Top 5 Reasons to Select an ASE Certified Mechanic to Repair Your Car

 Top 5 Reasons to Select an ASE 

Certified Mechanic to Repair Your Car

By Ron Haugen

It's time. Your car needs a repair and you didn't plan for it ahead - tsk, tsk. Now you need to find a good, dependable, quality mechanic, stat! Where do you go? How do you choose? There are many ways to evaluate mechanics and compare one against another, but one key way is to select an ASE Certified Mechanic. You've probably heard the phrase "ASE Certified" in relation to vehicles before, but what does it mean and why is it good? It refers to the National Institute for Automobile Service Excellence. The certification has been in existence since 1972 and here's all you need to know about why you should only select an ASE Certified Mechanic to repair your car.

1) ASE Certified mechanics have to pass a specialized exam. There are eight different specialties available for a mechanic to choose to be certified in. The specialization could be in specific areas such as: engine repair, automotive trans/transaxle, manual drive train and axles, suspension and steering, brakes, electrical / electronic systems, heating and air conditioning, or engine performance. Now, just passing an exam doesn't necessarily make a mechanic qualified to work on your car; however, it does show that they have been educated in the specifics of how to diagnose and repair the components contained within their chosen specialty.

2) To be ASE Certified, you can't just pass the exam. One is also required to have at least two years of 'relevant' work experience. Now we're talking! So they have to pass a test and then work in the field for at least two years before they are eligible to be certified by the ASE.

3) The ASE also has higher levels of education, seriously, for mechanics. That's something to be impressed with in any profession. The ability to, and the subsequent decision to pursue continuing education to become a Certified Master Mechanic shows me that this mechanic both loves his craft and appreciates that it's an ever-changing field with these fast-paced technology advancements in the auto-making industry. An Master Mechanic has passed all eight specialty exams!

4) Ethics. In addition to the training and work-requirements, an ASE Certified Mechanic is held accountable to a commitment he or she has made to only engage in ethical business practices. Finally! A mechanic we can trust!

5) ASE Certified Mechanics are sought after by the most reputable dealerships and garages; why wouldn't you demand the same level of professionalism and training that others in the industry require?

Seriously though, most mechanics are good honest citizens just trying to make a living doing something they enjoy or have always been good at. But we've all heard the horror stories of shiesters and crooks in the auto mechanic industry, and quite frankly it's made us gun-shy. Asking for a mechanics certifications and only choosing ASE Certified Mechanics do perform your auto repairs will save you a tremendous amount of worry and headaches down the road. It's nice to just not have to worry about whether it's being done right and whether you're being treated fair. An ASE Certified Mechanic takes the stress out of car repairs.

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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Top 5 Benefits of a Hybrid Vehicle

Top 5 Benefits of a Hybrid Vehicle

By Ron Haugen

It seems hybrid cars are wildly gaining popularity. During your next car search do you ever wonder: Would you be happy in a hybrid vehicle? Are they cool? Do they really help the environment as much as everyone says? There are many considerations when purchasing a new car, and here are the top 5 benefits of seriously adding a hybrid vehicle to your list of top choices.

1) Fuel Economy

There is absolutely no debate that hybrid cars are more fuel efficient than their all gas counterparts. Typical hybrid gas mileage ranges from 40-50 miles per gallon. Considering that there are still all gas vehicles on your dealer's new car lot only getting 15-20 miles per gallon, fuel economy is a blessing to your hectic schedule and routine. Stopping at the dreaded gas pump less often = freedom!

2) Savings on at the pump

With the fuel economy mentioned above, one might still wonder if a hybrid vehicle, which still requires some gasoline, would a hybrid vehicle in your garage really amount to much savings at all on your monthly fuel bill. Since a hybrid vehicle only uses gas when driving over 40 miles per hour or when your battery needs charging, you could save a tremendous amount of dough on your gas bill each month. The key factor that would decide overall savings is how much stop and go city driving you do versus how much highway driving. The electric battery powers the vehicle at stops and during traditional stop and go city driving; thereby, saving you gallons of gas until you get on the highway.

3) Environmental benefits

What? You didn't realize that a hybrid is good for the environment? Seriously though, you obviously were already aware of the plethora of research and statistics that support electric car vehicles (and their hybrid cousins) as producing an astounding lesser amount of harmful fuel emissions. This is a key factor in global warming. Yes, a hybrid car is a wonderful alternative for your green initiatives.

