Alexandria , Fairfax, Chantilly, Merrifield, Mclean Sterling/Cascades & Ashburn AUTO REPAIR

How often should I get my tires rotated? As a general rule, you should get your tires rotated when you get an oil service performed.  (about every 6-8k miles or every 6-12 months) Changing the location of the tires on your vehicle allow them to wear evenly and will give them a longer life. What is a tire “balance”? During tire installation services, tires are fitted to wheels and then are measured on a balancing machine and correction weights are applied on the rims to ensure that the weight of the tire and wheel assembly is evenly distributed.  Tires need to be balanced if your notice excessive vibration that can occur from regular driving conditions.  Tires should be balanced when they are rotated (about every 6-8k miles or every 6-12 months). How often should I buy new tires? This is definitely dependent on your mileage, environment and driving habits and how well you’ve maintained your tires.&nb ... read more

When your vehicle gets a flat tire while you are driving, remain calm and follow these instructions: Don’t panic! You don’t have to stop your vehicle immediately.  The most important thing to do is to keep the car under your control by slowing down, and then pull over to the side of the road away from traffic to a safe spot. For female drivers who are alone – be very vigilant about your surroundings and watchful for thugs who cause accidents to get their victims to pull over. If you are approached by a suspicious person, remain in your vehicle with your windows up and call 911 if you feel threatened! Park your vehicle on a level surface away from soft ground. If you have a brick or wheel chocks, place them in front of your front tires if you are changing a rear tire and behind your rear tires if changing a front tire. Turn off your vehicle, put your emergency brake on, and turn on your hazard lights.  Open your trunk and remove your spare tire, car jack ... read more

This kit is intended to aid you in getting help, signaling your car’s presence to other motorists, and tackling simple challenges. Even if you have roadside assistance coverage or an automobile club membership with roadside assistance, you usually need access to a phone in order to contact them, and you may have to wait on the side of the road for an hour or more before help arrives. That’s why we recommend that drivers carry certain items in their vehicle, even if it only gets used for everyday, around-town driving.  This basic kit can be supplemented with additional items if you go on a long-distance trip or have to deal with winter weather conditions. Cellular phone and travel charger – keep an old, fully-charged cell phone in your glovebox for back-up; inactive cell phones can still be used to call 911. First aid kit – be sure you know how to use it. Warning light, hazard triangle, or flares. Tire gauge – use this on a monthly basis to check ... read more

The AC system in your vehicle is similar to the one in your home, but it’s wedged into an area that runs to temperatures above 250 degrees and is regularly exposed to rattling and rolling everywhere your vehicle goes! Over time, these factors cause the system to leak refrigerant and lose the ability to remove heat and produce and circulate cold air. Because it’s a pressurized, sealed system, proper maintenance requires a skilled technician with the right equipment. Don’t end up hot and sweaty on the side of the road! Check out the information below to learn how your system works and the kind of service it requires. Common maintenance AC Performance Test. Testing is important to check the levels of refrigerant and the gases in your system. It’s a simple diagnostic whereby your vehicle is hooked up to special AC equipment and can be done in under an hour, usually at a cost less than $100. Dye Test. Using a black light, the technician does a visual scan of the ... read more

Test your IQ and see how many facts you already know: The refrigerant for your car is made specifically for vehicles.  It can’t be used in other air conditioner systems.  The EPA has banned the use of Freon, a brand for a popular refrigerant, because it’s bad for the ozone layer.  Vehicles now use R-134.  So the statement, “I need more Freon” should actually be, “I need more R-134”. See clearly! Run your AC system to remove fog from your windshield to improve visibility. The evaporator removes the moisture in your car to eliminate the fog.  This works in both hot and cold climates. “Topping” off the refrigerant can cause damage to your AC since it’s a pressurized system, and you have no way of knowing how much is needed to allow it to run properly.  All fittings in this system leak a bit, up to the ASE standard of ... read more

