by | Mar 8, 2021 | Engine & Diagnostics
If you are driving your car and it breaks down and causes you to be stalled on the side of the road there may be a lot of things running through your head. You may feel scared and even nervous about what might happen. It’s never a good thing to be stranded but you can get your vehicle back on the road with the help of a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop. Knowing what to do can help keep you safe and get your car back on the road in no time. Here are a few things you should do if you find yourself in this situation.
Call for Help
You don’t want to be stranded with your vehicle so make sure you get help and get to a safe place. If you have roadside service, you will want to call them and have them arrive. If you don’t and need someone to come get you, be sure to call and friend or family member. You can also call the police or state highway patrol office near you and ask if they can come out and assist you. It’s important to ensure your safety before you worry about your car.
Have the Vehicle Moved
If your car is in the middle of the road you will need to move it as soon as possible to protect other drivers. If it is off the road, you will still want to move it quickly so it can be repaired and is not at risk for a break-in or an accident. You will want to call a repair shop or a tow truck to have the vehicle towed to the place it will be fixed or even your home for the time being. If you are taking the vehicle to a shop to be fixed, you will need to know the name and address of the shop and call ahead of time to let them know y9ou are bringing your vehicle in for service.
Get Repairs
You will want to have your car repaired quickly so you can get back on the road. That means choosing a repair shop that can get them done quickly and properly. Be sure to compare the different shops near you and choose one that will provide you with the services you need and deserve. You want to make sure your car isn’t going to break down again soon and you need to be able to trust that the repairs are complete.
If you are thinking about what to do if your car breaks down and you end up stalled on the side of the road, you have a lot of options. You don’t want to stay stuck in one place, you want to get moving and have your car fixed as soon as possible. If you need help with the repairs, be sure to choose a Chandler, AZ auto repair that will handle everything. Be sure to call Network Automotive Service Center.
by | Mar 1, 2021 | Car Care & Driving Tips
If your car is broken down you may be stressed and worried about your next move. You might be trying to fix it yourself or you may be looking for the right Mesa, AZ auto repair shop to do the repairs for you. It’s important to take care of mechanical issues with your car as soon as they arrive. Not only will it help you get back on the road, but it will also ensure that other problems are less likely and that your vehicle is safe and ready for travel. Here are some things you can do when your car is broken down.
Call The Mechanic
Before you do anything else, you will want to call the mechanic and make sure they are ready for your car. If your car is able to be driven at all, you will want to make an appointment for services. You will want to try to find a mechanic or auto repair shop that is willing to work around your schedule and help you get your car checked as soon as possible. You also want to make sure you are choosing someone who has plenty of experience with your vehicle.
Check Your Budget
While your car may need to be serviced immediately, make sure you can afford the repairs. Depending on the issue with your car, you may need to save up some money or even get a loan to cover the cost of repairs. Some repairs are simple and aren’t very expensive but other can be very difficult, require a lot of parts and take a lot of time and money. Make sure you ask for an estimate from the auto repair shop and shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal on the services and are paying a fair price for them.
The Right Parts
If you are thinking about fixing your car yourself, already know what it needs and need to plan the repairs quickly, you can go ahead and order the part ahead of time. You may want to check with the auto repair shop who will be making the repairs to make sure they are okay with you ordering the parts ahead of time and will not include the cost of new parts your estimate for service. This can help save you money and time.
If your car is broken down and you are stressed and worried about getting back on the road, you might be wondering what you should do. The above tips can come in handy. You will want to choose a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop to help with all your plans. You will also want to make sure you are ready for the repairs. If you are ready to learn more about these services, be sure to reach out to Network Automotive Service Center. We are here to assist you with all your auto repairs. Give us a call today to learn more.
by | Feb 22, 2021 | Car Care & Driving Tips
Every car owner eventually faces the question: fix it myself, or take it to a shop? YouTube makes everything look doable, parts stores will sell you anything, and there is real satisfaction in doing your own work. But there is also a reason professional technicians spend years learning the trade and shops invest in diagnostic equipment. The honest answer is that some jobs are great DIY candidates and others are traps that cost far more to un-fix than they would have cost to do right. Here is a straightforward guide to deciding when to grab your own wrench and when to call a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop.
Jobs That Make Sense to DIY
If you are reasonably handy and willing to follow instructions carefully, several maintenance tasks are genuinely beginner-friendly:
- Engine air filter and cabin air filter: Usually accessible without tools, and worth checking often in Arizona because monsoon dust clogs filters fast.
