Reviews of Carolina Tire & Auto in Charlotte, NC

When it comes to finding out how good a company is, look no further than their customer's feedback or reviews. We've listed a few, but needless to say, we have 4.5 stars out of 5 stars at over 150 reviews just like these below.

704-553-9800 for the best in auto repair and auto service in all of Charlotte, NC.

Our reviews: 

93.0% would refer friends and family to us

5 stars JASONH Featured review

We've had two cars in to Carolina Tire & Auto for repair and/or service THIS week! Thank you for making the process quick, simple and as painless as possible.
A quick shout out to Kelly - THANK YOU! During a phone call close to the time we were expecting to pick our vehicle up, we learned the primary service we required, The State Inspection, most was not completed. The inspection computer was acting up. Kelly didn't skip a beat and must have jumped in the car before she even reset the telephone handset. She scooted down the road, had the inspection handled and got the key back in our hands as quickly as humanly possible. Go Kelly, you're a ROCKSTAR! Go Kelly, you're a ROCKSTAR!
Many thanks for making us feel like our business matters!
Eric & Dana H.

3 months ago

Carolina Tire & Auto replied:
Thank you so much, we work hard to go the extra mile everyday for our customers.

5 stars JAYO Verified customer

Nice, clean waiting room. Staff is friendly and responsive. Great work with reasonable prices.

4 days ago

5 stars ROBERTY Verified customer

Great Service in a timely manner. We were explained everything before service was started, which managed our expectation. Great job!!

15 days ago

5 stars RHONDAW Verified customer

Skip is great!

24 days ago

5 stars JENNAP Verified customer

friendly, accommodating!

25 days ago

4 stars RICHF Verified customer

Service performed as expected. Friendly, courteous & knowledgeable staff.

a month ago

4 stars TOMA Verified customer

Friendly, prompt, on time

a month ago

4 stars TIMM Verified customer

Another great service job

a month ago

5 stars DAVIDP Verified customer

Good prices on tires and the mounting/balancing was straightforward and fairly priced.

a month ago

5 stars GREGS Verified customer

Excellent service and timely work. 100% satisfaction.

a month ago

4 stars RICHF Verified customer

Repairs done according to diagnosis and estimate. Took a few hours longer than anticipated.

a month ago 

5 stars Anonymous Verified customer

Best auto repair center in Charlotte

2 months ago

5 stars ALLENC Verified customer

Arrived early for my appointment thirty minutes early. May car was taken around in minutes. The receptionist at the front desk was very nice and knowledgeable. The waiting room was well air conditioned with tv and magazine to occupy the time.

2 months ago

5 stars TERRINJ Verified customer

Great and friendly service!

2 months ago

5 stars JIMM Verified customer

Carolina Tire & Auto has excellent customer service from all employees, front desk and in the service bays. They are honest and very clear about all work being performed and the estimated time and costs for completing the work.

2 months ago

5 stars BRYANC Verified customer

As always, we were taken care of and our car issues were resolved timely. We only use CTA for all our car needs.

2 months ago

5 stars TOMU Verified customer

Everyone was very nice and honest. Car was done on time. I have AC and new tires. Very good to have.

2 months ago

5 stars RICHARDC Verified customer

great service and great pricing! highly recommend them.

2 months ago

4 stars Anonymous Verified customer

They did an outstanding job getting my battery checked and replaced. they even gave me a heads up on a belt to replace in the future.

2 months ago

5 stars JOHNW Verified customer

Great service as always.

2 months ago

5 stars RICHARDC Verified customer

it is refreshing to have honesty and trust worthiness in the auto repair business.

 

Summer Clearance Sale on all Tires in Charlotte, NC

All tires are on Summer clearance starting at just $40 bucks. It doesn't get any cheaper any where in the world. Call now for multiple locations in Charlotte and Ballantyne. 704-553-9800

Tires in Charlotte, NC are the cheapest ever starting right now. Call now, Lines are open. 

Book SAME DAY Appointments Online Now


Tires for Charlotte, Tires for the World.

