The Importance of Finding a Family Owned Auto Repair Shop

Car repairs can drive you crazy, and the thought of the cost can make your stomach swell with butterflies.  The first question that enters your mind is, “can I trust this shop to do right by me?”  If the answer is “no” then you need some tips on how to find the right repair shop for your needs.

Start by asking family or friends where they take their cars for repair and what their experience was like.  You will probably discover that the majority of them used a family owned local shop because they can trust the advice – the owner is there and has to build up a strong reputation.  See what some of West Side Tire’s most loyal and longtime standing customers have to say about their family owned locations.

Dealerships or franchise repair shops may be locally owned but they have a corporate bottom line that a family owned shop does not.  West Side Tire & Service shop has a vested interest in the community it operates in, their professional reputation depends on providing fair quotes and repairs that are done right the first time and are more likely to happen than with a dealer ship or franchise operated business.

Moreover, shops like West Side Tire are more familiar with their customer base, the types of cars their customers drive and they have the ability and interest in developing a relationship with each individual they comes in contact with.  And, they won’t likely risk their business or reputation doing unnecessary repairs just to make a dollar, as word of mouth carries a great deal of weight and it doesn’t take but one unhappy customer to damage a business.

Using a family owned repair shop like West Side Tire allows both the business and customer to develop a sense of trust that is hard to find these days.  If something is not repaired correctly, on time, and in accordance with the original cost quote, your redress would not include having to deal with a corporate structure that can be confusing and irritating.  You can have a face to face with a family owned repair shop and come to a mutually satisfactory resolution and still be friends.

West Side Tire and Service has been servicing the Mahoning Valley since 1978. A strong dedication to quality parts and service with affordable, honest prices has and will always be our family’s commitment to yours. 

Fall is Here and Old Man Winter is Just Around the Corner

As the winter season approaches, it is easy to forget about giving your car the tender loving care it needs to stay healthy. But with the start of heavy snow, icy roads and cold weather, now is the time to prepare your car for the winter.  

Cold weather makes pliable material stiffer and more brittle and can make fluids thicker. We live in an area with severe winter weather, and know how dangerous the roads can get and the unique problems winter weather can create for your car.

Check out our list of top 5 winter car care tips!

1.    Bring your car in for a tune-up

If you haven’t taken your car to the shop for a while, now is the time to do so. A tune-up will help keep your car running longer and may save you money by detecting potential problems early.

2.    Let us Check your Tires

On slippery or icy roads, your tires are extremely important to giving you stability and controlled handling.  So before the weather takes a turn for the worse, make sure to check your tires’ pressure and wear. You should also take your tires in to get rotated and properly balanced.  If you’re in an area with particularly severe winter weather or rural area, you should consider purchasing a set of snow tires which are made specifically for snowy and icy surfaces.

3.    Let us Check your Fluids Levels

Make sure to check that the transmission, brake, power steering and windshield washer fluids and coolants are filled to proper levels. You should use de-icer windshield washer fluid which will help clear light ice and frost while preventing re-freezing.

4.    Make a Winter Emergency Kit

In addition to the emergency road kit you should already have in your car, it is a good idea to have a special winter car kit. This kit should include things like cat litter or sand for tire traction on snow and ice, an ice scraper and de-icing liquid.

5.    Let us Check your Air Filters

During the summer and fall, contaminants can get caught in your air filters and will eventually get caught inside your vehicle and cause problems. If you see any debris caught on the filter, it’s a good idea to get the filter replaced.

West Side Tire and Service is you one-stop-shop to prepare your vehicles for the rough winter ahead.  Make an appointment today! http://westsidetireservice.com/ 

Making Use of Your Senses & What Your Car is Telling You

The five human senses are; sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. How can you use these to keep your car running longer and your repair costs down? We'll go over the five different senses and see what your car might be trying to tell you.

This is not intended to diagnose any problems, but instead help you be "aware" of what's going on when you operate your vehicle and how you might be able to prevent more costly repairs.

Smell & Taste

Most people might instantly think of gas. Yes, any fuel smell should be promptly checked out by a professional. I think this goes without saying..... But what are some other smells that you might encounter that can also be a safety concern? Coolant is one. Sometimes when a heater core starts to leak, the coolant will be evaporated and blown through the vents before it starts dripping inside and becomes an obvious problem. When this happens, you can "smell" the coolant and even "taste" a sweet taste in your mouth for no apparent reason. This is not safe and you need to have your car checked out promptly as coolant is poisonous.

As your engine warms up, any leaks on or around your engine these can also be noticed with your sense of smell. More noticeably if it happens to be leaking directly onto hot exhaust components. This can be a fire hazard.

On the other hand - Carbon Monoxide has NO smell, so any exhaust leaks need to be sealed up as soon as possible.

Sight

As you walk out to your car in the morning do you see anything out of the ordinary? A crooked tailpipe can be an indication of a muffler or exhaust pipe hanger problem. Any leaks that are causing visible drops on the ground are sufficient enough to be repaired. Some leaks are in fact normal and are discussed here. Since When is a "Water Leak" Normal??

