Winter visibility and safety: Setting your GPS for cold temperatures

Global positioning system (GPS) devices used to be a thing of science fiction. Back then, nobody thought a device could accurately depict where you are located, and reveal a map of your destination before you even get there. But technology advanced, and what used to be myth became possible. Navigation became easier, and travelling to new locales became less of a hassle for motorists.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: blogspot.com

However, even the most advanced technologies bend to factors beyond human control—factors like climate. For an owner, a prominent concern is how a device will react to various weather conditions. After all, a good GPS device acts like your second pair of eyes that are not blinded by factors like smoke, dust, and fog, making it indispensable in environments with reduced visibility.

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Depending on the type and the manufacturer, GPS devices demand a particular amount of care. This is typically not the case with built-in GPS systems, as these devices were designed and tested to work in extreme conditions. Other units, such as handheld and in-the-car receivers are best not exposed to low temperature, as this can cause their screens to momentarily cloud up. You may have to wait until the device warms up and the cloud dissolves before you can use it.

While unproven by most manufacturers, many users note that cold temperatures often cause the lithium ion batteries of their GPS units to run out faster. As a precaution, manufacturers advise users to take their GPS units out of the car when not being used.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: blogcdn.com

More importantly, you must remember to have your automobiles checked regularly. Auto repair shops like A&M Automotive in Bellevue, Washington, checks your car’s electronics to make sure that changes in climate do not cause insulations to wear off, among other things. Finely tuned electronic connections are integral to a fully operational GPS system.

For more information, visit AMAutofactoria.com.

Your car's color and the effects of white winter

It may not be the first thing they look at, but car owners mind their vehicle’s color. After all, no red convertible looks good with a faded paint job that lacks sheen. Unfortunately, car paint does not stay glossy forever, especially when exposed to temperature extremes. Winter, for one, poses many threats to car paint -- not good news to car owners who are hard-pressed to keep their rides looking as shiny as brand new.

From prestigeluxuryrentals.com

Weather has always affected the longevity of any material exposed to it. When in extreme cold, car paint usually suffers from thinned wax and weakened enamel. This exposes the car’s metal surface to the elements, potentially worsening the damage. Snow is not as delicate as it is often imagined to be, and, together with sleet, actually does a fine job of leaving scratches on a car’s paint job.

From blogspot.com

In very cold areas, snowfall can be very heavy, making the streets more slippery and hazardous. To remedy this, road salts are often used to de-ice streets. But while it reduces the risk brought about by slippery roads, it greatly causes the car’s paint to degrade and weaken. It can also act as a catalyst for rusting, something car owners would ever want to see in their vehicle.

From carcleaningguru.com

Experts suggest keeping cars in a garage to protect them from weather extremes. Depending on the car’s finish, owners can use products like paint sealants to enhance the longevity of their vehicle’s paint job. It is also best to have the car checked by experts. For example, technicians at A&M Automotive in Bellevue can recommend the proper steps to protect practically any finish in any automobile model.

For more updates, visit AMAutofactoria.com.

Making that stop: A&M Auto Repair on ensuring an efficient braking system

A&M Automotive, a renowned auto repair shop in Bellevue, Washington, is consistent in reminding motorists to send in their vehicles for scheduled maintenance checks and periodic repairs. Being proactive about maintenance and repair is seen to ensure that the vehicle continues to run smoothly and in a manner expected of it.

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One of the most important aspects of vehicles that must be regularly checked is the braking system. Out of all the other safety features of the car, the braking system is the most used. When the brake system fails, accidents are almost sure to follow.

To ensure that the car makes the stop or slows down when needed, A&M Automotive recommends requesting a routine checkup for their vehicle’s braking system during every oil check session.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: keelermotorcar.blogspot.com

The amount of wear on the brake pads and the usage of the brake fluid vary from vehicle to vehicle and it is wise to have the condition of the break system checked often to avoid accidents, costly repairs, and frequent replacements for damaged disk brake rotors or brake drums.

Keeping the interior of the car clean also goes a long way in ensuring an efficient braking system. Small things like cans and bottles can easily get under the brake pedals, hindering proper operation at crucial times.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: digitaltrends.com

For more information on A&M Automotive and car maintenance, visit: Amautofactoria.com.