South Charlotte Location

8 Minutes from Ballantyne Country Club

4 Minutes from Carolina Place Mall

8 Minutes from Carrowinds

12 Minutes from downtown Fort Mill

Uptown Location:

2 Minutes from Bo Jangles Area

8 Minutes from the heart of Uptown

5 Minutes from Dilworth

Elizabeth area

PLUS, roll back prices on all auto repairs - Honda, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes, GMC, Chevy, Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, Porsche, Volvo, Saab. 

Ford Repair, Toyota Repair, Honda Repair, Aston Martin repair, Chevrolet Repair, Dodge Repair, BMW Auto Repair, Acura Repair, Nissan Repair, Volkswagen Repair, Chrysler Repair, Common Car Models, Honda Accord Repair, Toyota Camry Repair, Honda Civic Repair, Acura TL Repair, Audi Repair, Toyota Corolla Repair, Buffalo Tire Building on Monroe Rd, Ford Taurus Repair, Woodie, NAPA, Napa Auto Care Center, Volkswagen Jetta Repair, BMW 325i Repair, Ford Explorer Repair, Ford Escort Repair, Brembo brakes, Honda shop, Garage, Swedish, Euro Car Repair, Bimmer Shop, 

Need A Suspension Inspection At Carolina Tire& Auto In Charlotte?

Need A Suspension Inspection At Carolina Tire& Auto In Charlotte?

Your suspension system keeps your car up off the road. From there, it’s responsible for a smooth and comfortable ride around Charlotte. It also keeps your sedan wheels firmly planted over bumps and through curves on Charlotte roads and interstates.

Your suspension system has many critical parts that do a big job. They should be inspected for damage and excessive wear at least once a year. A good time would be when you get your alignment check in Charlotte.

Here are some warning signs of suspension problems: the sedan pulls to one side, wandering, erratic steering, uneven tire wear, leaning, shocks bottom out, poor ride or handling, oil leaking from shocks, and excessive bouncing.

Now sedan suspension parts just wear out over time. Shocks and struts eventually lose their ability to control your ride. If you’re in an accident, your sedan suspension can be damaged or knocked out of alignment. Even a minor accident, like hitting a curb, pothole or large rock can mess things up.
If you suspect suspension problems, ask for an inspection and let the Super Service Agents technicians at Carolina Tire & Auto in Charlotte set things right.

Give us a call

Carolina Tire & Auto
980-219-8500 Uptown
704-553-9800 Ballantyne



3325 Monroe Rd
Charlotte, NC 28205

At Carolina Tire & Auto in Charlotte NC (28205) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 980-219-8500. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.carolina-tire.com

When to replace your tires?

A great question from a Carolina Tire & Auto customer...


Q: My father is notoriously frugal, and I tell him he should replace his old dry-rotted tires even though they still have plenty of tread. Can you please explain why I'm right? 


A: I think our dads might be brothers. Tire replacement is pretty straightforward to the cost-conscious: when the tread wears down or a hole can't be patched. The reality is more nuanced than that. Tires are complex components that undergo amazing stresses during even the most mundane of drives. It took the better part of 50 years and a world war before motorists could depend on reaching a far-away destination without fixing one or two flats. As rubber technology and steel-belting techniques improved, tires became a very reliable part of the car—we just don't expect blowouts and punctures. 

Tires do degrade over time, though, and that process is called dry rot. Oils and chemicals in the rubber compound start to evaporate or break down because of UV exposure. The rubber loses its flexibility and begins to crack at the surface, and the structure becomes more and more brittle (think of a really old rubber band), leading to sidewall damage and eventual failure. And we're not talking "Oh, I'll just fill it up and drive on it"; this is a complete loss of function. You might even see tread start to separate. It's good practice to replace tires as soon as you see signs of dry rot, to prevent blowouts and the subsequent loss of vehicle control. Even if there are no signs of rot, the industry standard is to swap out tires before they hit 10 years old, and some tire companies recommend replacement as early as six years after manufacture.

