KANSAS CITY AND OVERLAND PARK AUTO REPAIR

Driving in the rain is inevitable. During a torrential downpour, your best and safest option is to pull into a parking lot and wait it out. If you are not in a position get off the road, follow these safety tips to ensure you arrive to your destination safely. Don’t… Turn on cruise control. This can make your car hydroplane, which means it is traveling on the water and has little to no traction with the pavement. If you do hydroplane, let off the gas and do not make any sudden movements. Tailgate another vehicle. A good rule to remember whether it’s raining or not is to keep at least a car’s length in front you for every 10 miles per hour you’re moving. For example, if you’re moving at 30 miles per hour, keep a distance of at least 3 cars between you and the next vehicle. Drive through big puddles. If you can’t see the ground through the flowing water, don’t drive through it. It is easy to u ... read more

Fall is on the way here and chances are the kids are back in school and summer vacations are over. This is a great time to give your car a thorough cleaning. Sallas Auto Repair has some tips to get your car back in shape and ready for leaf peeping road trips. A clean car is a happy car. -Your car always needs a good washing to protect it from damage from sun and dirt. Fall is also a great time to wax it in anticipation of road salt and ice in the winter. -Give your car a good vacuuming. If you’ve been carting kids around you probably have all sorts of debris on your floors from picnics, the pool, or the beach. Sand is a killer on a car’s interior so be sure and get under and in-between seats. -Clean and condition your seats. More and more cars have leather seats and they can take a beating from the sun, especially if your car sits outside all day. Wipe them down with a cleaner made especial ... read more

While driving, one of the most frustrating things that can occur is getting a whiff of an odor that is not normal for your car. Knowing what different car smells mean can help you better diagnose your vehicle’s problem and get it properly fixed. Hydrogen sulfide in your exhaust could be causing your car to smell like rotten eggs. If you are like me, having a foreign smell arise in your car can be frustrating. That is why we at Sallas Auto have taken the time to put together a list of top car odors and how to clear them out of the air, literally. Rotten Eggs If you have ever turned your car on and smelled rotten eggs it is time to check the exhaust, not for eggs, but for hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is produced when your catalytic converter is not working correctly. If you smell eggs you should definitely take your car into a trusted auto shop, the smell suggests you have trouble. A trusted shop w ... read more

Is it time for a new vehicle? In an economy full of high gas prices, yet low housing prices, it’s hard to know where your car fits into the picture. If you’re looking to switch vehicles this spring, here’s our guide to trading vs. selling your vehicles. In almost all cases, you will get more money for your used vehicle if you sell it yourself. However, it can be easier and even smarter to go ahead and trade it in. Below are the recommendations from Sallas Auto Repair owner, Nick Sallas, on how to determine what to do with your used vehicle. The Selling Your Car Guide Selling your car yourself will probably make you the most money off of your used car. Before you advertise your vehicle for sale, you’ll need to “stage” your car, just like you would “stage” a house before putting it on the marketing. Take it to get professionally detailed, waxed, and cleaned. Just like a house, don’t try to sell a personal car with personal items. Remove all papers, pens, loose change, car seats, bags ... read more

You may think the motor vehicle inspection requirement is a hassle and a way for auto mechanics to make more money. But there’s a reason to keep your vehicle in safe working order. A defective vehicle may not respond the right way if the driver tries to avoid an accident. And a defective vehicle may not keep the occupants inside the car safe if an accident does happen. And frankly, who wants to break down on a busy highway or even in your driveway? Stay safe on the road with a vehicle inspection. A certified inspection station will go over your car and inspect all the car’s systems and mechanicals. From the exhaust system to the mirrors, tires and wheels, brakes to steering mechanism, your car will get a meticulous examination. They’ll even check the horn. And while you may end up with a repair or two to meet inspection standards it’s all for a good reason. According to the Missouri State Highway P ... read more