Auto Questions

Why Do I Even Need An Oil Change?

Why Do I Even Need An Oil Change?

It’s interesting; so many things that we use today just don’t require much maintenance. When we purchase something like a television or a toaster oven, we don’t ever expect to have to take them to a repair shop. They may require a bit of cleaning now and then, but that’s just about all the maintenance we expect to do.

Maximize Winter Driving Visibility With These 10 Tips

Maximize Winter Driving Visibility With These 10 Tips

Here we are at the winter solstice, December 21, 2016. It’s the shortest day of the year. We are commuting in the dark or driving when the sun is low — at dawn in the morning or dusk in the evening — making visibility difficult. Couple this with fog, mist, ice and snow and driving becomes a real challenge.

My Car’s Remote Failed. How Do I Open My Rear Hatch?

My Car’s Remote Failed. How Do I Open My Rear Hatch?

I would have never thought I would be doing repair diagnostics at our local JCPenney at the Columbia Mall, but I find myself answering auto repair questions in some of the oddest places. The other day I was standing in the check-out line at JCPenney and ran into one of our British American Auto Care customers.

My Car Hit a Median Strip.  What Should I Do?

My Car Hit a Median Strip. What Should I Do?

There are a lot of distractions for drivers these days — from GPS systems to mobile phones to all kinds of computer display panels. Get distracted long enough and you just may end up hitting a road obstacle — it could be a median strip, a pot hole or some debris in the roadway.

My SRS (Air Bag) Warning Light, is On!

My SRS (Air Bag) Warning Light, is On!

SRS stands for supplemental restraint system, but the more common lingo for the SRS warning light is the Air Bag System Warning Light. This light typically comes on for a few seconds when you start your car, but if it stays on, it signals that there is a problem.

Why Did My Car’s New Alternator Fail?

Why Did My Car’s New Alternator Fail?

When people have their car alternator replaced, the expectation is that the repair will last at least as long as the expected life of the new alternator, four to five years or anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles.

Maxi Noise From a MINI

Maxi Noise From a MINI

Are Noises coming from your MINI Cooper engine compartment keeping you up at night with dreams of another “sticker shock” repair?

Top 10 Handbrake Questions a.k.a Parking Brakes 101

Top 10 Handbrake Questions a.k.a Parking Brakes 101

We often get questions on handbrakes. Some of our customers aren’t sure when or how to use them. We thought it would be a good idea to do a Q&A on the top 10 questions asked related to the handbrake. Importantly, on some cars the “handbrake” is actually a foot pedal. It’s also called an emergency brake or parking brake.