Newport News Auto Repair

How to Determine When to Change Your Car's Oil You may look at the oil color to determine when your car needs an oil change. The hue of clear oil is frequently amber and transparent. As the oil begins to function, it progressively collects particles, giving it a black appearance. Synthetic Oil An oil type known as synthetic oil is one that has been chemically created in a lab to have excellent performance and consistency in the composition. It lessens friction and endures intense heat. Your car can benefit from its chemical qualities by using less gasoline and running more efficiently. Today, synthetic oil is frequently suggested for automobiles that need to function at their very best. Due to its durability and ability to survive for many miles between changes, synthetic oil is preferred by the majority of drivers. More money is spent on synthetic oil than on regular oil. Less regular oil changes, however, might result in financial savings while preventing futu ... read more

Even if you swear up and down that you’re the most careful driver, emergencies can still happen. There are aspects of driving that you neither predict nor prevent. When accidents happen, you should be prepared. There are 10 things that every driver should keep in their car emergency kit: First Aid Kit - A first aid kit is a must-have for your car. A small supply of antibiotic ointment, band-aid sizes, tweezers, pain relief tablets, blood stopper compress, etc. could do enough to ease any pain.  Jumper Cables - When your battery dies, you’re going to need a set of these to jump-start your car. Multi-tool - The whole point of this tool is that it is versatile. It can assist you from auto repairs to survival. Fire Extinguisher - There are some instances where your car can catch on fire. While this is rare, it does help to have an extinguisher to put out the flames. Spare Tire, Jack, & Wrench - Flat tires happen all the time, and it can be difficult to foresee the ... read more

Healthy brakes allow Newport News drivers to reduce their speed and stop their vehicles effectively. However, without proper maintenance of the system, your car may face many dangers. Brake pads are a component that require maintenance often. But, how often are you supposed to replace them?   Every automaker has a set interval for brake service, so it varies from car to car. However, you can also be on the lookout for the following signs of worn brake pads: Grinding Sound When Braking There are built-in metal wear indicators on your brake pads that produce a loud sound when they’ve worn down. The sound is essentially a warning or reminder to have your brake serviced.  Vibration When Braking If the brake pads are uneven, you may notice vibrations when you press on the brake pedal. To avoid further damage and failing brakes, please bring your car to our shop today. Longer To Stop Car Obviously, if your brake performance is declining, you should consider a brake pa ... read more

Spring is here, and it’s time to start getting your vehicle ready for the warmer weather. Winter tends to take a toll on our cars, so be sure to follow these tips on how to care for your car throughout the spring.  Get your Oil Changed Your car's engine oil becomes less effective as it ages, preventing it from protecting your motor. So arrange an oil change at the start of spring to keep your engine in top condition all season long. Battery Efficiency Let's face it; winter can be hard on your car's battery. The lower temperatures cause your battery to work harder. So have a look at yours. Spotting corrosion around the battery's connection points or seeing cracks on the top or side may indicate that it's time for a car battery replacement. Tyre and Tread Overhaul Ensuring your tires are roadworthy is crucial. Worn tires compromise your car's handling in wet weather. To check your correct tire pressure, refer to your vehicle's manual. As for t ... read more

When drivers face car issues, the first thing they usually do after they have pulled over is call a friend or family. But what if they aren't around? And you can't just abandon your car, right? While we understand how stressful a breakdown can be, you may need to face the reality of having to call for a tow.   What Incidents Require a Tow? Below are the most common vehicle problems that require a tow: Following a major accident - After an accident, your car may have taken significant damage to its undercarriage or tires, which can put you in harm's way. It can worsen the damage if you keep driving. Empty gas tank - You might've overlooked the low gas light and stretched your car too thin. If you entirely run out of gas, you can call for a tow to supply you with gasoline. A dead battery - Batteries grow old and will eventually die. If you put off replacing it for too long, your car will likely break down and require a tow.  A flat tire or blowout - This ... read more

