Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

This page is a work in progress and will be adjusted over time, so check back often. If you have and questions you would like answered not listed here, call, click or visit us.

This seems like a good idea for saving money, but according to our records, car repair visits are getting more expensive as a result. Our advice is this: If you really want to save money, you will be better off to invest a little at a time maintaining your vehicle rather than stopping all together. Using the fuel filter example, you can save $50 by not replacing it now, but when the fuel pump wears out due to the strain of a plugged filter, the $50 you just saved can now cost $800 plus wrecker fees plus the stress of being stranded on the side of the road in less than desirable Texas weather.

How about that dead battery at 3 a.m. during an emergency? The first sign of most battery failures is a "click" or dead silence when you turn the key. We can minimize your surprises with a few tests. Most freeway breakdowns can be prevented by following the factory required maintenance plan. It really is cheaper to maintain a car than to "fix it as it breaks".

Apparently they know what their time is worth! Be careful here as you'll likely get what you've paid for - nothing. Plugging in a code reader and selling you parts of questionable need based on the code they pull is not to be confused with proper diagnostics. This method relies entirely on luck. The parts stores offering this have their place for the do-it-yourself crowd, but if you're an average driver, you deserve more. See below. The testing performed at Advanced Auto Repairs is all inclusive, meaning "pulling codes" is simply the first step in the process of repairing the problem. We will retrieve failure records/freeze frame data as needed (ask the person with the cheap code reader what that means!), we operate the vehicle duplicating the same conditions which set the codes while monitoring related systems, we access factory technical bulletins as needed since updates may be available as mistakes do happen at the factory, and finally, we access the repair information required to perform a proper and lasting repair. Sound complicated? It isn't to the trained professionals like you will find at Advanced Auto Repairs and we offer FAR more than just reading a code and hoping that check engine light will stay off by throwing an expensive part at the problem. So yes, we do charge a nominal fee for this service - and we promise you WILL get your money's worth! Ask anyone how the work at Advanced Auto Repairs stands up to the test of time - now compare the results to any other shop of your choice and you will then know why we really are better than the other guys.

We run into this more often than you think! While we can't speak for other shops or know why the failure rate is so high, the list of other's failures being properly repaired at Advanced Auto Repairs is growing at an alarming rate! The most common problems coming from the other locations seem to be Check Engine Lights and wiring issues which happen to be our specialty. Feel free to challenge us and you can join the list of others converted into lifetime customers! Fixed Fast! Fixed Right!! Words we take to heart and live by!

That would be Kelly, the owner and... oh, THAT guy? His name is Ty and he is the 4 month old (at the time the picture was taken) Grandson of Kelly and Kim, the owners. He is our Fuel System Specialist/Consultant.

You can have your maintenance work performed at any qualified repair facility. It's not so important where it's done, just so long as you can prove maintenance has been kept up to date should any warranty issues show up. Should any dealer argue that you will void your warranty by going elsewhere, do your research here and you might qualify for FREE repairs from that dealer! Here's another thing you likely didn't know: Per most of the manufactures, dealers are required to NOT inspect your vehicle for warranty related repairs as a means of keeping costs down. We don't have these restrictions which means if we see any issues that need attention, we will tell you about them and offer options on how to take care of them.

That's a question with upwards of 1150 correct answers. How, you ask? Research has shown there are upwards of 1150 scenarios that can cause a check engine light to illuminate. "There are 1150 sensors??" No, but for each sensor there are a variety of ways it can fail: open, shorted, abnormal output - plus there is potential for wiring damage between the computer and sensor as well as a computer being defective itself. Occasionally the factory makes adjustments in programming to correct issues that aren't related to sensor failures at all: sometimes the programming itself "sees" problems that don't exist. So, the short answer? Once we have the opportunity to inspect your car and perform all the testing necessary to pinpoint the cause of a check engine light, we can then honestly tell you how much it will cost. Anyone willing to offer an estimate for repairs before proper testing is guessing at best and doesn't have your best interest at heart.

