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

Kick the tires: Have your tires rotated and inspected. The last thing you need in cold, wet weather is to be driving on bald tires or tires with low air pressure. You’ll need all the traction that is possible and both of these issues will significantly impair your tire’s response.  Double check the tire pressure against the manufacturer's specifications found on the driver’s door jam or post when the tires are nice and cold and add air if needed.  Or you can stop by Craftsman Auto Care anytime and we will be happy to check your pressure and make any adjustments for you! Bonus tip:  Pop your hood and clear out all those leaves and any debris that might have accumulated under your hood in the cowl (the section where the windshield and the hood meet).  This  debris can clog your body water drains and may have a negative affect on air inducted into the cabin and the cabin air filter. Chang ... 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

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

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