- Wiper blades: Five-minute job, and our sun destroys blades yearly.
- Bulbs: Many exterior bulbs are simple swaps, though some vehicles bury them frustratingly.
- Checking fluids and tire pressures: Not really repairs, but the single best DIY habit you can build.
- Battery terminal cleaning: Simple with basic precautions, and corrosion is common in our heat.
These tasks share the same traits: low risk if done imperfectly, no specialized tools, and no safety-critical systems involved. They are also a great way to stay connected to your car’s condition, because hands-on owners notice changes earlier.
Jobs That Belong at a Professional Shop
Other repairs carry consequences that make professional service the smart call:
- Brakes: The stakes are obvious. A pad slap done wrong, a caliper pin left dry, or air in the hydraulic system turns a routine job into a safety problem.
- Anything involving the fuel system, airbags, or high-voltage hybrid components: These systems can injure you or total the car when handled incorrectly.
- Transmission work: Modern transmissions are complex, fluid-specific, and unforgiving of mistakes.
- Air conditioning: Refrigerant handling requires equipment and know-how, and an overcharged system fails just like an undercharged one.
- Suspension and steering: Alignment-critical and safety-critical at the same time.
Emissions-related repairs deserve a mention too. Phoenix-area vehicles have to pass emissions testing, and chasing an emissions failure without proper diagnostic equipment often becomes an expensive guessing game of swapped parts.
The pattern here: high consequence of error, specialized tools, or hidden complexity. Saving money on the parts does not help if the job has to be done twice, or if a mistake damages something more expensive than the original problem.
The Diagnostic Gap Is Bigger Than Most People Think
The hardest part of modern auto repair is usually not turning the wrench; it is knowing which wrench to turn. Today’s vehicles run dozens of computers and sensors, and a single symptom can have many possible causes. A check engine light code does not tell you what part failed; it tells you which system reported something out of range, and interpreting that correctly is a skill.
This is where DIY repairs most often go wrong: replacing parts based on a guess. Owners swap sensor after sensor chasing a code, spending more on parts than a proper diagnosis would have cost. Professional engine diagnostics exist precisely to close that gap, using scan data, testing procedures, and experience to identify the actual cause before any parts are bought.
Be Honest About Tools, Time, and Arizona Realities
Three practical questions decide most DIY-versus-shop calls:
Do you have the tools? Torque wrenches, jack stands, scan tools, and specialty sockets add up quickly. Buying a tool for one job often erases the savings, and factor in disposal too: used oil, coolant, and worn parts all need somewhere responsible to go.
Do you have the time and a safe workspace? A job that takes a shop an hour can take a first-timer a full weekend. And be realistic about working conditions: a driveway wrenching session in a Chandler summer is not just unpleasant, it is a genuine heat-safety risk for you, and hot pavement and hot components raise the difficulty of everything.
What happens if it goes wrong on Friday night? A car stuck on jack stands with a stripped bolt has no warranty and no loaner. A shop stands behind its work; your garage does not.
If You Do DIY, Do It Like a Professional
For the jobs you keep, borrow the habits that make professionals reliable. Work from the vehicle’s actual service information rather than a video filmed on a different model year. Use jack stands on solid ground, never just a jack, and chock the wheels. Torque fasteners to spec instead of guessing tight. Label what you disconnect, photograph before you disassemble, and buy quality parts rather than the cheapest listing. And respect the desert calendar: schedule driveway work for early mornings in summer, keep water within reach, and let hot components cool before touching them. Good process is what separates a satisfying Saturday job from a Sunday tow.
A Sensible Middle Path
You do not have to pick a side permanently. Plenty of our customers handle their own filters, blades, and fluid checks, then bring the vehicle in for everything involving safety systems, diagnostics, or specialized equipment. That split keeps you engaged with your car, saves money where saving is easy, and puts professionals on the jobs where mistakes are expensive. If you start a job and get in over your head, do not force it; call (480) 444-0242 and describe where things stand, and you will get a straight answer about the best way forward. It also never hurts to check our current coupons before assuming the shop route costs more.
DIY or professional is not a loyalty test; it is a judgment call you make job by job. For everything on the professional side of the line, Network Automotive Service Center, family-owned since 1995, is ready to help. Explore our services or call (480) 444-0242 to schedule a visit, and keep your own wrench for the jobs that deserve it.
by | Feb 15, 2021 | Exhaust & Emissions
Your exhaust system does a lot more than keep the car quiet. It routes toxic gases safely away from the cabin, cleans up emissions through the catalytic converter, feeds data to the engine computer, and even affects fuel economy. Because most of it lives underneath the car where you never see it, exhaust problems tend to sneak up on drivers. Here are the most common issues we see, how to recognize them early, and when it is time to bring your vehicle to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop.
