Chesapeake Auto Repair

Check Engine Light Diagnosis At West Service Center, Inc. Your browser does not support video Hello Chesapeake drivers. Have you ever had your check engine light come on? Did you panic? Or just scowl and ignore it? What should you do? Pull to the side of the road and call a tow truck? Or just keep driving? What does that little light really mean for Chesapeake drivers? First of all, the Check Engine or Service Engine light does indicate that something is wrong. That’s why it is called a warning light. But the something that is wrong might be a loose gas cap, or it might be serious van engine trouble. That’s why Chesapeake drivers often don’t know how to respond to it. The check engine light has two modes: it flashes or it stays on. A flashing light is serious. You need to get your vehicle to West Service Center, Inc. in Chesapeake ASAP. No, you don’t need to call a tow truck, but, ye ... read more

Super Slick at West Service Center, Inc. in Chesapeake: Synthetic Oil Your browser does not support video When you get an oil change, it’s always a safe bet to just use the type of oil the auto maker recommends. But sometimes we’re asked if we’d like conventional or synthetic motor oil. We glance at the price tags on the two options and choose the cheaper one. But in this case, the more expensive oil might be the better bargain for Chesapeake drivers. Conventional oil is made from petroleum. Its molecules form long hydrocarbon chains. Synthetic motor oil is either more highly refined petroleum or completely man-made. Its molecules are more uniform. This provides vital advantages over conventional motor oil. First of all, the molecular structure of synthetic motor oil makes it more slippery than conventional oil so it lubricates better. This translates to better wear protection for Chesapeake car owners, cooler opera ... read more

West Service Center, Inc. Advice On Buying New Tires Your browser does not support video Today’s tires and wheels offer a lot of options for every Chesapeake driver’s style, habits and driving conditions. Tires are designed for high-performance in winter or summer and even come in a long-wearing variety for all Virginia seasons. Chesapeake off-roaders should be excited about the options available to them as well. The tread on off-road tires is designed to handle the wear from bumps and rocks. The tires’ high profile protects rims from damage. But what if you own an SUV but aren’t interested in off-roading around Chesapeake? You can change out those high-profile beasts for a lower, wider look if it suits your style. West Service Center, Inc. tire professionals can offer great auto advice on how to choose tires that match your needs and style. The same goes for wheels. When Chesapeake auto owners shop for new wheels, they can be hard-pressed to ma ... read more

West Service Center, Inc. Often Asked About Premium vs. Regular Gas   Chesapeake auto owners often ask the question: “Will using premium gas make my car run better?” The answer is simple. But first, let’s talk about what exactly premium gasoline is. Different grades of gasoline have different octane ratings. Regular gasoline has the lowest octane rating and premium the highest. Most gas stations around Chesapeake, Virginia also carry a mid-grade that falls in between the two. The octane range for the different grades of gas varies by region due to altitude differences. Engines require different octane ratings because of design differences. For example, turbocharged engines usually require premium gas. There’s a sticker on your gas tank filler lid that tells you the minimum octane rating your automobile manufacturer recommends. Chesapeake auto owners should read their owner’s manuals carefully to see if it’s acceptable to use lower grades. W ... read more

A Cold Day In Chesapeake Your browser does not support video Most Chesapeake auto owners worry about a breakdown or a tire blowout on a busy Virginia interstate but don’t worry too much about failure of their air conditioning system. A breakdown at the side of the road can be a miserable and dangerous affair during Chesapeake rush hour, but so can a long ride in a hot van. A lot of Chesapeake drivers judge their vehicles’ air conditioning systems as “non-essential” and so may neglect them in favor of repairs and maintenance that keeps the van running. But preventive maintenance of an air conditioning system is simple and inexpensive, while auto a/c repair can be very pricey in Chesapeake. Suffolk auto owners should have the refrigerant in their air conditioning system checked regularly to ensure it is adequate and clean. Air conditioning systems often ... read more