A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue: Clearing up oil change concerns

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At A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue, curious car owners usually ask the technicians questions that are specific to car maintenance procedures. Among the most asked questions are those that are about oil change: “How often should it be done? Why is oil change important?”


To shed light on the matter, below are some quick answers with a few details added in for good measure:


Manufacturers generally advise gasoline vehicle owners to have their automobile’s oil changed once every year or every 7,500 miles. Meanwhile, for diesel engines and cars with turbocharged gasoline engines, the recommendation goes down to about half to once every six months or with every 3,000 miles travelled.

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However, as technicians at A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue have pointed out, this is the recommendation based on ideal driving circumstances – that is, based on the idea that most drivers drive defensively and do not push the machine of their car to the limit.



The oil in the engine is there to keep it running smoothly and to protect it from accelerated wear. Given that, only new engines with little or no wear can manage to survive with less frequent oil changes. As the car starts to accumulate miles, however, it is expected to dump more unburned fuel into the crank case which will dilute the oil, leading to accelerated wear. Given these points, the recommendation goes to the latter given values – every six months or every 3,000 miles, no matter what type of driving is done.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: autoblog.com

Visit AMAutoFactoria.com for more information on A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue and how to keep your vehicles in good shape.

A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue, Washington: Important steps to flood-proof your car

A&M Automotive Image Credit: outdoorlife.com

People can’t really do much when disaster strikes. However, they can at least mitigate the damage by taking precautionary measures before and after the flood. A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue, Washington, provides some tips on how you can safeguard your prized possessions, including your cars, against the wrath of nature:

• Choose a residential area that is not prone to flooding.

• If your office location has a tendency to be submerged in rainwater, park the car on a high ground.

• Request your car insurance agent to include ‘acts of God’ in the policy.

• Familiarize yourself with the route to work and identify areas which tend to be inundated. Determine the safest route to and from work.

• Consider retrofitting for flood-prone residential areas. This includes raising the level of the garage to a significantly higher plane above the ground and if possible, moving the house away from flood-risk areas.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: freefoto.com

A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue, the one-stop shop for all car repair needs, also advises car owners to pay attention to warnings and to never take chances. If the flood is high as the car’s doorsill, it’s preferable to turn back and find a high parking ground. If the road is still passable, it’s recommended that you drive slowly and shift the car to first gear. While in first gear, step on the gas pedal and keep going without stalling the engine. If the car gets stuck, ask for help and have it towed.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: amautofactoria.com

For quality towing service, car owners can trust A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue. The company offers free towing with major engine or transmission repairs. To learn more about its services, visit AMAutoFactoria.com.

A&M Auto in Bellevue: Top-notch work driven by honesty and integrity

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A&M Auto in Bellevue has long since become one of the top choices for automobile owners in Washington and in nearby locations due to a variety of reasons. Since its humble start in 1989, the auto repair shop has served a diverse profile of clientele and automobiles of different models and manufacturers and it has been consistent in delivering what it promises and going beyond client expectations.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: amautofactoria.com

To allow its staff to properly service any type of car, the company’s facilities have undergone several expansions and upgrades over the years. In addition, the automotive shop features four service departments, divided by the type and origin of vehicle manufacturers. Because of this, the facilities are fully equipped to handle American, Japanese, and European cars, and medium-duty trucks and motorhomes.

A&M Automotive Image Credit: comparestoreprices.co.uk

The technicians at A&M Auto in Bellevue, meanwhile, are guided by the principles of honesty and integrity in all of the work assigned to them. The baseline for their work involves the accurate assessment of what needs to be done for the vehicle to continue running smoothly or to be restored to its pre-accident condition. In this effort, the auto repair shop’s mechanics use the latest diagnostic and repair equipment at their disposal, including: equipment scanners, lab scopes, on-line repair information, 5 gas analyzer, AC recover and changing stations, and fuel injection servicing machinery, among others.

Given the efficiency of its work, the automobile repair shop is able to offer all of its services at competitive prices and it is able to complete most of its work in the minimum amount of time.

For a complete list of the services offered at A&M Auto in Bellevue, visit: www.amautofactoria.com.

A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue: Removing the guesswork in repairs

Photo Credit: A&M Automotive

The technicians at A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue, Washington are all known for their motivation and persistence in finding solutions to problems that other auto-repair shops have failed to solve. It is through this single-minded determination of its staff that the automobile repair service provider has been voted as the “best automotive repair shop” in Consumer News Magazine for several years in a row.

