Sarasota Auto Repair

When you look under the hood of your car, you may be overwhelmed by the number of parts you see. There are many parts, including your vehicle’s belts. One of them is the serpentine belt, also known as the drive belt. This rubbery, snake-like belt is in charge of transferring mechanical power from your engine to many parts throughout the vehicle. It powers the power steering pump, alternator, A/C compressor, water pump, and more.  To prevent the failure of the serpentine belt, we recommend replacing it before it breaks or as recommended by your automaker. Below are some key signs of a failing serpentine belt: Heavy Steering - For vehicles with a hydraulic steering system, stiff and slow steering are common signs of a worn drive belt. When the belt gets loose, it may be more difficult to have control of the steering wheel. The power-assisted system may disengage altogether. Unusual Noises Coming From Under the Hood - You may be tempted to drown out any annoying sounds comi ... read more

Checking tire pressure is an important step in maintaining the safety and longevity of your vehicle. Under-inflated tires can lead to bad fuel efficiency, decreased handling, and increased risk of a blowout. Over-inflated tires can lead to uneven wear and decreased traction. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly check your tire pressure: Find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. This information can be found in the owner's manual, on a sticker inside the driver's side door, or on the inside of the fuel filler door. Buy a tire pressure gauge. These can be found at any auto parts store or gas station. Remove the valve cap from one tire and press the gauge onto the valve stem. The gauge will give a reading of the current pressure in that tire. Compare the reading to the recommended pressure for your vehicle. If the pressure is too low, adjust the air until it reaches the recommended level. If the pressure is too high, release some air fr ... read more

Fuel prices are higher than ever before, so you have to think of ways to conserve fuel and increase how efficiently you use it. The more efficient your fuel use, the more money you save There are many ways to get the most out of each gallon of fuel. The following tips will increase your car's fuel efficiency: Inflate Your Tires The tires significantly affect fuel usage and are hence one of the easiest ways to increase fuel economy. If your tires are improperly inflated, your vehicle will consume more fuel than necessary. Therefore, to increase fuel efficiency, ensure your tires have the correct air pressure. Check for punctures so they can maintain their inflation. Ensuring you rotate the tires and balance them will also help with fuel economy. Travel Light Many car owners have a lot more stuff in their trunk than they need. Unless it is winter, you require very little in the trunk. A lighter vehicle means less fuel usage than a heavier one ... read more

The alternator is a part of the automobile electrical system that cannot be overlooked. It makes up the charging system by recharging the battery and makes useful electricity for powering the rest of your vehicle. When an alternator stops working or malfunctions, electricity will stop flowing to various parts throughout the car and your battery will not charge properly. Today, we will discuss the failing signs of an alternator. Sign #1: Warning Light Some vehicles have a dashboard warning indicator separate from the battery light. It is often shown as “GEN” or “ALT”. If any electrical warning light comes on, you should have your alternator checked out. Sign #2: Unusual Sounds One of the most common causes behind a faulty alternator is a broken belt. The belt on the alternator can become loose or damaged and cause engine knocking sounds. If you catch weird noises coming from under the hood, don’t rule out the alternator. Sign #3: Malfunctioning Electro ... read more

A road trip is a wonderful way to spend quality time with your pet as well as save money on boarding expenses. Here are some tips for a happy safe journey with your pet. Make Sure Your Dog Has ID Your pet should wear a collar and tags at all times and have a microchip. Before you leave, make sure that linking information that you have on your computer is up to date. It is also a good idea to tattoo the inside of your pet's ear with an ID number. Clip A GPS Tracker On Your Dog's Collar It is one thing for your dog to get lost in your neighborhood, but quite another if he decides to wander off in a strange town. Aside from always keeping your pet on a leash (leashes can be broken!) make sure that your pet is wearing a GPS tracker on his collar. That way you can track his whereabouts with your cell phone. Carry an Updated Picture of Your Dog Be sure to carry a recent picture of your pup so that you can prove that he is yours, or use it to help find him if he goes missing ... read more

