Graham Auto Repair

Category Archives: Safety Tips

How to Extend the Life of Your Brake Pads

How to Extend the Life of Your Brake Pads

How can you extend the life of your brake pads? Taking care of your brake pads not only keeps you safe on the road, but can save you money! How? By extending their lifespan. So today we are going to give you a few tips on easy ways to make your brake pads last longer. 1. Brake Gradually: Avoid slamming on your brakes whenever possible. Do your best to anticipate stops so that you can have smoother braking. This will reduce the heat that's generated and help to prolong the life of your brake pads. 2. Watch Your Speed: How does your speed affect your braking? The faster you drive, the more energy your brakes will have to absorb when you stop. By reducing your speed you will limit how often you will need to brake. By reducing your speed, you will gradually help limit the wear and tear on your brake pads. 3. Avoid Overloading: Do you ever use your vehicle for towing or transporting loads? Do you carry a lot of un ... read more

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Safety Tips

Fall Driving Tips

Fall Driving Tips

Prepare Your Vehicle For Fall Driving in the Pacific Northwest As the rainy season approaches and leaves begin to fall, it’s essential to make sure your vehicle is ready to handle the challenges of fall driving in the PNW. Here’s how you can ensure your car is safe and reliable this season: 1. Complete an Oil Change Service: Regular oil changes are crucial to keep your engine running smoothly, especially as the weather cools down. Fresh oil helps your engine work efficiently, reducing wear and tear. 2. Inspect Your Tires--Don't Forget the Spare Tire: Check your tires for proper inflation and tread depth. Wet roads and fallen leaves can create slippery conditions, so it’s important to have good traction. Worn or under-inflated tires can increase the risk of hydroplaning. 3. Complete a Brake Inspection: Your brakes are your vehicle’s most important safety feature, especially on wet roads ... read more

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Safety Tips

Top 5 Vehicle Safety Checks

Top 5 Vehicle Safety Checks

How Should I Prepare My Car For Fall Weather? As the school year approaches, parents and guardians are busy preparing for the daily routine of drop-offs, pick-ups, and everything in between. Ensuring your vehicle is ready for the road is an essential part of that preparation. A well-maintained vehicle not only ensures your family's safety but also provides peace of mind during those busy school mornings. While there are some basic safety checks you can perform at home, Graham Auto Repair offers something even more comprehensive—a complimentary full vehicle health inspection with every service. This detailed inspection helps catch potential concerns before they become costly breakdowns, ensuring a smooth and safe school commute. Let’s explore the top 5 vehicle safety checks you can do at home, and see how our professional inspections go beyond the basics. 1. Tire Inspection:Why It's Important: Tires are the only ... read more

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Safety Tips

Emergency Car Kit

Emergency Car Kit

Essential Items for Your Car Emergency Kit This Fall As the fall driving season approaches, it’s crucial to ensure that your vehicle is equipped to handle any situation that may arise on the road. Whether you’re sending your college student off to campus or juggling school drop-offs and pick-ups. As a busy parent, having an emergency car kit provides peace of mind for everyone involved. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the essential items that should be in your car’s emergency kit. These things will help you stay prepared no matter where the road takes you this fall. 1. Jumper Cables or Jumper Box: A dead battery can happen unexpectedly. Jumper cables are a great option. A portable jumper box will allow you or your college student to jump-start their car without needing another vehicle! 2. First Aid Kit & Flashlight: Here's a few items to keep in your first aid kit: bandages, antiseptic ... read more

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Safety Tips

Tips For A Safe Drive To College

Tips For A Safe Drive To College

Preparing Your College Student's Car for the Journey Back to Campus The summer months are winding down and the excitement of a new school year is approaching! It's time to make sure your college student's car is ready for the road. A well-maintained vehicle is crucial for their safety and for your peace of mind. Whether you are driving them across the country, or waving good-bye as they take the journey on their own. We want to make sure breakdowns are crossed off the list this fall! Keep reading to find a checklist of services and safety checks, to help prepare your vehicle for the journey ahead. Bonus: If you complete an Oil Change Service at Graham Auto Repair, we will complete a free vehicle health inspection. Our team will inform you of any other necessary services. Giving you the opportunity to address any potential services before the first quarter begins! 1. Complete an Oil Change: Fresh oil is essential for the engine ... read more

