Tucson Auto Repair 101: Tips for New Car Owners

auto mechanic talks with car owner about his repairs

Congratulations — you’ve just bought a new car in Tucson, AZ! But whether or not this is your first vehicle, you’ll need to know a thing or two about auto repair and maintenance to keep it in great shape for the next several years. Otherwise, you could encounter serious (and expensive) problems before you know it.

Fortunately, you don’t have to take care of this work on your own. Here’s our helpful list of Tucson auto repair tips to make car ownership a bit easier.

1. Research Your Dashboard Lights

If you’ve just purchased a car, you probably haven’t spent much time thinking about its dashboard lights. Still, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these safety indicators as soon as possible.

Vehicles can run into serious problems at any point in their lifespan, and nothing is more stressful than seeing a warning light you don’t recognize on your dashboard. By reading up on these lights now, you’ll know what to do if they activate in the future.

2. Be Ready To Identify Car Trouble

Noticing problems with your new car before they have a chance to get worse is crucial, but this doesn’t have to be a source of stress. To identify these issues, all you have to do is use your senses:

Sound

Listening closely for strange, unpleasant noises is one of the easiest ways to tell when your vehicle has encountered a problem. High-pitched shrieks, low, rhythmic rumbles, and everything in between can point to serious car trouble. Whenever you hear sounds like these, it’s time to schedule a service appointment at a local auto repair shop.

Feel

Regardless of how long you’ve owned your new car, you should know how driving it is meant to feel. If that feeling changes from the norm, you’ll want to think about scheduling an auto repair service in Tucson.

Some unusual feelings that can indicate problems with your vehicle include the following:

Steering wheel/seat vibrations. Poorly-balanced tires are the number one cause of this issue.
A “sinking” or “spongy” brake pedal. This feeling can result from brake problems — issues that can considerably lower your braking power.
Difficulty shifting gears. In most cases, this results from trouble with your transmission.

Smell

Do you smell burnt toast, rotten eggs, or even maple syrup while driving? If so, you’re not going past the world’s worst diner — instead, your car has almost certainly developed a problem that needs professional attention. Oil and coolant leaks, burning insulation, and emission control problems can all cause strange odors.

Sight

As discussed earlier, dashboard lights indicate that your vehicle needs attention. Along with that, it’s wise to check under your car for fluid leaks every so often. The color of a fluid leak can help you determine its cause:

Dark brown or black fluid generally comes from a motor oil leak. Bad gaskets and seals typically cause these issues.
Blue, yellow-green, or bright orange fluid can point to an antifreeze or coolant leak. These leaks can come from a failing hose, malfunctioning water pump, or leaky radiator.
Red fluid usually means you have a transmission or power steering system leak.

3. Know What Auto Services You Might Need

Once you have a basic understanding of the challenges your vehicle might be facing, it’s time to plan an appointment for maintenance or repair service. Instead of finding a new auto shop whenever your car runs into trouble, look for shops that can handle all of these services and more:

4. Understand Auto Part Classification

It’s easy to think about “auto parts” as a single category, but there are actually a few different types of parts out there — and these parts can vary drastically in terms of pricing, warranty coverage, and quality. These are the main auto part categories you should understand:

New Parts

As their name implies, new parts have never been used before. These parts will come from either your vehicle’s original manufacturer or an independent company following your manufacturer’s specifications. New parts are of higher quality than any other part type and will usually be covered under a full warranty.

Remanufactured/Reconditioned/Rebuilt Parts

Parts sold under any of these names have been previously used but have been restored. Typically, manufacturers will provide warranty coverage on these parts (but will not cover the associated labor).

Salvaged Parts

Like remanufactured parts, salvaged parts have been used in the past. However, these components have been removed from another vehicle and are sold without any type of restoration. While salvaged parts shouldn’t be your first option when buying replacement parts, you may not always have a choice.

5. Find a Quality Tucson Auto Repair Shop

Now that you’re armed with this information, there’s just one more thing you need to know — where you can turn for high-quality auto repair and maintenance work in Tucson. If you’re looking for an exceptional auto repair shop in this part of Arizona, BRAKEmax Tire & Service Centers can help.

Thanks to our ASE-certified mechanics, money-saving car repair coupons, and wide selection of services, BRAKEmax is the region’s top choice for repair and maintenance work. Take the first step by booking your appointment today!

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