Chesapeake Auto Repair

Drive Defensively In Virginia Your browser does not support video Car care is a vital part of auto safety in Chesapeake. But the most important thing we can do to improve safety on Virginia roads is to drive safely. Defensive driving is safe driving. And defensive driving is all about attitude. You have to decide that you will be a safe driver in Virginia, no matter what anyone else is doing. Chesapeake drivers can start with awareness. Always maintain awareness of your surroundings, the road conditions, other vehicles on the Chesapeake road or expressway and road hazards. Have you ever suddenly realized that you have arrived somewhere, but you don’t really remember driving there? That is unsafe driving. Never assume that other Chesapeake car owners are paying attention. You be the one on alert. You be the one to take initiative to stay out of the way of other Virginia drivers. And don’t l ... read more

A Cool and Smooth Transmission in Chesapeake Your browser does not support video When it comes to preventive maintenance on our vehicles, most of us Chesapeake motorists remember to get our oil changed. But West Service Center, Inc. services that occur at longer intervals — like transmission service — sometimes get overlooked. Yet transmission service is a key part of car care for Chesapeake auto owners. A poorly maintained transmission will curtail MPG and lead to expensive repairs. The transmission transfers power from the engine to the drive wheels. When it’s clean and well – lubricated, it gives maximum fuel efficiency. But when it gets dirty or worn down, your MPG will suffer. Your transmission relies on transmission fluid to keep everything running well. Transmission fluid has two jobs: to cool and lubricate the transmission. The transmission operates at high temperatures. It can get 100-150°F degrees hotter inside your transmission than inside you ... read more

Water Pump   Your cooling system is very important. It circulates coolant through the radiator and your engine to protect your car from overheating. There are five main components to the cooling system: The cooling system is essential for Chesapeake drivers. It circulates coolant through the radiator and your engine to protect your van from overheating. There are five main components to the cooling system: the radiator the radiator cap the hoses the thermostat and the water pump The water pump’s like the heart of your cooling system, circulating the fluid throughout your van. It’s a small pump that’s driven by the engine; usually by belt, but sometimes by a chain or gear. The water pump only operates when the engine’s running. Water pump failure is pretty routine. We see it often at West Service Center, Inc.. Some start failing at around 40,000 miles, but most fail by 100,000 miles. Consult your car make ... read more

The West Service Center, Inc. Guide To Caring For Your Transmission   Most cars and trucks have automatic transmissions, yet a lot of Portsmouth auto owners only have a fuzzy understanding about what a transmission does. Think back to the last time you rode a bike in Portsmouth. You started out in a lower gear and shifted to higher gears as you went faster. Down shift for hills, stuff like that. Think of your legs as the engine – there’s an ideal speed you can pedal and you change gears to leverage the work you’re doing. Lower gears for power on hills or for starting out. Higher gears for more speed. That’s what the automatic transmission does – it automatically starts in lower gears and shifts up to higher gears to go faster on Virginia freeways. And automatically shifts back down to climb Portsmouth hills, pass or start up again. van automatic transmissions have certainly gotten more sophisti ... read more

Chesapeake Exhaust And Emissions Service   Many Chesapeake auto owners don’t realize that there is more to exhaust system maintanance than just tailpipes and mufflers. And if you can see smoke, or if it’s too loud. Exhaust service at a full-service automotive center like West Service Center, Inc. is really a lot more comprehensive these days. For example, in the U.S., the federal government required catalytic converters for all cars in Chesapeake in 1976 and on-board emission control computers in 1990. Virginia and federal emissions requirements have forced manufacturers to come up with much more sophisticated ways to comply with environmental laws. This also goes for cars sold in Canada. So, exhaust service has really become exhaust and emissions service. High-tech computer-controlled emissions devices are now necessary. And because it’s so sophisticated, auto manufacturers recommend having your emission system checked out by a qualified technician, lik ... read more