Category: Auto Maintenance

According to Consumer Reports data, customers typically express greater satisfaction with independent auto maintenance and repair shops compared to car dealerships. That’s likely to be largely because the greatest value for your dollar is most often at a high-quality, independent auto maintenance and repair facility. Unless your car’s warranty stipulates the facility where covered repairs must be performed, you are free to have your vehicle serviced wherever you wish. But, which automotive mechanic near you is best?

How Do I Find a Trustworthy Auto Mechanic Near Me

Auto repairs can be simple, like replacing a thermostat or brake pads. Or, they can be complex, like rebuilding an engine or transmission. Whatever your needs, you naturally want highly skilled and honest car mechanics working on your vehicle. Here are some helpful tips for finding a good, reliable, reasonably priced auto repair shop:

See the shop’s Better Business Bureau report.

Auto service facilities are among the BBB’s most common generators of customer complaints. So, be sure to do your research at www.bbb.org to learn about shops you should avoid.

Confirm the technicians have ASE certification.

Ask for verification that each car mechanic and the repair shop are certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Ask about the warranty the shop provides for their work.

Ask what warranties the facility offers on their workmanship and the parts they use. Warranties vary between repair shops, so be sure to ask about the warranty in advance.

Ask friends and family in the area for repair shop recommendations.

Ask people you trust who live in your vicinity for car repair shop recommendations. Be sure to include those who have a vehicle in the same class as yours.

Conduct an Internet search.

Educate yourself about the local auto shops by visiting their sites and others. Search “mechanic shop near me”, “toyota mechanic near me”, “auto mechanic near me”, “car mechanic near me”, “auto repair shops near me”, “auto repair near me.” Check a few through the BBB, Angie's List, the Mechanics Files at Cartalk.com, Consumer Reports, customer reviews, etc.

Check to be sure the facility is convenient for you.

You might find shops that you like, but they still may not make the best sense for you because their hours don’t fit your schedule or the location is too far.

Choose the auto mechanic shop that checks out best and try it.

Start with a small task like an oil change or replacing spark plugs as an introduction to your new auto repair facility before you use the shop for bigger kinds of auto repairs.

Best Auto Mechanic Near Me

Ace Auto is a family-owned and operated auto repair shop. We are fast, friendly, reasonably priced, and reliable, and we always keep our customers informed throughout the entire process. We do not do any work without their consent. All our mechanics are ASE Certified and maintain continuous training in current high-tech vehicle systems. All our work is guaranteed!

For the best auto mechanic service in the area, call Ace Auto Repair at (801) 803-6016 for a free repair quote or to schedule an appointment for service.

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BBB Accredited Businesses - Auto Mechanic Shop

Every vehicle must have a properly functioning water pump in order for the engine to operate. The water pump drives coolant through the radiator and sends it circulating through the engine. When it malfunctions, an immediate water pump car repair becomes necessary to get your vehicle back in drivable condition.

The water pump is responsible for maintaining engine and radiator temperatures within the acceptable range. To keep your car in reliable and safe operating condition, you need to take care of any maintenance matters your water pump requires as need arises.

Troubleshooting Your Vehicle’s Water Pump Problem

There are numerous approaches to identifying water pump problems. For example, you may want to listen for unusual sounds coming from the pump, examine the belt and pulley, and check the thermostat. If the water temperature warning light is on, it may indicate that the coolant circulation in your car is insufficient, which may mean you need a water pump replacement. Or, one of a number of other checks may get you closer to discovering a problem with the pump.

Here are some of the most common problems that cause issues with water pumps, to help you in troubleshooting diagnosis of your water pump issue, and in deciding whether you may need automobile water pump repair:

• Leaking Coolant 
• Engine Overheating
• Slow Leaks of Coolant
• Steam from Engine
• Loose Water Pump Belt
• Circulation Problem

Leaking Coolant

Look for signs of coolant leaking. Check under the front area of your vehicle. Look for any puddling of red, orange, or green fluid. Leaking coolant is often due to issues involving the water pump.

Engine Overheating

The water pump’s purpose is to circulate coolant in the vehicle’s engine block and heads. When a water pump breaks down, it can no longer circulate engine coolant as it’s designed to do. When the coolant is not circulating as necessary to keep the engine cool, the temperature in the engine rises to an extreme degree, and the engine becomes overheated. An overheated engine is an urgent problem, requiring immediate attention to prevent potentially serious engine damage, including burned-up pistons, and split cylinder heads.