Retrieving a trouble code is not the end of diagnostics - it's only the beginning. A check engine light means nothing more than the computer saw a condition it was programmed to accept as abnormal and the trouble codes were designed as a means to point the trained technician in the direction to test for this abnormality. Just because a code is set for one component, there is no guarantee that component is the actual failed part as the whole circuit related to that part as well as other entire systems that affect the one in question are all suspect at this time. Add to this the fact that one failed part can mask another failed part and now you compound what seemed to be a simple problem. Trouble codes simply tell us which street to go down while looking for a problem. Replacing a part based on trouble codes is hit and miss - sort of like delivering a pizza to the first house on the street once given a street number (trouble code). Sometimes luck allows this to be right. We don't rely on luck. In reality, once we have the street number (trouble code), we can then research the problem, test related circuits, access factory reference materials and locate the true fault (the correct address on that street). You no more want someone else getting your pizza than you want to pay for the wrong part because someone didn't follow proper procedures.

We'll be happy to inspect your A/C and we are qualified to make any repairs to bring it back to life. Please be advised low freon is only one of many reasons an air conditioning system might not cool properly. We find low freon to be the only source of poor cooling in less than 50% of all systems tested. Lack of airflow through the car's radiator due to multiple reasons, basic to major system faults in under hood components to electrical controls inside the car. Also, let's say the freon level really is low: Like a low tire, freon can only escape if a leak exists so instead of a simple "top off", proper testing is required to determine where the freon escaped. A system that is low and a few years old is an exception here as very slight freon loss is considered normal by older standards.

Two Space Shuttles have crashed now, and they have Rocket Scientists working on them! While we can spot many issues that will lead to failure if ignored, not even the best trained Auto Techs can predict the future of your car. There are exceptions based on common problems, but that's not the same as simply inspecting a part and being able to tell it's future with no signs of current damage. Most every part on every car is wearing out each time you use it. Some will go sooner than others, most will never wear out before the car dies. While there really are some things we can't predict the future on, our experience in the field allows us to see the trends in repeat repairs as well as spot many components on the edge of failure that the untrained eye will miss. Periodic inspections of failure prone items will cut way down on the unexpected.

Rarely will an alignment issue cause a shake or vibration. On the other hand, alignment problems will cause excessive tire wear, a pull to the right or left if the steering wheel is released and increased gas usage. The most common cause of vibration at highway speeds would be tire balance. Improperly installed tires, tires damaged from curbs and potholes and badly worn tires due to alignment issues are the most likely fault here, so in a sense, alignment can play a small part in vibrations, but only due to wear over time. We have the skills and equipment to address all of these concerns.

Maybe, maybe not. There are many possible problems that can cause these concerns. A few years ago, tune ups would fix many concerns. These days, the term "tune up" has very little meaning in itself. Sure, maintenance is a requirement to keep performance up to par, but there is no one size fits all tune up as in the past. So to answer, we can repair abnormal low mileage concerns as well as poor running conditions, but these issues may or may not be tune up related. Thank the computer age for making the explanation itself more complicated! To sum up, if you have any mileage, performance or even general "why does it do that?" concerns, come see us. We can help.

This is generally caused by warped or un-parallel brake components. Tires and worn suspension parts can be a culprit in some instances. Ignoring this can be a safety issue plus the shake you feel in the steering wheel is much lower than the shake felt by the steering components in your car. This will lead to worn out steering components if ignored and as stated, it is a safety issue by causing an increase in braking distance and possible loss of steering if parts get worn enough to come apart. Get this checked out today!

This is perfectly normal in stop and go driving. The reason might get a bit technical, though. During the summer, your air conditioning system is on constantly. This causes higher cooling system demands so the manufactures handle this by running the electric cooling fans based on a/c demands. This higher airflow keeps the temperature in the middle of the gauge (195-210 degrees) on many cars. During the winter, a different technique is used. The cooling fans tend to run only as the engine demands it instead of nearly full time since the a/c is now off mostly. Now, many manufactures will only turn the fan on at temps as high as 235 degrees and off at around 210 degrees resulting in the needle on the gauge reading a bit higher than it does in the summer. These numbers vary between car makes, but work for the purpose of discussion here. When cruising at highway speeds, the extra airflow you feel when you stick your hand out of the window keeps the engine temperature lower so you're not likely to see this unless you do stop and go driving or are sitting at the drive through window for a few minutes. Now, if at any time the temperature approaches the redline, call us! This is serious and the car shouldn't be driven until a cure is found.

Sorry, the answer is NO. For less than the cost of a tank of gas we can have your car towed in where it can be properly inspected. A serious problem driven just a short distance to the shop might lead to several thousand in repairs if not caught soon enough. We are all about saving you money when possible.

