by | May 4, 2020 | Brakes
Your rotors are an important part of your vehicle and they need to be maintained and changed just like other parts. If they arent working properly or are old and damaged, they may fail to stop your car and could even lead to an accident. If you need new rotors, you can have them installed by a Chandler, AZ auto repair center. Here are some signs that you may need new rotors.
Read also: How To Choose The Right Shocks And Struts At Chandler, AZ Auto Repair Shop
The Car Shakes When You Hit The Brakes
If you notice that our car is starting to shake or feel jittery when you hit the brakes, it could be a sign that the rotors are bad. The rotors can become shredded and get deep ridges in them. This causes the car to shake as the brakes grind across these ridges and deep marks. It may start out as a light shake, but the longer you let the problem go, the worse the shake will become. Eventually, the rotors can even cause the brakes and wheels to lock up so the car cant be driven.
Loud Grinding Sounds
When your rotors stop working you can usually hear it. It sounds like a grinding sound or can also sound like metal sliding or grinding against another metal. This means the rotors are starting to become damages and are preventing the brakes from working as well as they should. As soon as you start to hear strange sounds coming from your rotors or brakes you need to make an appointment with a repair center to have the rotors replaced.
Read also: Car Pulling To One Side? You May Need An Alignment From A Chandler, AZ Auto Repair Center
Grooves On The Rotors
Sometimes you can just look at the rotors and tell that they are damaged. New rotors or rotors that are in good condition will appear smooth and even feel smooth if you touch them. If you can see deep ridges or crevices on the rotors or if they feel rough or have deep lines, you may need to replace them. Most people hear and feel the results of a bad rotor before they ever see them. Its only after they hear the noises or feel the car shaking that they get out and check them. Remember not to touch the rotors if you have been driving the car. They can get very hot and could burn you.
If you think you may be noticing signs that your rotors are bad and you need to have them replaced, be sure to contact a Chandler, AZ auto repair center. Network Automotive Service Center can assist you with all types of car repairs. If your rotors are bad, you shouldnt be driving on them. They can prevent your car from stopping properly and could even cause more mechanical problems that can become much more costly. If you are ready to get your rotors replaced, give us a call or stop by today. You can make an appointment and we will make the repairs quickly and efficiently so you can get back on the road again in no time.
by Network Automotive | Apr 27, 2020 | Oil Change & Maintenance
If you are worried about your car not running properly, one of the best things you can do is schedule regular maintenance with a Gilbert, AZ auto repair center. When your car is serviced regularly you can rest assured that stay running longer and is less likely to stall and break down on you.
Catch Problems Before They Become Severe
If your car has a minor problem that you are aware of but don’t get fixed promptly, it could turn into a larger problem very quickly. This could cause your car to stall or prevent it was starting when you need to get to work or an important appointment. When you take your car to a professional, they can diagnose any current problems or areas where problems are likely to occur. They may be able to make small repairs that can prevent larger ones in the future.
Maintain Fluid Levels
If your vehicle is serviced regularly it may be running low on essential fluids. Most people don’t check their fluids as often as they should or refill the reservoirs. Your vehicle needs fluids to operate properly and to help prevent the engine and other parts from locking up. Oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and coolant levels can be checked when your vehicle is serviced
Spend Less Time Without A Car
Nobody wants to be without a car but if you put off your regular maintenance, you may find that you are faced with big repairs that take a lot of time. You may need to leave your car in a shop for a few days instead of just a few hours. You may not have a ride to work, or to places you want to go with friends and family. To avoid spending a lot of time without a car, make sure your vehicle is well-maintained and you follow up with regular maintenance appointments.