Slow Leaks of Coolant

Slow leaks can cause a wet area around the water pump. Check for engine coolant leakage in the area around the pump. Look for rust in the area too. Rust is not uncommon around the water pump when fluid is leaking. Gradual leaks usually don’t cause engine breakdowns very quickly, but they do cause coolant levels to drop. This reduces the amount of lubricant that protects the water pump’s working parts, which are in constant motion while the engine is running, and it promotes wear on the pump.

Steam from Engine

When your water pump is working properly, your engine will maintain a steady temperature range. If you notice steam coming up from your car hood, this indicates that your engine is extremely overheated due to insufficient coolant circulation and needs emergency attention. Turn off your engine immediately when you see steam coming from the engine. Do not ignore the problem, and don’t try to continue driving the car any farther toward your destination, even if it’s just a short distance. Allowing the vehicle to keep running can cause the need for engine rebuilding or replacement. Driving with an engine that is extremely overheated is also very dangerous.

Loose Water Pump Belt

A number of things can cause a belt to become loose. If your engine is making a loud squeaking noise, this may indicate a loose belt on the pulley that drives the water pump. Check to ensure that the water pump belt fits snugly in its proper position. Have a loose water pump belt adjusted or replaced promptly. Or, if the noise becomes more intense while you’re driving the vehicle, then the water pump may need to be replaced.

Circulation Problem

The vehicle’s water pump is responsible for coolant moving in your engine and radiator. Water pumps and fan belts often function in conjunction with one another, which involves impellers that circulate water through the engine. The main purpose of this system is to control engine temperature and prevent the buildup of excessive heat. Too much heat in the engine can lead to serious issues, including damage to pistons, or a crack in the block and/or heads, throwing a rod because the oil fails, and other extreme consequences to your engine parts.

Ace Auto Repair, West Jordan Utah

We specialize in repairs of all makes and models of cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. Our mechanics are ASE Certified, which means they go through continuous training to stay current with high-tech systems in the latest model vehicles of all types. We offer affordable auto repair services and we provide repair estimates in writing.

Ace is a family-owned and operated business. We take pride in our fast, reliable, friendly, and honest service to our customers throughout the greater Salt Lake area. All our work is guaranteed!

For answers to your questions or to schedule an appointment for a diagnosis and/or repair, call Ace Auto Repair, West Jordan UT at (801) 803-6016, or use our online contact form to request an appointment.

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You probably know that you should change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles, but do you know how often you should check the power steering fluid or the chassis lubrication? If you are unsure, review your car's owner manual to find the factory maintenance schedule recommended for your specific vehicle by the manufacturer. So, what is factory scheduled maintenance and why is it important for your vehicle?

Your vehicle's factory scheduled maintenance is a reminder to have your vehicle serviced every 3 months or 3,000 miles for preventative maintenance throughout the year. These manufacturers recommendations will keep your car running smoothly, help prevent costly repairs and ensure your manufacturer’s warranty remains valid.

Whether you take your car to the dealership or your local mechanic for scheduled maintenance, it is important to stick with the factory recommendations to make sure that coverage is valid throughout the duration of your factory warranty. Services like rotating tires, flushing the brakes and changing fluids, filters and spark plugs are all easy to keep up with compared to the potential repairs you may face if without regular maintenance.

 If you have questions about your car's recommended factory maintenance, the helpful, certified mechanics at Ace Auto in West Jordan, Utah can let you know what is due (or overdue) for maintenance and perform the services to prevent costly problems to keep you on the road in a safe vehicle.

Factory Scheduled Maintenance in Your Vehicles Owner's Manual

You will find two different maintenance schedules in your owner’s manual, one labeled 'regular' and the other 'severe'. While you may not put a lot of miles on your car driving to and from work or getting the kids to school, soccer practice or piano lessons - you will want to consider the following strenuous conditions that can bump your service schedule up to 'severe':

• Extreme Weather
• Frequent, Short Commutes
• Stop and Go Traffic
• Idling
• Heavy Loads
• Rough Roads
• Mountainous Roads
• Salty or Dusty Conditions

If have an older vehicle that did not come with a manual, the Car Care Council, a non-profit organization for vehicle owners, offers a free customizable vehicle maintenance schedule to help you keep track of the dates and mileage for services performed.

