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.

Winterizing Your Car.

Old man winter is coming.  No matter how you feel about that we know what a toll it could take on your vehicle.  You are starting to layer on warmer clothes aren’t you?  You have turned on the heat in your home by now.  Let’s not forget the most important mechanical device in your life…your car!  That reliable transportation needs some TLC to make it through the winter to come.

Here are a few tips to follow so that your car is properly winterized -

1.  Check your windshield wipers.  You will need them more often in the next 6 months.

2.  Get new coolant and antifreeze.

3.  Check the exhaust system in case there are leaks.

4.  Make sure that your tires have proper tread.

5.  Get a tune up.

There are many others that will help you have a worry-free transportation winter.  Don’t get stranded in the freezing cold!  Hire the A-Team…your Kansas City area auto winterizing experts.  Once again it comes down to Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. Your complete auto service center in the Kansas City area.  Make an appointment today by calling (913) 321-1030.

The Roads Will Get Rougher.

As fall transitions into winter more and more potholes will form and your tires will take a beating.  Make sure that your vehicle’s shoes are ready for the changing road conditions.  Tire rotation this time of year is a really good idea.  We know how frustrating it is to be driving down the road and you have to grip the wheel to keep your car from drifting left or right.

If you are fortunate, in most cases a simple rotation will be enough.  Maybe a patch here or a plug there will also be needed.  If you need a new tire or a whole new set it sure is better to know now rather than when you are stranded on the side of the road or worse.  You might be able to squeeze another 1000 or two miles between oil changes, but don’t play fast and loose with your tires.

If it is time to replace those worn-out tires you should always trust a pro to determine exactly which wheels are best for your vehicle.  That’s easy - just hire the A-Team, your Kansas City area tire experts.  The choice is always Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave., your complete tire repair and replacement center in the Kansas City area.  Make an appointment today by calling (913) 321-1030.

Winterizing Your Car.

The weather will soon be taking a turn for the worse in Kansas City.  You will be all bundled up when you go outdoors and you will ask your vehicle to be ready for the changing driving conditions.  In our four-season area we need to make sure that our transportation is reliable throughout the next six months.  So let’s get serious about the upcoming fall/winter.

Here are some winterizing tips to remember –

1.  Install winter wipers.  It could be catastrophic not to have the best wiper blades in bad weather.

2.  Have the right tires for winter driving.

3.  Always keep your washer fluid topped out.

4.  Keep your gas tank AT LEAST half full at all times.

5.  Have more frequent maintenance check-ups.

On that last point…all you need to remember is Able Auto Service.  The A-Team is your Kansas City area auto winterizing and car care experts.  They have been servicing vehicles for decades in the KC area every day of the year.  Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. is your complete vehicle winter maintenance shop in the Kansas City area.  Make an appointment today by calling (913) 321-1030.

Your Car’s Heating System.

I know you don’t want to think about this yet, but Autumn begins next week and soon you will be relying on your vehicle’s heating system.  Don’t kid yourself.  In the Kansas City area we go from blasting the A/C to cranking up the heat pretty quickly.  Just as you would have hated warm air pouring out of your car’s air conditioner you don’t want to freeze your hind quarters off at the first cold snap.

Here are the proper steps to that end –

1.  Diagnostics.  If your heater is blowing damp, musty air you could be in for a problem.

2.  Check the heater core.  Is there enough hot coolant?

3.  The heater fan.  This is a common problem.

4.  Hire an expert!

That last one is easy.  Hire the A-Team…your Kansas City car heater repair experts.  They have been servicing vehicles for decades in the KC area every day of the year.  Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. is your complete vehicle heating and air conditioning pro in the Kansas City area.  Make an appointment today by calling (913) 321-1030.

Your Car’s Back to School Maintenance Tips.

Just as the kids go back to school the change of seasons means a change in family activity.  This includes how and when you need your car or SUV.  You probably have been concentrating on getting all of the necessities for the kids in your house.  Take some time and think about what that “mom taxi” is going to need to get through another Kansas City school year.

Here are some fall car maintenance tips to keep in mind –

1.  Check the vitals under the hood.  The battery…the fluid levels, etc.

2.  Take a good, long, professional look at the tires.

3.  Turn on every light in and on the vehicle.

4.  Find your best source for emergency as well as preventative maintenance.

Concerning that last item…you must be certain that you have a great auto mechanic lined up for fall and winter.  That would be the A-Team.  They are your Kansas City area vehicle fall maintenance professionals.  They have been servicing vehicles of all types for decades in the KC area year around.  They are Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave.  Make an appointment today by calling (913) 321-1030.

Make Your Labor Day Plans!

Kansas City Irish Fest 2016 

(Follow the link above for more information)

Kansas City Irish Fest
Labor Day Weekend At Crown Center

Sept 2-4, 2016 

"Celebrate Celtic Pride in CowTown"

"With over 30 bands on seven stages, heritage workshops and displays, comedy, genealogy, a massive children's area and so much more, there is no better way to celebrate Celtic Pride in Cowtown than Kansas City Irish Fest!"

 

The Danger of Worn-Out Shock Absorbers.

