A properly functioning climate control system is essential to a comfortable ride, particularly during extreme conditions. At Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, our technicians have the equipment and ability necessary to service or repair the AC or heat in your car, truck, or SUV.

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS

Your drive belts are simple but integral components to the function of your car, truck, or SUV. At Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, belts are one of the first things we assess when looking over a vehicle, as they alone are in charge of operating your AC, water pump, alternator, and power steering.

If your car has climate control, it also has a cabin filter. Here’s what you need to know, from Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, AZ.

Our ASE certified technicians will inspect your engine's cooling system, record the condition, and compare to manufacturer's specs. Recommendations are made per the Motorist Assurance Program Uniform Inspection Guidelines.

AUTOMOTIVE HEATING & AIR

 

When you get in your car, truck, suv, or mini van to drive and the A/C does not work what could be wrong?  We have some simple answers to help you understand how your vehicle Air Conditioning System works.  The first question we are asked is "Why isn't my air conditioner blowing cold air?" 

Price shopping for a gallon of milk is relatively easy. There are a lot of regulations controlling food so the quality is somewhat uniform. Other grocery items may be a little more difficult – we have to read labels and calculate price per ounce because the packaging may be different sizes. When we move to things like clothing or appliances, we have to work a little harder to be educated consumers. The fact that some advertising is misleading makes the process even that more difficult.

In any type of service business, the challenge goes up exponentially. Parts like roof shingles, plumbing valves, and alternators vary in quality. Without expertise in those fields, it is almost impossible to really tell the difference. Labor is even more difficult. What unseen details are included or overlooked?

The absolute best way to compare is to interview others who have done business with the companies you are interested in. Once you have decided to check pricing, here are some questions you should ask.

• Is the estimate just parts and labor?
•  Does the estimate include tax?
• Are there additional charges for shop supplies or waste disposal?
• How long is the warranty?
• Does the warranty cover parts and labor?
•  Is the estimate padded a bit to cover any unknowns?
•  Is there a guarantee that the estimate will not be exceeded?
• Are tow bills or any additional failures covered due to a warranty issue?

The reality is that in most cases, no shop can give you an accurate estimate without first inspecting the vehicle. Ultimately, it’s best to choose a shop you are comfortable with – one that you are confident is giving you everything you pay for. A year after the repairs are completed you will remember the quality far more than you will remember the price. In the end, quality repair shops are going to be very similar in price.

Repair shopping can be very confusing. If you have any questions about a particular situation, please give us a call. Even if we are not in the running for your business, we’ll still be glad to give you information to help you make your best choice.

Road trips, longer days, and warmer weather are just a few of the joys of summertime. But having the sun high in the sky most days can mean scorching car seats, muggy interiors, and potential damage to your vehicle's surfaces when it's exposed to hours of sunlight at a time. It doesn't have to be this way! Here are a few ways to stave off the dreaded summer hot seat.

No Cold Air?   This looks like a really clogged up home A/C filter right?  It's an evaporator that on a vehicle is meant to allow air to flow through it and cool down your vehicle's A/C unit allowing it to work properly.  This, however, is a seriously plugged up evaporator with very little air flow coming through!   The A/C Evaporator did not get this way overnight, providing warning signals along the way such as the car wasn't cooling enough.

OVERHEATING

Many modern automobiles are so refined that you can hardly hear their engines anymore, but don’t be lulled into complacency—there’s still a combustion cycle taking place under the hood, and catastrophic overheating remains a remote possibility. That’s why you should periodically check your vehicle’s temperature gauge while driving. Every gauge has a normal stopping point once the engine is warmed up; it’s usually a bit below the midpoint line between cold and hot. It’s probably not a doomsday scenario for your engine if your gauge ever reads anywhere above normal, but it could easily become one if you don’t take prompt action. Here are the steps you’ll need to know.

Summer's imminent arrival means your vehicle's air conditioning system is going to be under a serious strain before long. If you haven't had your system serviced in a while, now's the time. While most newer vehicles may simply be able to get away with having their A/C recharged, older cars and trucks may require a little extra attention.