Tucson Auto Mechanic Tips for Auto Repair & Car Maintenance

Auto mechanic with spanner standing in auto repair shop

Not only is your vehicle one of the biggest investments you’ll make, but you also rely on it every day to get you from point A to B. That’s why it is important to keep it properly maintained and repaired by an experienced auto mechanic when needed. This will help extend the life of your vehicle and give you the most return on your investment.

Read on for the most important things you need to know about auto repair and maintenance, straight from our auto service professionals.

The Most Common Auto Repair & Car Maintenance Services

The top mechanics are usually ASE-certified and experienced in all aspects of vehicle servicing. High quality auto shops, like BRAKEmax, can provide a one-stop-shop solution for when you need car maintenance and repair. This means that no matter what the problem is or if maintenance needs to be done, you won’t have to go to several “specialty” places.

The most common automotive repair and maintenance services include:

Parts Used in Auto Repairs: What You Need to Know

When you receive an estimate from an auto repair shop for the work your vehicle needs, it is important to understand the different classifications of parts. The type of part that will be used will depend on price/your budget, part availability, etc and some will come with warranty coverage, while others may not.

The classification of parts are:

New: These parts have never been used and are made by the vehicle manufacturer themselves (OEM) or an independent company (aftermarket) to the original manufacturer's specifications. The quality and cost of these parts will be the highest, compared to the other classifications, and will usually be covered under a warranty.
Remanufactured/Reconditioned/Rebuilt: These parts have been used, but have been restored to good working conditions. The manufacturer will usually offer warranty coverage on replacement parts, but not cover the labor.
Salvaged: These parts are used and have been pulled from another vehicle without alteration. Though these parts may be the only option in certain instances, their reliability is seldom guaranteed.

Identifying Certain Auto Problems Quickly

When it comes to common problems, the more you know about what to look out for in your vehicle, the faster you can get your vehicle into your closest auto mechanic with a pretty good idea of what the issue might be. This also means there’s a better chance of catching an issue before it becomes a larger and more costly auto repair.

Four of your five senses can actually come in very good handy when picking up on some common auto problems:

Smell

Several common issues can be detected from a distinct smell that you should be aware of. These issues include:

An intense smell comparable to burnt toast: This usually means the insulation is burning/or there’s an electrical short. If this happens, do not continue to drive the vehicle.
Strong bitter, burnt odor: This is often an indication of leaking oil, or that an oil change is greatly overdue.
Continuous sulfuric smell similar to rotten eggs: This could mean there’s a problem within the emission control components, namely the catalytic converter.
Sugary, maple syrup-like smell: This is a sign that there may be a coolant leak. Monitor your temperature gauge on the instrument panel to ensure the engine is not overheating. If it has, have the vehicle towed to the auto repair shop ASAP.
Burning chemical smell: This could be an indication that the brakes or clutch is overheated. If you see light smoke coming from one of your wheels, the brake is locked up and the vehicle should be towed in for repair.

Sound

Unusual sounds can also provide clues about maintenance or repairs that your vehicle may need such as:

Loud, sharp squealing: This can mean there’s a faulty fan, overly worn or loose power steering, or a worn air conditioning belt.
Sharp clicking sound associated with vehicle speed: This can be caused by a loose or bent fan blade, a stuck valve lifter, or low engine oil.
High-pitched shrieking while the vehicle is in motion: This usually occurs when the brake wear indicators are alerting you that brake maintenance is overdue.
Unusual low, rhythmic rumble: This can indicate a bad muffler, defective exhaust pipe, or an overly worn universal joint.
Heavy, rhythmic knocking: This can be caused by a worn crankshaft, a loose transmission torque converter, or worn connecting rod bearings.
Random clunking: This can be caused by a loose exhaust pipe or a loose suspension component.

Sight

A good habit to get into is regularly checking under your vehicle for any puddles on the ground or visible fluid leaks. The color of the fluid can help you pinpoint a possible issue:

Black or dark brown greasy fluid: This could be attributed to a motor oil leak, often due to a bad seal or gasket.
Light pastel blue, bright yellowish-green, or fluorescent orange watery fluid: This could be a warning sign of a coolant/antifreeze leak, often from a leaking radiator, bad hose, or faulty water pump.
Oily red fluid: This is a sign that there’s a leak in the transmission or power-steering system.

Feel

A change in how the vehicle feels while you are driving is one of the best indicators of an issue that will need auto repair. This can be vibrations, a rougher ride, or even difficulty handling.

A few things you may feel while driving the vehicle are:

Difficulty when starting the engine, rougher idling, or engine stalling: This often points to an engine issue involving the starting system, fuel system, or charging system. An auto service professional will need to do further engine diagnostics to determine the exact problem.
Vibration in the seat or steering wheel: This is usually due to an unbalanced or improperly balanced tire.
Vehicle pulls to one side while driving: This can mean the front end is out of alignment, a tire is underinflated, worn steering components, or a brake issue.
Brake pedal is sinking to the floor when pressed or is spongy: This can indicate a brake issue that is causing significantly reduced braking power and needs to be addressed quickly.
Failure to shift during acceleration or abrupt shifts between gears: This is usually due to a failing component within the transmission system.

Choosing An Auto Service Shop in Tucson

When you need a reliable and trustworthy auto mechanic in Tucson or surrounding areas, there are a couple of things you can do to make the choice easier such as: ASE Certified Tag

Asking for referrals from your family, friends, and other people you trust.
Shopping around online or by phone, comparing prices on repairs or maintenance and warranty coverage.
Asking the shop for their current license from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Automotive repair shops in Arizona have to be licensed to operate legally.
Looking for the technician seal of safety, indicating Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE-certified technicians have demonstrated that they meet professional standards of competence and knowledge in specific areas of technical auto repair.
Ensuring that your vehicle’s manufacturer warranty will be honored by the shop.
Checking before any work is started, that you will receive an itemized written estimate of the proposed repairs.

You Can Count On Our Expert Auto Service

Looking for expert auto repair in Tucson? Look no further than the experienced team here at BRAKEmax Tire & Service Centers. No matter what repair or maintenance services your vehicle may need, our ASE-certified technicians can help. We only use the highest-quality parts and offer the best prices and customer service around.

You can count on us when you need professional auto service for your car, truck, or SUV.

Schedule your appointment online today!