KANSAS CITY AND OVERLAND PARK AUTO REPAIR

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

It’s no secret we’re keeping our cars longer and that means that routine maintenance becomes even more important. The most basic of all scheduled upkeep is the oil change and it’s also the most important. Oil performs three vital functions for the performance of your car. It keeps engine components working smoothly together, oil helps draw heat away from your car’s combustion chamber and it helps prevent carbon from accumulating in the engine. So How Often Should I Change My Oil? Most of us have grown up with the 3,000 mile rule. We have our dads and quick change oil places to thank for that and it used to be pretty much true. These days it’s not so simple. Our driving habits are different, our cars are more efficient, and oil is made up of different stuff than it used to be ... read more

Kansas City’s first large snowstorm hit one week ago, and today our grass and trees are still covered with snow! While snow can be stunning and beautiful from indoors, it’s not so stunning when you have to drive in winter-like conditions. Driver safety in winter’s weather is very important. Not only does driving safely in winter weather keep your automobile running efficiently – but more importantly, it helps keep you and your passengers safe! Avoiding Winter Weather Car Accidents Our biggest fears when bad weather hits is that we’re going to get into a car accident, and that we’re going to get stuck in the snow. We encourage all drivers to stay very ALERT while driving, and especially in bad weather. Do what you can to avoid any accidents. Always be aware of the cars around you, as well as any upcoming stoplights, stop signs or busy intersections. Drive slowly. While you cannot control if another car hits you, you can control how you operate your car and your alertness when it come ... read more

Now that the leaves are almost off the trees and the holidays are nearer it’s time to imagine family gatherings, fires in the fireplace, and being stuck in the snow. Be prepared for winter emergencies. Well, except for that last part. But as much as we like to think about the pleasant site of snowfall we should also be prepared for the less than pleasant side. This can mean accidents, becoming stranded, or just getting your car to start on a below zero morning. A Federal Highway Administration study said that 75% of all weather-related crashes occur on wet pavement and 11% happen on snowy or slushy roads. So having a winter emergency kit is essential for the safety of you and your family. What to include: a shovel windshield scraper and small broom flashlight with extra batteries-keep the batteries reversed until you need them in case you accidentally turn it on and burn them out. battery powe ... read more