Chesapeake Auto Repair

Below 45 Degrees in Chesapeake: Consider Winter Tires   Remember snow tires? They were basically just regular tires with big, knobby lugs to get them through deep snow. They were loud and rode hard, and Chesapeake drivers couldn’t wait to get them off the car. Then along came television advertisements for “all-season” radials. Virginia motorists ran out and bought some and we thought we were done with snow tires forever. Tires have come a long way since then. Modern winter tires sold in the Chesapeake area are much better designed for the wide range of detrimental conditions that come with Virginia winter weather. They are made with a rubber compound that helps them stay flexible in cold weather. Regular tires become hard and stiff at Chesapeake temperatures below 45°F, which reduces their traction. That’s a key concern in winter, especially with snowy or wet Chesapeake conditions. But it also means that Chesapeake car owners are better off with wint ... read more

Automotive Guide for Chesapeake: When to Replace Your Wiper Blades There are several vital factors that go into how often Chesapeake motorists should replace their wiper blades. Of course, the more you use your wipers, the faster the blades will wear out – especially if you use them on an icy windshield. Whether it’s a lot of bugs and road grime from Virginia freeway  driving or lots of wet weather – your blades get a work out and start to wear. But your wiper blades break down even when they aren’t used frequently. They are damaged by sunlight and temperature changes as well. The rubber in the blades can dry out and crack and eventually fall apart. Check your wipers: If they’re not doing their vital job, have them replaced. Talk to your West Service Center, Inc. service professional about how you drive – we can counsel you on the optimal blades for your needs. Give us a call West Service Center, Inc. 75 ... read more

Tire Maintenance In Suffolk With the recent focus in Suffolk on improving fuel economy, we’ve been told how important it is to maintain our tire pressure. Chesapeake motorists know that tires wear out, but we want to make them last as long as possible because they’re not cheap to replace. In addition to saving gas, properly inflated tires last longer. Under-inflated tires will wear out more quickly. Some Suffolk drivers wonder if they should add a few extra pounds of pressure when they fill up their tires. Bad idea. In fact, there are very good reasons not to over-inflate your tires. For one, the middle of the tread will wear unevenly because the full tread is not contacting the road properly. That also adversely affects your handling. Stop by West Service Center, Inc. to see about tire maintenance for your Chesapeake, Virginia vehicle. West Service Center, Inc. 904 Cavalier Blvd Chesapeake, Virginia 23323 757-487-4420   ... read more

The West Service Center, Inc. Guide for Chesapeake Drivers: Alignment Inspection Uneven tire wear, the auto pulling to one side or a steering wheel that is off-center are signs for Chesapeake car owners that their wheels may be out of alignment. When doing an alignment inspection, the service specialist will inspect your tires for uneven wear as well as suspension and steering parts for signs of wear or damage. He’ll also compare your current alignment with the automobile manufacturer’s settings. Your vehicle owner’s manual will have a recommendation for when to check alignment. Of course, this recommendation is based on normal driving. If you have been in collision, hit a curb/pothole, frequently drive off-road around Chesapeake, or notice any symptoms of misalignment, have your West Service Center, Inc. service specialist perform a key alignment check. Give us a call West Service Center, Inc. 757-487-4420 904 Cavalier Blvd Chesapeake, Virginia ... read more

Budget For Maintenance in Chesapeake Sometimes busy Chesapeake residents dream about going back to the “simpler” days of our grandparents. But if you could travel back in time and take a road trip around Chesapeake in a Model T, you might change your mind. The improved designs and quality of today’s automobiles have significantly reduced the amount of time Chesapeake auto owners spend at the side of the road during breakdowns. With proper maintenance, today’s vehicles can stay on the road longer than ever before. Some of those improvements, however, have led to higher repair costs. For example, older cars often broke down from vapor lock. Gas vaporized while traveling from the gas tank to the fuel pump. No gas, no power. The car quits going. The solution was simple — you just sat by the road until the car would start up again. Today’s Chesapeake drivers would hardly tolerate that kind of inconvenience; and it’s likely tha ... read more