Save Money
While maintenance and regular service are affordable, neglecting your car can lead to more serious problems that can result in more expensive problems. The more severe the problem, the more costly the repair. If you want to save money you need to have your car inspected and maintained as scheduled to help prevent serious mechanical problems. The
If you want to learn more about the importance of regularly scheduled vehicle maintenance at a Gilbert, AZ auto repair center, or if you need to schedule an appointment for your vehicle, call Network Automotive Service Center. We are happy to make sure your vehicle is in good working order so you can feel confident about driving it anywhere. We will check for problems and fix anything that needs it. We are here to help with all your automotive needs. Just give us a call today to schedule an appointment. You can also stop by with your vehicle to schedule your maintenance appointment. We are here to help with all your car problems and maintenance needs and it’s our goal to keep your car on the road and running right for as long as possible.
by Network Automotive | Apr 20, 2020 | Exhaust & Emissions
If you own a car you know how important it is to keep it maintained so it performs well and is safe to drive. When your car does have problems, they may be difficult to diagnose. If you aren’t able to determine what the cause of the problems in yourself, should take your vehicle to a Mesa, AZ auto repair center for help. An emissions test can diagnose a variety of problems so you can have them repaired by a professional and protect your vehicle from severe problems. Network Automotive Service Center offers emission testing and repairs for your vehicle. Here are a few signs that you may need to consider emissions testing.
Clogged Air Filters
Air filters are a part of every car and they help catch dirt and grime from entering the vehicles engine. If they fail to work properly, they may cause your car to fail an emissions test. If your air filters aren’t working properly, they could be allowing metals and dirt to enter your engine. This can cause a lot of problems and even cause your engine to stop working after a while. Air filters can easily be replaced by a professional so your car can run properly.
Dirty Engine Oil
You don’t want to get dirt in your engine oil, as this can cause a variety of problems. It can cause the inner workings of your engine to lock up and allow dirt and grime to spread through your engine and your car’s entire system. This can lead to serious problems. When you have an emissions test done on your vehicle, it can tell you if there is a problem that could mean there is dirt in the oil or anywhere in the engine. If may be necessary to have the engine professionally cleaned so it can perform well.
Defective Catalytic Converters
The catalytic converter helps breakdown pollutants that are spread from the engine. They are required to be added to every vehicle and without them, the pollutants are released into the air where they can affect the environment. If your catalytic converter is broken or isn’t working properly, your exhaust may also make your car sound a little louder then normal. Catalytic converters can often be repaired but may need to be replaced if they are beyond repair.
If you having car problems like exhaust rattle and you believe it could be something going on with your exhaust system or if you just want to have your car’s emissions tested to make sure it’s working okay and not releasing too much pollution, bring your vehicle to a Mesa, AZ auto repair center for help. At Network Automotive Service Center we can perform emissions testing and tell you if there are suspected problems with your vehicle. We can also make any necessary repairs to help your car run properly and avoid more serious issues. If you are interested in emissions testing, be sure to bring your vehicle by or give us a call to schedule an appointment today.
by Network Automotive | Mar 23, 2020 | Oil Change & Maintenance
Oil changes are just one of the regular types of maintenance that car owners must manage. Most people don’t have the time, tools, or even the knowledge that allows them to successfully do an oil g themselves. You don’t have to do it yourself, you can take your vehicle to a Mesa, AZ auto repair center to have your oil changed by a professional. Here are a few reasons oil needs to be changed regularly.
Keeps Components Lubricated
The job of oil is to keep the engine lubricated. Engines have many moving parts inside and they need to be lubricated in order to work as they should. Without oil, the parts can hit each other or stop moving all together. This can cause the engine to stop working by allowing the parts inside to lock up. Keeping oil in the vehicle and keeping the oil changed can prevent severe engine problems.
Helps Keep Engine Cool
Oil helps keep an engine cool. When the components inside are not lubricated and are rubbing together, this can cause friction that produces heat. The heat can even cause the engine to stall from overheating. Oil helps reduce the friction and the heat so the engine doesn’t work as hard and stays cooler. It can help prevent too much stress on the engine and keep the car running in good condition.
Reduces Wear and Tear On Engine Components
The components inside a vehicle’s engine need to be lubricated so they can last longer. The oil covers the parts so they don’t grind against each other and can move more easily. Without the oil, they have to work harder and won’t last as long. Regular oil changes can prevent the components from wearing down as quickly.
Improves Gas Mileage
Most people are happy to improve their gas mileage any way possible and changing oil regularly can help with that. When the engine doesn’t have proper oil or the oil isn’t doing its job because it’s old, the parts have to work harder to make the vehicle move. This requires more gas. When the engine is working properly, it can use less gas. This can help save you money by making your car more efficient.