Charlotte, Stands up for Small Business

In Charlotte in just the last five months, Buffalo Tire sold out to the Japanese and now we've read that Case Tire is shutting down after 40 years in business. My Carolina Tire & Auto friends, believe in small business. Don't buy into the large international auto chain stores and car dealerships. Carolina Tire & Auto is called Charlotte's Dealership Alternative for many reasons. We do not out on the high pressure sale like others do, we do not try to sell you things you do not need. What we do is we take care of your car like it was our own and only watch out for your best interest.

We know times are tough, that's why Charlotte, NC needs an independently owned place like Carolina Tire & Auto where you actually see and know the owner. That we will look you in your eyes and shake your hand and tell you the God's honest truth about your car's health. "Sometimes people don't like to hear that their car was diagnosed with a particular issue", said Carolina Tire president, Jim Seidel. "But that why we train each associate at Carolina Tire to talk to the customer and take care of the customer's cars like it was their mother's car", added Seidel. We don't set quotas on cars like a Tire Kingdom may do. If your car is alright and just needs oil, then that's what it is. But if it really needs brakes or there's a check engine light on, we're going to inform you about those issues.

Carolina Tire & Auto is an Angie's List Super Service Award Winner for 2010 and 2011. Carolina Tire & Auto is also one of the highest rated auto centers in all of Charlotte on places like Google and CitySearch and Judy's Book. Carolina Tire & Auto has car dealership mechanics and technicians that perform professional repairs, service and maintenance on cars like Mercedes, BMW, Ford, Honda, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Jaguar, BMW, Chrylser, Dodge, Chevy, GMC, Lincoln, Mercury, Buick, Toyota, Kia, Lexus, Infiniti and more. "Many people don't even know that we have the exact same tools, electronic equipment and mechanics as the dealerships do", noted Mr. Seidel. "We're doing the same work, putting on parts right out of the same box that the dealership is using and putting the same replacement repair warranty". "The only thing Carolina Tire & Auto isn't doing is charging the car dealership rates", add Seidel.

Spread the word on Carolina Tire & Auto Charlotte. Show Charlotte that you stand united with small business, this country's and this economy's life blood.


Carolina Tire & Auto has two great locations for Charlotte:

Carolina Tire & Auto (Uptown, Myers Park & Dilworth)
3325 Monroe Rd
Charlotte, NC 28205
980-219-8500


Carolina Tire & Auto (South Charlotte)
10822 Pineville Rd
Pineville, NC 28134
704-553-9800

www.carolina-tire.com - Book your auto repair and tire appointments online.

Carolina Tire & Auto to Give Back $17 Million Dollars to Charlotte Drivers

Gas prices continued an upward climb today, settling at an average price of $3.59 a gallon, the U.S. Energy Information Administration announced today.

In some places, Charlotte consumers are already seeing gas prices over $4. Today's weekly gas price average was up 40 cents from a year ago, and up by seven cents from last week.

"I'm expecting the national average to float dangerously close to $4 a gallon," Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com's senior petroleum analyst, recently told ABC News. DeHaan said that following last week's average price per gallon of $3.53, gas prices are very close to "that psychological $4 mark."

So how is Carolina Tire & Auto going to give Charlotte, North Carolina back $17,000,000.00 dollars in gas savings? "Simple math" says Jim Seidel, president of Carolina Tire & Auto.

There are over 1.7 million people living in Charlotte, NC. For every person that comes to a Carolina Tire & Auto location with a paid gas receipt of at least $10 bucks, they give you $10 bucks back. What's the catch? There isn't one really. If you drive a car you need services performed to it. Services like oil changes that save you on gas. Products like Continental tires that manufacture fuel saving tires. So the next time you need an oil change, tires or any auto repair service or general maintenance that totals at least $40.00 at any Carolina Tire & Auto location and you give us your gas receipt, we'll give you $10.00 bucks off your bill right there on the spot.

"We have over 25,000 current customer right now and we'll start with them", added Mr. Seidel. That's $250,000.00 back to just the customers at Carolina Tire & Auto. This promo will stay up as long as gas prices are above $3.00 per gallon or supplies run out.