Basic Car Maintenance Schedule by Month/Mileage

It is important to keep records of your vehicle's maintenance in case you need to use your manufacturer’s warranty. By logging all completed services, service dates and mileage at the time of service, you can help your mechanic understand what needs to be done to keep your car safe.

Professional, Friendly Service at Ace Auto to Keep Your Factory Scheduled Maintenance Up to Date in West Jordan Utah  

For your vehicle's regularly scheduled factory recommended maintenance, call Ace Auto at 801-447-1693. Our friendly, experienced technicians will make sure your car is safe and in good repair to prevent time-consuming, costly problems in the future.

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The cold weather is harsh on your car. In order to avoid expensive repairs – and dangerous accidents – check out what the sub-zero temperature can do to your car, and what you can do to help prevent problems.

Tires Harden and Lose Pressure

A couple different things can go wrong with tires when cold weather strikes. First, tire pressure will vary according to temperature. A drop in temperature can cause your tires to quickly deflate – this is noticeable even when driving at night compared to driving during the day. Check your recommended tire pressure when the weather starts to get chilly. Also keep in mind that many tires are still made with rubber materials, and these materials will harden when the weather gets cold. This can cause tread and gripping problems in all-season tires. Winter tread tries are designed to resist this problem with alternative materials – another good reason to consider switching to winter tires.

Battery Troubles

When the weather gets seriously cold, your battery may struggle to operate correctly. This is caused by low temperatures interfering with the way that a battery operates and in some cases actually leeching away voltage, reduce the charge that a battery has to get a car started. The last thing you want in the middle of winter is to go out and find your car has a dead battery. There are several ways to avoid this problem. In the coldest areas, consider using available car heats. Make sure your battery is not too old – most batteries are in their peak condition for around 3 years. When the temperature starts dropping below zero, try to keep your car in a garage as often as possible.

Engine Fluids Thicken When Cold

While most of the fluids in your car have additives to keep them from freezing, this doesn't mean they aren’t affected by freezing temperatures. When the weather gets cold fluids grow sluggish, thickening and moving more slowly. This is most dangerous when it comes to transmission fluid, which needs to move effectively to manage car performance. However, sluggish brake fluid can also be disastrous. Even oil can thicken and struggle to perform. Check your fluids and replace or top off as needed.

Click here to read 5 Cold Weather Car Myths

Heaters Delay Engine Warm Up

Your engine really doesn't like cold weather. It will struggle to run efficiently when the temperature drops below zero, using a lot of gasoline very quickly to keep itself from stalling. Not only does this lower efficiency, but it also causes the build-up of water vapor. This is especially noticeable if you only run your engine for half an hour or so at a time. Try leaving your car running to stabilize your engine and get rid of accumulated water vapor. Heaters will also sap heat away from your engine, so avoid immediately turning on your heater when starting your car.

For the same reason that batteries tend to struggle in cold weather, spark plugs may also be in danger. Electricity simply does not fare well in cold, dry condition, and older spark plugs will only make conditions worse. So, before the coldest weather starts, check out your spark plugs for any sign of corrosion or age and replace them if necessary.

Windshield and Wipers Vulnerable to Damage

Windshields are very durable in modern cars, but some windshields may still be in danger of cracking, especially when mistreated in cold weather. Use the right kind of coolant, never wash with hot water in cold weather, and take special care of your wipe blade so that they don't freeze to your windshield. This can be aggravated if other cars are kicking up a lot of slurry into your windshield, especially slurry made with rock salt or similar components.

Engine Block Vulnerable to Cracking

Older or more delicate engines may also be in danger of cracking if the engine block is vulnerable to sub-zero temperatures and your coolant is contaminated or inferior. Keep that coolant topped off and use the recommended formula!

Auto Mechanic West Jordan, Utah

Ace Auto Repair knows how the cold affects vehicles, and are conveniently located in West Jordan, Utah, and serves the surrounding areas. If you are need of engine repair or need a diagnosis, contact Ace Auto Repair today! We work on all makes and models of cars, trucks and SUV's. We are family owned company, and pride ourselves on being honest auto repair professionals.

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