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Safety Tips

Spring Car Maintenance Tips: Prepare for Summer Road Trips

Spring Car Maintenance Tips: Prepare for Summer Road Trips

As spring blooms into summer in Washington State, many of us are planning summer road trips. Whether you’re dreaming of a coastal drive or a mountain getaway, ensuring your vehicle is road-trip ready is essential. At Graham Auto Repair, we want to help you prepare your car for the adventures ahead with our comprehensive vehicle services. Check out this short video where our team shares their tips to prepare for a road trip. Along with some essential items to take with you. 1. Oil Change Service:Why it's important: Oil changes help maintain your engine’s health and ensures it remains efficient. Replacing the old oil removes any debris that have built up over time. Fresh oil ensures that all engine components are well-lubricated and working together with ease. Ready to schedule your next oil service? Click Here To Book Online ... read more

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Safety Tips

Red Ring on Spark Plugs

Red Ring on Spark Plugs

What Does a Red Ring on Spark Plugs Mean? Have you found a red ring on your spark plugs? Understanding the signs your engine is sharing is a crucial step to maintain your vehicle's health. At Graham Auto Repair we emphasize the value of regular maintenance for your vehicles. We want to ensure your cars are safe and reliable, to help you prevent future breakdowns. Before we dive into what can cause a red ring on your spark plugs, it's important to distinguish it from normal color changes. A brown or tan stain is generally considered normal. It is sometimes caused by oil and dirt particles, and is usually harmless. In contrast, a red ring can be a visible sign of a more serious condition. If you feel unsure which color you're dealing with, call and talk with our team. Our Service Advisors will be more than happy to help you! 1. Excessive Engine Heat: If your spark plug shows a red ring, it might be warning you ... read more

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Safety Tips

Coolant: Your Engine's Protector

Coolant: Your Engine's Protector

The Hidden Cost of Using Water In Your Vehicle's Cooling System Are you a company that manages a fleet of vehicles to keep your business running? As fleet managers, maintaining peak performance and maximizing cost-efficiency are top priorities. While water may seem like a readily available and inexpensive alternative to coolant, the potential consequences can be significantly detrimental to your fleet's health and budget. 1. Improper Temperature Regulation: Water lacks the heat transfer capacity of coolant. This can lead to potential overheating and engine damage. 2. Increased Risk of Freezing: Water's higher freezing point poses a risk of ice formation within the engine block during cold weather. This can cause cracks in your system, resulting in expensive repairs. 3. Accelerated Corrosion: Water lacks the anti-corrosion properties of coolant. This can lead to premature wear and tear on essential engi ... read more

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Safety Tips

Winter Driving

Winter Driving

5 Tips For Safe Driving In Winter Weather We already have our first round of snow this season! So we want to share a few tips to improve your safety out on the road. We have included a vehicle safety checklist and a list of items to keep in your vehicle. The best thing for winter driving is to be prepared and stay calm. And if possible, stay home and enjoy the beautiful snow! 1. Check the weather conditions in advance Just looking outside may not be enough! Check winter weather advisory reports for snow, sleet or ice. This will help you plan ahead. You may need to leave early, or plan ahead for your drive back home. Dress appropriately with layers, hats, gloves, and sturdy shoes. Plan your drive based on roads that may have the safest conditions! 2. Safety checklist before you hit the road When you are driving in winter weather, it's important to check your vehicle for increased safety. Here's a quick checklist of things you ... read more

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Safety Tips

Winter Driving Tips from Graham Auto Repair

Winter Driving Tips from Graham Auto Repair

Thanksgiving is coming up this week, and Christmas is right around the corner! A lot more people are planning to travel this year than last year. Keeping you and your family safe while driving is one of our top priorities! So today we want to give you a few safety tips before you hit the road.    Traveling with your family for the holidays can feel like a burden --- especially when the weather is dark or dreary. If you can find ways to make it fun, it will add to the holiday spirit! If you have kids, you can play driving games, listen to music, or listen to a book on CD. If you can use Bluetooth in your car, you can also listen to a Podcast. Be sure to bring things to entertain your youngest passengers. You can bring books, toys, or movies for children who may get bored. We all want to avoid the dreaded question, "Are we there yet?" If you have time, planning a few stops along the route can give you all something to look forward to! We hope this list helps you and ... read more

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Safety Tips
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