Auto Repair Charlotte, NC

Carolina Tire & Auto is a locally owned and family run auto repair and service company with locations in South Charlotte and Dilworth/Myers Park/Uptown. Carolina Tire & Auto has consistently been one of the highest rated auto centers in Charlotte, NC as well as an Angie's List Super Service Award Winner two years in a row. Carolina Tire & Auto has also been South Charlotte's Dealership Alternative. Employing ASE Certified technicians and having dealership electronics and diagnostic equipment. From the basic Honda and Ford, to Steve Smith's Bentley Flying Spur. They service all European cars under their Carolina MotorWerks division, including Aston Martin, Porsche and Ferrari.

Carolina Tire & Auto / Carolina MotorWerks

10822 Pineville Rd

Pineville, NC 28134

704-553-9800

3325 Monroe Rd

Charlotte, NC 28205

980-219-8500

http://www.carolina-tire.com

Buy 1 Tire, Get 1 FREE at Carolina Tire

Buy 1 Tire, Get 1 Free comes to Carolina Tire & Auto in Pineville.

When it comes to buying anything in Charlotte, North Carolina we always want the best deal. It's no different when it comes to tires.
Announcing a very special limited engagement from Carolina Tire. While supplies last, BUY 1 TIRE, GET 1 FREE*
Need 4 tires? Double down on this deal get all 4 tires for the price of 2 tires.
What kind of tires? Only the Best for you Charlotte.

Buy1 get 1 FREE tire sale valid on purchase of a set of two in stock General Altimax RT and HP (up to 15 inch), Continental ProContact (up to 15 inch and select 16 inch), Capital H Rated (up to 16 inch) brand tires and all Kumho KR21 T Rated tires with purchase of a premium tire installation package with Roadside Assistance for each tire and a one year wheel alignment policy on same vehicle at time of purchase from October 31st, 2011 Through November 30th, 2011. No carryouts. Not valid with any other tire discount or offer. While supplies last. See store for details. No cash value.

Five Warning Lights That Keep Your Car Running

Summer's a prime time for road trips, but logging hundreds of miles also means you’re more likely to encounter vehicle trouble. Warning lights can make any driver nervous, but if you know what each light means, you’ll be able to handle any problems that arise.

Oil Pressure Warning Light

Imagine the sound of two pieces of steel grinding together without a lubricant. That’s the sound your car could make without enough oil. The oil pressure light doesn’t tell you when it’s time for an oil change (although some cars can do that), but it will tell you if there are low levels of oil, or if the oil pressure is low.This could be a result of a punctured oil pan, a leak or a number of problems. If your oil pressure warning light turns on, pull over safely, turn off your car immediately and add oil. If you run the engine without oil, it will seize because the metal parts won’t be able to move against each other. That kills your engine.

The cost of diagnosing and fixing an oil leak on a 2007 Honda Accord with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine can cost between $396 and $534, according to Carolina Tire. That’s a lot to dish out at once, but it’s less than replacing a seized engine, which can cost $5,000 or more.

Check Engine Warning Light

In most cars, the check engine light and the onboard diagnostics light are the same thing: They indicate that there is a problem in the engine or the emissions system. If this light is on you could have a minor problem like a loose gas cap. But you could also be facing more serious issues, like fuel leaking into the exhaust pipe. If this happens, the fuel could damage the catalytic converter, a component that helps clean your exhaust fumes and is expensive to fix. Replacing both catalytic converters in a 2009 Ford F-150 with a 4.6-liter V8 engine could cost up to $4,302, according to Carolina Tire.


Tire Pressure Warning Light

Under-inflated tires can lose traction, increase a vehicle’s stopping distance and can make blowouts more likely. Since 2006, all vehicles in the U.S. are required to have a standard tire pressure monitoring system. A standard warning light has two parts: a low tire pressure warning and a tire pressure failure warning. If a tire pressure light comes on, you can find a gas station where you can check your tire pressure and add air, pull over and replace the tire or drive your car to a maintenance shop. If you have run-flat tires, you’re in luck. Most run-flat tires can drive up to 60 miles without damaging your wheels. Carolina Tire says that run-flat tires ride rougher than traditional tires, but to most of us, peace of mind in case of a flat is more important than how your car will perform on a race track. On the other hand, driving after a tire hascompletely blown will ruin your rims, adding thousands of dollars to your repair cost.



