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.

Failure to Check Tires Causes Wrecks in Hot Weather

Six out of 10 motorists wash their cars at least once per month, but only one in seven properly checks their tire pressure, a recent survey by the Carolina Tire & Auto reports.

And as the summer days turn into Charlotte scorchers, that lack of tire care can be deadly, especially with large trucks, cars and van or hauling summer luggage, says Jim Seidel, president of Carolina Tire & Auto of Pineville, NC.

“Excessive heat is a key trigger for tire failures,” says Seidel, whose company replaces thousands of tires per year.

“Tires are engineered to support the high amount of friction that occurs when trucks are traveling at high speeds. But couple that with very high outdoor temperatures, and you’ve got a serious safety hazard on your hands.”

That’s because hot weather can cause tires to heat up beyond their design specifications, Seidel explains. Also, trucks carrying loads exceeding their approved weight limit or whose tires are underinflated can lead to fatal blowouts, the tire expert says.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,400 people were killed in tire-related crashes in the United States between 2005 and 2009. An additional 116,000 were injured in wrecks caused by tire problems.

While some blowouts are nobody’s fault, others occur due to negligence on the part of driver. People sometimes just pay less attention to tire maintenance.

“The the heat, coupled with the air pressure and load that you may be carrying makes it even more important that Charlotte drivers do simple things like check tire pressure,” Seidel says. Or come on in to Carolina Tire & Auto and have them professionally inspected for free.

For your free tire check up in Charlotte; contact the best tire company in town at Carolina Tire & Auto - Charlotte's # 1 online rated tire & auto repair company.

704-553-9800

www.carolina-tire.com

Luxury Cars That Don't Guzzle Gas

The terms “luxurious” and “economical” needn’t be mutually exclusive. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or are just tired of having your pocket picked at the pump, there’s a growing number of top-shelf models on the market that boast top fuel efficiency. And we’re not talking about oddball six-figure hybrids that save a few mpg for the sake of environmental street cred among one’s peers – these are mainstream luxury cars that get at least 30 mpg and give up little in terms of either performance or comfort. So at Carolina Tire & Auto we decided to put our list together for you to help you save money at the pump and still look cool.

For instance, the BMW 528i is not only one of the most pleasurable-to-drive midsize luxury cars, it’s also among the most fuel-efficient. A manual transmission is standard for enthusiasts with a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission available at no extra cost for the clutch-averse. Cutting-edge amenities like a rearview camera with top-down side-view perspectives for easier parking and an infrared Night Vision system make it one of the best-selling luxury cars on the road. It’s base-priced at around $45,500 and is rated at 22/32 mpg.

For those looking to buy American, the Lincoln MKZ hybrid (Lincoln’s version of the Ford Fusion Hybrid) treats its occupants to a luxurious interior while presenting onlookers with a fierce and edgy facade. The car can run at speeds up to 47 mph solely on battery power. Best of all, the MKZ is the only hybrid that’s priced on a par with its gasoline-powered equivalent at about $35,000. It’s rated at 41/36 mpg.

Whoever came up with the moniker “gas guzzler” may have to rethink how they define SUVs thanks to the Lexus RX 450h’s 32/28 mpg rating. Available in front- and all-wheel-drive versions, the stylish midsize hybrid luxury crossover SUV is quicker and gets better mileage than its gasoline powered equivalent. Starting at around $44,000, it remains both practical and a pleasure to drive, with a spacious and comfortable wood-trimmed five-passenger cabin that includes 10 airbags.

Here are more examples of luxury cars that won't nickel-and-dime you at the pump according to Carolina Tire & Auto.

BMW 335d

The "clean diesel" version of the acclaimed 3 Series sedan is both efficient and sporty, with a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline-six-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower with a whopping 425 pound-feet of torque that ensures quick launches. Driving the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, this engine can take the 335d to 60 mph in just under seven seconds, which is roughly on a par with the 335i gasoline version. Superior suspension and steering systems enable adept cornering abilities that reward a skilled driver at every turn, while an available M Sport package turns the 335d into an even racier package. Priced at around $44,500, it's rated at 23/36 mpg.

Lexus HS 250h

Lexus' midsize five-passenger hybrid-powered luxury sedan is more handsomely styled than its cousin at Toyota, the Prius. Though it can't match that model's fuel economy, it's more refined and delivers more luxury-car-like comfort and performance. A 2.4-liter gas/electric powertrain produces 187 horsepower, with comfort-tuned ride and handling characteristics. In a nod to the car's "green" nature, around 30 percent of its cabin and trunk materials are so-called bioplastics that are responsible for 20 percent less carbon dioxide emissions. It starts at around $36,000 and is rated at 35/34 mpg.

