This is Not Kansas City’s First Pandemic.

Just over 100 years ago our area was ravaged by what was then known as The Spanish Flu. Tiny Haskell County in the southwestern corner of Kansas was facing a serious problem. What seemed like overnight, people were reporting severe symptoms. Soldiers were headed to Camp Funston at Fort Riley, Ks. to be trained in the Army to fight overseas in World War I.

Back here in The United States things remained relatively quiet as the virus virtually spread like wildfire through Europe no one wanted the enemy to know that soldiers were weakened by sickness. By the time it finally crossed the invisible borders into Spain and beyond, millions of people had been infected.

We know that Kansas Citians’ are made of strong stuff and we will triumph over this silent killer in 2021. Here at Able Auto Service the A-Team as we have come to be known hopes that you and your family have a safe and healthy holiday season and a much better 2021. All the best to you and yours from Able Auto Service of Kansas City KS.

What You Should Know about Your Car’s Radiator.

While this is not a very exciting topic you might be surprised to know that your vehicle’s radiator is relatively easy to maintain. Here are some of the “nuts and bolts.” When your engine is running, the pistons are moving up and down between 1500rpm when it is idling to 8000rpm at its max!  This creates a great deal of heat and friction.

Here are some of the causes of radiator overheating –

 

1.  A low level of antifreeze.

2.  Any debris that has clogged the unit.

3.  What material is your heat exchanger made of?

4.  It could be as simple as a malfunctioning radiator cap.

Any and all of these things could cause your car to become a 2500 lb. paperweight! To fix radiator problems in the Kansas City area always count on The A-Team. That is the team of professional mechanics who work their magic at Able Auto Service. Find out more by visiting ableautoservice.net then call for an appointment for KC area radiator repair at (913) 321-1030.

What is the Most Important Component of Your Car?

Have you ever asked yourself that? It’s probably not at the top of your brain, but may we suggest it is your vehicle’s braking system. Without them…well you may end up in Independence, Missouri! Just kidding, of course, but we are trying to make a valuable point…good brakes = safety and security.

What should you be listening for if your brakes may start to be going bad?

1.  That grinding sound with which we are all familiar

2.  There is a soft, mushy feel when you apply them

3.  Suddenly your vehicle is pulling to one side

4.  Your steering wheel is shaking when you are braking

5.  There is a noticeable fluid leak where your car has been parked

It is NEVER too soon to schedule an appointment to have your brakes checked! In the Kansas City area there is no better place for brake inspection or replacement than Able Auto Service. That is the home of the A-Team…a group of top auto mechanics located at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS. Check out ableautoservice.net and don’t hesitate to call (913) 321-1030.

Say What? I Can’t Hear You Over the Sound of this Muffler.

Yep, you know what a bad muffler sounds like. The question is…will your vehicle’s muffler “give up the ghost” this Kansas City winter? We think of a smoothly working muffler as a way to keep the noise to a minimum, but a properly maintained exhaust system and a new muffler help keep the planet safe as well in addition to reducing noise.

 

Here are some signs that your vehicle’s muffler is going bad –

1.  The most obvious, of course, is the drastically louder noise it is making.

2.  Your gas mileage is beginning to diminish.

3.  There is a bad smell coming from your exhaust system.

Before we get hit with the full force of another Midwest winter, why not have your muffler and exhaust system checked by the A-Team? They are the veteran mechanics from Able Auto Service located at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS. For guaranteed exhaust system service and other needs visit ableautoservice.net and call (913) 321-1030.

Here it Comes KC…Another Long Winter.

We cannot avoid it much longer, the long, harsh winter is nearly upon us. Over the next six months you will rely on your vehicle’s ability to stay comfortable virtually every time you get behind the wheel to travel around the Kansas City area. Have you thought much about the efficiency of your car’s ability to grind through another winter yet?

