Category Archives: Car Maintenance

Do These To Make Your Car Last For A Long Time

Do These To Make Your Car Last For A Long Time

For most people, buying a car is not a small investment. Since you have to pay a considerable amount of money to purchase it and a car helps you get to places conveniently, it is essential that you care for it in the right manner so that it lasts for a long time. And it is a known fact that cars or vehicles that are better cared for by their owners tend to function better. So, if you want to get the best out of your car, make sure you follow the below mentioned tips.

Maintain It Regularly

One of the first things you need to keep in mind when it comes to taking care of your car is, you should not ignore even the most minor issues in your car. Many car owners make the mistake of ignoring warning signs in their cars. For instance, when you see the ‘check engine’ light, you should not ignore it thinking it might be a loose gas cap. As experienced car owners know, it could also be an indication of an overheating issue. So, maintain your car regularly by fixing issues as soon as they arise.

Keep It Clean

One of the best ways of showing your love for your car is washing it often. Not all car owners are knowledgeable about the technical side of maintaining a car. However, washing a vehicle is something we can all do easily and we should it often because pollutants such as bird droppings, dust, tree sap, pollen, etc., are known for affecting the paint and finish of cars. You can stop them from causing issues in your car if you wash it 1 to 2 times every month.

Keep An Eye On Fluids

Fluids play a critical role in making our vehicle’s engine and other components function smoothly. So, make sure you check their levels at fixed intervals. The best thing is, you can check most fluids on your own. For instance, you can take check windshield wiper fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, engine oil, and transmission fluid. If you do not know how to check a particular fluid, you can take a look at the owner’s manual to find out the method.

Other things you can do to increase the lifespan of your car include replacing the fuel filter, checking the air filter, timely filling the gas tank, and checking the tire pressure and rotating the tires. While you should definitely do all the aforementioned things, it is essential that you get in touch with a top auto repair shop in San Antonio, TX to keep your car in the best possible condition. JM Automotive is a known repair shop in San Antonio. We can help you out with full service oil changes, air conditioning service, brake maintenance & service, tune up, transmission service, and many other services.

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Steer Clear of These First-Time Car Owner Mistakes

The feeling of owning your first car, be it a brand new model of a top manufacturer or a second-hand vehicle, is just amazing. You may go on to buy better cars in the future, but your first car will always be special to you. However, it is essential to control your excitement and learn key things about car ownership. Enjoy your first car, take it out for a spin, test its speed and performance, but make sure you steer clear of mistakes that many first-time car owners make. What are those mistakes? Let’s find out.

Not Learning About Your Vehicle

Whether you buy an expensive car or a cheap car, you must learn about its features, maintenance requirements, and other essential things. Many new car owners are so excited to drive their new vehicle that they fail to learn about its handling and maintenance needs. There is this wrong perception in the minds of car owners that taking care of your vehicle calls for a lot of mechanical and electrical knowledge, which is not true at all. You can start off by reading the owner’s manual and following the instructions written in it. Once you start following those instructions, you will gradually become better at managing your car’s maintenance and performance needs.

Not Seeking Assistance From Experts

While reading the owner’s manual and watching some automobile videos online will give you a good idea about taking care of your car, keep in mind that regular maintenance, repairs, replacement of parts, etc., call for expertise, which only experienced auto repair and service centers in San Antonio have. So, it is advisable that you build relationships with top mechanics and repair shops in your area so that whenever you have to get something repaired or replaced in your car, you can take your vehicle quickly to them. Make sure you hand over your vehicle to only experienced and trained mechanics.

Not Familiarizing With Basic Car Maintenance

Do not be among those car owners who choose to stay completely clueless about basic car troubleshooting. Again, you do not need to spend hours learning about the mechanics of your new car. You just need to know enough so that when you are stranded with a broken down car in the middle of nowhere, you can perform some basic car repairing tasks on your own. A repair shop might be a few kilometers away from you. In such situations, knowing basic car repairs will prove very useful to get you back on the road.

These were some common mistakes that many new car owners make. Try to avoid them to have a flawless car owning experience. As for serious maintenance jobs, repair jobs, or anything related to your car, you can always contact JM Automotive. We’re a known BMW, Volvo, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and Audi repair shop in San Antonio. From air conditioning service, brake maintenance, air cleaner service to transmission service, power steering service, etc., we do it all.

