COLUMBUS AUTO REPAIR

That little “e” makes a big difference! If only one thing on the whole car can work properly, you want it to be the brakes. It doesn’t matter how well the car runs, how fast it is, how good it looks, or how cold the A/C is; if the vehicle can’t stop, you shouldn’t be on the road! So the question is, how do you know you can trust that when you press that brake pedal, your car will actually come to a stop? First of all, brakes are a wear item, meaning over time, most brake components do wear down and need replaced. Most people in the Auto Industry agree that brake pads last anywhere from 30,000 to 70,000 miles (sometimes more, sometimes less, it’s very dependent on how the driver brakes and road conditions). If you haven’t had your brakes checked within the past year or two, getting a basic inspection can not only allow you to financially plan for possible future investment in your brakes, but also give you peace of mind knowing you’ll be ... read more

Is it a term created by mechanics to help bring in business during a slow time of the year? At least that was my thought as a little kid when my parents got the car back from the mechanic. I was disappointed when it looked the same as when it went in! Being a young boy I expected (and hoped) the mini-van would come out looking beefed-up with chains on the tires, off-road lights on top, and a plow on the front. In reality, although nothing looked different, needed services were performed. Winters (at least here up north) can really take a toll on a car. The salt from the roads can do irreversible damage to a car’s frame, the cold puts a lot of strain on the moving parts, and water based fluids can freeze if they haven’t been kept up on. So what all should be inspected before snow starts coming? Tires. You’re going to have a difficult time just getting out of your driveway if there is a shortage of tread left. Even if you can get moving, you wa ... read more

What’s a myth? What’s been tested? Truth: Your driving habits are going to be the most significant factor getting those higher MPGs.Accelerating slower, braking slower, driving the speed limit, and using cruise control. If you normally drive like a maniac, and you start driving conservatively, you could save around 35%. Most of us don’t need to change that dramatically, but we will instantly start to see savings by slowing everything down a little while on the road (not to mention it’s safer too!). Myth: It’s more fuel efficient to roll down the windows than use the A/C.Granted, this does vary some depending on speed (drag is more of a factor at higher speeds), but A/C compressors have become more efficient over time and it doesn’t seem to affect how easy the engine can push the car forward as much as it used to. Howstuffworks.com claims that it’s better to keep the A/C on when at freeway speeds and windows down around town. Edmunds.com test ... read more