Here are some steps to follow in readying your car for winter –

1.  Have the ratio of your engine coolant checked.

2.  Change the washer fluid and the wipers.

3.  Check the defroster and heater.

4.  Make sure your 4-wheel drive is in working order if you have it.

5.  Always keep your gas tank nearly full.

The A-Team would like to help. They are the Kansas City car winterizing experts at Able Auto Service. Get to know Able for all your vehicle’s maintenance needs…right down to your tires. See all that Able Auto Service has to offer the Kansas City area by visiting ableautoservice.net. Call ahead to make an appointment at (913) 321-1030.

Get to Know EVAP.

Say what? What in the world is EVAP? In automobile parlance it is the closed system that captures fuel tank vapors and prevents them from escaping into the atmosphere. Here is the crazy part…when your engine light comes on because of a weakness or failure in this system, it is very likely you won't even notice the car driving any differently!

Here are some possible causes for getting an EVAP code –

1.  Often it is simply a loose fuel cap.

2.  There is a leak in the fuel tank.

3.  The hose has sprung a leak.

4.  The purge or vent valve could also be leaking.

At Able Auto Service we want you to be educated about your vehicle’s performance. You could even check point one listed above yourself. If you need emission system repair in the Kansas City area, count on the A-Team to provide fast, friendly, and fairly-priced answers ASAP! You’ll find us at ableautoservice.net and at 537 Osage Ave. Call ahead at (913) 321-1030.

Hello Tire…Hello Road.

Where the rubber meets the road. It is one of the most well-known slogans in the history of tires. What about all of the things that can (and probably will) happen to your treads BEFORE you actually get new ones? Things to consider such as rotation, inspection, balancing, plugging and even just patching.

If you are in our repair facility The A-Team will gladly do all of the above and more! They will even determine the correct size and kind of tire that best fits your needs for driving around the Kansas City area. We are not only your full-service mechanic, but your tire experts as well. Now, that is the kind of confidence you are looking for!

You know us better as Able Auto Service the mechanics you can trust located at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City, KS. You can always trust your Kansas City vehicle repairs to the A-Team. That is Able Auto Service. Drive in to our shop, or better yet, why not call ahead for your personal appointment at (913) 321-1030.

Driving Around in a Fog.

This is not about DUI’s or anything related to physically impaired driving. What may be throwing you a curve ball, is your vehicle’s windows that fog up at the drop of a hat. Indeed, poor vision from fogged up windows can make driving downright dangerous. And still we have all seen fellow drivers in cars that look like a sauna!

Fogging is caused by warm, humid air inside your car forming condensation on the cooler windows. It’s the reverse of the water droplets that form outside of an ice-cold can of drink on a warm, humid summer’s day. Modern cars are especially susceptible to fogging. The tightly sealed cabins that keep us free from noise and drafts can also trap unwanted moisture.

Clean glass reduces the amount of area where these tiny droplets thrive, meaning your car’s glass will take longer to steam up in the first place, and be quicker to clear once they fog up. Let us check your car’s heating and defrosting system as the seasons change. We are Able Auto Service of Kansas City…The A-Team serving the area’s automotive maintenance needs from our location at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS. Call (913) 321-1030.

Stay Cool…All the Way Down to your Treads.

Not threads…TREADS. The treads of your vehicle’s tires that is. As the Kansas City area struggles to retain its cool when heat takes its toll on people and electric bills, it also impacts car reliability and safety. By some accounts, tire blowouts are on the rise, creating dangers for travelers. But you can reduce this risk if you follow some simple maintenance tips.

Follow these simple steps –

1. Check the inflation pressure…even the spare.
2. Always have your car’s tires inflated to the recommended setting.
3. Have a good tire gauge for the job.
4. Examine them closely for punctures and deformities.

If you do all of that and your tires still are slowly flattening, then maybe it is time to consider replacing them at a quality auto mechanic shop such as Able Auto Service. That is the home of the A-Team of car repair professionals in the Kansas City area…yes, even for tires! They are located at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS. Call for an appointment (913) 321-1030.

To Change or not to Change. That is the Question.

