by | Jan 25, 2021 | Oil Change & Maintenance
When you buy a car, you will likely spend a lot of money on it. It’s no secret that cars are not cheap. You want to make sure your car lasts for a long time and the engine stays running properly. You never know when something will go wrong with your vehicle, but there are some things you can do that will help ensure your engine lasts longer. If you do experience some issues, you should take your vehicle to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop. Here are some tips to help your engine last longer.
Change The Fluids
You never want your vehicle to run out of fluids. These are meant to keep your engine running smoothly and can help ensure that the vehicle doesn’t overheat or experience other problems. You may need to check, add and replace fluids often but this is part of owning a car and will ensure that your mechanical and moving parts stay lubricated and are able to move easily and without problems. You can even take your car to a shop to have the fluids checked and replaced if you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself.
Fix Issues
There will likely be issues that arise with your vehicle over time but you will need to make sur you have them repaired as quickly as possible. This will ensure the problem doesn’t become worse and that you don’t have to spend more time and money on the repairs later. Car problems don’t fix themselves and even small problems can turn into big ones if you don’t fix them as soon as you find out about them. The longer you wait the worse things can be come and the more likely to issue is to spread to another part of the vehicle or engine. Get your car repaired by a professional to ensure your engine runs well.
Only Use Professional Help
You may want to save money by trying to work on your car yourself, but if you aren’t familiar with the mechanics or the vehicle or don’t have any experience with the problem, you could do more harm than good. You can hire a professional to do the repairs for you. This ensure that they find the problem, diagnose it properly and won’t cause you or waste money or time. Your car will be repaired in a timely manner and you will be able to get back on the road quickly.
If you have purchased a car and want to make sure your engine will last a long time, you will want to do everything possible to ensure you do some or all of the things above. If you need to have your vehicle repaired, you should take it to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop. You can call to schedule an appointment with Network Automotive to ensure your vehicle is operating properly and to help improve the lifespan of your engine. Give us a call today to learn more.
by Network Automotive | Jan 23, 2021 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires
You are driving down a straight, flat stretch of road, you relax your grip for a second, and the car drifts toward the shoulder or the center line. If you have to keep constant pressure on the steering wheel just to hold a straight line, your vehicle is telling you something is wrong, and the most common culprit is a wheel alignment problem. Drivers in the Chandler area deal with this more than they realize, and the fix is usually straightforward once a qualified auto repair center takes a look. Here is how to recognize the signs, what causes them, and why putting it off costs you money.
What It Means When Your Car Pulls
Wheel alignment refers to the precise angles at which your wheels meet the road. Manufacturers set these angles, called camber, caster, and toe, so the vehicle tracks straight, steers predictably, and wears its tires evenly. When those angles drift out of specification, the tires no longer point exactly where the steering wheel says they should, and the car pulls to one side.
The pull can be subtle or severe. Some drivers only notice it at highway speed, while others fight the wheel in a parking lot. Either way, it tends to get worse over time, and the faster you drive, the more noticeable and more dangerous it becomes. A car that wanders on its own leaves you less margin to react when traffic does something unexpected.
Other Signs You May Need an Alignment
Pulling is the classic symptom, but misalignment shows up in several other ways:
- Uneven tire wear. Run your hand across the tread. If the inside or outside edge is noticeably more worn than the rest, your alignment is off. Healthy tires wear evenly across the full width.
- A crooked steering wheel. If the wheel sits off-center while you are driving straight, the alignment angles are compensating for something.
- Squealing tires in turns. Tires that are dragged across the pavement at the wrong angle protest, especially in slow corners and parking lots.
- Loose or wandering steering. The car feels vague on center and needs constant small corrections.
- Vibration in the steering wheel. This can also indicate a balance problem, which is a separate service, but the two often show up together and are checked at the same time.
You can read more about how tires, steering, and ride quality connect in our suspension, wheels, and tires articles.
What Knocks a Vehicle Out of Alignment
Alignment does not fail on a schedule. It fails from impacts and wear. The usual suspects include:
- Hitting a pothole, curb, or parking block harder than usual
- Everyday wear in suspension and steering components like tie rods, ball joints, and bushings
- Worn shocks or struts that let the suspension move beyond its intended range
- An accident or hard impact, even a minor one that left no visible damage
East Valley driving adds its own contributions. Construction zones, gravel shoulders, and the occasional monsoon-season debris in the road all give your suspension sharp hits that add up. If you recently smacked a pothole and the car has not felt right since, that is not a coincidence.
Why You Should Not Ignore It
A misaligned car is not just annoying to drive. It is expensive. Tires that are dragged at the wrong angle can wear out in a fraction of their normal life, and replacing a set of tires costs far more than the alignment that would have saved them. Misalignment also increases rolling resistance, which quietly hurts your fuel economy on every trip.