4) Flexibility

Hybrid vehicles, unlike their all electric counterparts, don't have to be charged. As it turns out, the battery gets charged when you drive through two nifty pieces of technology. The brakes use a cool technology method of charging your battery during braking, stopping at a red light, idling, etc. We'll expand on this below. However, an additional way that your battery gets charged while you drive is that when your vehicle switches over to the gas engine, it also charges the battery. So driving on the highway all the way home from a long day at work is actually recharging your battery, too!

5) Tax Savings

Only two things are sure in life: death and taxes. But purchasing a hybrid vehicle can save you money on your tax bill to Uncle Sam. There are federal tax credits, as well as state and local tax credits as well, for taxpayers who purchase a hybrid vehicle.

These are just a few of the many benefits of considering buying a hybrid vehicle the next time you go car shopping.

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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The Top Three Benefits of Changing Transmission Fluid

The Top Three Benefits of Changing Transmission Fluid
By Ron Haugen

There has always been some debate on the pros and cons of changing your transmission fluid on a routine basis, per your vehicle owner's manual recommendation. One of the many rumored suspicions is that doing so will open your car up to having dreaded transmission issues sooner. To debunk those conspiracy theories, let's get into the meat of the topic and explore, together, why it absolutely makes sense to change it regularly; and how not doing so could actually cause your car to run sluggishly - potentially costing you precious pennies in the long run!
 
1) Heat is the enemy

The number one reason that manufacturers recommend you change your transmission fluid regularly is because it degrades as it continually heats up during driving. There are exhaustive studies about the precise temperatures in which its effectiveness actually wanes. Suffice it to say that most owner's manuals duly recommend changing your fluid every 30,000 miles. There is one exception to this rule: newer vehicles using Dexron III ATF fluid can often go up to 100,000 miles before needing to be changed. As you drive, and the transmission heats up, the viscosity of your fluid changes; over time, this heat causes transmissions to burn up and this is the single-most cause of transmission repairs today - burned up transmissions.

2) Gunk and sludge

As your transmission continues to heat up and it continues to break down, your car's transmission components begin to get bogged down with gunk and sludge. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that gunk and sludge are going to clog up your transmission gears, causing unnatural wear and tear on your vehicle's transmission. If you want your transmission to continue to operate smoothly, it is vital to keep it clean.

3) Leaky seals and putrid odors

No, I'm not talking about a horror flick here. A well-maintained machine is one whose owner regularly checks the transmission fluid levels - yes, using the dipstick! You should ideally check your transmission fluid level when your engine is warm and idling. Transmission fluid should be bright red and should smell sweet, not putrid or rancid. It shouldn't be brown or black or even dark red. It should look like the tip of the spindle after Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger. If your transmission fluid level is low, or the color is not right, it's time to change your transmission fluid and check (or have checked by the mechanic) all of the seals around the transmission for leaks.

If you want your transmission to last throughout the life of the car, it is imperative that you change your transmission fluid regularly, following your owner's manual guidelines and a few common sense rules. In today's world of disposable everything - neglecting your transmission can be a rude awakening to your wallet. The potential costs associated with ignoring the routine maintenance guidelines on your transmission could total thousands of dollars that would be better spent on a nice, warm vacation to a sunny spot this summer.

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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Benefits of Using an Independent Repair Shop Over a Dealership

Benefits of Using an Independent Repair Shop Over a Dealership
By Ron Haugen

You just barely bought your car and it's already time to think about whether to be loyal to the dealership for your ongoing maintenance and care, or to find a reputable independent repair shop to provide all of your automotive repair and maintenance needs. There are many advantages and disadvantages of either option. However, your local repair shop may just win your heart, and your business.

For starters, they have a depth of knowledge surrounding all types of vehicles and vehicle maintenance or repair situations, not just the particular makes and models currently being sold and serviced by your dealer. When you call and say your car is making a funny noise that sounds sort of like a 'whirring and clicking' sound, typically an established independent repair shop can hone in quickly on the potential suspect; possibly saving you money on both diagnostic and long-term repair bills.

