. Borrowing a ride from a friend works for a day. For a week, you may want a more structured solution like a rental or a transit pass. A good shop will keep you posted as the work progresses so you are never guessing.
Rideshare and Public Transportation
The East Valley has more transportation options than it did even a few years ago. Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are the simplest solution for point-to-point trips, especially for getting to and from the repair shop itself. For daily commutes, Valley Metro buses and the light rail system can cover a surprising amount of the Phoenix metro area, and fares cost far less than daily rideshare trips.
A few tips make transit smoother. Check the route and schedule the night before rather than the morning of. Leave earlier than you think you need to, since connections add time. And in the summer months, plan around the heat: waiting at an exposed bus stop at 4 PM in July is genuinely draining, so carry water and look for shaded stops where possible.
Carpool With Coworkers, Friends, or Family
If someone you know drives a similar route to work or school, a few days of carpooling is an easy ask. Most people are happy to help when they know it is temporary, especially if you offer to cover gas or return the favor later. Parents can often trade school runs with another family for the week.
The key is to ask early rather than scrambling each morning. Send the text as soon as you know the car is going in. If your repair has a scheduled date, you can line up rides before the car ever leaves your driveway, which turns a stressful week into a minor inconvenience.
Bike, Walk, or Combine Your Errands
If your daily destinations are close to home, car-free days can be an opportunity instead of a hardship. Walking or biking to work, school, or the store is realistic for many trips under a few miles, and the East Valley’s flat streets make cycling easier than in most cities. In summer, go early in the morning or after sundown and carry water, because Arizona heat is nothing to take casually.
Also consider simply consolidating. Batch your errands into one rideshare trip, lean on grocery delivery for a week, and postpone the trips that can wait. Most people discover that several of their usual drives are more habit than necessity.
Reduce the Odds of Being Stranded Next Time
The least painful repair downtime is the kind you schedule on purpose. Vehicles rarely fail without warning signs: a noise that was not there before, a warning light, a change in how the car brakes or steers. Acting on those signs early means repairs happen on your calendar, when you can arrange rides in advance, instead of as an emergency.
Regular maintenance is the other half of the equation. Consistent oil changes, fluid services, and inspections catch small problems while they are still small. Our car care and driving tips cover simple habits that keep surprise breakdowns to a minimum. And when something does need attention, calling (480) 444-0242 at the first symptom, rather than after the car quits, usually means a shorter and less expensive visit.
Consider a Rental for Longer Repairs
If the repair stretches past a couple of days and your schedule cannot flex, a short-term rental car may be the sanest option. Before you book one, check two things. First, look at your auto insurance policy, because some policies include rental reimbursement coverage that many drivers pay for and never use. Second, if the repair is related to an insurance claim, the other party’s insurer may be responsible for providing a rental during the repair.
When comparing costs, weigh the rental against what a week of rideshare trips would add up to for your actual routine. A commuter who drives many miles a day usually comes out ahead with a rental, while someone who mostly needs two short trips a day may spend less on rideshares. Booking the rental near the shop or having a family member handle the pickup logistics keeps the transition simple.
One more practical note: clear out anything you will need from your car before you leave the shop, garage door openers, parking passes, sunglasses, car seats, and chargers. It is a small step that prevents a surprising amount of mid-week frustration.
We Will Get You Back on the Road
Being without your car is disruptive, and a repair shop that communicates clearly makes all the difference. Network Automotive Service Center has been family-owned since 1995, and we work to diagnose accurately, explain your options plainly, and keep you informed from drop-off to pickup. Explore our services, then call (480) 444-0242 to schedule your repair. We will help you plan around the downtime and get you back behind the wheel as soon as the job is done right.
by | Aug 17, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips
Owning a car is a lot of fun, but it is also a big responsibility. You have to be able to drive the car responsibly and make the necessary repairs on it. No matter how new your car is, there will come a time when it needs repairs. Many people dread these repairs because they can take a lot of time and they can be expensive. Sometimes the most common repairs are the ones you have to be ready for a most aware of. Taking care of little problems when they occur instead of putting them off and help prevent bigger and more costly problems. Here are some things you may likely have to fix on your car. When these problems do arise, be sure to take your vehicle to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop.
Tire Problems
Your tires take a lot of wear and tear and they need to be in good condition to keep you safe on the road. If you notice your tires have wires sticking out of them, seem to be missing tread or they may even be pulling the car to one side. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with your tires so it’s important to have the checked, aligned, and changed when necessary to ensure you can drive your car safely.
Exhaust
If your exhaust seems to smell bad or if there is suddenly a lot of exhaust fumes coming from your car, you may be worried about what the problems could be with it. Your exhaust is an important part of your vehicle so you need to make sure the system is working as it should. If you feel like something is wrong or if it is making a strange sound, it may be necessary to take it to a repair center.
Fluids
Your car depends on fluids to run properly if those fluids are leaking or if they have run out, your car could be at risk for damage. You can easily check and maintain your own fluids, but if there is a hole or a loose hose somewhere, those fluids may not stay in your vehicle. If you suspect there could be a problem that is causing the fluids to leak or be used faster than they should, you may need to have your car inspects and repaired.
If you have a car that is in need of repairs and want to make sure it stays running properly, you need to take it to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop to have it inspected and have those repairs made. Not all problems are obvious, and most repairs aren’t expensive. You want to choose a repair shop that has plenty of experience with your type of vehicle and the type of repairs you need. Just call Network Automotive Service Center to make an appointment to have your vehicle serviced today. We are here to help you keep your vehicle safe and running.