Overland Park Auto Repair

It’s amazing how the smallest and least expensive part of the car can have a tremendous impact on safety. Take windshield wipers, for instance. Most people don’t even think about them as a key auto maintenance factor until they encounter a driving rainstorm or the first slushy mess of the winter. Natural rubber rots, so windshield wiper replacement should be done annually, depending on your climate, whether or not your car is garaged, and how often you drive. Fall is the optimal time for this, especially if you have noticed streaks, wiper “chattering,” scuffing, or any instance where the blade is not clearing the windshield properly. (Never run the wipers on a dry windshield!) The easiest way to determine if you’re due a replacement is to run your fingers along the rubber part of the wiper. If it’s not smooth as butter, it won’t do the job right and you run the risk of not being able to see the road during a storm. If you drive a minivan or SUV be sure to check the rear wi ... read more

It was 14 degrees F at New Concept Auto Service when I unlocked the doors this morning. Although some might not consider that bitter cold, here in Overland Park, Kansas, I think it qualifies! Here are some tips to help ensure your car will start for your frigid morning commute: Fill your tank. Stick with regular grade fuel and make sure your engine has a good tune-up. Premium fuel is a good product and I use it in some of my personal cars. However, it has no specific benefit for cold starting. Premium fuel has a higher octane rating. Higher octane fuel creates less pre-ignition or pinging in the engine especially during hot weather. Unless your car specifically calls for premium fuel, just use regular in the cold weather. Also, ethanol works well in cold weather. Gas stations, especially in metropolitan areas, contain up to 10 percent ethanol as mandated by the EPA. Check the pump and if you have a choice, use the 10 percent ethanol in the cold weather. (E85 gas pumps ... read more

That first cold snap of the year has come, and no one knows when the ice, snow, and frigid temperatures will hit Overland Park, Kansas. Here are some car maintenance items you should be thinking about before Mother Nature decides to turn down the thermostat even more. Your defroster should be blowing warm. If it’s not, the first time precipitation meets up with cooler air you will really miss that windshield-clearing tool. Turn your defroster on when you first start the engine on a cold morning so the air will slowly warm up the glass. A sudden blast of hot air will sometimes crack the windshield along the bottom.Your wipers should be tightened so they clear the windshield without skidding across the surface. Check for frayed ends and replace this inexpensive safety tool often. Once the ice and snow fall in Overland Park, if your wipers get stuck to the glass, don’t turn them on until the defroster has had time to thaw things out. Also make sure your washer squirters squirt, an ... read more