If you want to keep your car running well and want to avoid costly repairs, it’s a good idea to keep the oil changed regularly. You don’t have to worry about changing it yourself, you can take your vehicle to a Mesa, AZ auto repair center and have a professional mechanic check and change the oil. You can even plan your oil changes several months ahead of time to ensure that you never miss an oil change and your vehicle is always operating at its full potential. You can bring your vehicle to Network Automotive Service Center for all your repair needs. You can call us at (480) 407-6091. You can also visit our shop at 3007 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85213. We are here to help you with all your auto repair needs as well as basic maintenance.
by Network Automotive | Mar 16, 2020 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires
If your vehicle is not handling the road as it should or if it appears to have problems with the shocks, you may need to schedule an appointment for repair services with a Chandler, AZ auto repair center. Network Automotive Service Center is happy to help with all your repair needs. Whether you need to have your shocks checked, repaired, or replaced, you can get the help you need. Don’t drive your vehicle around when it isn’t working right or is making strange sounds. Get help from an experienced auto shop. Here are some signs your shocks may need to be serviced.
Uneven Tire Wear
If you notice that your tires seem to be wearing more on one side than it could be time to get new shocks. When your shocks are bad, they don’t support the car as they should. There can be more weight and pressure on one side of the car or on one wheel. This causes that tire to touch the road more and wears it down quicker. You may need to replace the shock and the tire to fix the issue.
Read also: Car Pulling To One Side? You May Need An Alignment From A Chandler, AZ Auto Repair Center
Swerving While Braking
If you hit the brakes and notice that the car seems to be swerving or pulling to one side, it could mean the shocks are bad. When the car pulls, it is trying to find the support of that shock. In some cases, only one shock may be back or in others, it could be more than one. Replacing the shock or fixing it can help save your brakes and prevent the swerving.
Vibrations While Driving
One of the more obvious signs of a bad shock is vibrations while driving. It can be hard to tell where the vibrations are coming from at times, but after a while, most people realize when it is from a problem with the shock. When a shock is bad, it can’t support the vehicle and can vibrate when there is weight put on it while driving. It’s best to get a vibrating shock fixed quickly to avoid more serious issues.
Squeaking Sounds
Bad shocks often make noises while the vehicle is moving. They can make a squeaky or grinding sound. The sound may be quiet at first and then get louder or appear more frequently as the shock gets worse. Eventually, the sound will turn into a clunking or metallic sound. This can be a sign that the shock just needs some grease, or it may be a sign that it needs to be repaired.
Read also: Call A Chandler, AZ Auto Repair Instead Of Ignoring These Common Problems
If your vehicle is showing signs that a shock or shocks are going bad, it’s a good idea to have it serviced as soon as possible. Bad shocks can make your car hard to stop and hard to steer. It can be dangerous to drive a vehicle with a bad shock. Let a Chandler, AZ auto repair center help you. Call Network Automotive Service Center at (480) 649-0839 to make an appointment to have your vehicle repaired. You can also stop by the shop at 104 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201 to schedule an appointment.
by Network Automotive | Mar 9, 2020 | A/C & Cooling System
Your radiator has one job: keep your engine from cooking itself. In Gilbert, that job is harder than almost anywhere in the country. When the air temperature is already 112 degrees, your cooling system has very little margin for error, and a radiator that is corroded, clogged, or leaking can take an engine from fine to overheated in a single afternoon errand. The good news is that radiators rarely fail without warning. If you know the signs, you can get ahead of the problem before it strands you or damages the engine. Here is what a Gilbert, AZ auto repair service center looks for, and what you can watch for yourself.
What Your Radiator Actually Does
Coolant circulates through the engine, absorbing heat, then flows through the radiator’s thin tubes and fins, where moving air pulls that heat away before the coolant cycles back through. Every part of that loop matters: the radiator core, the cap that maintains system pressure, the hoses that carry coolant, the thermostat that regulates flow, and the fans that move air at low speeds. A failure anywhere in the loop shows up as heat, and in Arizona, heat escalates fast.
The Warning Signs of a Failing Radiator
Radiators announce trouble in a handful of recognizable ways. Here are the four to watch for.