If your car's spark plugs are bad or failing, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms. Engine misfires, poor fuel economy, the engine running rough, and the 'check engine' light being on are all signs that your spark plugs may need replacing. The best way to prevent failing spark plugs is to perform regular maintenance and use high-quality spark plugs. Symptoms of Bad or Failing Spark Plugs Engine Misfires A spark plug that is failing or has gone bad can cause an engine to misfire. The symptoms of a misfiring engine are a decrease in power, acceleration, and fuel economy. You may also notice that your engine is running rougher than usual and that the check engine light is on. Poor Fuel Economy Another symptom of bad spark plugs is poor fuel economy. If your spark plugs are worn out, they will not be able to ignite the fuel efficiently. This will cause your engine to run less efficiently and use more fuel. The Engine is Running Rough If your spark plugs ... read more

When it comes to being comfortable on both long and short drives, air conditioning is a must-have. At Kaufman’s Auto Repair, we understand how annoying it would be to drive around in a car without working A/C. Fortunately, you can depend on our professional repair experts and our state-of-the-art equipment to accomplish any kind of A/C repair you need!    If you’ve noticed that your car’s air conditioning is no longer performing how it used to, then it is probably a good idea to stop by Kaufman’s Auto Repair for a thorough inspection. The good news is that most A/C problems are fairly easy and affordable to repair. And the maintenance is even simpler.   The entire A/C system revolves around one thing: refrigerant. Your vehicle’s air conditioner works by creating a complex form of heat transfer with the help of a chemical refrigerant. When the level of refrigerant drop, typically from leaks, the A/C unit won’t be able to make cold a ... read more

Your car battery is the heart of your vehicle. When it doesn't work properly, nothing works properly. Batteries must be replaced at certain intervals to keep your vehicle working at its optimal levels. When should you replace your car battery? Knowing When to Replace Your Battery There are many factors that can impact the life of your car's battery. Knowing what to look for is the first step in keeping your car running. Below are things you should know about batteries: Age: look at the date stamp on your battery. This gives you an indication of the average lifespan of that particular battery. Keep in mind, the date stamp doesn't necessarily mean the battery will give out at that time. Time: Does your car sit idle for long periods of time? Is it used mainly for short trips? Both of these situations can shorten the life of your battery. Cars that are not started often still lose energy. Cars used only for short trips don't allow the battery to recharge fully. Extreme ... read more

One of the best features of a modern car is that it can directly communicate with its drivers. You'll know something is wrong via the warning lights shown on your vehicle's dashboard. Read further to know what these lights mean. Check Engine What Does it Look Like? Watch for an engine block image on the dashboard. What Does it Mean? While it could just be a simple problem, it could also indicate a serious problem with your car's engine. What to Do? A flashing light could mean an issue with the emissions systems. If it's a solid light, we suggest taking it to a dealership. Tire Pressure Warning Light What Does it Look Like? It's usually a variation of a tire-like image. What Does it Mean? The tire is not correctly inflated. Failure to correct the problem could lead to issues with braking and more money on wasted gas. What to Do? We suggest you thoroughl ... read more

The tread patterns on different tires are something you've certainly noticed when looking for new tires for your car. Some may have crosshatching, while others are mainly composed of single, straight lines. Even though they only give your automobile a uniform appearance, these detailed designs improve the performance of your vehicle. The various tire tread patterns and what they represent for your vehicle's performance; Directional pattern These tires with v-shaped grooves may have caught your eye. A tire can become saturated if it is not properly drained. The arrows on the sidewall of this sort of tire make it clear which way the tire is spinning. The precise installation of directional tires on a vehicle is critical. In wet weather, the situation can be quite hazardous if they are not fitted correctly. As a result, hydroplaning becomes more frequent since water is concentrated in the center of the tire. Symmetrical pattern It is most typical to see asymmetrical tread pat ... read more