For years it has been a belief that a car’s oil needs to be changed automatically when the weather gets hotter. Motor oil is the lifeblood of your car. It must be allowed to flow freely over all the moving parts of your engine. Traditionally, the temperature of the oil changed how easily it flowed through the engine.

This particular property is known as viscosity. It is the physical measurement for how “thick” a liquid is. Motor oil in low temperatures could turn into something more like molasses, which could prevent it from properly coating the engine in a cold start. Conversely, as the heat rises, the oil becomes too thin. Motor oil uses the term weight to describe its viscosity

The good news is that motor oil has come a long way. You no longer really need to change your motor oil every season.  That’s the good news. The other (more important) news is that your car won’t run smoothly forever without maintenance. That is what the A-Team is for. They are the mechanics of Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS. Call (913) 321-1030.

Exhausted? It’s Okay, We’re Here.

What makes one vehicle louder than another?  How are cars able to reduce emissions?  It’s all about the exhaust system.  The exhaust system works through several components that collect exhaust fumes from the engine cylinders and removes harmful substances while reducing noises and releasing those nasty exhaust gases away from your vehicle.

The exhaust system is made up of several different components that work together to reduce exhaust noise and provide a conduit for exhaust gases to exit the engine by exiting beneath the vehicle.  This pathway is used to keep harmful gases from entering the vehicle and making occupants sick…good idea, don’t you think?

When to repair or replace the exhaust system in your vehicle is one of a myriad of automotive repair services offered at Able Auto Service.  Yes, that is the home of the A-Team…it’s a group of mechanics that know Kansas City area cars and what makes them tick.  Visit Able Auto Service located at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City Kansas or call ahead (913) 321-1030.

Heat Can Make You Stall in your Tracks.

The same is true of your vehicle this summer on the roadways of Kansas City.  Is cold weather or hot weather worse for your car’s battery?  Experts say that the answer is summertime!  It's true that battery failures do occur in cold weather, but that's not usually what has caused the problem. The drain on the battery's resources most likely occurred during the summer's hot weather.

Here are some of the warning signs –

1.  How old is that old battery anyway?

2.  Frequent on/off cycles wear it down faster.

3.  Check the electric system periodically to make sure it is charging properly.

4.  Look for corrosion on the cables.

No one wants to be stranded on the road on a hot summer day!  Before that can occur, drive into Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City Kansas.  The A-Team is standing by to get you on the road safely with a new battery.  Able Auto Service serves all your vehicle’s mechanical needs.  Call for an appointment (913) 321-1030.

Please Just Get Them Checked Already.

Brakes are your car’s most important safety device.  You and your loved one’s safety on the road depends on your brakes, so why take chances?  The fact is that it is NEVER a bad time for a brake safety inspection.  This is especially true when you may be headed out this summer on longer trips such as family vacations.

For example –

1.  If one of your upcoming trips is a thousand miles or more, have the brake pads replaced.

2.  If your car simply has some age on it.

3.  Anytime you hear noises when you apply your brakes.

Brake inspection, repair, and replacement should be a part of your vehicle’s regular maintenance regimen.  For the best technicians around the Kansas City area to do the job visit the A-Team.  Those are the techs at Able Auto Service.  You can find them at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City Kansas.  Call ahead for an appointment at (913) 321-1030.

There’s a Spider on my Windshield.

There are many different types of windshield cracks, but most of them occur from an object impacting the glass.  Often these are rocks which fall off dump trucks, or objects which are kicked up by tires of another car.  When the object hits the outside edge of the windshield it will usually result in one long crack.

The type of crack caused by impact is often determined by where the object strikes the windshield.  For example, a floater crack starts anywhere away from the edge of the windshield. These can start out small and then spread in a random direction.  An edge crack usually forms at the moment of impact and is usually ten to twelve inches long.

With more frequent highway driving around Kansas City in the summer windshield cracks can be not only annoying, but downright dangerous!  The A-Team knows that and are standing by ready to help.  The A-Team is found at Able Auto Service located at 837 Osage Ave. in KC Kansas.  Call them at (913) 321-1000.