Shocks and struts are not parts of our vehicle that we consider to be the most glamorous.  I doubt that you give them much consideration until you are forced to do so.  In conjunction with your brakes they are just the most important safety feature of your vehicle…that’s all.  They are not easy to check because they lay hidden behind the wheel arches of your car.

What is the purpose of the shock absorber?  Generally, it is to keep the tires in permanent contact with the road.  According to one survey taken in Belgium up to 25% of motorists were discovered to be driving on worn-out shock absorbers.  No one is certain if you or someone you know may have shock absorbers that are being compromised, but it couldn’t hurt to have them checked.

Before your shocks and struts become an emergency drive in a see the A-Team.  The A-Team is your Kansas City area shock absorber professional.  They have been servicing vehicles of all types for decades in the KC area year around.  Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. is your complete shocks and struts specialist in the Kansas City area.  Make an appointment today by calling (913) 321-1030.

An Overheating Engine

Today with cars of all ages on the road there are various warning signs that an engine is about to overheat.  In many vehicles the needle on the temperature gauge pushes its way into that dreaded red zone.  Or you suddenly see the check engine light casting its lovely red glow.  The next horrible event might be the radiator boiling over and steam rolling out from under the hood.

This is a “dog days of summer nightmare”!  If this happens more than once your vehicle may have a leak in its cooling system.  The first thing to check is the pressure cap.  Often times the gasket on the cap begins to deteriorate.  When this occurs pressure escapes and causes the cooling system to malfunction.  You are about to have an open-road crisis on your hands.

Before you reach that point you need to contact the A-Team.  That’s right…the A-Team is your Kansas City area car care professional servicing vehicles of all types for decades in the KC area 12 months a year.  Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. is your complete engine repair specialist in the Kansas City area.  Make an appointment today by calling (913) 321-1030.

When to Replace Your Muffler.

When you head out on that summer trip make sure that your vehicle is in tip top condition for the grueling summer driving months.  One thing that should be in the back of your mind is - when is it the right time to replace my muffler?  Some parts are easier to troubleshoot such as a low battery, bad tires, or when it is time for an oil change.

When it comes to replacing your car’s muffler there are a few warning signs to look, listen, and sniff for -

1.  The obvious one is a loud noise from beneath your car.

2.  Are you getting less miles per gallon?  Monitor your vehicle’s performance with every trip to the pump.

3.  Sniff out the problem!  When your muffler begins acting up, foul smells will begin emanating which over time could actually become fatal in a confined area.

More than 3 decades ago Rob Greiner’s dad saw a need in Kansas City for quality auto repair.  That gave birth to Able Auto Service.  Over the years the “A-Team” has expanded to give you the best car care KC can offer.  Able Auto Service is your muffler replacement expert.  Make an appointment today to visit them at their 837 Osage Ave. location by calling (913) 321-1030.

Your Car Battery in the Summer.

The Car Care Council has warned us over and over…summer heat can cause major car battery problems.  Excessive heat combined with overcharging may be a death knell for the equipment that keeps your car running.  What happens internally is that as the heat is turned up, the battery fluid begins to evaporate.  This damages the internal structure.

And usually, as the sun beats down on your vehicle, the voltage regulator creates a higher charging rate.  This causes a battery to slowly die.  Are you aware that on average one out of every four vehicles on the road will need a new battery?  So do the math, if you have been running on that same battery for more than a couple of years the odds have caught up to you.

No one wants to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery.  If you are motoring around the Kansas City area take a few valuable minutes and stop by Able Auto Service at 837 Osage Ave. in KC.  Rob and his crew, “The A-Team”, will shoot you straight and let you know if the battery needs to be replaced.  You may also call them for an appointment at (913) 321-1030.

Find a 4th of July Event in Kansas City near you!

4th of July event in Kansas City

 

Get out and enjoy the 4th of July weekend!  Click the link above to find some of the firework shows and special events scheduled around the holiday!  Happy 4th of July!!

 

 

Repairing your Engines Diagnostics.

It used to be a whole lot easier.  In this day and age your vehicle is a rolling computer.  Most cars are equipped with an onboard system that controls your car’s performance.  Some of those areas are the fuel injection system, the spark plugs, and even the steering mechanism.  It is hard to keep your car on the road if you can’t steer it!

We have learned to become familiar with the “check engine light”.  Thank heaven for it.  If your body had one you could avoid a lot of grief in the future.  This light gives you the time that you need (hopefully) to get a problem under control before your car shuts down.  Don’t be one of those people who drives around for days with that light staring at you.

If you want to save a lot of money, get your vehicle’s engine checked immediately.  The long term consequences may cost you thousands of dollars.  If you are driving around the Kansas City area and that dreaded light goes on make your next stop Able Auto Service.  Rob and his crew “The A-Team” have been keeping KC cars on the road for a long, long, time.  Call them at (913) 321-1030.

Summertime Takes its Toll on Your Tires.

Stop for a moment and think about the stress and strain on your car’s tires when temperatures are sizzling.  American drivers log 3 billion miles a year on their vehicle’s tires.  Tire failures account for more than 10 thousand car accidents every year in this country.  Even the simple act of keeping your tires properly inflated can save you from a world of hurt.