Your Owner's Manual is your best choice to answer this as some cars are built to different standards. If you don't have the manual as many folks find they can't carry as many CDs with that blasted manual in the way, here's the general explanation related to warning lights: First, 2 questions: What color is the light? And is it blinking? Now, if the light is yellow, it's generally a warning that something needs inspecting soon, but not necessarily an emergency. Come see us as soon as convenient and we'll take care of it. If it is a Check Engine light (yellow) and blinking, that is an indication of a problem that will lead to further damage if ignored. You may not need to park it immediately as in the cases of red lights, but driving for non emergencies might cost more money if the problem isn't addressed. Drive on in if you're within a few miles of the shop. If not, call us and we can further advise you. If the light is red, it's related to a component that may be safety related. This includes items such as oil pressure mentioned above and brakes along with other serious items. Don't chance it! Call us and we can tow it in.

Do I need to make an appointment?

Generally, yes. Although we make every effort to accommodate all of our customers, we work on appointments first, then a first come first served basis. Therefore an appointment is always recommended. To make life easier, we accept appointments made online, by phone and in person.

Do you have a Diagnostic Machine? You know, that computer that tells you what's wrong with my car?

We have several as a matter of fact, but it isn't the one you are picturing in your head. When people think of diagnostics, they think of a computer you can plug a vehicle into that will tell you what is wrong. If there were such a machine, every household in America would own 2! The only true Diagnostic Machine is a well educated and experienced technician, armed with a variety of diagnostic equipment including a multimeter, oscilloscope, hand held vehicle scanner along with a multitude of equipment and access to an updated information library as well as ongoing training in the latest technology. So, yes, THOSE "machines" we have! Today's vehicles and systems demand nothing less. We are equipped to handle 99% of the problems you might ever encounter.

Do you offer a warranty on the work you perform?

Yes. The warranty on most jobs is 12 months or 12,000 miles whichever comes first. Some jobs offer more and many jobs are covered with a nationwide warranty. Be sure to ask us for details. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority, therefore we use high quality parts which results in nearly no warranty issues to deal with. Having only 2 warranty claims for the first half of 2008 (one a heavily used fleet vehicle, both claims were simply defective parts) out of several hundred repairs is no accident.

Can I have my old parts back?

Sure! They are your parts. We only ask that you let us know ahead of time. To cut back on clutter, once the bill is paid, unclaimed parts are disposed of.

Rarely will an alignment issue cause a shake or vibration. On the other hand, alignment problems WILL cause excessive tire wear, a pull to the right or left if the steering wheel is released and increased gas usage. The most common cause of vibration at highway speeds would be tire balance. Improperly installed tires, tires damaged from curbs and potholes and badly worn tires due to a alignment issues are the most likely fault here, so in a sense, alignment can play a small part in vibrations over time.

Can I supply my own parts?

Generally, NO. This is due to the same reasons a burger joint won't allow you to bring your own hamburger meat. One, they lose control of quality. Two, there's a high liability if the meat you supply is bad and you sue them for serving it to you. Three, it cuts into their profit which is the only reason to be in business (otherwise, it's a hobby). And finally, when you tell everyone about the lousy tasting burger that made you sick, will you tell the same people that YOU supplied the meat? This rarely gets mentioned in these situations. The only exception to this rule would be a catalog/specialty part for a custom job or a swap meet part for a classic car restoration. If your situation is one of these two please stop by before you purchase anything to discuss the job. In any instance where we use a supplied part, there is no warranty of the part's fitness or function and all labor to replace said part(s) is the responsibility of the customer including paying by the hour for rack time and stall space because of an immoveable car while waiting for the proper/replacement part(s) to be located by the customer. Also, a higher labor rate will apply to jobs that involve customer supplied parts to offset lost revenue normally associated with us selling our own parts. Labor rates in auto repair, high as you might think they are, have never been at a level where we could sustain a shop on labor charges alone. The few shops that let you bring parts simply don't have the guts to tell you you're paying more for the "privilege".

