Who Do You Trust to Fix Your Acura?

Who Do You Trust to Fix Your Acura?
by: Westside Auto Pros

There comes a time in your life when you need to face the facts: your car needs some work. Whether it is streaming blue smoke as you drive down the road or else you have moved in to another town, having a certified mechanic by your side, or at least on your side, is something every person needs to have. How do you find a reputable shop with technicians who are certified to work specifically on your Acura model? There are a couple of ways, actually, so you can get going on your way to safe travels.

Check Online Sources

The Internet has become the go-to place to go when you need information. There are many sites up where people can leave reviews behind for products they use, doctors they see, mechanics they have tried and so forth. Find the review site that contains local dealerships or auto repair shops. Find all of the reviews and read them carefully. Are there any that are overwhelmingly bad? Overwhelmingly positive? Read all of the reviews on a certain location so you can get a great feel for their service. Don’t just read one negative review in case it was left behind by a disgruntled employee or something. Give each place a fair chance and read everything written about them.

You can also check over the website itself of the potential auto repair places you are considering. Do they have a place where customers can leave feedback? Granted, this feedback might be carefully monitored, but you can get a grasp for the place. Do other people who drive Acuras like the service they get? Are they satisfied with how well their vehicle was fixed?

Ask People You Trust

Word of mouth advertising is golden. When you live in an area with lots of friends and family members, you can rely on who their opinion to matter to you. When they say to stay clear of someone, they mean it. When they recommend and Acura certified technician, then you might want to try that person out for yourself. Not every certified technician will be a great “love match” for you or your style, but you need to try. Finding a car repairman for your Acura is just like dating. You never know until you go out with them at least once, or in this case, have them fix your car one time.

When you find an Acura technician who is certified that you like, provide a review yourself. Make it easier for others coming behind you to find the certified technician. Make their job of wallowing through all of the online reviews and information easier and less time consuming. Provide detailed and honest information so they can have a good experience too.

Tips for Your Honda Repairs

Tips for Your Honda Repairs
by: Westside Auto Pros

There are certain makes and models of a vehicle that are made across the United States and Canada, but their origins are still in a foreign country. One such example is the Honda brand. Even though many of the models are built in the States, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is a domestic car. The engineers and car designers are still in a foreign land and still design their vehicles on a specific standard. This then means that the models have specific requirements when it comes to fixing them. Any general auto mechanic might be able to handle those specifics, but a certified technician is much better equipped to deal with the situation.
The Make Matters
No matter if any car is a foreign or a domestic, it needs to have a certified technician looking under the hood when there is a problem. A certified technician will make a difference for you or your loved one getting the car fixed for several reasons. The first being that the repair can cost you less money when you have someone who knows what they are doing.
A certified Honda technician will probably have access to certified Honda parts. This means that the parts going in to repair anything on the vehicle were actually meant for the make and model receiving the repairs. If someone isn’t certified to handle a brand of car, then they might not be able to get the correct parts and just have to settle for something similar. We all know how that can work out to our disadvantage! It’s like getting hair dye that is black, even though you only wanted light brown. Dye is dye, right?
Wrong. The right parts (or dye) means something doesn’t have to be done again in order to get it right. Your repair is done the right way the first time without settling for lesser parts (or even ones you don’t want but are forced to take.) When something is done the right way the first time, it is easier on your wallet as well. Not spending a fortune is probably high on your list when it comes to requirements of a good auto repair technician.
Saving time is also a want for most people looking to get a repair done. A certified Honda repair person will have an easier time of diagnosing the problem quickly so it can get fixed and get back out on the road. Down time of waiting for a diagnosis can be troublesome if you need to get to work or have kids to shuttle around for practice. And if they have that much time diagnosing the problem, just guess how long it will take them to actually fix and get right!

Tips for Ford 6.0 Diesel Repair

Tips for Ford 6.0 Diesel Repair

Some people love to haul things around in their trucks. For other people, having a heavy towing capacity is a necessity when it comes to their livelihood. Ford trucks provide the engines that can pull heavy loads safely and comfortably down the road. But what happens when that Ford 6.0 with a diesel engine in it needs some repairs. Are you going to trust your livelihood to just anyone to fix? Most likely not. When the vehicle you rely on for work or farming needs is potentially having a problem, you are going to want to take it to someone who is certified to handle that engine specifically.

Getting someone to handle a specific brand of vehicle is not so hard. Getting someone to handle a specific type of engine is a bit tougher. A diesel engine is programmed to work differently than a gasoline fired engine for many reasons, therefore it needs someone who is trained to know the ins and outs of the engine to make any repairs correctly.

