Click, Click, Click.

There is a sound that normally does not send confidence throughout your body.  It usually is the portent of something wrong.  When you hear click, click, click right after you put your key in your car’s ignition to start it up that is one of the very worst times!  As most of us have experienced there is a great feeling of helplessness.

Here are some signs that your vehicle’s battery is about to die –

1.  The headlights are dimmer

2.  Then engine cranks more slowly when started

3.  Your car backfires

4.  You need to push on the gas to start your car

5.  Of course, the dreaded clicking sound

At the very first sign of a failing battery or alternator you need to get into the shop to have it checked.  Kansas City’s best battery troubleshooter is Able Auto Service.  The A-Team has been around automobile batteries for decades.  You can’t afford to wait on this one.  Make an appointment at 837 Osage Ave. by calling (913) 321-1030.

What is an Alternator?

I will bet that the majority of Americans could not find an alternator if it were put in front of them with three other auto parts.  So, what is it anyway?  The definition of an alternator is a generator that produces an alternating current.  Okay, that is still about as clear as mud!  The important thing for you to know is when you need to take your car into the shop.

Here are some signs that your car’s alternator is giving you problems –

1.  A dash light will flash on briefly

2.  The lights dim or flicker

3.  A smell or odd sound from beneath the hood.

Your car did not get possessed by Christine, but it may eventually die on you.

Not on my watch you say.  You need to get a check-up at the first sign of any of these maladies in your vehicle.  In Kansas City, motorists know to count on the A-Team.  Able Auto Service is your Kansas City KS area alternator specialists.  Call today for an inspection of this curious piece of equipment at (913) 321-1030.

How is Your Heater?

Come on, it is only September and you want me to start thinking about my car’s heater?  Okay, then wait until October and freeze your tail off when the first cold snap hits.  While the Royals are still suiting up every day you should be thinking about your level of comfort when you get behind the wheel this fall and winter.

If you start relying on the defrost to warm up your car then you will be driving around in a fog.  That is not safe and it certainly is not comfortable!  Suddenly, short trips to the grocery store, to work, dropping the kids off at school, etc. become mountain-climbing size challenges.  It is about time to address the issue.

If last winter ended with a cranky heater in your vehicle you can be sure that it did not heal itself over the summer.  At your first opportunity, make an appointment with the A-Team.  The mechanics at Able Auto Service will examine and (if necessary) repair your heating system.  Call (913) 321-1030 or drive over to 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City.

EEEEEK…The Check Engine Light.

Can you think of any other inconsistent illumination in your life that sends more chills down your spine?  It is sort of a double-edged sword…thank goodness for the light, but I still never want to see it.  The important message here is DON’T IGNORE IT!  Do you want to wait until it goes away or shuts your car down on the side of the road?

Engine problems may result from a variety of different things and need to be troubleshot –

1.  Your engine may need to be “diagnosed” just like your body when you are down.

2.  The computer may have to be reprogrammed.

3.  The evaporation system should be checked.

4.  The air suspension should be looked at as well.

All of this, and much more is done by a professional vehicle repair shop.  In Kansas City, Kansas the answer is always Able Auto Service.  The A-Team has been your Kansas City area engine diagnostics pros for many years.  Go to the light!  If your check engine light comes on call for an appointment at their 837 Osage Ave. location (913) 321-1030.

Think about the Planet.

You don’t have to be a “tree-hugger” to appreciate the effect that a well-tuned car has on Mother Earth.  This is all we have folks, and keeping your vehicle in tip-top condition is part of your responsibility.  With temperatures and humidity rising in the Kansas City area it is important to have your car checked for noxious emissions.

When you think of your exhaust system your thoughts might turn to noise.  Of course, an old muffler will make noise, but it will also keep the planet free of more pollutants.  Replacing your muffler or exhaust system does NOT have to be “exhausting” or expensive.  It is, however necessary.  You could get a ticket!

Perhaps the best place for muffler and exhaust repair and/or replacement in the Kansas City area is at Able Auto Service.  Visit www.ableautoservice.net for all of the summer services that they provide.  It covers the gamut.  Then give them a call for an appointment at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS at (913) 321-1030.

Air Conditioning Season…Really?

You have not given it serious thought for months.  Now it is time to roll up the windows and crank up the a/c in your car.  Brace for three red hot months in Kansas City!  Are you going to be one of those who waits until it goes down in July, or are you going to be proactive before the first official day of summer?