There is probably no simpler maintenance tip for your car than keeping your tires inflated.  You should also have your tread frequently checked.  If you place a penny head down and you can see Lincoln’s head get that tire replaced immediately.  Honest Abe can save you from disaster!  Also, have your tires aligned at every other oil change.

Rest assured that Able Auto Service is standing by as Kansas City’s tire repair and replacement specialists.  The “A-Team” are your tire experts in the Kansas City area.  DO NOT ignore any changes in your car’s “shoes”.  Summer driving on defective tires can literally put your family’s safety at risk.  Drive in today at 837 Osage Ave. in KC or give them a call at (913) 321-1030 to make an appointment.

Ideas for Memorial Weekend in Kansas City

What to do for Memorial Weekend in Kansas City 

"Frosty mornings are officially behind us and the sweltering summer heat hasn't quite grabbed hold, so Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy Kansas City. Click the link above for a few options for escaping your cramped four walls while celebrating Memorial Day"

 

 

Ooops - A Pebble Just Hit My Windshield.

With summer driving your chances of following that truck with a load of gravel increases.  What starts out as a simple bouncing rock begins a chain reaction when it hits your vehicle’s windshield.  Our tendency is to ignore that tiny crack in the corner, but if you do you are inviting a spider-like mass of broken glass that compromises your safety.

What is a stress crack in a windshield?  Sometimes they are caused by accelerated temperature changes.  In Kansas City we all know how quickly that can happen.  High wind and barometric pressure may also be a contributing factor.  And then, quite simply there may be a structural defect in the way the windshield has been manufactured.

Rest assured that nothing gets past Able Auto Service.  The “A-Team” are your auto glass repair experts in the Kansas City area.  DO NOT ignore any changes in your car’s windshield.  High speed driving can literally put your family’s safety at risk.  Drive in today at 837 Osage Ave. in KC or give them a call at 913-321-1030 to make an appointment.

Car Battery Problems in Kansas City.

There is a method of knowing when your car battery is going south on you.  To understand your vehicle’s battery know that you are dealing with a lead acid structure in a plastic box.  Encased in that battery is a delicate balance of chemicals which are ready to interact and produce electricity.  Chances are your battery has a chemical issue.

Here are three tests that need to be done to discover if the battery in your car needs to be replaced: 

1.  Inspect the battery.  Sometimes it is obvious upon inspection.  It could be anything from a broken terminal to leakage.

2.  Take a voltage reading.  If it is reading 0 volts there is a good chance that a short circuit has occurred.

3.  Load test the battery.  You need a digital volt meter for the test to be accurate.

Let’s face it.  This is the job for a professional auto mechanic.  Able Auto Service, located at 837 Osage Ave, is a vehicle battery professional.  At Able The “A-Team” will troubleshoot your car’s battery and replace it if necessary.  The best news of all is that they won’t do work that you DON’T need.  Drive in today or give them a call at 913-321-1030.

33 Free Things to Do in Kansas City

33 For FREE!!
<click the link above>
 

For sightseers on a shoestring budget, Kansas City offers many free adventures. Follow the link for a list of 33 free activities that offer something for everyone.

 

Should You Ignore a Small Crack in your Windshield?

So you have been driving around all winter as carefully as you can.  You have been avoiding the hazards of winter driving.  However, somewhere along the way a pebble hit your windshield and put a small crack in it.  If the crack is small and not in your field of vision maybe you ignore it for now.  One thing for sure, it is not going away.

What people don’t realize is that this seemingly innocuous crack can become very dangerous.  It is only the beginning of a bigger problem.  This time of year changing weather is a big factor in the growth of that crack.  Chilly nights followed by warm days may cause the crack to expand rapidly.  If your windshield is compromised then your airbags will not be able to do their job in a collision.

This situation is WAY too important to ignore.  You need a professional windshield replacement service in Kansas City.  That is Able Auto Service located at 837 Osage Ave. in KC.  At Able The “A-Team” will troubleshoot that crack in your vehicle’s windshield and repair it before it becomes dangerous.  Drive in today or give them a call at 913-321-1030.

Checking Your Car’s Air Conditioning System.

Spring has sprung!  At least you can see where your car’s air conditioning will be necessary in the months to come.  Over the winter there is a good chance that you have run low on refrigerant in your A/C system.  Over time tiny amounts of this substance leak from the lines and degrade the overall performance which you will find out the hard way when you try to turn it on.

There are three main parts to your vehicle’s air conditioner.  They are the condenser, the compressor, and an evaporator.  The system is sealed from the outside and filled with fluid.  Liquid refrigerant travels to the evaporator where it expands and removes the heat and cools the evaporator.  A fan directs air over the evaporator then through the air vents of your car.

Now that you know the basics of your vehicle’s air conditioning system it is that time of year to seek out professional auto air conditioning service in the Kansas City area.  That is Able Auto Service located at 837 Osage Ave. in KC.  At Able The “A-Team” will know what to look for to make sure that your air conditioner performs up to capacity this summer.  Drive in today or give them a call at 913-321-1030.