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Some Common Signs That Indicate Your Car Is In Need of A Tune-Up Job

If you are an owner of an old car, you should not take its maintenance requirements lightly. You shouldn’t dismiss the maintenance requirements of a new car too, but as we all know, older models of car require special attention if you want to prevent serious auto problems from arising. One of the best ways of keeping your old car in top condition is taking it for a tune-up job at fixed intervals. But the problem is, many car owners do not know when to take their vehicle for a tune-up. In this blog, we will share with you some signs that indicate an urgent tune-up job. What are those signs? Let’s find out.

Engine Doesn’t Start Easily

If your car’s engine takes a lot of time to start, chances are there is something wrong with the spark plugs. It could be that the plugs are either misfiring or have become worn out over time. You can easily replace spark plugs on your own and fix the issue. However, it would be better to take your vehicle to an reputable auto repair shop in San Antonio for fixing the issue correctly. There can be other reasons why your car’s engine is not starting properly. A good mechanic shop will locate the issue and fix it in no time.

Noises From The Car

Different cars produce different kinds of noises. It is not uncommon for older cars to produce some level of noise while in operation. However, strange noises or sounds that you’ve never heard before should not be ignored at all. You should take your car to a mechanic shop right away to get the issue inspected. Certain noises such as clanking, squealing, or sputtering indicate serious issues in your car that should be fixed as soon as possible.

Brakes Aren’t Working Properly

The braking system of a car is one of the most essential systems that literally keeps us and others on the road safe. It needs to be in proper working condition in order to stop a vehicle effectively. If you feel your car’s braking ability is going down, you should immediately take it to a mechanic shop to find the issue. You might run into an accident with a poorly working braking system.

Apart from these, other signs include stalling, increased fuel consumption, and warning light on the dashboard. If you notice any of the above-mentioned signs or feel there’s something wrong with your car’s normal functioning, bring your beloved car over to JM Automotive. Since we’re known for quality auto repair in San Antonio, TX, you can confidently expect our automotive technicians to fix the problem quickly and effectively.

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Key Things New BMW Owners Should Know About Their Vehicle

Have you just recently purchased a brand new BMW? If you have, you would know by now that driving it is such a pleasant experience. Its smooth ride and comfortable interior truly gives you a premium experience. But, it is essential to understand that your BMW, just like any other car, is made of many individual parts. As long as these parts continue to work well, your BMW will continue to provide you a flawless riding experience. That is why a lot of stress is placed upon getting your expensive car serviced at fixed intervals so that all of its key parts stay in top working condition. In this blog, we will tell you some essential tips that will help you keep your brand new BMW in top condition for a long time. What are those tips? Let’s find out.

Let Its Engine Warm Up First

It is essential that you allow your BMW’s engine to warm up for about 5 minutes if it is cold. Doing this is necessary because it allows lubricants and oils to get up to temperature gradually. Warming up your BMW will also allow its engine parts to expand slowly. Slow warm up is important because quick temperature changes can cause undue wear on the parts. If you are in a hurry, we will advice you to keep your car under 3000-3500 rpm till the temperature gauge is stable.

Timely Oil Changes

Generally, it is recommended that car owners should change the oil every 10,000 km. However, it is best to refer to your owner’s manual to know exactly when oil should be changed. Changing oil is essential because old oil has a lot of impurities, which can easily choke your BMW’s engine’s internals, which will make it run inefficiently.

Don’t Forget To Inspect The Brake Pads

We all know how important brakes are in a car. They not only protect you on the road, but others as well. So, they must always be working efficiently at all costs. Your BMW comes to a halt when brake pads clamp onto the brake discs of your car. Over time, these pads wear down and become inefficient at clamping onto the discs, which needless to say, increases the risk of accidents on the road. So, make sure you inspect them and change them as soon as there are signs of wear.

Check The Tires

Your car’s only part that stays in direct contact with the road is the tire. You won’t be able to feel the smooth ride of your BMW if its tires are not properly inflated. This is essential because rolling resistance will go up if your vehicle’s tire pressure is low and if the pressure is too high, you might experience a floaty feeling while driving your car. You can check your owner’s manual for the right pressure. Make sure your BMW’s tire pressure is always as prescribed in the manual.