Think of your vehicle’s air conditioning system just like you think of the refrigerator in your kitchen.  It contains a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a metering device, hoses (or lines), and refrigerant.  What allows it to function properly are your car’s electrical circuits and the dash system.

Keeping your A/C in tip-top working order should always include a late spring inspection from your favorite auto service center.  In Kansas City, people trust Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS.  The A-Team is your area auto air conditioning specialist.  Get in there before summer sizzles by calling (913) 321-1030.

Your Car Should Help Protect the Planet.

We all try to do our part.  This is all we have…good old Mother Earth.  No matter what vehicle you are driving around the highways and byways of Kansas City there are things that you can do to operate your ride more environmentally-friendly.  Your car’s exhaust system is where a lot of this begins.

A well-maintained car pollutes the planet less…period!  Your emission system is what controls your car’s emissions, exhaust and pollutants using an array of sensors, computerized engine controls and exhaust components.  This is a great time to have that system inspected and insure a summer of safe planet-friendly driving.

Before you head out on that big summer vacation make an appointment with the A-Team.  Able Auto Service is Kansas City’s vehicle exhaust maintenance professional team.  They will check all aspects of your emission system and the rest of your ride to give you peace of mind.  It’s the right thing to do.  Call for an appointment at 837 Osage Ave. (913) 321-1030.

It Ain’t Gettin’ Any Cooler.

Sorry for the bad grammar, but you get the point.  Soon it will be Memorial Day.  Before you know it, the daily high temperature will be in the nineties and beyond.  Yikes!  You should know how to protect your body against such extremes, but what are you doing to guard your vehicle against summer heat?

The first solution seems to be obvious.  Park in the shade.  Ideally you have a garage, but if not then seek shade during the hottest part of the day.  Let’s start with the basics.  Your car’s battery is filled with water and acid.  As temperatures heat up the water in the battery will do the same and evaporate.  That will leave the lead plates exposed.

By all means, have your battery checked now by a professional.  It just takes a few minutes and then you will either have peace of mind or a plan of action.  Make a quick appointment with the A-Team…Able Auto Service.  They are Kansas City’s summer auto maintenance headquarters.  Visit them at 837 Osage Ave. or call ahead at (913) 321-1030.

May Day…May Day…May Day.

We hope you are shouting that for all of the right reasons.  Ahhh, the month of May.  It brings warm weather, Royals home games, the end of the school year, and an approaching vacation season.  Is your car ready for the rigors of summer driving?  Please tell me you won’t wait for a break-down before you consider your vehicle’s needs.

Brakes…check.  Transmission fluid…check.  Oil change…check.  Shocks and struts…check.  Exhaust system…check.  Tires…check.  A lot could go wrong without preventative vehicle maintenance before you head out on the highways and byways of the Kansas City area.  Let’s make sure that you are ready.

Schedule a complete maintenance check-up from Able Auto Service.  The A-Team is your best choice for a complete summer driving checklist of preventative auto maintenance in the Kansas City Area.  Visit their website at www.ableautoservice.net and call for an appointment at their 837 Osage Ave. location (913) 321-1030.

Have you been Out of Line Lately?

No, you don’t have to confess your little indiscretions here.  We are talking about your car.  You have been dodging and riding over potholes all winter.  Now that spring is here it is time to have your car’s alignment checked.  Putting it off could lead to much bigger driving problems as spring turns into summer.

Here are a few signs that the time has come –

1.  Do you find yourself holding on to the steering wheel a little tighter?

2.  Does the wheel itself turn slightly when you drive on a straightaway?

3.  How long has it been since the wheel alignment was checked?  It should be yearly.

If you procrastinate, chances are that you will need to replace your tires much sooner.  There is an expense I know you would like to put off as long as possible!  Steer…or veer into Kansas City’s wheel alignment specialist.  The A-Team at Able Auto Service will get your car back on the straight and narrow.  Call them for an appointment at (913) 321-1030.

Should I have my Brakes Checked?

We are finally coming out of winter.  Our Royals are about to fire it up again working toward getting back on track for a world championship.  Your car went through a lot this winter.  It always does in Kansas City.  Let’s concentrate on your brake pads for the time being as we did a partial spring maintenance check-list last month.