Photo Credit: A&M Automotive

Apart from the attitude and skill of its personnel, A&M is also well-equipped with the latest technology to accommodate the needs of a diverse clientele. It features a 10,000-square foot facility that was recently renovated as the auto-repair services provider aimed to improve its turnaround time for repairs.

A&M Automotive Photo Credit: comparestoreprices.co.uk

The facility of the A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue also includes 14 lifts, a state of the art alignment machine, and a fenced storage lot secured with an alarm system to provide adequate protection for the property of its customers. More importantly, however, the facility is also equipped with all the latest diagnostic and repair equipment, like original equipment scanners for virtually every make and model of vehicle, five gas analyzers, AC recovery and changing stations, fuel injection servicing machinery, and many more.

Through its equipment and the qualifications of its personnel, the automobile repair shop ensures that it reaches accurate diagnostics and performs high quality repairs to all of the vehicles that are entrusted to it.

For more information on the facilities of A&M Auto Repair in Bellevue, visit AMAutoFactoria.com.

Keeping it cool: A&M Auto in Bellevue and preventing overheats

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Summer is just a few more weeks away, and many are looking into joyrides and interstate trips as ways to spend the season. A&M Auto in Bellevue provides some tips on how to prevent your car from overheating, and potentially upsetting what could be a fun summer.

One of the most effective means to ensure a smooth and overheat-free journey is to be a responsible motorist. Check your car’s engine oil and coolant levels, and make sure that they are sufficient for the trip. Make sure that your car’s warning system works properly. Overheats can occur more quickly than expected, and a fully functional warning system goes a long way in alerting you of any engine problems.

A&M Automotive Photo Credit: img.ehowcdn.com

Overheats can occur while you are on the road, and unfortunately, services from car repair stations like A&M Auto in Bellevue are not always within reach. You, therefore, have to know what you can do to prevent your car from succumbing to heat in the middle of the trip.

Needless to say, you have to give your engine as much rest as possible. Turn it off if you have to stop your car for more than a minute. Avoid the rush hour, and drive at a steady speed, even if you have to go slow in stop-and-go traffic. Sudden acceleration and abrupt stops can take a toll on your engine.

Moreover, take the best precaution against overheating, which is having your car checked by professional technicians regularly (A&M Auto in Bellevue offers car check-ups and maintenance services). This eliminates factors like leaks and burst hoses—typical causes of overheating—and assures you that all automobile parts and features are functional and are working well. It doesn’t hurt to be prepared—it only sets you up for a summer trip without much worries.

From A&M Automotive

Learn more about the services offered by A&M Auto in Bellevue by visiting www.amautofactoria.com.

A&M Auto in Bellevue: Entrusting your car to a specialist

A&M Auto Bellevue.From December 23, 2011

From March 15, 2012

A&M Auto in Bellevue, Washington, a one-stop auto-repair shop that places great emphasis on customer satisfaction, stresses the necessity of hiring skilled and experienced technicians to perform maintenance and repair work on today’s vehicles.

When their automobiles are in need of repairs or maintenance work, motorists often have to make a choice on where they should bring their vehicle – back to the manufacturer, a trusted local repair shop, or perhaps try a cheaper alternative. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the need for maintenance and repair, any one of these choices may be more attractive than the others.

Meanwhile, as the systems on today’s vehicles become more and more complicated as a result of years of development and evolution, the draw of hiring certified technicians has sharply risen.

A&M Auto Bellevue. From A&M Automotive

For A&M Auto in Bellevue, however, employing knowledgeable technicians with at least 10 years of experience has always been the norm. Currently, it has nine highly trained technicians who are all capable of handling the most demanding repair jobs on a variety of vehicles, locally made or imported.

As the repair shop as a whole strives to provide only the best service available for its clientele, its service departments are fully equipped for repairs and maintenance work on American, Japanese, and European cars, and medium duty trucks and motorhomes. Its staff, on the other hand, has kept up with the latest in automotive industry standards and has remained fully capable of providing accurate assessments of the vehicle’s condition and the level of repair necessary. These factors ensure that a specialized approach is given to every vehicle, which lessens the duration and cost of repair.

A&M Auto Bellevue. From A&M Automotive

Additional information on the specialized auto repair services from A&M Auto in Bellevue can be found at AMAutoFactoria.com.