There are a lot of plastic covers that protect your engine and associated moving parts from the elements during operation. These shields are commonly located on the lower front sides and in the lower front. They can become loose and damaged from age and coming in contact with curbs, etc. These can usually be easily reattached before they become more damaged and need to be replaced.

You may notice many different warning lights on your dash. Sometimes they can be overwhelming to the average person. Air Bag, ABS, & Check Engine lights should always be checked out as soon as possible. Sometimes a Check Engine light can be as simple as a loose gas cap. We have many tools and resources to properly diagnose the tough problems too.

Touch & Hearing

While driving, some problems might be "felt" as well as "heard". Wheel bearings, brakes, tires and suspension components can exhibit these very characteristics. Does your steering wheel vibrate while braking? This is a common complaint when the front brake rotors are warped. A simple (but thorough) brake inspection can find the exact problem. Worn or unbalanced tires can also cause your vehicle to not "feel" right as you are going down the road. Loose suspension parts can cause premature wear on your tires, so periodic inspections are well worth your time.

In Conclusion

It is very important that all the different "systems" in your vehicle are working as they were designed, and in unison with one another. By using your "senses", you can catch small problems before they turn into big ones, and save yourself a lot of time and money. We always offer courtesy inspections with every visit to help you keep your repair costs down.　

Preventative Car Maintenance Tips

Your car is one of the biggest expenses you will have in your lifetime. Besides a house, your car is usually the second biggest investment you make. It can be a money pit or a big money saver, depending on the car you choose and more importantly, the way you take care of your investment. Cars are notoriously a bad investment because they depreciate in value. Property, stock and other forms of investment typically go up in value over time.  The best bet to save money on vehicles is to buy reliable, used cars and to drive them for a long time. In order to drive them for a number of years, it is vital keep them running well with proper maintenance.

The most important aspect of car care is checking and changing the oil. It sounds very simple, but so many people fail to check the oil periodically and don't get the oil changed within a reasonable amount of time. There are countless stories from mechanics about people bringing in a car with 25,000 miles on it and they report having problems with the vehicle.

 Checking the oil level and quality at least every other time you fill up is a good practice. You can see if the oil level is staying consistent as well as the overall color (shouldn't appear dirty or too dark). Early detection, whether oil is leaking or becoming excessively dirty, can be the difference between a $100 repair and one that requires a new transmission or engine if left unchecked.

Proper tire pressure is not only safe, but vital to preventing tire, axle and other kinds of car problems. It is smart to do it before any extended car trip or vacation, but also should be checked at least once a month with your regular schedule. In addition to checking to make sure the tire pressure is correct, a visual inspection of the tread wear is also important. Any discrepancies in the tire's tread could be a sign of an alignment problem, presenting a hazard in an accident or emergency handling situation.

Most people think an oil change is just getting new oil and a filter into the car. The oil change should really consist of more than that. Every 3,000 miles or so, your car needs and deserves a quick "check up" for its current condition and possible upcoming services it may need.  West Side Tire and Service will inspect and check the following areas during the routine oil changes: check the air filter, CV boots, exhaust system, battery, fluids, brakes and radiator. It sounds like a time-consuming task but a qualified crew can check these things off rather quickly. Getting these areas addressed at the beginning of a developing situation will prevent most if not all of the major car problems.

For more information or to schedule an appointment visit westsidetireservice.com, or call 330.799.4894.

Summer Car Care Essentials to Keep Your Car Running Cool

The summer heat is rough on your vehicle and one of the best ways to keep your engine and car running cool is low cost preventative maintenance and visual inspections.  So, before you pack up the car for your summer vacation drive to the beach, run through our recommended check list to make sure your ride is in good cooling condition.

1.) Check the tires; it’s one of the easiest things to do.  Grab your tire gauge and check to make sure your tires are properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI level found in your owner’s manual. The summer temperatures heat up the pavement which increases tire pressure so make sure you’re on point with your tire’s pressure before setting out and risking a blow out or hydroplaning across wet roads.

2.) You need fluids in the summer heat to keep from dehydrating, well your vehicle does too, so be sure to check the essentials by scheduling an oil change.  The majority of facilities will not only change your oil and oil filter, the will also check and top off the important fluids as part of the service.

3.) Make sure the air conditioning is blowing cold air.  There is nothing worse than sitting in a hot car without air conditioning when it’s 90 degrees and the sun is baking your car from the inside out.  Make an appointment to have your air conditioning serviced and your cooling system flushed to keep your cool on the road.

While winter driving can be hazardous and tough on your vehicle, freezing temperature, snow and ice, so can the hot, humid summer months. The heat can put stress on the engine, wear down tires and drain fluids quickly.  Taking a few hours to inspect and have your car serviced can help keep you and your vehicle cool and running smoothly all summer long.   

For more information contact WEST SIDE TIRE AND SERVICE at:

rrogenski@westsidetireservice.com |  330-799-4894 | www.westsidetireservice.com