Apart from doing the above-mentioned things, another thing that you must do is getting your BMW regularly serviced and checked. You can get in touch with JM Automotive for servicing your BMW. We are also known for professional BMW repair in San Antonio. We provide tune up service, air cleaner service, brake maintenance service, fuel oil change service, and much more.

audi-car-engine

A Local Service Centre or An Audi Repair Shop with Experts: What Should You Pick?

So your Audi broke down. You are thinking about where to get your car serviced. You are stuck choosing between an Audi repair shop in San Antonio with quality services or a local shop that can get your vehicle up and running in a jiffy. You wonder if it’s even worth it put spend so many dollars just for a quick maintenance or repair service.

To be honest, you aren’t alone in sharing this dilemma. Often, car wonders are tempted to choose the latter option just to save a few bucks around the edges. However, when dealing with imported cars and costly vehicles, this one move can prove to be more expensive.

Reputed brands like Audi manufacture modern cars containing sophisticated technology. They come equipped with advanced electronic systems like ECU, in-car entertainment systems, ignition, and fuel systems, among other technologies. Here’s why you must opt for an Audi servicein San Antonio over a local car technician:

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLSET

Technicians are familiar with the sophisticated technology that most European vehicles carry. A specialty German repair shop will have experienced technicians who can pinpoint the problems accurately. You get access to a high degree of workmanship at half the cost of an authorized dealership.

GENUINE PARTS

This is probably a valid point for your German vehicle repair. Considering the low frequency of service requests for German vehicle repairs in your local shop, the shop’s chances of having genuine quality parts are pretty low. One of the reasons you got the European vehicle is its authentic OEM parts. With labor advantage, you ensure that the spare parts, oil, and filters being used are genuine through the Audi service in San Antonio.

QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE

A specialty Audi repair shop in San Antonio offers you quality customer service, which might be even better than authorized dealerships on various levels. For instance, you don’t have to wait in extended waiting lines and rude professionals. Specialty service centers give you the advantage of personalized service while giving you all the necessary updates on every repair process step. They focus on strengthening bonds with you while ensuring the fitness of your German vehicle.

RESALE ADVANTAGE

Since specialty repair shops deal with genuine parts for replacement and repair, you won’t have to worry about the deterioration value of your car. This helps preserve the resale value of your vehicle through the use of premium parts.

Clearly, you have an upper hand with a specialty Audi repair shop. Whether it’s for a cosmetic upgrade (such as fixing a dent), painting, or some engine trouble, the expertise certainly makes a difference. For instance, if you go to a local shop, the place might not have the right paint shade to cover the scratch or mark that matches the rest of your car’s body. Another mentionable point is that specialty shops aren’t as expensive as most people assume. Even if they charge extra, the quality of work will certainly show for itself.

If you are looking for genuine Audi service in San Antonio with reliable professionals, our certified technicians will be able to ease your concerns. Dial (210) 646-8979 to book a service or browse our website to learn more about service offerings.

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Finding Dependable European Vehicle Services in San Antonio isn’t as Challenging as You Assume

Have you ever noticed which automobile giants dominate the US market? If not, it is time to collect some recent data. You may be surprised to know that all the leading vehicle companies are from Europe, and the popular name Mercedes-Benz is a German company. While these cars are undoubtedly the ultimate driving machines, they need specialized European vehicle services in San Antonio to remain in their best shape.

Think about it this way. Can you leave an aching neck in an inexperienced therapist’s hands and expect optimal recovery? Not really. In the same way, you cannot leave your loving machine’s maintenance to just a random garage.

Here’s how you can be sure about trusting the right company for European car repair in San Antonio:-

Experience and certification

Does the company or repair shop have all it takes to touch a European car? You need to ensure this in the first place — much before allowing the team to fix any problem you may be facing with your vehicle. How to do that? Ask for their experience and certification on the first call itself. If they have it, they will be quick to answer. And in case they avoid the question, you know what to do better.

Up-to-date equipment and tools

Any shop can claim to offer the best service to extract money from your wallet, but many of them may not be using the latest technological advancements. You should check whether they use computer-aided diagnostic tools to detect problems and have up-to-date equipment for maintenance and repair. If not, move to the next option without giving it a second thought.

Profound know-how

The technician handling your driving machine should be knowledgeable. While reaching out to a company for European vehicle services in San Antonio, you should ensure that their technicians have the profound know-how of European cars, their engineering, what works for them, how to keep them running hassle-free, and more.