It's a hard truth that many dealership garages are staffed by younger, less experienced mechanics. That's not meant to be a knock against them. They do have the leverage of the dealership behind them. But typically an independent repair shop owner has years of auto mechanic repairs under their belt; and to boot they frequently started out at a dealership to get their certifications and experience before branching out on their own to have the American dream and become their own boss.

Your local repair shop probably has the corner on providing its clients with personal, individualized service. They know your spouse's name, your children's names and where they go to school, what your dream car is, how long you've had your current car, what your last car was, why you sold it, what other cars you own and what your favorite snack is out of the vending machine! Now none of that is necessarily solely a good enough reason to give your business to the local guy, but in today's fast-paced world there is a slowly simmering trend towards moving back to personalized service with an extra touch.

When you need a little leeway, like the shop staying open a little later so you can get there in time to pick up or drop off your vehicle, your independent shop is more likely to care, and they are also easier to get a hold of a live person. Don't get me wrong, I'm a technology geek. I love to point and click and buy or research all day long. But when I need to talk to a person, my biggest pet-peeve is getting routed through the dreaded phone menu tree.

When it comes right down to it, whether you take your car to the dealership or to a local independent repair shop for your ongoing maintenance and repair needs is entirely a personal decision. However, one key factor that we haven't touched on yet is that typically an independent guy is going to cost you less than the dealer. There's also the added benefit of possibly being able to barter for services, and it's hard to put a cap on that price savings during the entire life of your car. Look around in your area and see if there are any independent repair shops in the neighborhood. If there are, ask around, look online for reviews, go down there and introduce yourself. You may just find that you and your car are right where you belong.

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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5 Reasons to Consider Purchasing a Diesel Vehicle

By Ron Haugen
When purchasing your next car, you may want to consider a diesel vehicle. There are many arguments both for and against diesel cars. However, many of the arguments are outdated and point to concerns or issues with diesel engines that no longer exist in today's refined technology. When diesel engines were popular in the 70's, there were many environmental concerns regarding their emissions. Those concerns have all but been vanquished. Here are 5 reasons to consider diesel when purchasing your next vehicle.

1. Long-term: performance and resale value

Today, just like in the heyday of the 70's when diesels first grew to popularity, diesel cars can be relied on to last for years. Many diesel vehicle owners expect to still be driving their car 10 or more years from now. In fact, diesel engines frequently reach over 200,000 miles while still performing well. In this world of disposable everything, purchasing a car that will pass the test of time and be a reliable investment, is a smart bet. Additionally, diesel vehicles have much higher resale values than their gas counterparts. So even if you still live in a disposable world and change your car frequently, you can rest easy knowing that when you're ready to trade in your car for a newer model, your investment will have held its value and your wallet will thank you.

2. Fuel economy

Speaking of your pocketbook; diesel engines are more fuel efficient than gas engines. Studies show that diesel engines are between 30 and 35% more efficient than gas engines, which means fewer stops at the pump and more miles per tank.

3. Savings on gas prices

With the fuel economy mentioned above, one might still wonder if the higher diesel prices really amount to much savings. Historically, diesel prices have never been more than 30% higher than gas prices, so just doing simple math proves that you will save plenty of dough on your monthly gas bill. And as gas prices continue to rise, any opportunity to put a cap on that expenditure is a welcome one.

4. Environmental benefits

What? Diesel engines are better for the environment than gas engines? It's very important to point out that the diesel engines of today are nothing like the ones from the '70s. Today's diesel engines are cleaner and produce less environmental waste than gas engines. Yes, that's right. Diesel engines in today's vehicles are more friendly on the environment than today's gas vehicles are. It's also a proven scientific fact that the less often you open that gas cap to refill, the better it is on the environment. Each time you fill up, harmful gas emissions are released.

5. Power

Diesel engines are known to have more power than gas engines. While that means you and your lead foot might be on the lower end of the estimated miles per gallon quote, it means you will have a sweet ride with quite a bit of power under the hood.

These are just a few of the many reasons to consider buying a diesel vehicle when making your next car purchase. So when you're doing your shopping and head to the dealer, be sure to check out their diesel options as well.

