Venice Auto Repair

What Does Aligning your Tires Do?    Your wheels are a major part of you getting to your destination everyday. If you think about it, you can't go anywhere without them! The wheel alignment is just as important as having the proper tires on your vehicle.   So why do we get an alignments done? Below we will give you a list of the top reasons to consider:  Keeps tires from premature wear Helps with the handling of the vehicle, or smoother rideBetter fuel mileagePerfect contact with the road            "Chopping" seen on the Tires Now that we have covered the " Whys", lets talk about the "Hows" to your wheels get misaligned. There are many factors that can create misalignment on your vehicle. Below are just a few: If you are involved in an accident, or had a ... read more

Why Is My Car Hard To Steer? Why Is My Car Not Driving Straight? Why Is My Car Making A Strange Noise When Turning?    The answer to this question may be the result of a bad Tie Rod. The Tie Rod connects the Steering Gear or Power Steering Rack to the wheel of your vehicle. Over time, the pivoting joint of the tie rod can wear out, causing your tire to no longer stay in alignment. When you are turning your wheel a little bit and the steering feels loose, or the vehicle isn't responding to the way you are turning your steering wheel, this would be the reason. Other symptoms include: No steering at all or unusual steering  High pitched squealing noise (especially around turns) Uneven wear on tires Wheel alignment off             Our mechanics routinely check your tie rods when your vehicle comes in for service. To safely inspect ... read more

Do I Have to Replace my Timing Belt?    The simple answer is yes. Some vehicles have a Timing Belt, and others have a timing chain. These are necessary to keep the engine working properly and "in time". A Timing Belt is what keeps the engine valves and pistons "in time" with each other so that they don't collide. It is part of the internal engine system that creates a synchrony of movement between the Camshaft and Crankshaft to ensure that these engine valves open and close in unison during the Cylinder's in/out strokes.    The Timing Belt is rubber, so it does not last forever. In most cases, your manufacturer will recommend replacing as part of routine maintenance. This is about 70,000 miles, but every manufacturer is different. You can consult your owner's manual or come to our shop with trained professionals to ensure you are ... read more

What Happens When An A/C Actuator Goes Bad?   You might be thinking to yourself, what is an Actuator? We have had a few vehicles come in with this issue, that can range from a quite difficult job, to one not so intricate. Depending on your vehicle make and model this might be an extensive repair, in other cases, it could be a quick fix.    An Actuator or Blend Door Actuator, is a small electric motor in your vehicle that runs in forward and reverse motion to move the Blend Door/ Air Mix Door between fresh air and re-circulation modes, hot and cold air flow, and floor/defrost modes. The Actuator is what actually went out with one of these vehicles. So, the Blend Door was not swinging back and forth, causing the hot/cold airflow to be minimal. In another vehicle, we diagnosed a similar issue but the Actuator was working correctly. The ... read more

Why Are My Brakes Squeaking?Squeaking Brakes, American Import Auto, Inc.  In this post, we are going to discuss some of the reasons for squeaky brakes. Squeaking brakes are attributed to many different factors. At American Import Auto, Inc. we offer brake service and repair on ALL makes and models. Call us today to schedule an appointment to determine the cause of your squeaking brakes!    Brake Inspection First, we go into the brake system inspection. At  American Import Auto, Inc. we recommend changing front brakes at 3-4 millimeters in thickness. Rear Brakes at 3-4 millimeters in thickness, and a brake fluid flush every 24 months, or 24,000 miles. Our ASE-Certified mechanics will inspect all the major components of your vehicle's brake ... read more