Automotive Air Conditioning Repair basics: Your vehicle’s air conditioning system components include an air compressor, evaporator, condenser, orifice tube or expansion valve and a receiver dryer or accumulator. Of course there are A/C lines connecting the various components. You’re A/C system contains a liquid refrigerant and a small amount of oil lubricant. Your air conditioning […]

Dogs HATE Hot Cars: Summer Heat and your pets Let’s not beat around the bush. Dogs hate hot cars! NEVER leave your dogs or pets in a hot car or truck. Temperatures inside a vehicle can get dangerously hot in a short period of time. On a hot day temperatures can reach 120 degrees. Once the temperatures […]

How to buy a used car. New car sales have been on the rise over the last three years. As a result the market is being flooded with used cars. This a a great time to find and buy a good used / preowned vehicle. There are four main steps to purchasing a used car. […]

Hi everyone — This is my second post about this Raleigh teen driving school.  The classes are returning to Raleigh in October.  My daughter has taken the class twice and I highly recommend it.  It is an excellent defensive driving class.Here is a link to my previous post which has a good description of the […]

Accurately Describing Car Problems: When bringing your vehicle in for a specific problem it is very beneficial to have a detailed and accurate description of how and when the problem occurs. Describing car problems descriptively and accurately can be very helpful.  A good description of the problem can point us in the right direction and […]

Cold winter weather can wreak havoc on your vehicle if you haven’t prepared. by Rich Ellis Winter Weather Winter Weather. You can love it, hate it, or simply tolerate it. No matter which camp you fall into, when it comes to winter driving, we all have one thing in common – the need to be prepared. […]

The answer is “yes, You Should Update Your Vehicle’s Software,” as today’s vehicles rely increasingly on computers powered by complex software to control everything from on-board entertainment to engine performance. By Rich Ellis Smartphone and computer users are accustomed to those devices alerting them when a software update is available. Asking whether they want to […]

by Rich Ellis  Before there were mobile devices, there was worry on how to get roadside assistance.  Summoning help after an accident or breakdown left a driver stranded roadside depended on a payphone being within walking distance, the kindness of a passing stranger, or a timely police patrol. Today, however, one need only pick up a […]

by Rich Ellis It’s that time of year again. “Summertime,” as the song goes, “and the livin’ is easy.” It’s supposed to be easy, but can get tough in a hurry if you hit the road on a summer adventure without first ensuring your vehicle is up to the challenge. A lot can go wrong […]

Get the Most out of Car Camping Car camping is a good first step into the world of camping. Here are a few tips on how to do it right. by Josh Sadlier When you go camping, communing with nature is kind of the point. But “car camping” – i.e., camping minus the hiking, meaning […]