Engine Temperature Warning Light

Keep a watchful eye on your engine temperature gauge, which tells you how hot the engine is. If your engine is overheating, a small thermometer, a picture of a radiator or the word “temp” might light up. Usually, this temperature gauge notifies the driver that there is a problem with the engine’s coolant system. If the temperature light turns on, pull over to the side of the road and wait until the gauge falls back to the halfway mark. Remember, never pour water over a hot engine, and never open the radiator cap until the engine has fully cooled. Rather than cooling the engine down, dousing hot metal with cold water can result in dangerous amounts of steam and can warp or crack the metal. Opening up the radiator while it’s still hot can release a boiling radiator fluid that can badly burn your hands or face. If you don’t take this light seriously, you could damage your vehicle’s internal parts significantly. Hoses can burst, gaskets can blow and if aluminum cylinders expand too much, the engine could seize. Get to Carolina Tire immediately, where they can diagnose and fix the problem.


Brake Warning Light

Generally, the brake warning light turns on if pressure in the brake system has changed because of leaking or overheating brake fluid. Since disc brakes are operated by hydraulics, a change in fluid pressure means that they might not function properly. Most cars have disc brakes on at least the front wheels, while older cars generally use drum brakes on all four.

If your brake light goes on while you’re driving, take your foot of the gas and switch on your warning flashers so others know there’s a problem. Try pumping your brakes to get a bit more fluid in the brake system, which may give your brakes enough capability to work. Driving on grass or gravel, like what might be found on the shoulder of a highway, can also help you slow down.

Brake fade and failure can occur on a long downhill grade, when the driver has used the brakes too much and caused them to overheat. To prevent brake fade, shift from “Drive” into a lower gear. Allowing your engine to run only in a lower gear will limit its top speed and act like a brake. This technique is called “engine braking,” and many truckers and other drivers use it on long downhill grades to preserve their brakes for when they’re really needed. If your brakes totally fail, keep your eyes out for a runaway truck ramp. These ramps are located on the side of a downhill road, are built on an incline and are usually made of deep sand or soil. They can damage your car, since the engine can get filled with sand and any large rocks in the mixture can scrape up your car, so only use a runaway truck ramp in extreme cases. Still, they’ll slow you right down and keep you safe.

Remember to check your owner’s manual if you see a light you don’t recognize, since every car is a little different. Hopefully, knowing the warning signs ahead of time will help you prevent further damage to your car, and save a little money in the process.

Even in Record Heat, Tire Care Should Be No Sweat!

55% of Vehicles Have At Least One Under Inflated Tire

CHARLOTTE, Aug. 3, 2011 -- Record-setting heat across the U.S. can add to the risk of tire failure for overloaded vehicles with under inflated tires driving at highway speeds.

"Heat is the enemy of a tire," said Jim Seidel, president of Carolina Tire & Auto. "Under inflated tires generate excess heat that, over time, can cause damage and lead to a failure."

A 2010 RMA survey found more than half of all vehicles have at least one under inflated tire. One in seven vehicles had a tire under inflated by 8 pounds per square inch (psi).

"Tires are built to last tens of thousands of miles but they can't take unlimited abuse," Seidel said. "The air in your tires is carrying you, your family, your cargo and your car's weight. When under inflated, a tire is over-stressed because it cannot support that load. Neglect your tire pressure for too long, particularly during the hottest time of the year and you're inviting potential trouble."

Carolina Tire & Auto operates a local education program from the RMA -- Be Tire Smart – Play Your PART -- to raise awareness about the importance of tire maintenance. PART is an acronym that stands for Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread – the four basic elements of tire care.

Pressure – Check tire pressure every month and before long trips. Check tires when cold -- before you drive. Use the correct inflation pressure that is found on a label on the driver's door or check the owner's manual.

Alignment – Misaligned wheels can cause premature tire wear. Have alignment checked periodically or if you notice your vehicle "pulling" to the left or right. Hitting a pothole or curb could affect your wheel alignment.

