Auto Repair Kennesaw - Garrett Automotive http://www.garrettautomotive.com Kennesaw's source for excellent Automotive Repair and Service Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:53:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 How Cars Get their Nameshttp://www.garrettautomotive.com/how-cars-get-their-names http://www.garrettautomotive.com/how-cars-get-their-names#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:28:54 +0000 Allison http://www.garrettautomotive.com/?p=742 Today, the right car name can easily cost a car company $50,000. It is quite a trick to come up with the right letters to form the perfect word that hasn’t already been used. In order ...]]> In order for a child to get their name, two future parents sift through a book of baby names until they find one that is the right fit. But how do cars get their names? Well, more than just two people talk it over.

Today, the right car name can easily cost a car company $50,000. It is quite a trick to come up with the right letters to form the perfect word that hasn’t already been used. In order to do this, new words are made up entirely. At other times, words are put together from other existing words to electrify an existing name.

When car buyers are looking at automobiles, it is more than just the car that sells the buyer; the name is a marketing piece of its own. A 50-year-old car buyer purchasing an Xterra secretly now considers himself edgy and a little bit dangerous.

It is no accident that carmakers especially love the use of the letters S, E and X in various combinations.

What do you think would make a cool car name? Does a car’s name have any influence on your car buying choice?

Photo Credit

]]> http://www.garrettautomotive.com/how-cars-get-their-names/feed 0 How To Maintain the Resale Value On Your Carhttp://www.garrettautomotive.com/how-to-maintain-the-resale-value-on-your-car http://www.garrettautomotive.com/how-to-maintain-the-resale-value-on-your-car#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:26:24 +0000 Allison http://www.garrettautomotive.com/?p=735
Have your vehicle serviced on a regular basis and keep all your records of maintenance and repair. Not only routine car care will help you avoid ...]]> Keeping up with your car maintenance is important when it comes to keeping a higher resale value of your car. Here are a few important ways you can make sure that your car is in top condition when it comes time for resale.

  • Have your vehicle serviced on a regular basis and keep all your records of maintenance and repair. Not only routine car care will help you avoid costly and unnecessary repairs, it also demonstrates to a potential buyer that you cared for and maintained the car properly and regular during the time you owned the vehicle.
  • Avoid excessive wear and tear. Treat your vehicle with respect to maintain its value over the long haul and avoid extreme start-and-stop driving, over-towing, and driving in poor road conditions.
  • Keep your car clean. Have it detailed on a regular basis inside out and be sure to use coat of wax to protect your vehicles paint surface from natural elements. Keeping your car washed frequently will help maintain its value over time.

keeping up with your car

For routing service on you car, contact us at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA. We would be happy to keep your car in tiptop shape.

]]> http://www.garrettautomotive.com/how-to-maintain-the-resale-value-on-your-car/feed 0 “A Dream Car. For Real Life.” — 2012 Kia Optima Big Game Full Commercialhttp://www.garrettautomotive.com/a-dream-car-for-real-life-2012-kia-optima-big-game-full-commercial http://www.garrettautomotive.com/a-dream-car-for-real-life-2012-kia-optima-big-game-full-commercial#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:03:40 +0000 Allison http://www.garrettautomotive.com/?p=726
]]> Spoiler alert! Kia prematurely released their commercial for the 2012 Superbowl. This video has only 300 views, so it has yet to be seen by many. Come Monday morning, this video will have thousands of hits. My guess is primarily from the male viewers. Enjoy!

]]> http://www.garrettautomotive.com/a-dream-car-for-real-life-2012-kia-optima-big-game-full-commercial/feed 0 Should I Replace My Car Air Filter?http://www.garrettautomotive.com/should-i-replace-my-car-air-filter http://www.garrettautomotive.com/should-i-replace-my-car-air-filter#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:10:29 +0000 Allison http://www.garrettautomotive.com/?p=720 A clean car air filter is a necessity for proper operation of a car. Cars with a clean air filter experience improved gas mileage, better acceleration, increased engine life, lower emission and improved engine performance. A clean car air filter helps to clean the air that is entering the engine and prevents debris from coming into the engine and causing damage. The dirtier the air filter becomes, the harder it is for the air filter to properly filter the debris coming into the intake.

Symptoms of a dirty air filter will vary including: fouled spark plugs, rough idling, and car starting problems. A clean air filter will improve gas mileage by as much as 14% and may increase acceleration up to 11% depending on the make and model of the car. Learning to tell if your car air filter needs cleaning will help you save money in the long run on expensive repairs in the future.

