Whether it’s rain, snow or sleet, you depend on the windshield wipers to help you drive safely in inclement weather. Let’s look at the issues that keep windshield wipers from doing their job.
If your wipers are smearing: This can often be resolved with a good cleaning of your windshield or some replacement wiper blades.
If
your wipers aren’t moving: With the car off, try to manually move the
wipers back and forth. If they don’t budge, it is likely an electrical
problem. If you can move them freely, you may have a mechanical issue.
(This is a good time to bring your vehicle in to the repair shop for
help!)
https://repairpal.com/symptoms/windshield-wipers-not-working
If you use your car for business — even just part of the time — the government may pick up some of the tab for your auto repairs during tax season. To determine if you can write off your automotive repairs, start with these three questions:
- Is my car a business vehicle?
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What counts as a deductible repair?
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Which deduction method should I use?
Visit our partner RepairPal for help answering these questions: https://repairpal.com/blog/car-repairs-tax-deductible
Take the driver seat on any late model car on the road today, and you will see that the dashboard is filled with different warning lights. and if that ain’t enough, there are buzzers that alert the driver of anything that needs prompt attention, or worse, signal when engine damage may be inevitable unless the car is pulled over. Car engineers have an eye for detail though on how any driver potentially reacts when one of those warning lights turn on, so there’s no cause for panic if a “check engine” light menacingly turns on or a buzzer alerts you of something wrong.
At Murrieta Auto Repair, we have seen these common problems from our customers whose cars we have promptly serviced. Yes, there are “false alarms” (read: faulty electronics) with these warning lights but quite a few warrant a complete engine check to see if that car needs to be serviced as soon as possible or ignoring these light might compromise passengers’ and vehicle safety.
In the not-so-distant past, it was very tricky to diagnose check engine light or warning light problem. It needed the observation of the driver when does the problem happen and how often, if warning lights turn on certain periods during the engine is started. Today, the ‘guesswork’ has been removed with the advent of diagnostic and troubleshooting equipment and software.
At Murrieta Auto Repair, we have the tools, hardware and software to accurately diagnose any problem so that we could get at the root of the problem that makes the check engine light (or any warning light) turn on.
The check engine light or the service-engine-soon lights are like traffic signals. The red ones that light up means that you have to pull over to a safe area of the road, stop the engine immediately and do a check under the hood.
Common problems that often cause red warning lights to go off are:
The state of California has one of the toughest criteria when it comes to smog checks than any country in the world or US state. This is not something we just made up as it is stated plainly on the DMV California website in its Smog Check FAQ’s page
“ Currently, smog inspections are required for all vehicles except diesel powered vehicles 1997 year model and older or with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs, electric, natural gas powered vehicles over 14,000 lbs, hybrids, motorcycles, trailers, or gasoline powered vehicles 1975 and older…”
So if you have a car or any four-wheeler that’s not older than the 1997, you are required to have one. Not just only one but twice a year or biennial for some California counties. ( please refer to DMV California page).
No unnecessary stress on your part, valued vehicle owner; we at Murrieta Auto Repair will share some time-tested “tactics” that will help you pass the smog check on the first try!
Here are the three things you must do before having your vehicle smog-checked:
It’s no exaggeration that having a car (or any other vehicle) is an investment. Vehicle owners need to have it on top of their minds that a positive driving experience can only happen if the vehicle that’s in your garage (or used for your business) is well-maintained. But, “well-maintained” here does not equal to high prices on replacement parts and services or taking out a personal loan just to finance that emergency repair.
Preventive (or periodic) maintenance is the key so your car, truck, daily driver; or valued import or classic, runs and drives like it just rolled off the car dealership yesterday.
We, at Murrieta Auto Repair, are on a mission to provide everyone in Murrieta and nearby areas of Riverside County, the best services and quick repairs that we are becoming known for. And not only that, inform you, our valued customers, on ways to save on vehicle repairs and not get scammed.
The Top 5 Scams that other auto repair shops pull on their clients are:
“It’s tough to keep your cool when the inside of your car is full of hot air from a malfunctioning air conditioning (A/C) system. According to the Car Care Council, an annual checkup of your vehicle’s A/C system will help prevent it from breaking down when you need it most, especially as sky-high temperatures are hitting many parts of the country.
“Getting stuck in traffic is hard enough but getting stuck in traffic during the heat of summer without properly functioning A/C is the pits,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It is important to always have the A/C system properly maintained to keep it in tip-top shape and avoid costly repairs down the road.”
A vehicle’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC) keeps the interior cabin comfortable in any season by providing the right temperature and humidity level. Typical A/C service consists of the following steps:
A service technician checks pressures to test operation, refrigerant charge and outlet temperatures.
If the system is found to be low on refrigerant, a leak test is performed to find the source of the leak. Keep in mind that if your vehicle is leaking refrigerant, it is damaging the ozone layer.
Refrigerant may be added if necessary to “top off” the system, although some states do not allow “topping off.”
A technician may also check for evidence of refrigerant cross-contamination, which is the mixing of refrigerants.
A/C service should also include a check of the compressor’s drive belt and tension.
“Checking the A/C once a year is key to making sure your cooling system is running efficiently all year long,” White said. “A properly running HVAC system will help improve your gas mileage, is more environmentally friendly and will keep you from losing your cool on the road.”
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org. ”
Making Murrieta and Temecula a little more green through proper auto repair practices.
We here at Murrieta Auto Repair strive to go green in every way possible, from our parts washer being eco friendly, “The SmartWasher” to ALWAYS properly disposing of our waste oils and even our biodegradable soy based hand cleaner all our employee’s use! See how you can also make your vehicle a little more green!