Automotive repair industry expert Matt Curry brings advanced technology, modern auto repair services to the D.C. metro area with the opening of Craftsman Auto Care. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (PRWEB) April 25, 2017 -- Automotive repair experts Matt and Judy Curry have opened their newest venture, Craftsman Auto Care in Kingstowne. Formerly Kingstowne Auto Care, the 4,400-squarefoot repair facility specializes in European, import and domestic vehicles, including hybrid and electric models. “I’ve been in the automotive repair business in the Washington, D.C. area for more than 35 years,” said Owner Matt Curry. “Craftsman Auto Care is the culmination of our vision for top-of-the-line services and technology for people who want the very best experience in the auto repair market at a fair price.” To mark its grand opening, Craftsman Auto Care will hold its first “Cars & Coffee” community car show on Saturday, April 29 from 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. T ... read more

Potholes can wreak havoc on your tires, rims, alignment and shocks & struts.  If you hit a particularly nasty one, beware of these warning signs that could be exacerbated if you ignore them: Vehicle is pulling to one side (alignment or steering system issue) A particularly bouncy or loose ride (shock & strut damage) Your tire air pressure light illuminates Visible bulge in tire sidewall (indicates that there is an internal tear) Rim damage that may indicate hidden tire damage Steering wheel off center Never drive over a pothole filled with water since you have no way to judge the depth and width and the possible damage that could ensue, or any submerged items that could cause tire punctures.  Also, keeping your tires properly inflated is key to allowing your vehicle to absorb the smaller bumps without sustaining any major damage. Oftentimes, driving over a pothole is best.  Swerving and avoiding them can cause you to hit the pothole with your tire/rim and ... read more

Fall is back to school and back to work time. That means returning to a crazy schedule of activities and commitments for you and your family. Make sure your hybrid won't let you down by following these important tips to keep it performing in top-notch condition. 1.  Change Your Oil and Filters & Have Your Brake Pads Checked Like regular gas engines, hybrid and hybrid-electric vehicles need regular oil and filter changes. However, they don't need them as often because the electric components take some of the load off the engine. Our recommendation is to change your oil between 5,000 and 10,000 miles and your air filter every 40,000 miles. It's also a good idea to have your brake pads checked at the same time. The good news is that the regenerative braking properties of your car mean that your brake pads need to be replaced less frequently than those on a standard gas-powered car, but you want to be safe on the road, so make sure your technician gives ... read more

We get this call all the time. Everyone is in a hurry and everyone these days, including myself, we just want to get the information, make the best decision, get it done and move on with their lives. I need brakes on my car, how much will it cost, asked the caller. Hmmm…Well that depends….. All cars are different and all drivers drive their cars differently. Need and cost can vary greatly depending our customers’ actual needs and what their expectations are. There is no way any auto repair facility can give a proper estimate over the telephone for brakes, exhaust, diagnostic repairs, A/C repairs or electrical repairs, it’s impossible to know the condition of the vehicle or what it needs without looking at the vehicle. There are too many variables involved. The price between an Audi S4 or BMW 335i or a Honda Civic or Dodge Caravan also vary greatly. There are some services as auto repair experts we can quote over the phone with great accuracy, i.e., Oil Chang ... read more

Don’t let your hybrid vehicle sit for long periods. This will cause the battery to degrade faster. It’s scientific fact that your battery is going to loose its power and capacity. Document its health so you know when it does. The good news is that current battery conditioning equipment provides reports with charts that display battery health. (This technology is only available at The Hybrid Shop locations.) Hybrids are not as fuel-efficient on steady, long trips. They perform better in stop-and-go traffic which helps cycle the battery more often to keep it charged. The AC system of a hybrid needs service by knowledgeable technicians. Since many vehicle systems use a HV (high voltage) compressor and the AC system in some cases cools the HV battery, it's important that service is done by qualified technicians. Be cognizant of the weather! Extreme temperature fluctuations can have a negative impact and cause faster degradation of th ... read more