There is a safety cost too. A vehicle that pulls requires constant correction, which is fatiguing on long drives and slows your reaction in an emergency. And because misalignment often rides along with worn suspension parts, ignoring the symptom can mean ignoring a failing component underneath it. If your car has been pulling, call us at (480) 444-0242 and describe what you are feeling. It is often a quicker conversation than people expect.
What Happens During an Alignment Service
A proper alignment starts with an inspection, not a machine. A technician checks tire condition and pressure, then examines the steering and suspension components, because aligning a car with a worn tie rod is like squaring a door on a broken hinge. Once the underlying parts check out, the vehicle goes on an alignment rack where precise sensors measure each wheel’s angles against the manufacturer’s specifications. The technician then adjusts the angles back into spec and confirms the steering wheel is centered.
Afterward, the difference is usually obvious on the first drive: the car tracks straight, the wheel sits centered, and the steering feels calm again. It is one of the most satisfying repairs there is, because you feel the result immediately.
How Often Should Alignment Be Checked?
There is no single mileage number that fits every driver, but a few guidelines serve most people well. Have the alignment checked whenever you buy new tires, since starting a fresh set on a misaligned car throws away part of your investment on day one. Have it checked after any significant impact, a hard pothole strike, a curb hit, or a collision, even if nothing feels obviously wrong afterward. And have it checked any time steering or suspension parts are replaced, because new components change the geometry.
Between those events, an annual check is a reasonable habit, and many shops can verify alignment quickly during other routine service. It is also worth paying attention to your own hands. Drivers unconsciously compensate for a mild pull, holding a slight steering correction without noticing it. If you catch yourself doing that, or a passenger points out that your steering wheel is not straight, trust the observation.
The habit pays for itself. Alignment is one of the least expensive services on the car, and it directly protects one of the most expensive consumable items you buy, your tires, while keeping the car predictable and safe.
Drive Straight Again
If you are fighting the steering wheel on every drive, do not wait for the problem to eat a set of tires. Network Automotive Service Center is family-owned and has been serving East Valley drivers since 1995. Browse our services, then call (480) 444-0242 to schedule an alignment check. We will find out why your car is pulling and get it tracking straight and safe again.
by | Jan 18, 2021 | Exhaust & Emissions
There are few things as frustrating to a car owner as hearing their exhaust rattling. Not only can the sound be annoying to you, but usually other people can hear it as well and it can be an embarrassing problem. Aside from the annoyance, a rattling exhaust could mean there is something else going on under your car. You don’t want to put off the repairs, you want to take your car to an Auto Repair Center and have the problem fixed quickly so you won’t have to worry about it anymore. Here are a few reasons your exhaust may be rattling or making a strange noise.
Why is My Car Rattling?
If something is loose on the bottom of your car, it could be making the exhaust rattle. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Something could simply be rattling; the exhaust may have broken loose from a mount and be rattling or something else could be rattling up against it. The because does move a little as the car runs but, in most cases, it is mounted so well that you can’t tell it. If you want to see why your car is making the noise, you can look underneath it to see if anything looks like it is loose or has dropped down.
It’s possible that your exhaust is rattling because something is loose. You might need to have a car service to take a look at it and fix the problem.
What Happens if Exhaust Leaks?
If your exhaust has a leak, it could sound like a rattling sound. As the air moves through the exhaust and leaks out it can sound like the exhaust is rattling. You may not be able to see a hole, or it may be large and obvious. There are ways to seal and fix exhaust leaks, but if the issue is severe or if you are not experienced and want to make sure you don’t mess up your exhaust system or make the issue worse, it’s a good idea to take it to a professional.
Why Does My Car Rattle When I Hit a Bump?
It’s easier for your exhaust to break than you realize and if you have hit a bump, driven over rough road or if the exhaust was loose or feel down, it could have rubbed up against the road or an object and been ripped off. If this is the case you will likely here a loud rattling or other sounds. You will need to have the exhaust mounted back on the vehicle or else you will want to have a brand-new exhaust system installed so you know it will work as it should without any noise or problems.
Emissions testing AZ is conducted to ensure that vehicles meet emissions standards set by the government. Vehicles that emit excessive levels of pollutants may be subject to emissions inspection and repairs.
How to Fix a Loose Exhaust Pipe?
When your exhaust is making a weird noise, it can cause some concern. You may not even know if the sound you are hearing is your exhaust or another problem. If you hear strange sounds coming from underneath your car, it’s never a good idea. It can mean that something is severely wrong and it could lead to more severe problems if it is not repaired promptly. You don’t have to make the repairs yourself, you can take your car to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop. Call Network Automotive Services today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is exhaust rattle bad?