Rotation – Rotate tires every 5,000-8,000 miles or check your owner's manual for a specific interval. Rotation helps tires wear evenly.

Tread – Inspect tread for damage every month when checking tire pressure. To ensure sufficient tread depth, do the penny test. Take a penny, insert upside down into tread groove. If you see all of Lincoln's head, it's time for new tires.

"Checking tires is simple and takes just five minutes," Seidel said. "If you don't do it yourself, Carolina Tire & Auto will do it for you free of charge. There's no reason to skimp on tire care."

Spark Plugs

In Pineville NC, the days when you changed your spark plugs every couple of years has ended. Back in the day, spark plugs really did wear out that often. A couple of things are different now…

First, spark plugs are made of better materials that last longer and they’re designed better. The second reason why spark plugs used to have to be changed in pickups and other autos was that they were fouled up with carbon deposits. The deposits built up when fuel wasn’t burned completely. With modern engine management controls that just doesn’t happen as often.

Engine control computers precisely time when fuel is injected into the engine and when spark plugs fire. Unless something’s wrong, spark plugs just don’t foul like they used to.

Electricity from the battery goes into a coil that allows power to build up to anywhere from 12,000 to 45,000 volts, depending on the vehicle. The engine management computer tells the coil when to release the power to the spark plug. The electricity travels through a wire from the coil to the spark plug. At the tip of the plug, a spark jumps between two electrodes and ignites the gas in the combustion chamber.

Some engines have more than one coil. Coils wear out and need to be replaced occasionally. Also, spark plug wires can wear out and need to be replaced.

Modern engines used around Pineville are delivering more power and better fuel economy all the time. That’s largely credited to fast engine control computers, advanced sensors, electronic ignition and improvements to the lowly spark plug.

It’ll be interesting to see where future developments take us. One last thought: it’s critically important to have theright kind of spark plug for your vehicle. Because engines are designed to run with different internal temperatures, spark plugs have different designs to work properly within those temperatures. Your Pineville NC service advisor at Carolina Tire & Auto will be able to get the right plugs for your vehicle. And he’ll be able to advise you on when you should replace your spark plugs as well.

At Carolina Tire & Auto in Pineville NC we install quality NAPA replacement parts. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

You can reach us in Pineville NC at: 704.553.9800, or online at http://www.carolina-tire.com/.

On-Board Diagnostics in Pineville NC

Some people in Pineville NC are confused by charges for diagnostic services for a vehicle repair, even though many other services in life include diagnostic fees – things like computer service and appliance repair in Pineville.

Even when we go into the doctor for a medical problem, we’re paying her to diagnose our ailment and of course for the tests that go along with it. So receiving a diagnostic charge for a tricky automotive problem shouldn’t be a surprise.

Automotive diagnostics can cover quite a range. If you hear a noise in your brakes, a quick visual check is usually enough to know what needs to be done. If you’re having an intermittent problem with your engine, diagnosis may be much more involved.

Some think that when the check engine light comes on, the engine computer tells the technician exactly what the problem is. The reality is much different. The trouble code just tells your Pineville technician what engine parameter is out of range, not what’s causing it. Your Pineville technician at Carolina Tire & Auto needs to determine the underlying problem that’s causing the symptom.

As you can imagine, some automotive diagnoses are quick and easy. Others are more involved and difficult. Of course, we at Carolina Tire & Auto want to figure out what’s wrong with your vehicle and get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

Give us a call:

Carolina Tire & Auto
10822 Pineville Rd
Pineville, NC 28134
704.553.9800

At Carolina Tire & Auto we install quality NAPA replacement parts. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visitwww.NAPAAutoCare.com.

ICE

Sometimes the unthinkable happens here in Pineville… A terrible accident and those involved aren’t able to provide our local Charlotte rescuers with emergency contact information. There are people who must be contacted to arrange help, give consent to treatment, inform paramedics of medical conditions, allergies or medications.
Too often, Charlotte police and rescue workers must sift through pockets, glove compartments, wallets, purses and cell phone directories for clues – often wasting precious time.
A brilliantly simple solution is now spreading around the globe: ICE. ICE – standing for ‘In Case of Emergency’, is a way of identifying emergency contacts in your cell phone directory.


