Author: Gary Kasbarian

Auto Insurance Coverage, Explained

Posted on July 29, 2019 by - Auto Insurance

auto-repair-los-angelesYour auto insurance coverage can sometimes be as confusing as a new home contract, it seems. However, knowing the basics of your policy can help save you money and keep you covered in an accident.

Liability
Liability insurance is required in order to be able to drive your vehicle. This coverage will kick in when an accident is your fault and will cover the other party’s bodily injury and property damage up to your coverage amount. (Typical coverage is $15,000/$30,000, which means $15,000 in bodily injury and $30,000 in property damage.) Remember, what your insurance doesn’t cover, you will be responsible for.

Comp and Coll
This type of coverage is optional and stands for comprehensive and collision. This means that if you are in an accident that wasn’t your fault, your vehicle will be covered, as will your bodily injury, up to your limits. Many times, this coverage includes rental car coverage as well.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist
This self-explanatory coverage will guarantee your vehicle repair and hospital bills, even if you are hit by someone who doesn’t have any or the correct amount of coverage. This ensures that even if they don’t pay their part of the damages, you are still covered.

Other Additions
Vehicle insurance coverages can vary greatly and can include everything from roadside service to death benefits upon an accident. Your insurance agent can go over any coverages that you have and any supplements that could provide better coverage.

It’s always a good idea to know your auto insurance coverage details before you are in an accident. This can help you stay safe and keep the process moving quickly. If you have been in an accident and need vehicle inspection or repair, call the Carotech Automotive and Tires team at (424) 283-4303 for more information.

Signs Of Engine Trouble

Posted on July 29, 2019 by - Auto Repair

car-repair-west-los-angelesEveryone knows that cars rely on their engines, right? Now that we’ve got that part out of the way, it’s time for a hard truth. That engine needs a lot of car, and even with all the right care, your engine won’t last forever. However, if you can pay attention to the signs as your engine ages, you may be able to extend the life of that engine, or at least keep yourself from being stranded due to engine failure. Today we are going to go over some key tips you need to know about your engine’s well-being.

3What To Look For

One of the first problem signs people notice is a lack of power. Pay attention to how your vehicle responds when you accelerate. Is it no longer moving as easily as before? This can be an indication that your engine is having to work harder than it used to. If this continues, you will see a steady decline in your gas mileage as well.

You need to take your engine in for maintenance right away if it sounds rough when it runs, or if it has trouble starting up in the first place. Luckily, engines are fairly noisy when they aren’t in great shape, so if you hear any knocking or popping, you know to get it looked at ASAP.

No matter what is going on with your engine, remember that is it one of if not the most valuable parts of your vehicle. If you want to continue relying on your car, you need to take care of the engine. Call our team of experts at (424) 283-4303 if you’d like to schedule service, or if you have any questions for our experts!

Car Maintenance: The Basics You Need To Know

Posted on July 29, 2019 by - Car Maintenance

brake-repair-west-los-angelesLast month, we discussed the the ins and outs of changing fluids for car maintenance. However, there are several other aspects of car maintenance that it is also important to remember. Today we will go over the car maintenance basics that you need to know if you want your car to last! If you need any help with vehicle maintenance services, you can always contact our professional team here at (424) 283-4303!

Scheduled Tune Ups

Just like we need regular checkups with the doctor to make sure we are healthy, your vehicle needs regular tuneups with a mechanic to make sure it is in good condition. Your owner’s manual will give you a good idea of how often you need to have your vehicle professionally taken care of.

Wiper Replacement
At the end of a hot summer, always remember to take a look at your wipers. Here in LA, rain isn’t very common, so it’s easy to forget that you even have windshield wipers, but they do become unusable with age and heat. By checking them at the end of summer every year, and replacing them when they become dry, cracked, or warped, you can make sure you’ll be prepared when it finally does rain!

Battery Checks
You should also check your vehicle’s battery at the end of summer. The heat can slowly corrode the battery, and the first cold snap could be the end of the line for it! Have it checked out before the first cold wind, just to make sure it won’t accidentally leave you stranded.

Tire Maintenance
Tire maintenance includes monitoring the tire pressure, as well as keeping an eye out for worn out tread. Proper tire pressure makes sure you are safe when driving, and that you aren’t putting too much wear and tear on your tires.

Headlight Checks
Last but not least, make sure your headlights are working properly. Check them every couple of months to make sure all of your headlights and brake lights work like they are supposed to. This can help you avoid accidents, as well as tickets!

Car Maintenance: Which Fluids to Check

Posted on July 29, 2019 by - Car Maintenance

oil-change-west-los-angelesCar maintenance is very important. You depend on your car to get you to work, get your kids to school, as well as drive you across the country for your annual road trip. If your car isn’t well maintained, any of these excursions could cause a serious malfunction in the engine, transmission or other systems in your car. Proper car maintenance can prevent a serious breakdown. Carotech Automotive and Tires offers a variety of car maintenance services.

Which Fluid Changes Are Part of Car Maintenance?

One of the biggest aspects of car maintenance is checking the fluids in your car. Here are three different types of fluid that lubricate different parts of your car. Here are the different fluids you should check and how often they need to be changed:

Oil
It is recommended that you checks the oil levels in your car once a month. This helps you to know when you should add oil. Usually, you will need to change your oil every 3,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first.

Transmission Fluid
The fluid in your transmission keeps the gears lubricated, which prevents wear and tear. You should check your transmission fluid levels at least once a month and have it changed every 50,000 miles.

Brake Fluid
The brake fluid lubricates the components of the brakes system to make sure the car stops properly. You should check the brake fluid for cleanness every time you get the oil changed and have brake fluid changed every two years.

Other fluids that you can check in your car include the power steering fluid and radiator coolant. Keeping up with the levels of fluid in your car can greatly extend the life of your engine. If you need fluid checks or other car maintenance, contact Carotech Automotive and Tires at (424) 283-4303.