Newport News Auto Repair

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

Most of us can't resist a pleasant and relaxing cruise around town with our windows down. We often overlook the convenience of rolling down and rolling up our windows with a push of a button. This function is called power windows, and it is electrically operated. Power windows did not become a standard until decades ago. Before then, you would have to crank your window up and down manually.  PROS OF POWER WINDOWS Safety  If you often have to drive children, you may look for a car with working power windows. Most parents may be reluctant to leave their kids in the back seat with power windows for fear that they could hurt themselves by playing with the window switches. However, power windows have rear window locks or child-safety locks to prevent riders in the back from controlling the windows. The driver can turn off and on the switch rear window locks if needed. If you're still worried, there's more. Most new vehicles have an automatic detection feature that ... read more

Constant Velocity, or CV, joints connect the axles of front-wheel-drive cars to the wheels. The joints enable the wheels and axle to move as you drive to account for bumpy surfaces, turns, etc. The CV joint is the most vulnerable part of this system, and that's why it needs proper care. CV joints need adequate lubrication and protection from rocks, dust, and dirt. If the CV joint gets corrupted or contamination takes place, then the lubricant will leak. A boot seals the CV, and this boot is not resistant to damage. Whenever this happens, the joint will wear out and fail. If you drive a car with a damaged CV, the joint will deteriorate more, making driving impossible. You'll be at risk of getting into an accident. In summary, it is advisable to neve drive a vehicle with faulty CV joints.   What Are the Top Signs of a Damaged CV Joint? #1: Busted Boots A busted Constant Velocity boot may allow you to drive for only a short distance before it breaks down comple ... read more

  Now that we are in full swing of summer, it also means that we're preparing to hit the road to travel again. Whether it's a trip to the beach, the lake, or a campsite, many of us still dread the boring car ride. Here are some of our fun and favorite ways to pass the time (instead of sleeping the entire time) until you get to your destination.  Sing-Along to Your Favorite Songs Listening and singing along to our favorite music can be very fun and mood-boosting. This activity is highly recommended if you are traveling with friends or family, as it is a wonderful way to keep your energy pumping. Make sure you have a way to connect your phone to your car stereo, either through Bluetooth, AUX, or USB cable.  Though singing can be fun, there are also safety matters you should be aware of. Be sure to set your music at a low to moderate sound level to avoid causing distractions for the driver. It would also help if you had a passenger, instead of the driver, change ... read more