Yes, the exhaust rattle is bad. It can indicate that there’s something wrong with your car’s exhaust system, and it can also be a safety hazard. If you’re hearing a lot of noise from your car’s exhaust system, have it checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible.
Is it safe to drive with a rattling exhaust?
It’s definitely not safe to drive with a rattling exhaust – the noise is a sign that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. If you ignore it, the problem will only worsen and eventually lead to engine damage. The best thing to do is take your car to a mechanic and have them take a look.
Does damaged exhaust affect car performance?
Yes, damaged exhaust can affect car performance. When the exhaust is damaged, it can’t properly expel emissions from the car, which means harmful gases and particles will be released into the air.
by | Jan 11, 2021 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires
A car ride should feel smooth and composed, even on imperfect pavement. So when every expansion joint sends a jolt through the cabin, when the car keeps bobbing after a dip, or when your morning drive through the Chandler area starts feeling like a boat in chop, something has changed. A bumpy ride is not just uncomfortable. It is your suspension telling you it can no longer keep the tires planted on the road, and that affects braking, steering, and safety. Here are the most common reasons a ride turns rough, and how to tell which one is yours.
Worn Shocks or Struts Are the Usual Suspect
Shocks and struts are the dampers that control your suspension’s movement. Springs absorb bumps, and the dampers stop the bouncing afterward. When they wear out, the springs keep oscillating, and the ride turns floaty, bouncy, and harsh all at once.
Telltale signs include:
- The car keeps bouncing two or three times after a bump instead of settling immediately
- The nose dives when braking or the rear squats when accelerating
- Excessive body lean in corners or a wallowing feel over dips
- Oily residue leaking down the side of a shock or strut
- Clunking or knocking sounds over rough pavement
Dampers wear gradually, which is why many drivers do not notice until the ride is genuinely bad. A simple test: push down firmly on a corner of the car and let go. If it bounces more than once or twice, the damper on that corner is suspect. Our suspension, wheels, and tires articles go deeper on how these parts work together.
Your Tires Might Be the Problem
Before blaming the suspension, look at the tires, because they are the first thing between you and the road:
- Overinflation makes a ride noticeably harsh. Arizona heat raises tire pressure as the day warms up, so a tire set to the maximum on a summer afternoon rides like a rock.
- Uneven wear or cupping creates a rumbling, thumping ride and often points back to worn dampers or alignment issues.
- Out-of-balance wheels cause vibration that grows with speed, usually felt in the steering wheel or the seat.
- Flat spots can develop on a car that sat parked for a long stretch, and heat-aged tires with hardened rubber transmit far more of the road than fresh ones.
Check your pressures against the sticker inside the driver’s door jamb, not the number on the tire sidewall, and check them in the morning before the heat builds. If the ride is still rough with correct pressures and decent tread, the cause is deeper.
Worn Suspension Components Beyond the Dampers
The suspension is a system of joints and cushions, and any of them can turn a ride harsh or noisy as they wear. Ball joints, control arm bushings, sway bar links, and strut mounts all use rubber or greased joints to absorb small movements quietly. When they dry out, crack, or loosen, you feel and hear every imperfection: clunks over small bumps, rattles on rough roads, a jittery feeling on textured pavement.
Arizona is tough on these parts. Extreme heat ages rubber bushings faster than mild climates do, and the sharp hits from potholes, gravel, and monsoon debris accelerate the wear. Because these components also locate your wheels, wear here often brings alignment problems and uneven tire wear along with the noise, which is why a rough ride and a crooked steering wheel frequently show up together.
How a Shop Pinpoints the Cause
Diagnosing a bumpy ride starts with a conversation: when it started, what it feels like, whether there are noises, and whether anything changed recently, like new tires or a hard pothole hit. Then the vehicle goes up on a lift for a physical inspection. A technician checks each damper for leaks and wear, flexes the joints and bushings to find play, measures tire wear patterns, and looks at ride height side to side.
A road test usually confirms the diagnosis. The advantage of a systematic inspection is that you fix the actual cause instead of throwing parts at symptoms. Sometimes a rough ride is simply overdue tires; sometimes it is a full set of struts. Knowing which saves you real money. If your ride has turned rough, call (480) 444-0242 and tell us what you are feeling, and we will get it on a lift.
Why You Should Not Wait on a Rough Ride
It is tempting to treat a bumpy ride as a comfort problem and live with it, especially when the car still starts, steers, and stops. The trouble is that ride quality and safety come from the same parts. Worn dampers let the tires hop instead of grip, which lengthens stopping distances and reduces control in a sudden swerve, exactly the moments when you need the car at its best.
