the Garage Reviews

Brake rotors are a huge deal in a vehicle because they help stop the wheels when the brake pads clamp down on them. But overtime, the brake rotors can warp, causing issues. Why do they warp? Find out below why brake rotors warp.   Causes of Warped Brake Rotors Here are the most two common reasons the brake rotor would warp in a vehicle: Glazed with material Driving a car at higher speeds means there is a lot of heat generated by the time you brake to stop your car. When that happens, the brake pads material is constantly touching the brake rotor. Overtime, some material may even be on the brake rotors, causing it to warp. When that happens, the brake pads won't be able to grip as firmly on the brake rotor as it would be too slippery.   Wear and tear If you're heavy on the brakes, it puts a lot of pressure on the brake rotor when you suddenly press on the brakes. There is already excessive heat and if it's ... read more

A tire blowout is undoubtedly a scary and stressful situation to be in for anybody, especially if it happens on the highway or in the middle of traffic. Quite frankly, blowouts can be caused by something as small as a nail in the road or general low tire pressure. The five most common reasons for tire blowouts are under-inflation, overload, uneven tread wear, external damage, and tire defects. Unlike a gradual flat tire, you'll be well aware if you've had a tire blowout. You will hear a loud popping noise and feel unevenness with your vehicle. In some cases, you'll catch the smell of burning rubber or hear the tire flapping around. If any of this happens to you, please remember not to panic. Here are some helpful tips for handling the following events after a tire blowout: Don't push on your brakes. The best thing you can do to remain safe is to keep control of your vehicle and pull off safely to the side of the road. Remember to signal when getting away from traffic ... read more

Halloween is one of the most anticipated holidays of the year, especially if you are someone with a sweet tooth. Kids crave the excitement of getting dressed up in a costume, walking through a neighborhood, and receiving tons of candy. While trick-or-treating can be a blast, everyone in the community needs to do their part to make sure everyone gets home in one piece.   Tips For Pedestrians There's nothing more important on Halloween night than to teach kids how to be safe when walking through the neighborhoods. Younger kids may not be aware of traffic rules and signs. As it gets dark outside, it can become more unsafe. Here are some tips to use on your trick-or-treating route: Stay on crosswalks and sidewalks as much as possible Make eye contact with drivers when crossing to ensure they see you Plan out a route beforehand Watch for cars making turns Do not step in between two parked cars Younger children should stick with their parents and hold an adult's hand be ... read more

Having a failure to start a car is incredibly annoying. Most people immediately blame their car battery and quickly run to grab their jumper cables. However, problems with car starts can also be traced back to your alternator. To effectively resolve your situation, you'll need to learn the differences between a bad alternator and a bad battery.   While both of these automotive parts are part of your vehicle's electrical system, each of them has its own role and has a particular set of warning signs.    Bad Battery Symptoms First and foremost, your car may signal a drained battery when you enter your key and turn the ignition. If you receive a sluggish or choppy engine response, your battery is the culprit. You can jumpstart your vehicle with cables and another automotive battery. But your next stop should be the auto repair shop. However, if you don't get any feedback from your car when turning the ignition, it may already be too late for your battery ... read more

You can't always assume that every bad smell trickles into your car to something from outside your vehicle. Often that smell you're picking up is your vehicle's way of telling you something is wrong! The different scents that you may detect may help you uncover the trouble your internal components are sustaining. Some odors are more troublesome than others, but there is only one way to be sure. Whenever you catch an unusual scent in your automobile, we urge you to bring it to an auto professional ASAP to get a proper diagnosis. These are some of the most common car smells and what problems they may indicate: Maple Syrup - If your car smells sweet like a breakfast buffet, then it could mean several things. A fluid leak from your radiator, cylinder head, or manifold gasket can be the issue. If the smell is strong and found in the cabin, the heater core could be the problem. Gasoline - The smell of gas usually signifies that your car has a gas leak. The damage could stem fro ... read more

Your water pump, which sits under the hood, keeps your car running efficiently and guarantees you a safe and easy ride. Your vehicle's engine is made up of various components that are constantly moving, thereby generating an unbelievable amount of friction and heat. The water pump plays an essential role in your car's cooling system by moving coolant from the radiator and supplying it throughout the engine system to keep everything at an optimum temperature.   When you have a faulty water pump, your engine will overheat, causing damage to the cylinder heads, gaskets, and pistons. If gone unnoticed, it could lead to catastrophic engine damage. However, your failing water pump will usually display the following signs:    Leaking Coolant Your car's water pump is made of various parts, such as seals and gadgets, to facilitate a steady flow of the coolant from the radiator to the engine block. Over time, these seals and gadgets will loosen up, wear out, break ... read more

  There's nothing better than the feeling of stepping into a fresh, clean car after getting your vehicle detailed. On the surface, car detailing might seem like cleaning your car or "giving it an extra shine." However, there are many benefits of car detailing that goes way beyond that. Let's go into detail (no pun intended) on auto detailing and what the services include.   What Is Car Detailing? Car detailing is a thorough cleaning of a car to make it look as close to new as possible, both inside and out. The standard is to clean every nook and cranny of the car, and it requires multiple steps. The exterior cleaning process usually includes hand washing and drying, polishing, and sealing the vehicle. Whereas interior cleaning involves vacuuming, brushing and shampooing, wiping, and deodorizing.   Benefits of Car Detailing Increases Resale Value A professional detailing job can remove the smallest of imperfections on your vehicle. If you bought ... read more

Did you know that bad driving habits, in addition to possibly incurring traffic tickets from the police, can damage your auto? Oh yes, this is quite true. This concise blog will give some valid examples. Not Using Your Parking Brake I routinely use my parking brake every day largely to make it harder for someone to steal the car. That said, NOT using it can literally be bad for your auto. When you are on a hill, you automatically use your parking brake; however, it is best to do so even when on flat terrain. Not doing that can be a strain on your transmission. Over time the strain builds up and can lead to costly repairs. Use the parking brake! Flying Over Those Speed Bumps Oh but slowing down for speed bumps every few feet is so inconvenient, right? Think about how inconvenient the bill will be to repair the damage caused by not paying attention to them. Flying over speed bumps can cause problems with the steering, the car's alignment, and/or ... read more

Every vehicle has spark plugs, and they play a major role in the functioning of your vehicle. Just as any other part of your vehicle your spark plugs require some maintenance. It is essential for you to know just how often you should change your spark plugs. In order for your engine to work properly, you will need to keep your spark plugs changes on a consistent basis; this will ensure your engine starts and is working as it should be. Without your spark plugs working in the best condition, your vehicle will not start. Therefore, it's essential to know how often your spark plugs need to be changed because it's vital for the life of your engine. It may be helpful to know exactly what a spark plug does. It is in place to make a spark that will ignite the air and fuel that is in your engine's cylinders. That is there to create combustion that will engage the engine. There are some things you can be on the lookout for that will give some signs that your spark plugs are getting ... read more

Vehicles are a great invention that millions use daily. While we know of some of the more popular things in our vehicles, things we use every time we are in the vehicle there are some things that appear that may catch you off guard. As you're driving it is inherent for you to pay attention to new things in your vehicle you haven't seen before, and that includes lights that may appear in your dash, including the battery light. It can be a difficult situation when you see a light and you have no idea what it means. So, what does it mean when you see the battery light appear? When you see the battery light on in your vehicle when you first turn it on, you generally don't have anything to worry about. This may happen when you start your car, but it will quickly turn off and there is no issue. In some cases when you see the battery light, it may mean that your battery can be bad, but there are instances when that isn't the case either. Your battery light will come on when ... read more