Sarasota Auto Repair

When was the last time you checked your oil using the dipstick? If your answer is unrecallable (or never), then you most likely are overdue for an oil change. Engine oil is the number one item you need for a well-running engine. What entails a healthy engine? Here's are 5 reasons why you should never skip out on an oil change: It Lubricates Your Engine Many of your engine's parts, like pistons and valves, are constantly moving as you drive. To avoid the parts from bumping against each other, they need to be sufficiently lubricated. Oil provides this necessary barrier between the components. Over time, the intense heat under the hood can break the grease down, making it more difficult for each part to carry out its function. Keep Your Engine Cool Oil also plays a vital role in temperature regulation. The engine's moving parts create friction, which is why it gets so hot. Engine oil is the key to solving the problem by minimizing friction and preventing your engine from o ... read more

Every car, older and latest models included, requires regular auto tune-up services after a certain period of use. The definition of an auto tune-up, however, differs from one car owner or driver to another. Some people, for instance, make a tune-up part of the regular car maintenance services. These services involve comprehensive car inspections to ensure that all underlying issues are repaired, making every component work perfectly.   For other car owners, tune-up services involve replacing a series of components and engine care to improve auto performance. Whichever the car type, the goal of tune-up services is to ensure the exemplary performance of all parts to enhance the smooth and healthy running of the car.   Telltale Signs It's Time For Tune-Up Services Several signs indicate the need for auto tune-up solutions, and they include: Car Ignition Problems Problems when starting a car are a common challenge that drivers face every day. It may i ... read more

Whether you're a fan of the Jaguars, Dolphins, or Buccaneers, it's officially tailgating season! Tailgates nowadays have become a very elaborate pre-game party for friends, family, and other fans alike to partake in. Some people go as far as setting TV and a lounge area in their parking spot. First and foremost, you'll need a reliable car or truck for a fun tailgating experience. Next, you'll need to pack your vehicle with the essentials!   What Should You Pack? Foldable Chairs and Tables: Foldable, portable chairs and tables are easy to lug around and easily fit in your trunk. Bluetooth Speakers: Speakers are a must if you want to set the vibes with good music. You can get speakers that connect directly to your vehicle or a portable one. Chargers and Power Supply: Make sure you don't forget to pack your chargers for your phone, speaker, and other electronics. You may also need an external power source to power the big electronics like the grill. Portable ... read more

With so many car parts, it's hard for the average person to keep track of all the names. One of the most common confusions we see at our shop is between the vehicle belts. There is the serpentine belt and timing belt, and they both have very different roles in your vehicle.   The timing belt can be found inside the engine and keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync. The timing belt ensures that the engine intake and exhaust valves open and close in time with the pistons to run smoothly. On the other hand, the serpentine belt is what keeps the engine accessories operating smoothly and efficiently. The serpentine belt connects the engine crankshaft on the outside of the motor to all of its accessories.   You can immediately tell the distinction between the two belts when you look at the ribs on the belt. A timing belt has horizontal "teeth" that are made to fit both the crankshaft and camshaft. In contrast, a serpentine belt has multiple V-shaped grooves tha ... read more

Today, we will go through the complexities of your vehicle's exhaust system and answer these common questions: What is the exhaust system? What are the parts? And what do they do?    The engine usually ejects the various gases from the combustion chamber that need to go somewhere. This is where the exhaust system comes in. The entire system is responsible for moving gases around and converting these harmful chemicals into breathable gases before releasing them out of your car. The overall system comprises multiple pipes that work together to reduce the output of harmful emissions. The parts involved in the intricate process include the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, tailpipe, muffler, and resonator.    The exhaust manifold is at the beginning of the process. It collects the fumes from the cylinders within the engine's combustion chamber and moves them through the exhaust pipe.   The catalytic pipe converter then transforms t ... read more

Your car's exterior parts can be just as important as its interior components. A prime example is your headlights - without them, you would not be able to see at night, and other drivers would have trouble seeing you. Proper maintenance is necessary for your headlights, and that includes a thorough and detailed car wash. You may sometimes notice that your headlights might still look fuzzy and yellow, even after cleaning. The fogginess is probably attributed to oxidation, but it can be a quick and painless fix.    How to Remove Oxidation and Restore Your Headlights The top three essential items you need when cleaning are a microfiber cloth, soap specially made for cars, and water. Additionally, you will need to pair those things with one of these common three cleaning agents:   Toothpaste Toothpaste is chemically made to remove plaque, and it's also a reliable cleaning agent for oxidation. To clean your headlights, apply the toothpaste directly onto the ligh ... read more

Independence Day is an iconic symbol of freedom and joy in the United States. And traditionally, people take advantage of this holiday to drive long distances to see loved ones or go on a getaway. As exciting as it sounds, you should be extra careful when getting from Point A to Point B on the fourth. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway and Safety, July 4th is the deadliest day of the year for motorists in the USA. With that being said, here are five driving tips that will ensure your safety this 4th of July:  1. Practice safe driving etiquette. Negligence is the number reason behind the majority of car accidents in the US. Safe driving etiquette usually entails the basics of buckling up and asking other passengers to put on their seat belts before hitting the road. Additionally, always have your hands on the steering wheel and keep your eyes on the road at all times. Most importantly, do not drink and drive.  2. Avoid distractions. The most common distractio ... read more

Oxygen sensors are electronic devices that monitor oxygen levels in a liquid or gas. These sensors are measuring the proportional amount of oxygen and sending an alert if the mix is off. Original oxygen sensors were made from ceramic coated in zirconia and platinum. Modern oxygen sensors are called planar sensors. Planar sensors were developed by NTK in 1990 for Honda Civics and Accords. Planar sensors are constructed by layering High-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (HTCC) green tapes and have become the industry standard. Modern-day sensors are designed and developed to be more efficient than their predecessors. What an Oxygen Sensor Actually Does Oxygen sensors are found in all automobiles manufactured after 1980. Oxygen sensors are located in the emissions control system and they transmit data to the central computer. For top performance, it is essential that the oxygen sensor is functioning, well-calibrated, and sending correct data to the computer. The sensor keep ... read more

The radiator in your car helps to cool the engine. That's something that many car owners understand, yet only a handful of them know the importance of observing a strict radiator fluid-flush schedule. Another aspect that most people get confused about is when or how often they should change the radiator fluid. As mentioned above, the radiator fluid prevents the car motor from overheating. When its volume decreases, you risk overheating the engine, especially when you're stuck in traffic. As a result, you get stranded in the middle of the road at an unexpected time. Always check the radiator fluid after driving your car. Remember, the fluid and its contents are pressurized, so don't attempt to open the radiator cap when the engine is running. If possible, use a heavy cloth to open it. If you can't see the fluid surface near the top or see rust and dirt elements, it is time to flush it out. What Does a Radiator Flush Mean? The purpose of flushing your radiator fluid is ... read more

Regular maintenance is critical for your vehicle.  It will extend the life of your vehicle so you will have less of a chance of a break down. The first thing you should do is get regular oil changes. Older cars need the oil changed every 5,000 miles. You should also have the tires rotated every time the oil and filter is changed.  This will keep the tires wearing evenly. Newer cars can go 7500 miles between oil changes.  You should get the oil and filter changed once a year even if you don’t drive very often.  This will prevent moisture from accumulating in the engine and potentially causing damage. Most people think fluids in your vehicle don’t need changed unless it smells strange or get a dark color to it.  Fluids should be changed before they become a problem. Fluid breakdown can cause a component in your vehicle to fail.  For instance coolant if left alone until it turns brown and rusty will cause the internal gaskets to fail like head gas ... read more