Finding a certified Ford 6.0 diesel engine specialist can be done in several ways. One can look in the phone book and find all of the repair shops around. The ad or listing might say what engine types they are certified in. If the ad is too small, feel free to call and ask if they can handle that type of engine. If they cannot, move on to the next option.
Another place to look for certified Ford diesel engine mechanics is the Internet. First, you can check if there are Ford dealers in the area who specifically handle diesel engines. Being certified in a Ford gasoline engine is different than a diesel engine, so be specific if you are asking someone. If you were making an appointment with a medical professional, you would want to clarify if it was a doctor or a dentist, right? The same goes for your engine type. Just because they have some automotive experience doesn’t mean they can handle every problem.

When those options do not provide many results for you, ask around. Do you have friends with similar vehicles that have gotten service recently? Do they love their certified technician? Get the name of a mechanic and make the calls to see if they are certified on the brand and the type of engine you are driving around. And if by chance they aren’t, then ask if they know of someone who does. Auto mechanics don’t mind referring people to other mechanics who are certified to handle a task, because that same mechanic also probably makes referrals back for their specialty. Don’t feel bad about wanting a specialty, because those same mechanics probably only get specialists for their cars too.

What Exactly Are Xeon Headlights?

What Exactly Are Xeon Headlights?

By Ron Haugen

For people who are buying new or fairly new cars, you might realize that the headlights are a bit different. The popular halogen lights are now being replaced by what is called HID lights. HID stands for high intensity discharge lights and are powered by xenon gas. Xenon lights are brighter, last longer and are generally safer for the driver of the car. But the new lights also have a few downsides to them that need to be worked out.

The first HID bulbs using xenon were introduced in high end luxury cars in the early 1990s. These cars had such a difference in view in the dark hours that more manufacturers adopted these styles of lights. They refined the lights to keep making them safer and easier to use in all makes of cars. Now, Xenon powered HID lights can be made available for most makes and models of vehicles.

Xenon is a gas that powers the light bulb, like neon and other gases do. They provide an electric arc, which is a more powerful beam to radiate out from the headlight position. While this provides more light for safety, they cost a bit more as well. There isn't a filament to burn out inside the light bulb like in the past, so the light will last a lot longer. The longer lasting technology will also cost a bit more to the consumer. However, when you don't have to go to a dealership as often and pay for them to install new light bulbs, the savings might work out more towards the car driver's favor.

Lights from xenon gas appear bluish when they are coming down the road towards you. The bluish tint helps to detract from the brightness in a person looking at them, but they still produce a powerful beam to highlight the road in front or if anything were to jump out from the side of the road. Some people are distracted by the blue light, but it just takes a bit to get used to it and a driver can pass a car with those lights with no problem.

Even though more headlights is a good thing on a dark and curvy road, it can be a bad thing to an oncoming car. Headlight glare can cause accidents since people can't see where the road is because of temporary blindness. Make sure if you drive a vehicle with xenon headlights that they are pointed in the correct direction to maximize what you can see and lessen the impact on oncoming traffic.

No matter if you use xenon lights or not, get the burned out headlight replaced promptly. Not having bright lights can be a detriment to your driving abilities at night and for other cars coming against you in traffic.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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What Is Bio-Diesel Fuel?

What Is Bio-Diesel Fuel?

By Ron Haugen

For people who spend a lot of time on the road, going to the gas station might become a love-hate type of thing. Filling up can be an expensive thing to do when you have regular gasoline for the engine. For people who are looking at new cars, bio-diesel might be thrown out regularly by the salesperson, but you don't really understand what that means to you as the buyer. Is it cheaper? Does it make the car run differently? Does bio-diesel save you money in the long run, no matter how many miles you drive each year in the vehicle?

Bio-diesel is actually a good thing to have in your car for many reasons. Bio-diesel is a product that is created in the United States. Therefore, having bio-diesel powered cars means that we won't be dependent on other countries allowing us to get their oil and process it in to gasoline. It won't matter what the countries do because we won't have to rely on their supplies to power out vehicles.

Since the product is produced and manufactured in the US, then there is also less charges for shipping. The overall price per gallon will be less to produce which in turn means less per gallon the end user has to pay. And by having a product made and manufactured in the US, then US jobs are supported and keeping money in the US.
Bio-diesel is produced from renewable resources like vegetable oil. There is a process which breaks down the components so that they are able to work within an engine. Bio-diesel does not have to have petroleum in it, but it can be added to make up a biodiesel blend used in automobiles.