Exhaust Leaks: The Most Common and Most Serious Problem
Every joint, gasket, and weld in the exhaust system is a potential leak point, and years of heating and cooling cycles eventually take their toll. The signs of a leak include a ticking or puffing sound that changes with engine speed, a louder engine note than usual, vibration you can feel through the floor or pedals, and exhaust smell inside or around the car.
A leak is not just a noise problem. Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which is odorless, colorless, and dangerous in enclosed spaces, including your cabin. Any exhaust smell inside the car deserves immediate attention. Drive with the windows down until it is inspected, and do not idle in the garage.
Catalytic Converter Trouble
The catalytic converter chemically scrubs pollutants from the exhaust stream, and it is one of the most expensive components on the entire vehicle. Converters rarely fail on their own. They are usually killed by an upstream problem, most often a long-running engine misfire that dumps raw fuel into the converter and overheats it.
Warning signs include a rotten egg smell, noticeably reduced power or acceleration, rattling from under the car, and a check engine light with converter-related codes. The important lesson: fixing misfires and other engine issues promptly is how you protect the converter. Ignoring a flashing check engine light is one of the fastest ways to turn a minor repair into a major one. Our engine diagnostics articles explain what those warning lights mean.
Failing Oxygen Sensors
Oxygen sensors measure how much oxygen is in the exhaust so the engine computer can fine-tune the fuel mixture. When a sensor ages or fails, the computer starts guessing, and the results show up at the gas pump. A car running with a bad oxygen sensor typically burns noticeably more fuel, may idle roughly or hesitate, and will usually turn on the check engine light.
Oxygen sensors are wear items. They live in a brutally hot, chemically harsh environment, and they degrade gradually enough that many drivers never notice the slow slide in fuel economy. If your mileage has slipped and the check engine light is on, sensors are one of the first things worth checking.
Muffler and Pipe Damage
Arizona spares us the road salt that rusts out exhaust systems back east, but Valley driving still takes a toll. Speed bumps, steep driveway transitions, road debris, and construction zones can dent pipes or knock exhaust hangers loose. A hanging or rattling exhaust component will only get worse as vibration works on it, and a dragging pipe is a road hazard.
Listen for rattles over bumps, clunks when accelerating or decelerating, and any new droning or booming sound at highway speed. These usually mean a mount, hanger, or pipe section needs attention, and caught early the fix is often simple.
Emissions Test Failures
Drivers in the Phoenix metro area are required to pass periodic emissions testing, and the exhaust system plays a starring role in whether you pass. A failing converter, a leaking pipe that lets in outside air, or a bad oxygen sensor can each push your readings out of spec. If your vehicle fails an emissions test, do not just re-test and hope. A proper diagnosis identifies the specific cause so you fix the right thing once. You can read more about common causes and fixes in our exhaust and emissions articles, and our team handles emissions-related repair every week. Call (480) 444-0242 if your car did not pass and you want it handled correctly.
How to Catch Exhaust Problems Early
You do not need to crawl under the car. Just stay alert to changes:
- Any new sound from the exhaust, from ticking to droning to rattling.
- Any exhaust or sulfur smell, especially inside the cabin.
- A drop in fuel economy or engine power.
- A check engine light, even if the car seems to run fine.
- Visible smoke from the tailpipe beyond normal morning vapor.
Because the system runs from the engine to the rear bumper, symptoms in one area often trace back to causes in another. That is why a systematic inspection beats guesswork.
The Hidden Cost: Exhaust Problems and Fuel Economy
Drivers usually think of exhaust issues in terms of noise and smell, but the quiet cost shows up at the gas pump. Your engine computer constantly adjusts the fuel mixture based on readings from sensors in the exhaust stream. A leak upstream of an oxygen sensor lets outside air skew those readings, and the computer responds by adding fuel it does not need. A lazy or failing sensor has the same effect. Either way, you pay for the error on every mile.
A partially clogged catalytic converter adds a different penalty. The engine has to push exhaust through the restriction, which saps power and forces deeper throttle for the same acceleration. Drivers often describe it as the car feeling tired or strained on the freeway. If your fuel economy has slipped noticeably and your engine feels down on power, the exhaust system belongs on the list of suspects, and a proper inspection can confirm or rule it out quickly.
