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Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire partners with Caarmo on new auto technology in Woodbridge

In Maintenance, Monitoring System, Safety, Service Standards by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire partners with Caarmo on new auto technology in Woodbridge

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire has partnered with Caarmo to bring our customers more information and reliability to their vehicle maintenance.

Steve’s is one of 18 auto repair shops to offer Caarmo’s car diagnostic device, which will give consumers information about their car’s needs and allows them to connect with auto technicians to speak about their car and schedule service.

“One of the biggest expenses that people have is their vehicles. And that can be for businesses or consumers. They spend a lot of money, and a lot of time on them – but they don’t know what’s happening. So we’ve created sort of a really sophisticated ‘Fitbit’ for a car,” said Vinay Raman, CEO of Caarmo.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is partnering with Caarmo to create a better car-care experience for customers.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is partnering with Caarmo to create a better car-care experience for customers.

According to Raman, the device is smaller than a pack of cards, runs off the car’s power and plugs into the diagnostic port in your vehicle to begin transmitting diagnostic information.

“Since 1996, every car in the United States has got this diagnostic port…we use that same port [with our device] but we partner with a repair shop, to help their customers understand more of what’s happening with their vehicle,” said Raman.

Perks of the auto technology

One of the biggest benefits for customers is peace of mind that they will have information about what is going on with their vehicle, and that certified technicians will also be keeping an eye on the health of their car.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire partners with Caarmo on new auto technology in Woodbridge

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire owner ST Billingsley places the Caarmo device in a car’s diagnostic port.

“[We put] these devices in the vehicles to let them know, ‘Hey your car is operating just fine’ or if a check engine lights comes on – some people kind of freak out when they see that – we can take a look at that and say, ‘Based on the make and model of your vehicle, let me give you a sense of what’s actually happening.’ It gives you more of a sense of what’s going on than just a light on your dashboard – you have an expert on the phone,” said Raman.

Staff at Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire will be able to open their mechanic’s portal at the shop, or use a phone app that will be able available to the shop and customers with the device. From the portal, technicians will be able to see if a customer’s car is in need, call to schedule maintenance, or reassure them that everything’s okay.

“If something goes wrong with one of the vehicles, a light will pop up on the screen…it’s an opportunity to call the customer and give them some peace of mind,” Raman commented.

Consumers will only pay $80 a year for the constant service, and the application will give you diagnostic information, service reminders and GPS tracking.

For those in the auto industry, using Caarmo’s technology is also a good way to work with fleets that need to ensure that their vehicles are functioning properly at all times.

ST Billingsley, owner of Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire, is proud to be partnering with Caarmo.

“We know how important it is to keep our customers informed and on the road. By offering Caarmo devices to our customers, we hope to ensure that their vehicles are getting the best care possible,” said Billingsley.

Steve’s will be offering the auto technology to customers in the coming months, when Caarmo officially launches the device.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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5 Summer Car Care Tips from Scott, Gabe and S.T.

In Maintenance by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

With summer comes sun, fun and increased driving, which may take a toll on your vehicle! To better prepare you for summer on the road, we present our top 5 summer car care tips from your Steve’s Auto Repair Staff!

Since we live in an area that our summer months can reach over 100 degrees, there are a few things to consider. These tips could save you time, and prevent costly breakdowns that could leave you on the side of the road.

Summer Car Care Tips

Check the tire pressure
Tire pressure is important at all times. It’s critical to have properly inflated tires, as this assures the best possible contact between the tire and the road. Especially if you’re doing lots of high-speed driving on a summer-vacation road trip. Properly inflated tires will also last longer and improve gas mileage. Also, an improperly inflated tire can heat excessively, potentially leading to a blow-out on the highway.

Inspect the belts and hoses
The belts and hoses in modern cars last a long time. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have the potential to fail. Before summer begins, have the belts and hoses inspected on your vehicle. And if you’re not sure when they were last replaced, consider having them changed, especially before commencing a long road trip.

Inspect the wipers and wiper fluid
Visibility is always important and our experience tells us that summer storms can be quite severe in some parts of the country. The life expectancy of a wiper blade is six month to one year. If your car’s blades are dried out and not making full contact with the windshield, replace them.