There is also a cost spiral to consider. Suspension problems feed on each other: worn shocks accelerate tire cupping, cupped tires hammer the bushings, and loose bushings throw off alignment, which wears the tires even faster. A single worn component caught early is a modest repair. The same component ignored for a year can take tires, alignment, and neighboring parts down with it.
Passengers are a good early warning system here. If the people who ride with you have started commenting on the bumpy ride, or drinks in the cupholder look like they are in a paint shaker, the problem has probably progressed past the subtle stage. A quick inspection settles the question and lets you plan the repair on your terms.
Get Your Smooth Ride Back
You do not have to live with a car that crashes over every bump. Network Automotive Service Center has been family-owned since 1995, and our technicians inspect, diagnose, and repair suspensions for drivers across the East Valley. Take a look at our services, then call (480) 444-0242 to schedule a ride and suspension inspection. A smooth, controlled, quiet ride is worth getting back.
by | Jan 4, 2021 | Brakes
When you have a vehicle, you want to do everything possible to take good care of it and make sure it is ready to get you where you need to go. You will likely experience some car problems at some point in your life and you will want to make sure if something goes wrong you will have it repaired in a timely manner. One common vehicle issue is grinding brakes. You brakes are an important part of your car and if they aren’t working as they should it can be a safety hazard. If your car’s brakes are grinding, be sure to take it to a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop. Here are some other things you should do.
Park It
You don’t want to drive your car if the brakes are not working or if they seem to be making a lot of noise when you try to stop. Your brakes are one of the most important safety aspects of your vehicle. If they don’t work, you may not be able to stop when needed, which can lead to an accident. Grinding brakes could stop working at any time and you don’t want to take the chance. If you can’t take your car to the shop immediately, you should park your car until you can.
Schedule A Service Appointment
As soon as you notice that your vehicle is making noises and your brakes are grinding you need to schedule an appointment at a shop and get it repaired as soon as possible. The longer you let the problem go on, the worse it will become. It could cause more damage to your brakes and caliper and even cause problems with your rims. Working on the problem immediately will help reduce the severity of the issue and could even help you save money on repairs.
Drive Smart
Once you have your new brakes put on your car you will want to make sure are driving smart and aren’t slamming on your brakes. While this is sometimes necessary, you should avoid it as much as possible. When you do this, it makes it harder for the brakes to stop and they can become damaged and worn down faster. Driving carefully and avoiding hitting the brakes too hard will cause your vehicle to need new brakes les often and help save you money and time on repairs.
When it comes time to get your car repaired, you will need to find a Mesa, AZ auto repair shop that can make them for you. If your brakes are making griding noises, you may be wondering what you should do. Don’t panic, but also don’t take a chance of driving it. If you need some help you can make an appointment at Network Automotive Service. We are here to help with all your car repair needs. We can fix your brakes and help get you back on the road quickly. Give us a call today to learn more.
by | Dec 28, 2020 | Car Care & Driving Tips
The holidays are here and you may find that you are rushing around and trying to get a lot of things done in a short amount of time. Many people are out doing their holiday shopping and running other holiday errands. If you need to find some time to have your car maintenance or serviced, you could get it done while you are doing your shopping. Here are a few reasons why you should call a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop.
Convenient
If you are shopping with other people or if you have more than one vehicle, it can be a good idea to have a family member drop off your car and pock you up so the car can be serviced while you are out shopping. This can be a time when you don’t need your vehicle and will be able to drop it off so you can do other things. The service center will work on your vehicle while you are out doing your holiday shopping and call you when it is finished. This will allow to get two things done at once and help you save some time.
Prepare For Holiday Trips
When you are doing your holiday shopping, it’s important to remember that you will likely be traveling to deliver the gifts you are buying. Some people travel across the country and others just a few houses down. Regardless of the distance, you want to make sure your car is ready for the holidays and will get you and your vehicle to your destination safely. The repairs will also ensure that your car is ready for other winter travels and won’t stall while you are driving on cold snowy roads all season.
Save Money
You may be wondering if you can afford to have your vehicle services during the holidays when you have so many other things that need to be purchased. If your car is having issues, it’s best to have them repaired now. The longer you let them go the worse they will become. This can mean that the repairs become more costly too. Taking care of them now can help save you money that you may not have after or during the holidays to put towards the repairs.
If you are planning to do some holiday shopping during the season and you need to have your vehicle services, you should consider taking it to a Chandler, AZ auto repair shop while you are doing your shopping. Not only will this allow you to get the repairs done in a timely manner, it can save you time and money that can be focused on other things that will help prepare you for the holidays. If you need some help finding the right repair shop for your needs, be sure to call Network Automotive Service Center. We are here to help with all your vehicle repair needs. Make an appointment today to get your car taken care of.