KANSAS CITY AND OVERLAND PARK AUTO REPAIR

Don’t you hate it when you hear that squeal from under the hood? It usually means there is a problem with the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt powers a lot of engine accessories. It runs the alternator-which charges the battery, the water pump-which cools the engine, the air conditioning and the power steering pump. All pretty important parts. It is called a serpentine belt because it snakes around a bunch of engine components. Serpentine belts are especially tough. They can last for years and go for tens of thousands of miles. But, with time they wear out. If your belt breaks while you are driving, everything will come to a halt within minutes. You have to stop the car or it will overheat, potentially causing major engine damage. And it probably won’t be at a convenient time or place. You might even need to get your car towed to a Kansas City automotive service center. That is why manufacturers recommend a belt replacement on schedule. You real ... read more

I know this topic sounds pretty basic, but as I have been doing a little research I see there is room for a little education in this department! 1. Don’t Top Off Your Gas Tank – When the gas pump clicks off automatically – DON”T TOP IT OFF! Gas pumps are designed to click off when your gas tank is full enough. Two things can happen if you “top off”. First gasoline needs room to expand. If you put too much gas in and then it expands it has to go somewhere! It can go into your vehicle’s vapor collection system. This may foul the system and cause it to malfunction because it is designed for vapor not liquid. Second if your tank can’t hold anymore it will go in the gas pump recovery system and then you just paid for a little gas you didn’t get. 2. Purchase In The Coolest Part Of The Day – In the morning or evening it is usually cooler. Gas become denser in cooler temperatures and gas pumps measure by volume. It is also b ... read more

You may not be thinking of your car overheating as the weather begins to cool but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. Taking steps to understand what can cause it and what to do about it can prevent a real hassle just when you need it least. Most people think thermostat first when they hear overheated engine. And that can be the cause but not always. Other causes of overheating: Leaky head gasket Cooling system leaks Faulty fan Leaky water pump Slipping belt Lower radiator collapse Plugged or dirty radiator Dragging brakes Overworking the engine What to do if your car does overheat: If you’re stuck in traffic turn your heater up full blast to help move heat away from your engine. Find a safe place to park on the side of the road. Turn off the engine. Open the hood. If you can approach the engine check the coolant level at the reservoir. Do not open the radiator cap, it’s unde ... read more

Are you ready to make an investment in a new car? If it is time to add a car to your collection (or to purchase your first), there are a few critical steps to take before you even step into a car for a test drive. Rushing into the car buying process can leave you with a less than satisfactory purchase, and it is more likely that you don’t get the best deal. However, when you choose to buy a new car and you carefully plan your purchase, you will select the best model and find the financing situation that fits your needs. You’ll also feel more confident in your choice to buy a new car. At Sallas, we love helping people learn about their cars. Clients ask us about their new cars everyday. We’d like to help our Kansas City community make the best purchases every time they start searching for a new car. That’s why we’ve gathered a few tips for starting off the car-buying process. Kansas City, check out the f ... 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 a ... read more