Check the battery
A battery gives little warning before it goes dead. And it’ll likely do so when you least expect it. Hot weather can put additional strain on a battery similar to what is experienced in cold weather. If your vehicle battery is more than three years old, have it tested at a certified automotive repair facility. Also, make sure the posts and connections are free of corrosion. If you’re embarking on a long trip, consider replacing the battery if you don’t know how old it is. These days, batteries are not very expensive, and it’s cheap insurance when you’re out on the open road. We also recommend that you always carry jumper cables, as mentioned below in the emergency kit section.

Check coolant/antifreeze mixture
The ideal mixture of coolant and water inside your vehicle’s radiator is 50/50. If the mixture deviates from this norm, then hot-weather performance (and cold) can be compromised. If you were to put pure water in your vehicle’s radiator, it would boil at 212° Fahrenheit. But if you combine the water with an equal amount of antifreeze, the new mixture boils at a much higher temperature. You can check the composition of a radiator’s mixture by using an antifreeze tester. You can find these at all auto parts stores, and they are inexpensive and easy to use. If the mixture’s balance is off, adjust it by adding either coolant or water.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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12 Tips to Help you Save Fuel

In Fuel Economy by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

So, you’ve got more interesting things to do with your money than use it on fuel. But how do you save money for the fun stuff?

Here are a few tips compiled by our service writer, Teresa Anderson, perfect for the upcoming spring months.

How to save fuel

  1. Use a low rolling resistance tire! These can save up to 3% in fuel annually!
  2. Pre-route and combine your errands and try to drive the least miles to accomplish all errands at one time.
  3. Keep your car light! Take out the things that create excess weight in your car and take things off the roof racks that create resistance while driving (luggage) Being aerodynamic improves your gas economy
  4. Only fill up your gas tank half way, and never allow your tank to go below ¼ tank. Each gallon of fuel weighs approx. 6 lbs, so a full tank will make your car heavier. When you allow your tank to get below ¼ tank that puts additional stress on your fuel pump and can suck up residue that forms in the bottom of your gas tank clogging the injectors, which can hinder your gas mileage.
  5. Slow down! Follow the posted speed limit and use your cruise control when possible. Don’t tailgate; keep a distance from the car in front of you so you can brake less often. This keeps your fuel consumption down.
  6. Proper tire inflation is a must! You can lose up to a pound of tire pressure per week, so always check your tire inflation pressure. Too little air pressure can not only wear your tires out but affect your gas mileage.
  7. Make sure your transmission fluid is flushed according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Clean fluid makes your transmission shift smoother causing less stress on the engine.
  8. Do a fuel induction service at least once a year. This removes the carbon buildup on the injectors and can make your car run more smoothly and burn fuel more efficiently.
  9. Avoid using your air conditioning when you can. Use of the a/c unit also burns more fuel. So drive with your windows down when you can!
  10. Keep your air filter clean. Have your technician check it at each oil change. A clogged air filter can cause your engine to starve for air, making the mixture of air and fuel less economical.
  11. Avoid idling for long periods of time. If you want fast food, rather than go through the drive thru park the car and go inside. Remember the more the car is turned on, the more fuel you are using. (and it’s good exercise!)
  12. Keep your engine tuned up. Foul plugs can cause misfires and cause the other plugs to work twice as hard to run, which in turn costs your more money in fuel, not to mention engine damage.
    Click here to view the original article.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Five things to you can check before a state inspection

In Inspection by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

As a consumer you do not always have the ability to know what your car will need other than the visual items that you can see but here are some things to keep in mind prior to going to the state inspection station.

Look at your tires to check the tread depth, turn your wheels to the side and look for inside and outside tire wear, run your hands over the surface of the tire and see if they are wearing evenly. If there is more wear on either the inside or outside, chances are that your car is out of alignment, if the tires treads are the wear bars in three locations, your tires will most likely fail state inspection. Use a Penny to gauge the tread depth, if you can see Lincoln’s Head, they are too low on tread and will most likely fail.