Simply put ‘ICE’ before a contact name, like ‘ICE – Dad’, ‘ICE – Nancy’, or ‘ICE – Doctor Roberts’. Rescuers will be able to quickly identify your emergency contacts, saving valuable time.
It’s easy and just takes a few minutes to designate some ICE contacts in your cell phone. Remember to keep the listings current.
From your friends at Carolina Tire & Auto in Pineville NC, we’d like you to be as safe as possible while out on the road. Give us a call any time for great automotive advice:

Carolina Tire & Auto
10822 Pineville Rd
Pineville, NC 28134
704.553.9800

At Carolina Tire & Auto we install quality NAPA replacement parts.

Your Water Pump - What is it?

Let’s talk water pumps for autos in Pineville NC. The engine is cooled by coolant/antifreeze mixed with water. This mixture circulates around the engine, absorbing some of the heat. The coolant then flows through the radiator where air cools it down for the return trip back through the engine. Your pickup’s water pump is what drives this process.

Cooling system problems are the number-one mechanical failure in Pineville. So the water pump plays a pretty important role. You can’t get very far in NC without a water pump.

After all those miles and years of pumping coolant, water pumps just wear out. You might notice a whining or grinding sound coming from the water pump. Or maybe see coolant leaking from the pump itself.

The precise location of the water pump varies depending on the vehicle. Some have the water pump attached to the outside of the engine where you can see it. With these, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt.

Some have the water pump driven by the timing belt. The timing belt cover often hides the water pump with this setup, so you can’t see the pump without removing the cover.

When you have Carolina Tire & Auto replace the water pump on one of these, you really should replace the timing belt at the same time. We’ve already gotten things taken apart and besides, the belt’s likely been contaminated by coolant. And timing belts usually need to be replaced every 60 to 90,000 miles anyway so it just makes sense to do both jobs at once.

The opposite is true too; when you change the timing belt on this type of engine, replace the water pump while you’re at it. The water pump will eventually fail and getting to it is an expensive project. For not that much more you can take care of both the timing belt and the water pump at the same time.

At Carolina Tire & Auto in Pineville NC we install quality NAPA replacement parts. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Making Your Vehicle Last With Regular Service

A lot of people in NC have older vehicles. They’re good commuters, grocery-getters or toy-haulers. They enjoy that fact that they’re paid off, or soon will be. They would gladly like to keep their vehicles for 200,000 miles or more – as long as it’s economical to do so.

There are plenty of people in Pineville whose vehicles are running after 150,000 or 200,000 miles. We can learn from what they’re doing to keep our own cars on the road.

A common denominator is that they never skip an oil change. That may sound a bit unsophisticated, but it’s really not. First off, oil is the life blood of your engine and it needs to be clean to properly lubricate. Skipping oil changes leads to clogged oil filters and sludge that can damage your engine. Enough said.

There’s another reason why the scheduled oil change is so important. It’s simple – a Carolina Tire & Auto professional is going to be looking at your car. All of your fluid levels will be inspected and topped off so they won’t get so low that damage can be done. If there is a significant fluid loss, let’s use brake fluid as an example, your Pineville technician can look for the cause of the loss and find the problem before it leads to an accident or costly repair.

Your Pineville service technician will also visually inspect the vehicle for worn belts and hoses, uneven tire wear, leaking shock absorbers and more. Problems get addressed before they lead to repairs that cost more than the car’s worth. And your Pineville service advisor will be able to remind you of other services that the factory recommends you get done.

Just think of that oil change the same way as you do about going to the dentist for your six month cleaning and checkup. Don’t skip it.

Of course, good maintenance costs money, but it’s far cheaper than new car payments.

Give us a call to schedule your next oil change today. You can find us online at Carolina Tire & Auto, or you can find us in Pineville, NC 28134 at 10822 Pineville Rd. Or simply give us a call at 704.553.9800. At Carolina Tire & Auto we install quality NAPA replacement parts.