Chesapeake Auto Repair

Battery Replacement For Your van   Modern cars and trucks in and around Chesapeake run on 12 volt electrical systems. 12 volts is enough to get the job done for Chesapeake drivers without having so much power that there is danger of electrocution. But today’s vehicles have more electrical components and do-dads than ever before. This really strains your electrical system, making it hard for the battery to keep up. Think about it: electric seats, seat heaters, power locks, windows and sun roofs. And then us Virginia drivers have all the power outlets for our cell phones, computers, and DVD players. We also have navigation systems and powerful stereos. Plus there are all the engine and transmission computers, traction control, stability control, anti-lock brakes, sensors and on and on. Even the security system is running off the battery while the car is turned off. Fortunately, battery technology has given Chesapeake auto owners resilient batteries that are able to meet th ... read more

Fuel Injection: It Keeps Getting Better for Chesapeake Drivers Your browser does not support video Chesapeake auto owners know that engines need to burn fuel to operate. Fuel is pumped from your fuel tank to your van engine where it is squirted—or injected—into your engine’s cylinders. This is the function of the fuel injectors. There are two ways to inject fuel into an engine. Fuel needs air to burn, so in the first method, fuel is injected into a port and allowed to mix with air and before it is drawn into the cylinders. In the second method, fuel is injected directly into the cylinders and mixes with air after it enters the van engine. Direct injection engines burn fuel more efficiently than conventional van engines. Some models can deliver the power of a V8 with the economy of a V6. For example, in one family of engines, the conventional version (a V6) delivers about 250 horsepower. The direct injection version delivers over 300 horsepow ... read more

Blind Spot Safety For Chesapeake Driving Your browser does not support video Blind spots may be a good thing when it comes to a spouse’s annoying habits, but when driving an automobile in Chesapeake, they are definitely to be avoided. So, while it’s not good marital advice, it’s good auto advice to minimize your own blind spots and stay out of other Chesapeake drivers’ blind spots, especially when it comes to large, heavy vehicles like trucks and buses. First, minimize your own blind spots. Do this before you pull out of the driveway or parking space. Adjust your rearview mirror so that you see as much of the area behind you as possible. And, no, this doesn’t include the passengers in the back seat. The rearview mirror isn’t designed to be a baby monitor. Next, lean to the side until your head almost touches the driver’s side window. Now adjust the driver’s side mirror so that ... read more

To Save Gas Around Chesapeake: Keep Up with Your Scheduled Service   One topic that hits the news in Chesapeake on a regular basis is the price of gas. The answer for some Virginia motorists is to buy a vehicle that gets better fuel efficiency. For those of us Chesapeake motorists who don’t want to add a car payment to our monthly expenses, we need to improve our fuel economy any way we can. Following recommended service intervals by coming into West Service Center, Inc. is one of the best ways Chesapeake car owners can keep their minivan running efficiently. That means better fuel efficiency. When you give it some thought, it only makes sense. Dirty oil or transmission fluid can’t lubricate or clean. That means more drag which reduces fuel efficiency. Keeping up with scheduled oil changes and transmission services will save gas for Virginia drivers. Dirty engine air filters are another efficiency pirate. They rob your truck engine of enough air to effectively bur ... read more

West Service Center, Inc. Fuel Saving Tip for Chesapeake: Check Engine Light   Here’s a question for Chesapeake, Virginia motorists: How long have you been enjoying the romantic glow of your check engine light? Hey, it’s not there to create ambiance; it’s a warning that something’s wrong. (And, by the way, Homer Simpson’s fix of covering it with tape is not a good idea.) If your check engine light comes on, check your gas cap. A loose gas cap can cause a false sensor reading that’ll make the check engine light turn on. Many conditions that trigger the check engine light can hurt your fuel efficiency. A lot. If your date’s eyes are smoldering in the soft glow of the check engine light, try to think of all the gas money you’ll save by getting it fixed. Give West Service Center, Inc. a call when you are ready: 757-487-4420