For your motor vehicle's safety and all-around performance, you should have tires installed by a trained technician. The proper installation allows your tires to function as intended and allows good mileage. You don't have to worry about time because a tire installation typically takes around 1 hour. After the technicians at B & L Automotive help you pick out suitable tires for your vehicle, we can have them correctly installed: A proper installation entails:  Examining the lugs or bolts Installing new rubber valve stems (if needed) Mounting the tires Balancing the tires Tightening the wheel lugs to the recommended torque Checking the TPMS system The Steps When you need your tires replaced, the technician will usually follow these steps below: The car, SUV, or truck is placed on a mount to be lifted off the ground. The technician will unbolt the lug nuts from each wheel to completely remove the wheels from the vehicle.  They will proceed to deflate the o ... read more

Your automobile's fuel system is just like your other car systems; it needs regular maintenance. Over time, the fuel system parts can get contaminated and degrade early if they aren't well-kept. Therefore, regular maintenance will help you save money in the long run by avoiding such complications. Below are some of the symptoms you may experience when your fuel system needs cleaning: Acceleration Problems If your fuel injectors or fuel pump are clogged, the engine won't get enough fuel. As a result, you may experience a lag when trying to accelerate. Your car might sputter and be resistant to pick up the speed.  Excess Stress  As you may know, carrying heavy loads and constantly going up and down steep hills can put a lot of strain on your motor. If your vehicle loses power in these situations, the fuel system may be the culprit as it is probably not getting enough gas. Poor Fuel Mileage A poorly maintained fuel system can do a number on your MPG. If your en ... read more

Going on a road trip for your next vacation can be a fun affair if you've got the right frame of mind. After all, happiness comes from enjoying the journey as well as the destination! While being stuck in a vehicle with multiple people for hours on end can seem daunting, finding ways to fill that time with fun games is a great way to pass the time and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Stuck on road trip games to play? Fear not - keep reading on for the best road trip games to play with family and friends on your next trip.   ABC Game The ABC game, also known as 'the alphabet game', is a beloved classic for a reason. It's super simple, fun and guaranteed to get some laughter in an otherwise dull car. The rules are simple. The whole car goes through the letters of the alphabet with each person getting a turn. Person 1 will have letter A, Person 2 will have letter B, Person 3 will have letter C, and so on and so forth. Once the p ... read more

The more modern the vehicle, the more high-tech its operating systems will be. That also means that there are going to be more sensors throughout its systems to detect problems better. Sensors are connected to your car's internal computer, and they're there to serve a goal: report if there are any existing and potential problems with its associated vehicle parts.  Some cars have extra sensors, and certain manufacturers will tweak their sensor technology from model to model. However, here are a few of the most popular automotive sensors that you should know about: Oxygen Sensor Also known as the O2 sensor, the oxygen sensor monitors the oxygen levels in the exhaust system. It serves to report any irregularities in the emission controls. Engine Speed Sensor This sensor marks the engine's RPMs and contributes to engine performance.  Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor The MAP sensor searches for variations in the air pressure in your engine to deliver the ... read more

A proper wheel alignment is among one of the essential services when it comes to vehicle safety. All of your wheels need to be angled and aligned with each other for your vehicle to drive in the right direction. When you operate a vehicle with poor alignment, your tires will also wear down prematurely and unevenly. Consequently, you may have a harder time steering and controlling your car. If you ever face an alignment issue, you should fix it as soon as possible. Benefits of Wheel Alignment Having regular wheel alignments will keep your tires even and in excellent condition, which will save you money on tires in the long run. You'll also attain improved fuel efficiency and performance and protect your vehicle's suspension components from damage. How Do My Wheels Get Out of Alignment? You may be wondering how your wheels get misaligned, to begin with. Misalignment can be brought about by a multitude of things, including:  Driving into potholes Speeding over speed bum ... read more