Chesapeake Auto Repair

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

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