Just like Dentists, Plumbers, Restaurants and all businesses that sell things, auto repair facilities are in business to make a profit from what they sell. We offer a warranty plus we make sure the parts we supply for your car are correct, and that we get ALL the parts needed for a repair. We know the difference between that cheap import part and the good stuff that looks just alike. Knowing which aftermarket parts are good to use and which will kill your car is a bit like knowing which mushrooms are safe to eat: very risky unless you have a lot of expertise and experience. If you pick a bad part and the part does not perform to your satisfaction, you will have little recourse. The parts supplier may warranty the part but that likely will mean you get the exact same brand/model of the part that failed in the first place. Restaurants don't let customers bring groceries in for them to cook (talk about cheaper!), Dentists don't let their patients bring in gold fillings to have installed, and Advanced Auto Repairs will only install parts purchased elsewhere in rare instances. (See the 2 exceptions above). We have developed procedures that serve our customers very well - procedures which include procuring the correct as well as high quality parts to repair vehicles correctly.

You just never know when that cheap part might lead to a catastrophe. "It's only a rubber valve stem. How serious could that simple little rubber part be??"

So, when you find a shop advertising a lower price, ask yourself, "What are they leaving out to make it cheaper? Quality? Safety??"

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Once you give us the time to inspect your car, we will be happy to offer an estimate on repairs. You might waste your time calling 10 repair shops and get 10 answers, but until one of them has seen the car, all 10 are likely to be wrong prices! Ask anyone willing to offer you a price this: "Will you absolutely guarantee that price?" Be prepared for a hesitation from the other end of the phone or a practiced speech on "hidden damage". Save yourself the time and headache - be fair to us and yourself and let the shop check your car for the proper repair. We offer a few of the reasons below. We hope you will be understanding and try to imagine being in our shoes.

Reason#1: All too often we have put together prices only to find out that the call in diagnosis was not the actual problem.

Reason#2: The application (or car information) supplied by the caller was not accurate causing the estimate to be inaccurate as well.

Reason#3: There is more found to be wrong with the car than we were told on the phone.

Reason#4: The labor time on some jobs depends on the condition of the vehicle.

Reason#5: If we are able to see the condition of the car, we are able to warn you of possible complications that the repair may present. It is impossible to see rust damage or corrosion over the phone.

Reason#6: Some parts require information that can only be obtained by having the car present. Cars have many options from the manufacturer. We would rather have the car here so we can quickly obtain the needed information rather than play phone tag and try to explain where and how to get what we need to know.

Biggest reason and bottom line, through years of experience, we have found that we are able to provide the most accurate estimates if we check it out and write it up in person.

We have received feedback from a few people who thought we were priced too high on some big jobs. One was an engine replacement. They phoned a well known engine and transmission "specialist" chain of stores and were quoted $1800 so they had the vehicle towed to them since money was tight. The final bill was over $3200. Our estimate to the last nut and bolt? $3000 and now the vehicle owner is unhappy because of substandard work from this place of business as well. They are now paying other shops to fix mistakes made while "saving money" so that $3200 expense is still growing. Be leery of ANY repair facility that will offer a price over the phone without even seeing your car. This practice is getting to be more common due to the struggling economy and slow business in many areas. Some places find no shame in luring you in with a fake low price as they are counting on you staying once more expensive "hidden" damage is found. We find it shameful when businesses give low-ball estimates over the phone as a lure. You WILL NOT experience this at Advanced Auto Repairs! More thoughts on price shopping?

I'm glad you asked! There is more than one way to fix a problem with a car (or most anything). There's the right way which involves testing components to find the failure, and then there is the way many uninformed folks will do things in an attempt to save money (by not paying for access to quality information) or save time (by not taking the needed time to verify why something doesn't perform as it should).

So, let's say your car won't start and it has been found to not have any fuel pressure. It needs a fuel pump, right? Most people automatically think so and some people will want a new fuel pump, no questions asked. This is a "guess" repair as nothing has been tested to confirm anything except a loss of fuel pressure. Is the fuel pump getting power? Does the darned gas tank have any gas in it? All too often the fuel pump is replaced without testing anything else. The car still doesn't start so now it's time to actually find out why. Whoops! A $15 relay was faulty and not supplying any power to the fuel pump! Could the original pump have damaged the relay and still have been needed? Maybe... But it's still a "guess" as we'll never know since it was replaced with no testing. With some modern fuel pumps costing upwards of $600-$800 with parts and labor and a simple relay plus time to test running less than $100, how many people will admit to you they charged you $800 for repairs you may not have needed?