There are some obvious signs that you need your brakes checked.  A “mushy feeling” when you press down on the brake pedal is one.  Another is obviously any type of noise that you hear when you apply the brakes.  On Kansas City area highways traveling at 60 miles an hour it could take the length of a football field to stop…that’s WITH well-maintained brakes!

Brakes may not be the “sexiest” thing on your vehicle, but they are just about the most important.  Make sure that your brakes are inspected for the long spring and summer ahead.  Better weather usually means more driving.  Your Kansas City area vehicle brake expert is the A-Team.  Call Able Auto Service for a brake-check appointment at (913) 321-1030.

Turn Down the Heat.

Isn’t this a great time of year in Kansas City?  Our Royals are about to head north to begin the season.  The weather is also about to transition from chilly to mild, then downright hot.  I suppose that you could wait until May, but there will be a day sooner than later (mark my words) when your car’s A/C will be needed.

Why not have it checked now before you have an uncomfortable ride?  You haven’t turned on your vehicle’s air conditioning for some time now, so who knows what surprises may be in store when you do.  Late March is a great time to flush your coolant, have your freon checked, and make sure those lines and seals will hold up to the long summer ahead.

As always, when the seasons change your choice of auto maintenance is always the same.  For years, you have trusted all of your cars to the A-Team.  Able Auto Service is your Kansas City area vehicle air conditioning check-up professional.  Make an appointment soon to have your A/C checked and ready at their 837 Osage Ave. by calling (913) 321-1030.

Spring Auto Maintenance…Check.

Time to check off that list of springtime chores.  Check the batteries in the smoke detectors.  Make an appointment for a dental cleaning.  Clean up and make minor repairs in and around your home.  And, of course make sure that your vehicle is being maintained as winter turns into spring.

If you have not had your oil changed yet this year, then it is probably past time.  How is your battery life?  What do the air filter and the cabin filter look like?  Is your car veering to the left or right after a long winter of pot holes?  Your vehicle will give you maximum performance this spring and summer if you have it checked and properly maintained now.

Are you convinced?  Then it is time to find the right auto repair shop that understands the changing seasons of the Kansas City area.  That choice for thousands over the years continues to be Able Auto Service.  The A-Team is ready to serve your automotive repair needs.  Make an appointment at their shop located at 837 Osage Ave. by calling them today at (913) 321-1030.

That Dreaded Check Engine Light.

Doesn’t the very mention of this little light on our dashboard make us cringe?  When we see it the first thing we tend to do is look away.  Maybe when I glance back it will be gone.  You know better, but you are hoping against hope.  Waiting and hoping can lead to waiting for a tow truck on the side of a snowy road.

With the variety of vehicles on the road that dreaded glare could mean so many different things.  Maybe the car’s computer needs to be reprogrammed (Henry Ford would roll in his grave).  An engine diagnostic is needed, or a smoke test, or the air suspension, or the evaporative emission system.  Yikes, the list goes on and on!

It takes a pro to fix what may be ailing your vehicle’s heart.  That pro is a phone call away in Kansas City.  Fortunately, if you act quickly any major problems may be averted.  Make an appointment as soon as possible to see the A-Team.  That’s Able Auto Service located at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS.  Call them at (913) 321-1030.

When Your Car Battery Says That’s Enough.

Unless we are very diligent auto owners we do not stay on top of our car’s degenerating battery.  Then, one day it decides that it has had enough.  You have heard that dreadful sound as it grinds to a halt or worse…no sound at all!  No matter what time of year this happens it just simply stinks, but when it happens in the dead of winter it can become positively dangerous.

Unless you are an auto mechanic you may not be certain of the exact problem.  It could be the alternator rather than just a dead battery.  What you need is a pro who can troubleshoot the exact problem and not only fix it, but offer a lifetime warranty on most alternators as well as having a large variety of brand new batteries in stock.

Kansas City is not warming up any time soon.  Why not get on top of things BEFORE an emergency strands you out in the KC area cold.  Make an appointment with Able Auto Service to have your battery and alternator checked.  The A-Team is always there for you. Call today at (877) 716-0776 to visit their shop at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS.

Your Exhaust System this Winter.

