Norfolk Auto Repair

Seeing any warning light flash on your car's dashboard is alarming, let alone the ABS light. Like many others, you should never ignore the ABS warning. Problems relating to the ABS can range from minor to serious, so it is important that you have your braking system taken care of so that you can return back to the road.    What is ABS? When you hear an auto technician talking about the ABS, they are referring to your vehicle’s anti-lock braking system. Every vehicle has this technological system as an extra form of protection to prevent your wheels from locking up. When there is an issue with the ABS, a light will illuminate on your dashboard to warn you to check things out. There are a few reasons why this light comes on.   What Can Cause the ABS Light to Come On? The ABS comprises various sensors that monitor how the brakes are functioning based on the speed that your wheels rotate. The ABS warning symbol can pop up for any of the following brake proble ... read more

Question:When should I replace my windshield wipers? Carmasters Automotive Answer: Well, most Norfolk drivers wait until they fail. The problem with that is that you find out they have failed when you actually need them most – a little too late. Wiper blades are really a safety system for Norfolk drivers. As you can imagine, 90% of our driving decisions are based on what we see. If you can't see well because your wipers can't clear your windshield, your ability to drive safely is significantly impaired. So the simple answer: of course, Norfolk drivers should change wipers if they don't work well. But replace them before they go bad so they are always ready when that storm hits. For some Norfolk drivers, once a year may be enough. For others – those who drive a lot, whose wipers are exposed to a lot of sun or use their wipers more – r ... read more

You probably have a cabinet in your kitchen filled with pots and pans. Your vehicle has one very important pan in it as well. It's the pan that holds oil for your engine called, naturally, an oil pan. The oil pan is a very important, though simple, component of your engine's lubrication system.  The oil pan is attached to the bottom of the engine and holds the oil that will be circulated through parts of your engine to keep them lubricated, reducing friction, so everything works smoothly and prevents damage.  It's important that the oil doesn't leak out, so there is a gasket between the oil pan and the engine block.  The oil in your engine can get very hot while it’s running.  The heat causes your oil pan and engine block to expand at different rates – cushioned by the gasket. Your oil pan can also get hit and damaged by debris kicked up from the road.  Wear and tear, heat and time all take their toll, and it's possible for the ... read more

Some drivers don't worry at all about their vehicles and neglect taking them in for service.  Here are six warning signs that it's time to head over to your NAPA AutoCare Center and get things checked out. Warning light is on. Vehicles have warning lights for everything from engine troubles to brakes to battery issues. They usually look like the system they're warning you about (a tire for under or over inflation, an engine for engine problems, etc.). It's telling you something.  Have it checked out, especially a flashing Check Engine light. Shaking or vibrations. Your vehicle should go smoothly down the road, but if you feel shakes where there once were none, something's wrong. You might feel them in the steering wheel or through your seat. It could be a suspension, tire, or electrical problem (among other possibilities), so have it checked out, so you know what's going on. Burning smell or smoke ... read more

After many years and tens of thousands of miles, your suspension system components do wear out, but how long that takes depends a lot on how you drive. As you can imagine, if most of your driving is on smooth highways, your shock absorbers will last a lot longer than if you do most of your driving on bumpy roads or hauling heavy loads.  In addition to just wearing out, suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road. Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your vehicle manufacturer recommends periodic inspections.  During an inspection, your service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts. Signs that shocks or struts are wearing out:  The tires may have a cupped wear pattern.  This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly.  You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering.  If the front of your vehicle dives excessively when stopping ... read more

You may not be familiar with all of the items on Carmasters Automotive's menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. Remember, the board is there for reference; speak to your Carmasters Automotive service advisor about other possible needs or services. Carmasters Automotive Fuel System Cleaning: Over time, the fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning at Carmasters Automotive gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas as you drive around Norfolk and on Norfolk freeways, by the way. Carmasters Automotive Headlamp Replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. When one burns out, replace both so they'll have the same brightness. Also, if your headlamp lenses are yellowed or cloudy, you can have them professionally restored to like new-condition. As your friendly and knowledgeable Carmasters Automotive advisor for information. Ca ... read more