Biodiesel is a more affordable option but it is also a smarter option for the environment. Since it is made of renewal resources, it can easily be produced without harming the environment. Biodiesel fuel is non-toxic and biodegradable if it were to ever spill, get in the ground water or have a mishap in nature. Biodiesel also contains no sulfur, make it much safer for all who handle it from the processing plant to those who pump it in to vehicles.

Biodiesel can only be used in engines that are built for it. It cannot be added to a vehicle simply because you want to switch over to the product. If you are looking for a new car, the salesperson can direct you to the vehicles that only need bio-diesel to run. The biodiesel engines can often work with regular fuel in them, but not vice versa. Don't add bio-diesel to your engine if you aren't sure or before checking with the auto repair person who handles your car.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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What Function Does a Cabin Air Filter Serve in My Car?

What Function Does a Cabin Air Filter Serve in My Car?

By Ron Haugen

As you drive down the road and realize you are getting hot, you turn on the AC and expect to wait a few minutes for the air to get cool and make the rest of the ride comfortable. But it doesn't get cool after a few minutes. A smack on the dashboard returns no more results and you give in and roll down the window a crack. What is wrong with the AC now when it worked just fine a week ago. Or did it?

Many air conditioning systems in cars that were built after the year 2000 have what is called a cabin air filter inside of them. The cabin air filter sits outside of the engine area and filters air that comes from the outside and in to the AC system. The air filter will get rid of a lot of pollutants getting in the cabin of the vehicle. But, imagine a filter on the outside and what else it can pick up when it drives down the road, mile after mile? Cabin air filters can easily get clogged.

A cabin air filter that hasn't been changed recently can make the AC in the car not work or not work as efficiently. With a clogged air filter, no air can get in - it is simple as that. So when you recently tried to turn on the AC and it didn't produce results, it might be an easy fix as to just switch out the filter.

Skipping the filter can be expensive if you don't have the ability to do it yourself. However, it isn't something you can go without doing, especially if you have discovered the AC doesn't work. Check with your mechanic or dealer and see what the cost is for a filter. They might even be able to look at it and see if that is initially the problem or if there is something else, more sinister going on with the AC system.

The cabin air filter works to keep bad air out of the cabin when it comes in for the cooling process. The air molecules it can keep out include pollen, dirt from the road, pollutants from the air, road grime, dust, dirt, leaves and anything else flying around on the road. The air filter works just like a filter does on the furnace of the home or an air purifying system. Frequent changing of the filters is best and will keep everyone inside a little bit healthier. The cleaner the air, the better it is for those with allergies or even asthma and need to have clean air in order to feel good all of the time.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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Hybrid Vehicles - How They Work?

Hybrid Vehicles - How They Work

By Ron Haugen

Hybrid vehicles used to be considered space aged and "ugly" looking. The first ones were so aerodynamic they looked like space capsules going down the road. But now, with technological improvements and so many vehicles adapting the look, hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular and the norm in the United States. But what exactly makes them a popular choice for people? How do they even work to save on gas or energy? Why should you consider a hybrid for your next vehicle?

Hybrid vehicles can be considered hybrids for a few reasons. The very first hybrid cars were space capsule looking because they needed to have the least air resistance as possible so they did get decent gas mileage. Or could drive with an electric charge. Now, hybrids look like any other vehicle from the exterior and it is only what is under the hood that makes them a hybrid vehicle.

Small cars, mid sized cars and even SUVs can be a hybrid vehicle. A hybrid simply means that the traditional method of powering a car with gasoline is combined with another form, such as electricity or alternative fuels. Alternative fuels could be bio-diesel, ethanol or even a different type of energy source. Make sure that no matter what type you use, it is allowed in the user manual and recommended for your engine type.

You can't simply make any vehicle a hybrid, even if you just want to. The car needs to be set up to have an electrical charge if it runs on electricity. Or it needs to have an engine to handle the different types of fuel besides gasoline. Taking a regular gasoline powered engine at the stations and filling up with ethanol will do nothing but ruin the engine in the car you currently have.

Hybrid vehicles reduce the use of gasoline and make things better in a lot of ways. The greenhouse gases are lower since the fuel doesn't have to be processed for the car. The oil isn't shipped from other countries, lessening the dependence on oil from other countries. And you are spending less money simply because you can combine gas with other fuel sources and not have to pay a ridiculous amount per gallon in order to go somewhere.

The engine will still power the car and the brakes will still stop the car. The only difference between a hybrid and a regular vehicle is that a hybrid has flexible options when it comes to powering it up. Hybrids with options will become more popular in the future as the price of gas continues to go up and oil from other countries continues to be unreliable in price and availability.

If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com

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