If your needs a new car air filter, call us today at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA to schedule an appointment. We also service cabin air filters as well.

dirty car air filter

]]> http://www.garrettautomotive.com/should-i-replace-my-car-air-filter/feed 0 Why Is My Steering Wheel Vibrating?http://www.garrettautomotive.com/why-is-my-steering-wheel-vibrating http://www.garrettautomotive.com/why-is-my-steering-wheel-vibrating#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:22:03 +0000 Allison http://www.garrettautomotive.com/?p=714 Symptoms of a car that is out of alignment:

Uneven or rapid tire wear
Pulling ...]]> Wheel alignment and wheel balancing are two totally different things; however, many people get them confused. Many people come to us thinking that their steering wheel is vibrating because of an alignment issue. What many people don’t realize is that a vibrating steering wheel is more than likely the cause of a wheel that is out of balance.

Symptoms of a car that is out of alignment:

  • Uneven or rapid tire wear
  • Pulling or drifting
  • Wandering on a straight level road

Symptoms of a wheel that of out of balance:

  • Vibration in the seat or floorboard at certain highway speeds
  • Steering wheel vibration
  • Scalloped or cupped wear pattern on the tires

Your tire can become out of balance from a number of things. Tires take a beating from hitting potholes, curbs, and bridge expansion joints. Hitting any of these objects can knock off the wheel weight, causing the tire to become out of balance.

steering wheel vibration

If you think that your car falls under any of these conditions, bring your car to your local automotive shop in Kennesaw, GA to have it looked at and cared for.

]]> http://www.garrettautomotive.com/why-is-my-steering-wheel-vibrating/feed 0 What Do I Need To Put In My Roadside Emergency Kit?http://www.garrettautomotive.com/what-do-i-need-to-put-in-my-roadside-emergency-kit http://www.garrettautomotive.com/what-do-i-need-to-put-in-my-roadside-emergency-kit#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:17:22 +0000 Allison http://www.garrettautomotive.com/?p=708 Imagine you are on a road trip with your family out in the middle of nowhere and you get a flat tire. You pull over to get to out to change the tire and discover your spare tire is also flat. Unlucky for you, cell service is also out of reach because of your location. Yes, this happens to be a worst-case scenario, but it could happen to anyone. In order to prevent unfortunate situations in your future, it is always a good choice to prepare a roadside emergency kit for unexpected problems.

Roadside Emergency kit

 

  • Flash light and extra batteries                                                                                                              flat tire
  • Jumper Cable
  • Blanket
  • Tools: pliers, flat, Philips-head screwdrivers, an adjustable wrench
  • Road flares
  • Gloves, Socks
  • WD-40
  • Electrical and duct tape
  • Knife
  • A gallon of water
  • First aid kit
  • Travel Air compressor 

Before hitting the road in the future, make sure that you have your cell phone charged up and possibly a car phone charger. Also, make sure that you know how to properly use all the items in your roadside emergency kit. A full tire is not useful unless you know how to install it. It’s a good idea to have someone teach you how to install a spare tire in daylight, so you will know how to for future accidents.

]]> http://www.garrettautomotive.com/what-do-i-need-to-put-in-my-roadside-emergency-kit/feed 0 Why Are My Tires Worn Unevenly?http://www.garrettautomotive.com/why-are-my-tires-worn-unevenly http://www.garrettautomotive.com/why-are-my-tires-worn-unevenly#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:01:38 +0000 Allison http://www.garrettautomotive.com/?p=702 Don’t be confused with normal and abnormal tire wear. Normal tire wear is when the tread wears evenly across the entire surface of the tire. Abnormal tire wear is any type of wear that results from ...]]> In order to properly care for your vehicle, it is important not to overlook one of the most important parts of the car; the tires. The tires are what support your car, and without proper maintenance the tires may cause trouble in your future.
Don’t be confused with normal and abnormal tire wear. Normal tire wear is when the tread wears evenly across the entire surface of the tire. Abnormal tire wear is any type of wear that results from a suspension or alignment problem, an internal tire fault, or driving on underinflated or overinflated tires.
· Under-inflated tires- you may notice that if your tires are in fact under inflated, they will have extreme wear on the outside of the tire. By leaving your tires under inflated you lose some of your fuel efficiency and cause excessive heat build up.
· Over- inflated tires- when you notice that a tire has most of its wear in the center, this is from the tire being too inflated. Over inflated tires can lead to blowouts on the highway. A way to keep your inflation down is to always check the tire for the maximum tire pressure. Checking tire pressure is done by using a gauge, and it should be checked monthly.

tire wear

If the inside or outside edges of your tire show extreme wear, while the rest of the thread shows little wear, you may have a much more serious problem called camber wear. Camber wear is caused from a number of malfunctions such as misalignment and a bent spindle. It is important that if you notice your tires behaving like this, that you have your car checked out by an automotive shop immediately.

