It's only important when it doesn't work!  Automotive air conditioning or, AC as it's commonly called, is a component that most Westerville drivers only worry about when the temperatures get above 80 degrees.  Here at Westerville Automotive when it is HOT outside we want to be sure you are COOL inside while driving your car or truck!  We are seeing more and more vehicles in to have their AC serviced and checked which would be fine, however, what we are also seeing are many AC repair costs that could have been avoided with earlier maintenance and we want to keep costs DOWN for our drivers.

Recharging your vehicles AC is a normal maintenance kind of like topping off your oil. Some people think it's not necessary but we at Westerville Automotive know that maintaining your AC is a great way to watch for leaks and prevent missing a leak or issue that may cause need for an expensive repair.  A full AC service would include draining all of the old refrigerant and putting in all new refrigerant. The name of the brand most commonly used is Freon. There are older versions like the R-12 and CFC12 and the newer types like R-134a and HFC-134a.  There is a process and a very expensive machine that is used to test and service a cooling system.  Hence the reason it's not cheap and people don’t always maintain their units in this area. If your AC isn't working or you would like to simply have it recharged, give us a call at Westerville Automotive in Westerville, OH where our customers ALWAYS come first!

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Car enthusiasts would argue that "those were the days".  Everything you drove was built like a tank and had the chrome on it so you enjoyed washing it but NO power steering.  For most of us, it is hard to remember life without power steering – cranking those great big steering wheels? It was a pretty good workout. Now power steering is standard. The heart of any power steering system is its pump. The pump pressurizes the power steering fluid that provides assist for steering. Most pumps are driven by a belt that is run by the engine – a few are electrically powered. A high-pressure hose passes fluid from the pump to the steering gear. A low pressure hose returns the fluid back to the pump.  Here at Westerville Automotive in Westerville, OH we know that you depend on that power steering and check your fluid & hoses religiously!

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Having your vehicle serviced regularly by a reputable shop can uncover issues that can leave you stranded on the side of the road. Here at Westerville Automotive in Westerville we've been in business for many years and as a reputable business with highly trained technicians  that can alert you to problems that can save you from your vehicle breaking down. It's never good news, but something you need to be aware of so you can make a decision on weather or not to address the problem your vehicle has.

SAFETY, shouldn't be taken lightly and you will find here at our shop in Westerville that we don't like to charge you for unnecessary items.  We do look at your travel plans and the weather so that we can make wise decisions that will ensure you can keep costs down and your vehicle will be dependable in every situation you need to put it in.   We all have places to be and have lots of things to do so let's think safety first and be proactive in your vehicle maintenance keeping you right on the road instead of on the side of the road.   Trust the professionals here at Westerville Automotive in Westerville, OH to make sure you stay safe!

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We are pleased to announce that our shop is able to provide re manufactured engines for the Toyota 1GR-FE gas engine line through our JASPER Engine partnership!   This 4.0L, Dual OHC, Single VVT, V6 engine, is available for the following Toyota applications: 2003-2015 (4Runner | Tacoma | FJ Cruiser | Tundra). 

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Cooling system problems are the most common reason for mechanical failure for our Westerville - Columbus drivers During summer driving which is largely avoidable. Our ASE certified technicians see it often. Here’s what Westerville auto owners need to know about their cooling system. First, the terms coolant and antifreeze are pretty much used interchangeably. The fluid cools your engine while it’s running and it keeps it from freezing when it’s cold.

Your cooling system is filled with a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze/coolant. So if you’re topping off antifreeze/coolant, it is vital to add the proper amount of each. Distilled water is much better than tap water. Now you can buy pre-mixed coolant so make sure you know what you’re putting in.

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If they look like these then the obvious answer is YES YOU DO. The problem is that the wear is on the inside of the tire where you would NEVER think to look and our tires are part of our cars and trucks that we simply do not take the time to look at on a daily or monthly basis even.  If we don't feel a vibration or see something ovbious or hear something odd while driving it doesn't even cross our mind. 

It is something we turn to our automotive mechanic to take care of and why getting in for those service checks with a team that you trust is important because they care about your safety!  Here we look at everything. 

Here are some interesting tire statistics that show you the safety and durability of tires from the manufacturer.  Some standards and How-to's:

In an attempt to boost performance, tire manufacturers analyze the capabilities of their tires under a variety of road conditions and speeds to ensure the safety and durability of their tires. These tests are conducted on all factory-made tires whether they are intended for rain, snow, off-road, performance or fuel conservation. Among the many tests done on new tires is stopping distance. Stopping distance is the span of road that it takes for a vehicle to come to a complete stop.

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At Westerville Automotive we check your car or truck thoroughly on every visit. That includes your cabin filter which cleans pollen, dust, and other contaminates from the climate control air flow (air conditioning and heating) inside your vehicle. If working properly, the cabin air filter makes sure that the air circulating inside the car is free from harmful elements which ensured your car has clean air, helps you with allergy issues, eliminates a potential health risk with clogged filters, and saves money on AC repairs. It's recommended that the cabin air filter be changed every 12,000 miles, or at least once a year, whichever comes first.  If these filters are not replaced, they can negatively affect AC performance resulting in costly AC repairs which no one wants.   

It's the little things that you don't know about and can't see that can harm you and our team of ASE Master Certified mechanics here at 5591 Westerville Rd and our Uptown shop always thoroughly check. After all, we've built our reputation on being the best team of mechanics in Westerville Ohio by taking great care of our drivers and we simply don't know any other way to operate! 

Ready for the BEST automotive service in Westerville Ohio?  Visit either of our 2 Westerville Automotive locations for exceptional customer service and dependable - proactive automotive or truck maintenance and repairs.  We look forward to serving your needs!