TOP 3 MOST COMMON AUTO REPAIRS
In today’s economic climate, money is tight. Instead of rushing out to buy new cars, many people are opting to invest in the maintenance of the cars they own.
There are a number of common auto repairs that can be prevented by proper upkeep – or, if not prevented, they can at least be predicted so that you can avoid further damage (keep in mind that waiting to repair a simple problem could end up costing you hundreds of dollars more if you let it progress). If you want to get the most life out of your vehicle and want to save as much money as possible on auto repairs, then you need to pay attention to what your car is telling you. Look out for these top three most common auto repairs:
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Brake repairs. When your brake disks start to go, you will hear an unmistakable squealing sound every time you press on your brakes. Most likely, you will also be able to identify which brakes need replacing, simply by listening carefully. Your back brakes may cost more than your front brakes, but whatever the case, a brake job is a relatively inexpensive fix. However, (and this is the important part), if you fail to get your brake pads replaced in time (you will know how bad they are by how loud the squealing sound is), then you risk doing damage to the disks, drums, and/or rotors. This excessive damage can wind up costing you several hundred dollars, so get your brakes repaired as soon as you hear the tell-tale squeal.
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Engine misfire. This occurs when the spark plugs don’t fire exactly on time, as they should; in some cases, one or more spark plugs may not fire at all. Engine misfires may occur due to a number of different causes – each repair carrying its own price tag in the auto repair shop. To avoid this problem, make sure you maintain your automobile as specified in your auto manual. Also, keep your engine tuned to factory recommendations, and have a shop scan your car’s computer diagnostics system once a year to uncover potential issues before they erupt.
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Catalytic converter repairs. Your car’s catalytic converter is like your liver – it cleans (or burns) excess fuel from the engine exhaust before it is emitted from the exhaust pipe. If the catalytic converter cannot keep up, then it will become clogged and need to be replaced. To prevent this problem, keep up with your engine maintenance as per factory instructions.
Royal Auto Repair is your local auto repair shop that is dedicated to helping you with your car troubles. If you would like to schedule an appointment to bring your car in, you can call us at (510) 522-2667 or email us at royalautorepair@sbcglobal.net, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.