Venice Auto Repair

What is the Brakes for Breasts Program?     For the month of October, until the 31st, we are offering our Brakes for Breasts promotion. That means free Brake Pad or Shoes all October long. We donate 10% of the proceeds will benefit the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Fund. This is not only to our shop but shops across the country are participating in this to raise over $100,000 in proceeds! We want to defeat our goal from last year which was $680.00. This all happens around Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is also in October.  This is a wonderful cause we are happy to support but some may be completely clueless when it comes to anything Brakes related, other than that they make the car stop. Let's be honest, when they tell me I need new Brakes, I am sent a detailed inspection report, and shown all the pictures to see that diagnosi ... read more

Why are Loud Noises Coming from Under My Car?    While this can be a generic question with multiple causes, this direct occurrence was due to a failing Driveshaft. The Driveshaft Coupler needed replacement inside of a Corvette's Torque Shaft. A whole lot of big words with so many different responsibilities for allowing your vehicle to move. Let's get back to the basics...What is a Driveshaft anyway?     A Driveshaft is part of the Drivetrain system, this is responsible for the drivability of your vehicle.  There is something called Torque in an engine, which is the measurement of force that transmits the engine power to the Transmission. In this specific vehicle, the Driveshaft is a long round shaft that goes from the Engine to differential gears to the transmission that create torque and turn the wheels of the car. When the output shaft of the Transmissio ... read more

What is Carbon Build-up? How Does it Affect my Engine?  Carbon build-up can be found inside the engine. Over time carbon builds up inside the engine from exhaust and fuel combustion. As the engine burns fuel, the layers of carbon build up causing the valves to stick. This can impede the valves sealing correctly when disposing of exhaust or intaking air into the cylinder.  Carbon can also plug up your fuel injector nozzles resulting in poor fuel delivery.  For example, when there is a fire in the chimney you can see soot start to build up on the inside walls. This is exactly what is happening inside the engine!  Oil travels a long road before it winds up in your vehicle. Gasoline from oil refiners such as Shell, Chevron, etc. mix their gasoline with their own kind of detergents. These detergents are formulated to remove or prevent the carbon build up in the fuel injectors and intake valves. This may differ though with a direct injec ... 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

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