Winter is right around the corner…So this means… Cold temps makes it harder for your engine to start Rain, snow and ice will limit traction Cold temps to cause windshields to fog up and reduce visibility WE MUST PREPARE BECAUSE we all can’t move SOUTH can we… But…with proper winterization of your vehicle you can be more prepared to take on the harsh winter weather. 10 Simple Steps To Winterize 1. Tires – What condition are your tires in? Low Tread Depth on tires will increase your chances of hydro-planning or sliding on ice and snow. Also, if your tires are Old Tires (over 7 years old) they will harden and crack and again will not work as well and will have a better chance ... read more
Sometimes the unthinkable happens in the Kansas City metro. A terrible accident and those involved aren’t able to provide rescuers with emergency contact information. You have people in the Kansas City & Overland Park are who you’ll want to be contacted to arrange help, give consent to treatment, and inform paramedics of medical conditions, allergies or medications. Too often, our MO/KS police and rescue workers must sift through pockets, glove compartments, wallets, purses and cell phone directories for clues – often wasting precious time. A brilliantly simple solution is now spreading around the globe: ICE. ICE – standing for In Case of Emergency, is a way to identify emergency contacts in your cell phone directory. Simply put ‘ICE’ before a contact name in your cell phone, like ‘ICE – Dad’, ‘ICE – Nancy’, or ‘ICE – Doctor Roberts’. Rescuers will be able to quickly identify your emergency contacts, saving valuabl ... read more
Your car is important to you and keeping it running is vital to your lifestyle. That’s why you should have it serviced regularly. And even though it may just be routine maintenance, you want it done right. It’s also very important to Sallas Auto Repair to keep you happy and on the road. You might be surprised at the amount of money service centers like Sallas Auto Repair spend every year to make sure their technicians are properly trained. Sallas Auto Repair offers a variety of car care services to many kinds of vehicles. We need to be up to date on the latest techniques and parts so that we can care for your car properly.Sallas Auto Repair subscribes to data services that list the high quality parts and fluids recommended by your manufacturer. And each service has a checklist of standard procedures. Technicians at Sallas Auto Repair follow these procedures so we can safely deliver a consistent level of high-q ... read more
Your vehicle manufacturer publishes two auto maintenance schedules. The regular schedule and the severe service schedule. It’d be wrong for us to tell you that everyone in Kansas City always needs to follow the severe service schedule – but its wishful thinking to say that the regular schedule is always good enough for your vehicle. Contact Sallas Auto Repair to learn more about Severe Service Requirements for your auto. At Sallas Auto Repair we’ll give you the definitions and explain the issues, and you can be the judge. Most manufactures list the following as severe conditions: Most of your trips are less than four miles. Most of your trips are less than 10 miles and outside temperatures are below freezing. The engine is at low speed most of the time – not on the highway. You operate your vehicle in dusty areas. You regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads. Driving in very hot or very cold weather. So thin ... read more
Caring for your car allows you to go the extra mile with the vehicle that you have bought. However, you will also need to make sure that you have the products and services that fit best for your budget and for the health of your vehicle. If you are getting an oil change, then you will also want to look at the synthetic and conventional oil so you can continue on the road that fits best. Oil Change: Conventional Oil Typically, when one gets an oil change, they are interested in getting the best for their budget. The conventional oil that you receive typically is cheaper than synthetic oil. However, this isn’t necessarily the best with your oil change. The synthetic oil burns three times as slowly as conventional oil, making the change more effective with your needs. You will want to add up both the price and how often you would need to get an oil change. Oil Change: Synthetic Oil The oil change that you decide to get also uses different materials. The conve ... read more
We’re living in a disposable society. Everything from elaborate packaging to our clothing. Even cell phones are disposable. When replacement is cheaper than repair, the term “built to last” goes by the wayside. An exception is our vehicles. They’re still a very big investment and we want to make them last as long as possible – and we want to make keeping them as cheap as possible. When talking cars, it’s all about preventive maintenance. There is an old saying that says, “a stitch in time saves nine” and that is really true when it comes to taking care of your car. A great example is coolant service. Your coolant not only protects your engine from overheating and freezing – it must also protect cooling system components from corrosion. Over time, coolant becomes corrosive and actually starts to damage your radiator and other parts. That’s why you need to have your cooling system serviced on a regular schedule. The same is true for your power steering system, brake fluid, air condition ... read more
This is something really amazing: For every gallon of gas your Kansas City car burns, it uses 12,000 gallons of air. All of that air has to be filtered to keep your engine clean. That’s like a hundred gallons of air every block! The engine air filter is just another example of a very inexpensive part that has to do a tremendous amount of work. And when it works, everything goes well. But, when it doesn’t, well, it can lead to costly problems. Of course, your manufacturer recommends intervals for changing your air filter. But like most service intervals, where and how you drive your car affects when your filter needs to be changed. Dusty conditions in and around Kansas City and Overland Park or polluted city driving means you’ll need to change your filter more often. Your Sallas Auto Repair technician can check your filter for you. In fact, it’s often a routine part of an oil change. When you think about it, a clogged air filter won’t allow as ... read more
April is National Car Care Month Have you thought about how you’ll maintain your vehicle this spring? If you haven’t, you’ll need to soon. A well-maintained vehicle lasts years longer than one that has been neglected. Your Car Care To Do List You can kick off the month by making car care part of your April To Do list. Here’s a few of the areas of maintenance that you’ll need to pay attention to: Check all fluids. You’ll want to make sure that you have enough oil, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and antifreeze/coolant for your car to operate optimally. Check hoses to make sure that none have come loose. This car care tip can keep you out of the auto shop and away from a costly repair. Check the brakes. You don’t want to be in an accident because your brakes failed you, right? This car care tip is one of the most important on ... read more
When winter weather hits, you really begin to understand why your car’s heating system is so important. But, having your heating system running at optimum performance is beneficial all year round and can save you from an unexpected repair. The health of your car heating system is vital. Without a properly running heating system, not only will the temperature inside your car suffer but your engine will eventually call it quits. How it Works Your heating system functions by using excess heat from the internal combustion. Because the internal combustion produces so much heat, if not used by your heater, it would kill the engine. The heating system also works as a cooling system. Hoses transfer coolant from the engine to the heater core. The engine and heater core then work in a cycle to keep your car from over-heating. Maintenance Heating system maintenance will keep your car running longer and prevent ov ... read more
Over time sunlight, harsh chemicals, road debris, smog, and other hazards can leave plastic headlights looking yellow, dull, cloudy, and hazy. Not only does this look bad, it greatly reduces the effectiveness of your headlights and creates hazardous driving conditions at night…not to mention reducing the value of your car. Sallas Auto Repair can restore your headlights WITHOUT replacing them. A headlight replacement can range in price from $300-$500. A headlight service only costs $89. Call us today to schedule an appointment