Check all of your lights, have a family member operate all of the lights to confirm if any bulbs are not working. Look at the tag lights (these lights illuminate the license plate) this is often overlooked by the car owner, they must be in working condition and are very inexpensive replacements. Check the reverse lights, marker lights (the orange ones located on the sides of the vehicle) brakes lights, including the third brake light. Also condensation in the headlight assemblies that affect the light pattern can cause you to fail as well. Making sure all bulbs are in good working order can save you from a rejection sticker at the inspection station.

Make sure the mirrors are not cracked or missing, the horn works and works correctly (not muffled) and if you hear a loud exhaust noise from under the car that is not normally there you may want to get that looked at before you go for inspection.

Another overlooked item is the seat belts, check to see if they work properly and latch. Check that the drivers window works, the other ones do not have to but this one does.

Now for a confusing one: lights on the dash. These go back and forth depending on the State Police manual. As of February 2014, the ABS (antilock brake system) light CAN be on, The Airbag light has to come on for a bulb check then go OFF. The parking brake light has to work when the parking brake is applied and the high beam indicator has to work.

These are some of the items you can check in your driveway before taking you vehicle in for a Virginia State Inspection.

Below are some state inspection items that are more easily checked at a shop.

State inspection check

Suspension system. At Steve’ s Auto, we do a free inspection of these items every time you bring your car in for service with us. If you see any fluids in your driveway, take note of the color and get it checked out. If your rack and pinion is leaking (this is your steering component) you will fail inspection.

Ball Joints and other suspension items are also part of a state inspection. Even though as a consumer you cannot tell if they are bad, there are some tell tale signs to listen for. Clunking coming from the front end is a good indication that they may be getting worn out. Loose tie rod ends are also a wearable item and it does affect your alignment and tire wear as well.

Brakes are also one of the items the state inspector will be looking at. If you have noticed any squealing or grinding you may need brakes, have a pre-brake inspection done so there are no surprises when you go to get it inspected. It requires removing at least 2 of the wheels and getting a measurement of thickness on the pads and rotors to determine if it will pass. The state legal limit is 2/32nds, if it’s below the 2/32nds specification, it will fail.

Click here to view the original article.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire Announces New Service Writer, Teresa Anderson

In Service Standards by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire, an auto repair & tire shop located in Woodbridge, has brought on a new service writer and not only is she talented but she brings the feminine touch.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire, located at 2603 Hanco Center Drive in Woodbridge, VA, announces it has hired a new service writer, Teresa Anderson. Her new role with the company will be helping in a variety of ways, including writing service, offering customer advice, and working as a liaison between the technicians and customers. She comes to the business with years of experience in the automotive industry, including working at a tire and automotive shop.

“I love interacting with people and thrive on it,” explains Anderson. “I like helping people and I feel that if you treat people right they will treat you right in return. My philosophy is to tell people what they absolutely need in terms of safety first and foremost.”

Prior to joining the team at Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire, she has worked in sales at a tire and automotive shop, as well as an automotive company switchboard operator. She has lived in the area for the last 20 years and takes pride in always aiming to offer customers good service that is based on honesty and safety.

“I look forward to working with hometown honest hard-working people,” adds Anderson. “I am looking forward to working in a smaller independent shop. I like knowing who I am working for and what their values are.”

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire Shop offers a full line of services and a lifetime labor warranty * to help maintain and repair vehicles. The services offered include air conditioning and heating, inspections, tune-ups, tires, engine replacement and repair, steering and suspension, exhaust systems, wheel balancing and alignment, and brake services. The shop serves the areas of Virginia that include Dale City, Lake Ridge, Montclair, Dumfries, Quantico, and Woodbridge, VA.

About Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire Shop Located at 2603 Hanco Center Drive in Woodbridge, VA, Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire has been in business since 1979. The company offers a full-service auto shop, including such services as vehicle repairs, maintenance, tune-ups, state inspections, engine replacement and repair, emissions inspections, steering, brakes, tires, wheel alignment and balancing, and more.

For more information, visit the website at: stevesautorepairva.com.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.