Attention to detail

Foreign luxury repairs require attention to detail, and that’s how you can expect the tiniest problems to be resolved much before they turn into more significant ones. A repair shop that cannot provide you with attention to detail is not worth your money. So, be mindful while choosing one.

Personalized services

You have all the right to expect everything personalized for your loving machine. Instead of using common techniques to fix a specific problem, the technician should be more than willing to run a thorough inspection of your vehicle before going ahead with repair or maintenance. While quick services sound pleasing to ears, they may not always be worth your trust.

Bottom line

European car owners love to keep their vehicles in tip-top condition. The only way to ensure that is getting timely maintenance by an experienced technician well-versed with European car maintenance and repair. The key to success is to invest enough time in finding a specialist for European auto repair in San Antonio. The above considerations will heighten your chances of success.

At JM Automotive, we provide top-notch European auto repair service for all the leading brands, including Mercedes Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, and BMW. We provide a variety of solutions, from a full-service oil change to transmission repair, AC repair, brake maintenance, tune-up, and more.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly and time-effective auto repair and maintenance service for your car in San Antonio, connect with us at (210) 646-8979 today.

Common Car Transmission Problems

Indicators of Transmission Problems by JM Automotive

Apart from the various problems that your vehicle faces, one of the major one is a transmission problem. This problem is being stated as a major one as it leads to multiple other problems. Many of the collisions that occur on the road between two vehicles are due to problems like these, and you don’t want to have defective automobile lawsuits brought against you, so it’s incredibly important to act on any concerns you have about the correct functioning of your car. As always, it is our duty to give you a dose of knowledge when it comes to the maintenance tips for your vehicle. When you are looking for car garages near me In San Antonio, we are here at your service.

First of all, when we talk about transmission in the modern times, you should know that they are controlled by computers. These computers are also responsible for controlling various other systems of the vehicle. Therefore, an occurring problem in other areas like cooling system or engine can cause a malfunction.

You must be thinking how easy it is to spot a transmission problem in your vehicle. While that is true, we would also like to remind you that spotting the problem is not enough. In order to solve the problem you need to know the cause for it. This is where it becomes tricky, and this is where we come in.
With a deep investigation, we can come to conclusion of why the transmission problem has occurred.

Let us start by talking about the various transmission problem indicators. Some of the common ones are leaking transmission fluid, check engine light turned on, grinding or shaking of transmission, transmission slipping, grinding clunking or humming noises etc. On top of these we have indicators like popping out of transmission from the gear, clutch dragging, rough shifting, jerks during acceleration etc.

Indicators can also be when the transmission fluid has a burnt odour, it makes a lot of noise when in neutral or even when the transmission jumps back to neutral.
After being aware about these indicators, you should keep in mind how important it is to know the cause of the problem in order to solve the same. It is only when the problem is diagnosed, that the necessary action can be taken against it. You need to choose a good car repair specialist for the same.

In order to do this, there are transmission diagnostic specialists that study the core of the problem, and further recommend the best solution for it. A professional who has a good amount of experience can also tell you the estimated repair cost that you would have to bear. You should always trust transmission and car cooling system service specialist in San Antonio.
Hence, it is imperative to go to someone who is skilled, experienced and most of all reliable. JM Automotive – your answer to car garages near me In San Antonio.

How to Maintain your Brakes More Efficiently than Ever?

How to Maintain your Brakes More Efficiently than Ever?

