Chesapeake Auto Repair

Fuel System Cleaning At West Service Center, Inc.   Is your car sometimes hard to start on an early Chesapeake morning? When you turn the key, does it hesitate or stutter? If so, the problem could be the result of a dirty fuel system. Your car’s fuel system starts with the air filter and ends in the top of your engine. Over time, different parts of the system get dirty, which robs you of performance and hurts your MPG. Most Chesapeake motorists have fuel injectors, rather than a carburetor. Fuel injection systems have fewer problems and require less adjustment. But they still need to be properly maintained. This is why your owner’s manual has a schedule for cleaning your fuel injectors and other critical parts of your fuel system. Some Chesapeake car owners are interested in buying fuel system cleaners that they can pour into your gas tank. You can do that – and there are lots of great products available that can help maintain an already clean fuel system &nd ... read more

The West Service Center, Inc. Guide to Saving Fuel: Car Weight   The team at West Service Center, Inc. in Chesapeake and Virginia car owners are all talking fuel economy right now. Better gas mileage. Fewer emissions. Chesapeake auto owners want to save the environment and their pocketbooks. And we all know—or should know—that preventive maintenance will help maximize MPG. But is there something more Chesapeake car owners can do? After all, some of us Chesapeake folks can’t cut back on our driving, and others would like to do more to economize. Weight is one major enemy of fuel economy. The more you lug around in your vehicle, the more fuel you have to burn to get from Chesapeake to Portsmouth. And that means buying more gas in Chesapeake and producing more emissions. Of course, your van’s weight isn’t negotiable. And you can’t do much about the weight of your passengers. And this isn’t ... read more

The West Service Center, Inc. Guide To Custom Wheels   If you’re interested in customizing the wheels and tires on your van, there are a few things you should know first. Most importantly, the wheels you buy need to fit your vehicle. Not all wheels are created equal. Too many Chesapeake motorists have bought a set of wheels that caught their eye, then, after going to the work of mounting them, have found that the wheels don’t fit right and the tires rub against the van when they turn or go over a bump. To ensure a proper fit, you can consult with your West Service Center, Inc. tire professional. He/she can also help you find tires that are suited to your driving habits as well as your van. You may find their auto advice invaluable, and you’ll probably be happier with your new wheels once you purchase them. But if you just have to have that set of wheels, and you’re wi ... read more

Serpentine Belt Service At West Service Center, Inc. In Chesapeake   Don’t you hate it when you hear that squeal from under the hood when you’re zipping down a busy Chesapeake interstate? It usually means there is a problem with the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt powers a lot of engine accessories. It runs the alternator – which charges the battery; the water pump – which cools the engine; the air conditioning and the power steering pump. All pretty critical parts. It is called a serpentine belt because it snakes around a bunch of engine components. Serpentine belts are amazingly tough. They can last for years and go for tens of thousands of miles. Like all critical moving parts, however, they eventually wear out. If your belt breaks while you are driving around Chesapeake, everything will come to a halt within minutes. You need to stop the van immediately or it will overheat, potentially causing costly engine damage. You can b ... read more

Why is My Check Engine Light On? Your browser does not support video   The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some Chesapeake car owners and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most of us Chesapeake auto owners. Let’s get the urgency issues out of the way first. If your check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause critical engine damage. Naturally, you need to get that taken care of right away. If your check engine light is flashing, you shouldn’t drive at Virginia expressway speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to your Chesapeake service center. If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, schedule an appointment with your honest West Service Center, Inc. service advisor to get it checked out. Some more Chesapeake information on how the Check Engine Li ... read more