by Admin | Sep 26, 2018 | Auto Care Blog
The cost of roadside assistance can be quite high, depending on what organization helps you. But there are ways to get roadside assistance for free, if you plan ahead.
Cost of Roadside Assistance
The cost of roadside assistance has dramatically risen in the past several years. The worst of it is in and around the San Francisco area. Towing service has taken the biggest hit in price increases. It could cost several hundred dollars to tow your car in, should your roadside assistance call turn into a tow. But, there is a way to plan ahead and get these services for free.
When you own a Mercedes Benz that is still under warranty, you will be able to use their roadside assistance program. You call their phone number anytime 24/7 and they’ll come to your vehicle to help you with the problem you’re having. The truck that arrives has what it needs to help in the most common Mercedes Benz problems. There is no charge for this service, but there are some requirements to be met before you can use the service. If you own a Mercedes, check on their program now, before you need to use it.
Another option is to join AAA for less than $60 per year. This will entitle you to 4 free roadside assistance calls. For some calls, such as the need for a locksmith, a maximum reimbursement for the service will apply. But a lock out of the car doesn’t usually require a locksmith as it is handled as a regular call. There are upgrades to the roadside assistance program that cost a little more per year, but if you need those services then it is worth it.
Sometimes, the cost of roadside assistance can be free if your mechanic does a free tow to their shop in order to repair your car. Give A1 Performance Auto Repair a call to see if they have that promotion active.
by Admin | Sep 15, 2018 | Auto Care Blog
The car break-in epidemic continues in the Bay Area, particularly at tourist spots. People jump out of their car for just a minute to take a selfie and return to their vehicle to find its windows smashed and their valuables stolen.
There were about 29,000 car break-ins in 2017, which was up by over 4,000 than 2016. The problem steadily rises. In 2017, there were only 790 arrests and most did not did not do jail time.
The police are now going undercover. Detectives are walking around in plain clothes and officers’ presence in uniforms has also increased. While arrests are up, the problem just gets bigger.
Officials report that street gangs are responsible for 70 – 80% of the auto break-ins. Tourists are generally the targets as frequent target areas are Fisherman’s Warf, Golden Gate Park and 347 at the Palace of Fine Arts. All in all, 80 cars per day are being hit with no end in sight.
What You Can Do
Aside from making a report when you see it happening, there are many things you can do to keep yourself and items safe.
- Never leave anything of value inside the car, not even for a minute. Items like wallets, purses, smartphones and laptops and other electronics are always going to be stolen when visible through the windows. Hide them in the trunk before you arrive at the destination.
- Take a cab or a ride sharing service to visit tourist spots. It is more convenient anyway. Live like royalty with door to door service.
- Park in a lot with security then walk to the tourist spot or take a ride sharing service.
- Keep a record of the serial numbers of your electronics in a safe place at home and a copy of it in your bank safe deposit box. If items are recovered, you can prove it is yours.
by Admin | Sep 4, 2018 | Auto Care Blog
When you’re car shopping for a used car, you pray every time you fall in love with one that this one won’t be like that other one you suffered with that one time. There are so many stinkers these days, that it isn’t enough to name a brand like Yugo and be done with it. Every brand has their duds. So here is some info on the worst cars to buy, so you can avoid them.
Worst Cars to Buy
There is a nice article at ConsumerReports.org that lets you shop by brand to see the worst cars to buy. They are listed by year to make your shopping for a nightmare that much more precise. Use the drop down menu in this revealing device and it’ll bring up all the car names and the specific years they were a lemon.
It is easy to see that what is known as the worst car of all time isn’t even listed. Have all the Yugos been removed from the face of the earth now? There aren’t any exploding Pintos, Gremlins or Vegas listed either.
Bookmark the article if you’re shopping for a used car. You’ll reference it regularly to avoid some of the worst automotive disasters.
Even the beloved Tesla has its bad years listed: 2013 Model S and the Model X in years 2016-2017. Well, nobody’s perfect. Unless they are – you’ll see Honda doesn’t have a single car in that little database, although Acura has a few.
The Asian car brands have some very slim pickin’s, if you actually want a lemon of a car. Hardly any models are listed under those brands. So, it looks as if when you’re looking for the most reliable car out there, get yourself a Korean or Japanese car.