Lexus RX 450h

Available in front- and all-wheel-drive versions, the stylish midsize RX 450h hybrid luxury crossover SUV is quicker and gets better mileage than its gasoline powered equivalent with its 295-horsepower electrified 3.5-liter V-6 powertrain. It remains both practical and a pleasure to drive, with a spacious and comfortable wood-trimmed five-passenger cabin that includes 10 airbags. Starting at around $44,000, high-tech options include a head-up display that projects pertinent data onto the windshield in the driver's line of sight. It's rated at 32/28 mpg.

Lincoln MKZ

Lincoln's version of the Ford Fusion Hybrid features formal chrome-capped styling, and treats its occupants to a more luxurious interior. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and an electric motor generate a V6-like 191 horsepower, and the car can run at speeds up to 47 mph solely on battery power. A novel dashboard display helps motorists maximize their fuel efficiency. It comes with a long list of standard convenience features that includes heated and cooled front seats. Best of all, the MKZ is the only hybrid that's priced on a par with its gasoline-powered equivalent at about $35,000. It's rated at 41/36 mpg.

Mercedes E350 BlueTEC

This is the most-efficient version of Mercedes' elegant and accommodating midsize E-Class sedan, and it leverages its 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 engine for V-8-grade off-the-line acceleration with 210 horsepower and a generous 400 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and efficiently. Buyers can upgrade the base comfort-oriented suspension to a sport package for improved handling and specific upgrades at no difference in price, which starts at just over $51,000. It's rated at 22/33 mpg.

Happy driving from Carolina Tire & Auto in Pineville, NC or at 704-553-9800 or at www.carolina-tire.com

Used Cars to Avoid

For many of cash-strapped motorists in Charlotte, NC, buying a used car or truck, rather than a brand-new one, is an option based on sheer necessity. The average transaction price of a new vehicle is nearly $30,000 according to TrueCar.com, an industry research and forecasting company–a figure far too steep to absorb for many U.S. households. Consumers can indeed save thousands of dollars selecting a pre-owned car but buyer beware: shopping for a used vehicle can be in many ways far more difficult–and certainly more perilous–than buying a new one.

As Charlotte's premiere auto repair center, Carolina Tire & Auto knows a tremendous amount of information about all makes and models of cars we service and repair. So we compiled a short list of used cars to avoid, based on data from multiple sources including reliability surveys, resale values and safety ratings, along with our own real world Carolina Tire & Auto experiences of repairing and road-testing these vehicles. However, our selections are largely based on the most recent J.D. Power & Associates U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study which determines the least dependable three-year-old cars. The results are based on responses from more than 43,700 original owners of 2008 model-year vehicles regarding problems experienced during the prior 12 months. All of the models on our list were rated “below average” in overall reliability, specifically powertrain performance (engine/transmission/suspension); issues with the body and interior treatments; and failures with features and accessories.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

Expensive and reportedly repair-prone, with fuel economy at a thirsty 12 mpg in city driving, suffering high maintenance and repair costs and facing a steep and costly drop in resale value between the third and fifth years of ownership, the negatives tend to far outweigh the positives as regard this moderately sporty British luxury SUV. Developed as a livelier alternative to its larger non-Sport Range Rover sibling, the 2008 vintage comes powered by a relatively lackluster choice of engines rated at 300 and 390 horsepower (versus 375/510 horses for the 2011 model). Laden with gadgetry, this generation of the Range Rover Sport remains plagued by what remain among the most confusing dashboard ergonomics in the auto industry. As far as repairs and service go, they are very expensive to maintain.

Dodge Charger / Dodge Magnum

With a storied nameplate that was resurrected for the 2006 model year, the full-size Charger sedan comes wrapped in throwback exterior styling, while the Magnum was cast as an aggressive-looking station wagon. Both are related to the Chrysler 300, which boasts higher marks in the J.D. Power & Associates U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study for body and interior durability. Though enthusiasts may prefer the cars' rear-wheel-drive configuration for its inherently crisper handling qualities, they tend to slip and slide on wet pavement and become stuck in the snow; those fitted with the optional all-wheel-drive system fare better in that regard. A choice of V-6 engines afforded average acceleration, with a 5.7-liter V8 being the quicker, albeit fuel-thirstier, choice. The top SRT-8 model packs a wallop with a 6.1-liter V-8 but is rare and costly. Even when new these cars felt cheap and unfinished and can't possibly fare much better three years down the road, particularly if they were driven hard. It's too bad that Chrysler decided to put Goodyear tires on these cars, terrible decision as Goodyear is one of the worst performing tires on the road as far as we are concerned.