Exhaust systems and mufflers need to be serviced and maintained year around.  This is not just for your own car’s performance, but for the planet as well.  A poorly maintained exhaust system pollutes the air around us.  Also, a bad muffler pollutes our ears!  It just makes sense to pay attention to these things during a Kansas City winter.

Here is a reason that your vehicle’s exhaust system needs to be in top shape in the dead of winter.  If you get stranded in the KC Metro in snow or freezing cold you have only your car to keep you warm.  Suddenly a leaky exhaust is not just noticeable, but downright dangerous.  You may HAVE to be able to run your heat to save your family.

Don’t become exhausted because of a bad exhaust system this winter.  Before we go through another 2+ months of this stuff make an appointment with Able Auto Service to have your exhaust system checked for potential winter problems.  The A-Team is always there for you. Make an appointment today at (877) 716-0776 to visit their shop at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS.

Happy New Year Kansas City.

You survived the holidays and now comes the challenge of driving Kansas City area roads in the worst weather of the year.  If you have lived in the KC metro for years one thing is certain…don’t get used to today’s forecast, there is a new one on the way.  In January that could mean ice and snow and winds that make driving a real challenge.

Protect that battery!  It is the life blood of your vehicle.  Just as you keep an eye on your heart rate when you shovel snow listen to your battery.  Getting stranded on the side of the road at this time of year can be a REAL danger.  The winter cold will take a toll on your tires as well.  Slowly but surely they will deflate leaving you with uncertain traction.

Never has the old expression been more true, “pre-planning prevents poor performance”.  Stand up to Old Man Winter and call Able Auto Service to have your vehicle maintained for potential winter problems.  The A-Team is standing by.  Make an appointment today at (877) 716-0776 to visit their shop at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City KS.

Drive Safely this Holiday Season.

Twenty-five BILLION miles!  Wrap your head around that number.  That is the estimated number that Americans will be driving during this holiday season.  The average family will drive 147 miles to visit other family members for Christmas and the New Year.  And 71% of all drivers admit that they are nervous about driving in the snow belt during this time.

Believe it or not, only a quarter of drivers in snow belt states have even considered installing winter tires.  What about tune-ups and other routine vehicle maintenance before you head out on that holiday trip?  Heavy fog, heavy rain, sleet, snow, icy roads, and more are all part of the winter driving equation and you need to be prepared.

Before heading to grandma’s house in Chicago or Des Moines you need to be prepared.  In the Kansas City area we have the A-Team.  It comes down to this…Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave.  We are your Kansas City winter car-care experts.  Make an appointment for all of your holiday driving maintenance today by calling (913) 321-1030.

Warming Up Your Car in Winter.

It seems like a simple question with an obvious answer…should you warm up your car before driving this winter?  The quick answer is that unless the overnight temperatures are sub-zero then you are probably wasting gas by letting your car idle each morning.  You could actually be doing more harm than good.  This is Kansas City NOT Minneapolis!

Here are some of the reasons for not warming up your car in the morning.

1.  Your car already has an electronic brain telling it what adjustments to make in the cold.

2.  You may actually be harming your catalytic converter. 

3.  It takes more money because it uses more gas.

4.  In the case of a classic car it may be harmed because it has an old-fashioned carburetor instead of fuel-injection engine.

Having your vehicle properly maintained over the next four months is vitally important.  In the Kansas City area we are lucky to have the A-Team.  It comes down to this…Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City, your winter car-care experts.  Make an appointment for all of your winter maintenance today by calling (913) 321-1030.

Finding the Right Auto Mechanic.

This is the time of year that you cannot make a mistake in the maintenance of your vehicle.  Winter is a harsh opponent in the Kansas City area.  If you do not have a garage your challenges are even greater.  Make sure that you cover the engine with a blanket in the coldest temperatures coming up.  Slowly tap your accelerator in the morning when you start your car so it doesn’t flood.

Your battery should quite simply be replaced if it is two or three years old or older.  Check those cables.  If they slip free from the nodes that’s bad news.  If you are having your luxury car stored for winter make sure that you check the engine oil.  It may need to be changed before storing it.  Top off all of the fluids and check the tires before you tuck that baby away for winter.

Making sure that this winter is worry-free as it pertains to transportation is a job for the A-Team.  Your Kansas City area year-round vehicle protection experts.  Once again, it comes down to Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. in Kansas City.  Make an appointment for all preventative winter maintenance today by calling (913) 321-1030.