When avoiding the worst car to buy, be sure to stop by with any auto under your consideration so we can check it out. Even good cars can go bad.
by Admin | Aug 26, 2018 | Auto Care Blog
Your transmission should last a good long time. However, it if is getting up there in years and miles then that funny sound might be a clue that the end is near. Here are some symptoms of a transmission gone wrong.
Transmission
Not every symptom means it is going to turn into a big deal, but if you ignore things eventually they will. So, treat symptoms as they crop up and you should be able to extend the life of your car.
Rough Shift
Rough shifting is that delay before the car switches gears or it shifts hard with a clunk. It leaves you concerned for a minute, wondering if it’ll ever shift. This needs to be fixed soon.
Slipping
Transmission slipping is a bizarre shifting into another gear without any reason. It’ll sometimes feel like it isn’t accelerating when you’re trying to go faster, the engine might be revving up and there are possibly whining sounds. Get to the mechanic as soon as possible.
Leaks
If you see leaks under your car that look like cherry flavored cough syrup, it is probably from the transmission. Although, power steering fluid might also be that color. If the car is having no symptoms, go to the mechanic when convenient, but within a few weeks. If it is shifting weird, go right away. Don’t attempt to add fluid yourself. Overfilling can cause bigger problems.
Transmission Repair Costs
Transmission repairs can be as little as $150 – $200. If your transmission needs to be overhauled or replaced, it could be in the thousands. It is important that you keep after every little issue, because those little issues are signs the end of its life is in your future. Keeping up with repairs will extend its life.
Stop by A1 Performance Auto Repair to let us check any weird noises or shifting issues your car is having. We’ll let you know how serious it is.
by Admin | Aug 15, 2018 | Auto Care Blog
Most people don’t have to replace their brakes very often. But those who like to drive with a foot on the brake pedal will feel that “when to replace brake shoes” seems to be all the time! Good driving practices will get more life out of your brake shoes or brake pads. Here are some tips.
When to Replace Brake Shoes
Drum brakes with brake shoes are an old school approach to the braking system for cars and trucks. It was the original braking system that was first installed in a car in the year 1900. Believe it or not, the system is still in use today in the less costly vehicles. Most cars use brake pads these days, at least on the front of the car. When to replace brake shoes, depends on your driving habits, but it is usually more often than brake pads.
But, how many miles do you think you can go before having to replace those shoes? They are built to last about 35,000 miles. But, like with many parts on a car, it depends on how you drive.
Here are some signs that the end is near for your brake shoes:
- Noisy back brakes when you are pushing the brake pedal to come to a stop.
- The emergency brake doesn’t work anymore.
- Shaking or vibrating when you come to a stop.
It is very important that as soon as you see the brake shoes are worn that you replace them. Letting things go will turn into a very expensive repair as parts start destroying each other in a chain reaction.
Good driving habits extend the life of brakes:
- Stop without slamming on the brakes.
- Keep the left foot off the brake always.
- Downshift to slow down if you have a manual transmission.
Get Your Shoes Checked
A1 Performance Auto Repair can inspect your brakes to let you know when to replace your brake shoes.
by Admin | Aug 4, 2018 | Auto Care Blog
We all have our little problems and Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House, seems to have more than his share now that his Suburban has been eaten by wild animals.
How Much Suburban Can a Woodchuck Chuck?
Apparently, Ryan left his Chevy Suburban over at his mom’s house for safe keeping, or so it could enjoy the wildlife? We don’t know. But mom went to Florida for the winter, as many Wisconsinites are apt to do. Upon her return, she let him know the car wouldn’t start.
So, being a dutiful son, Ryan had the car towed into the dealer to have a looksee. The mechanics discovered a family of woodchucks (also known as whistle pigs) had moved into the car and made many meals out of the vehicle’s wiring.
“And so, my car was eaten by animals, and it’s just dead,” he said (as reported by The Hill).
Ryan was storing the car at his mom’s house, because he’s not allowed to drive due to being on a security detail for the past 3 years. He can resume driving in January when he retires as Speaker of the House.
Whether or not the vehicle went back to his mom’s house to provide food and lodging for more wildlife isn’t known. Maybe his mom drives it now that the summer Florida weather is horrific enough to kill anything over 21 years old.
So, what is going to happen to the Suburban? The dealer refurbished it and it is all spiffy once again. Ryan plans to renew his driver’s license in January and buy a Ford F-150. The woodchuck family was not available for comment and have not been heard from since their discovery.