Warning Sign 1: The Temperature Gauge Creeps Up
The clearest early sign of radiator trouble is a temperature gauge that runs higher than it used to, especially in slow traffic or while idling with the AC on. At highway speed, airflow through the radiator is strong. Sitting at a light on Gilbert Road, your car depends on its cooling fans and a clean radiator core to shed heat. A partially clogged radiator often reveals itself exactly there: fine on the freeway, hot in the drive-through line.
Never ignore an overheating warning. Continuing to drive a hot engine risks head gasket failure and warped components, which turn a cooling system repair into major engine work. If the gauge climbs into the red, pull over safely, shut the engine off, and let it cool before doing anything else.
Warning Sign 2: Coolant Leaks Under the Car
Coolant is usually bright green, orange, or pink, and it has a distinct sweet smell. If you spot colorful fluid pooling under the front of your vehicle, or you find yourself topping off the reservoir more than once between services, the system is losing coolant somewhere. Common culprits include:
- Corrosion pinholes in the radiator core, common in older radiators
- Cracked plastic end tanks, which become brittle after years of heat cycling
- Failing hoses or hose clamps
- A worn radiator cap that no longer holds pressure
Because several of these look identical from above, a pressure test at a repair shop is the reliable way to find the actual source instead of guessing and replacing parts one at a time.
Warning Sign 3: Discolored, Sludgy, or Rusty Coolant
Healthy coolant is translucent and vivid in color. Coolant that looks brown, rusty, or oily, or that has floating debris, is telling you something is wrong inside the system. Rust means corrosion is eating metal components. An oily film can indicate a much more serious problem where engine oil or transmission fluid is mixing with coolant. Sludge also coats the inside of the radiator’s narrow tubes, insulating them and cutting cooling capacity exactly when a Gilbert summer demands the most from it. If you see contaminated coolant, have the system inspected promptly rather than simply topping it off.
Warning Sign 4: Crusty White or Green Residue and Bent Fins
Pop the hood occasionally and look at the radiator itself. Dried white, green, or blue crust on the core or around fittings marks the spot where coolant has been seeping and evaporating. Large areas of crushed or blocked fins, sometimes packed with the dust our monsoon storms throw around, reduce airflow through the core. A radiator can be physically intact and still underperform badly because its surface can no longer breathe. This is a quick visual check that catches problems early, and it costs you nothing but a minute in the driveway.
How to Check Your Cooling System Safely
A few habits let you monitor the system between services without risk. First, only ever open the cooling system when the engine is completely cold; a hot, pressurized system can spray scalding coolant. With the engine cold, check the level in the translucent overflow reservoir against its min and max marks rather than opening the radiator cap. Glance at the color while you are there. Second, watch your temperature gauge occasionally during normal driving so you know what its normal position looks like; changes from that baseline are your earliest warning. Third, if you need to add coolant more than once in a short period, stop topping off and get the system tested, because the coolant is going somewhere and the destination matters.
Repair or Replace? Let a Diagnosis Decide
Not every cooling system symptom means the radiator itself is done. Sometimes the fix is a thermostat, a cap, a fan issue, or a hose, and proper engine diagnostics will sort that out quickly. But when a radiator core is corroded internally or leaking from multiple points, replacement is usually the smarter long-term move than patching, particularly here, where the next heat wave will find any weak spot. A technician can test the system, evaluate the radiator’s condition, and give you a straight answer about which repair actually solves the problem. If your temperature gauge has been wandering or you have found coolant spots on the driveway, call (480) 444-0242 and describe the symptoms; it is much better to have it checked than to gamble on a July breakdown.
It is also worth remembering that the radiator protects more than the engine. Your air conditioning system’s condenser sits right in front of it, and an overheating engine often drags AC and cooling system performance down with it. Keeping the cooling system healthy keeps summer driving bearable.
Radiator problems only get more expensive with time, and Arizona summers do not forgive procrastination. If your vehicle is showing any of these signs, explore our services or call Network Automotive Service Center, family-owned since 1995, at (480) 444-0242 to schedule a cooling system inspection. Catching a failing radiator early protects your engine, your budget, and every summer drive ahead.