KANSAS CITY AND OVERLAND PARK AUTO REPAIR

Kansas City’s first large snowstorm hit one week ago, and today our grass and trees are still covered with snow! While snow can be stunning and beautiful from indoors, it’s not so stunning when you have to drive in winter-like conditions. Driver safety in winter’s weather is very important. Not only does driving safely in winter weather keep your automobile running efficiently – but more importantly, it helps keep you and your passengers safe! Avoiding Winter Weather Car Accidents Our biggest fears when bad weather hits is that we’re going to get into a car accident, and that we’re going to get stuck in the snow. We encourage all drivers to stay very ALERT while driving, and especially in bad weather. Do what you can to avoid any accidents. Always be aware of the cars around you, as well as any upcoming stoplights, stop signs or busy intersections. Drive slowly. While you cannot control if another car hits you, you can control how you operate your car and your alertness when it come ... read more

Now that the leaves are almost off the trees and the holidays are nearer it’s time to imagine family gatherings, fires in the fireplace, and being stuck in the snow. Be prepared for winter emergencies. Well, except for that last part. But as much as we like to think about the pleasant site of snowfall we should also be prepared for the less than pleasant side. This can mean accidents, becoming stranded, or just getting your car to start on a below zero morning. A Federal Highway Administration study said that 75% of all weather-related crashes occur on wet pavement and 11% happen on snowy or slushy roads. So having a winter emergency kit is essential for the safety of you and your family. What to include: a shovel windshield scraper and small broom flashlight with extra batteries-keep the batteries reversed until you need them in case you accidentally turn it on and burn them out. battery powe ... read more

For most of us, it is hard to remember life without power steering – cranking those great big steering wheels? It was a pretty good workout. Now power steering is standard. The heart of any power steering system is its pump. The pump pressurizes the power steering fluid that provides assist for steering. Most pumps are driven by a belt that is run by the engine – a few are electrically powered. A high-pressure hose passes fluid from the pump to the steering gear. A low pressure hose returns the fluid back to the pump. These hoses can develop leaks, so it is a good idea to inspect them at every oil change. Low fluid can damage the power steering pump. That is why fluid level is on the checklist for a full-service oil change. The fluid needs to be compatible with the hoses and seals, so check your owners’ manual for the right type – or just ask your service technician. The fluid cleans, cools and lubricates the power steering system. It breaks do ... read more

See if any of these phone apps or devices can help you keep your hands on the steer wheel and your eyes on the road. I have noticed I have had to give a quick touch to the horn to get the drive in the lane next to me to stop coming into my lane because they are messing with their phone. Most all of us do it but spend some time and see if any new phone apps or phone devices can help you out. Hands-Free Driving Devices Several hands-free devices have hit the market and made for a safer driving experience. Hands-Free Calling for Vehicles (Like OnStar) OnStar revolutionized the way to place phone calls and receive help with hands-free driving in GM vehicles. Since then, several other models have come on the market to make hands-free calling available to everyone. Hands-free calling is not only helpful for when you’re lost or needing to find an address, but the system also allows you to “call home” or “call mom” with ... read more

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Do you promise to lose weight? Eat better? Be nicer? Read a book that doesn’t have a vampire in it? We all make promises to ourselves to live better but how about your car? How about this year you make a few resolutions for your friend in the driveway? Fix those little things before they become bigger things. That noise under the hood isn’t going away no matter how high you turn the radio. Give it some love now and then. Routine maintenance will go a long way toward keeping your car on the road. Don’t neglect oil changes, proper tire care, even windshield wiper replacements. Keep it clean. If you have a long commute you’ll have a nicer one if you don’t have to stare at (or smell) Taco Bell wrappers, newspapers, old mail or toddler drippings. And you’ll avoid the stare at your shoes when a co-worker asks, “Who’s driving ... read more