KANSAS CITY AND OVERLAND PARK AUTO REPAIR

Everyone in Kansas City wants to save money on gas. The cost of transportation can easily become a large part of the household budget. You don’t have to be miserable every time you fill up your gas tank, though. There are plenty of tricks to save money on gas. Save Money on Gas: What you Need to Know 1. Track your gas mileage One of the basic ways to save money on gas is to keep a record of your gas mileage. You can do this manually with a notebook and pen stashed in your center console, or you can stay with the times and use an app or online gas mileage calculator. There are several options, each providing different features. Listed below are a few gas mileage tools that help you save money on gas by keeping data and showing your car’s fuel economy. Fuelly – track and share your vehicle’s gas costs ... read more

Whenever we talk about exhaust service, most people normally think about exhaust pipes and mufflers. Well, actually, exhaust service is a lot more comprehensive these days. For example, catalytic converters were mandated in 1976 and on-board emission control computers in 1990. Governmental emissions requirements have forced manufacturers to come up with much more sophisticated ways to comply with environmental regulations. Exhaust service has really become exhaust and emissions service. High-tech computer controlled emissions devices are now a big part of exhaust service. Because it is so sophisticated, your vehicle manufacturer recommends you have your emission system checked out by a qualified Kansas City exhaust technician regularly to make sure everything is working right – usually every 6 months or 10,000 miles/16,000 kilometers. If your Check Engine light comes on, especially if it’s flashing, get your car looked at right away. Technicians at ... read more

Catalytic converter theft is a crime that can cost car owners hundreds of dollars. It happens in broad daylight and in public places. All thieves need is a battery operated saw and a few minutes to cripple your car and set you back hundreds of dollars. Even worse, catalytic converter theft is on the rise in the Kansas City and Overland Park area. Why? Because the catalytic converter contains valuable precious metals which can sell at scrap yards for over $100. Warning Signs If your car has been left in a public place like an airport parking lot or a parking garage for an extended period of time, you are at greater risk for catalytic converter theft. Thieves also prefer vehicles like trucks and SUVs that sit higher off the ground, making them easier to maneuver under. Most motorists newly missing a catalytic converter know immediately that something is wrong. As soon as they turn the ignition, they’ll notice that the engine sounds loud like a motorcycle and vibrates ... read more

One of the interesting things about electric and hybrid cars is what’s called regenerative braking. In a car’s normal braking system the brake pads produce friction with the brake rotors to slow or stop your car. With electric or hybrid vehicles the braking system works differently. When the brake pedal is pushed the electric motor goes into a reverse mode, which slows the car. A side effect of the reverse motion is that the motor also acts as an electric generator, producing electricity, which is fed into the car batteries thus recharging them. Science! These types of brakes work better at certain speeds and in fact, work best in stop-and-go traffic. It’s this recharging system that may be causing an interesting situation. An article published in the Vancouver Sun a week ago or so caught our eye so we thought we’d pass it along. Andrew McCredie, a writer for the Sun, describes how the drivers ... read more

Summer is officially here and the road trip, that age-old family torture tradition, is on your horizon. It’s bad enough to endure endless, “Are we there yet? Bobby’s touching me! I have to pee again! Nevermind,” without having to suffer some sort of automotive catastrophe. Planning your dream trip to the Grand Canyon will go soooo much smoother if you take the time to prepare your car for the ride. Getting there is half the fun but only if you actually get there. Call Sallas Auto Repair at least a week or so before your planned launch just to make sure your Country Squire is up to the task. Have us check the following: Air conditioning system. Don’t just assume that when you’re deep in the Arizona desert that it will work. In fact assume that it won’t, and have it checked out. Sure it’s a dry heat but so is an oven. Flush your cooling system. See above Arizon ... read more