]]> http://www.garrettautomotive.com/why-are-my-tires-worn-unevenly/feed 0 The Best Used Cars For Your Moneyhttp://www.garrettautomotive.com/the-best-used-cars-for-your-money http://www.garrettautomotive.com/the-best-used-cars-for-your-money#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:43:49 +0000 Allison http://www.garrettautomotive.com/?p=694 It has never been more difficult for buyers to find a bargain in the used car market. This situation can be largely blames on supply and demand. The industry is lacking inventory of used cars on dealers’ lots due to slow periods of new car sales in 2008-2010. Analysts predict that used car sales will begin to taper off eventually as the economy begins to grow again and people opt for new cars. If you are still in the market for a used car, be sure to check out our list of best used cars for your money, before deciding on your ride of choice.used cars

Honda Fit – The amount of space packed into this smaller vehicle is like no other. Anti-lock brakes and curtain airbags are just a few of the other perks to the Fit.

Toyota Prius – With outstanding reliability and standout fuel economy, the Prius make an exceptional family car. Look for models with optional ESC, starting with 2004 models.

Honda CR-V – This small SUV drives like a car, with the luxury of the additional room. With a four cylinder engine, the 2007 models have improved fuel efficiency

Toyota Highlander – This quiet and refined comfortable ride provides excellent fuel economy.

Toyota Sienna – Along with a Lexus like ride and good reliability, the Sienna is also equipped with a V6 engine. Look for a 2004 model, which is roomier and more powerful.

Before you purchase your new (used) car, drop the car by at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA for a pre-purchase inspection.

What used car do you think is the best bang for the buck?

]]> http://www.garrettautomotive.com/the-best-used-cars-for-your-money/feed 0 What is that fluid leaking under my car?http://www.garrettautomotive.com/what-is-that-fluid-leaking-under-my-car http://www.garrettautomotive.com/what-is-that-fluid-leaking-under-my-car#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:13:50 +0000 Allison http://www.garrettautomotive.com/?p=688 Red- The thick, red fluid accumulating under your car could be transmission fluid or power steering fluid.
Blue/green – Windshield washer fluid is a blue/green color and is ...]]> That little spot accumulating under your parked car may be trying to tell you something. Unfortunately, simply looking under the hood or on the underside of your car won’t give you the answers for which you are looking. Use this color key to match up your leak color to the right problem.

Red- The thick, red fluid accumulating under your car could be transmission fluid or power steering fluid.

Blue/green – Windshield washer fluid is a blue/green color and is very thin. It is likely to soak through concrete very quickly.

Slightly yellow – If you notice a slightly yellow fluid leak under you car, you must get to the auto repair shop as soon as possible, brake leaks are not something to neglect. A brake leak will be medium thickness and have a dull mechanical smell.

Green/Orange/Yellow – These colors of fluid indicate a coolant leak. This is the second most common leak you will find under your car. Coolant leaks will slowly deplete your engine of coolant leaving it susceptible to overheating. Coolant has a sweet smell. The smallest amount of a coolant can also be deadly to animals.

Brown/Black – The most common leak of them all is of course engine oil. Engine oil soaks into concrete slowly and leaves dark residue behind.

car fluid leak

No matter what the color of oil may be, it is always important to have any leaks coming from your car investigated. The leak may be minor; however if left unattended, the leak may lead to costly repairs and permanent damage to your car. Call us today to schedule your appointment at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA.

]]> http://www.garrettautomotive.com/what-is-that-fluid-leaking-under-my-car/feed 0 How Often Does My Car Need a Tune-Up?http://www.garrettautomotive.com/how-often-does-my-car-need-a-tune-up http://www.garrettautomotive.com/how-often-does-my-car-need-a-tune-up#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:01:15 +0000 Allison http://www.garrettautomotive.com/?p=677 Just like you need a physical every year from a doctor, your car needs a check up from its mechanic. Your car will need a tune-up, every 2 years or 30,000 miles. Many people try to sneak by without getting a tune-up for a while, which in return leads to costly repairs. A tune-up is needed to check your car for any items that need to be replaced or serviced. car tune-upHere is a list of the items we will check during your cars tune-up.

  • Fuel filter
  • Transmission filter
  • Spark plugs
  • Distributor cap and Rotor
  • Valves
  • Oxygen sensor
  • Belts
  • Oil and Oil Filer
  • Temperature sensors
  • Air Filter
  • Lubricants
  • Battery
  • PCV (positive crankcase ventilation)

Remember, your tune-up isn’t a cure all, but it sure can prevent a list of expensive problems down the road. Schedule your tune-up appointment today at Garrett Automotive in Kennesaw, GA and we will make sure that your car gets the attention it deserves.

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