Get It Inspected Before It Gets Expensive
Exhaust problems follow a predictable pattern: quiet and cheap early, loud and costly late. A small leak repaired promptly protects the converter, your fuel budget, your emissions compliance, and most importantly the air inside your cabin. Network Automotive Service Center has been family-owned since 1995, serving Mesa and the entire East Valley. Take a look at our services and call (480) 444-0242 to schedule an exhaust inspection. We will find the real problem and fix it right.
by | Feb 8, 2021 | Car Care & Driving Tips
When you are ready to take your car to a repair shop and want to make sure you are getting the right repairs and everything done as needed, you have a lot of things to think about. You don’t want to try to make your own repairs unless you have plenty of experience with your vehicle and the issue. Trying to work on your car on your own could result in some serious problems. Here are some things you should remember when taking your car to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop.
Scheduling Frequent Changes
Normally when you get your oil changed at a shop, they will put a sticker on your windshield disclosing to you when the oil was last changed. The sticker works as an update, and tells you when the following oil change is expected. On the off chance that you are replacing your own oil, make sure to monitor the mileage and date, so you realize when it’s an ideal opportunity to get help with the servicing. You’ll be attempting to follow the specific date and mileage of your last change, or you may neglect to do your oil change as often as necessary.
Tire Rotations
Oil changes frequently go with the tire producers’ suggested tire revolution plan. Pivoting your tires each oil change can be a lot of work and something you don’t want to attempt to do on your own. Instead, you can take your car to a trusted auto repair shop where you will be able to ensure the vehicle gets the attention it needs and that both the oil and the tires are tended to as needed to make sure the vehicle is safe.
Oil Gasket
On certain vehicles, the oil filter gasket will need to be changed. These gaskets are regularly not reusable on the grounds that they are meant to be taken off and thrown away when it comes time to change the oil. On the off chance that you don’t change your gasket too, you may wind up with a leak that could cause you to lose oil pressure. In the event that your vehicle utilizes a replaceable gasket rather than a typical one, you should consider replacing the gasket anyways to ensure it has a good fit and seal for your vehicle.
If you are ready to take your vehicle to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop and you want to make sure you are getting everything in order, you want to keep the above tips and suggestions in mind. If you need help changing your oil or don’t have a clue how to do it yourself it’s best to let the professionals do it. You can reach out to Network Automotive Service Center for help with all your auto repair needs. Give us a call or stop by to learn more about our services and all the ways we can help with an oil change.
by | Feb 1, 2021 | Oil Change & Maintenance
When you have a vehicle, you have to make sure you are getting regular tune-ups to keep it on the road and ensure it is safe to drive. You may be worried about choosing a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop because you are afraid you might get bad work or the tune-up might now go as planned. While most auto repair shops are going to take good care of your car, it’s smart to be aware of the risks that could occur. Here are some things to watch for when you have a bad tune-up or repair job.
Driving Issues
Driving a vehicle with mechanical issues and disappointments is an extraordinary danger, not exclusively to you however but to other travelers on the road and in your vehicle as well. Not having your vehicle adjusted properly implies that your brakes, suspension and other important parts of your car may not be working as they should. You might not even know this until you go to drive your car down the road. This can be dangerous and even lead to an accident.
Oil Sludge
Having oil slop in your motor can cause a lot of problems. Sludge can occur if the oil wasn’t change when it would have been, if the wrong type of oil was used, it there was old oil added to the car, or if there are issues with the oil filter or other things that could have called sludge from different parts of the engine to run into the oil pan. This can lead to serious issues for your car including stalling and overheating.
Vehicle Damage
There could be obvious signs of damage to your vehicle after a bad tune-up. You may notice that there are dents or even parts hanging out from under the car that shouldn’t be. You might notice a strange smell that doesn’t go away in a short time, a loud noise, or even something as obvious as the hood not closing. Any time your vehicle comes home from a repair shop with more problems or obvious damage. You may be able to prove that the damage occurred at the shop or they may argue it with you. This is why you always want to make sure you are choosing a reputable shop.
If you are planning to have your car taken to a shop for a tune-up, you might be worried that your car could become damage in the process. As long as you choose a reputable Mesa, AZ auto repair shop to work on your vehicle, you should have nothing to worry about. If you are in need if vehicle repairs and want to choose the right company to handle the job, be sure to consider bringing your vehicle to Network Automotive Service Center. We are happy to help with all your auto repair needs. Give us a call today to learn more about our services and all the ways we can help you.