How often should headlights be replaced?

Do you wonder how often should headlight be replaced?  If you are finding it more and more difficult to see the road at night, it could be caused by dim headlights and not your glasses. Ask your auto technician to inspect all the power accessories in your vehicle to rule out a possible auto electrical repair.  Standard halogen headlights naturally dim over time so all that may be needed to improve your visibility at night are new headlights.

Just like wiper blades, headlights should also be inspected periodically.  Changing a car's headlights before they burn out will increase your ability to see roadside objects, such as street signs, as well as your reaction time in avoiding road hazards.  It will also provide you with a greater sense of safety and security on the road.  Fortunately, replacing headlights more frequently is a simple and inexpensive way to make night driving safer for any age driver. 

Here are a few easy tips to help keep your headlights in good working order:

• Give your headlights a quick scrub when you clean your windows at the gas station. 
• Replace your headlights before they get too dim and burn out. 
• Replace headlights in pairs to avoid uneven illumination.
• Consider replacing normal halogen headlights with high-performance headlights that produce light closer in color to natural daylight.
• Inspect that your headlights are correctly adjusted as they can be knocked out of alignment by rough driving.

A Safety Tip to Remember:  Periodically inspect that all your car lights are in good working order. Ask someone to turn on the headlights, brake lights and turn signals as you walk around the outside of the car.  If there are issues with your lights or other power accessories, ask your mechanic about a needed auto electrical repair.

Wondering about how often should headlights be replaced?  Call the ASE-certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about auto electrical repair and to Make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering about the symptoms of bad struts?

Automotive shocks wear down slowly over time and as the miles add up.  Like all other automobile parts and systems, shocks and struts have a specific maintenance schedule.  Auto repair specialists say that normally they should be replaced between every 50,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the wear and tear they have received.

What keeps your vehicle balanced and connected to the road?  It’s the automotive shocks!  The many different components that make up the steering and suspension systems play a big role in keeping your ride smooth and safe.  The life span of shocks and struts will depend on your driving patterns. If you consistently travel over bumpy streets and adverse road conditions, then these parts will want to be replaced more often than those used for commuting short distances every day. 

What are the symptoms of bad struts?

• Poor steering response.
• Steering performance is stiff.
• Your car sways when turning and changing lanes.
• Your vehicle bounces excessively when driving.
• Braking performance is unstable.

These warning signs can occur at any time, so be on the alert for any of the above signs.  If you notice that there’s something off about how your vehicle handles on the road, it may be time to replace the automotive shocks or struts

Wondering about the symptoms of bad struts? Call our ASE-certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about automotive shocks and struts and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Are you wondering when should you get a Tune up on Your Car?

Have you noticed dashboard lights coming on and wonder what the issue might be? There is a way to find out!  Today's vehicles are designed with computer processors, microchips and sensors, which can be linked to a specialized diagnostic computer which scans the operating systems.  

This diagnostic computer can find issues associated with the transmission, oil tank, gas tank, exhaust system, and other components.  It can also indicate ignition timing problems, level of buildup in the combustion engine, fuel injector performance, whether the ignition coils are firing, engine rpm levels, air and coolant temperature, crankshaft and camshaft position, and throttle opening.  In other words, it will let you know when it times for a tune up!  

So when should you get a tune up on your car?  A car diagnostics will help your mechanic pinpoint potential issues lurking under the hood.  Of course, a tune up will vary from vehicle to vehicle-based on age, mileage and unique manufacturer recommendations for that vehicle. 

Tune-ups remain an important part of vehicle maintenance and should never be overlooked.  You will save a lot of time and money because your mechanic can perform wanted repairs the first time around, and not on a "trial-and-error" basis.  The issue can be identified quickly, parts can be ordered and the issue fixed before it gets any bigger.

Wondering when should you get a tune up on your car?  Call Our ASE-certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about car diagnostics and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering How Often Should You Get An Alignment on Your Vehicle?

“Oh no, my vehicle keeps going left but I’m steering straight!  Will this damage my vehicle?”  If you have owned a car for very long, you have possibly had those same questions.  Car alignment problems aren’t always obvious right away and they tend to get worse over time.

How does poor alignment affect the handling of your vehicle?  Car misalignment is a condition when tires are not pointing in the same direction as the steering wheel.  It can shorten the life of your tires by thousands of miles and compromise essential steering and suspension parts.  As soon as you start to notice steering issues, make sure to make an appointment.  Your mechanic can advise whether you want an all-wheel alignment or just a front alignment.