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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Top 5 Reasons to Use Nitrogen in Your Tires

Top 5 Reasons to Use Nitrogen in Your Tires

By Ron Haugen

These days, with the economy being so poor, and gas prices being so high, we all want to do what we can in order to save those extra dollars. You never know when a surprise expense can pop up seemingly out of nowhere, leaving you with a bill and not a lot of time in which to pay it. Every little bit helps, and the money that you save on fuel can most certainly go a long way toward helping to cover other expenses. Below, you will find the top five reasons why you should use nitrogen in your tires-reasons good enough to have converted noted car enthusiast Jay Leno to using nitrogen for all of the vehicles in his extensive, and expensive, collection.

Reason Number One: Increase Fuel Economy

Ever find yourself wishing you could get more miles to the gallon? Feel as if you are always at the pump, spending more money just to keep your vehicle running? Well, worry no longer. It has been proven that nitrogen has far better fuel economy than just plain air. And the more money you save at the pump, the more you can diversify your earnings. Using less gas per mile means that your car will go longer distances using less resources, and will ultimately cost less per mile to drive than before.

Reason Number Two: Better for the Environment

You may be asking yourself; how is nitrogen better than air? After all, isn't air literally everywhere in the world? We breathe it, we use it to cool ourselves, we even use it to power things. So how can another gas be safer and greener then air? The answer is simple, and relates closely to the answer to reason number one; the last gas your vehicle has to use, the less oil it burns, the less damage you do to the environment and the greener your vehicle is. And because nitrogen allows your vehicle to do more while using up less resources, you can bet that it is greener than oxygen by far.

Reason Number Three: Prolonging Your Tires

Tires are expensive. Few people know that oxygen damages the inner liner of your tires, but it is true. With nitrogen, your tires will be damaged less and ultimately last far longer, allowing you to potentially save hundreds.

Reason Number Four: Better Handling, Better Traction

NASCAR and Indy Racing use nitrogen for its better handling and traction abilities. The better your vehicle handles, the more traction it gets from the road, the safer it will be to drive year round.

Reason Number Five: Stability

Various tests have proven that nitrogen is a far more stable gas than oxygen when used to inflate an object, tires included. More stability means fewer trips to go fill up your tires at the gas station and improved safety, as you won't have to worry about deflating wheels nearly as much as with oxygen.

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The Top 5 Reasons to Use Synthetic Motor Oil

The Top 5 Reasons to Use Synthetic Motor Oil

By Ron Haugen

If you are a new car owner, or the owner of a new car, chances are you have thought about oil. After all, if you want your engine to run well, and efficiently, you are going to have to make it a top priority to check your motor oil regularly to ensure that it isn't burnt, or low. And chances are, you have probably also heard the tales of synthetic oil, this new oil not made from minerals. Many claim it gives better performance, and tests have shown this to be true. But why should you use synthetic motor oil? Well, we'll give you five reasons why.

Reason Number One: Money

Money is a top priority for most. The more you can save, the more often you can afford to buy the things that you like. Saving money also allows you to put more away in to your savings for your future. Synthetic oil is hands down cheaper than mineral oil. Why is this? Because mineral oil is a natural (albeit diluted by the time it reaches your hands) resource that is quickly growing scarcer and scarcer, making the price of it rise steadily, while synthetic oil lasts longer.

Reason Number Two: Performance

Everyone cares about their engine performance far more than they let on. It is a proven fact; people car about the way their cars run because their cars are investments, and everyone wants to get the most out of an investment, right? With synthetic oil, engine performance improves greatly. This is because synthetic oil is cleaner, more efficient, and it makes your engine work less. New car owners commonly choose synthetic engine oil for this very reason; it keeps their new engine running like new.

Reason Number Three: Easy Flowing

Flow is a real problem with some oils. This is because they are either so thick, or so filled with impurities, that they don't flow through your engine properly. This can cause a whole host of problems, none of which should be your priority to rush right in to. Synthetic oil flows easily through your engine, which is a quality that makes if perfect for mid-mileage vehicles and especially for newer performance vehicles, as it means that the engine has to do far less work.

Reason Number Four: Longer Lasting

It has been proven time and time again in order comparison tests that synthetic motor oil lasts far longer than mineral engine oil. This is because it takes far longer for synthetic oil to heat up to a degree where it could be damaged, and has better evaporation.

Reason Number Five: Less Engine Wear

Synthetic oil is slipper. Slippery oil means less engine wear. Less engine wear means that your engine lasts longer. A longer lasting engine means a longer lasting car, and ultimately this means that you get more bang for the buck from your vehicle, just as you do from your synthetic motor oil.
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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