A good technician will give your car a quick inspection whenever you have maintenance performed. Fluid levels, tire condition, dashboard lights, and a variety of other items typically are briefly explored whenever you bring your vehicle in for maintenance. At Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, AZ, we're good at noticing things that need repair, but the fact of the matter is that only you know your car. You know when your car feels off, when its been serviced last (or that it hasn't been serviced at all,) and have at least some vague idea of what’s going on with your vehicle day to day. Here are some questions you can ask us next time you come by the shop:

Winter is upon us; when was the last time you had your coolant flushed? Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, AZ has what you’re looking for.

With fall right around the corner, now is the perfect time to have your coolant system serviced. At Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, we offer the full range of coolant system services, from coolant testing to system flushing. Here’s what you need to know about servicing your cooling system.

Coolant is vital to your engine. Without the right type, amount, and proper circulation of coolant, your engine won’t last long. How do you know when it’s time to check it or replace it? Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, AZ has the answers.

“Water pump” is a term you’ve most likely heard in conversations about vehicles. But what is it, what does it actually do, and how do you know if you need a new one? At Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, we know the answers to these questions, and soon you will too.

Summer’s coming, and with it, warmer temperatures, vacations, and longer trips. We don’t want to be downers, but if your car’s cooling system isn’t up to par, things could go from fun-in-the-sun to stranded-in-the-sun too quickly for anyone’s liking. Because the truth is: cooling system failure is a leading cause of vehicle breakdowns.
 
Don’t let it come to that.    The easiest way to make sure your summer plans stay on course is to pay attention to your vehicle’s cooling system now, while the weather’s still mild. Trust us, you’ll avoid a lot of aggravation, and possibly an unnecessarily expensive vehicle repair.   Here’s how to maintain your cooling system.

Have you heard the phrase "If it looks, sounds, and feels like trouble it is"?  In the case of vehicle trouble, the more you know about your vehicle, the more likely you'll be able to head off repair problems. You can detect many common vehicle problems by using your senses: eyeballing the area around your vehicle, listening for strange noises, sensing a difference in the way your vehicle handles, or even noticing unusual odors. 

There is a list put together by the Federal Trade Commission on vehicle auto repair basics that we would like to share with you.

OVERHEATING

Your radiator hoses are under a lot of pressure, in both the figurative and literal sense. From Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, AZ, here’s what you need to know about the radiator hoses on your car, truck, or SUV.

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.

Is your car, truck, or SUV ready for winter? Have your car inspected and prepared by the expert technicians at Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, AZ.

“Winterize” is a term you see thrown around a lot at mechanic shops and auto parts stores. What does it actually entail though? As with most things, there are the basics, and then there are the above and beyond approaches. Depending on what sort of winter you’re expecting, and how much you intend to drive in it, should determine how you winterize your car. We at Mercie J Auto Care in Mesa, AZ have prepared some tips for you, to help you better understand what it means to winterize a car, and how to prepare for the months ahead.