So how often should you get an alignment on your vehicle?  It’s a good idea to have your car alignment inspected about every 6,000 miles.  At the very least, have it inspected at every other oil change or at the first sign of premature tire wear. Here is why the correct front alignment is important:

• Boosts your vehicle’s handling and safety, 
• Improves fuel efficiency,
• Prevents damage to important vehicle components, and 
• Extends the life of your tires.  

Remember:  The price of a car alignment service is much more cost-effective than paying for a new set of tires!

Need to know how often you should get an alignment on your vehicle?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about our all-wheel or front alignment services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Do you know what are the Signs of a Bad Transmission?

If you have owned a vehicle for very long, you are possibly already aware that if you want your car to keep running for a long while, it is crucial to follow the transmission service intervals suggested in your owner’s manual (normally every 60,000 to 100,000 miles). 

What does a transmission service include?

• Changing the Automatic Transmission Fluid:  Changing the fluid at the correct intervals can help prevent premature wear and damage to the transmission.
• Drain and Refill the Automatic Transmission Fluid:  Automatic transmission fluid lubricates cools and cleans internal components of the transmission. It also helps to maintain the hydraulic pressure compulsory for the transmission to function. The additives in the transmission fluid can be depleted over time.
• Replace the Automatic Transmission Filter:  The automatic transmission filter helps remove dirt and contaminants from the automatic transmission fluid.
• Manual Transmission Service:  Heat, pressure, and friction can slowly breakdown the additives in the manual transmission fluid. In addition, small particles of metal may come off the gears as they wear and these metal particles can mix with the fluid. Fluids can also become contaminated with water.

The net result of all these services is to offer better lubrication, improve the holding ability of the friction components, and reduce heat so that your transmission will keep running better and longer and you are less likely to face a major transmission repair.

Want to know more about what are the signs of a bad transmission?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about transmission service and to Make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

How to Know When Your Car Needs Servicing!

If you don’t remember the last time you were in an auto shop for several types of car service, look out!  You may think you’re saving money by extending the time between service intervals, but the possible cost of car repair due to lack of maintenance is much more. 

Here are tips on how to know when your car needs servicing:

• Decreased fuel efficiency
• Lack of power and performance
• Diminished air quality inside your car
• Noisy motor from oil sludge building up

Several types of engine damage are hidden and do not necessarily impact your ability to drive your car.  For example, if you drive with little or no oil for an extended period of time, you can severely damage the head gasket.  The engine repair resulting from this neglect can cost a small fortune.  For just a few dollars, regular oil changes would have prevented the damage in the first place.

Tip to Remember:  Be proactive with preventative maintenance. Don’t wait for the service lights to come on as by then, damage may have already taken place.  Follow the maintenance schedule stated in your owner’s manual, or ask your auto repair specialist to keep you informed as to when your car should be serviced.

Do you know when your car needs servicing?  Contact our ASE Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive for more information about our car repair services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.

Wondering what does an Automotive Service Technician do?

Have you ever wondered what does an automotive service technician do that qualifies them to take good care of your car?  Most car owners know that auto technicians change oil, repair tires and check brakes, but are you aware of the extent of the training and knowledge that they must acquire to work on vehicles?  How do you know you are getting the best automotive service possible when you take your vehicle to your favorite auto shop?  

ASE is an independent non-profit organization that works to recover the quality of car repair and service by testing and certifying automotive specialists.  They promote excellence in vehicle repair, service, and parts distribution.  Inspect with your auto shop about the ASE-certified automotive service technicians they employ and inspect the walls for ASE-Certificates.

When you consider the training and skills of a certified technician, you can have confidence in knowing that your vehicle will be well taken care of!  Here is a short list of what a certified technician can do:  

• Use specialized diagnostic equipment to pinpoint existing or pending issues.
• Recommend and perform preventative vehicle maintenance at the right intervals, including oil changes, tune-ups, transmission flushes, tire rotations, A/C units, and much more.
• Repair worn-out parts, such as brake pads, wheel bearings, air filters, and much more.
• Disassemble, clean, and reassemble major vehicle parts, such as transmissions, radiators, and engines.
• Know how to explain to customers their vehicle issues in easy-to-understand terms, the automotive repair needed, as well as the cost and time required.
• Receive specialized training for today’s electronic systems.
• Knowledgeable about vehicles that run on alternative fuels, such as ethanol and electricity.

Let your ASE-certified automotive service technician take care of your vehicle so that you are driving as safely as possible!   

Are you looking for quality automotive repair?  Contact our ASE-Certified technicians at Proshop Automotive to Make an appointment. Our ASE Certified auto shop proudly serves residents in Colton, CA, and the surrounding areas.