Orlando Auto Repair

Used vehicles are certainly an economical choice for budget-conscious Orlando drivers. But how can we know we're getting a good used vehicle and not just inheriting someone else's problems? There are good used vehicles for sale in the Orlando area. Vehicles are sold when families upsize, when families downsize or even when someone just wants a new ride. So the used vehicle may be just fine. But some Orlando used vehicle owners sell them because they don't want to deal with developing or existing problems. When you're considering buying a used vehicle in Orlando, ask for service records. Check to see if the recommended schedules for preventive maintenance have been followed. If so, you probably have a great used vehicle on your hands. If there aren't any service records, then assume the worst. Check the vehicle for obvious signs of problems. Kick the tires if you want to but definitely check them for uneven tread wear. This can indicate alignment problems ... read more

Oil changes are probably the most recognized service on a vehicle. Almost all Orlando residents know about them. But do we know enough? Several decades ago, oil changes were fairly standard: every three months or 3,000 miles or 5,000 kilometers. But recent advances in both engine technology and oil quality have led to longer oil change intervals. Delayed or skipped oil changes are a problem for Orlando residents because they lead to the build-up of oil sludge in your engine. Oil sludge forms when engine oil breaks down, which happens with both time and miles. Obviously, driving will take its toll on engine oil, but the oil also breaks down even as the vehicle just sits in the garage. This is why oil change intervals are listed in both time and distance traveled, and the phrase “whichever comes first” is applicable. Oil sludge is essentially petroleum jelly. Imagine this stuff squishing around in your vehicle engine, pushing into small engine passageways and blocking ... read more

Any Orlando driver who understands preventive maintenance knows that “if it ain't broke, don't fix it” is bad auto advice. Replacing a part before it breaks is much less costly for Orlando residents than repairing the engine damage that comes after a part breaks or fails. A good example of this is the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt gets its name because of its circuitous path around the engine. The serpentine belt is driven by the engine and powers a number of systems, as follows: The serpentine belt spins the compressor that generates the cool air for the air conditioning system. The serpentine belt powers the alternator. The alternator generates electricity for use in the vehicle's electrical systems and to charge the battery. Without the alternator, the battery wouldn't last more than a few miles. In many Orlando residents' vehicles, the serpentine belt runs the pumps for both the power steering and the power brakes. In other vehicles ... read more

One topic that hits the news in FL on a regular basis is the price of gas. The answer for some FL drivers is to buy a vehicle that gets better fuel economy. For those of us in Orlando who don't want to add a car payment to our monthly expenses, we need to improve our fuel economy any way we can. Following recommended service intervals by coming into Honest-1 Auto Care is one of the best ways people in Orlando can keep their vehicle running efficiently. That means better fuel economy. When you give it some thought, it only makes sense. Dirty oil or transmission fluid can't lubricate or clean. That means more drag which reduces fuel economy. Keeping up with scheduled oil changes and transmission services will save gas for FL drivers. Dirty engine air filters are another efficiency pirate. They rob your engine of enough air to effectively burn the fuel, so you need more gas to get the job done. Replacing a dirty air filter can pay for itself in fuel savings before the next oil ... read more