KANSAS CITY AND OVERLAND PARK AUTO REPAIR

America is a car culture. We buy big, drive far, commute alone and judge each other by what’s in the driveway. And we’re paying for it in numerous ways. Taking the DOT and other estimates of the general commuting population of larger cities into account we are throwing an average of 13,000 tons of CO2 into the air on a daily basis. The average cost of fuel for the same daily commute was approximately $15.5 million dollars. So why aren’t we all driving electric cars? The industry has had difficulty getting off the ground due to technology and consumer issues but we may be on the cusp of an electric revolution. This year 12 car manufacturers will introduce EVs, hoping to entice a huge car nation to take the chance and plug one in for themselves. So what are the Pros ... read more

If you read our last post on the Pros and Cons of electric vehicles you may decided that an EV is the choice for you. So how about converting your existing vehicle to electric? It’s definitely doable, not excessively complicated, but should you do it yourself? DIY electric car conversions aren't for the automotive faint of heart. According to the website EVHelp.com it can be done but only by those with the some skills: Mechanical – you are accustomed to working on cars. Electrical – you have an understanding of basic wiring and electricity. Welding – you have basic welding skills or know someone who does. Troubleshooting – you have experience troubleshooting problems in vehicles. Not all cars are good candidates for conversion. The car you ... read more

In this snow-filled winter, our backyards and fences are not the only thing in Kansas City area being covered with a wintry substance. As drivers, the more we get out of the house, the more our cars are covered in SALT! Salt is great when applied to roads and walkways. And although it’s helpful for melting ice and snow, it’s benefits are not quite the same for our cars. Wash Your Car This winter, Sallas Auto Repair wants to remind you to wash your cars as soon as it warms up to an above-freezing temperature. You’ll know it’s safe because lines at the car washes will start forming, as careful vehicle owners know how important it is to keep the exterior of the car free of salt. And even if you’re someone who hates to wait in line, find some way to rinse off the salt that’s stuck to the sides of your car. Try to wash your car during the day, so that if the temperature drops at night, you’ll be sure to avoid frozen doors and locks. It’s important to remove the salt from ... read more

Keep Your Car Going In Hot Weather Today, July 19, 2012, Kansas City is the hottest city in the nation. This comes smack in the middle of our second major heat wave with temperatures regularly in the triple digits. So while we prefer to stay inside air conditioned offices and homes at some point we are forced to venture out for work, shopping or just to get out. Our cars are often the last thing we think of when it comes to hot weather, we just sort of assume they’ll work when we get into them. But this hot weather can really take its toll so take a hard look at your poor car and read these tips on keeping it going in this hot weather. Check your air filter. Not only have we experienced above normal temps we’re suffering way below normal rainfall. This means that dust and dirt are just swirling around waiting to be sucked into our car’s air f ... read more

People in Kansas City have been hearing a lot about higher oil change intervals these days. Maybe you’re wondering: What are the key issues? Some new vehicle manufacturers in Kansas City are now recommending much higher oil change intervals than they have in the past. As much as 5,000 to 8,000 miles or more. This practice came under scrutiny when four of the largest new car manufacturers announced that owners like those in Kansas City were experiencing engine damage resulting from these higher oil change intervals. The manufacturers’ standard oil drain service for particular vehicles was scheduled at around 7,500 miles. People following these recommendations were experiencing engine damage. It turns out that oil sludge was building up. This caused small oil passages to clog and engine parts to fail. What causes oil sludge? It’s a factor of time and mileage. There are hot spots in every engine that cause oil burn off that leads to ... read more