Arizona Auto Repair

Brakes are easy to take for granted; our cars start and stop, and a working brake system is so seamless that drivers hardly give it a second thought. However, understanding your car's setup can make or "brake" your day when brakes go wrong. When it comes to your car's brakes, there are two standard options: brake pads and brake shoes. Both are designed to create friction that stops your car, but they work in different ways. Brake pads are found in disc brake systems and are located in the caliper, which is the component that holds the brake pad against the rotor. When you press the brake pedal, the hydraulic fluid pushes the caliper pistons out, causing the pads to make contact with the rotor. The friction between the pads and rotor slows down your car, bringing it safely to a stop. Brake shoes are found in drum brakes, which are usually located in the rear of the car. When you press the brake pedal, a spring-loaded shoe is forced outward, pressing against the insid ... read more

Suspect your catalytic converter is failing? Avoid interrupting your summer fun by taking care of car repair issues as soon as they happen. The catalytic converter is an integral part of vehicle exhaust systems that help reduce the effect of vehicle emissions. Without a properly functioning catalytic converter, your car can release harmful emissions gasses. Keep reading for three symptoms of a bad or failing catalytic converter. Symptom #1. - Check Engine Light Flashing The check engine light is a yellow light on your dashboard that provides critical alerts about your vehicle and engine performance. When your vehicle's check engine light flashes yellow or stays illuminated for extended periods, this can be a sign of a declining catalytic converter or poor fuel economy. Vehicle manufacturers equipped most of today's cars with computerized diagnostics systems. These systems have warning indicators that alert drivers to potential issues under the hood. A rapid ... read more

Distracted driving is becoming increasingly more prevalent on the nation's highways, but what exactly is distracted driving? What are the biggest driving distractions and how do you avoid them? Distracted Driving Defined Simply put, distracted driving is anything that takes the driver's eyes (and mind) off the task of driving, the road ahead and the other drivers on the surrounding roads. This presents a serious safety hazard to the driver, other drivers, pedestrians, and property. The Biggest Distractions According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are almost 30,000 distracted driving fatalities on the nation's highways annually. With the increased use of cellphones and onboard features in cars, distracted driving is becoming more common. Some of the biggest distractions include: Using your cellphone while driving is a major distraction with texting and driving behind a huge culprit. Of the 30,000 distracted driving fatalities, almos ... read more

Every vehicle has a similar set of dashboard warning lights. The check engine light is one of the most dreaded ones, and it is universal to understand. If you don't know what to do when this yellow light comes on, read on to learn more.   Check engine lights aren't as scary as they're made out to be (unless it is blinking, but that's for another time). It can indicate something as minor as a loose gas cap to something severe as a catalytic converter issue. Our auto repair shop is here to help you find out the exact cause of your check engine light and recommend suitable repairs to fix it.   Whenever you see the check engine light, you should take it to a trusted mechanic so that they can run diagnostics. When you bring your car to All Valley Auto Care, we will use our professional scan tools, interpret the error codes, and troubleshoot the problem. Below are five common reasons why a check engine light may come on: Loose or damaged gas cap Malfunctioning ... read more

At some point in time, most vehicle owners or vehicle drivers will need to call a towing service. If the vehicle is not safe to drive, has been in an accident, or if it does not start or stay running, calling for a tow truck may be the only option. Ideally, finding out about the best local towing company in advance of needing the service is the best option. This allows you to immediately know which tow truck service to call, saving you time and stress. To provide assistance, here are six things to know about vehicle towing services. What vehicles can be towed – not all vehicles can be towed by all towing companies. Low profile vehicles, heavy duty trucks, RVs, and other types of vehicles may need specialized towing trucks. When to call a wrecker – wreckers offer the option for the driver to attempt to fix the vehicle. Tow truck drivers cannot attempt a vehicle repair or provide roadside assistance. Different types of tow trucks ... read more