JM Automotive is amongst the best auto service experts San Antonio TX. That makes it our responsibility to create a general awareness about how one can maintain their vehicles’ brakes more efficiently than ever.
Since we are successful brake maintenance and repair center with an experience of over 30 years, we know exactly what people do wrong when it comes to their brake maintenance. The tips below will assist you in reducing the frequency of necessary brake pad changes, minimizing the possibility requiring brake system repair due to avoidable damage and extending the amount of time between brake services.
Brake flushes or Brake fluid changes
These help in preventing damage to internal system components. They also help in reducing the overall amount of wear on the system along with increasing the braking performance. Maintaining the proper level of brake fluid is imperative. It is because low brake fluid leads to safety issues, and could dramatically increase the time it takes to reduce the speed of the vehicle or come to a full stop in emergencies or even otherwise. Some people may not be as comfortable driving as others, this means they may not realize when their brakes are worse for wear, to gain some more automobile, traffic, and driving knowledge you may want to look into a local traffic school. This can drastically improve the confidence in even the newest of drivers.
Choose the right brake maintenance and repairing center
When you take your vehicle to a mechanic, it is his responsibility to look out for more than you asked for. In this case, he should be looking out for brake fluids that are milky in colour. This represents the presence of water in the system, which damages your master cylinder and wheel cylinders. Therefore, going to the best auto service experts San Antonio TX would be the best idea. It would also ensure the use of high-quality parts and products in order to repair your vehicle.
Driving tips for brake maintenance
You should avoid using the brake of the vehicle from high speeds. The brake pads are designed in such a way that they wear down over time. Hence, the faster you are driving and using the brake, the more of the brake material gets lost. Always, shift to lower speeds before you use the brake. It will not only prevent your brakes from losing as much material but also helps with fuel economy.
Just by following these tips, you can notice a great amount of change in the life and performance of your braking system. We are going to come up with many more of these tips in the next blog, so stay tuned.

Car Brake Maintenance San Antonio | Auto Care Experts San Antonio

Characteristics of Good Auto Service Experts in San Antonio TX

All of us want a reliable auto service expert when it comes to taking care of our vehicle. Auto service experts in San Antonio TX often offer a great arrangement for their services. A crucial part of car maintenance is an oil change, repairing, along with replacing brakes that are worn out, and is often done at any good auto repair shop on a near-daily basis.

Casually taking it people also go for a non-licensed mechanic to get their vehicles fixed. This casualty comes along with a number of problems. Taking even a car brake maintenance service in San Antonio is only a good choice when done with a certified licensed mechanic. Good auto service experts in San Antonio TX will always ask for your consent before going for any replacement or modification in your vehicle.

Have a look at the characteristics of a good auto repair mechanic:

Familiarity with this the auto parts

In today’s market, there are a lot of different auto parts available. So when it comes to the knowledge of a good auto mechanic, he should know it all. Owners don’t possess so much knowledge regarding this hence it becomes imperative.

Background check

The market of auto mobiles has complicated with time and high-tech multifarious vehicles have taken over. Experts who have a diverse background and leave no room for lapse repair are crucial. This can be tested through the possession of certifications of various training programs experience in the auto repair field. A mechanic’s real practice of things like car brake maintenance service in San Antonio is beneficial for the vehicle owners like you.

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Car Oil Change Center San Antonio | Auto Repair San Antonio

Why Take Car Oil Changes Seriously?

When you look at the results of “car garages near me in San Antonio”, we are the answer. When you look for the best auto repair center in San Antonio, we are the answer. Even when you look for someone to give you reliable information on how to maintain your vehicle, we are the answer. JM Automotive has been in this business for 30 successful years. These years have taught us that it’s important for us to educate you. We look after all cars but there are garages that specialize in certain makes. If you had a Land Rover, you could take it to a Land Rover repair in Bellevue, however we are more than capable to handle your car. Of course, if you have a Land Rover and they are closer to you, feel free to go there instead. As a vehicle owner, it is very important for you to know why oil changes should be taken seriously.
Here’s what they do for you:

Provides Lubrication
The engine of your vehicle has multiple parts. Lubrication is required for these parts to work together properly. This lubrication is provided by the engine oil. When this is not being taken care of, often the conventional motor oil starts losing its ability to lubricate. In such cases, it burns off and also becomes thicker. As an auto repair center in San Antonio we can tell you that eventually if the oil isn’t changed on time, the oil could stop lubricating the moving parts altogether. This would further lead the engine to lock up or seize.
Not only does a proper oil change ensure that the engine does not become useless, but it also provides proper lubrication. This helps in making the engine run at an optimum efficiency which minimizes the fuel consumption and ensures longevity.

Oil Filter Changes Along
A good auto repair center in San Antonio would know that a good oil change service is where the oil filter is changed as well. When we said we are the answer to your search of best “car garages near me in San Antonio”, we meant it. We know how important it is to change your oil filter as well. The oil filter collects particles like dirt, debris and metal shavings from the engine wear, hence it’s important to be changed at a proper time.

There are various other reasons which make it imperative for you to take your vehicle’s oil changes seriously. The best part about coming to us with your vehicle is that we won’t only change its oil but we would also make sure to do other routine checks while we are at it.

Contact JM Automotive today and let us take care of your vehicle!

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