It’s Going to Be a Bumpy Ride.

When you hit a pothole with your vehicle, it rocks the entire suspension system. This can cause a whole bunch of wear and tear on shocks and struts. Spotting damage to these necessary car parts can be challenging. How to spot what MAY need to be looked at is why you should stop in to A.J.’s Import Garage in Topeka.

Did you know that around the country, drivers pay approximately $3 billion a year for vehicle damage due to confrontations with potholes? This time of year, in Topeka when the temperature drops below 32°, the water standing on the pavement will freeze and expand, forcing the pavement to rise.

Don’t let a pothole ruin your winter driving experience in the Topeka area! If you suspect suspension problems with your foreign or domestic car call A.J.’s Import Garage at (785) 233-1000 or wobble into 501 S.W. Harrison in Topeka. Learn more about auto maintenance by visiting ajsimportgarage.com.

Why Should You Trust AJ’s Import Garage?

You have some choices when you decide whom to trust with your precious possession in Topeka. Your import (and even your domestic vehicle) is extremely important to you. Not just anyone can maintain your car to your satisfaction. A.J.’s Import Garage always goes the extra mile to earn your trust.

The idea, of course, is to earn and maintain your repeat business. Obviously, a one-time visit to A.J.’s shop will never do…Topeka, KS is just NOT big enough! The technicians at A.J.’s Import Garage are ASE Certified. That did not just happen. They have over 30 years of real world experience in the field.

As it pertains to foreign cars, they are proud to serve owners of such notable manufacturers as Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, BMW, and the ever-popular,Volkswagen…even Asian imports. If your car shows signs of breaking down this winter call A.J.’s Import Garage at 501 S.W. Harrison in Topeka. The number is (785) 233-1000. See their story at ajsimportgarage.com.

Let’s Get to the Core of the Matter.

This is the time when you start thinking about whether your car will heat up the inside cabin sufficiently. As the seasons change here in Topeka a chilly night is just around the corner. A.J.’s Import Garage wants to help you have peace of mind that your car’s heater core is ready for the chilly weather ahead.

Here are some of the signs that your heater core is beginning to fail –

 

1.  Suddenly there is a sweet smell emanating from your vents.

2.  Your windows begin to fog up.

3.  You are gobbling up coolant.

4.  The engine is hot, but the cabin is cold.

Don’t wait until winter sets in. If you finished last winter with an uncertain heating system in your foreign or domestic vehicle, make an appointment at A.J.’s Import Garage to have your heater core checked. A.J.’s is found at 501 S.W. Harrison in Topeka KS. Just call for an appointment at (785) 233-1000. Take a quick look at ajsimportgarage.com.

What Constitutes Regular Maintenance.

As it pertains to your finely tuned foreign vehicle in the Topeka area, it involves a number of different things. Owning a vehicle is definitely not cheap. If you look beyond the price tag on any new or used foreign car to what is required to keep your vehicle operating safely it may make you gasp!

Here are some common maintenance tips to follow –

 

1.  Always the oil…the lifeblood of your car.

2.  The tire pressure…safety first.

3.  Your braking system…safety second.

4.  The antifreeze level.

5.  The air filter…it must not be clogged.

6.  The transmission fluid.

7.  Your car’s lights.

If you remain diligent with these things and more, you may extend the life of your foreign or domestic vehicle by years! A.J.’s Import Garage will assist you in that endeavor. Just schedule a routine maintenance check late in the year and be fully prepared for winter driving in the Topeka area in 2021. They are located at 501 S.W. Harrison. See them on the internet at ajsimportgarage.com. Call (785) 233-1000 to schedule your check-up.   

Do You Pay Attention to your Car’s Temperature Gauge?

Many of us probably give it little or no consideration. A car’s temperature gauge measures how cold or hot the engine is. Did the needle in the gauge suddenly move into the red? We probably do not have to tell you your car is overheating! At this point, the question is obvious…what should you do as the driver?

Here is a very strong suggestion…if the needle is in the red zone, do not continue to drive. Pull over and turn off the engine. It may seem as if you could drive your vehicle for a short distance, but that may well cause damage to the engine cylinder block. Pull over when safe to do so and call a tow truck to haul your vehicle to us.

We are A.J.’s Import Garage at 501 S.W. Harrison in the beautiful capital city of Topeka, KS. A.J.’s mechanics know exactly what to do whether you drive an import around Topeka or a domestic make and model. Routine maintenance is also our specialty. Check us out on the web at ajsimportgarage.com. When you need us just call (785) 233-1000.

Out Dang Light.

Just quoting and perhaps cleaning up Shakespeare.  That “dang” light is the check engine light of your vehicle.  Oh, for the days when that light was not a part of your car’s maintenance system warning sign.  But then again, how many times has a check engine light suddenly illuminating on a vehicle’s dashboard saved the owner HUGE dollars?

Is it safe to drive your car with the check engine light on?  Well, the check engine light is tied into your car’s onboard diagnostics system, and it’s designed to light up (we are mostly all familiar with that yellow colored light!) whenever something goes wrong with this complex collection of components and sensors.

If you are not aware, there is a trouble code that assists trained mechanics in identifying the exact nature of the problem.  Some of the best auto mechanics in the Topeka area are employed by A.J.’s Import Garage.  Fear not, their expertise is not just confined to foreign vehicles.  Stop in to 501 S.W. Harrison in the capital city or call (785) 233-1000.

The Case of the Curious Catalytic.

Catalytic converter 101…modern cars rely on catalytic converters to remove carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and other harmful chemicals from exhaust emissions.  In order to accomplish this, they rely on costly metals that have special chemical properties that diminish in effectiveness as time goes by.

In a perfect automotive world, catalysts should be designed to have the greatest surface area possible to promote the greatest number of chemical reactions.  Manufacturers typically spread many small particles over the surface of a new catalytic converter.  They are now using excessive amounts of metal so that the converter will meet emissions standards.

Troubleshooting a faulty catalytic converter, especially in foreign cars, is the purview of a quality, well-known shop such as A.J.’s Import Garage.  Particularly if you drive a foreign car in and around Topeka KS you can always trust A.J.’s located at 501 S.W. Harrison for all of your automotive repair needs.  Just call (785) 233-1000.